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With Pettitte officially back, Sardinha is out

December
8

Andy Pettitte officially accepted arbitration with the Yankees, which puts him back on the 40-man roster.

To make room, OF Bronson Kiheimahanaomauiakeo Sardinha was designated for assignment. Sardinha appeared in 10 games last season and was on the postseason roster.

The Yankees are running out of mariginal players to take off the roster. At some point soon they’re probably going to dump Carl Pavano. But for insurance reasons, The Rajah of Rehab will probably be signed to a minor-league deal.

I dubbed Pavano the Rajah of Rehab back in 2006. But the Post calls him American Idle, which is better.

Either way, he’ll be out soon.

This entry was posted on Saturday, December 8th, 2007 at 5:16 pm by Peter Abraham.
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273 Responses to “With Pettitte officially back, Sardinha is out”

  1. Jeff

    When Bronson cant make the 40 man roster it means our system and roster is L-O-A-D-E-D.

  2. mel

    :(

  3. whozat

    Um…Sardinha is pretty marginal. I don’t think anyone will even pick him up. With a good year at AAA, he could have put himself on the map after a good ST and some decent numbers in AA in 2006, but that didn’t happen.

  4. Tommy

    Hey R—OP,

    How bout Three the Hard Way.

    1974 film from Gordon Parks.
    Brown, Williamson and Kelly.
    BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADDDDASSSSSSSSSSSS!

  5. whozat

    I meant good numbers at AAA in 2006, sorry. A whole year of that would have put him on the map.

  6. mel

    Whozat,

    I have a geographical connection with Bronson.

    Think there will be some corks popping when Pavano is released?

  7. Rebecca--Optimist Prime--Save the Three Musketeers!

    Tommy: For obvious reasons, I have no memory of 1974!

    I will miss the fish.

  8. MarkK

    Why wasn’t Sardinha traded? He’s a former first rounder and not a bad prospect.

    I don’t know that Pavano needs a nickname, Pete. I think he is a nickname, and I hope that despite last year’s injurie troubles (plural), Phil the Phranchise never earns that nickname “Pavano.”

  9. Phil

    I remember when Bronson was thought to have been a great pick. What was that? 2001? Glad the Yanks have gotten so much better at the draft lately.

  10. Andrew

    “Um…Sardinha is pretty marginal. I don’t think anyone will even pick him up. With a good year at AAA, he could have put himself on the map after a good ST and some decent numbers in AA in 2006, but that didn’t happen.”

    I know what he is, but Bronson would make most 40 man rosters.

  11. Jeff

    He would.

  12. BBB (Good luck to T-Clip in DC)

    Party at my house on the day the Yankees announce Porcelain Pavano’s release from the roster! The whole blog is invited, and if you have a Pavano jersey or shirt or know anyone who does, bring it – we’re having a bonfire. :)

  13. GreenBeret7

    BBB, are you also planning to burn the idiot that bought a Pavano jersey in the first place? People like that shouldn’t reproduce.

  14. Rebecca--Optimist Prime--Save the Three Musketeers!

    BBB: I am SO there.

  15. Buddy Biancalana

    Pavano did date Alyssa Milano, so he must be good for something, although hasn’t everyone dated Alyssa Milano?

  16. Phil

    Buddy: I didn’t…but there is still time.

  17. phillips

    When is Pavano supposed to be back? Or is he?

  18. gayle

    OK so we still need to add Arod and Mo to the roster, If you take Pavano off that still neeeds one more spot. I would imagine that you dont take Cervelli, White, Marquez and Patterson off as they were added for protection for the Rule V so they MUST think that someone would pick them off waivers. SO who else comes off Bruney?? GOnzalez?? Looks like it will be a somewhat tough call.

    Also perhaps I am wrong but is the ONLY options waivers or can they outright them to Scranton without clearing waivers I am somewhat confused on that one.

  19. temp

    it’s NOT Kiheimahanaomauiakeo; it’s Kiheimahanaomaiuiakeo.

  20. kihadaaddidighklhkg

    No Pete got it right; it’s Kiheimahanaomauiakeo

  21. Russell W

    Phillips – middle of next year. But don’t bank on it.

  22. Russell W

    I’m pretty sure it’s Kiheimahanaomauiakeo and not Kiheimahanaomaiuiakeo but I wouldn’t be upset if it was Kiheimahanaomauiakao instead of Kiheimahanaomauiakeo. Kiheimahanaemauiakeo sounds right, but not Kiheimahanaomaiuiakeo.

  23. defense matters

    I’m a fan of American Idle Pete. I love you blog and all but its easier to say then rajah of rehab.

  24. kihadaaddidighklhkg

    I agree Russel W.

    I’m just glad its not Kiheimahanaomientkiewiczauiakeo

  25. Jaewon

    When is Humberto Sanchez supposed to be back? He’s on the 40-man. There’s also DeSalvo, Henn, Igawa, Beam, Brackman, Britton, Bruney, Darrell Rasner and Chase Wright as options to be taken off, (in addition to Carly Pavano)

  26. Kiheimahanaomientkiewiczauiakeo

    you people are funny. But why in the world did the yankees sign pavano in the first place?.....New york as a whole just keeps getting burn by signing all these players to big contracts and than not delivering…...please dont get santana he will break up in two season the most.

  27. mel

    Who’s the next non-Pavano player to get cut? Candidates include Wright, Ramirez, Henn, Bruney.

  28. Steve

    I like to call him “Poo Poo Pavano” or sometimes Mr. Milano

  29. GreenBeret7

    Gayle, here’s the down and ditry version of transaction rules.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major_League_Baseball_transactions

  30. GreenBeret7

    I think there will be a couple of 2-1 and 3-1 trades pretty soon, involving some of the excess pitchers.

  31. Rebecca--Optimist Prime--Save the Three Musketeers!

    Why is Sean Henn still on the roster?

  32. andy Hawkin's ghost

    I still can’t believe Pavano started the opener. I liked Bronson. I hope he catches on with someone else (in the NL?). Could be a decent 4th outfielder.

  33. GreenBeret7

    Henn is still young, throws hard and is out of options. Mainly because he’s left handed. He’s just wild.

  34. Kiheimahanaomientkiewiczauiakeo

    I just think is strange when a latin player gets a big contract everybody explodes and protest, is funny that even though they get that amount of money they still deliver….but when a barry zito, jason gyambi,mike hampton, carl pavano, get the huge contract and under perform by a mile no body says anything. I really dont know what to think. Give me your opinion am white by the way. And sorry am bringing this up on this blog but some on the things you poeple say sometimes is weird.

  35. ET2012

    Cheer up. Here is another suggestion for you:

    Trade Matsui, Igawa, Rasner and Karstens to SF for Lincecum. Matsui and Igawa would do very well in the NL.
    Matsui could end up hitting 3o-35 Hrs. there playing LF.

    Igawa, piching in a much weaker hitting NL, would lower his ERA to around 3.5, and strike out a bunch of hitters. Remember this guy was a strikeout champion in Japan, so the potential is there. He just wound up in the tough AL East, playing in NY, one of the toughest cities to play in.

