lohud.com

Sponsored by:

The LoHud Yankees Blog

A New York Yankees blog by Sam Borden, Chad Jennings and the staff of The Journal News

Checking in down in Tampa

Peter Abraham
February
1

Phil Hughes, Jeff Karstens and Andrew Brackman have been working out in Tampa for a few weeks now. Joba Chamberlain has joined them. Brackman is on the 40-man roster, so he’ll be in camp. But he’ll be out all season as he recovers from Tommy John surgery.

The Yankees have a full 40-man roster. But spots will clear when Brackman and Carl Pavano go on the 60-day disabled list. Not sure whether Humberto Sanchez will be a 60-day candidate

Derek Jeter and Jorge Posada, who have homes in the area, are working out at the complex as well.

The players work out at the minor-league complex, not Legends Field. MLB doesn’t allow players onto the main fields until camp officially opens.

————

Excellent story on Brian Cashman by Tyler Kepner in The Times today.

It’ll be very interesting to see how the dynamic between Cashman and the Steinbrenner brothers develops.

Meanwhile, it’s nice to see Mattingly Baseball is advertising on the blog.

This entry was posted on Friday, February 1st, 2008 at 11:58 am by Peter Abraham.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
Print This Post Print This Post | Email This Post Email This Post

222 Responses to “Checking in down in Tampa”

  1. Whitey Fraud

    Pavan-NO!

  2. jennifer- Hip Hip Jorge

    Pretty interesting. I guess it is insurance purposes. I think we need a 5 month dl for Carl. :D

  3. JBRO

    Pete when do you get down here?

  4. desti(NY) 2008

    Damon lives in Orlando and not too far from the minor league complex. He should be working out and so should Betemit who reportedly looks no different than last October.

  5. Peter Abraham

    Don’t read anything in who is there and who is not there. Many players (A-Rod) do their best work at home. Other guys are at gyms in Arizona (Wang) or working out with their personal trainers.

    I’ll be there a week from Monday.

  6. JBRO

    I might drive over to the complex soon to see if anythings going on.

  7. Buddy Biancalana

    Casey at the bat:

    http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/.....id=3225795

  8. RyanM

    It will all depend on Santana and Hughes. If Santana dominates, and Hughes is mediocre, and Santana leads the Mets to a World Series, Brian Cashman will have a not of answering to do to Hank, which may lead to him leaving. I don’t think that is right, but that is how the whole situation is going to unfold IMO. Hughes is still only 21. Even if he is a flop this year and Santana dominates, that doesn’t mean having Hughes isn’t best for our future.

    Unfortunately I don’t think Hank sees our future as the main priority for judging Cashman.

  9. jennifer- Hip Hip Jorge

    So why didn’t we sign Sean Casey to play first?

  10. jennifer- Hip Hip Jorge

    ryan you can’t also look and say oh Johan dominated he would have done the same in the al east. Look who he is pitching against in the Nl East.

  11. mike eff

    i certainly would rather have casey over ensberg

  12. Buddy Biancalana

    Casey would be another left handed bat, the Yanks would have too many.

  13. RangerRob

    Pete, have any inside info on whether or not Forsberg will sign with the Rangers? Figuring that you don’t sleep much maybe you could look into it for me.

  14. mike eff

    oh yeah buddy, you’re right. in that case i’d rather have dougie

  15. TurnTwo

    I think Buddy’s got it right… and from the quotes Cashman had after the signing was official, i believe he confirmed that.

  16. Mark Alan

    Jennifer…

    Perhaps we should have signed Casey to try out for 1B. We can never have enough insurance, right? Hey, bring in some guys from the pubs down the street outside the stadium.

    Anyone know how Bob Watson’s holding up?

    ;)

  17. PittsburghYankeeFan

    Pete–you look like a Pats fan in the new picture.

    Sean Casey lives in my town in PA (he grew up there), and I met him during at an event in my son’s elementary school. He seems like a nice guy. I thought he was retiring, since he just moved back to town this year. I guess $700,000 has a way of unretiring you. Too bad the Yanks didn’t snatch him up.

    The Santana deal has 4 hours to get done. 50-50 it doesn’t get done. If you were Santana, wouldn’t you ask for the sun. moon, and stars?

  18. Russell

    Pete, is it possible when you post comments to have your name in a different color, to stand out? When there are several hundred posts it’s hard to find yours.

  19. CB

    Sean Casey is a left handed bat. The Yankees don’t need anymore left handed hitting. Their lineup is already imbalanced and they had a difficulty against left handed pitching last year.

    They already have Betemit who can’t hit left handed pitching at all.

    Ensberg can’t hit right handed pitching anymore. But even in recent years when he’s put up bad numbers overall, Ensberg has hit left handed pitching well. He has a .830 OPS against left handers over the past three years.

    I assume they feel that Ensberg can learn to play first base quickly if needed. Whether that’s true or not – we’ll see. Hopefully Shelley continues to hit well.

    A platoon at first of Betemit/ Duncan or Betemit/ Ensberg would give the Yankees more than adequate production from the first base slot. As betemit and duncan can also play multiple positions, they also give the team flexibility and depth.

    Casey is a left handed bat with little power and he only plays one position.

  20. Buddy Biancalana

    Russell-

    I typically use Control F & then search for a name etc…

  21. Drew

    How about we change that to, “When they shoot Pavano”.

  22. whozat

    “So why didn’t we sign Sean Casey to play first?”

    Not only is he lefty, he doesn’t slug much at all. A kinda slow singles hitter isn’t really what you’re looking for in a bottom of the order bat.

  23. jennifer- Hip Hip Jorge

    I forgot that he was a lefty. :lol:

    Betemit can’t hit any pitching. He strikes out way too much! He doesn’t instill any faith in me. I’d rather have every day Scott back.

