Greetings from Gate D-2
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on Apr 07, 2008 
Print This Post
| 
Email This Post
Here we are at LaGuardia Airport, America’s largest bus station.
Because I am a loyal employee, I am going to Kansas City via Dallas on American Airlines rather than taking the more expensive direct flight on Midwest. Attention editors, I would like this noted in my file.
There’s a sign in the security area here that says, “Due to enhanced security measures, the following items are not allowed on flights: cutting instruments, gasoline, fireworks, explosives, firearms and abrasive chemicals.”
Were these items allowed before “enhanced security measures”? I don’t recall being able to bring knives, gas, bottle rockets, guns and acid on flights when my parents took me to Disney World. Then again, Mom always overpacked.
I also enjoy the sign that says, “The Secretary of Transportation has determined that the following airports do not employ adequate security measures: Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, Nigeria.”
Are there people in line headed for Lagos who see that sign and think twice? If you’re going to Lagos, you probably have more important things to worry about.
Anyway, they’re calling the flight. If I see Jessica Simpson at DFW, I’ll tell her to start dating Jonathan Papelbon. Well, I’ll take a cell phone photo first then tell her to start dating Papelbon.
nice.
Will we still be getting the line-ups for tonight’s game?
Hey Pete…. midnight in Japan!! Anyway, knives up to four inches long were once allowed on commercial flights but since 2001 have been banned.
“If I see Jessica Simpson at DWI, I’ll tell her to start dating Jonathan Papelbon. Well, I’ll take a cell phone photo first then tell her to start dating Papelbon.”
He he he. I’m counting on the big-mouthed hayseed to self destruct on his own.
Pete, you missed your calling in life. You should have been a comedian.
i am avoiding planes the rest of the year and driving the rest of the year
Ironically, I actually am going to Lagos in May. Son of a gun.
Everyone knows you can’t fly to Lagos from Laguardia.
Pete,
You’re such a trooper.
And I thought it’s Jessica Simpson-Romo now. And I don’t think it’s Simpson, it’s Romo. He fell apart when his last gf Carrie Underwood watched his game, too.
Hope Moose is ready. Hard to keep those Tampa bats down for more than a game. They’re going to come out swinging today.
Pete, you crack me up!
Yes, it’s early. Yes, it makes little sense to worry about much at this point in the season (unless you’re a Tigers fan). But, there’s a part of me that looks to tonight’s start and Moose’s performance with a more critical eye than usual. Could be masterful, could be ugly.
I wonder when + how Joe G. is gonna rejigger the rotation so Moose isn’t pitching in the 2 spot….
“And I don’t think it’s Simpson, it’s Romo. He fell apart when his last gf Carrie Underwood watched his game, too.”
so are you suggesting Romo starts dating Papelbon? that might work…
I’ve gotten onto a post 9/11 international flight with a dagger in my luggage.
That was an interesting experience.
saucY,
I can see it now, off Broadway, Romo & Juliet…
Is it DWI, or was that a Freudian slip?
Dallas Fort Worth International? DFWI?
DFW is the airport abbreviation…
Freudian. or maybe Pete combined Dallas (DFW) with Baltimore (BWI).
OOPS. I got my wires crossed talking about Romo from DALLAS.
Wow Pete you were on a roll there!!
I don’t understand why you didn’t hitch a ride with Hughes….I’m pretty sure he is going to KC early too. Not only could you have gotten a better flight, you could have had a one on one interview with him too! Damn you! lol
I moved back to NYC from Chicago on Sept 1, 2001 and remember having 3 scissors in my carry-on.
There has been much back and forth on the blog as to whether or not Joba should go into the starting rotation this season. I saw this quote from Mariano in Joel Sherman’s column in today’s NY Post:
“If you ask me, I have never seen him in the rotation, but with the stuff he has, I would keep him in the bullpen,” Rivera said. “It is tough to carry 96-99 (mph) for six to eight innings and three times around a lineup. But when he faces guys just once, he is just hard to hit. Plus, he is more familiar with this now.”
We never looked at it from the teammates perspective. I think that Joba should go into the rotation; however, Mariano makes a really good point and makes me think about my decision.
My mom got onto a Newark-Atlanta flight with a 4-inch knife a few years back. She also got into the national archives with the same knife, the metal detectors missed it both times.
key quote
“I have never seen him in the rotation”
Mo is not like us watching his minor league starts n MILB TV, he’s assuming Joba’s fastball won’t stay at 96 -97 mph going deep into games when the fact is when Joba was a SP in the minors the most outstanding thing scouts took was how his fastball topped out at 96 mph after frames of work. Mariano is not changing the Yankees decision on this, they won’t diminish Humberto Sanchez, JB Cox or Mark Melancon’s progress the point of the syatem is fighting for your job they want to keep these 3 on thier toes especially w/ thier stuff
key quote
“I have never seen him in the rotationâ€
Mo is not like us fans or a scout watching his minor league starts on MILB TV or in person, he’s assuming Joba’s fastball won’t stay at 96 -97 mph going deep into games when the fact is when Joba was a SP in the minors the most outstanding thing scouts took was how his fastball topped out at 96 mph after 6 frames of work.
Mariano is not changing the Yankees decision on this, they won’t diminish Humberto Sanchez, JB Cox or Mark Melancon’s progress the point of the syatem is fighting for your job they want to keep these 3 on thier toes especially w/ thier stuff
Rebecca – A dagger?
We’re you going to the DR to “take care” of Manny?
Pete: lol. You on a roll : )
Brandon – I realize that Mo is not the decision maker. But he is just giving another perspective. There are cases where a pitcher is unhittable the first time through and then either looses something on his pitches or the hitters are able to catch up the second and third time through.
I believe Joba has 4 pitches which would lend itself to a starter because you don’t show all of your pitches the first time through.
If/When Joba is moved to the rotation the Yankees must have a capable replacement or everyone will be screaming if they can’t get the game to Mo – including a lot of us here on the blog.
Papelbon/Simpson, why?
Couple things.
The offense is still not hitting. The good news is our pitching has been much better than last year at this time. Can anyone remember how many games it took to have a starter go 6 innings last year? I like what i see in Matsui. He seems to be hitting everything hard as of late.
Still not impressed by Damon. I wonder sometimes if the rumors a couple years ago as being juiced was really true. He just seems to be regressing everytime i see him. We need him and Jete on base to get out of this offensive slump.
I read today that Nick Johnson might be on the trading block. Why not go after a real first baseman with a good bat? I know he’s been hurt the last few years but so has every other first baseman we’ve had. I think we can get him for cheap because of his past.
