Cox, Melancon will be ready
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- December
- 19
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Over on his very fine blog, Chad Jennings talked to Mark Newman and has updates on J.B. Cox, Mark Melancon, Juan Miranda and others.
Cox and Melancon will be ready for spring training after having elbow surgery. Humberto Sanchez is a little further behind. Miranda is scheduled to start the season in Triple-A.
In case you missed it, they signed Darrell Rasner to a minor-league deal. They’re also trying to bring Bronson Kiheimahanaomauiakeo Sardinha back. Big news in Hawaii, I suspect.
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Chad Jennings
Sam Borden
Josh Thomson
Nice.
Imua! (That’s for Bronson)
Re-sign Sardinha?
Book ‘em, Dano:
http://www.mjq.net/fiveo/50wave.jpg
http://www.mjq.net/fiveo/images/season3box.jpg
You wonder how aggressive the Yankees will be promoting Cox and Melancon. A lot will depend on their performance and on the performance of the pen in the Bronx
I thought Sardiniah had already signed with somebody else, or, was that Matt “Albert” DeSalvo?
Is that the longest full name in baseball?
Well, Mele Kalikimaka to Mr. B. Kiheimahanaomauiakeo Sardinha. (Bing Crosby tells me this means: Merry Christmas.) I’d like for Santa to teach the kid to play CF in case the Twins come crawling back for Hughes/Melky/Player-to-be-Named for Devadip Carlos “Johan” Santana, who can pitch almost as well as he can play guitar.
I’m really curious to see how Cox and Melancon will do. We desperately need bullpen help.
I’m curious to see how Cox and Melancon will do, We desperately need bullpen help.
Mele Kalikimaka?
Hey mel and co.
Being that its another slow day in baseball and im tired of talking about steroids. Lets go back to the 80’s.
What movie in the 80’s would you want your kid to watch?
Ill start
Back to the Future
E.T.
Raiders of the lost Ark
Star Wars
Karate Kid
Breakfast Club
KoolKoreanKid23: Me too. I wouldn’t expect much from them in ‘08 … it often takes a full year of throwing after the full year of rehab to get all the way back. They could be the surprise of the year though.
It just goes to show you how much a lot of the people on this blog completely overrate Yankee prospects.
A lot of people in here were upset that Rasner and Bronson were let go, yet no other team snapped them up and they are most likely coming back here as minor league free agents.
40 man roster spots were wasted on these guys. They have no trade value and little value to the rest of the baseball world. If Rasner had any promising leads, he’d definitely go to another organization other than the Yankees that wasn’t littered with young RH starting pitching.
In a larger sense, it makes you think about the actual risk of trading prospects for Johan vs. the perceived risk.
Some of you think Austin Jackson, Horne, etc. are all destined for greatness.
Maybe so, but I think we all get a little too amped up for players who have done nothing in the big leagues here.
I still trade Hughes, Melky and whatever non major league talent it takes to get Johan.
From ESPN Chat with BA’s John Manuel:
Scott (St. Paul): Is there any package of prospects that you think equals Santana’s value? I personally think the Dodgers could put together that package; otherwise only both Buchholz and Ellsbury fits. I dont trust Melky, though I love Hughes.
John Manuel: (2:33 PM ET ) Yes, I think there could be, he’s only signed for one year and he’s got a lot of mileage on him as a pitcher. Cost is no object to the Yankees, so I dont’ care what the “value” of Hughes is over the next years b/c he’s cheaper; to me, the Yankees need an ace LHP in that ballpark to win a championship, whether it’s Whitey Ford or Ron Guidry or Andy Pettitte or Boomer Wells. They just don’t have the upper level hitters to get that deal done. Honestly, I’d rather have Jason Pridie than Melky . . . The Twins need impact, power bats, not hitters like Ellsbury or Jed Lowrie, both good players. To me, Minnesota’s best deal would be with Seattle (Adam Jones, Jeff Clement as a DH/C share with Mauer). LAD also fit with LaRoche at 3b and a good (if not premium) talent but after Billingsley & Kershaw, the Dodgers’ young arms thin out. Not sure there’s a great fit, that’s why the trade hasn’t happened. (So much for shorter answers . . . )
S.o.S.27,
The Goonies. Hands down.
Anyone know what’s up with the Santana talks? Are they on hold til after Christmas, or is the whole thing dead? Haren’s a Snake already, so does that up the stakes?
A few months late, but damnit, I will make my future kids watch the first TMNT movie
Anyone see this
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/ru.....=mlb,58580
I think this is the state of the Johan talks.
Everyone in the media confidently predicts he’s going to Boston, yet no deal is ever made.
They all claim it’s a done deal that he will be pitching for the Red Sox.
They claim the deal can happen in a matter of days. This claim has been going on for a few weeks now.
This is what you keep hearing in the media.
Then you read they are pulling Ellsbury off the table.
Okay….
So their package goes back to the Lester, Crisp, Lowrie, Masterson package that couldn’t get it done many weeks ago.
I still think the media is teaming up with Boston and Minny to make the Yankees blink here.
We saw how fast Miggy and Dontrelle went to Detroit. How quickly the Haren deal was made. Etc.
In my opinion, if Boston and Minny were going to do this, it would have been done.
80’s Cartoons
Thundercats
Transformers
Voltron
Go bots
G-force
Wheeled Warriors
More for girls
Strawberry Shortcake
Carebears
G Love
Johan is driving this bus, and my money says he doesn’t want to play in Boston. Bill Smith knows this, and the only leverage he has is with the Red Sox quasi “offers” to counter the Yankees.
Kennedy/Tabata/AA prospect = Lester/Crisp/Masterson. We are hearing what the teams want us to hear.
Man, Chad Jenn Is blowing up this off season thanks to Pete Abe. Between the two of them, its all the yankees news you’ll ever need.
At least this thread doesn’t have the obnoxious Carl on it. Jeez talk about beating a dead horse. Reading that thread actually became painful.
mel,
You have a lot more patience than I. I would have “flammed” the guy for what he said to you.
Close Encounters of the Third Kind
Poltergeist
Cartoons:
Smurfs (not a personal favorite, but what list would be complete without it?)
Jetsons!
Oh, gotta have the Scooby Doo movies from the late 80’s, those were good
Schoolhouse Rock
Betty Boop
Felix the Cat
Popeye
“Johan is driving this bus, and my money says he doesn’t want to play in Boston. Bill Smith knows this, and the only leverage he has is with the Red Sox quasi “offers†to counter the Yankees.”
This is wrong. Johan will accept a trade to the Red Sox if an agreement is in place to trade him there. And he will accept an extension as well, because the Red Sox actually do want him and have the money to get it done. There is zero evidence that he doesn’t want to play in Boston. To me, it just seems like Yankees fans being naive and wishing it were the truth.
Beastmaster
Lethal Weapon
Flinstones?still on in the 80’s
I’ve heard that Melancon is amazing.
I’m really, really excited for 2008, but you all knew that. Optimist Prime does not think in any other way.
Tom and Jerry
Spider man and friends
Super Heroes
Favorite 80’s movie
Raiders of the lost ark.
I was on submarine patrol and had not heard anything about the movie,and it was released the day I got off the boat. I walked into the theater having no idea what it was about. The first 15 minutes just is a like a roller coaster ride. I think it still stands up as a good film.
Mark Melancon could be this season’s version of Joba as a July callup. Similar stuff.
If Brian Cashman found a suitor for Giambi by 7/31/08, Juan Miranda could be elevated.
I wanted to let you know something G. Love. I am freinds of the family of Darrell rasner and actually talk to his wife quite often. Darrell decided that he would not even look anywhere else. He really lieks the Yankee organization and decided that a minor league could help me get a relief role so when he was let go. He knew it had nothing to do with the Yankees not liking his abilities so he decided to try and fight for a job so if you don’t know the scoop, don’t talk thanks
Can we consider Gumby as a cartoon?
G Love:
You have a great point about the media being in cahoots with Boston and Minny. Why should the Twins get fair value for Santana?
Remember when the rumors about an AROD trade last year to the Angels…every media outlet…including every NY outlet…was saying that there was no way the Yanks couls get equal value for him…that we should trade him for Ervin Santana, Howie Kendrick and a couple of balls. This was recommended even when the Yanks were only paying AROD 14 million…(the opt out clause issue had not been released)
Now the media is telling us we have to give up the entire farm and then sign Santana to a record breaking contract.
Its ridiculous how blatent the bias is
It is obvious that the twins are trying to scare the Yanks…there is no way they are taking Crisp(6 million)and Lester and a bunch of unknowns.