  24. pat

    Mr. Knoblach goes to Washington: I wouldn’t have even recognized him.

    http://www.nydailynews.com/spo....._cong.html

  25. whozat

    “Betemit can’t hit any pitching.”

    That’s just not true.

    Don’t judge a guy on a small number of sporadic ABs. He’s got good left-handed power, and is a decent enough hitter. Yes, he strikes out, but that doesn’t make him a decent #8 hitter.

  26. whozat

    I meant doesn’t keep him from being a decent #8 hitter

  27. Buddy Biancalana

    Yeah, I’m not used to seeing Chucky smile.
    Smile Chucky, Smile

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

    No words can express my jealousy of anyone who is in Tampa this time of year…

  29. jennifer- Hip Hip Jorge

    Wow he looks so different!! Looks like he put on some weight too.

  30. mel

    Buddy,

    UGH! Sean Casey kills us.

  31. mike eff

    just heard on mike and dog…

    andy to flip on the rocket. not good news if it’s true

  32. jennifer- Hip Hip Jorge

    Mike are they citing the Daily News article? In which McNamees laywer said that he expects Andy to tell the “truth” that Roger used?

  33. Ron Mexico

    Interesting that Mattingly still has himself listed as the Yankees Bench Coach on his site.

  34. mike eff

    jennifer, surprisingly they only mentioned it in passing.
    i’ll check out that daily news article, thanks

  35. Yazman

    “just heard on mike and dog… andy to flip on the rocket. not good news if it’s true”

    Can you provide any more details of what M&MD reported? What was their source?

  36. Yazman

    oh, thanks. I’ll look too.

  37. pat

    I think Mike and Dog are a day late on this one. They didn’t give a source but I’m betting DOg is just stirring the pot based on McNamee’s attorneys saying Andy will back up McNamees claims.

  38. jennifer- Hip Hip Jorge

    Yazman, I bet it was the Daily News article from a few days ago. I mean of course McNamees lawyers will say that Andy will tell the “truth” and speak out against Roger. My feeling is Andy should say I am here to talk about myself. ANd not what Roger did or didn’t do.

  39. jennifer- Hip Hip Jorge

    Here is the article. I also love the title, makes you almost think it is Andy’s lawyer.

    http://www.nydailynews.com/spo....._juic.html

  40. mike eff

    thanks jennifer. my impression may be naive, but i’m going to believe whatever andy has to say. i just can’t imagine him lying under oath to congress, even to save the reputation of a teammate. after all he came right out and admitted that he’d done the HGH.

    i just am so tired of this whole thing…i’m sure we all are

  41. pat

    All Pettitte has to say to avoid perjury charges without incriminating Clemens is:

    I don’t recall that.

  42. Paul

    I think the Yankees would be foolish to put Brackman and/or Sanchez on the 60-Day DL. Players on either disabled list accumulate service time.

    Humberto Sanchez already has 1.000 service time (more than Phil Hughes) and won’t throw his first MLB pitch until late in 2008 at the earliest. If they keep him in the minors, and off the 60-Day DL for at least two months this season, they’ll prevent him from both reaching “super two” status after 2010, delaying arbitration until after 2011, and they’ll prevent him from becoming a free agent after 2013, delaying it to after 2014.

    Brackman’s contract gives the Yankees four option years on him, so it would make sense to use those option years while he is rehabbing in order to avoid starting his arbitration clock.

    There’s no reason to short-change themselves with Sanchez and Brackman later if they don’t need the extra roster slots now. Putting Pavano on the 60-Day DL will open up a slot (which Morgan Ensberg could fill if he makes the opening day roster). If Sean Henn doesn’t make the opening day roster he will be DFA’d because he’s out of options, and that’s another open slot. And should they need to purchase the contract of Alan Horne, Dan McCutchen, Brett Gardner, or another non-roster player at some point later in the season, it might be due to injury, and depending on severity, that player could go on the 60-Day DL to open a slot.

    I really hope the Yankees are thinking about service time when they decide whether or not to put Brackman and Sanchez on the 60-Day DL.

  43. Russell NY

    Sox signed Sean Casey… why did we pick up Ensberg if Casey was available? Was he even looked at as an option? I like Casey better.

  44. William Buckner

    Casey is not good. Carries like a .300 OBP for career. No power either. Better off with Dougie if you go that route. Ensberg is a smart pick up. I like the Duncan/Betamit platoon myself.

  45. TurnTwo

    you dont worry about propsects accruing service time when you are the yankees? now Evan Longoria with TB? then i understand… but the Yankees can afford it.

  46. mike eff

    nice work paul

    russel ny: we went through this in the thread above. casey is yet another lefty. if we wanted that we would have taken dougie back

  47. Blargh

    Is Casey’s contract a major league contract? Given that it’s 700k (or 800k according to the Boston Globe)

  48. mike eff

    OMG i just saw that pic of knobby on the cover of the daily news. wow he’s gotten fat…and he sure looks older than his 39 years

  49. MikeEff - Shelley at First

    blargh- probably major league contract. they’re looking to re-tool their bench

  50. JoeT YANKEES

    so is anyone going to spring training games/workouts?? I’m only an hour away so i’m going to make a few trips – we should organize a lohud takeover!! lol

  51. Ranting Guy

    With the Knicks doing as ‘well’ as they have been, I’m sure looking forward to the time between the Super Bowl and pitchers/catchers reporting to fly by.

    Hard to be a Knicks fan lately and hockey lost me for good with the strike, so spring training can’t happen soon enough.

  52. G. Love

    I wouldn’t want Sean Casey. He’s basically Doug Minkewietcz (I know I spelled that wrong) without some of the glove at this point in his career.

    Let’s not make it sound like the Red Sox just signed Tino here people.

    There’s a reason why Casey couldn’t get more than 700K this late in the off season.