Matt-
Because Jessica Simpson makes you choke in big games. Just ask Tony Romo.
“Because Jessica Simpson makes you choke in big games. Just ask Tony Romo.”
Can we say the same thing about Gizzelle and Brady?
Pete funny post!!
In regards to the first base situation. My number one choice this offseason still would have been Crede. I think he’s going to have a monster year.
Is it a coincedence that everytime Giambi gets hurt we start winning games?
Dealing with Jim Bowden is never easy.
You definitely won’t get him cheap. Mainly because Bowden always asks for the moon for every player he has on the block. See his disaster with Soriano a few years ago at the deadline.
Its too early to worry about the bats. Awfully tough to hit in winter conditions.
If guys aren’t hitting by June, then its time for concern. Right now, its just one week off the calendar and no more than that.
“I read today that Nick Johnson might be on the trading block. Why not go after a real first baseman with a good bat? I know he’s been hurt the last few years but so has every other first baseman we’ve had. I think we can get him for cheap because of his past.”
no chance, Washington wants to build up thier minor league system and likely will get too greedy, don’t even know why they would trade him.
RIch what is your mother doing with a 4 inch knife? And that is scary the metal detector missing it! wow
“I read today that Nick Johnson might be on the trading block. Why not go after a real first baseman with a good bat? I know he’s been hurt the last few years but so has every other first baseman we’ve had. I think we can get him for cheap because of his past.”
Not to mention that he was hurt because he and Austin Kearns ran into each other and he broke his leg. I’m down with the idea, but it does limit a Yankee push for Teixeira at the end of the season if they choose to go that way.
Rich,
Why is your mom walking around with a 4″ knife.
SoS,
I’m sorry, dude, I try to bite my tongue about your colorful interpretation on the English language. But Gizzelle? Where’d you get that one? It’s Giselle! I bet you never get Tony Parker’s wife’s name wrong.
Jim: I was coming back from Ireland. The dagger was a gift for my brother. I’d gotten myself a sword, but I had that shipped home
That might be the one time Jessica Simpson could accurately say “I don’t think he’s smart enough for me.”
Have a safe flight Peter
It might sound stupid and silly, but in our blame-happy society, if you don’t explicitly state the obvious, some idiot will sue you.
mel,
O.k. so english wasnt my major. Your right on two things though. I should know how to spell Giselle right. Being she is one of the hottest women out there. Secondly offcoarse i know how to spell Evan Longoria.
Pete is on his A game today- that was a great post.
Nick Johnson would be great- but Bowden will never trade him to the Yanks cheap. Plus, aren’t they keeping first open for Big Tex in the offseason?
“If/When Joba is moved to the rotation the Yankees must have a capable replacement or everyone will be screaming if they can’t get the game to Mo – including a lot of us here on the blog.”
The key word here is capable.
Much of the talk about keeping Joba in the pen goes something like, “if you take him out of the pen, you’re never going to be able to replace him…”
They can find a capable pitcher to replace him.
What they can’t do is find someone who is as good to replace him. That’s impossible because there are maybe 2-3 guys in all of baseball with his arm.
Finding someone capable of replacing him is a good way to look at if if by capable you mean competent, someone who’ll generally get the set up job done.
It cannot mean finding someone as good as Joba because that’s an impossible criteria to meet.
He’s the best arm in the organization and has the best stuff in the organization and its not even close at this point in time. He may have the best arm/ stuff in all of baseball.
Ohlendorf, Patterson, Melancon, Sanchez, Horne, etc – one of them will be able to to a good job in that role.
That’s all they need – they need a good pitcher to be the set up guy.
They don’t need a guy who could turn out to be the best pitcher in baseball to be the set up guy. That’s far past capable.
“It might sound stupid and silly, but in our blame-happy society, if you don’t explicitly state the obvious, some idiot will sue you.”
Some idiot will sue you anyway. Hopefully. I mean, lawyers’ kids have to eat too
“Nick Johnson would be great- but Bowden will never trade him to the Yanks cheap. Plus, aren’t they keeping first open for Big Tex in the offseason?”
I would prefer to trade for Nick than get stuck with a 7 year monster deal again. I hope for the near future, we try not to handcuff ourselves with extremely long term contracts. Plus I think Tex will land in Baltimore. Does anyone know what Bowden might ask for? Again Nick hasnt been able to stay healthy. I cant immagine him having as much pull as he did with Soriano. Which obviously never pulled the trigger on.
SoS,
Of course you know her. She’s a five-tool player.
I have to say i like Jobas fist pump on that double play. Looked at his teammate rather than towards the batter. Much less screaming involved. I hope the media dont make it a regularity on looking at his reactions after outs. As iv stated before. I think that he was a little more ampped being the opening game of the year.
“Plus, aren’t they keeping first open for Big Tex in the offseason?”
There are a number of arguments against signing Teixeira long term, and there are many _for_ signing him as well.
Against:
Posada/Jeter may need to spend nontrivial time over there in the next 2-4 years.
ARod may need to move there 6-7 years down the line
Montero may not stick behind the plate
Can he produce enough beyond a Shelley/Miranda platoon to justify the cost?
How much of his decline years do we wind up paying for?
For:
Adds another legit, prime-age power threat to the lineup, from both sides of the plate
Great D
Hits for average AND gets on base too.
CB – I intentionally used the word capable in my post. It needs to be someone who can come in and throw strikes and not walk batters. They don’t need to have 4 pitches like Joba – but 1 good out pitch. Someone who is consistent.
Agreed that there are some good players in the minors who may be that 9th inning guy. Could even be someone like Bruney who has a great fastball if he can consistently throw strikes which he has so far this season.
“Plus I think Tex will land in Baltimore.”
I know we’ve heard he’d like to play there, because it’s his hometown team, but they won’t contend until he’s about ready to start his decline phase. I can’t imagine he’ll give up the chance to play on contenders for his prime baseball years just to play in Baltimore.
Also, the guy stays healthy. Another positive.
mel,
I agree,Giselle is deffinately a 5 tool player. If there was a 6 tool she would make the cut.
“I intentionally used the word capable in my post. It needs to be someone who can come in and throw strikes and not walk batters. They don’t need to have 4 pitches like Joba – but 1 good out pitch. Someone who is consistent.”
I think CB’s post was more directed at the general public than you in particular.
Tex is a much better player than Johnson. Its not even close.
I’d have no problem signing him to a long term deal because he stays healthy, plays hard, and there are no PED rumors about him.
He may be from Baltimore but, I doubt he wants to saddle himself on a 4 year rebuilding plan with a sagging franchise.
