Game 20: Yankees at Orioles
-
- April
- 20
YANKEES
Damon LF
Jeter SS
Abreu RF
Rodriguez 3B
Matsui DH
Cano 2B
Giambi 1B
Cabrera CF
Moeller C
Pettitte LHP
Notes: It’s cloudy in Baltimore and there is rain in the area. But it’s dry here so far. … The Yankees are not taking BP today. … Moeller is 5 of 16 with three RBI and two extra-base hits since being called up.
Back later with updates.
UPDATE, 12:37 p.m.: It was pouring before but it has since stopped. The tarp is on the field at the moment but the skies are clear. They seem hopeful of starting on time.
Andy Pettitte vs. the Baltimore hitters.
Steve Trachsel vs. the Yankee hitters.
UPDATE, 2:02 p.m.: The players were given their official MLB identification cards today. They use them to get into stadiums. Obviously guys like Derek Jeter or A-Rod use theirs less than say Chad Moeller.
Phil Hughes was given his card and loved his photo so much that he was showing everybody.
UPDATE, 2:08 p.m.: The Yanks give us a packet of minor league box scores and statistics every day that I like to read through. A few things that stood out:
Dellin Betances is 3-0, 2.66 after winning last night for Charleston (5 2 0 0 5 5).
Carmen Angelini (.196/.324/.377) is scuffling.
Brad Suttle (.368/.429/.553) seems to have it figured out.
Jesus Montero (.338/.365/.500) will be there all season, Brian Cashman said. They want him to get a good solid year under his belt, work on catching and get up a bunch of confidence.
J.B. Cox and Mark Melancon are pitching out of the pen for Tampa. The focus for now is more on how they feel, not the results. Cox has thrown 4 innings and Melancon 10.2.
Trenton has an interesting team, especially the OF. Austin Jackson (.302/.429/.397) picked up from last season. Jose Tabata (.231, no HRs) isn’t hitting yet. Jackson is racing past him as a prospect.
Dan McCutchen (17.2 11 2 2 6 15) has been their best starter along with Chase Wright (3-1, 2.92). Of all their pitching prospects, he’s the guy I like best. I can see the Yankees turning him into a reliever who can help in the majors by late July. He’s got the stuff and the mentality.
UPDATE, 2:18 p.m.: Andy Pettitte is so reliable. Nine up and nine down. Now maybe the Yankees can give him a few runs to work with. Steve Trachsel isn’t this good.
UPDATE, 2:28 p.m.: Like I said, Steve Trachsel isn’t that good. I covered the Mets, I know. Big spot here for the Big G.
UPDATE, 2:42 p.m.: The Yankees should have scored more than two there. But with how well Andy is pitching, maybe it won’t matter. That’s 12 up and 12 down and one ball out of the infield. He has struck out four.
UPDATE, 2:58 p.m.: What a terrible way to lose a perfect game, on a broken-bat dribbler up the line. It’s all A-Rod’s fault for not playing in for the broken-bat dribbler.
12 more outs to get. Six by Andy, three from Joba, three from Mo? The Yankees need a win any way they can today. They haven’t lost four straight since last May.
UPDATE, 3:13 p.m.: No word yet on why A-Rod had to leave the game.
UPDATE, 3:18 p.m.: Wilson Betemit for Doug Mientkiewicz? Anybody? Bueller? Anybody?
Giambi is 5 for 45 this season. If you take away his 3 for 3 against Mike Timlin, he is 2 for 42 (.048) with 0 homers and 2 RBI. Um …
* * * * A-ROD INJURY UPDATE * * * *
UPDATE, 3:33 p.m.: A-Rod has a strained right quad and is officially day to day. That’s the same injury Derek Jeter had that kept him out for a week. “Day to day” in Yankees-speak is at least four or five days.
UPDATE, 3:38 p.m.: I know Erik Bedard is good. But Adam Jones is a heck of a center fielder. That trade could work out very well for the Orioles. … Meanwhile, Kevin Millar could roll out of bed on Christmas morning and hit against the Yankees.
UPDATE 3:49 p.m.: It’s raining now at Camden Yards and the grounds crew is poised behind the tarp. Hopefully they can just play through it with two innings to go. The Yankees will be furious if there’s a rain delay with an off day coming up tomorrow.