    Karstens has the potential to be a decent pitcher in the NL as well, and could win 15 games for SF, and post an ERA of around 3.80 (That was his ERA with the Yanks in 2006).

    Rasner this year with the Yanks posted an ERA of 4.01 before getting hurt. In the NL this guy would do even better.

    The Yanks get a pitcher who can start, or become the set-up man to Mo. SF would get a nice package of 3 young good pitchers (Not great), and a very good power hitter they need.

    This deal is very do-able and good for both sides. At the same time, the Yanks would free 3 roster spots for Mo, Pettite and A-Rod.

  36. Kiheimahanaomientkiewiczauiakeo

    I just think is strange when a latin player gets a big contract everybody explodes and protest, is funny that even though they get that amount of money they still deliver….but when a barry zito, jason gyambi,mike hampton, carl pavano, get the huge contract and under perform by a mile no body says anything. I really dont know what to think. Give me your opinion am white by the way. And sorry am bringing this up on this blog but some on the things you poeple say sometimes sounds weird.

  37. GreenBeret7

    Andy, as ironic as it might be, Pavano started the opener because he was the only healthy veteran on the staff.

  38. bottom line

    Tough to choose between these two cuts: Henn or Wright?

  39. GreenBeret7

    Matsui’s not likely to hit 30-35 homers in SF. It’s a park built for right handed power hitters.

  40. Artie A

    American Idle is good but sometime ago we had somebody suggest in this blog that Carl Pavano could be the “new strength and conditioning coach” for the Yankees. I still think that is the quote of the year.

  41. gayle

    SO not that I trust anything from wikipedia correct me if I am wrong BUT because Sardina WAS on the 25 man roster that is why he has to clear waivers but people like Marquez, Cervilli are not on that roster they can just be optioned to Scranton without clearing waivers since they still have options??

  42. GreenBeret7

    That’s correct, Gayle. That’s a pretty good guide. It’s taken from the MLB Rules Guide

  43. ET2012

    Green Beret-

    These are the Dimensions of SF Ballpark-

    Field Dimensions:

    Left Foul Line: 339 Feet
    Right Foul Line: 309 Feet
    Center Field: 399 Feet
    Left-Center Field Alley: 364 Feet
    Right-Center Field Alley: 421 Feet

    How is 309 Feet to RF porch not good for a LH power hitter?

  44. Buddy Biancalana

    Phil-

    I hear Flam has Alyssa’s cell #, give him a try, though he may be on a date with Joba.

  45. Steve

    Kiheimahanaomientkiewiczauiakeo

    I have never heard of a Latin player get bashed for not earning his contract. Probably because there arent that many players that get paid huge amounts and fail miserably so there would be even fewer Latin players that do that. Probably the worst guy I can think of is Juan Gonzalez had he accepted that huge contract from the Tigers but that didnt even happen. On the other hand I have heard plenty of stuff about Giambi, Pavano, Farnsworth, Clement, Weaver, Darren Dreifort, Kevin Brown, Chan Ho Park and others. Last time I checked all those guys except Park are white and Park didnt even get ripped, it was the Rangers that got hammered more than him for giving out that kind of contract for a guy who was healthy one year.

  46. GreenBeret7

    ET, have you seen the park? There are 7-8 large openenings running from right to senter above the large wall that opens onto the bay, and the wind currents push the ball to left and in.

  47. Buddy Biancalana

    Posada was the first player to hit one into McCovey Cove, though it was an exhibition game.

  48. GreenBeret7
    • openings**
  49. Mike S.

    There should be a contest. The first to correctly pronounce Bronson Sardinha’s middle name is the winner.

  50. JT from NYC

    I am a little confused as to how the 40 man roster is used. I thought after the rule 5 draft, we would be able to take some of those late additions on our 40 man roster off, and finalize the contracts of Mo, Arod, etc???

    Can someone explain?

  51. Steve

    It is pronounced ‘throat wobbler mangrove’

  52. Buddy Biancalana

    GreenBeret-

    Keep in mind that the wall is 24 feet high at AT & T Park, it’s not really a hitters ballpark, even though it’s only 309 feet to the right field wall.

  53. Mr. & Mrs. Alka Seltzer

    Somewhere out there is a Carl Pavano clone. God forbid Major League Baseball.

  54. Rebecca--Optimist Prime--Save the Three Musketeers!

    Kiheimahanaomauiakeo

    Kee hay ma-ah-nah oh Maui ah kay oh

  55. ET2012

    LH Bonds broke Aaron’s record playing in that Stadium, so it must not be that much of a killer on LH power hitters.

    I know the argument of Roids for being the reason Bonds did so well and all that; nevertheless, I think Matsui would do fairly well there. Don’t you think SF knows about your argument? They still want him though.

  56. Buddy Biancalana

    Rebecca-

    Bless you!

  57. GreenBeret7

    JT, they can take anybody off the roster they want, butr, the have to go through waivers, first, which means anybody could claim him. Theirs no rush to get Rivera and Rodriguez signed. It just gives NYY time to trade some of the players.

  58. mel

    Steve,

    Carlos Delgado would be a close one.

  59. GreenBeret7

    What ever you say, ET. You asked, and I explained why it was a right handed hitters park. Check it out for yourself.

  60. GreenBeret7

    Mr and Mrs. Giambi’s getting close. Him and Mike Sweeney of KC.

  61. JT from NYC

    GreenBeret7, I just read an earlier post that only players on th 25 man need to clear waivers. Is that accurate?

  62. mel

    Kiheimahanaomauiakeo

    key-hay-ma-ha-na-oh-mau-wee-ah-kay-oh

  63. GreenBeret7

    Buddy, it’s those openings in right that are opentowards the bay that knock down the balls.

  64. Buddy Biancalana

    GreenBeret is absolutely correct, it’s totally a righthanded hitters park. I live in SF & have watched many a game there,

  65. Rebecca--Optimist Prime--Save the Three Musketeers!

    mel: Need a tissue? I just opened a pack…

  66. GreenBeret7

    No, JT. it’s the 40 man roster. However, if they have more than 5 years of major league service and on the 25 man roster, they have to clear waivers and get permission from the player first.

  67. curiosity

    Whatever happened to Aaron Guiel ?

  68. mel

    Rebecca,

    I need speech therapy, not a tissue. lol. Believe it or not, that’s not the longest Hawaiian middle name by a longshot.

  69. GreenBeret7

    Candlestick was just the opposite. God, that place was cold, even in July. Murcer said that when he played there, that’s where Patty Hearst was hiding out…in the upper deck.

  70. Buddy Biancalana

    Matsui would do ok in SF, thing is their lineup is terrible, who would he drive in? They need 3-4 legitimate hitters.

  71. GreenBeret7

    Guiel’s playing in Japan.

  72. Buddy Biancalana

    Who’s this Patty Hearst you speak of? JK

  73. GreenBeret7

    LMAO

  74. Buddy Biancalana

    That would make sense about Patty Hearst since Manson is in San Quentin about 10 miles away from Candlestick.