Switch hitters with power and a gold glove are awfully tough to find.
I’d much rather see the Yankees pay somebody like him big money than to excessively overpay for average pitching.
Especially when you have enough arms in the organization right now who can be contributors to the team in the next few years.
Fran,
I could tell that you phrased that in a very specific way and that’s why I thought your criteria made a lot of sense. That’s a much more helpful way of thinking about it than the notion of “replacing his production” which is impossible.
C’mon, Pete, just take the expensive route. Screw the bosses
SoS,
The fistpump doesn’t really bother anybody, just some writers trying to create a story.
He’s not pointing or doing anything to antagonize anyone. But it’s good that he’s toned it down. Opening Day, big outs to escape jams, postseason magic. That’s when you can let go.
If G-man’s healthy he’s going to play. They’re going to try to showcase him…so that someone else will pick him up next season. He might get the same treatment as Bonds. They’re similar in a lot of ways. Old, injury-proned, etc.
I still think the Yankees will be better off without Giambi’s bat. People talk about trading Matsui, when actualy Giambi’s the one who needs to be jettisoned. And I like Giambi. Hopefully, he gets back to the good form he had in ST.
Between Ohlendorf, McCutcheon, Sanchez, Horne and Melancon, the Yankees have enough internal options to move Joba to the rotation.
Unlike previous years, the system isn’t barren when it comes to quality arms.
As CB has said, NOBODY in the organization, and few in the game, have Joba’s stuff, makeup and ability.
Its why you don’t waste him in the 8th inning role for a number of years.
Now? Its the perfect way to get him ready to be a front of the rotation starter.
Its just not where his future lies.
“Tex is a much better player than Johnson.”
Yeah, I was looking at his career splits and stuff…MAN is Tex good. His OPS is a bit worse against righties…it’s .897. That’s his WEAK split.
Sign him from 29-36? Yeah…I think I do that. I go hard after him AND Sabathia. And still reduce the payroll by about 30 million.
Teixeira at first would be awesome, but what o you do when you reach the point where Jeter can no longer play first or Posada no longer catch or whatnot? I know we’d all love for Posada to be able to catch for all four years, but I don’t see it happen.
Also, I was reading through Baseball Prospectus last night…do you guys know the Mariners have a guy in their system that was born in the 1990s?
That makes even me feel old.
SJ his contract would reach the 20 million per range I’d stay away from Tex as good as a player as he is I don’t see him being the guy we need and we need to keep 1B open as whozat stated.
“I still think the Yankees will be better off without Giambi’s bat.”
I can’t agree with that. When he’s healthy, Giambi’s still a great asset. It’s the trying to keep him limping along that can drag the team down.
Frankly, Damon’s the weakest bat of the three guys that are jockeying for playing time. Does his D in LF make up for it? I dunno. If he rebounds with the bat this season to his 06 form, then he’ll be fine. But I think I trade him at the end of the year if I trade any of the OFers.
I give it 4 minutes before Fatcessa announces something reguarding keeping Joba in the BP.
P.S. Rebecca stop reading baseball prospectus it isn’t healthy
The biggest surprise so far this year. Orioles in first place or Tigers in last? Can we say that Granderson is the mvp on that team? Whats wrong with that potent offense? I just hope they dont wake up till we’ve played them. Im not sold on their pitching and im sticking to my prediction. No playoffs for the cats.
“we need to keep 1B open as whozat stated.”
I changed my mind
Tex is really, really good.
It’s not like signing him will prevent them from doing anything else. Bobby won’t command 16+ even if they do bring him back, Moose is gone, Andy might be gone if they get CC, Carla is gone, Kyle is gone, Giambi is gone…basically, replace Jason’s salary with Tex’s, Moose and Andy’s with CC and then the rest all just falls away.
Brandon: Heh. You know, with the amount I read it is a miracle I’m not dead yet
Today’s chat with Stark will be a debate about who’s in more trouble, the Tigers or the Rockies.
I’d have to say the Rockies, because the West is the best division in the NL. They’ve also lost some players from their magical season last year.
Still, it’ll be tough to recover from an 0-6 start. But they’ve added some good players so they should be okay, especially once Granderson comes back. But that bullpen…
With all the money coming off the books, and the near 100 million dollar increase in annual revenues the Yankees will have starting in 2009, Tex’s contract won’t be an issue.
I’d rather see them pay money to players like Tex, and develop their own pitching, than vice versa.
In today’s baseball, if you can get the first and best 1000 innings out of a pitcher, you are doing your job developing talent.
Pitching is just too expensive on the open market.
If the Yankees use free agency to fill their holes on the bench and position players and develop their own pitching, its the right way to form the team, IMO.
I don’t care if Juan Miranda and Shelley Duncan have career years. They don’t equal Mark Teixiera.
The talk about Texeira got me thinking about how much it might cost to try to potentially get that type of player through the draft.
I know it’s early for draft talk but I just saw this interesting article on Scott Boras and his rumored demands for some of his “advisees.”
He supposedly been floating a $9.5MM price tag on Pedro Alvarez and a $7M price tag on Eric Hosmer.
Mark Texeira got a $9.5MM contract when he was drafted. And of course his agent was Boras.
At those prices Boras’ trying to do the same thing with Alvarez that he did with Rick Porcello. Last year he basically used Josh Beckett’s contract as the standard and said that Porcello was the best high school pitcher since Beckett and deserved a bonus in the same neighborhood.
It worked. Porcello got a $7.7MM bonus.
Some people say Alvarez may be the best college hitter since Tex but I don’t think anyone thinks he’s in Tex’s class.
Boras is clearly trying to get his clients to fall yet again to a big market team that’ll spend in the draft.
It’ll be interesting to see how the draft goes. Supposedly teams are going to be less willing to follow the slot recommendations but overall the talent may not be that great this year.
http://saberscouting.com/2008/.....e/#more-84
I would rather sign Texiera instead of Sabathia. But I have my questions about signing a 30 y/o to a 7 year deal.
My fear is that Tex would be another expensive player on the d.l. Didnt he have some hamstring problems last year? Leg problems, sound familiar? What do we do with Jete and Posada in 2 years. Will we be saying that Posada is the best backup catcher we’ve had in years. Will he beat Molina and Fasano-stache in a foot race? Will Jeter end up in left field? Dont forget that Arod is signed for 10. Who knows if he’ll end up switching to that base and dh in a few to keep him fresh.
Yes to Tex, No to CC, and G-man’s not going to stay healthy. He’s the spare part, not Matsui. An expensive spare part that doesn’t work anymore and there’s no warranty, but that’s okay, because in a year you can lease a whole new car. Hopefully.