    While I’m a little leery of the defensive talent we have for 1b this season, I’d rather have some mashers out there than an aging vet who is good with the glove but can’t hit.

    I’m really pulling for Shelley to get the job. I think having that crazy eyed kook in the lineup everyday will bring good things to this team. I just hope he’s healthy from his off season medical woes by spring training.

  53. RangerRob

    Ranting Guy, if hockey lost you for good with the strike why are you watching baseball. They lost a season in ‘94 due to labor issues.

  54. Marc

    On Foxsports, they are saying Prior won’t pitch until June 1st. His arm must have been really messed up in Chicago.

  55. MikeEff - Shelley at First

    i know shelley had limited at-bats last year, but in his small sample he had a higher slugging % than everyone except a-rod

  56. JoeT YANKEES

    is it bad that i’m not completely sold on shelly??
    I mean we’ll see what happens of course, and i’m perfectly fine with him getting the chance at firstbase… but i’d like to see him there more before i say he’s the answer at first.

  57. saucy

    “So why didn’t we sign Sean Casey to play first?”

    because he’s a first baseman

  58. whozat

    “is it bad that i’m not completely sold on shelly??”

    No, it’s actually very rational. There are plenty of reasons to believe that he’s the player he was every year up until last season.

    That’s why the Yankees are bringing in other options; they’ll be ecstatic if Shelley shows that he deserves the spot, but they want to be covered given the very real chance that he doesn’t show that.

  59. Brandon (Proud supporter of "Alex being Alex")

    I’m skimming through this blog today and read something actually hilarious

    why didn’t we sign Sean Casey..this had to be a joke right :lol:

  60. MikeEff - Shelley at First

    you needn’t be completely sold on shelley, i just have a lot of confidence in him. when they brought him up he was just expected to be a guy who hacked away at the plate and would occasionally run into one, but he showed more and more plate disciple as his short season wore on.
    he also was an integral part of that ” infusion of youth” movement that really got us out of the doldrums and contributed to our awesome post all-star break run

  61. Dirk from Rockland

    Why didn’t we sign Casey?

    Cano, Matsui, Abreu, Damon– all left handed
    Giambino– DH or bench player– left handed

    Did we really need another left handed bat?

    AROD, Jeter- are our only true right handed starters

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

    For the record, Hell is 32 F and precipitation.

  63. Blargh

    Besides, the Yankees should be out of major league deals to give out for the moment, right?

  64. Brandon (Proud supporter of "Alex being Alex")

    and for the Sean Casey wanters that’s why we have Juan Miranda/Betemit & Shelley Duncan/Ensberg

  65. whozat

    “Besides, the Yankees should be out of major league deals to give out for the moment, right?”

    That’s also true, yeah.

  66. John Leach

    I would be interested to know some details as to what kind of workout someone like Brackman is doing to recover from TJ surgery.

  67. Paul

    Thanks Mike Eff.

    As far as Ensberg v. Casey goes, I think Ensberg is clearly the better pick-up. Morgan Ensberg is a power hitter (.239, .136, .274, .227, .174 isolated slugging the last 5 seasons) and is a year younger (32). Casey has back problems, and his 2004 season seems like it was a decade ago.

    The real comparison is Ensberg vs. Duncan. If you’re staring at last year’s Ensberg line (.230/.320/.404) and thinking, “well, Shelley Duncan is way better than that,” is he really? After his first week in the majors last year, he hit .240/.296/.380, and he’s not a whole lot younger than Ensberg (he’s 28). There’s probably a reason he didn’t see the bigs until he was 27.

    Ensberg is coming off a bad year, but he has a track record. He’s a year removed from an .860 OPS, and two years removed from a 4th place MVP finish. And all they’re asking from him is to platoon with Betemit at first. If this guy is half as good as he was from 2003-06, this is a great sign.

  68. Dirk from Rockland

    What do you think of this 25 man roster?

    Duncan, Cano, Jeter, Arod, Damon, Melky, Abreu, Giambi, Posada
    Matsui, Ensberg (backup at corners), Betemit (backup at middle inf.), Molina

    Wang, Pettitte, Joba, Hughes, Kennedy, Moose
    Farnsy, Hawkins, Karstens, Ohlendorf, Veras, Mo

  69. pat

    I read somewhere that they had Brackman doing stretching, core body and leg work and throwing from 90 feet.

  70. Brandon (Proud supporter of "Alex being Alex")

    Brackman won’t be ready until 2009 for ST but that kid can touch 101 mph and locate

  71. Greg K.

    Over $150 million for Johan?!

    http://mlbfleecefactor.com/200.....-the-mets/

  72. TurnTwo

    I’ve never seen the guy pitch, but just reading about Brackman gets me so psyched about his potential.

  73. Bronx Liaison

    Pete:

    How about a pinch hitters edition for the Journal News? We get to travel to Tampa in mid-Feb and you can extend your vacation? haha

    If Brackman can stay healthy he has absurd ceiling.

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

    Brackman has me excitedd for the future–if someone with his potential upside isn’t the number one, two or three prospect in the organization…

    that says something imo.

  75. Brandon (Proud supporter of "Alex being Alex")

    SON OF A B***** THE LAKERS GOT PAU GASOL !!!

    http://www.commercialappeal.co.....ed-lakers/

  76. CorShep

    is brackman a starter or closer?

  77. Ranting Guy

    RangerBob

    I grew up a baseball fan so I was looking forward to it coming back.

    Hockey … I wasn’t a serious fan of the game to begin with. I’d watch a few games a year if it was on, I’d cheer if the Rangers were doing well, and I’d go to a Rangers game every year or two. I liked it but could live without it.

    Now, I flip the channel if I see a pro hockey game on the tube. I just live without it.