No, but Mr. Bill counts!
Florida Yank,
Do you know if the Tampa Yankees play the Phillies Clearwater team during the season? Reason is, I live part-time not too far from Jack Russell Stadium and would like to check the Yankees kids out.
east side yankee,
If Minnesota’s willing to make that trade, then by all means they should! If I were a GM? I’d rather have 4 pitching studs they are a year away, but really high ceiling. Maybe I could squeeze a stud outfielder, too.
Yahoo’s Tim Brown indicates that the Mets and Phillies both have offers out to free agent starter Kyle Lohse, though it’s not the lead of his story (hat tip to MetsBlog).
There hasn’t been a ton of buzz around Lohse yet. It seems that other aspects of the pitching market may have to settle first. Lohse could be a Plan B for the Mariners. He could be an option for St. Louis as well.
It’s been said that Scott Boras, Lohse’s agent, may try to get five years for him.
(as I see it, if Boras gets 5 years for Lohse, the GM should get 5 years for fraud, waste and abuse of company funds)
As Jerry Crasnick says, Boras is “willing to wait for teams to get desperate.” You can check out Boras’ spin on Lohse here.
“Me too. I wouldn’t expect much from them in ‘08 … it often takes a full year of throwing after the full year of rehab to get all the way back.”
That’s the line on TJ…18 months after the surgery is sort of the average timeframe. Cox didn’t have TJ, I don’t think. If they’re both throwing already, I think it’s totally reasonable to think they could contribute this season. Or, at least, I don’t think that health or the need to rebuild strength will keep them from contributing.
Also…saying that these two are the only hope for the Yankee pen is just flat out un-true. There’s a list of at least ten guys who could be 7th inning guys, and some certainly have the stuff to be an 8th inning guy. Ohlendorf, Britton, Veras, White, Bruney, Albaladejo, that guy they added to the 40-man whose name eludes me, Ramirez, Wright, Horne, etc.
berra8
Do you think maybe that this is wishful thinking on the part of Red Sox fans, perhaps (such as yourself)?
Why hasn’t the deal been done already if the Sox want him so much and he wants to go there so much?
The Sox have the means to pay him $20 million x 7 but not the desire. It is not the MO of their front office in the Theo era–any Red Sox observer can tell you that.
The Yankees, OTOH, have the desire (dominant LH pitcher in YS), the track record of payment (most recently ARod), and the means.
Santana has indicated to Torii Hunter and likely other Twins that he wants to play for the Yankees. To my knowledge, he never has told anyone that he wants to play for the Sox. It’s a great fit.
This whole thing is a matter of the Yankees waiting out Bill Smith.
Best 80s movie?
The Princess Bride.
My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.
SoS, all those movies, and in addition:
Big
that movie with Molly Ringwald where she’s a witch
Tv shows – the one and only Thundercats. And Voltron. Was there anything else on TV in the 80s? If so, I was not aware of it.
Miami Vice
Melancon is talented. But remember on top of coming back from Tommy John surgery he’s thrown 8 innings as a professional and that was in the very low minors (Short Season NY Penn).
I wouldn’t put too much certainty in Melancon being able to pitch in the majors this year.
He would essentially have to duplicate what Joba/ Kennedy did in terms of their progression through the minors (very rarely does that ever happen) while at the same time coming back from major elbow surgery.
I don’t think it’s likely. Cox is a different story because he already pitched in AA with success and had a less serious procedure done.
Anything from either of them would be a nice surprise.
Big was such a good movie!
The Bond movies with Roger Moore.
Yankeesrule57
I think they are comming out with another RAIDERS O.T.L.A. this upcomming year.
Im tired of thinking about Santana. One day im for getting him the next im not. Its the amount of years we would have to give him that scares me. His homerun total was a red flag this year. He also has pitched alot of innings in his young carreer. Could pitching in cold New York make him less effective? It effected Johnson,why not Santana? At this point im good with keeping what we have. Unless they are willing to take a package without Hughes. 5 years Max. Dont need another Giambi/Pavano contract.
weird science
“Why hasn’t the deal been done already if the Sox want him so much and he wants to go there so much?”
Um…because no one has put up an offer that the TWINS want to take.
I’m sure that, if the Twins decide to take a Sox offer, Johan will sign an extension there.
I’m also sure that, if the Yankees put up an offer that the Twins like, Johan will sign an extension there.
The reason this hasn’t gone anywhere is that the Sox perfectly happy with the status quo.
“weird science”
heard a sequel to this (with Val Kilmer) might be in the works.
Not sure how that’ll work out, but it could be hilarious, or terrible.
Melancon’s stuff is also not that comparable to Joba’s.
Melancon had a low to mid-90’s kind of fastball. It’s nowhere close to what Joba’s is. Who knows what it will be like now. He could in theory pick up a few MPH on his fastball after the surgery but you can’t count on it.
Laberynth with David Bowie
St. Elmos Fire
Animal House
Revenge of the Nerds
I second that.
LA Law
YanksRule 57, here’s the Tampa Yankees schedule.
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.....mp;cid=587
Police academy
“Could pitching in cold New York make him less effective? It effected Johnson,why not Santana?”
Because, unlike Randy, Johan doesn’t have chronic back problems that need surgery? And, also, Johan still has all the cartilage in his knees?
Randy had a synthetic compound injected into his landing knee before every start, I believe. To keep the bones from grinding and slamming together when his giant, awkward frame came crashing to earth on each pitch.
Tell me THAT isn’t really gross.
Police academy
Gremlins
Pretty Woman
The Godfather movies
A-Team
Dukes of Hazzard
Hee Haw
Ghostbusters.
Gremlins
Splash.
Police Squad, Animal House, Caddy Shack, Back To School
Gremlins and Goonies, my kids loved em both.
Babeee Ruth!
GREMLINS
RISKY BUSINESS
The outsiders
Whats that movie that Matthew Broderick skips school?
TOP GUN
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off… classic!
Which was better?
Forrest Gump or One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.
Serpico or Dog Day Afternoon.
Goodfellas or Godfather.
HOOKEM COX!
Sloth from Goonies was great.
Babeeee Roooth!!!!!!!!
Scarface
The Shining
“say hello to my little friend”
Two of the great movies for car chases and action of the ’70s was
1. The Seven-ups with Roy Schider
2. Vanishing Point with Barry Nelson and Cleavon Little
“It just goes to show you how much a lot of the people on this blog completely overrate Yankee prospects.
A lot of people in here were upset that Rasner and Bronson were let go, yet no other team snapped them up and they are most likely coming back here as minor league free agents. ”
i don’t remember a lot of people being upset about this.
i think you are constructing an example to fit your argument. i think the reactions were pretty muted, but i could be misremembering.
i love yankee prospects as much as anyone here, and i was not particularly bothered by any of the non-tenders. i think most people understand the difference between Phil Hughes and Matt DeSalvo. i am glad that Rasner re-signed, b/c i think he can be a decent long-man, spot starter, but i have no delusions that he is a prospect.
Bachelor Party
When Harry Met Sally
The Big Blue
Highlander
All the Clint Eastwood spaghetti westerns.
Dirty Harry
Pretty Woman
GreenBeret7,
What was that movie in the 70’s where the car was posessed?
What’s the movie with Clint Eastwood and the orangatang?
every which way but loose?
Got it. Every Which Way But Lose.
lol. JJ. Thanks.
did you read my mind mel?
Yes, JJ. But your spelling was wrong!
SoS, GB7 – Christine? The Stephen King movie? I read the book – creeped me the heck out.
By the way, I saw Juno on Friday. It was awesome – you should all go see it.
Green Beret-
Don’t forget “The French Connection” for an all-time car chase.
SOS- could you be referring to “Herbie Goes Bananas”? I don’t know if I’d call Herbie “possessed” but clearly something supernatural was at play.
Mel, you must mean “Every Which Way But Loose.”
slow day in here
One of the great westerns of the 60s-70s was “Once Upon A Time In The West”. Henry Fonda turned in the shocker of a lifetime with that role.
Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid was close
Mel
my spelling?
Oops. I spelled it wrong.
Thanks rb
Yes Christine, kept thinking Carrie and knew it wasnt correct.
Connan the Destroyer
How can we forget CARTOON and MOVIE
HE MAN
Cannonball Run.
Kramer vs. Kramer.
does anyone in here have a job?
Yep. French Connection was great. So was the movie “Popeye Doyle” a TV movie with Ed O’Neill
Yes and I do a hell of a job at it as you can see. Just dont tell my emloyees.
SOS
How much do they pay in here?
Mel
I know you get paid well.