Its too early to form opinions on any team.
When you are playing in winter conditions, you aren’t going to hit too much.
The 0-6 Tigers? Not the way you want to start but, its hardly fatal.
Their issues are twofold. Their bullpen and injuries. They have no depth to solve either problem.
Their offense will get going when Granderson gets back and the weather gets going. Their bullpen, and perhaps even the backend of their rotation, will be an issue all season.
Can you imagine if the Yankees started 0-6 this year? To say it would be ugly in the tabloids and the fan base would be an understatement.
I know that Joba need to be starter. I get it. His stuff is just too good to waste as reliever. But what a psych advantage the Yankees have now. From the 7th on it’s game over.
My question is how do you ask him to pitch one or sometimes two innings then stretch him out to be able to start?
I would think that you would send him to the minors with a plan similar to an abbreviated spring training schedule. For example, start a game, pitch 3 innings, normal rest then 4 innings, rest, 5 innings, rest, 7 innings. So that’s really just short of three weeks.
Now they might be able to shorten that but the way they have treated him so far I doubt it.
I guess that the timing of this would be based on how many relief innings he throws between now and the end of June.
What would the insurance perspective on a position player like Tex be? Would insurers not go over 5 years as well? Or it’s different from pitchers?
“I’d have to say the Rockies, because the West is the best division in the NL.”
You forgot they have the Giants in the west. I would have to dissagree and say the n.l. central. But what do i know. I dont follow aaaa much.
Every player has had a stint on the DL. That doesn’t make him injury prone.
Tex has stayed healthy, and played the majority of his teams games, throughout his entire career.
Most of which was in Texas, a place that is brutally hot in the summer.
You have to be in great condition to play everyday, and produce, in those brutal conditions.
If they can sign Arod to a 10 year deal, they can certainly sign Tex to a 7 year deal. Its not out of the realm of reality.
hmmm……..I wouldn’t say that if it’s between Sabathia and Tex get me CC everyday and twice on Sunday.
whozat smiling who are you
?
CB I’ve been reading various places that the Mets are now going to start going over slot. I believe they pick twice ahead of the Yankees. I would keep an eye on whether they pick a Boras client.
SoS,
Dude. You live out there. Dodgers, Padres, and Arizona.
Dodgers are good, not because of Torre, because they’ve got good players. Padres have Peavy. He’s filthy. I mean, literally. Had “dirt & rosin” on his hands yesterday. Arizona’s got Webb & Haren.
I’m back from wine country –
1. I can’t believe people are talking about dealing with Billy Beane for Harden. Don’t people know he wants Phil, IPK, players of that ilk. If we didn’t (rightfully) trade those guys for Santana, why in the world would Cash do it for Rich Harden?
2. And now we’re looking to change the roster 6 games into the season? After playing in frigid conditions?
Time for more food….
So we sign TEX. What do you do with Jeter and his best friend in 2 years?
Joe, I’m surprised. I’d thought you been around here long enough now to know that any season not 162-0 is a major disappointment
You don’t worry about what to do with Jeter in 2 years.
Whose to say he can play SS another 4 years? If he can’t, his best landing spot is probably CF, as opposed to first base.
First base is not an easy position to play. Personally, I don’t see Jeter as a first baseman. His ability on popups, much like Robin Yount in his heyday, lends itself to him being more of a CF than a first baseman.
I was at a bar last night across the street from Camden Yards. There were a bunch of people there that were at the O’s game yesterday. I was wearing my Yankees cap and i had a few people come up to me and actually brag that the Orioles were in first place. I laughed and told them to come talk to me in 3 months.
I agree, when’s the last time you had a 1B you had CONFIDENCE in?
“Yeah, I was looking at his career splits and stuff…MAN is Tex good.”
I did the same thing a few weeks ago when Tex’s name came up.
When you look at his career numbers they are just very impressive. There’s not a lot to not like there.
But there are some things that I was surprised to see and found sort of puzzling when I took a closer look.
One thing- he’s not as good a defensive player as his reputation suggests. He’s nowhere near as good a defensive player as Pujols is. Not even close.
Tex was around 7 runs worse than a league average defensive first baseman last year.
I was very surprised to see that.
I know many people don’t put a lot of faith in defensive statistics and I’m not saying he’s a bad defensive player but I was just very surprised to see that result as I expected him to be far above league average.
Also, his VORP and and WARP weren’t what I thought they’d be.
His VORP last year was only 53 – very good but not elite. And last year was one of the better offensive years of his career. His WARP was only 6. Again, that’s very good but lower than I would have guess. His projected VORP for this year is only 49.
First base has become a very strange position because the offensive production from that position has become so large in general.
The average first baseman isn’t that bad. That’s what it gets down to.
Tex is a fantastic offensive player and his production has been great. But when you look at him in the context of his production vs. the production of other first baseman I think the story changes a bit – or at least there’s an interesting caveat there that raises questions about signing him (or any first baseman not named pujols) on the market to a big money contract.
Ah Rocco let them have their fun. They don’t have much of it.
“Whose to say he can play SS another 4 years? If he can’t, his best landing spot is probably CF, as opposed to first base.”
*coughs… Action Jackson’s spot *coughs…
i could see jeter in a corner OF spot sooner than CF. I mean not only are the Yankees pretty much set with CFers for years to come, but Jeter in his mid-late thirties probably won’t be able to cover all the real estate in center. left or right is good. he has a strong throwing arm too, hell some of throws he makes to 1st base are from shallow left field anyway and are dead on.
“Dude. You live out there. Dodgers, Padres, and Arizona.”
Doesnt mean im blind. Dodgers have young studs and Penny. But i dont think they are ready quite yet. Injury prone vets. Pads have Peavy but lack hitting. Arizona ill give you.
central
Cubs are loaded in the offensive side and have Crazy Zambrano.
Brewers are my sleepers. Hitting and if the pitching holds up are good.
Cards have Pujols,ankeil and im not sure when carpenters coming back. But will still contend.
Reds are my second sleeper team. Good hitting, good young players and pitching will be better this year.
Pirates will be the Rays of last year. Good teams will have trouble beating them.
Astros have Oswalt,Pence,Berkman and hgh.
Why am i talking about this. All n.l. teams suck. You win.
why does any yankees fan ever worry about how much money a player makes?
Mark Teixeira is goin to get a $18-20 million/year contract, which might be more than what he’s really worth by a million or two or so a season….
yeah, so? what’s the problem here?
Rocco- three months. Probably more like three weeks.