  78. Blargh

    Brandon: No way, someone took Kwame Brown?
    Good job Kupchak

  79. MikeEff - Shelley at First

    dirk, i’d switch out karstens for the new guy albaladejo

  80. MikeEff - Shelley at First

    paul , all of that makes a lot of sense. i’ve been wracking my brain to recall an article i read on shelley a couple of months ago. the thrust of the article gave some reasons on why shelley developed late.

    anyway, it will be fun seeing how it all shakes out

  81. Dirk from Rockland

    MikeEff– I was thinking the same– but I also thought about Kartsens on the USA team this past fall— but I wouldn’t second guess Joe G. and $$man if Albaladejo was on the opening day roster.

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

    The Lakers got Gasol and the Nets still have Kidd?

    weird.

  83. CorShep

    How about we start Giambi at 1B vs. RHP and start Ensberg (if he does better than Duncan in SP) vs. LHP.

    Matsui is pretty much the full time DH, too valuable (.300, 20 HR, 100 RBI) to be put in LF or wasted on bench to give Duncan at-bats.

    Duncan backs up 1B, can be used off the bench late in a game when power is needed, and to spell Abreu from RF.

    Betemit is straight garbage, he’s not in shape, and should not see any time at 1B. He’s a quality utlity IF i guess to give cano and jeter rest.

  84. Bronx Liaison

    Heyman says Santana Deal is Close

    http://bronx-bomberz.blogspot.com/

  85. desti(NY) 2008

    Dirk from Rockland :

    Your roster projection sounds OK and leads me to believe that Cashman can get Damaso Marte from Pittsburgh for Bruney or Britton, with Rasner and Henn and $$$ before the end of March.

  86. TurnTwo

    Can Gasol play in the center? if he can take over at center, Kidd could get traded to the Lakers for Bynam, who the Nets have insisted be involved in any trade for Kidd, right?

  87. Bronx Liaison

    The end is nigh!

  88. Old Ranger

    Joe T…
    I’ll be there about feb. 15/16th. Maybe we will run into each other. I’ll be the little old man wearing the Army Ranger hat with a couple of little old army buds tagging along. If I can pull them away from the fishing long enough.27/08.

  89. MikeEff - Shelley at First

    yeah dirk, i forgot about how well karstens did on the USA team. he might just be better off
    being a 4th or 5th starter in the NL. he’s a good guy, but i just don’t see much of a future for him with the yanks.

    corshep- i’m looking for giambi to have a great year for a change. he might just surprise all of us and stay healthy and know out about 40

  90. Dirk from Rockland

    Desti(NY)2008:

    SIgn me up. Marte is on his way :)

  91. jennifer- Hip Hip Jorge

    How funny would it be if the Mets, introduced Johan on Feb 13, the same day Roger goes before congress. :lol:

    One side onte, I want to know why Steve Phillips isn’t being called before congress seeing how everything went on on his watch.

  92. Dirk from Rockland

    MikeEff– maybe we trade Kartsens, Henn, and Bruney/ Britton for Marte.

  93. MikeEff - Shelley at First

    that’s a very good question jennifer

  94. MikeEff - Shelley at First

    it would be nice to get something of value for those guys.
    i think henn is what he is, and despite him being a lefty there wouldn’t be much market for him after his disastrous showings last year.

    i’m guessing that girardi and eiland are going to see what they can do with bruney. as i’m sure you know he has poor control and a bad attitude…maybe they can fix that. if so that 97 MPH fastball of his would be valuable again.

  95. Dirk from Rockland

    I don’t think Thorn is going to trade Kidd unless he is overwhelmed…. at least I hope not. I got tix for March 2nd.

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

    Hey, guys:

    So you know how last year we did the whole 27 in ‘07 thing?

    Well, I think this year we need to do something as well, but 27 in ‘08 doesn’t have as nice of a ring to it…but I really like

    DestiNY 08 or DestiNY 27.

    What d’ya think?

  97. Dirk from Rockland

    From what I hear, Henn is out of options– so Pitt might be able to sign him outright. But at least he could take Marte’s spot in bullpen if traded. He would do better in NL. It is going to be Bruney or Britton– it can’t be both. One of them could go in a package somewhere. Bruney probably has more upside– and thus more valuable. Kartsens– like you said would be a good #4 or 5 somwhere in the NL– why not Pitt.

  98. Dirk from Rockland

    i like desti(ny) ‘08 rather than desti(ny)27.

  99. MikeEff - Shelley at First

    i like “DestiNY 27″

    i also love that girardi picked 27 as his #

    yeah dirk, i like that deal…

  100. i miss bernie

    so it looks like 7/$150+ for Johan. Good for him, he’s the best pitcher in mlb. Don’t think i’d want to sign that if i was the Mets, but they’re certainly getting quality for thier money.

  101. MikeEff - Shelley at First

    they will be getting quality…but for how many years before they are paying a ton for a worn out arm?

    it’s just too long for a pitcher deal

  102. MikeEff - Shelley at First

    the barry zito deal set a really bad precedent.

  103. Brandon (Proud supporter of "Alex being Alex")

    Blargh, I said the same thing how in the F…… argghhh

    Nets traded Collins for Swift so Rebecca should be happy

    meanwhile I think the Lakers are targeting Kidd now I mean Odom and Walton have become expendable now

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

    Brandon: I’ll be happier when the Nets can advance past the second round of the playoffs.

    Guys–

    How about

    DestiNY 27/’08?

  105. Blargh

    Hmm, damn, I liked Collins
    Doesn’t Swift have this knock against him of how he never lives up to his potential?

  106. MikeEff - Shelley at First

    it’d be nice if we could make a logo out of that rebecca…

  107. Brandon (Proud supporter of "Alex being Alex")

    he was traded once from Houston to Memphis because of the Rudy Gay pick..Memphis never wanted him and the coach in Memphis has not liked him and literally IDK why, he plays help D, defends brings energy, Grizzlies just never wanted him.

    meanwhile Kobe is doing flips somewhere

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

    Mike Eff: I have no artistic talent, but maybe I can get a friend to do it.