  75. JT from NYC

    Just checked the Yankee 40 man roster, it looks like Andrew Brackman is listed. Why is that the case if he was just signed this year?

  76. Buddy Biancalana

    I play pickup baseball with a bunch of guys out here & every so often they play against the San Quentin Giants. They have security guards with guns ready to go during the games.

  77. Rebecca--Optimist Prime--Save the Three Musketeers!

    Brackman was signed to a Major League, not a Minor League contract, I believe.

  78. GreenBeret7

    Buddy, after I got back from Vietnam, I lived in SF. Lived on Powell, on the cable car line. Me and 4 guys had an apartment above a resteraunt. Great view. Took the cable to work. I worked up on Broadway. Place called Big Al’s. Was a strip club and bar. Our main attraction was Carol Doda. Was in some of the TV shows like Streets Of SanFrancisco. Nothing where I talked just shots of the club.

  79. GreenBeret7

    Brackman is on the 40 man roster because he signed a major league contract.

  80. GreenBeret7

    Just think, Buddy. You may get a chance to play against Bonds if they make him a trustee.

  81. gayle

    JT I blieve that it was part of his deal top players often that in their deals so that the clock starts sooner rather than later. BY the clock I mean year until arbitration etc etc

  82. GreenBeret7

    The thing is, when Boras puts that in the contracts, sometimes it’s to the player’s disadvantage, because it forces the major league team to push the player along faster than they should, especially pitchers.

  83. JT from NYC

    Thanks for all the input so far.

    Got this from Wiki, not sure how reliable the source is:
    “If a player is on the 40-man roster but not on the active major league roster, he is said to be on optional assignment—his organization may freely move him between the major league club and the minor league club. If a player is on the 40-man roster and not the active 25 man roster for any part of more than three seasons, he is out of options and may not be assigned to the minors without first clearing waivers.”

    Wouldn’t this mean that we can send down players like Cervelli, Patterson, or Marquez to the AA/AAA team?

  84. Buddy Biancalana

    GB7

    Must have been pretty cool to live in SF in the early 70’s, especially after getting back from Vietnam.

  85. Buddy Biancalana

    GB7-

    Big Al’s is still there, it’s Adult Book & Video store now, not that I have EVER stepped foot in there.

  86. whoa

    Peter,

    You will rue the day when you don’t have Pavano to kick around anymore.

    /Nixon

  87. GreenBeret7

    Hearst wasn’t affiliated with Manson. The head of The Symbionese Liberation Army was an Ex Black Panther that went by the name of CinQue. Do you remember what name she went by?

  88. JT from NYC

    Eh, damn that Boras.

    So Brackman was out this year due to Tommy John Surgery. But despite that he has already knocked off half a year, and is half a year closer to salary arbitration?

    When he begins his minor league career, does the clock stop on his major league service?

  89. gayle

    Tania I totaly remmeber the day she was arrested first time I had heard about FLee Bailey.

  90. gayle

    sorry for the typos new keyboard (takes some getting used to)

  91. GreenBeret7

    It was great, Buddy. We’d go down to ZGearey Street, and there was a deli across the street from the opera house. They made these incredible hot pastromi and roast beef sandwiches on sourdough bread.

    Damned. Getting hungry. Went to Lefty O’Doul’s and some great bars back then.

  92. Buddy Biancalana

    I thought there was a connection with Manson, my bad. Tania, but I looked it up.

  93. GreenBeret7

    You got it, Gayle. Trying to remember Baily’s first big case. Really put him on the map. Think it was Sam Sheppard.

  94. Buddy Biancalana

    GB7

    Tommy’s Joynt, still there, great sandwiches. Ok, gotta go take my daughter to the park. Later.

  95. gayle

    Yes I think you are correct that it was Sam Sheppard and he to this day worked to prove hi innocence worked with his son after Sheppard died using DNa stuff to prove he didnt kill the wife.

  96. GreenBeret7

    Sheppard’s first big case was Sheppard, but also Alber DeSalvo “The Boston Strangler”, Cpt. Ernest Medina in the My Lai case.

  97. GreenBeret7

    Yeah, that was such a put up job. Totally incompetent police hack job. It was that case that was the basis for “The Fugitive”.

  98. GreenBeret7

    That should read that Bailey’s first big case was Sheppard. Was either a typo or a booboo.

  99. brax62

    I guess wind in San Francisco should be an option to be considered when talking about homers, isn’t it?

  100. steiner

    its actually spelled:

    Bronson Kiheimahanaomauiakentkivich

  101. Rebecca--Optimist Prime--Save the Three Musketeers!

    Only thing I remember about San Francisco was that it was cold when I went, and I went in July, and Alcatraz was scary, and…um…

    See, we drove up (we being my family) from big Sur. I think it was about a four hour drive we were doing in one go. My mother had purchased a GIANT water bottle for the family to share, and placed it in the back seat.

    I drank all of it, slowly, but by the time we reached the city, I…erm…yeah.

    Only there was a small problem: Mapquest gave us horrible directions, so, umm, we’re driving around, getting lost, and…umm…I have a bladder that is thisclose to exploding…

    I got lucky, but only just.

  102. sunny615

    It is a slow news day indeed when Sardhina and Pavano are blog topics.

  103. Rebecca--Optimist Prime--Save the Three Musketeers!

    I may have scared everyone off.

  104. Andrea

    Rebecca: wasn’t the water bottle empty?

  105. Dave

    Why was andrew brackman drafted so high by the yanks? His numbers in college were pretty poor. He is a pretty solid basketball player tho. Do the scouts think very highly of him?

  106. PAT M.

    Our Westchester County American Leagion All-Star team played vs. the Sing-Sing Ball team back in 1970…..They had some fine ballplayers…We lost the first time, but did whip the second time around…..And yes, the guards are armed…..1970, hell that was a long time ago…...

  107. Steve

    Since there isnt any other discussion going on, I have a problem….
    Why does everyone call Hank Steinbrenner some random nickname like Mini-Stein or Little Stein or Hammerin’ Hank? I think it is disrespectable especially if you are a columnist. I know if it were me, and a columnist were calling me an insulting nickname, I wouldnt give them a quote or even bother to acknowledge them (hint hint Pete). I find it incredibly unprofessional and to be honest it make the person using the nickname childish.

  108. Andrea

    Steve: This is Pete’s blog. He doesn’t use the nicknames in his actual columns or articles.

  109. Steve

    Andrea:
    So it makes it ok for him to insult Mr. Steinbrenner behind his back? Wow that is very professional.

  110. SDC

    Steve, you are a major league DICK…..Get a sense of humor would ya!!!

  111. Steve

    I have a sense of humor. Unfortunately, being above the age of 12, I dont find it very funny, professional or intelligent to call people nicknames that are insulting especially when the person happens to be the owner of my favorite baseball team. And not only that, I find it to be a disparity when none of the other owners in sports are subjected to this treatment. I dont hear any nicknames for Mark Cuban or Robert Kraft or John Henry. And since Pete is a Yankee columnist and blogger, you might think he would show a tiny ounce of respect to the people he is covering.

