Just about time to start getting serious
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on Mar 24, 2008 
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No lineup for tonight yet. But with six exhibition games left, look for the Yankees to start to play the regulars together and for longer in the games.
Now is the time to start to play for real. The first few weeks of spring training are to get in shape. The last week becomes a dress rehearsal for the season.
The Opening Day lineup could be this:
Damon LF
Jeter SS
Abreu RF
Rodriguez 3B
Giambi 1B
Posada C
Matsui DH
Cano 2B
Cabrera CF
————
Let’s see. I’m in four NCAA brackets pools and three box pools. For baseball, I’m in two home runs pools, one fantasy league and one managers pool (two points for a win, one for a loss, two for an ejection).
So in a span of a week, that’s 11 forms of gambling.
If the blog doesn’t get updated for a few days, I’ve either been arrested or checked into some sort of facility. Hopefully there’s wireless in jail.
only 11?
Pete the degenerate.
Pete,
You have some different pools that I’ve never heard of there.
My dad was in a 13 run pool years ago. Everyone contributed a couple of bucks a week and each week you drew a different team. Then when a team scored 13 runs the pool paid out. I remember when he won $100 that was big money back then.
I really hope Giambi is the DH more often than not. I have a hard time believing his defense won’t hurt the team if he plays there regularly.
I haven’t seen very much written about Bobby Abreu this spring. How does he look?
i am so proud of pete. hopefully he doesn’t find himslef in some sort of goodfella’s liek scene.
that lineup is the best in the majors top to bottom.
if the kids can come through and pitch like they can, the al and mlb are going to have something to fear
Remember Pete, it’s not illegal to join an NCAA pool, unless of course, the guy running the pool is taking a % of the $$$. So I think any talk of an arrest might be premature unless you plan on knocking off a liquor store or something.
Just 11?
I’m impressed.
abreu came to camp in shape. i don’t think he’ll ever hit 41 hr’s again, but if he hits 20 to 25, gets on base and drives in jeter and damon, it’ll be all we need.
with arod behind him, he’s going to see a lot of pitches
mac abreu has been on fire so far. .484 31 12 15 3 0 2 8
second in all of baseball
mac: Frm the few games I’ve seen, Bobby looks good. Better than last year, anyway.
Pete–you made me “lol” for real, as the kids say
I might actually hit Matsui behind Alex. I think Alex will see more fastballs that way.
Cano batting 8th is sick. I hope he works his way up to 5th this season.
I hate that Cano is batting so low in this order.
“mac: Frm the few games I’ve seen, Bobby looks good. Better than last year, anyway.”
Yup.
For the regulars, no news is good news
Hey Pete,
Post your fantasy roster?
Does anyone know who is starting tonight?
Cano should not be hitting 8th. Matsui and Giambi are not better hitters. Cano should be moved up to 5th.
If Cano improves his plate discipline again this year then I can see an argument for moving him up. Otherwise I’m perfectly happy with a .300 hitter batting in the eighth spot in the order. With those other guys in front of him getting on base he can easily drive in 100 runs this year if he has a good year.
I like Cano 8th. I think it’ll give him the opportunity to develop his power without the pressure.
Giambi and Cano should be swapped. Robbie won’t kill rallies. Plus, Giambi can knock in the runners before him.
“Cano should not be hitting 8th. Matsui and Giambi are not better hitters.”
Giambi has a career OBP of .411. Matsui has a career OBP of .371.
Cano on the otherhand has a career OBP of .346. I think that Matsui and Giambi have proven that they are indeed better hitters than Cano.
Hmm. I agree that Giambi tends to be a rally-killer, but by batting Cano eight, it’ll give Damon/Jeter more men on base.
So I guess I’m fine either way.
Alsoif you move the slow pokes of the team to the bottom you clog the bases
Joe Nathan and twins agree to extension through 2012
I look at it as, if Canò’s batting eighth when he’d probably be clean-up on some NL line ups, we’ve got one heck of an offfense.
How incoherent are the Twins under Bill Smith?
They just signed Joe Nathan to a three year deal worth $11-12 with a team option for a fourth year.