Wow – jump off for a bit and come back to a time warp! Top Gun was my favorite movie. My girl friends rented a VHS machine just so we could rent the movie when it came out. And then proceeded to wear out the volleyball scene.
But, Rebecca – I love love love the Princess Bride and have encouraged my girls to watch it at every opportunity. That and Ferris Bueller are probably the only two 80s movies I will stop flipping channels and watch each and every time.
BTW – the jury cleared Chase in the Sopranos lawsuit. (hating to bring up anything relating to lawsuits again, but figured it was of interest).
‘a christmas story’ – definately an 80’s classic, even though it wasn’t supposed to take place in the 80’s…
YanksRule57 -
The Phillies no longer play at Jack Russell Stadium. A new venue was built just off U.S. 19-South called Brighthouse Networks Field.
See Green Beret 7’s post above on the Single A Tampa Yankees schedule.
Monty Python and the Holy Grail
That’s right, this is a Yankee blog. Well, IMO Santana can “Come on Down” if the price is right.
If Boston steals Santana, shame on Smith.
If the Twins fleece Boston, shame on Theo.
Yawn.
You guys are good!
When Harry Met Sally was an 80’s movie????? I’m truly losing my mind!
He’s not dead: Great movie. But believe it or not it is from 1975!!
The Fiendish Plot of Mr. Fu ManChu and who could forget Benny Hill?
Twins, starring Arnold and Danny DeVito.
just read lupicas column in todays Daily News and he has the burden of proof on his shoulders. Let him appear before Congress, what a fiasco that would be. he might have to pitch somewhere this season to prove he can do it w/o roids.
It’s nice that Sardines could have an opportunity to be back with the Yankees. I have enjoyed calling him “Sardines.” It’s not an insult at all, I just don’t think that I could consistently spell his name correctly.
While we are on the subject of ’80s movies, I have always been a huge fan of the original Naked Gun. That has always been one of my favorite movies, and why don’t the Yankees invite Leslie Nielsen to sing our national anthem?
lori… seems like lots of the movies listed where not 80s movies… star wars (77), animal house (78), etc…
i think i’ll go for a walk… i feel happy
joltin joe,
I’m actually a double agent. I report what goes on here to both Cashman and Theo.
A Christmas Story was great. I grew up wanting a Origional Red Ryder Carbine Action 200 Shot Range Model Air Rifle.
Ralphie: [Ralphie is shoved down the slide, but he stops himself and climbs back up] No! No! I want an Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action Two-Hundred-Shot Range Model Air Rifle!
Santa Claus: You’ll shoot your eye out, kid.
——————————————————————————–
Ralphie as Adult: [narrating, after BB gun shot bounces off target and hits his face] Oh my god, I shot my eye out!
all these guys coming clean about roid usage..if they all do it, is it less a crime? soon you will hear from guys not on the list.
YanksRule57, all of the Minor League Schedules are out now.
mel
i thought sj44 was cashman
Maybe, maybe not.
I can reveal this, though. Cashman pays way over market value and getting Theo to pay up is like pulling teeth.
Beetlejuice
Better Off Dead
Coming To America
Crocodile Dundee
Dirty Dancing
Disorderlies
Footloose
Full Metal Jacket
Good Morning, Vietnam
Heathers
I’m gonna get you Sucka
Lost Boys
Midnight Madness
The Money Pit
Mr. Mom
Muppets Take Manhattan
Nat. Lampoons Vacation
Never Ending Story
Overboard
Pee Wee’s Big Adventure
Planes, Trains & Automobiles
Pretty In Pink
Raising Arizona
Return to OZ
Revenge of The Nerds I & II
Roxanne
The Running Man
Short Circuit
Soul Man
Spaceballs
Splash
Stand By Me
Strange Brew
Suburbia
Teen Wolf
This is Spinal Tap
Throw Momma From The Train
Woman In Red
and yes, i did cheat and look at a list
really the fans don’t care about roids…but i don’t see bonds, clemens, mcgwire or sosa going to the hof
Saw No Country for Old Men over the weekend. Two thumbs way up!!
would love to know roger’s master plan.
Joltin Joe
Give it up, this thread is definitely off-topic and looks like it’s staying that way.
My all time favorite movie – Aliens (Get away from her You BITCH!)
Melvin,
I hated No Country – but I Am Legend is good.
these phonies are starting to sound like slick willie.
“i tried it, but did not inhale.”
Thas good news all around – im sure the way the bullpen is put together for next yr, rasner has the potential of becoming a useful piece or at least he will be used to eat up those innings when a starter cant make it more than four one nite. I hope cox and melancon can reach the majors at some point but it seems doubtful unless they just dominate the opposition – i am very interested to see how melancon will do next yr. He sounds fantastic but he only has six low A innings under his belt. Ive heard he is the only pitcher in the minors that has the potential to be a future closer. JB Cox will probably be no more than a great reliever ie scot shields at best or so they say.
Police Squad with ever the hero, Lt. Frank Drebin. What a guy !
Here’s how John Sickels rates the Yankee prospects and the Redsox prospects (a bit higher)http://www.minorleagueball.com/
New York Yankees Top 20 Prospects for 2008
By John Sickels
Posted on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 12:42:18 AM CDT
New York Yankees Top 20 Prospects for 2008
All grades are EXTREMELY PRELIMINARY and subject to change. (he upgraded Austin Jackson to a B)
Joba Chamberlain, RHP, Grade A
Jose Tabata, OF, Grade B+
Ian Kennedy, RHP, Grade B+
Alan Horne, RHP, Grade B
Austin Jackson, OF, Grade B-
Bradley Suttle, 3B, Grade B-
Dellin Betances, RHP, Grade B-
Austin Romine, C, Grade B- (hate grading guys who haven’t played yet, could be C+)
Jesus Montero, C, Grade C+ (borderline B-)
Dan McCutchen, RHP, Grade C+
Brett Gardner, OF, Grade C+
Damon Sublett, 2B, Grade C+ (love this guy)
Andrew Brackman, RHP, Grade C+ (could slot anywhere from 9 to 20 depending on what you want to emphasize)
Jeffrey Marquez, RHP, Grade C+
George Kontos, RHP, Grade C+
Kevin Whelan, RHP, Grade C+ (check those K/IP and H/IP, but command?)
Frank Cervelli, C, Grade C+ (great glove, bat?)
David Robertson, RHP, Grade C+ (stunning numbers)
Jairo Heredia, RHP, Grade C+
Zach McAllister, RHP, Grade C+
Other C+ grades include Jon Albaladejo, Michael Dunn, Juan Miranda, and Justin Snyder. And there are several Grade C guys that I like but want to see more from before giving them higher grades. There are a total of 38 Yankees prospects in the book.
As usual, the C+ guys are pretty much interchangeable and can be moved up or down depending on what you are looking for. Remember to check the post below this one if you want to know more about what the grades mean.
Of course, full statistics and reports on over 1,000 other players will be in the 2008 Baseball Prospect Book, now available for pre-order. Ships the first Monday in February!
Entry Link :: 113 Comments
Stuff
By John Sickels
Posted on Mon Dec 17, 2007 at 12:23:00 AM CDT
Upcoming Teams:
Los Angeles Dodgers
Seattle Mariners
Milwaukee Brewers
Oakland Athletics
Philadelphia Phillies
The prospect lists bring in a lot of new readers, many asking what the grades mean. Here is the rundown.
GRADES AND WHAT THEY MEAN
Grade A prospects are the elite. They have a good chance of becoming stars or superstars. Almost all Grade A prospects develop into major league regulars, if injuries or other problems don’t intervene. Note that is a major “if” in some cases.
Grade B prospects have a good chance to enjoy successful careers. Some will develop into stars, some will not. Most end up spending several years in the majors, at the very least in a marginal role.
Grade C prospects are the most common type. These are guys who have something positive going for them, but who may have a question mark or three, or who are just too far away from the majors to get an accurate feel for. A few Grade C guys, especially at the lower levels, do develop into stars. Many end up as role players or bench guys. Some don’t make it at all.
A major point to remember is that grades for pitchers do NOT correspond directly to grades for hitters. Many Grade A pitching prospects fail to develop, often due to injuries. Some Grade C pitching prospects turn out much better than expected.
Also note that there is diversity within each category. I’m a tough grader; Grade C+ is actually good praise coming from me, and some C+ prospects turn out very well indeed.
Finally, keep in mind that all grades are shorthand. You have to read the full comment for my full opinion about a player, the letter grade only tells you so much. A Grade C prospect in rookie ball could end up being very impressive, while a Grade C prospect in Triple-A is likely just a future role player.