  112. Rebecca--Optimist Prime--Save the Three Musketeers!

    Andrea: !!!!

    My brother was sharing the back seat with me, and I can’t exactly aim…

  113. Grant

    The Rajah of Rehab is much better

  114. Andrea

    Rebecca: eh, worth a shot.

    Steve: I don’t really find it insulting. “Little Stein” is merely a reference to his father, George Steinbrenner being called Big Stein. It is basically akin to calling him Stein, Jr. And I have never seen Pete call him Hammerin’ Hank, so I can’t comment on that.

  115. SDC

    youre too uptight dude. Have a drink and relax.
    Youre a little tense…what are you an accountant or something. Take it easy. And shut up, the rest of us enjoy the easy going nature of the site. You don’t like it, log off.
    I happen to like your style Pete, and do most of the people that read this very successful blog. So Steve, take a hike.

  116. Rajah of Rehab

    Steve must be a hit at parties.

  117. Rebecca--Optimist Prime--Save the Three Musketeers!

    Umm. Steve. Dude. Calm down.

    The Hankenstein and co. can take it, or they wouldn’t be in the business.

  118. Steve

    I stated that since there was nothing going on, I would just express an opinion. I obviously enjoy the blog otherwise I wouldnt be posting. I just think it would be more mature and certainly less biased to insult one of the Yankee owners. I actually think Pete might be better served if he didnt continue to use nicknames haphazardly so in fact I am only try to express an opinion that might help Pete should he choose to cease this practice.

  119. Steve

    Actually I am fun at parties and since my post is that I have a problem using nicknames in a professional setting, I think the last time I checked a party wasnt a professional setting.

  120. Rebecca--Optimist Prime--Save the Three Musketeers!

    Blogs are not quite a professional setting, they’re one of those places where the line gets blurred.

    A bad idea would be for Pete to go up to his editor and say, “hey, nitwit, I got yer story right here.’

    That would be unprofessional.

  121. Andrea

    Steve: again, unless calling George Steinbrenner Big Stein was insulting, I’m not sure calling Hank Little Stein would be an insult. And again, this is a blog, not his column. This is Pete’s personal writing space.

  122. Andrea

    Rebecca: wait, so it’s bad to call my boss a nitwit? aaw, crap.

  123. Laura

    If I’m Matsui, I’m not okaying a trade to SF unless it’s for Cain or Lincecum. He’s better than Lowry so being traded straight up for him would be an insult.

  124. Rebecca--Optimist Prime--Save the Three Musketeers!

    Andrew: To his or her face, at least.

  125. Andrea

    Rebecca: now you turned me into a dude. that’s just rude.

  126. Rebecca--Optimist Prime--Save the Three Musketeers!

    Andrea. I mean.

  127. Andrea

    haha. I was about to have an identity crisis.

  128. Mike R.

    I keep waiting for Steve to end his comments with ”...then again my name is Idiot Face

  129. Yanksrule57

    With regard to Steve’s comments I was reminded of my favorite line from the Bill Murray movie “Stripes”. “Lighten-up Francis”.

  130. Steve

    Oh well, it was just an opinion. I guess it just bothers me that Mr Steinbrenner is treated as a joke by columnists because of his name and his position. Larry Lucchino gets more respect and he spouts his mouth off with more outrageous comments than Hank could even dream of.

  131. Rebecca--Optimist Prime--Save the Three Musketeers!

    http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3145958

    Mitchell report due next Thursday.

  132. Andrea

    Steve: I don’t think people really disrespect Hank Steinbrenner. Yankee Haters certainly do.

  133. jorge jorge

    rebecca- go out and go to harrys, have a fun night in syracuse instead of hanging by the blog

  134. jashell2000

    I was just reading and could not bypass without a response to Steve’s comments.

    Steve, I’m not sure I would call “little stein” an insult since ALL New York media nickname the yankees players and managment. That is the culture and nature of the beast in NY. It is part of the reason why players like “big unit” don’t last too long in this town. Your skin has to be thick, and I think most players/management understand that the media/press has a job to do (sell papers/inform fans). If they had a problem, then like you said they would not give qoutes to anyone. Anyway, I see where you are coming from, but at the same time this is the way it has been, the way it is, and the way it always will be….

  135. Steve

    Andrea:
    Well then you might as well characterize all of ESPN as Yankee haters because all they do is treat his comments like they are coming out of the mouth of a 5 year old. Even Hall of Famer Peter Gammons made it a point to mention that “Hank might have to bust out his American Express card” like he is just some sort of spoiled child. I guess Gammons doesnt recognize that Theo Epstein used his Amex card to get Drew and Lugo and Dice-K last year.

  136. Rebecca--Optimist Prime--Save the Three Musketeers!

    jorge:

    1) I don’t drink.

    2) I have two finals on Monday.

    3) I don’t drink.

    4) It’s #$@$@#% cold outside.

    5) I don’t drink.

    6) I am utterly exhausted from the past week and in no mood to go out, even if I did drink.

    7) Did I mention, I don’t drink?

  137. Andrea

    Steve: all I’m talking about is Pete. You were talking about Pete’s insulting Hank on his blog. ESPN insults everyone. I don’t really feel that Pete insulted Hank, really. And even if he did, it wasn’t outrageous, and he certainly doesn’t do it in his actual stuff for the paper. He’s a great journalist.

  138. B-D-4 train

    Expect a quiet week until contracts are tendered or non-tendered.

  139. Steve

    Andrea:
    My point is that if Hank cant even get treated with respect on a blog devoted to the team he owns than how can he get respect from anyone else. NY newspapers seem to take a perverse pleasure in ripping the teams they cover. Somehow I think it would probably be the worst day in years for all the NY newspapers the day Isiah Thomas gets fired because they will have lost their favorite target. After that, you can bet Hank will be at the top of their list.

  140. TXYankee

    Steve,

    I’ll head out on thin ice with you.

    My pet peeve about nicknames Pete uses is Nancy Drew.

    I realize sports is still a sexist world, but most people stop using girls names to insult boys around sixth grade.

  141. Mike R.

    Steve December 8th, 2007 at 9:28 pm

    Andrea:
    Well then you might as well characterize all of ESPN as Yankee haters because all they do is treat his comments like they are coming out of the mouth of a 5 year old. Even Hall of Famer Peter Gammons made it a point to mention that “Hank might have to bust out his American Express card” like he is just some sort of spoiled child. I guess Gammons doesnt recognize that Theo Epstein used his Amex card to get Drew and Lugo and Dice-K last year.

    It is fairly well known (at least on this board) that ESPN has a serious Red Sock tilt. Especially Mr. Peter “Candidate for President of Red Sox Nation” Gammons. They really make it more and more obvious with time.

  142. Andrea

    Steve: I’m just saying I disagree with you. I just don’t feel like “Little Stein” is disrespectful.

  143. Andrea

    TXYankee: the reason “Nancy Drew” isn’t necessarily sexist is because “Nancy” is because he isn’t called Nancy (by me at least) because it’s a girl’s name. “Nancy” is a slang word for a pansy, basically.

    but ordinarily, yeah. Sexism, bad.