Nathan is fantastic and at $11-12 million that’s a very good deal given that Chad Cordero got $12million/ yr for 4 yrs in the off season.
Nonetheless, the Twins have already traded Santana (and got nothing back but that’s besides the point). They have some young pitching but no good position players in their system.
Pat Neshek was ready to step in and close.
Nathan is going to make up 15% of their team salary. Does that make sense to put those kind of resources into a closer when you’re a team like the twins?
Maybe they did this with the idea that they could trade Nathan later if they wanted to. Signing him to a 3 year deal then trading him vs. trading him now may be in their interest.
But overall you just get a sense that Bill Smith is reacting to all the criticism of the santana deal and in a knee jerk way reacting by signing Nathan when they could have gotten a tremendous amount of young talent for him given the need that teams have for closers and Nathan’s very reasonable $6million salary for this year.
If I could change one position on that lineup it would be Gardner at CF batting 9th instead of Melky, I think Gardner will turn out to be a better offensive player than Melky, jmo and should be leading off in 09 or 2010.
When healthy Giambi is the second best offensive player on the Yankees. From 1999 – 2007 the only years Giambi didn’t have an OBP of over 40% were the two years he was injured, last year and 2004. In fact Giambi’s OBP has been 100 points higher than his batting average in every one of those years.
A healthy Giambi this year and the Yankees will have an offense that is historically great. From 1-7 the only player with a lifetime OBP of less than .360 will be Damon.
ray, I agree with you. But we of course have to watch the trends. Last year Cano and Giambi had almost the same OBP.
If he’s healthy, I think Giambi will go >.400 again. But hopefully Cano will improve as well.
Which great hitters to bat 7-8-9? Nice problem for Girardi to have
“Maybe they did this with the idea that they could trade Nathan later if they wanted to. Signing him to a 3 year deal then trading him vs. trading him now may be in their interest.”
CB,
From what I understand Nathan has significant no trade provisions in his contract. I agree with you however, this does appear to be a dummy move on their part.
I still wouldn’t bat either Matsui or Giambi ahead of Cano. So what about their OBP. Matsui right now is not a better hitter then Cano yeah 4 years ago but not right now. That’s my opinion.
Since Melky is suspended, along with Duncan, that will not be the Opening Day lineup.
“If I could change one position on that lineup it would be Gardner at CF batting 9th instead of Melky, I think Gardner will turn out to be a better offensive player than Melky, jmo and should be leading off in 09 or 2010.”
I’d prefer it if Gardner showed me he could get on base against AAA pitching before handing him the starting CF job in the majors.
An impressive AFL and spring training do not an MLB starter make.
If anything, Cano should be batting ninth, which is essentially right ahead of 75%+ of Damon’s at bats. Lots of RBI opportunities there for Abreu, A-Rod, Giambi.
For anyone who enjoys the Manny hilarity (kinda tough to dislike him but he IS the enemy):
http://thesportshernia.typepad.....its-r.html
The twins and Joe Nathan just made K-Rod a very very rich man.
http://thebaseballoutsider.blogspot.com/
Mike they appealed the suspensions and they appeal will not be heard until April 1st so they are BOTH eligible for opening day
Mike S. – you must have missed the million posts on the internet where they said they will appeal and likely not be heard till after the season started.
but hey what do i know.
^ they appealed their suspensions.
Pete, who’s pitching the next few days?
“If anything, Cano should be batting ninth, which is essentially right ahead of 75%+ of Damon’s at bats. Lots of RBI opportunities there for Abreu, A-Rod, Giambi.”
That doesn’t make any sense. Robbie’s not that good an OBP guy. He’s a great hitter, though, and being behind Matsui and Posada would give HIM lots of RBI opportunities. For his skill set right now, this is a pretty good place for him.
Tim,
You bring up an interesting problem. Who will bat leadoff for the New York Yankees when we bid ‘aloha’ to our current LR/CF/DH?
Melky’s yet to prove he can bat leadoff, Cano’s going to much more valuable near the middle of the lineup AND is a poor baserunner.