  109. MikeEff - Shelley at First

    i’d even give it a shot…but it’s too bad we can’t post images here

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

    No, but we could totally cafepress it up!

  111. MikeEff - Shelley at First

    the font Baker Signet has a decent resemblance to the interlocking NY

    i’m going to keep looking through fonts

  112. desti(NY) 2008

    In limited time in ‘07, Shelley showed well with the glove around 1st base. Maybe extra work in spring training will smooth the edges. Same with Betemit. Giambi is what he is.

  113. MikeEff - Shelley at First

    shelley also made a couple of awesome throws from right field as well

  114. i miss bernie

    1 hour left for mets/johan!

  115. Dirk from Rockland

    thats why i dont think we need a 5th outfielder– duncan can be the 1b/of– hopefully starting at 1b

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

    i miss bernie: seriously? If the Mets don’t get it done in the next hour, is Santana still a Twin?

  117. MikeEff - Shelley at First

    i’d laugh my head off if they couldn’t pull off the deal

  118. MikeEff - Shelley at First

    good point dirk

  119. joltin joe

    After all this wouldnt it be some crazy a$$ $hit if satan comes back to the twinsos and we pick him up FA style ?????!!!

  120. Marc

    Its probably done already, they just haven’t announced it

  121. joltin joe

    any Scooter sightings Rebecca?

  122. joltin joe

    “The interlocking NY” remember kay used to do that every day.

  123. Ian

    Sorry if someone mentioned this.

    Do you know if fans can watch any of the practices (either now or once they begin practicing at Legends field)? If so, are they worth going to?

    Thanks

  124. MikeEff - Shelley at First

    joltin’: would you really want to give him a 6 or 7 year deal even if we didn’t have to part with the prospects? if we waited till he was a free agent he’d be 30 by spring training ‘09.

    he might be great for most of those years, but he could easily be a bust for that last 3 or 4.
    you can’t even insure a pitcher past three years.

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

    joltin’ joe: Not today—ice and rain all day, so the squirrels are in hiding!

  126. i miss bernie

    i have no idea what happens if they dont agree by 5 pm. Maybe they can just call the commish and ask for more time? anybody know?

  127. saucy

    my dad would get so upset when kay mentioned the ‘interlocking’ NY, correcting him that they are over-lapping…

  128. jennifer- Hip Hip Jorge

    bernie, wouldn’t the Twins have to grant the extra time?

  129. MikeEff - Shelley at First

    maybe they could ask MLB for more time…

  130. CB

    If Santana and the Mets don’t get a deal done by 5pm it won’t create any major problems in all liklihood.

    All that’s needed is for both parties to say that they are making progress and that they need the deadline extended.

    As long as both of them say they want that the deadline will be extended.

    Remember when ARod almost got traded to the Sox – the commissioner extened that 3 day deadline and they continued negotiating for two weeks or whatever it was.

  131. joltin joe

    Ian

    I have been going many years and they are great. Autographs and up close and personals with the players. Catch a game there too. Nice small park, all great seats.

  132. saucy

    Pete,

    re: mattingly’s ad.

    i noticed a lot of non-google ads on here lately. i hope they gave you a much deserved raise!

    i picked up one of mattingly’s bats when i was at modell’s doing some holiday shopping last december. the V-Grip is definately different. i’d like to try it in a cage to see how well it does.

  133. joltin joe

    MikeEff…I’m starting to believe that the Yanks just don’t want to spend the $$$$ on satan. Can you believe that Cash is shellshocked with the Pavano blues? Wright, Igawa, Farnsworth and others can’t help his confidence either. Hal might be the deciding vote for all we know.

  134. CB

    Santana’s agent’s initially used Clemens prorated 2008 contract as their initial salary proposal according to ESPN.

    Santana was asking for $28 million per year for 6 years and a signing bonus on top of that.

    Santana has the Mets over a barrel and he knows it. He has all the leverage.

    Which Bill Smith never seemed to realize. I think Omar is getting a sense of who has control here in a big way.

    “The buzz in the industry Friday was that Santana’s agents, Peter and Ed Greenberg, initially asked for the $28 million per year listed in Roger Clemens’ prorated contract with the Yankees last season — which would have amounted to a six-year, $168 million extension. That amount would not have included either a signing bonus or the $13.25 million Santana is scheduled to earn this season. So his total package would have topped $190 million.

    There were indications that the Greenbergs later lowered that request to $25 million a year — which would have resulted in a six-year, $150 million extension and a total package (including this season) of more than $170 million.”

    http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/.....id=3226208

  135. Buddy Biancalana

    Remember when ARod almost got traded to the Sox – the commissioner extened that 3 day deadline and they continued negotiating for two weeks or whatever it was.

    ————————————————-

    Right, wasn’t this also b/c Selig really wanted A Rod to go to Boston, if it’s in Selig’s best interest, he will most likely approve anything.

  136. A-Point

    Might have trouble stealing DestiNY from the project of the same name in Syracuse. That is how they are writing it, and its protected.

  137. joltin joe

    Saucy…
    Kay has a way of PURPOSELY annoying people for the sake of making a name for himself. Ever catch the disclaimer where he goes the”aforementioned” NY Yankees?

  138. jennifer- Hip Hip Jorge

    The clock is ticking very quickly to 5pm! My co-worker is getting nervous. :lol:

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

    A-Point: Darn!

  140. joltin joe

    rebecca

    Did you know that Scooter once tried to leap out of the upper deck only to land in the webbing by Monument Park?