  144. Andrea

    um. pretend my previous post actually made some sense.

  145. DadinIowa

    I really hope for a quiet 110 days or so (# of days until opening day). That means the Trinity is intact, our other kids are competing for the bullpen jobs, its spring, and the season is about to start.

    The off-season is the toughest part of the year. Cold and no baseball. Oh well, glad Mrs. DaninIowa is not cold and that she is a baseball fan too (even if she IS a diehard Cubbies fan).

  146. DadinIowa

    er… Mrs. DaDinIowa :)

  147. Steve

    Andrea: I understand what you are saying. I just finds Pete’s tone toward Hank to be very irreverent. The nicknames are just a sympton of the underlying problem.

    TX: I agree that sexist nicknames are annoying but I think I see what Andrea is saying about the word Nancy having a usage regarding being a pansy. However, the reason that word means pansy is because it is a woman’s name which in and of itself is sexist.

  148. DadinIowa

    Rebecca….. try exercising, e.g. treadmill. You don’t have to leave the house and feel better AFTERwards. :)

    Not worth commenting on the calling names thing, but here goes, anyway…. Its not a nice thing to call people names that they or others will find humiliating, embarassing, etc. But, hopefully, most of us show some maturity and niceness by not doing that.

  149. jorge jorge

    what do you do in college if you dont drink?

  150. Andrea

    Ok, the Nancy Drew thing isn’t really nice, but I just don’t find it that sexist. But now I want to go find the origin of calling someone a “Nancy.” the Brits do it all the time! :-P

    I really just don’t think that calling Hank “Little Stein” is an insult. I just don’t get why it would be.

  151. dontfirecash (though if he trades Phil, I might reconsider)

    jorge,
    you smoke weed

  152. TXYankee

    Andrea and Steve,

    I don’t think if Pete is using Nancy Drew as a homophobic slur (pansy) it is any better than if he’s being sexist.

    On an almost unrelated note, has anyone read “Man in the Middle” by John Amechi? It totally disproves the gay man as pansy idea, plus it is an absolutely amazing book. I finally got my 70year old father to read it and he loves it.

  153. Andrea

    Someone being a pansy has nothing to do with someone being gay. And Pete certainly did not make up Nancy Drew.

  154. Rebecca--Optimist Prime--Save the Three Musketeers!

    I write.

    You may have noticed it.

    (I also go to Europe. Apparently.)

  155. Prete Funk Era

    Maybe I’m an old Zelda nerd BUT I think the “Triforce” would be an awesome name for Joba, Hughes, and IPK.

  156. Andrea

    Prete Funk: I’ve been thinking that but I thought I’d be laughed off the board!

  157. Rebecca--Optimist Prime--Save the Three Musketeers!

    !!!!!

    THAT. IS. BLOODY. BRILLIANT.

  158. lil' m

    Nancy Drew: One of the best putdowns in recent memory. Right up there with Rajah of Rehab/American Idle. Love it.

  159. Jennifer - Save Phil Hughes!

    I think I like American Idle best, since I can’t stand that show!!

  160. cc

    Aaron Boone ALCS Home Run clip does anybody have this clip or know where i can find it? i’ve been looking for it but have come up with nothing.

    please help

  161. Buddy Biancalana

    try youtube

  162. Rebecca--Optimist Prime--Save the Three Musketeers!

    CC

    go to http://www.actober.com , click on momments, and then week one.

  163. Waltzing Mathilda

    Rajah of Rehab was never once funny. I’m not sure why your editors allowed you to run with it for well over a year.

  164. Jennifer - Save Phil Hughes!

    It is playing right now, when you enter yankees.com

  165. Buddy Biancalana

    tough crowd.

  166. Buddy Biancalana

    Interesting article from the NYT on Don Larsen’s perfect game, which my Dad attended.

    http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/09/sports/baseball/09larsen.html?ref=baseball

  167. UtilityMan

    This is in response to an earlier post regarding Andrew Brackman….........
    He was signed to a Major League contract,therefore added to the 40Man Roster,so that he can get to his arbitration/free agent yrs quicker.Im pretty sure his agent is BorASS..so there you go….........

  168. UtilityMan

    Buddy

    I am not a big fan of either…but if your asking to pick one or the other…..I pick Obama…....But still very much undecided for Nov 2008.

  169. RosterRooster

    Wow, That sucks. So he’s gonna be a FA after maybe one season in the biggs?

  170. Spooky

    I’m beginning to wonder if Sardina himself remembers how to spell his own name.

  171. Jennifer - Save Phil Hughes!

    At least Borass lives up to his name. Gosh I can’t stand him!!

  172. UtilityMan

    No…..he is under Yankee control for the first 6-7 yrs of being on a Major League Roster,then he would eligible for FA.

  173. Hillabama

    Hillabama all the way to White House!

  174. Jennifer - Save Phil Hughes!

    GOD FORBID!!

  175. Mike R.

    RosterRooster December 8th, 2007 at 11:25 pm

    Wow, That sucks. So he’s gonna be a FA after maybe one season in the biggs?

    He still needs to have played six seasons in the bigs in order to be eligible for free agency. The difference is he will run out of minor league option much faster than a player that has a minor league contract.

  176. UtilityMan

    Sardinha has a brother that is a catcher in the minors named Dane…so maybe they get a chance to play on the same team this yr.Another brother Duke,used to play for the Rockies AA team.

    Boy there are a lot of pitchers on the 40 Man Roster.Glad to see a third catcher was finally added for 2008,I felt it handcuffed the Yankees when they needed to call up a catcher,but didnt have one on the 40 Man,so that would require releasing a guy,or 60 Day DL another.

  177. Rebecca--Optimist Prime--Save the Three Musketeers!

    Heh, I am total Colbert ‘08. To the point that I would seriously consider him a write-in candidate.

    He’d have no problem grabbing the 18-22 demographic, that’s for sure…

  178. Jennifer - Save Phil Hughes!

    When did he have his surgery? Any idea when he will be ready to start pitching again?

  179. UtilityMan

    He had surgery right after signing….he texted messaged CashMoney that he was going ahead with surgery if Im not mistaken.

  180. pat

    MLB auctioned off the can of bug spray used by the Yankees in the Midges game in Cleveland and it went for $673!!

  181. Jennifer - Save Phil Hughes!

    So he could be pitching at some point next season. So realistically the earliest we’d see him would be 2009.

  182. Juke Early

    Pavano in Italian can be translated as empty or open space…...

  183. Jennifer - Save Phil Hughes!

    Wow posts are taking a long time to appear.

    2009 is the earliest we’d see him, right?

  184. UtilityMan

    My guess would be rehab and possible rehab starts in Tampa late in 2008 season…....possibly see him in 2009…if all goes well????

  185. UtilityMan

    Someone wasted $669.00

  186. Jennifer - Save Phil Hughes!

    Got that right, I wouldn’t buy it for a $1. I wouldn’t be very happy if I were the Yankees that they auctioned it. They made a joke out of what happened.