If Gardner can prove that he can hit major league pitching, then you might be absolutely right.
Ray,
I was thinking that Nathan would try to get a no trade or extensive no trade put in the contract. If an average fan can put 2+2 together that the twins might be signing him to trade him obviously Nathan and his agent know this as well.
From what I’ve read I thought the no trade was still unclear:
“Indications are that the sides are still working on how the contract is being structured as well as what type of no-trade clause — if any — will be included.”
http://www.startribune.com/spo.....43231.html
If Nathan has a strong no trade then its an even more puzzling move because then they are back in Santana territory if they do want to trade him.
IMO if you traded Santana and decided not to go for it this year you had to trade Nathan as well.
Mike S – where did you read that – per the most recent update I saw, they were both appealing their suspensions and the appeals won’t be heard until after the season starts…
“I still wouldn’t bat either Matsui or Giambi ahead of Cano. So what about their OBP. Matsui right now is not a better hitter then Cano yeah 4 years ago but not right now. That’s my opinion.”
Dusty? Seriously though, you do realize that the purpose of a batter is to not make out right? Therefore higher OBP guys make less outs. Getting on base is important when you’re trying to score runs no?
By the way, last year Matsui’s OPS+ was 123. Cano’s 120. There’s just no way you can say Cano is a better offensive player than Matsui at this current time. Maybe Cano will prove it this year.
“So what about their OBP. Matsui right now is not a better hitter then Cano yeah 4 years ago but not right now. That’s my opinion.”
Matsui’s OPS was also higher than Cano’s just last year. And Giambi’s OPS DESTROYED both in his last healthy season.
I like Brett Gardner. I think he’ll be a useful player one day.
But after this hot spring and all of these people falling in love with him, Brett Gardner is rapidly turning into the Edwar Ramirez of this year.
A guy who has one outstanding tool (speed vs. change up) that’s getting a lot of people excited about and excited in a way that way out of proportion to the player’s overall talent and past track record.
Is the Red Sox/A’s game on non-NESN TV tomorrow morning? It’s not that I like the Red Sox enough to get up so early, but I wait all winter for opening day.
Jaewon I believe it is on ESPN or ESPN2
CB–another good point to make is that, at the age of 23, Melky’s already got almost 2 full seasons in MLB under his belt, which isn’t common. Baseball Prospectus sees very good things for him as he develops.
CB,
I had read somewhere that he would have a no trade clause but I can’t recall where I read it at. If he doesn’t have one then that would certainly make it easier to trade him.
I just can’t understand why they would pay a closer that much money but wouldn’t budge on Johan at all. If they think that Nathan is worth 11/12 mil a year pitching 70IP’s a year do they not think 200IP’s of Johan is worth at least twice as much?
And so it begins…..
From Ed Price’s blog on NJ.com
“…it looks like Chris Britton, Heath Phillips and Dan Giese have been cut, since their lockers are empty.”
So that’s it for show & tell? Less opportunities for Gardner & Ensberg, but a chance to see them in the role they’d play.
“A guy who has one outstanding tool (speed vs. change up) that’s getting a lot of people excited about and excited in a way that way out of proportion to the player’s overall talent and past track record.”
Are we doing the same thing with Patterson? Or, would you say that plus-fastball-command and a curveball that’s 15-20mph slower than the fastball are enough to get outs in MLB?
(not being snarky)
Any updates on andy???
“I had read somewhere that he would have a no trade clause but I can’t recall where I read it at. If he doesn’t have one then that would certainly make it easier to trade him.”
mlbtraderumors cites sources that say his deal will have significant no-trade protection
There’s no telling how valuable Giambi could be in certain situations if he would just punch the ball down the 3rd base line to catch teams off guard and keep a rally going opposed to swinging for the seats.
Elizabeth – I’m with ya.
Melky gets very little in the way a props here – Yet Gardner is seen the second coming.
“There’s no telling how valuable Giambi could be in certain situations if he would just punch the ball down the 3rd base line to catch teams off guard and keep a rally going opposed to swinging for the seats.”
He was top-ten in offensive value in 2006, when he was healthy most of the year. How much more valuable could he be??