UPDATE, 3:55 p.m.: What a job by Andy Pettitte. 7 shutout innings, 4 hits, 0 walks, 5 strikeouts. 89 pitches, 59 strikes.
UPDATE, 3:59 p.m.: The game is being delayed by rain.
UPDATE, 4:17 p.m.: The tarp is coming off. The game is scheduled to start up in about 15 minutes.
UPDATE, 4:30 p.m.: Brian Bruney warming up for the Yankees. Guess that is it for Joba.
UPDATE, 4:50 p.m.: Chad Moeller is 7 for 20 since he joined the Yankees with three extra-base hits. The Nationals liked Wil Nieves more in spring training. Go figure baseball.
UPDATE, 4:56 p.m.: It’s raining again and Dave Trembley is changing pitchers in the ninth inning down 7-1. Way to go, Dave.
UPDATE, 5:01 p.m.: Excellent work, Dave. Now there’s another rain delay. Meanwhile I have a flight at 8 p.m.
UPDATE, 5:20 p.m.: Tarp is off and they’re cleaning up the field. There are about 1,000 people left in the park.
UPDATE, 5:38 p.m.: We’re back underway with Mo on the mound.
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on Sunday, April 20th, 2008 at 10:31 am by Peter Abraham.
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Can we get a real leadoff hitter, please?
Come on Yankees! We are NOT getting swept by the Orioles.
Let’s go Yankees!
Can we win a game? And ya know..score some runs?
Man, a game where we’d score like 20 runs would be so cool right now.
Yikes! Giambi and Cano back to back!
Strange days when you look at a lineup with Damon and Giambi in it and you’re worried.
How long before Girardi starts “cutting heads”?
If they don’t hit today, they can always revert back to blaming the weather again.
Hopefully the Yanks will break out today. It helps to have Pettitte on the mound.
Seems like Alex’s new baby is being very cooperative. Hopefully she is waiting until tomorrow’s off day to arrive!
Interesting. Both Posada and Molina play last night and Moeller plays today.
Tells me Posada is still not ready to catch.
You wonder how long they can carry 3 catchers on the roster. That really hurts roster flexibility.
Fran: If that’s the case, I guess we can call her a true yankee!
giambi has gotten on my nerves because he NEVER uses the shift to his advantage. there are certain game sitations that would make that a no-brainer.
thursday night being the perfect example. Yanks down by 4, Giambi leads off the 9th against Papelbon, and the Red Sox have the shift on - giving it to him. obviously the odds for helping the team win are best if you take what Boston’s giving - if he swings, he’s got a 70-80% chance of an out, but if he bunts anywhere to the right of Papelbon, he’s on first w/no outs, it’s a gimme. so of course Giambi pulls a grounder right into the shift.
Girardi should have ordered him to - since Giambi is apparently too selfish or whatever to ever think of this himself, i think i’ve seen him do it once.
SJ: Well, if Giambi continues to slump, what about playing Posada at first? I know they won’t keep both Molina and Moeller, but Molina and Moeller have done more for our offense than, say, everyone else combined.
Like I sai, I kno they won’t do it, but part of me wishes they would.
So - are we finally seeing a repeat line-up this season?
great, damon is still leading off and giambi is still playing first. melk needs to take damons spot and shelley at 1b
Roster flexibility? There is no roster flexibility. Right now this is one of the most poorly conceived rosters I’ve seen in quite some time (flexibility-wise).
Rebecca - Just like her dad!
While we’re at it, can we get a REAL first baseman, please?
I know the Melkman isn’t an ideal leadoff candidate, but at least he isn’t hitting(if you want to call it that) below the Mendoza line.
right now, only guys with M names are hitting…
Melky, Moeller, Molina, Matsui…
Rebecca,
I don’t like Posada at first. He’s a catcher, not a first baseman and he cost them a run last night on the hit by Fahay.
Nothing against Jorge but, you can’t keep playing guys out of position. Its not fair to the player or the team.
For reasons not known to me, the Yankees seem to think first base is a throwaway position. It isn’t.
They need to get a real first baseman. A guy who can field the position and get some AB’s.