  187. UtilityMan

    Got my Spring Training Tickets renewal form on WED in the mail…..For 15 Home games in 2008———-$750.00 for 2 seats—-thats $25.00 a seat per game!!!Up from $630.00 last season.

  188. Jennifer - Save Phil Hughes!

    wow that is a lot for st games. Where are your seats?

  189. Juke Early

    BTW that’s NOT Sardinha’s middle name—-it’s page 29 of the Maui phone book.

  190. Nick in SF

    Here’s another voice of experience to concur that AT&T Park completely favor’s right-handed bats for home runs. Bonds was an aberration and a freak of…. nature, science, you make the call. Either way, you don’t see many others hitting splash hits into the McCovey Cove, or, as I dubbed it, the BalCove.

    Go back and watch the home run derby there from this past summer, note how many homers the righties hit into left field vs. how many the lefties hit into the water (or anywhere else). All the pre-contest hype about splash hits amounted to nothing. And it was partially Arod’s batting practice shows when the Yanks came to AT&T during interleague that led to a talk-radio Giants fan groundswell to sign him for 2008. As if the Giants ever would, or he would have gone there…

    Also, to the person who suggested that Kei Igawa might be part of a deal with SF and he can lower his ERA to 3.5 and be a big strikehout pitcher with the Giants… um… the only way he’s going to have an ERA of 3.5 and be a strikeout artist is if he’s FACING the Giants, so forget it.

  191. UtilityMan

    Exactly next to the Yankee Bullpen….8th row from field…they have added a new deck for 2008,which is in RF where the Japanese cameramen would sit to catch Matsui.

  192. fleas

    “I was told today, by a well-placed source, that the Twins have had a lot of good dialogue lately with the Red Sox. Peter Greenberg, Santana’s agent, said this week there have been no limitations placed on the Twins as to where they can trade Santana.”

    Source: startribune (lavelle)

    If the Sox get Santana, I am going to be extremely pissed.. anywhere but Boston… I’m still trading Hughes for him, the Yankees need to make this happen.
    It’s absurd already.

    Weird we are so desperate for pitching for 4 years, arguably the best pitcher in baseball is available, and what are we doing about it?

  193. Brandon (Proud supporter of "ALEX BEING ALEX")

    ok I was listening to WFAN just now I didn’t know about James Dolan had a partnership dropped by Goldman Sachs because of the Alex Rodriguez’s signing w/ Warren Buffet ? can someone explain this to me a little better, because it had to do w/ Dolan purchasing YES Network and it was put on halt ?

  194. Mike R.

    Jennifer – 2009 would be a miracle. 2010 would be optimistic. 2011 would be closer to reality.

  195. UtilityMan

    If the Yanks can deal Matsui to SF,get a starter from them,then sign perhaps Sean Casey(righty) to play 1B,then I go back to the Twinkies and offer this——-Kennedy,SF pitcher,and Hilligoss for Santanna.

    We keep Hughes,which we all want to do well 75% of us do.
    And we keep Melky in CF,because it sure doesnt sound like the Twins are very HIGH on him.Especially if they get Coco Puffs in the REDSUX deal.

  196. pat

    Brandon

    Sounds like a question for Miller. I get the feeling he may have a Goldman Sachs connection based on his info on the A-Rod situation.

    I know that Goldman-Sachs owns 40% of the YES Network and they reportedly were looking at selling their part of it. The MSG Network, which is owned by the Dolan’s was rumored to have been interested. Not sure how the A-Rod/Buffett connection plays into the deal falling apart though.

  197. Rebecca--Optimist Prime--Save the Three Musketeers!

    Dolan + YES network?

    Excuse me while I go puke.

    And I’m not even a Knicks fan…

  198. Peter Abraham

    Steve:

    Have you actually seen Hank Steinbrenner? He looks just like his father, right down to the blue blazer. Beyond that, in the popular show “Seinfeld” George Steinbrenner was a recurring character and he called himself “Big Stein.”

    Hence, Hank is “Little Stein.”

    I know for a fact that people in Tampa read this blog and they like it. I’m just having fun. I somehow doubt that George’s son finds being called “Little Stein” offensive. It’s not like calling him “Fredo.”

    Try and relax, Steve. See a doctor about removing that stick.

  199. Rebecca--Optimist Prime--Save the Three Musketeers!

    wonders where all the Christmas spirit went, though not really

  200. Brandon (Proud supporter of "ALEX BEING ALEX")

    Brandon

    Sounds like a question for Miller. I get the feeling he may have a Goldman Sachs connection based on his info on the A-Rod situation.

    I know that Goldman-Sachs owns 40% of the YES Network and they reportedly were looking at selling their part of it. The MSG Network, which is owned by the Dolan’s was rumored to have been interested. Not sure how the A-Rod/Buffett connection plays into the deal falling apart though.

    apparently merchandising Arod keeps the Dolan threat away, because Goldman-Sachs profits from Arod in his new contract I believe, but yeh I wait on Miller to answer this sometime in the next few days

  201. Brandon (Proud supporter of "ALEX BEING ALEX")

    Dolan + YES network?

    Excuse me while I go puke.

    And I’m not even a Knicks fan…

    your Nets need to hit Brooklyn pronto

  202. Rebecca--Optimist Prime--Save the Three Musketeers!

    Probably, but their owner isn’t driving them into the ground!

  203. mel

    http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/jon_heyman/12/07/scoop.friday/index.html

    Winners & Losers of the winter meetings with some Yankee notables.

  204. Buddy Biancalana

    Mel-

    From the SI article:

    8. Tim Lincecum. A lot of nice things are being said about him, as well, and while he’s said to be “virtually untouchable,” he’ll be supported by a better lineup if the Giants do bend and trade him.
    ————————————————————————————
    This doesn’t make any sense.

  205. RosterRooster

    Makes sense to me.

  206. Brandon (Proud supporter of "ALEX BEING ALEX")

    Lincecum’s mechanics concern alot of people could be the main reason he is on the block, I would love to get him but realistically I know the Yankees are targeting Brian Wilson and Jonathan Sanchez

  207. Buddy Biancalana

    If he’s traded, how will he be supported by a better lineup?

  208. mel

    I think what they’re trying to say is that if Lincecum is traded he’ll be the winner because he’ll without a doubt get better run support. SF is an old team, even without Barry Bonds.

  209. Brandon (Proud supporter of "ALEX BEING ALEX")

    Buddy Biancalana, Toronto has alot of offense so Lincecum would be supported there not SF, I think you got it mixed

  210. Buddy Biancalana

    Mel-

    Gotcha!

  211. Buddy Biancalana

    Brandon-

    Gotcha too!

  212. Brandon (Proud supporter of "ALEX BEING ALEX")

    Buddy Biancalana-
    hmm

  213. mel

    Gagne signs with the Brewers. Thank goodness we won’t have to face him anymore. (giggle)

  214. Rebecca--Optimist Prime--Save the Three Musketeers!

    Would the last one to leave please turn out the light?