*coughs.. lets see Austin Jackson play above AA for a season or two before annoiting him the CF of the near future* coughs…
I think the one thing you have to factor into his numbers is who hits around him.
It got easier to pitch around him in his latter years in Texas because of their talent dropoff.
Last year, the Braves didn’t get a lot of production from the guys in the order hitting behind Tex and Chipper Jones.
Projecting him in a Yankee lineup, hitting between Arod and Cano for example, plus the short, RF porch (when he hits lefty) makes me think his numbers could grow in NY.
Also, losing saps you after awhile. To lose every year, and in many cases knowing you have no shot at the playoffs from Opening Day on, drains a player. Especially mentally.
If he goes to a team like the Yankees, or any contending team for that matter, I suspect it will improve his game.
Jax,
Kevin Goldstein has talked a lot about how he’s been hearing that teams are going to spend more in the draft this year.
The mets come up in that conversation a lot.
Here was an interesting bit from one of Goldstein’s recent articles about what he was hearing:
“Even still, most sources agree that fewer teams will tow the line this year, leaving fewer big names dropping. “I just don’t think there will be crazy slot guys dropping this year,” said one industry insider. “As far as where the slots will be, who knows? Let ‘em put them back to 1999 levels if they want to. It doesn’t matter, they’re a total farce.”
http://www.baseballprospectus......cleid=7280
jennifer
i did let them have some fun with it. it really didnt bother me much. now if i was in Boston and the same thing happened, i wouldn’t have reacted the same way…
I was also going to go to the O’s game yesterday… but about an hour or 2 before the game, there were very dark clouds headed to camden yards so i decided not to. It ended up being nice out and the O’s came back by scoring 3 in the 9th to win. I wish i could have seen Felix pitch too. Oh well. I got to see the yanks play so i didnt care much.
FWIW, I’d yes to Teixeia, no to Sabathia, maybe to Ben Sheets. and I would personally throw my hat into the “discuss a trade for Harden” discussion, as long as its reasonable (which could still be a lot in talent, but he’s a difference maker).
S.o.S.: I think the Reds are real sleepers. I would pick them to finish ahead of the Cardinals, Astros, Pirates and Brewers when Sheets goes down (I think Sheets is more of a when than an if).
The funny thing is, last year if you remember, we had this same first base discussion, only the candidates we were talking about were Andy Phillips and Josh Phelps.
I agree with Turn Two. Let’s see how Austin Jackson, and Tabata for that matter, develop before they are handed positions with the big club.
The Yankees aren’t going to be an all-homegrown team. They have never been throughout their history and they aren’t going to be now. Also, all of these kids aren’t going to develop into all stars.
If, in two years, the Yankees deem they have to move Derek Jeter to another position, and that position is CF (just using this as an example) guess what?
Derek Jeter will be the CF.
He isn’t going to the bench for Austin Jackson or anybody else.
Personally, I think its a non-issue because I think Jeter will play SS for another 4 years. Depending on good health, of course.
Following the prospects through the season is a lot of fun. However, a word of caution.
Don’t fall into the trap of thinking every one of these guys, no matter how talented or hyped they are, will become stars in the major leagues.
It never works out that way.
“I think the one thing you have to factor into his numbers is who hits around him.
It got easier to pitch around him in his latter years in Texas because of their talent dropoff.”
Very true. Those are really good points. He has been a man on an island of sorts and the losing can’t be easy.
Having a switch hitter like that hitting behind ARod would be quite a duo.
“*coughs.. lets see Austin Jackson play above AA for a season or two before annoiting him the CF of the near future* coughs…”
Was Ruben Rivera projected to be a better player than AJAX? How about Juan Rivera? I think after its said and done Melky will still be in the yankees outfield 6 years from now.
As much as i like Jeter, I wouldnt mind trading him. He’s decling very quickly. Maybe we can get some good young guys for him. But yes, I know that would never happen. Esp with his No trade. He’s not going anyway and i’ll continue to cheer for him.
SJ: To expand on your point:
Consider Eric Duncan and CJ Henry.
Then consider Joba Chamberlain.
A lot of the time, it’s the guys you never thing are going to make a significant impact that make the biggest impact of all.
just some eyewitness accounts of Action’s webgem vs the Mets AA team after he robbed him at the wall: “I saw him show off a cannon, doubling up a Met @ 2nd from the track, no bounce”
Action’s wants his CF
correction: Action wants his CF
“What do you do with Jeter and his best friend in 2 years?”
I really don’t see Jeter or A-Rod going to first base any time soon. It shouldn’t even really be a thought.
Tex for 5-6 years then we can plug Jeter or A-Rod at that 1B spot.
“I was also going to go to the O’s game yesterday…”
Good thing you didnt. The Yankees played the Rays yesterday. That would have sucked.
S.o.S.27 you are probably right about Melky being the CF 6 years from now, but i hope you are wrong. I remember Ruben Rivera, the only thing he ever accomplished in Baseball was stealing Jeter’s glove.
i know but i live in Baltiore
. I’m going to all 3 games here in 2 weeks!
Rocco- There is no way that would ever happen.
*Baltimore
doh edit button please
“The funny thing is, last year if you remember, we had this same first base discussion, only the candidates we were talking about were Andy Phillips and Josh Phelps.”
Yes or how Peter might discribe it as Phillips and Future H.O.F. Phelps.
Reds are a good pick.
I think there’s a big difference between Ruben Rivera and Melky.
I”m going to Saturday and Sundays game
I hope the weather is nice!
“As much as i like Jeter, I wouldnt mind trading him. He’s decling very quickly.”
By what measure is he declining in your eyes?
Rocco. Trade Jeter? Never happen.
“I really don’t see Jeter or A-Rod going to first base any time soon. It shouldn’t even really be a thought.”
Russell-Now thats funny. I thought it was a given that Jeters best friend was Posada. I should have put Jeters best friend in 07.
i was out most of the weekend and was somehow able to watch the DVRd version of yesterday’s game in about an hour before I had to leave again.
All I can say is God bless Mariano Rivera.
I guess I’ll throw in my 2 cents, too.
I’ve always like Mark Teixeira and would love to see the Yankees go after him at the end of the season. You can’t not try to get one of the better 1B in baseball because you might have to “save a spot” for Jeter or Posada or whoever. Especially since 1B has been a merry-go-round for the last couple of seasons. They will deal with those situations (Jeter & Posada) if and when they arise.
I really don’t want the Yankees to have anything to do with CC Sabathia. As good as he is, I don’t see it lasting for very long.
The only time I care about the Yankees and money is when it comes to revenue sharing and those types of things. It kills me to think that the Yankees’ success subsidizes other teams (or any team’s success subsidizes someone else).