  141. Florida Yank

    Ian :

    Practices are well worth seeing at Legends. Beginning Feb. 14 when pitchers & catchers report, the gates are open for free admission from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Position players report 5 days later. All fundamentals are worked on during the drills. Much to see.
    Great way to get baseball in your blood before the exhibition games start.

  142. Buddy Biancalana

    Does Kay still say an unmanageable 3 hours & 42 minutes for the game?, that always annoyed me.

  143. MikeEff - Shelley at First

    maybe the discussion should switch to how much are we going to pay sabathia…

    and how many years he’s going to demand.

  144. joltin joe

    Just got my tix for opening day ST style vs Phillies at Legends and the next day Astros- Yanks in Kissimmee.

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

    joltin joe: Yes, someone sent me an email with that story!

  146. joltin joe

    Theres no doubt moves will be made whether it’s Sbaathia or others for a more manageable price. satan is a turn-off to Hank and Cash, they want guys to want to be a Yankee. Not merceneries.

  147. joltin joe

    Rebecca,

    Then it must be true!

  148. jennifer- Hip Hip Jorge

    Yes he still says that, he also always mentions that Mench has the biggest head in baseball.

  149. MikeEff - Shelley at First

    QUESTION:

    i ordered a holiday ticket pack, but i haven’t gotten them in the mail yet. has anyone else gotten theirs?

  150. joltin joe

    What is wrong with Kay? Does he annoy anyone else?

  151. jennifer- Hip Hip Jorge

    It is very annoying having him broadcast a game. I love when the retired ball players do it. YOu get insight into the game, something Kay could NEVER EVER give you.

  152. joltin joe

    any announcements on when single tix go on sale?

  153. joltin joe

    I love when O’neill rips him a new one and K doesn’t even realize it.

  154. MikeEff - Shelley at First

    joltin;

    i used to like michael kay. he’s been pretty good calling the games on YES, but after listening to his radio show this fall he really started bugging me…especially the things he was saying about joe torre.
    he’s just an ass.

  155. joltin joe

    Last year Leiter asked him if he has ever thrown a baseball.

  156. jennifer- Hip Hip Jorge

    Me too!! There was one game where he made fun of him and said it’s high it’s far its caught by Derek Jeter! :lol:

  157. joltin joe

    MikeEff,

    He’s an embarrasment. Always trying to make a name for himself.

  158. Dirk from Rockland

    The Year of the Squirrel ‘08

  159. joltin joe

    He and Morty Horowitz, I mean John Sterling are carictures of what an announcer should not be. I mean let the game breathe, it’s not about you. How immature can one get?

  160. saucy

    joltin joe…. LOL, “aforementioned” is the other thing that bothers the hell out of my dad!

  161. joltin joe

    He’s like 2 different people on the radio and on TV. Mel Allen must be rolling over in his grave, may he RIP.

  162. joltin joe

    saucy,
    he’s got Singleton doing it too. “Without the written, that’s WRITTEN Consent of the NY Yankees.

  163. MikeEff - Shelley at First

    oh guys, i love john sterling. he’s a real character. kinda reminds me what i imagine listening to games must have been like before there was TV

  164. saucy

    yet somehow, singleton’s is way more bearable :)

  165. saucy

    have a good weekend folks

    and go giants!

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

    I don’t worry myself over the announcers. It’s not why I’m a Yankees fan.

  167. MikeEff - Shelley at First

    i love kenny

  168. pat

    WFAN just said Santana originally wanted in excess of 190 million and Mets offered 150. No deal done yet and hold up seems to be Mets don’t want to guarantee the money in the 6th year of the extension.

  169. joltin joe

    Sterling is alright if you like getting the details from a blind man. No offense but he must be blowing the calls on purpose. I don’t believe a word he says.

  170. MikeEff - Shelley at First

    no offense taken :)

  171. Doreen

    In Kay’s and Singleton’s defense, the disclaimer is something they read that has been written for them, isn’t it?

    Other than that, just let me add that I’m no fan of Michael Kay. I started out liking him, but he’s the opposite of an acquired taste — the more you’re exposed to him the LESS you care for him.

  172. joltin joe

    I don’t think satan wants the mets, no doubt minaya wants him if you get my drift. He wants the Yanks and I dont blame him and will play here for less.

  173. MikeEff - Shelley at First

    that’s exactly how i feel doreen…over time he becomes more and more despicable.

  174. Doreen

    MikeEff -

    It’s not like that at all! Most radio announcers are aware that the most important thing about a game is THE SCORE! You can listen to Sterling’s broadcast for a good 15 minutes before getting a score, and changing innings is no guarantee you’re going to get it.

    I don’t fault him for all the commercial commentary that has to go on — the Yankees are sponsored for every breath during the game — but the least he could do is remember who is playing where, how to pronounce names, and call the plays accurately.

  175. joltin joe

    Doreen, you are 100% correct but k likes to embellish, talk about being pompous. he adds the “aforementioned” NY Yankees just to make it his own just like he used to describe the yankee uniforms . It’s a wonder he stole “Back, track, wall from Joe Buck,” in his quest for originality.

  176. Doreen

    MikeEff -

    Obviously, our comments crossed – my last one had to do with Sterling being like old radio announcers, if I understood you correctly.

    Are the Mets going to lose Santana?????

  177. ET90210

    Deadline extension??

    http://mlbfleecefactor.com/200.....-deadline/

  178. joltin joe

    How many times will Sterling call a homerun only for it to foul or off the wall? I can’t take it, it’s just irresponsible. And he gets away with it

  179. Steve (Cashman sucks)

    If the Santana deal with the Mets doesnt get done, would anyone here be against trading Kennedy, Melky and a prospect for Santana (assuming the Twins would accept that of course)?