They need to put Jorge on the DL until he can throw again. If its 15 days or 15 weeks, you gotta do it.
You can’t have a roster this inflexible. Its really hurting them.
I think Melky is a fine leadoff guy. He works the count and seems to come up with a big at bat when you need it.
Amen to the REAL first baseman sentiment as well.
I hear the Pirates are interested in Betemit…could a Minky return be in the works?
Hey Peter, with the off day tomorrow, do you see Girardi pushing Mussina back and having Hughes start on regular rest Wednesday? That way you’d have a rotation of Wang, Hughes, Mussina, Kennedy and Pettitte, and you’d separate Hughes and Kennnedy which I remember you mentioned that the Yankees wanted to do that. Sorry if this is hard to read, I should have done a better job wording it :(.
Damon did what leadoff hitters are supposed to do last night- he got on base with 2 walks. He didn’t help once he got there but he did get on base.
Oh my goodness, if we can get Minky back for Betemit that will be terrific.
Hey SJ,
what is your take on Kyle Anson? He is smashing the ball at Tampa and the Yanks seem to have a lot of talented young catching with him, Montero and Romine all tearing the cover off the ball.
Frank Thomas was just released by the Blue Jays.
-dennis
It’s definitely not too early to start looking into some roster moves. I don’t want to see another Yankee team have to scramble to get back into the race only to end up out of gas in the end (that’s if they can even get to the playoffs).
Where do you start though? The obvious choices are Gardner and Duncan…at least for some energy.
The Yankees do need to stop acting like anyone can play firstbase…because that’s obviously not the case.
I think the front office needs to stop believing the hype every year. This 1,000 run nonsense has to stop. How about just scoring enough to win.
Yeah, that’s it. Absolutely.
I mean, it’s the easiest thing in the world to not just lay down a bunt, but to bunt a fastball. Especially a fastball by that schlub Papelbon. And it’s even easier to make sure that bunt isn’t popped up or dropped in front of the plate or to the right side, but to the left side, past the mound. Easy as pie.
Meanwhile, Frank Thomas was just released.
I don’t agree with this line-up. Giambi and Damon need to stay on the bench
Dennis: Serious?
Does Ensberg count as a real first baseman?
gotta shower before the game, back soon.
Rebecca.
Yes. Just having a cup a coffee watching Sports Center and it came on as breaking news.
-dennis
Thomas released…where did you hear this? If that’s the case that’s a ballsy move by the Blue Jays. The Yankees should take note and release Giambi. Kudos to the Jays if this is true. You can’t be beholden to someone’s past.
wow - I wonder why, isn’t it a little early in the season to be giving up on him? Or, has he just been that bad/is there something we don’t know…
OUCH !!!!!!!!!!
Damon and Giambi in the lineup ? Exactly what will it take to realize these 2 frauds have no business on the field. This is the nearest thing to telling the Orioles to get out the brooms. Andy will get nada for run support and meanwhile Shelley and Gardner patiently wait at AAA to be real contributors.
Girardi hinted about changes on the day off Monday. They could have been made sooner.
Thomas was complaining in the paper yesterday about not being in the line-up and Toronto trying to limit his at bats so incentive clauses didn’t kick in. Releasing him would be the ultimate way to limit at bats.
He complained to the press on being benched the other day. 24 hours later the Blue Jays released him. He had been woeful to start the season. Except for the slam he hit off Delcarmen.
-dennis
“Yikes! Giambi and Cano back to back!”
And belly to belly!
-J. Sterling
Frank Thomas getting released is what I am talking about vis a vie Giambi this morning.
The Blue Jays are looking at Thomas the same way I am looking at Giambi.
Cut through the name and look at the production. If it isn’t there and you don’t think its coming back, April or not, you make a move.
Last year, the Yankees were reactive to their situation. This year, I want them to be proactive.
That’s why I hope the day off Monday brings more than just a day of rest.
The roster is a mess. It needs to be cleaned up ASAP and if it ruffles some feathers or hurts some feelings, so be it.
Who thinks Thomas will end up in Tampa?
There is a poll on the Daily News website:
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/index.html
Should #21 be retired? Please be sensible and vote NO. Jeter, Rivera, and (likely) Torre will represent that team in Monument Park.