Also, have you watched games this spring? He’s already making a conscious effort to do this.
I think the Sox/A’s are on ESPN2 at 5:30 tomorrow morning. It repeats tomorrow afternoon.
Thanks, Jimmy! I wrote an article about him here: http://dynastynyy.blogspot.com if you’re interested.
Pat, thanks for that.
I’m with Elizabeth. I think Melky’s arm is very underrated but maybe it’s because Johnny Damon and Bernie Williams are the last center fielders I remember. He doesn’t have the best bat in the line-up, but he has a lot of intangibles, including the chemistry he brings to the clubhouse.
I could be wrong, but the last I read was that both appeals (and there is a week to go) should be heard before opening day.
Gardner himself is very confident of his abilities. If Melky regains his plate discipline from ’06 however I can’t see Gardner usurping him.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03.....ref=slogin
Mike appeals will not be heard until after as Watson is in Japan with the Sox and A’s. Pete wrote about this last week
Elizabeth – Read it and will do so again. Very good.
How can you not love him – and he’s just getting better and better.
From today’s Star-Ledger …..
Great piece from Graziano today on the wisdom that Mariano Rivera imparts to his colleagues. This quote from Veras says it all: “The greatest thing about Mariano Rivera is, after he says ‘Hi,’ the second word he tells you is something good for you. The second thing that comes out of his mouth is something to make you better. It’s hard to find people like him.” Joba adds: “He’s a great speaker, and he just has a way of getting his point across. It’s powerful, forward and to the point. And you get completely engrossed in what he’s saying.” It’s nice to know that long after he’s retired, Mo’s wisdom will live on in Joba and others. Graziano calls Mo a “bullpen Yoda” whose imparted wisdom “will be a greater legacy than what he’s done on the mound.”
“Gardner himself is very confident of his abilities.”
Well, you’d want him to be, no?
If he winds up showing that he could have MLB value AND Melky gets his OBP back up, all of a sudden we have a surplus of serviceable CFers, with Jackson on the way as well. Package one with some kind of interesting minor league arm, and we could get good value back if need be.
Thanks gayle.
“By the way, last year Matsui’s OPS+ was 123. Cano’s 120. There’s just no way you can say Cano is a better offensive player than Matsui at this current time. Maybe Cano will prove it this year.”
I agree with this overall. People don’t appreciate how good Matsui is. And a healthy Giambi is also better than Cano has been to date (though he’s never healthy so…)
However, while Matsui is a better than Cano in an absolute sense (better OPS +,etc) those numbers from last year are nearly identical.
I think when comparing an outfielder or DH to a middle infielder you have to put their production in context.
So if think looking at VORP is helpful when comparing Cano with Matsui (not for the sake of batting order – I don’t care too much where they hit).
Cano had a VORP of 40 last year. Matsui a VORP of 32.
Again Matsui gets the slight nod for absolute offensive production but in the context of their positions Cano is a better offensive player relative to the peer players at his position.
Jimmy–thanks! Bit presumptuous of me to call it an “article.” I suppose it’s more of a feature. I could go on and on here about Melky, but I’m sure I’m becoming something of a broken record.
So who’s left to contend in the bullpen?:
Bruney
Veras
Ohlendorf
Strickland
Albaladejo
Patterson
Traber
Karstens
Rasner
Am I missing anyone? My money’s on Traber, Patterson or Ohlendorf, and Karstens. But Ohlendorf could conceivably slot in as a long-inning guy. And Albaladejo seems like he has killer stuff, as well.
“Well, you’d want him to be, no?
If he winds up showing that he could have MLB value AND Melky gets his OBP back up, all of a sudden we have a surplus of serviceable CFers, with Jackson on the way as well. Package one with some kind of interesting minor league arm, and we could get good value back if need be.”
I definitely want him to be confident and I hope all three of them develop as well. It’ll be interesting to see who gets traded if they all develop and Tabata develops as well. Although they could also just keep all four of them on the team with one serving as a caddy for the other ones.