  180. MikeEff - Shelley at First

    ok well that shows what little i know about old time radio :)

  181. Doreen

    Joltin’ Joe -

    Ahhh. So, the officious sounding disclaimer isn’t officious enough for Michael, eh? :)

  182. joltin joe

    Hanks endgame is Santana blowing off the Mets, demanding a trade to the Yanks and keeping Melky HUghes and IPK. Then signing him for less.

  183. MikeEff - Shelley at First

    i think the santana ship has sailed for the yanks no matter what happens with the mets deal

  184. joltin joe

    Doreen,

    He has to put his mark on everything he does.

    2 hour extension

  185. joltin joe

    Freddie Coupons is balking, playing hard ball.

  186. Buddy Biancalana

    Knowing what Santana really wants, no way the Yanks get involved, even as a FA his deal would be prohibitive.

  187. joltin joe

    When he and Pedro both go on the IR, Mets fans will be on a city-wide suicide watch.

  188. joltin joe

    All NYC bridges will be closed to protect Mets fans.

  189. joltin joe

    Mike Eff

    You don’t think we would sign him as a free agent?

  190. Buddy Biancalana

    Santana’s agent initially asked for $28M per year for 6 years, so $168 plus $13.25M for 2008.

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

    Heh, I’d hate to be a Mets fan for the next two hours.

  192. joltin joe

    Close all bridges if he doesn’t sing. I repeat CLOSE ALL BRIDGES.

  193. MikeEff - Shelley at First

    joltin:

    at that point sabathia would be a free agent as well. 3 years younger and probably a lot cheaper. i think the amount of innings santana has pitched over the last several years is a legitimate concern for any team considering a long term contract.

    what do you think?

  194. rodg12

    Extended deadline?? Is that what everyone is hearing? I just don’t see how this makes any difference for the Mets. Either fork the money over now or don’t. Ridiculous.

  195. joltin joe

    REBECCA
    I’D HATE TO BE A MET FAN FOR ANY 2 HOURS.

  196. MikeEff - Shelley at First

    LOL

  197. joltin joe

    mike Eff

    I’m with you on that brother. That’s def a concern. Imagine if George were still functioning tho. He would have had him signed in Nov.

  198. SJ44

    If this deal doesn’t happen (which would shock me if that’s the case), why in the world would the Yankees trade Melky, Kennedy and others for Santana?

    Why give the Twins more in terms of players than they accepted from the Mets. It makes no sense to do that.

    If the deal doesn’t work out, its because of money, not the players involved.

    The Mets will make this deal because they HAVE to do it. The Yankees don’t have to do it.

    They signed Pedro and he couldn’t hold up over a 4 year deal. Now, they are going to commit over 150 million and 6 years to another pitcher? Good luck. Let them deal with it.

    In MLB, you can only insure 3 years and 39 million (overall) in a pitchers contract. That means, if the Mets sign Santana, they are on the hook for 3 years and over 100 million dollars, without any insurance, on that deal.

    Good luck. Way too risky, regardless of his immense talent.

  199. joltin joe

    At this point I can see satan throwing his arms into the air saying “Omar como esta?

  200. Buddy Biancalana

    joltin joe-

    what’s LOl in spanish?

  201. MikeEff - Shelley at First

    “In MLB, you can only insure 3 years and 39 million (overall) in a pitchers contract. ”

    reminds me of a certain 39 million $ to pavano…

  202. Fleas

    Santana absolutely has the Mets by the balls and he knows it.

    I Heard a rumor from someone that he is taking the Mets for a ride, because he is not all that certain about being a Met.

  203. SJ44

    Usually, an extension is granted when the parties are far enough along in a deal to get it done.

    I have no doubts the Mets will finish this deal. If they don’t, they become a laughingstock to their fan base.

    They won’t take that risk. They will overpay and hope like hell he leads them to the promised land.

  204. Dave

    is this deal with the mets and santana happening? If not, I see santana going on the free agent market next off season and making a killing. I think we are in a much better position to decide if we should give santana 150 million dollars after a full season with hughes, chamberlain and kennedy starting. If they work out, we prolly dont need santana(althought it wouldnt hurt) and if they dont, we certainly do need santana or someone of a similar stature.

    And i disagree that the mets NEED Santana more than the yanks. I think they prolly have an equal need for a pitcher of his caliber. The yanks have been tossed out of the playoffs three yrs in a row in the first round pretty much due to the fact that would DONT have an ace. And with three starting pitchers whos futures are completely unclear, yes, the yankees really need santana as much as the mets do.

  205. Dirk from Rockland

    Wait until next winter and sign both CC and Johan

  206. joltin joe

    Freddy coupon might ever pay, why did he bother?

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

    joltin’ joe: LMAO!

    SJ: $39 million really? That explains a lot…

  208. Hello

    Well I think the deal gets done, but it won’t be a pretty number behind those $ for the Mets. Santana is not worth this type of money and neither was Zito (at least so far), Brown or Hampton.

  209. SJ44

    If Santana didn’t want to be a Met, he would have vetoed the deal.

    He wants to play in NY AND get paid. He accomplishes both with the Mets.

  210. Dave

    santana is NOT going to be forced to make a deal. The pressure is completely on the mets shoulders. Why wouldnt santana want to reach free agency and make an absolute killing with a bidding war? Plus, he will prolly end up on the yanks or sux which are both better contenders for a championship than the mets.

  211. Dave

    Hello – u cant put santanas name in the same sentence with zito, hampton or brown when discussing a contract. One, santana is the best pitcher of this generation while the others were not. Two, santana is in his prime at 28 while the others were all older.

  212. joltin joe

    Oye Como Va

  213. MikeEff - Shelley at First

    well he MAY not want to reach free agency for one important reason. he could get injured this year and the big payday goes out the window. that is the one and only bargaining chip the mets have.