I’ve been reading over the past couple of days about bringing up Brett Gardner, Shelley, and maybe bringing back Minky (according to SJ). You can easily make cases for all of these moves, as many have been.
The catch comes in making space in the 25-man roster.
Once Shelley has cleared the time requirement before he can be recalled (How many more days?), who do you move out? I believe Chad Moeller was the one who replaced him, but with Posada’s injury status, do you lose a catcher who’s been an asset? Would he even clears waivers?
You can say to sit down Damon and Giambi, but how do you clear roster space to bring up Brett Gardner? Do you send down Alberto Gonzalez? He may be a better infield option instead of Betemint, who’s on the DL.
As for bringing back Minky (SJ44’s suggestion), I think it definitely has merit, and Minky could be part of the rumored Betemint-to-Pittsburgh deal (once Betemint can come off the DL). If you want help now, then perhaps Morgan Ensberg for Minky (Pitt reportedly wants a 3B); that would at least clear a roster spot for Doug, though Ensberg might be a better hitter, and can also play 3rd.
Roster flexibility is the problem for Cash, as we’ve said in the past, in being tied to Damon and Giambi for money and years. It’s one thing to talk about trading them, but with their contracts and lack of performance this year it is quite another thing to actually do it. The realities of dealing with the 25-man roster may be one of the reasons why they’re sticking with Damon and Giambi for right now, and hoping that they pull through. If they don’t, there will be tough decisions that will be made.
I think Cash is going to be racking up the cell phone minutes in the days ahead as he tries to sort this all out. But I agree, I don’t think either Cash or Joe will tolerate this funk for much longer.
21 shouldn’t be retired, but it shouldn’t be worn by a player until Jeter, Rivera, Posada and Pettitte are gone, removing the last links to the 90s teams. And when they do give it out, they should give it out to a prospect they have high expectations for (like Cano, Hughes, Kennedy or Joba — not them, just players like them), so it’s an honored number.
Giving it to LaTroy Hawkins feels like they’re treating it like “just another number”, even though his reasons for wearing it were admirable. 21 and 51 (if they don’t retire it), should be at a level below retirement — a number that it’s an honor to wear.
Just my opinion.
I hope the drastic roster moves do come Monday, but I just don’t see it. Cashman refuses to cut bait on these big contracts…why, I don’t know.
Really, they should move Farnsworth, cut Giambi, see if there’s any takers for Damon and Mussina and start really going with the youth movement.
As a fan I’m fine if they’re losing young. To lose with what they’re putting out there though…it’s embarrassing.
”send a message that dog play will not be tolerated.”
girardi will not put up for long with mailing it in. it’s not in his nature. the next few weeks will be interesting in the same way waiting for fireworks to begin is interesting.
glad there is an afternoon game with pettitte pitching to get rid the hangover of a yankee loss and a red sox win which is no way to start off a sunday morning.
I just read above that the Jays have cut Frank Thomas. That’s a pretty big decision, given the money he is owed and the possibility that he may still turn it around.
You can do the same thing with Giambi, and decide to eat the remainder of his deal, but you need to be secure with your decision that he really is done, and whomever you bring in (say Shelley and Minky) will be be an improvement. Otherwise it’s not only wasted money, but a bad baseball move.
All I know is that Shelley Duncan is destroying triple a ball right now and Gardner is batting .353. There’s also a 25 year old pitcher in Tampa that’s totally dominating A ball and he’s Eric Hacker. He pitched 6 scoreless innings yesterday and only gave up 1 hit. His era is at 1.04 after 4 games.
Mr. Exceptional - I think Moose has a no-trade clause in his contract, and I can’t see him giving it up. I could be wrong. Another example of roster inflexibility.
Sean,
You said it right there…25 yr old in High A…I know he has been awesome, but he is 25 in high A
anyone have a link of proof that Frank Thomas was released?
Sign the Big Hurt right now.
I would say yankees should go after Thomas…but we don’t need a DH
Here’s a link about Thomas- he was released..
http://www.tsn.ca/mlb/story/?id=234740&lid=headline&lpos=topStory_mlb
Yeah Moose is a 10/5 guy, but with his pride if he was told to sit…he might just accept a trade. He could probably help the Braves out for instance…or any number of NL teams. The possibilities are there, Cashman just has to investigate.