I wonder if Giambi even gets a job next year, necessarily. As good a teammate as he seems to be, and as much as I like the little I know of him personality-wise, he’s got a laundry list of injuries in the time he’s been in NY, all well-chronicled. And I think this season we’re seeing that teams are not so anxious to spend money on aging players (Kenny Lofton, Mike Piazza, et al., though I don’t count Bonds because he’s a whole other story).
Not going to feel any relief or glee or whatever about the Tigers starting off so slowly. They’re a good team with a good manager, with one of their elite players out of the lineup. I think they’ll come around. Not that I want them to, mind you; just you don’t count that caliber of team out after the first week of the season. The teams that are getting off on the right foot in the AL, with the exception of the Blue Jays, are more than likely not going to be there in the end. BUT, it sure seems like the Royals and the Rays are going make the season more interesting than I would like!
Ruben was touted as the next Mickey Mantle had all the tools except the one that scouts can see ” the head”. Rebecca I was refering to prospect comparisons. i don’t consider Melk a prospect he is above avg to avg. Cf. I happy to have him but Jackson projects lot higher
Can’t see need a edit button
“As much as i like Jeter, I wouldnt mind trading him. He’s decling very quickly.â€
Never thought i would read such a thing. Jeter just finished hitting 300 last year yet again. I was just talking about having a statue of him in the new stadium. No way. Thats one guy i dont mind having on my team even in his declining years. Though its not here yet.
Jeter = IS YANKEES
Question for all. Do we re-sign him after his contract expires and for how long. Will he just retire?
Oh, and I got to watch some of yesterday’s game on the replay. In patches between last night and this morning I finally got to see Joba’s 3-pitch strike out. Then I had to leave. That was a great series of pitches!
This first base discussion has gone on for the past few years because we have not had an “everyday good hitting and good fielding first baseman”. Giambi’s contract is an albatross and has kept the Yanks from pursuing options other than back-ups or trying to make another position player into a first baseman. As we have seen that doesn’t always work (see Gary Sheffield).
With Giambi’s cotract finally ending at the end of the season the Yankees can explore Texiera and will certainly be able to afford to pay him.
“I think there’s a big difference between Ruben Rivera and Melky.”
heart and work ethic is one thing that comes to mind that’s one thing Ruben didn’t have I also read somewhere Reggie Jackson told Austin Jackson one bit of advice when he got sent down “never let a fastball go bye you” lets see if Action takes it to heart I just see him as a hard worker who will go after it.
SoS sometimes you can not let the heart make the decisions, as much as Jeter is loved in NY if someone comes up from the farm and out produces him it is a likely scenerio. This isn’t charity, the Yankees GM/FO job is to make a competitive team. I’m just glad we’re not at that point yet.
as long as Jeter wants to play he will be a yankee, he will never wear another uniform. Boy he grounds into few DP’S and you guys have him in a Old Folks home, i hope you treat your parents better.
Why would anybody go to Lagos from Lagurdia? Laguardia’s only intranational flights. It only takes you within the country. And god I agree, Kansas City is a real pain to get too. The money thing isn’t even the issue. There are sometimes literally NO direct flights. Whats the point of having an airport?
Trade Jeter? Why not trade the whole team while we’re at it. I mean we did lose 3 games!! That calls for a radical reconstruction. (I hope you people get the sarcasm)
Rebecca, go finish your paper!
I’m at the point where I hold my breath everytime a ball is hit to jeter. He’ll still be fine at the plate. I do not want him to leave at all. The only team i can see him going to is the Dodgers. I don’t want it to happen. I was just suggesting that if we could get something for him, that would be great.
“Ah Rocco let them have their fun. They don’t have much of it.”
Jennifer, that’s exactly what I told him. But does he listen to me? nooooo.
“SoS sometimes you can not let the heart make the decisions, as much as Jeter is loved in NY if someone comes up from the farm and out produces him it is a likely scenerio.”
Brandon,
I dont think Jeter would do a Bernie on us. I couldnt stand Bernie in his last couple years. He whined about playing time and he didnt have anything left in the tank but insisted in putting the Yanks in a bad position. I think Jeter will walk if he sees that he cant be an asset to the team. But just remember who your talking about. He came in in the best shape of his life this year. Jeter as everyone in the game would agree on,is a fierce competitor and will never lose his abilities from not trying to get better or lack of preperation. As we’ve seen some do.
An intresting posting by Mike Pagliarulo (lefty 3b playing for Yankees in 80′s, remembering him foundly as the player with power but not high percentage) about Hughes’ pitching mechanism:
http://www.dugoutcentral.com/blog/?p=1215#
going to tampa bay for the series there. anything fun to do at tropicana or tampa in general? i’ve never been.
“Why would anybody go to Lagos from Lagurdia? Laguardia’s only intranational flights. It only takes you within the country. And god I agree, Kansas City is a real pain to get too. The money thing isn’t even the issue. There are sometimes literally NO direct flights. Whats the point of having an airport?”
I fly to KC 2-3 times a year. Continental direct flight from Newark, price is fine.
While we’re dreaming about a first baseman – - – how long is Ryan Howard stuck in Philly. He cleaned the Philly’s clock in arbitration and that organization seems to cheap to pony up for him.
I changed my mind on Texiera. Dont sign him!! He’s batting .192 and he’s struck out more than 100x every year. Stick with Betimet.
Seriously though. He has struck out alot every year.
lol Francesa starting his “Joba needs to stay in the pen” non-sense.
** crickets chirping **
“An intresting posting by Mike Pagliarulo”
whenever I hear that name I think of moron that scouted Kei Igawa
that article was was not Pags that was originally written by Carlos Gomez why would they post it as a Pags article ?
Does Franscesa actually watch baseball? Sometimes I honestly think that I know more about baseball than he does.
Call me crazy but, Hughes has pitched very well since the start of ST. I thought his first start was excellent.
What am I missing? I thought we were beyond the “what’s wrong with Phil Hughes” stage right now.
Andrea,
You do know more baseball than Francesa.
Joba couldn’t even use his 4th pitch yesterday vs the 1st batter. If i remember correcty it was curveball, fastball down and away, followed by a slider that made Aybar look ridiculous.
SJ44: how come I don’t have a radio show?
does everyone else see the black bar before my posts? what’s going on with that?
what the heck with my post batman?
Pete, when you see Joe Girardi in Kansas City, suggest to him that he get checked out for pneumonia. I had the exact same symptoms that he had. The hospital took a chest x-ray and discovered that I had double pneumonia.