Entry Link :: 7 Comments
Alan Horne
By John Sickels
Posted on Sun Dec 16, 2007 at 03:43:49 PM CDT
Alan Horne, RHP, New York Yankees
Bats: R Throws: R HT: 6-4 WT: 195 DOB: January 5, 1983
Horne has finally overcome his injury-plagued college career, emerging as one of the better pitching prospects in the game. His velocity has returned to pre-Tommy John standards, hitting 93-95 MPH last year in Double-A. Both his curveball and slider have improved, and last year he added a major league changeup to the arsenal, giving him four solid or better pitches. His command, erratic in the past, also took a step forward. All of his numbers were just fine for Double-A Trenton, and it was only the emergence of Chamberlain, Hughes, and Kennedy in the Yankees system that kept Horne from getting more attention. Assuming that his command continues to hold up, we should see him in the majors sometime in 2008, and it would not surprise me at all to see him thrive there, earlier than people expect. Grade B, and that might be a notch too low.
What do you guys think about Horne? Is Grade B too low or just right, or too high for that matter?
Entry Link :: 44 Comments
give it up?
thought this was a baseball thing?
saucy,
you forgot rainman and uncle buck
side note – cox actually has the better numbers in college but i think melancon was pitching against more difficult opposition and has better raw stuff.
Clare –
What about it did you hate?
Pete,
wat do you think of the daily news – Fire isaiah headline? Seems pretty ballsy to me for a paper to bethat bias in a headline although everyone knows he deserves to be fired.
Melvin,
The major plot twist, which I won’t give away, when all of a sudden it felt like you were watching a different movie. Three different people around me after the movie were all asking if what happened at that point actually happened (if you know what I mean).
Return of the Jedi, Empire Strikes Back, Back to the Future
Okay, guys. School’s almost done for the day. I’m giving an assignment for tomorrow since it’ll probably be another slow baseball news day.
“List your Top 10 favorite movies of all time”
Don’t turn it in yet. Due date is tomorrow.
i think posada was on hgh this past season
Totally off topic, but Terrell Owens told Jessica Simpson to stay away from Tony Romo. High-Larry-Us.
Alan Horne could be a valuable addition after the All Star break.
baseball expert…
I assume you received your information about Posada from George Mitchell, his thugs, and his shady witnesses.
I am programmed to believe whatever Big Brother tells me is so.
Did he say it to her face, or thru the media?
http://youtube.com/watch?v=dOVxitMy47c
mel,
why? obviously I missed that important story.
Victor wrote: “Alan Horne could be a valuable addition after the All Star break.”
I’ll add: Yeah, to the Twinkies in the Santana deal.
jennifer-
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/.....id=3161769
WHO WANTS TO SEE NEW YORK’S LARGEST PINK SLIP ?
LPS
DAMMIT I DID IT AGAIN !!!
http://www.nypost.com/seven/12.....nicks1.jpg
Mel,
Due I get extra credit for turning it in now?
rome is buring,
I remember when that happened (at the time I was as obsessed about football as I now am about the Yankees).
Whatever happened to Jim Everett?
sos,
No. Points off for not following directions. But if want to give your 10th favorite, I’d be interested.
Mel,
Wouldnt want that. Till tomorrow same Bat time,same.. you know the rest.
damn T.O. has to be one of the biggest a**holes in football to say that crap
Brandon,
But what makes it so funny, is that there’s an ounce of truth to the whole story.
Mel-
I know but I don’t buy that a football player plays like crap because he can’t be around women
he can’t focus because of Jessica Simpson and Carrie Underwood, I mean com’on give the Pats and Eagles D some credit. For that I hope Dallas gets blown out big time
If Horne was such a great starting pitcher prospect, why are they talking about moving him into the pen at the major league level? Look at his peripherals – outside of his era and record, they arent very impressive at all esp at that level. And I have this sneaking suspicion that sanchez will come back from the dl for no more than a month and then, go right back on with something extremely serious. That guy reminds me far too much of a younger pavano its scary. I trust sanchez as far as i could throw him. Betances should be ranked higher because he is probably the best prospect we have outside of hughes, chamberlain, kennedy, tabata and jackson – yes, better than horne. Melancon and coz are in the top ten as well in terms of cieling at the major league level and ability to reach that cieling.
Brandon-
Mickey says “women weaken legs”
There is a simple solution to T.O. Just give T.O. the damn ball and he’ll keep his mouth shut! Man im glad hes not on my team.
GO COLTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i meant cox not coz
Hmmm,
The majority of regulars of this blog with some exceptions get themselves into a tizzy anytime a Yankee prospect is discussed leaving via trade or release.
They make completely grand predictions when most prospects, I think they say it’s 1 out of 10, actually become major league regulars.
There are people comparing Melancon to Joba in here for crying out loud. How? How can you do that? What has he shown anyone that makes Joba his comparison.
Here’s Joba’s facts. 3/4’s of a full year dominating in every single level in the minors and dominating at the majors by season end.
He is a freak. He’s the needle in the haystack. He’s Kong.
If the Yankees stike lightning again with a player like they did with Joba it will be nothing short of a miracle.
What he accomplished last year, is storybook stuff. It just doesn’t happen with many prospects ever.
When Rasner was released people were voicing how Rasner should not go over Bruney, which was silly. Bruney would be snapped up in 2 seconds if he were released. He has stike out stuff, he just needs to stop the walks and get his head straight.
Rasner wasn’t snapped up. His choosing to come back to an organization with better starting pitching prospects (and better RH pitching prospects) than him already in the pipeline is spurious at best.
If the Washington Nats (an organization that released him already) offered him a chance to earn a spot in their bereft of talent rotation, you’re telling me he passed that up to come and try to earn a spot in the Yankee pen as a long man?
I don’t buy it. I’m sure his wife knows the difference between competing for a starting rotation spot for a major league club and competing for bullpen spot.
My whole point is you should trade your prospects for great talent. Johan is a great talent and we should send some of the excess talent we have to Minnesota, because out of that excess, not many of them will turn out to be great players.
I love Hughes, but if you asked me who I would pick to start game 1 in the playoffs, it’s not Hughes. It’s Johan.
2007 Sports Blog of the Year Tournament (NCAA Tourney-style).
GO VOTE FOR PETE ABE. ROUND-1 VOTING CLOSES TONIGHT AT MIDNIGHT AND HE’S LOSING THUS FAR.
http://www.bustedcoverage.com/?page_id=1124
(38*itches was getting beaten badly, then he posted about it on his blog and he’s cruising. Go represent for Pete and the Yankees blogs out there.)
Or maybe it’s SOSH where Schill brought it up… Whatever… Go vote for Pete Abe. (Just figured I’d correct myself, I don’t intend to go to his blog to check.)
that’s why Rocky was the boxer w/ the girl
G. Love, you are taking a minority opinion and projecting it to be a majority opinion on Rasner or Bruney.
Good thing the Cowboys got the lowly Giants out of the way before Romo was introduced to J. Simpson.
G. Love, i tend to agree with you. mostly about “The majority of regulars of this blog with some exceptions get themselves into a tizzy anytime a Yankee prospect is discussed leaving via trade or release.
They make completely grand predictions when most prospects,”
in fact, I’ll take it a step further, I think a majority of people on this blog don’t follow milb, and or our prospects (there is nothing wrong with that) but when someone like SJ or yourself post about how dominating certain players are they think we have another joba on our hands.
there is no way melancon will turn out to be this years joba, whoever posted does not follow the yankees prospects. i’m sorry. he has the potential to fly through this system but he does not have the same stuff as him, in fact, not many people in the majors have stuff like him.
G Love-
You might be a minority like me who has been begging for a 29 year old Santana in his prime,200 innings and 200 strikeouts with 2 Cy Youngs to go with that in a playoff team like the Yankees.
I wouldn’t mind Phil but Andy 4Era HGH Pettitte and Chien-Ming overrated Wang can’t be our ace.
Get the Legend Santana and say bye bye to 25 year AA pitcher Horne.
Did anyone mention Terminator as a great 80’s movie? Cant beat Arnold at his best, which means not actually acting. Also wasnt A Team in the 80’s?
Naked Gun was the best comedy of the 1980s, and still is the best comedy created. No other movie can beat it when it comes to laughs.
Actually I forgot perhaps the greatest movie ever made…..SPACEBALLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I see your schwartz is as big as mine. Let’s see how well you handle it.
In actuality, the Mitchell Report was ready by the end of the regular season. Paul Byrd was used as a test case and the timing of it was purposely done to coincide with the ALCS (Cleveland vs. Boston). It passed the test convincingly. It showed that McNamee and Radomski could be used to push the envelope and head for a larger market, namely NYC.