“Graziano calls Mo a “bullpen Yoda†”
The ball, I get. The ball, I throw, and then…shower, take I.
“Are we doing the same thing with Patterson? ”
Oh absolutely there’s definitely that chance. Slight difference – while it is spring training Patterson has thrown to major leaguers and gotten outs. Edwar last year hadn’t.
Also and I think this is the bigger issue – Eiland and Contreras has serious concerns about Ramirez’s fastball control BEFORE had came up. They had reservations about him being ready.
If Patterson makes the team it will be primarily about his performance but also about what Eiland thinks of him – how ready he is to get major league outs. I’d put stock in his assessment.
Thanks. Must have missed that if they aren’t being heard until then. Been very busy with LOTS of personal matters.
It must be nerve racking for a player that’s on the bubble to be near the manager’s office and get called in to hear, ” I’m sorry to inform you that you’ll be going to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre but I hope to see you back here soon “.
“Again Matsui gets the slight nod for absolute offensive production but in the context of their positions Cano is a better offensive player relative to the peer players at his position.”
True. The argument was not about value to the team overall, though, it was about lineup placement. At this point in time, I’d still put Matsui and Giambi before Cano because they are, currently, better offensive players. Not only do they slug more, and thus drive in more runs, but they are also on base more, giving the guys behind them more opportunities.
If Cano’s outperforming one of them during the season, by all means move him up. But, until that happens…they should both be before him in the lineup. It also takes the pressure off him and allows him to work on his recognition of the strike zone.
Mark: Well, if you’re gonna learn from the best, might as well be Mo!
Mike S: Hope everything’s all right!
“If Patterson makes the team it will be primarily about his performance but also about what Eiland thinks of him – how ready he is to get major league outs. I’d put stock in his assessment.”
Word.
I guess we’ll find out in a week what Eiland thinks of him
it looks like Larry Bird is about to get fired
Elizabeth – you left Edwar Ramirez of the lsit of pitchers, but I don’t think that he’ll make the team.
I think people forget how, over the course of a season, how reliable and consistent Matsui is.
Elizabeth. Karstens is a nice pitcher, but there’s something about his stuff that makes him vulnerable in the majors. I know he had a nice winter tournament in Asia, but as far as I know that wasn’t MLB talent he was pitching to. Rasner’s not a favorite of mine, but at this point, I would almost take him before Karstens.
Any ideas on why Ohlendorf, who was a starter until last season, wouldn’t be able to handle that long man role?
Brandon I assumed the press conference was to say Walsh is leaving not the firing of Bord that would be a shocker
Though, about Patterson, I think we’ve been hearing this spring — and seeing — that he does have the fastball command.
I dunno…I think he’s done more to earn a shot than any of the other candidates. And all of them have options, so…Bruney and Veras, go show me you can throw strikes in AAA. I want to give Patterson this shot to stick. There’ll be lots of opportunities in April. If he makes the most of it, awesome. If he doesn’t…bring up the next guy.
gayle I doubt it’s Walsh I’d be surprised
“Any ideas on why Ohlendorf, who was a starter until last season, wouldn’t be able to handle that long man role?”
He was ineffective throwing multiple innings at AAA. Why would he be effective throwing multiple innings on an erratic schedule in the majors?
I also see that Beckett is going to do on the DL not having paid much attention the Sox numbers game are they that bad off that they need the slot for someone or is Beckett not doing as well as has been reported. I know he pitched the other day and I heard that it did ok.
He would come off the DL on April 3rd so we are not talking like missing a ton of starts for him
Also, Ohlendorf could be a really good setup guy with the stuff he’s got. Why turn him into a mediocre mopup guy/spot-starter? It’s all about maximizing potential value.
“I also see that Beckett is going to do on the DL not having paid much attention the Sox numbers game are they that bad off that they need the slot for someone or is Beckett not doing as well as has been reported. I know he pitched the other day and I heard that it did ok.”
They have all sorts of roster gymnastics they need to do for the Japan thing, so it’s not surprising that they put Beckett on the DL in order to give them more room to play with all the roster slots.
Girardi still on the fence with Bruney and Ohlendorf.