Andrea: You do.
SJ: Phil has been amazing so far. Even more amazing, he still upates his blog with regularity, and you know what Pete says–everyone wants to do it until they find out they have to write.
So I am really impressed, and while I fully expect some starts a là Ian Kennedy’s most recent venture, I’m darned glad we didn’t trade him.
Still can’t believe he’s technically younger than me, though.
Francessa is just ridiculous.
Regarding that article/posting by Mike Pagliarulo, now something is wrong with Hughes? **rolling my eyes**
wait…what is this? We can now edit our comments on here? Cool.
Andrea..I see that too with my posts…
I guess we can edit now…and we have 15 minutes to do so?
i’ve been told the black bar is for editing? finally if it’s true,
Teixeira is an extremely good player to be looking at. I think Shelley is a great guy and has lots of energy but the 2 players are only a couple years apart in age and LIGHT years different in talent. I would like to see the payroll drop next year and see more kids playing but with Giambi BLOATED contract ending, I see no reason why Teixeira shouldn’t be signed IF he is available.
And while we are at it, I will call up the Giants and see if they still have an interest in Matsui while he has value. They NEED somebody in that lineup and perhaps we can continue building up the farm system for a later emergency.
let see if that’s true
leb see
OMG..Francessa did say Joba was the best pitcher in baseball..now he is saying he never said that?
Ok, the edit is nice but the blog is slowing my browser to the point of freezing.
We can edit now?
nope doesn’t work for editing
Hmm, been reading a bit about the Peavy thing; didn’t know that pitchers using rosin is legal
francessa is great at stirring you guys up!
How does it work? I see the black bar, but can’t figure anything else out.
“nobody can hit joba, he has the best stuff right now in basbeball, but i dont want to see him as a starter” – mike Franscesa
what an idiot.
there’s nothing wrong with hughes, it’s just that the scouting reports were wrong about his fastball…it’s at 92 more often than not, and on occasion, he can get it up to 94…he has a sharp breaking ball.
…moose used to throw 92 and have a great breaking ball.
I also think it’s a good way to get traffic to his website…not exactly a known pitching evaluator, is he…I say let’s hold off judging the kids until at least after their 5th start or so
Why wouldn’t he want to see a guy with 4 plus pitches at a starter?
Click underneath the black bar…click on what you posted…
Then you should be able to edit stuff…and then click save..
But this site is now a bit slower for me than usual.
Wait so Francesa thinks Joba has the best stuff in baseball but wants him to stay in the 8th inning?
Wouldn’t you want the “best stuff in baseball” on display for 6/7 innings every 5 days?
I don’t think he is realising what he’s saying.
Trying with a different browser to see if it’s Mozilla or the blog itself.
EDIT: It works fine with Safari, but doesn’t seem to be Firefox compatible.
tex would be the guy to look at for next year at first base…28 years old, gold glove 1b, very good switch hitter with power and can walk…tex, arod, cano 3-4-5…
if we sign tex, we probably wont sign cc, but here is an interesting one…
if ben sheets throws 200-205 innings this year and has a very strong year (like expected if healthy,) at age 30, do you throw a 3 year and maybe a 4th year option for 14-15 mill a year at him?…realize cc is going to want a 6 to 7 about 20 mill per year contract…
…sheets because of his past may come much cheaper, and if healthy, is a better pitcher than cc…but his odd track record with health is the concern, still…if its 3 years at 15 per, id take it…
sheets, wang, hughes, joba, kennedy…
…you need to sign a number 2 or number 1 starter this offseason and sheets and cc are the best free agents out there…
“I don’t think he is realising what he’s saying.”
he’s a moron
Doesn’t work, not sure why.
Rebecca what is safari? Is it a new program to surf?
Rebecca-I am using firefox and it’s working for me.
But it is a bit slow.
The stuff that Francessa is saying is really comical
OK- so I’m in IE – how is this edit thing supposed to work? I see the black bar but can’t really do anything..
Everyone: Check your browser.
I have no problem with the edit button in Safari, but it won’t work/freezes my browser with Firefox. Not sure about IE or any other browser, but I think that might be where the problem is.
I think Pete’s mentioned he uses a Mac, so he might very well work off of Safari.
Jennifer: safari is a mac browser.
I don’t know why we are still trying to figure out “what’s wrong” with Hughes.
I really just hate all of these arbitrary voices giving their opinions. He’ll be fine, and his velocity was far better in many spring starts than last season.
i am coming in late of this post, but Pete, you will find this interesting. I was at the Opening Day rainout with my dad and uncles. While waiting in a ridiculously long line to get into the stadium in the pouring rain both my father and i were practically frisked. The woman, who was also making little kids empty their pockets until she was told that they could go through, felt our jackets, made us empty our pockets and shake out our extra sweatshirts. My unlce, who is a police officer, was next in line. He walked through security with his off duty gun in his pocket. no one patted him down, no one asked him what was in his pocket, no one said a word!!!! UMMMMMMM real safe Yankee Stadium!!
Doesn’t work for me on IE 7.0 or Firefox 5.0
the edit feature is just a late april fools joke
and pete has a few regulars going along with it…
Speaking of Mussina. Lets hope he has a decent outing today. I know we’ve started out slow offensively. Some have said it because of the level of pitching we’ve encountered. Can today be the day that we beak through? Hammel doesnt seem to strike me as an elite pitcher. Heres to a 10 run outburst and Mussina going 6.
Not sure why it doesn’t work on this computer. I am on the receptionists computer, she is running ie. Maybe it is an old verison, all I see is a black bar
“the edit feature is just a late april fools joke
and pete has a few regulars going along with it… ”
damn you Pete
*Tests in Opera*
EDIT: Okay in Opera.
It might just be an IE/Firefox thing, so I guess I’ll have to stick to two open browsers at the same time.
Edit: I just updated Firefox and I can now EDIT my comment.
You have 15 minutes to do it…..The black bar expands and has a countdown timer on it.
Mozilla software: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 6.0; en-US; rv:1.8.1.13) Gecko/20080311 Firefox/2.0.0.13
“Hammel doesnt seem to strike me as an elite pitcher.”
Neither is Sonnanstine. But the Yanks, for some reason, have problems with righty junkballers that the rest of the league tends to beat up on.
Edit: Whoa. Javascripty.
Some good news. It looks like we wont be facing Meche this series and we’ll be facing laptop friday.
Wow. It makes my whole browser laaaaaaaaag.
Jennifer: I’m on a super new computer running all the newest stuff. All I see is a black bar.
what?