If Paul Byrd got HGH, it wasn’t through a New York source. He never played for either team.
As the M.I.A Bobcat would say,
This is the final round of posturing to get the deal done before Santa Day.
If the Yankee’s some how do not obtain Johan Santana, mark my words.. it will haunt them for years to come. That’s without him going to the Sox. IF he goes to the Sox, I will refuse to watch any Yankee game this year.
I’ve been awe struck by Santa for years, if he is going to on the RedSox.. well I will still be awe struck by him on the Sox.
You realize that I cannot allow this to happen!!! I can not root for a redsox pitcher!!! But I cannot sell-out and say that one of my all time favorite pitchers is dead either!!!
Do you not see this conundrum ?
Seriously folks.. the Yankee’s need Santana just about as much as someone getting thrown out of a plane needs a parachute.. “Are there chances of surviva? Sure”, “Is it likely that you will turn hughes or kennedy into an Ace like Santana? Doubtful” and that is without mentioning the fact that Johan is a lefty.
HANK, I’m WATCHING you.. you better get this done!
The Yankees can’t go into the season with three 160 inning pitchers.They’ll end up like Mark Prior and Kerry Wood.
Santana in 7 years will win 3-4 20 games years,3 Cy youngs,4-5 200 innings pitched years and 5 200 strikout years…should I keep going and I’m beimng generous…I mean the only reason Chien-Ming Wang was 2 in the CY Young ballot was his wins and innings pitched thats it.
The Yankees don’t need Santana. They need depth in the rotation and not trade away two of their best young arms to get him.
Review the Yankee dynasty of the late 90s and you’ll see that this team never had a surefire #1 ace and still won four rings.
The whole “ace” factor is overrated.
If Santana becomes a FA after 2008 – the Yanks should chase him. If not, I’m fine with building a stable of horses with the plethora of young arms they’ve already got in the system.
Giuseppe
are you implying that you’re fine with johann going to the sox??
Santana isn’t going to the Sox. Theo and Co. has been playing games since the beginning of this whole thing. They don’t want to commit 7/$140M+ on one player.
If Santana does go to the Sox, so what? You don’t make moves to keep players away from another team because that’s not smart business. Worry about your own team first.
The Yanks would start hitting Santana just like they’ve hit Pedro, Schilling, Dice-K, and Beckett over the years.
The Twins want both Ellsbury and Lester in a deal with Boston and Theo and Co. have said no to that since Day 1.
I expect to see Santana start the season with the Twins if they don’t get what they want from NYY or BOS.
did cashman know that sanchez had arm trouble b/f trading sheff?
Trade Mussina for Santana
Mahay sign with KC
No way the twins trade Santana for Mussina. You are crazy Giuseppe.
Some jackass decided to use my name. This wasn’t me.
Have the Yankees decided not to go with a left handed reliever/specialist? Given that Mahay has signed with KC (foxsports), what are the Yankees options? Is there a realistic internal option? (and I don’t mean Kei Igawa)
Trouble brewing between Cash and Hank??
http://mlbfleecefactor.com/200.....lies-more/
I think this will let us know who is running the show
WOOHOOOO for JB Cox being ready for 2008 Spring Training! Fantastic news!! That’s my dawg and I’ve been waiting for a few years now for the bright lights of the big stage to finally shine on him. It looks like the time has come, the future is now!!! Congrats and best of luck to JB!!!
I love the news about signing Rasner to a minor league contract too. To say the absolute least, I was quite perplexed when they released him earlier this month and kept Henn and Karstens. I think Rasner is better than Karstens (although, granted, this is an issue I’ve vacillated a lot on) and I think he could be very helpful in the long relief/spot starter role this year. I’m glad he will get a chance to earn that job!
And to complete the good news trifecta, KC signs Mahay! That’s a lot less times we’ll hear the words “ball four” in the late innings this year! Thank goodness, Hawkins is already enough mediocrity, I didn’t want more from Mahay. Matter of fact I can’t wait till Cox takes Hawkins’ job midseason so we can send him packing! Watch out Major Leagues here comes my boy JB Cox! Woohoooo!
I don’t think we have any internal options as far as lefty relief help (Henn certainly isn’t the answer, WHY is he still on the 40 man?!?) other than Villone, but he could only be a complementary lefty, not the primary one. I’d still love to see us get Marte. Git ‘er done Cash!
Also, I have to say this. While we may not have the best bullpen in baseball, the inclusion of JB Cox certainly ensures that we have the most badass group of relievers in the game! I mean between him, Great Britton, Albalalaladejo and Krazy Kyle, and possibly Bruney, we could really wreck some stuff up in a bench clearing brawl! Where are you Josh Towers and Matt Stairs? Please mess with us again next year!
Hey guys, just a reminder–check out the webcast tonight at nine, Mark Littell, the pitcher that gave up the Chambliss home run in 76 will be a guest…you can call in or ask questions in the chat room (link on my blog)
=D
(Okay, I know, shameless self-promotion = totally not cool, but I figured some of you probably remember 76 quite fondly)
Jon Heyman seems to think Johan prob will be a Yankee.
BBB-
Is Cox cute, sexy, hot?
ya know, it’s always nice to have a Big Cox warmed up and ready to go!!
Rebecca-
will you be on the webcast? how does it work??
Blondie: LMAO!
Is there a link to Heyman’s speculation? Heyman hasn’t exactly impressed me yet with his reporting, but I’m still curious, especially if he actually has a source to back up his speculating.
Good evening everyone. What a hell of a time I had getting home. Took forever, way too much traffic.
Blondie: I cover the Yankees =) I’ll be talking about Pettitte and Clemens, most like, unless something else comes up between now and then.
It’s a bunch of us that cover different teams…
Mark hosts and covers rangers, I do Yanks, Joe does Nets and Jets, Stephen does Mets, Brandon does Giants and someone whose name escapes me does Knicks and Islanders.
There’s a chatroom next to where the stream is, if you click the link, and you’re welcome to ask questions or post comments there, or call in.
Re: Cash and Hank – A difference of opinion doesn’t mean there’s trouble. In fact, when you’re running a large organization, a diffence of opinion is a healthy thing. The last thing I would think you’d want is a bunch of yes-men.
And I think they should wait out Santana until either the Twins lower the price (no Hughes) or he becomes a FA (I still think Santana wants to come to NY).
Bronson “Kiheimahanaomauiakeo” Sardinha..What a long mid-name. How can you remember this long word? lol
This is his name Bronson Kiheimahanao Sardinha
With Mahay gone to K.C., this leaves only Chase Wright and Kei Igawa as internal bullpen lefthanders unless Cashman puts a tremendous effort to get Damaso Marte.
Jennifer-
you drive into the city??
Rebecca-
Great!! I’ll tune in. See if you can work in Britney’s sister, as a gag.
harry- yes, cash knew sanchez had arm trouble because sanchez’s most recent stint on the dl is his eighh. Yes, at the age of 22, he has been on the dl eight times already. And cash knew he needed Tommy john surgery and would miss the whole yr. This is why i always thought it was a horrible trade – sanchez has very little chance of making it to the majors and staying healthy and we traded sheff to the team that knocked us out of the playoffs a couple of weeks before.
We dont need starting pitching depth – that helps you in the post-season but doesnt mean much if anything in the playoffs and that is where we fail every yr. We need four very quality starters or an ace and three great starters. Since we have no idea what joba or hughes will give us in a full season in the majors and know that wang and pettitte will be fantastic number two and three starters.
Blondie: So now I’m the font for all gossip news as well?!
Rebecca-
And a fountain of humor, too.
Watching Detroit vs. Boston basketball?
A David “Daddy Steroid” Ortiz sighting at the Fleas Center.
No take the bus home, but it took forever!!
Blondie: ROFLOL!! JB Cox isn’t quite as hot as his former UT bullpen mate Huston Street, but he is beefy, brawny and Bad Ass, and he broke his hand in a bar fight haha – all of which are qualities that certainly don’t decrease from his attractiveness!
But here, judge for yourself:
http://espn-att.starwave.com/m.....ox_195.jpg
yea, that awful Sheffield trade. we’ve only got a healthy OBP machine in RF with 2 young, above average pitchers in our system, including one who could prove to be a major bullpen piece as early as this year instead of a broken down aging slugger with a big mouth.
and, note that Sheff was going to be a FA and was going to leave for nothing in return, so really anything we got back for him was a bonus.
This is embarrasing! Is this what the world of the #4 and #5 starter has come to?? $10+M a year? Insane!
http://mlbfleecefactor.com/200.....los-silva/
BBB-
Darling, don’t Bogart that beefy Cox!!