    Oh.

    Wait.

    flips switch

  215. Vader

    Hey its dark in here.

  216. Sam

    Peter,

    “See a doctor about removing that stick”?

    Not quite as bad as your “some people need a line drive to the head” comment, but still.

    You have remarkably thin skin, and an unfortunate tendency to overreact to criticism or comments with which you disapprove.

    Steve offered some fairly mild criticism of one thing you’ve said on this blog. He didn’t make any personal attacks on you. The mature thing to do would be to ignore it, or, if you felt the need, explain that you didn’t think Hank would be offended. There was absolutely no need for the end of that post, and you demean only yourself by making comments like that.

  217. Peter Rabbit

    Aw man, our boy DJ was bumped from being coverboy for next year’s MLB2K8 videogame. He was on the cover three years in a row. And don’t forget his younger years as the face of All-Star-Baseball.

    And look who HAD to replace him!

    http://2ksports.com/games/mlb2k8/header.jpg

  218. BWH

    I’m a big Matsui fan and would hate to see him go. Economically, I’m surprised that the Yankees are considering this (how many NYY hats have they sold in Japan over the past 4 years? Does anyone think that will happen when he’s not on the team? I’ll answer that – no).

    Here’s my question – though I’m not one of those people who think that it is easy to swap players at different positions on the MLB level, why can’t we consider Matsui as a contestant in the first-base sweepstakes? It is not ideal, may not be possible, and would create a log-jam this year, of course. When Giambi’s contract comes off the books next year, it suddenly it makes a bit more sense.

    Look, of course if the Yanks can fill holes in the bullpen by trading Matsui, they need to do it. I just hope we can find a different way.

  219. E-ROC

    Maybe the Padres or Giants would want Bronson Sardinha.

  220. E-ROC

    Peter Rabbit—That’s f-ed up. They could at least put somebody like Hanley Ramirez or Tulo or Ryan Braun.

  221. BWH

    Also, with everyone talking about Jeter’s defense slipping up – it is just going to make sense in a year or two to switch he and Rodriguez. That isn’t a long-term solution, but Rodriguez can still cover some real territory. Cano has said that he doesn’t want to move; we’re not putting Jeter at first base; we aready have too many outfielders with prospects in the pipeline. The time is rapidly approaching for him to move to 3rd.

    Then, the next big question – what to do with Rodriguez when HIS fielding abilities dwindle?

  222. E-ROC

    Jeter isn’t moving anywhere. Come to peace with that. If anything, it’ll probably happen in ‘09.

  223. kasey

    man, i go out all night and come back to find out that milwaukee is willing to pay eric gagne $10 million to blow a season’s worth of games. good luck with allllllllll that.

  224. kasey

    and, not to split hairs, but how is pete thin-skinned for explaining himself, via his OWN BLOG, to somebody who reacted to a playful jab (which isn’t even actually that much a jab) at hank steinbrenner? i mean, come on.

  225. MGW 27 in '08

    kasey, right on!

    Sam, see Steve’s doctor about the stick. Wonderful first post, BTW.

    Steve, irreverence is a good thing. The Tampa folks enjoy? There ya go!

    Pete, I don’t usually suck up, but keep up the good work. I enjoy reading, and this is the first place I turn to when I want up to the minute info.

  226. Andy Pettite

    Hey

    Do you think Hideki Matsui will be traded ?

  227. murphydog

    Pavano off the 40 man.

    http://www.nypost.com/seven/12092007/sports/yankees/pavano_will_accept_assignmentto_minors_137818.htm

  228. E-ROC

    murphydog—That’s good news.

  229. yanks61

    BHW

    I had suggested the same thing about Matsui myself several weeks back. However, the problem with that, as I was immediately reminded, is that with his current knee surgery rehab he won’t have the winter to work out at 1B. ST may very well be too late. I thought it was a good idea too, though, and thought it was a shame it wouldn’t be possible. In any case, it does look as though Hideki is on his way out of town in a trade, and perhaps even the key to a follow up deal that would send on players coming to the Yanks to a third team.

    Hideki is still a VERY valuable offensive force, but he is obviously wearing down faster than we’d like. As Branch Rickey said, “it’s better to trade someone a year too soon than a year too late” (or words to that effect.)

  230. Yankee Trader

    Matsui, if he’s not traded is likely to be the full time DH and replacement in LF if Damon is injured.

    Giambi, “IF” he’s in shape will probably get starts at 1st base against righties with a defensive replacement in the later innings.

    Betemit will get the other starts, or maybe Duncan, if Betemit has to spell one of the other infield positions.

    Duncan will spell Abreu in right. Our Bench is set.

    We need to make room for as many relief pitchers as possible, since currently we have no set-up pitcher or a reliable situational lefty.

  231. jyjjy

    “Hideki is still a VERY valuable offensive force”

    He is a slightly above average hitter for a corner OF. That’s valuable, but not very and definitely not VERY.

  232. gayle

    Re James Dolan and YES Network:

    It is my understanding that James Dolan has nothing to do with the YES Network. There were rumours a few months ago that Goldman Sachs was shopping their stake in YES and that Dolan was a likely suitor for obvious reasons but it was all speculation nothing had every come to fruition.

    RE Carl Pavano and NY POst article:

    I was surprised about a line in that story about Carl not being able to return to Arizona to work with Brett Fischer. If I recall all we heard about last off season was how hard he was working an how everyone was so happy with his workouts, this inludes an article and interview with Brett Fischer himself. Very strange little tidbit in this story.

  233. Giuseppe Franco

    He is a slightly above average hitter for a corner OF. That’s valuable, but not very and definitely not VERY.

    You have every right to dislike Matsui, but to say he’s “slightly above average for a corner OF” is absurd.

    .285, 25 HR, 103 RBI, 100 R, .367 OBP, .488 SLG

    Those numbers might not be good enough to make a lot of all star teams, but that’s pretty good offensive production.

  234. yanks61

    jyjjy

    yanks61 >Hideki is still a VERY valuable offensive force

  235. Westchester Dave

    Does anyone know when players from the 40 can be assigned to the 60 day disabled list as a way to temporarily clearing up space (like a Pavano or a Brackman)?

  236. jyjjy

    “yanks61 >Hideki is still a VERY valuable offensive force”

    Um… not sure what you are attempting to communicate.
    You are greater than your qoute…?

  237. jyjjy

    You have every right to dislike Matsui, but to say he’s “slightly above average for a corner OF” is absurd.
    .285, 25 HR, 103 RBI, 100 R, .367 OBP, .488 SLG

    Absurd eh?
    I couldn’t find the 07 numbers but the average left fielder hit 0.284/0.363/0.481 in 06. Hideki exceeded these numbers by .001/.004/.007. If anything I should have said almost exactly average instead of slightly above.

  238. E-ROC

    I don’t have a problem with the Yankees trading Matsui. I have problem with the names that have come up in the conversation. Lowry? Sanchez? Fred Lewis? That’s not equal value. At least ask for Brian Wilson or package Matsui for Lincecum or Cain.