Traber stays as the bullpen portsider.
By shining in his next appearance, Rasner wins the long relief spot.
I have a feeling that come June the bullpen will look like this
Rivera
Chamberlain
Farnsworth
Hawkins
DiMaso Marte
Brian Bruney
Stephendorf
oh crap I’m shocked if it’s true but it is on 1260AM It is official Donnie Walsh will be leaving the Indiana Pacers
i love that lineup. we officially have the nastiest bottom of the order.
or 7-9 guys combined to hit .288 last year and averaged 90 RBI a piece…
“Any ideas on why Ohlendorf, who was a starter until last season, wouldn’t be able to handle that long man role?”
There are very few guys in the world who can throw a fastball 97 mph.
Most of whom have this ability can do it but only for a short burst. They can only sustain that ability for say 20-30 pitches.
Then there are even the more select who can throw 97 mph for a long time, can maintain it over 100-120 pitches.
Ross Ohlendorf is in that first group. Joba is in the second (part of why Joba must become a starter this year).
That’s why they can’t put ohlendorf in the long man role.
For one inning he can throw 97 consistently. Over multiple innings he can’t – they saw that when he was starting. When they asked him to concentrate on going one inning he became a much bigger power pitcher.
You can’t ask a developing pitcher like Ohlendorf. He’s got limits that a guy like joba doesn’t. If you’re going to throw 97 and attack that is one way to approach hitters. If you’re going to throw 92 and pitch that’s an entirely different way of approaching pitching.
Ohlendorf needs to work on one consistent role and approach to hitters.
I wish they’d bat Cano 5th, and bat Giambi 8th. Cano is better protection for A-Rod. plus you can hit-run with him, which uses Alex’s speed
to any spanish speakers who read the blog, i could use help for an assignment… i have to answer the question “what kind of grades did you recieve in high school?” in the imperfect tense. i’m trying to say i received so-so grades and i wrote “yo recibia asi asi notas” does that make sense?
Brandon not sure where you live but it has been written about in all the New York papers for the past 2 weeks that Walsh is allegedly being courted by the Knicks
Walsh is out
COM’ON DONNIE COME TO NY AND GET THIS DISGRACE ISIAH OUT OF HERE !
Mark -
I thoroughly enjoyed Graziano’s piece on Mariano. This is a guy who gets it, and then not only does he “get it,” but he passes it on.
That Yankees lineup can be awesome. I think Cano will end up batting higher in the order eventually, but the thing about the Yankees lineup is that it’s not the traditional lineup – it’s more “circular,” for lack of a better descriptive word. So, it’s like there’s two clean-up opportunities.
Brandon
Donnie Walsh departure just announced on WFAN too.
“bat Giambi 8th. Cano is better protection for A-Rod. plus you can hit-run with him, which uses Alex’s speed”
Yes. Put Giambi’s .400 OBP and 30 HR power 8th. That’s the best way to maximize your offense.
If Jason is healthy, bat him 5th. If he is hurting, put him on the DL.
I’m seriously on my knees praying he takes the NY job !
For those who were talking earlier about the Yankees and Mets trying to buy the old stadiums. here is the statement from Levine on this issue
Source. Yankees.com
The New York Yankees are not in discussions to buy the current Yankee Stadium from the City of New York.
We have been in talks with city officials to determine the best way for the City to realize value in the assets of the current Yankee Stadium. The goal is to find the best and most efficient way to make memorabilia items available to the public and our fans.
There is no agreement as of yet as to the best method of making these items available but our discussions with the City are continuing. When there is an agreement we will let everyone know.”
Melky might not have Gardner’s speed, but he will not hurt you on the base paths, he has a natural ability when it comes baserunnung.
I think when it comes to protecting a player like A Rod you need a pretty serious power threat. at this point Giambi is still seen as a bigger power threat than Cano is, so i think Giambi in the 5th spot works out just fine as long as he’s healthy. i like Cano 8th anyway. we have no bottom of the order, just a top and a middle lol.
Thanks, whozat & CB.