A nice strong Cox is hard to find.
I hope he’s not clean-cut. You know uncut is in these days.
Not to sure about Hudson Street, only cuz he reminds me of that Telepreacher, Joel Olsteen, which is totally yucko.
http://ustream.tv/channel/sportstalkny
Tune in, turn on, drop out =P
Mark Littell on now =D
did someone on this blog really say, “the Yankees don’t need santana”?????
so you expect the same staff with a lesser BP to get you where??
Your expecting ALL the kids go produce ALL year?
Wow wake up
Once again, it’s not Kiheimahanaomauiakeo; it’s Kiheimahanaomauiakao.
and enough is enough with this Santana talk… it was fun to speculate for a while, but now this is just annoying.
at this point, i just wish Hank would overrule Cash, have BC get the deal done, and be over with all this.
Impatient? yes. but all this nonsense chatter has finally pushed me over the edge.
Actually it is neither it is
Kiheimahanao
and yes, the price of Hughes is absolutely worth the price of Johan.
I Want To Believe.
That is crazy!
Definitely would not rely on Mark Melancon this year. The guy pitched like 10 innings in the NY Penn league and other than that has no professional baseball experience. He’s also coming back from TJ surgery. Cox would be a better bet to be seen in 2008.
phil k dick, you read any of his books? i saw the movie a scanner darkly and liked it, hes a cool science fiction type guy…oh and all i want for christmas is steroids to be found in schillings locker
By the way, I’m still working on my new blog.
http://modernrooters.blogspot.com/
A few of you commented on an article I wrote some weeks ago. I’m still looking for criticism, especially from fans who don’t like the Red Sox.
http://deadspin.com/sports/kih.....304896.php
That looks like the fly-over at Yankee Stadium
This is in response to an earlier entry about Trenton Thunder coaches and their manager returning for 2008.
The Trenton Thunder have announced that Mgr Tony Franklin,pitching coach Scott Aldred and Hitting Coach Tom Wilson will all return to defend their Eastern League Title in 2008 at Waterfront Park.
I know everyone loves Hughes and I am included in that but he will not be ready to pitch 200+ innings,+ the post season for about another 3 years!! He has never pitched a full season in the minors and his arm will be dead by the end of the season until he gets stronger. It is not possible to have 3 people in the rotation who have inning limits. They need Santana!! The Yanks have waited years to get an ace, how often do you have the option to get the best pitcher in baseball???!!! Stop spending money on hitting and spend it on pitching!!! The Yanks have a ton of money coming off the pay roll next year and Cash knows nothing about pitching. I am willing to bet that Hughes is never the best pitcher in baseball and wins 3-4 CY Youngs. The Yanks are nuts if they get this trade done. Honestly I think they will be in 2nd or 3rd place with this pitching staff, the growing pains that the kids will have and the innings limits. Hank get Santana!!
A bit off topic, but do any of you know where I can download a baseball game for PC – either for free or by purchasing?
I don’t know a whole lot about computer games, but I do know that I seem to be having quite a difficult time trying to find a baseball game for pc. Guess they’re not too popular.
Curt, you better not run into Bonds, Clemens, or Canseco on the streets.
http://www.nytimes.com/aponlin.....ref=slogin
are Yankees fans now so impatient that they are unwilling to accept a semi-rebuilding year? By having the young arms in the rotation this year, they are setting themselves up for a very bright future.
And, if Santana isn’t traded, guess what; he’s a free-agent!
Dan-
Thats not a for sure thing anymore some one will give SAntana 8 or even 9 years.Zito got 7.Are you prepared to give SAntana 8 years 170 million with a no trade claus somebody will.
Also if we lose Phil we still got Kennedy as a back of the rotation innings eater like and WAng a a #2 guy and Joba as a future ace.And When the kids finally come up to their prime in 5 years SAntana will give us 5 Cy young caliber years.
Also I don’t want Andy Pettitte as our Ace he can’t be that and will taint any World Series.
Thanks to those of you that took a look =D
The nutty buddy…now, that is something…
Okay, guys, I don’t actually like killing the thread, y’know. Makes me think I’d be highly unwelcome at parties…
It won’t be 1 rebuilding year it could be 3-4 years. If Santana goes to Boston, and then Pettitte will definitely retire after ‘09. It will take the kids a couple of years to build up there arm strength and then who knows how they will do or. You can’t bet that all 3 of them will be 15 game winners or even ready for the majors at this point. Santana is not reaching free agency. If the Yanks do not pony up and get him he will sign an extension with Boston. Then Sabathia and Bedard are the only “aces” that will be free agents in the future. The Yanks have to get the ace while he is available now. They have the lineup now Cash has to worry about pitching. He hasn’t done a thing for the bullpen. I would much rather have Santana, a reliever and a cheap 3rd baseman…then just Arod for $300m. If it was 1 or the other then the Yanks made a mistake.
Hughes and Joba will be aces for the Yankees if you let them. Trading away Hughes is a recipe for disaster. The guy is going to be a big winner for 15 years.
Phil Hughes can be a Ace again “CAN” be a ace not 100%.SAntana can win now and JOba can win later.
WTF, the Knicks won a game?
Wtf?!
Captain — Hughes pitched a complete season in the minors way back in 2006. If I remember correctly, he pitched nearly 150 innings that year. I also don’t know why you think that signing A-Rod has any bearing on Santana — it’s pretty clear that the hang up is not wanting to part with the minor league talent.
REbecca-
Two and they have a winning streak but Isiah will be fired by then…Larry Brown is at his house laughing in his home at the Knicks.
The yankees are just waiting for thw Twins to be desparate and take just Hughes and Cabera.
Curt Schilling is not allowed to dog anyone who took steroids after he told Verducci everyone was taking steroids and then telling Congress a whole other story.
not sure if this has been posted but its funny none the less …
if you are aqua teen hunger force fan then you know the character carl, he loves his yankees….
here is his reaction to the mitchell report
http://www.adultswim.com/video.....8dfd0d0003
Schilling also refused to talk to Mitchell, though he was one of 7-8 players specifically/personally invited by Mitchell.
Peter-
What’s going on with Marte? I really want the Yanks to trade for him. Maybe the price is getting out of hand but I honestly think he’s worth it. Look at his stats. He’s nasty against lefties. http://pittsburgh.pirates.mlb......statType=2 What are the Pirates asking for?
The Pirates want a large booty, but CMoney is unwilling to part with JLo.
it was reported a couple weeks ago that the Pirates originally asked for Jose Tabata in a Damaso Marte deal, but nothing new has come out since.
ugh my post didn’t show up. Basicall cj nitowski is a total ass!! He had no business going on the radio talking about the Yankees. He was on there for a cup of coffee. ANd in case he didn’t realize he stinks as a pitcher.
Matsui causes car crash in Tokyo
New York Yankees outfielder Hideki Matsui causes car crash in Tokyo
GaijinPot
December 19
New York Yankees outfielder Hideki Matsui caused a car crash in Tokyo earlier this month, police said Wednesday.
Since nobody was injured in the accident, Tokyo police treated the case as negligent driving causing damage to property.
At around 6 p.m. on Saturday last week, a car driven by Matsui, 33, crashed into the rear of another vehicle that had stopped at a red traffic light on a metropolitan road in the Ginza district of Chuo-ku, local police said.
Investigators said the way that Matsui applied the brakes was not appropriate.
There was alot of talk about how Joe Torre’s departure would have a big impact on Jeter, Posada, Pettitte and Mo when it happened. Nobody would have guessed that the chain of events that have followed Torre leaving might have had a big impact on A-Rod.
http://www.nypost.com/seven/12.....299964.htm
WHy is it taking so long for posts to appear?
I”m not writing anything wrong.
Yeah Mike is going to be lost without Borzelo as well. He is very close with him.
Did anyone read the “mouths” blog. He says that they should take away Roger’s cy young awards and wins if he can’t prove he isn’t guilty. Why doesn’t Curt shut his mouth. If it wasn’t for Roger Curt would be nothing! Curt admitted that he was a lost kid when Roger took him under his wing and helped him. I wish someone would dig into Curt and find that he did it.
I LOVE HOW HE SPEAKS FOR ME!
I just find it annoying that ESPN decides it’s front-page news whenever Mr. 38Twinkies updates his blog. The guy’s a gasbag. Who outside the fanboys in Red Sox Nation even cares what he thinks?