  214. joltin joe

    satan says Freddy you gotta change your evil ways

  215. joltin joe

    rebecca

    like it when you laugh

  216. CB

    Santana has all the leverage and everyone in that negotiating room knows it.

    The Mets knew that before they made the deal. They knew this would be painful and they still made the deal.

    Ultimately they will cave. There’s no option for them. After that historic collapse to blow this would basically destroy the franchise.

    I think its great that Peter Greenberg used Clemens absurd $28 million/ yr prorated salary as the starting point for the negotiations!

  217. Hello

    Dave– I’m not comparing stats. The idea behind my statement was that long term deals for pitchers have not turned out to be good signings.

  218. joltin joe

    Only in New York…soap opera city…the drama capital of the world…Broadway….you can’t make this up.

  219. SJ44

    Rebecca,

    Yes. That’s the way insurance works. Right now, only one company writes career ending disability insurance for athletes. They set the rules and parameters and they are non-negotiable.

    Its why the entire industry was shocked when the Blue Jays went to 5 years and over 50 million for BJ Ryan and the Giants went to 7 years and over 120 million for Barry Zito. These are two teams which are heavily financed by banks. It set a precedent where the teams would be taking on more (injury) risk on these deals than they want to.

    For teams that are heavily financed, it affects their terms with the bank.

    In other words, think of having a mortgage and your insurance just jumped to an enormous number. If it affects your ability to make the mortgage payments, your bank gets VERY worried.

    Its the same concept for teams that are financed. If they are on the hook for a large amount on a few player contracts (because of their inability to insure the deals), the banks holding their notes get VERY worried.

    Sure enough, he got hurt and the Blue Jays are on the hook for a good portion of that deal.

    Its different with everyday players who have clean bills of health, ie: Arod for example. You can insure their entire contracts, even though the cost is enormous.

    Its a big consideration when doing these deals.

    Unfortunately, a lot of members of the media neither understand this issue or have any interest in reporting on it.

    Its a shame because it would better inform fans on how decisions are made. Especially during free agency.

  220. Dirk from Rockland

    new thread

  221. OldYanksFans

    The Yankees AIN’T paying $150m for Santana.
    I doubt they do it even as a Free Agent either.
    The Mets will get this done however.
    They have gone too far to back out. However…
    If he does become a FA, the Yankees offer him 6/$120, and explain it probably comes with 3 rings and a better shot at the HOF.
    Then Santana can decide what history is worth.

    Franky, except when in DIRE need, the Yankees should NEVER outbid anyone else.
    Playing in Pinstripes in an honor.
    Endorcement dollars are much greater.
    If you don’t believe ‘Thank God I’m a Yankee’ then play elsewhere!

  222. raymagnetic

    “Two, santana is in his prime at 28 while the others were all older.”

    Really? Cause as far as I know, 27 is younger than 28 (Hampton) and 28 is the same age as 28 (Zito).

    Secondly, Hampton may not have been the best in his generation, but he was one of the best pitchers in the NL the three years before signing with Colorado. 7 years for any pitcher is too many. I think 6 years is too many.

Leave a Reply

Advertisement
Parade Photos
New York Yankees baseball fans cheer during a ticker-tape parade along Broadway celebrating their 27th World Series championship on Friday, Nov. 6, 2009,  in New York.   (AP Photo/Henny Ray Abrams) New York Yankees baseball player  Mariano Rivera, bottom, waves during a ticker-tape parade along Broadway celebrating their 27th World Series championship on Friday, Nov. 6, 2009,  in New York.  (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan) Floats carrying the New York Yankees baseball team make their way along Broadway during a ticker-tape parade celebrating their 27th World Series championship on Friday, Nov. 6, 2009,  in New York.  (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan) New York Yankees baseball players Alex Rodriguez, second from left,  Francisco Cervelli, third from right, and entertainer Jay-Z, left, celebrate on a float  during a ticker-tape parade along Broadway celebrating their 27th World Series championship on Friday, Nov. 6, 2009,  in New York.   (AP Photo/Henny Ray Abrams) New York Yankees baseball player Alex Rodriguez, right, and entertainer Jay-Z celebrate on a float during a ticker-tape parade along Broadway celebrating their 27th World Series championship on Friday, Nov. 6, 2009,  in New York.   (AP Photo/Henny Ray Abrams) Floats carrying the New York Yankees baseball team make their way along Broadway during a ticker-tape parade celebrating their 27th World Series championship on Friday, Nov. 6, 2009,  in New York.  (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow) New York Yankees' Hideki Matsui, the World Series MVP, celebrates from a float during a ticker-tape parade along Broadway celebrating their 27th World Series championship on Friday, Nov. 6, 2009,  in New York. (AP Photo/Henny Ray Abrams) Baseball fans cheers as the New York Yankees were honored along Broadway in New York on Friday, Nov. 6, 2009, with a ticker-tape parade celebrating their 27th World Series championship. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle)
More photos
About this blog
Thoughts and discussion on the 27-time World Champion Yankees.

LoHud's Yankees News Page

Subscribe
LoHud Yankees Podcast | Get iTunes

Get blog updates via email:

Twitter Updates
 
 
About the authors
Chad JenningsChad Jennings joined the The Journal News in October 2009, having spent the better part of seven years covering baseball in Scranton, PA. He is a graduate of the University of Missouri and an award-winning beat reporter and features writer. E-mail me at cjennings@lohud.com
READ MORE ABOUT CHAD

Sam BordenSam Borden is an award-winning journalist who joined The Journal News and LoHud.com in January 2008. He covered the Yankees for the New York Daily News from 2004-06, and has also worked as a columnist for the Florida Times-Union in Jacksonville. E-mail me at sborden@lohud.com
READ MORE ABOUT SAM

Advertise
Democracy


Ad
MLB Salaries
MLB SALARY DATABASE
Links
Other recent entries
Monthly Archives