  239. Giuseppe Franco

    I couldn’t find the 07 numbers but the average left fielder hit 0.284/0.363/0.481 in 06. Hideki exceeded these numbers by .001/.004/.007. If anything I should have said almost exactly average instead of slightly above.

    Yeah, I’m sure the average corner OF hit 25 HR with 103 RBI and scored 100 runs too. Right?

    Maybe you should include all of his offensive numbers instead of cherry-picking specific ones.

  240. Buddy Biancalana

    The Matsui trade also has to do with shedding $26M, if the Giants pick all of that up, they may not get that much in return, Sanchez & another minor leaguer.

  241. yanks61

    jyjjy

    Sorry about that, but somehow or other, a truncated message went out (?!)

    I simply wanted to say that teams like the Giants will still find Matsui a very valuable offensive presence (even if not a very capitalized presence!), and I certainly wouldn’t mind keeping him in the Yankee lineup if they don’t find a match up, trade wise.

    Apart from the 06 BA that you found, how do the other important numbers stack up? Maybe I’m just over-valuing him, but it seemed to me that he always puts up extremely good numbers overall. I’m being lazy, I’ll have to let any other interested parties do the foot work if they want!

  242. Kill-Schill(ing)

    With Giambi’s prospensity to injury, I can’t think trading Matsui is a prudent decision unless it’s direct result is to enable them to acquire Santana- either through clearing $13million from their payroll or sending the pitcher they receive from the Giants to the Twins instead of Melky.

  243. jyjjy

    “Maybe you should include all of his offensive numbers instead of cherry-picking specific ones.”

    I cherry picked nothing. The rate stats are the ones that most accurately represent a players offensive value. A player’s placement in a batting order and the quality of the hitters around him are often huge factors as far as RBI and runs go which gives those stats questionable analytical value. Kind of like judging a pitcher based on wins.

  244. Nud

    Matsui is a lock for 100 plus RBI’s and his are usually meaningful. He had a semi-off yr in 07 due to a bad knee and he still put up nice numbers. Take out 06 where he missed most of the season and look at his numbers in 03,04, and 05. If you watch Yankee games you should know that Matsui is clutch and he can still flat out rake….....

  245. Steve

    The shedding payroll thing makes no sense w/Matsui to tell you the truth. He costs 17 mill a year with the luxury tax, but he brings in SO much revenue from Japan. I don’t see how ditching him saves money. I see how ditching Giambi could save money (I still wonder why we can’t drop him on a team like the Angels or even the As by eating say 16 of the 26 mill we owe him.

  246. Nud

    oh geez it’s that time again where the team with a 200mil plus payroll now has to shed a productive 13mil yr player to add a 20 mil player…...ridiculous!!!

    Save Matsui-the Yanks need him

  247. questions re: '08 Yanks positional depth

    The Yanks have cleared themselves of these position players who were on the’07 Yanks roster: Nieves, Cairo, Phelps, Basak, Thompson, Sardihna, Phillips, Mientkiewicz (I don’t see him returning).

    The starting nine is set barring Matsui being traded:
    Posada, Giambi, Cano, A-Rod, Jeter, Damon, Cabrera, Abreu,
    Matsui. The bench is 75% set with Molina, Betemit, and Duncan. Assuming Chris Woodward or Nick Green makes the team and no positional players are acquired via trade if someone falls to injury, who are the positional players from AAA who w/could be called up to hold down slots? The only guys I can think of are Brett Gardner (OF) and Alberto Gonzalez (IF, primary position is SS). Anyone else?

    Who’d be the backup catcher for Molina if Posada fell to injury?

  248. jyjjy

    Yanks61,
    I agree with you that Hideki is a very good hitter it’s just that so are most corner OFers. As I said an average corner OFer is a valuable commodity. He is being paid about market value however and his defense is questionable. His main value to a team is likely to be his superstardom in Asia and the associated marketing opportunities particlary to a west coast team like SF.

  249. Rex

    It’s amazing how a fading player that’s chancy to have a decent season can tie up a roster of it’s flexability because of a $ 21M contract extemely tough to move. Jason Giambi of course.

  250. Jennifer - Save Phil Hughes!

    Pavano is “leaving” towards accepting it. I can’t post what I think of that. Just accept it, you ungrateful *#$@%. UGH I cannot stand him!! He has screwed over the Yankees for the past 3 years, Can’t he finally do something to help them?

  251. Jennifer - Save Phil Hughes!

    **UGH we need an edit button. Leaning

  252. Crosstown Exchange

    How about Matsui to the Mets for Carlos Delgado then the Mets trade Matsui to the Giants for Lowry and 1B Aurilla?

    The Yanks shed $6M (Matsui’s $26M through 2009 – Delgado’s $20M for 2008 only), get a real 1B who’d also protect A-Rod, and keep Damon in LF and Giambi at DH. I know the Yanks would be taking on $7M more in salary for ‘08 (Delgado’s $20M – Matsui’s $13M), but look at it like this: the Yanks paid Jaret Wright, Javier Vasquez, and Randy Johnson $4M, $3M, and $2M respectively to NOT pitch for the ‘07 Yanks as part of trades. How is paying extra for Delgado any different? At least the Yanks are getting Delgado, not Britton and Ohlendorf who barely pitched for the ‘07 Yanks and Vizcaino who quite frankly, wasn’t/ isn’t all that. Oh yeah, Delgado remains in N.Y. and could slide over to DH to make room for Mark Texiera at 1B in ‘09 if he’s kept for $12M (mutual option) or $15M (vested option based on an M.V.P.-like ‘08).

    The Mets shed $20M, get a reasonably priced starting pitcher, and can still get another starting pitcher via trade. ‘Say they got Joe Blanton. Pedro/ Perez/ Maine/ Blanton/ Lowry is a good rotation moreover beats Pedro/ Perez/ Maine/ T.B.D. They could re-sign Ty Wigginton to platoon at 1B with Aurilla.

    The Giants get their best/ star/ cleanup hitter without having to give up Lincecum, Cain, Gonzalez, or Wilson.

  253. Josh

    Crosstown Exchange,

    Why would we want Delgado? Did you not watch baseball last season? Delgado had a horrible year, he is getting old fast and we don’t want his weak bat.

  254. Crosstown Exchange

    Whoops!

    The Mets shed $14.25M for ‘08 ($20M Delgado – $5.75M for $3.5M Aurilla and $2.25M Lowry in ‘08), then owe Lowry $4.5M for ‘09, so they actually shed $9.85M ($14.25M – Lowry’s $4.5M for ‘09). I was thinking more the Mets shed devoting $20M to just Delgado.

    The Giants take on only $26M Matsui – $11.25M ($7.75M for 2008-09 Lowry + $3.5M for ‘08 Aurilla) = $14.75M to get Matsui.

  255. Blargh

    Psst, remember that Matsui’s actual cost to the Yankees is less than 13 million dollars a year, because the Yanks rake in at least a few million a year from Japan because of him (though I can’t find the exact numbers yet)

  256. E-ROC

    Alas, the same troll posts another ridiculous Mets trade