Any thoughts of Schilling ever shutting his rectum are out of the question. He’ll always feel that he’s the voice of baseball.
i just spent some time looking at a new york times interactive photo report of the mitchell report:
http://www.nytimes.com/interac.....E.html?#60
the mitchell report isn’t making much sense to me because it’s all over the charts. someone like gregg zaun is caught in the web by a cancelled check to radomski and a statement by a former royals bullpen catcher .
if mlb is serious about catching everyone, why don’t they keep pulling on the thread? zaun is still a very active player. is it likely that he was a regular ped user 5-6 years ago ,but not recently? if they are really after the players who used peds, why stop going after the players?
one answer that occurs to me is that they think it could take down the whole sport. maybe the intent is to clean up baseball by sacrificing a small number of players to scare other players into cleaning up their act, but not catching everyone because the game would be damaged beyond repair.
if this is the case. it’s of course unfair ,but a practical business decision. i personally dislike the whole investigation, and i think baseball should have just moved on with strict testing in place by an independent testing agency.
does mitchell keep investigating and following all the leads that have been exposed? or is it over? anyone know? it seems a never ending mess if they keep investigating.
as for shilling, how disingenuous is it to act like he has no inside information about ped use in the clubhouses he’s been in. his comments about clemens seem like a transparent attempt at building a case for his own hall of fame inclusion.
i wonder how far players turning on players will go. mlb may have opened up a pandora’s box that won’t be easily closed.
Joe Torre’s name is seldom heard anymore …
Randy Levine was chastised only a few weeks ago …
I love one of the comments. Someone said to him prove to me you didn’t do it.
How about Schilling’s opening salvo in the 2nd paragraph? Nothing like making sure one side only gets discussed, huh?
“If you plan on writing some idiotic off the cuff rant slanted one way or another feel free to close the page now, it will be deleted. The opinion I am offering is mine and mine alone. Regardless of whether you view it as right or wrong it?s my opinion from what some might call an insiders perspective.”
Proving innocense.
What if that slug Mitchell had declared: “Mo Rivera downs ‘roids like there’s no tomorrow!” (I am surprised he didn’t.)
Do the Yankees forfeit four (or five) rings if Mo cannot prove that Mitchell and his wiseguys are lying? How does Mo regain his reputation after THE HOLY WRIT: THE MITCHELL/BOSOX REPORT declares him guilty? How does Mo prove that he is not guilty?
Some people have this backwards. It is up to Mitchell to prove that Rocket used PEDs. All we have right now are words on an otherwise forgettable report written by a minority owner of the Boston Red Sox?
I call B.S. Throw out the Mitchell/BoSox report and try something else.
And I love how most of the entries kiss his butt! Oh I love you Curt, seriously get a room! He calls himself an insider, from what I understand, most of his teamates disliked him. I want to know what made him the authority on everything?
And Curt was on ped’s when he pitched with his sewed up ankle. Did he take pain killers, so lets take away his ring.
Question the motives and follow the money:
In todays media it is critical to look at the statement above to determine whether or not what is being said can be believed.
Ask yourself what does the person saying have to gain if what they are saying is believed by the public. Then, ask what if any monetary gain is to be made by them, or in some cases has already been paid to them to make the statement public.
This is true in politics, criminal activity, and sports (baseball).
Many are out there now trying to work an angle on the steroids issue. Take what they say with a grain of salt.
I know two things for sure:
1. There were many more players not named in the Mitchell report than the number of those named who used PED’s.
2. If #1 is true then it is unfair to punish those named, whether that be suspensions, or withholding HOF votes. Especially when some of those were named on flimsy evidence.
“Report to the Commissioner of Baseball of an Independent Investigation into the Illegal Use of Steroids and Other Performance Enhancing Substances by Players in Major League Baseball, known as the “Mitchell Report”
another passing thought about the randomness of the mitchell report: aren’t greenies an illegal performance enhancing substance?
is there any mention of them in the report?
on the shilling statement:
he of course knows of a myriad of players from his own clubhouses over the years who have used greenies, yet he mentions no one. he refused to meet with mitchell and share this info, yet he now backs the mitchell report.
shilling is a self serving hypocrite.
Fenway Park is performance enhancing because of its softball dimensions – so why won’t we take away every achievement in that ballpark, too?
Russell NY
There aren’t too many to take away, now are there?
jennifer- Hip Hip Jorge
December 20th, 2007 at 9:55 am
And I love how most of the entries kiss his butt! Oh I love you Curt, seriously get a room! He calls himself an insider, from what I understand, most of his teamates disliked him. I want to know what made him the authority on everything?
____________________________________________________
He’s had his say, and, now has deleted the post. Wonder if Clemens called him and threatened to visit him?
“shilling is a self serving hypocrite”
——————————————-
I also find it shocking that he stumps for W.
This is my favorite post over there:
“12 pitpat71
Curt,
Thanks again for weighing in. I know you sometimes take a lot of heat for speaking your mind, but I can’t thank you enough for cutting through the BS and breaking it down to the bottom line.
I find you to be honest and forthright man, and I attribute it to your being a Christian. I myself am an agnostic, but religious differences aside, I see you as a guy trying to live your life morally and ethically, and when you speak I listen.”
spare me
Everything about that whole website is completely insufferable.
The only thing left with Schilling is to see a screaming line drive off a bat knock his teeth out before he has a chance to get a glove up at the ball. Feed him peanut brittle later.
It is still up.
This is not a rebuilding year. The Yankees have the same offensive team as last year, which led the league in runs scored. They have much better starting pitching, even without Santana. The bullpen is the only question. As bad as it seemed, it wasn’t nearly as bad as the starting pitching. Chamberlain, Hughes, Kennedy are going to be way better than what they had. I’d be very surprised if the Yankees don’t win at least 94 games again, and I suspect they’ll win more. The question isn’t who’s going to replace Clemens and Igawa, the question, believe it or not, is who is going to replace Proctor, Vizcaino, and, yes, Myers, who couldn’t get lefties out but still at least got someone out. Whether Ramirez and co. can be just okay is probably the key to the season.
I wonder why we couldn’t get Mahay at 2 yrs and $8 million.
jennifer- Hip Hip Jorge
December 20th, 2007 at 10:55 am
It is still up.
___________________________________________________
I tried to open it, and said it was no longer available. Thanks.
JGNYC
Because Mahay isn’t worth 8 million for 2 years. I’d prefer in order, Marte in a trade, Gobble in a trade from KC, or Affeldt. KC now has three lefties in the pen with Mahay, Gobble and Bale. Somebody’s got to go.
JGNYC :
Mahay with 2 years @ 4M is a little risky. Continue to hold out hope that Cashman will eventually land Damaso Marte as a bullpen lefty.
Bud Selig just announced that he is conducting another unbiased investigation into Steroid Baseball. The Steinbrenner Report is rumored to include the following names: David Ortiz, Manny Ramirez, Trot Nixon, Jason Varitek, Curt Shilling (along with birth control pills), and George Mitchell.
Birth control pills?
“I would much rather have Santana, a reliever and a cheap 3rd baseman…then just Arod for $300m. If it was 1 or the other then the Yanks made a mistake.”
why? A-Rod is the better player.
he is also a much better investment.
Telling story on HGH perceptions and the responses to Rodney Harrison’s confession (from the Patriots) to Pettitte’s confession in Stark’s article:
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/.....id=3157202
Sunny615 :
another good read ..
http://www.thestar.com/Sports/article/287274
With Borzello bolting as catching instructor… two words. Mike Stanley. Think he would be interested in the gig?
Not sure about Stanley, but, they might want to see what Wil Nieves is doing. If a catcher gets hurt, he can always be activated for a couple of weeks.
SUSAN MULLEN, I read your recommendation over at Baseball’s Think Factory. Great stuff, I agree. I always read the guy and have promoted his blog many times on this site before, just hadn’t checked it in a while.
For all you who want to read NY baseball columnist get slammed for comparing PEDs to the Black Sox scandal, it’s a great read. I especially appreciated because I’m a lawyer but non-lawyers might find it convincing as well.
http://www.baseballthinkfactor.....blacklist/
Thanks Matt… good read indeed.
hmmmm,
I agree.
Santana is a stud but A-Rod will solidify the core of our offense for the next 5 years at least. Plus, he brings in insane amounts of marketing money.
I think we’ll end up with Santana somehow, some way. When that is, i have no clue.
Is there a vegas line on the Yankees acquiring Santana?
“Maybe the price is getting out of hand but I honestly think he’s worth it. ”
this makes sense.
“IF he goes to the Sox, I will refuse to watch any Yankee game this year.”
you are a hell of a fan.