I’m not seeing any corroborating evidence on the Thomas thing, which makes me think that perhaps the information was reported on ESPN in error.
MLB.com
“if he swings, he’s got a 70-80% chance of an out, but if he bunts anywhere to the right of Papelbon, he’s on first w/no outs, it’s a gimme. so of course Giambi pulls a grounder right into the shift.”
Have you ever seen Giambi run before? I can almost guarantee that if he bunts he will get thrown out 99.9% of the time.
Forget signing Frank Thomas. Why add to your roster inflexibility?
DFA Giambi bring up Duncan
Never mind
I miss the editing feature on the comments.
The Jays eat 8 million for releasing Thomas. Yankees would have to eat about 26 million for releasing Giambi.
For 26 million, you have to be darn sure he can’t be even soemwhat productive even if it is in a diminished role.
I just hope Thomas doesn’t go to the Sox or someone. Maybe Indians would be a good fit for him.
Larry.
Link is above in SA’s post.
-dennis
Please cut Giambi as he can’t get around on a fastball anymore!
Please bench and try and trade Damon as he plain sucks and bring up Gardner who has and uncanny to score runs!
Please trade Farnsworth and Hawkins and Britton and Mussina asap!
If this team is going to lose let it lose with others and with out has beens.
The Yankees need a real first baseman. I don’t know why they didn’t keep Mientkiewicz for his defense. I do know that Giambi is NOT a first baseman anymore.
Carrying 3 catchers is also hurting the team. Posada says he is ready to go back behind the plate; the Yanks don’t think so. He should have been put on the DL until he can catch. By using him as the DH, he takes up a spot from one of the outfielders. This means a rotating line-up and the inability to get any kind of rhythm going at the plate. It also means using Matsui in the outfield when his best position is DH.
If the Blue Jays can give away 8 million, I think we can give away 11 million and throw way Moose.
Red Sox: Ortiz
Indians: Hafner
He’s not going to either of those teams.
How much money have the Yankees eaten in the last 3 years regarding Giambi. Man up and cut him loose. Let him latch on with another team and prove us wrong. The contract was a mistake, he no longer helps the team, it’s time to except it.
I posted this late on the previous thread:
In spite of all the issues with the team, it is too early to give up.
I sincerely believe that Hughes will turn it around. In fact he showed promise in the last start. We saw what he can do in the playoffs with the Indians. As the weather is getting better, he will be OK.
IPK should get another chance. Hopefully, he will pitch like he did end of last year. Girardi had lit the fire in his rear e*nd and hopefully he got the message. I agree with Girardi, getting hit and bombed is one thing and nibbling and walking people all the time another thing that is unacceptable.
Regarding Damon and Giambi, they will turn it around, if not, by mid-may they will be ridinjg the bench and Shelly and Brett will be the regulars.
Last year, the situation was worse. Many people here gave up on the team too ealry. Around June, I asked every one on the blog to state clearly what they believed the channces of the team making to the post season. Surprizingly, inspite of all the negativism, 80% said the team would make it to the playoffs, some headging a little bit. And the team did make the playoffs.
I beleve this team is too good and there is too much time left. There will be changes along the way. I believe that we not only make the playoffs, we will win the division. This is my prediction, let us see what happens.
The key is there will be changes along the way, mostly internal options, to make the team better.
You all remember John Marzano? Apparently he had a heart attack and fell down a flight of stairs and died…
http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080419&content_id=2552943&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb
Larry, my hero, always there to answer my dumb questions.
Time to move Damon, Betimet, Giambi, Moose to Boston.
“Regarding Damon and Giambi, they will turn it around, if not, by mid-may they will be ridinjg the bench and Shelly and Brett will be the regulars.”
are you saying that Gardner will be ready for majors?
Oh my. How sad.
‘Have you ever seen Giambi run before? ”
not only does he not run, if he tried to bunt ,he’s as likely to foul it off his noggin .
giambi in his oakland days went to left center a lot. that’s what i’d like to see.
I do nto think Giambi should be released.
He should be sent to the bench and he will be a good PH from the left side.