“the Yankees lineup is that it’s not the traditional lineup – it’s more “circular,—
Perfect description. I really don’t think it matters where guys hit.
The line up is brutal and filled with guys who have high OBP.
It’s fairly equivalent any way you do it other than having ARod 4th and probably Abreu in front of him.
Sorry, meant to write baserunning.
Thanks, CB & whozat.
Won’t Phil Hughes be our long reliever in the second half?
Joba to rotation. Ohlendorf or young flamethrower recovering from surgery to pen. Hughes to pen. First half long man back to AAA. It’s all about maximizing talent and value, right?
thanks for clearing that up Raphsody, i had no idea what you were saying the first time.
I kid.
Brandon: I don’t know much about Walsh, but I don’t think you can actually fire Larry Bird. It’d be like firing Michael Jordan.
Brian: The verb conjugation is correct, but there’s something off about the sentence.
Maybe something like… mis notas no eran buenos, pero no eran malos.
Thanks rebecca. the thing is, i need to use a verb in the imperfect tense in my answer i think eran is just the preterite tense. thanks for the tip on structuring the sentence though i think i’ve got it now.
gotta go laptop battery is totally about dead.
Cashman isn’t going to trade for Marte because the price in return has been way too high for the last year or two.
“Won’t Phil Hughes be our long reliever in the second half?”
That wouldn’t maximize his value. If everyone’s healthy, I sort of envision some way of wiggling all four of Joba, Ian, Moose and Phil into three slots, with guys getting extra days off and stuff. Or, perhaps some creative DL-ing
Brian: Era is imperfect.
Ser
Preterite:
Fui/fuiste/fue/fuimos/fueron
Imperfect:
Era/eras/era/eramos/eran.
Btw everyone, BaseballProspectus’s PECOTA projections have the Yankees with the best record in baseball with 97 wins
“Won’t Phil Hughes be our long reliever in the second half?”
Don’t know if Phil will be the long man but I think there is a good chance that Phil and Joba could essentially flip roles in the second half.
Or Phil could throw 2 innings at a time when the starter goes 5-6 innings.
It depends on how his innings are piling up.
If he throws 15 starts in the first half and averages 6 innings per that’s already 90 innings.
They could move him to the pen for the next 40 innings and move him back to the rotation at the end of the season to stretch him out again and put him back in the rotation for the playoffs.
Its funny to read some posts on Gardner taking Melky’s spot on the team. Even though Melky’s average in the minors were better than most potential replacements.I have to admit that i was for the Melky for Santana trade. But it just seems to me that most have him being the substitute in centerfield for Gardner,Jackson or some free agent to be. I for one dont think his numbers say it all. He brings energy to the team that was lacking before he came up. His strong arm has kept pitchers pitching with less men in scoring position and lower e.r.a’s.
He’s had a good spring so far. If he can get the plate discipline that he had in 06. I wouldnt be surprised if hes roaming our outfield for the next 10 years.
SAS is hilarious right now he’s taking Larry Bird’s taking the Pacers to the NBA Finals and I clearly remember Bird being a damn good coach SAS said it had nothing to do w/ Larry Bird but Isiah Thomas “his boooooyyyy” struggled a bit w/ Indy and had them lose to Celtics and the 3 point parade was a better coach. WHAT DRUG IS HE SNIFFING !!!
Bird’s been a so so GM, not great, not horrible either but to defend Ron Artest and Stephen Jackson in Indy, WTF ! these dudes were getting into so much sh.. it’s not even funny at one point they called Stephen Jackson “GUNS IN THE AIR JACKSON” Artest domestic problems guns to clubs, J.O. wanted to whipp him the CD and TRUWARRIOR CRAP he needed to go but no one wanted him that’s why GS gave them what they did, same w/ Jackson. THIS BROTHA NEEDS TO GET FIRED FOR SAYING THAT.
Larry Bird has done a HORRIBLE job in Indiana, he should have been fired years ago.
I’m a nets fan.
That should be all you need to know when it comes to me and basketball.
Bret Gardner is going to outbeat Melky for CF!
J Train I want to hear the HORRIBLE moves com’on don’t just say it explain it
“Bret Gardner is going to outbeat Melky for CF!”
really?