Pete,
You should have taken the Midwest flight. Going through Dallas is way out of your way and not a good use of your time (which is valuable). If more people refused to fly through United’s and AA’s “hubs” and insisted on flying non-stop, there would be more competive airlines and lower prices. I just had to transfer through O’Hare to connect between London and Denver. Never again. Next time, I will fly direct.
I dont know what seems to be the problem with you guys and this edit thing. I just want BLOCKQUOTE back. Peter your handcuffing me here. No blockquote and no bold writing.
the bar still doesn’t work for me
Testing the edit function.
Well it works on my daughter’s mac with Safari. Now have to try my IE.
Now I’m on my computer in my office. Let’s see if this works on IE.
I just tried to post on IE and it didn’t. Let’s see again.
IE 7.0 definitely does not work. This note was written using that browser
works fine with my firefox
So on IE I just get a black bar with no edit message, no countdown bar, no save or cancel button. Do I need to update my browser?
This one was written using Firefox and is fully editable
IE will only give you the thin black bar. Using Firefox will give you the expanded bar in which you can edit.
I have IE7, I guess that’s the problem.
EDIT: But I just realized that I recently installed the Safari browser on my office computer, so this works.
So everyone should download Firefox and give it a try
So, how ’bout those Yankees?
Test
Let’s see, who is going DEEP tonight? Jeter and Posada??
I dont like Saturdays matchup. Beckett vs. Mussina. I would have liked instead of Wand vs. Bucholtz friday. It would have been fun to watch Hughes go friday and Wang go against Beckett.
Trying again with Firefox after I just cleared my cache. Hopefully it will work. I’d rather not keep two browser window open. I don’t think my computer can handle it.
Well I see that DET is on schedule for a 0 – 162 season. Too much to ask for, huh?
You gotta love M&MD. They think that the Mets should give Aaron Heilman a chance to start, the guy with no breaking ball and at best is a #4 starter and wasn’t that good as a starter. Has limited potential as a starter, but The yankees are crazy to take Joba out the Pen. Joba the guy who is a better starter than Heilman ever will be shouldn’t be in the rotation despite the high potential.
No luck with Firefox. I mean it works, but then ends up freezing the browser.
Anyone have any idea why this would be? I have the most current version. Oh well, two browsers it is.
I know I’ve posted this a few times, just trying to sell some extra shirts I ordered:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISA.....Y.m239.lVI
Listening to some of you makes me realize how little I know about computers.
Testing
well, i’m not about to go updating browsers just for an edit feature. plus, i think my grammer is usually pretty good on the first try
Ivan, Fatcessa isn’t smart what else can we say, to think Heilman w/ the fastball and changeup would last more than 3 innings let alone be a # 5 SP w/o developing a 3rd pitch hey all he has to do is look at Nate Robertson of the Detroit Tigers he has a hell of a changeup and fastball but look what happens when batters recognize it and don’t have to guess what your third pitch is.
Saucy: It’s got nothing to do with the ability to edit, but finding a browser that won’t freeze when I post.
I mean, not that anyone would miss me if I didn’t…
Ivan, I heard that same exchange by M&MD. It is so ridiculous. Bottom line is, Joba is going to be a hard act to follow for the men who inherit the 8th inning role. However, Cashman will take his chances to find a dominate starter like Joba can be.
I guess the wildcard in my mind is what if Wang, Hughes and Pettitte prove to be an outstanding top three. Then they may not feel the need to move Joba.
Tonight’s lineup– No Giambi, No Posada.
Damon LF
Jeter SS
Abreu RF
Rodriguez 3B
Matsui DH
Cano 2B
Betemit 1B
Cabrera CF
Molina C
It can’t be a good sign that Posada isn’t playing again.
Or have the Yankees assigned Molina to catch most of Mussina’s games? Still, Posada just sat two-three games last week. Why would they sit him tonight unless his shoulder was sore and irritated again?
Perhaps they want posada available for tomorrow’s day game?
And Rebecca, you are right. if it prevented me from reading the blog, i guess i would get a new browser. i’d even do it on the work computer, which i’m usually cautious about installing new stuff on.
It’s possible he is saving Jorge for tomorrow, assuming he wouldn’t play him a day game after a night game.
“well, i’m not about to go updating browsers just for an edit feature. plus, i think my grammer is usually pretty good on the first try ”
You’re spelling isn’t
opps… i should at least use the correct “your” haha. Too bad i’m using IE and can’t edit
Looks like Molina will be Moose’s personal catcher this year.
Kill-Schill, I’d say that you’re looking at the latest “Mussina gets his own catcher” iteration. If it works, fine with me!
Just regarding the earlier conversation.
If the Yankees plan to sign free-agents to a $180 million contract in the offseason, I think I’d prefer to see them spend it on Sabbathia and K-Rod than Teixiera alone.
You have to figure Boras is going to demand an 8 to 10 year contract for Teixiera between $18 and $20 million per year.
Sabbathia, in contrast, will command a contract akin to Santana, at about $120 or $130.
As for K-Rod, what’s he likely to demand: 4-5 years at 12 million per season?
That means the Yankees conceivably could sign K-Rod and Sabathia for the price of Teixiera.
Yes, I realize K-Rod might be unwilling to agree to set-up Mariano for the first two years of his contract.
testing
K-Rod will NOT go anywhere unless he is the closer, period!
I would not spend $150 million on another pitcher. Cash has stocked the farm with arms and they should continue to use those kids. Let someone else take those BIG pitching contracts….
wow this edit really works
“First base is not an easy position to play. Personally, I don’t see Jeter as a first baseman. His ability on popups, much like Robin Yount in his heyday, lends itself to him being more of a CF than a first baseman.”
I think you are very wrong here:
1) “First base is not an easy position to play”
Are you saying CF is an EASY position to play?
2) “His ability on popups” Correct. CFs don’t see many popups. They see mostly long flies and line drives. 1st baemen see popups. 1st basemen also get grounders, and Jetes has some experience with them. 1st basemen take cutoff throws and make throws. Again, Jetes has some experience here.
3) As Jetes ages, especially if he has more knee problems, he does not have the speed for CF. Not an issue with 1st base. Basically, Jete has most of the skills 1st basemen need, but no CF skills. Learning to take routes to long fly balls doesn’t happen overnight. Many CFs have been doing it for years, and are still not that good.
Lastly, I believe Jeter would much rather be an INFer where he is still part of the action (mound visits, etc). I believe he would be very unhappy isolated in CF.
Black line test.
test
edit test
It only took Giambi what, 4 or 5 games, before he got hurt?
Anybody knows why Moose got replaced? His pitch count was only at 82…