Then both Shelly and Ensberg can not be on the team because of roster space.
BBFan–I agree completely, but I think there’s more likelihood that Damon gets going than Giambi.
“are you saying that Gardner will be ready for majors?”
Yes. You will not know for sure until he is given the chance.
If the Tigers could put Sheffield in LF, Thomas would be a perfect fit there.
Baltimore and Tampa Bay could sign him, even though they’re not really going to compete. They still might do it. Seattle looks like a really good fit, and it would put them right back into the postseason mix, IMO.
I’d love to see him in NY, but he’s not that good a fit, unless they bench Giambi and put Damon at first.
“How much money have the Yankees eaten in the last 3 years regarding Giambi.”
Last three years? In 05 and 06 he was a top ten offensive player. Look at his numbers during those two years. I’m not saying that he’ll go back to being that guy this year. I’m just saying that he put up great production in 2 out of the last 3 years.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/g/giambja01.shtml
What happened to all the Brett Gardner detractors? whozat, et. al. I said it before, I’ll say it again. When Gardner is up it is going to be very interesting to see what his skill set is going to do for Jeter, Abreu, and Arod.
I try to be as sensible as possible with my comments, but Damon is done. Giambi is done. I’m sure Damon will have a 4-4 day every few weeks and Giambi will have a 2 HR day before the year is out, but they’re done.
What can we do about it? Nothing. We’re stuck with Giambi’s 21 million until we can buy out the option in November, and we have to hope some GM bumped their head in the shower and will take Damon’s remaining 13 million in December.
“giambi in his oakland days went to left center a lot. that’s what i’d like to see.”
Okay, but this is much different than him trying to bunt for base hits.
Alfred.
While your overwhelming generosity is apreciated, the Red Sox will respectfully decline. Theo extended my authority limits to make this quick decision….
-dennis
Randy l.
Missed the first part of your response. I completely agree with you about his bunting skills.
Giambi needs to be released because much like Torre, Girardi can not resist the temptation to use him, believing he will turn it around.
It is 11:30 on a Sunday morning and the DFA calls are already out? Calm down, everyone.
Neither Giambi nor Damon is getting DFA’d. Not on April 20th. Until they’ve had 100 ABs at the very least before Girardi makes a more permanent change than sitting them once or twice per week.
Then, only after they couldn’t adjust to bench roles, would Cashman make a move.
Gardner hasn’t gotten even 100 ABs at the AAA level.
This is a professional organization, not a video game. Players aren’t dropped like the majority of you want them to.
Yes, changes need to be made when you have two catchers that can’t catch taking up roster spots. But unless the DL Posada (retroactively), not much can be done.
What’s up with Posada? He should be catching by now.
“If the Blue Jays can give away 8 million, I think we can give away 11 million and throw way Moose.”
With Kennedy giving 2 inning starts there’s no way they can throw Moose away right now.
“Giambi needs to be released because much like Torre, Girardi can not resist the temptation to use him, believing he will turn it around.”
Well, in Torre’s defense in 05 when Giambi was struggling regularly Torre’s patience with him was rewarded in the end. Not saying Girardi will be rewarded but you never know.
Like this spot for Pettitte today. While he’s no ace, he does tend to come up aces in situations when the Yankees need him to. No such thing as a big game in April, but the Yanks need him here and history suggest he’ll answer the bell.
There’s a thunderstorm here right now. Hopefully it’ll pass by gametime.
According to mlb.com article, Posada said he’s ready to catch. Girardi says he isn’t. Hillarity likely to ensue unless there is a meeting of the minds there soon.
Posada can’t be DL retroactively because he has played even if it hasn’t been at catcher.
Here is the problem with quoting stats on players, especially minor league players.
You have to bring context to them.
Brett Gardner for example. Yes, he has a .674 OPS last year. Guess what? Its 1.001 this year.
Small sample size? Yes. But, ask yourself this. Since the first game of ST until right now, who has played better baseball, Brett Gardner or Johnny Damon? Its Gardner in a landslide.
Folks forget, Damon hit like this in ST. Gardner may be the most improved player in the Yankees system so far this year.
Another way to look at it……If each guy was a stock, which one would you buy for future investment?
Same for Duncan vs. the Jason Giambi we see now.