Bret Gardner is a replacement level player, not a starting CF for a major league team.
He’s scrappy. He steals bases. That = 4th OF-er.
Brett, even.
CB,
You can add Scott Shields to that list of pitchers who might be on the DL on opening day.
Hopefully, Andy won’t be added to it as well.
The good news is that Andy doesn’t have a serious condition. Hopefully, he’ll miss one start at the most.
My season tix just arrived at my door! I’m psyched/ ready…and I hope Andy Pettitte is ready too LOL
Brandon,
If i was the Knicks. I would hire Bird(if he gets canned)as the head coach. I always thought he was an excellent coach and would do good being back there. As far as his gm capabilities. I can give you one good move he made. Firing Isaih. NUFF SAID.
I wouldn’t fire Larry Bird just yet. He’s rebuilding. The team isn’t really in shambles. If anything, they are better than expected. Bird still needs to JO though. Get whatever he can for him. Bird is fine. Just need a couple of pieces and the Pacers will be in the playoffs in a year or two in the Leastern Conference.
so true SoS
I was waiting for J-Train to explain the bad move
Ron Artest out of Indy was not a bad move he got into BS w/ Rick Carlisle, he got in too much PR trouble in Indy, fans were starting to turn on this guy, unfortunately the Pacers had to trade him to the only team that gave decent value back in the Kings for Peja Stojakovic, Peja was hurt recieved a big pay day they chose not to sign him.
Al Harrington and Stephen Jackson were complete numbskulls, got into more trouble in clubs Stephen Jackson got in trouble multiple for bringing a piece and being shot at while shooting back and putting teammates in danger. The Warriors gave the Pacers Dunleavy & Yo Murphy, Bird drafts Danny Granger who has been a very good young player. Unfortunately Jermaine O’neal is out for the season to a contract in which Isiah Thomas rewarded him with years ago.
JonMichel
March 24th, 2008 at 4:04 pm
Bret Gardner is going to outbeat Melky for CF!
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JonMichel :
You must be a pal of Roger Clemens unless I misremembered that he could “outbeat” the Congressional hearings.
Bird, a lifelong Celtic coaching the New York Knickerbockers? Larry Brown will coach Stephon Marbury to a championship before that happens.
You must be a pal of Roger Clemens unless I misremembered that he could “outbeat†the Congressional hearings.
Freekin Comedy Post of the Day.
I meant so true about Bird not that I want him coaching my Knicks I’d rather stab myself.
Please explain to me how the Pacers can rebuild with all the bad contracts they have?
raymagnetic,
Phil Jackson was a Knick and is coaching the Bulls. Money makes history meaningless.
Sorry meant coaching the Lakers.
ummm, cano in the eight hole is a luxury, every team would love to have. soon enough, the kid if he continues will feel the pressure some where towards the middle. with this lineup, it sure is not a slight to him to be hitting eight.
-Please explain to me how the Pacers can rebuild with all the bad contracts they have?-
Jermaine O’neal is the only bad contract on that roster everyone else is questionable, you know it was Isiah Thomas that gave O’neal that contract which is tradeable. Dunleavy and Murphy again were from the Stephen “GUNS IN THE AIR” Jackson trade .
They are rebuilding w/ Danny Granger being the face of the franchise and he has made his presence felt in the NBA.
Donnie Walsh could be headed to Manhattan. James Dolan in search of a reputable locksmith to change the locks at MSG.
A maintenance man leaked the news that Isiah Thomas could find himself locked out at a date to be announced.
when is cano going to move up to 3rd or 5th??? cano a-rod abreu or abreu a-rod cano would be in my opinion the best lefty righty lefty 3-4-5 in baseball. I feel like if cano batted third, he would see a lot more fastballs and a lot more strikes, which would help him reach his peak, though Abreu in front of A-Rod does seem to help A-Rod by giving him the chance to see a ton of pitches. Either way, though, Cano needs some protection because his achilles heel was pitchers expanding the zone on him b/c he had melky behind him, not A-Rod or Posada.