Jennifer – not too many at all
“This is why i always thought it was a horrible trade – sanchez has very little chance of making it to the majors and staying healthy and we traded sheff to the team that knocked us out of the playoffs a couple of weeks before.”
except it wasn’t a horrible trade.
the Yankees saved $13M, finished 6 games ahead of the Tigers, and lead the majors in offense.
Sheff hit .178/.312/.254 over the last 2 months of the season, so he wouldn’t have helped in the playoffs either.
and now the Yankees have Sanchez and Whelan, 2 guys who may help the yankees as soon as this season.
so what was your point again? oh yeah, bash cashman in every thread. boring.
“there is no way melancon will turn out to be this years joba, whoever posted does not follow the yankees prospects.”
well, it was Nardi Contreras who said this first.
but that guy doesn’t follow yankee prospects at all, right?
and he was not saying that Melancon = Joba. he was saying that Melancon has the chance to do what Joba did. in other words, come up late in the season and solidify the bullpen. he was never saying he had Joba’s stuff. just that he can be a “surprise” contributor to the bullpen.
Dave– you are out of you head. It was actually a very saavy trade.
We had no room for sheffield. He wanted to leave. But we activated our Team Option for him and shipped him out. Sanchez was a big time prospect. He had some known arm trouble, but what do you expect to get from a 37 year old?? Verlander??
read this article…
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/f.....A9619C8B63
it will change your mind
‘
Exactly Hmmm.
Those who don’t think Melancon can do what Joba did last year, have never seen him pitch.
The kid is a monster. I saw him pitch in college and he was dominating, playing in the PAC-10, which is a hitters conference. He owned hitters in that league.
No, he doesn’t throw 99. He can spot his fastball anywhere at 92-94. But, its his slider which is the devastating pitch. Very much like Joba in that regard.
All of his pitches have movement and his control (prior to his surgery) was outstanding.
I understand he has been cleared to throw all of his pitches. Which is probably why they believe he will be ready by ST.
When all the combinations were being bantied about in any Santana deal, the one guy I hoped (and still hope) they can keep is Melancon.
Hughes can be replaced. By Santana. As big a fan as anyone can be of Hughes, one has to admit, Santana is the better pitcher.
In five years, the Yankees could go after Hughes (if he projects) should he be dealt.
If they have to give up Hughes to get Santana, that’s the cost of doing business.
If they keep Melancon, they have another potentially dominant young arm for the bullpen. That’s going to be important as Mo is getting older.
First,I want to say good to see you back in here HMMMM. I enjoy your insite and offcoarse your corrrections.
I breased through some post and im wondering why the hell is anyone going to schillings blog to read it. Isnt it supposed to be Sox come to our blog? I hope this isnt a sign of a reversal in roles. Im a proud Yankee fan win or lose and I could care less what ketchup boy has to say.
Santana as iv said many times can go to the sox. We made one of the best of all time call us his daddy. Beckett hasnt ever dominated us. Dice will be a 5 era pitcher now that everyone will have seen him already. Schill will not fool anyone with his 89 mph fastball. And finally Santana will not do better than pedro. By the time the year is over he’ll be our step child.
Matt – thanks, enjoyed that article. Same with sunny’s.
“First,I want to say good to see you back in here HMMMM. I enjoy your insite and offcoarse your corrrections.”
thanks.
the steroids stuff was too much for me.
SoS – im not calling him a great pitcher but i dont think Dice-K will have a 5 ERA. He is decent and I actually think he will improve, being more comfortable this next time around.
SJ,
Who do you think will be the first to come up to help the ben this year?(Horne,Sanchez,Maloncan)Is it possible that whoever that is might start up in the majors or do a Joba and come midseason.
hmmm,
I guess you werent a big fan of the 80’s. Stay tuned for the top 10 movies of all time.
Russell,
If history repeats itself than I cant believe that Dice will get better. He throws to many pitches per inning,walks alot,cant pitch with runners on. Like prior Japanese pitchers(Nomo,Park,Toad)it seems like the hitters adjust more than the pitchers. Which is the reason I predict he will only go downhill from here.
SOS,
Not one person mentioned “Field of Dreams” yesterday.
I think it will be Melancon for a couple of reasons.
One, he has already been a relief pitcher so its easy for him to adjust to the role.
The fact that he hasn’t pitched much as a pro really doesn’t mean anything. If he starts the year in AA or AAA, and is healthy and pitching well, it wouldn’t shock me to see him in the Yankees bullpen by June.
I believe the plan is still to keep Horne as a starter. He will start the year in the AAA rotation. Meaning, if they were to make him a relief pitcher for the second half of the season, he would need some transition time. As Joba did last year.
I think Sanchez will take longer because he hasn’t been cleared for full workouts as of yet. I am guessing (and that’s all it is right now), its August before we are talking about him with the Yankees.
“the steroids stuff was too much for me.”
i think you probably mean once you started you wouldn’t know where to stop. to me it’s a pandora’s box, and i have no idea how they are going to close it back up. i’m still trying to figure out what the motive behind the whole thing is.
that said, the yankees, as now constructed, should be able to move into next year without any mitchell report problems that affect them on the field. almost all the support staff will be new. it’s like they cleaned house behind the scenes. with girardi and a new coaching staff i think, we’ll be seeing a different energy with the team.
one way to move on is to go with young players because they don’t have the baggage of some veteran players. if there was ever a time to go with young players, now is probably it.
“He throws to many pitches per inning,walks alot,cant pitch with runners on.”
Sounds like Kei Igawa
On the plus side, he has a large repertoire of pitches and can occasionally throw heat. I don’t fear him, but he eats up mediocre teams.
Prince,
That article does not change my mind – sheff is a future hall of famer and not too old to be considered done after only missing less than a yr with a legitimate injury. Last yr, sheff hit 25 homers in less than 500 at bats with 75 rbis. He also had a 378 on base percentage, 107 runs and 22 stolen bases – Sheff had more homers and a better obp than abreu in over 100 less at bats. You add 100 plus at bats and stick him in the heart of the yanks lineup last yr and he prolly would beat abreu in runs, rbis and stolen bases as well. Meanwhile, sanchez is 23 and has been injured pretty much every season he has played and the most innings he has EVER pitched in a single season is 123. Compare that to Phil Hughes who is 3 yrs younger and Hughes has also pitched 120 innings tops (they are at the same pace yet three yrs different in ages which shows how much sanchez has been out.) Kennedy is the same age and is on the verge of pitching 200 next yr (pitched close to 160 last yr.) Joba will pitch at least 160 nhext yr as a starter and he is one yr younger than sanchez. Sanchez, will prolly top out at 120 again next yr if he makes it that long and he will be 24 already.
Not including injury, I look at sanchez stats. I know that many scouts rave about his raw stuff but when you look at how it has translated on the playing field thus far, he hasnt proved much of anything – 70 solid innings in double A in 2006 is his only truly brilliant showing. All his other stints in every type of opposition in the minors ranges from mediocre to flat out awful. When he was promoted to triple A in 2006, after a fantastic half of a season in double A, he got hit pretty hard. He also has shown pretty horrible control to go with his awesome stuff which prolly accounts for many of his poor performances. He has averaged 4.5 walks per nine IN THE MINORS. He also lets up hits – over 8 per 9 innings in the minors. Im sorry but just because scouts say he is good doesnt mean he will succeed at the major-league level esp since he hasnt really succeeded at all at the minor league level. And trading away sheff (A HARD HITTING RIGHTIE THE TIGERS STUCK RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THEIR LINEUP) wasnt the best of moves. We gift wrapped the only thing the tigers were lookign for last off season after they kicked us out of the playoffs.
And by the way, even the article which was supposed to prove to me that sanchez is a great acquisition mentions a serious injury sanchez had in his one showing at yankee stadium. This guy is an injury magnet and he is well over-weight. Being injured and placed on the dl eight times in less than five seasons in the minors is no coincidence or run of bad luck – it is a sign. He might as well have a sign on his forehead saying train-wreck. Dont get me wrong, I am sure the scouts are correct and this kid had tremendous talent. But absolutely no location combined with many serious injuries and a weight problem equals never making an impact on our major-league club to me atleast. And who cares if he throws 96? Thas really all they say postively about sanchez in the article after discussing how devastating hughes pitches are. This article completely fails to mention the pitchers that actually made an impact last yr after starting in the minors (two guys called ian kennedy and joba chamberlain you may have heard of them) or our possible future superstar and possible future closer – delin betances and mark melancon or our future center and rightfielders – jose tabata and austin jackson. Those are the guys they should be writing about if they want to discuss the depth and greatness of the yankee farm system – not a guy we have yet to see in pinstripes .