Sometimes, the future is now. Sometimes, you have to make drastic moves in order to jump start your team.
The Yankees did it in 2005 with Wang and Cano, 2006 with Melky and 2007 with Joba.
Could it be too early to make such drastic moves? Sure, I can see that side of the argument. I really can.
I can also see what the Blue Jays did today and applaud the fact they aren’t taking any BS from veteran players. If you can’t perform, you are gone. Eat the money and move on.
That’s my entire point about Giambi. At this point, the reward does not outweigh the risk with him. Just my opinion. I could be wrong.
The ONLY reason I wouldn’t waive Damon right now is because he has another year on his deal. You can’t waive him but, you can sure as hell sit him if he doesn’t get his head out of his butt.
His performance, or lack of it, ticked me off more than Kennedy’s performance last night and I was not happy with what I saw from Kennedy.
This is just me and I am an admitted old schooler, I HATE Damon laughing on the bench in the 9th inning of a mailed in game. That stuff drives me nuts. Especially with the way he played last night. Not the type of visual I enjoy seeing in that situation.
Just guessing here but, I’m sure that doesn’t make Girardi happy either.
The team lacks energy. Young players give a team energy.
If you go to Gardner and Duncan in the next few weeks and it doesn’t work out, you still have time to do something else.
That’s the beauty of the length of the baseball season. It gives you the chance to experiment. Sometimes by experimenting you fall into something good.
I just don’t want them sitting on their hands for as long as they did last year.
All I am asking is for them to be more proactive in addressing the issues on the team than they were last year.
I think there is a decent chance that Damon retires after the season if he remains ineffective. Apparently last year when he left the team during spring training for personal reasons he was considering hanging it up.
It looks to me like he knows he has lost his skills but also his fire - maybe he’ll perk when he starts hitting some.
Frank Thomas has been venting his frustrations in public for awhile now. Both his GM and team owners got tired of hearing it. Giambi has never said a word to the public negatively about his situation. Not once. Even when they “suggested” he go to the minors, he maintained his performance was the issue.
we should get thomas as a right handed power bat of the bench haha
You can make changes now from a playing time perspective…but I think it is too early to be DFA’ing anyone.
Ray, your stat references are good, but you’re a bit of a Giambi apologist. In 2004 he was awful, he hasn’t hit for average in years, and his glove is horrible. If the Yankees didn’t have a host of DH’s I would say fine, keep him. But, at this point he’s a liability. I know it’s early and I’m not trying to be an alarmist, but let’s be real.
Giambi can’t hit a fastball anymore!
He does not hit line drives anymore!
Giambi needs to go period! Right now Miranda is better and he hasn’t started hitting yet but he is walking.
Gardner is ready right now and is needed badly!
Yeah, I also don’t like to see the laughter on the bench when getting beat. Where is the professionalism? I wouldn’t be surprised if Girardi said something to him in private after the game.
Dan - if you put both a “period” and an “!”…how do I know how you really want to end the sentence?
SJ, I agree with you about Damon…….apparently Girardi does not. Why isn’t he riding the bench even if it’s just one day off to “punish” him …..not even for his pathetic performance, but for his laughing on the bench like he doesn’t have a care in the world? I thought Joe wasn’t going to tolerate stuff like this.
The problem with saying Gardner has had less than 100 AAA AB’s, as a means why he shouldn’t be viewed as an option is this:
Joba had less than 20 AAA innings and the Yankees threw him into a pennant race in an entirely new role for him. He performed and performed well.
Sometimes, guys are just ready to be given a shot. Since the first day of ST, he has played outstanding baseball.
Is he the next superstar in baseball? Probably not. Can he be an asset to the team? You never know until you put him in and see what happens.
But, what if he jump starts the team right now? Isn’t it worth a look?
Sure, they can go another month with Johnny Damon and they probably will go in that direction.
Just saying that sometimes, and its been shown in the past 3 years, young players jump start your team.
Peter,
Can you post your analysis of what could happen if Hughes and Kennedy to continue to pitch like this?
In fact, Igawa and Rasner are doing excellent at AAA:
Igawa at AAA: 4 GS, 21.2 IP (2.49 ERA): 16 H, 1 HR, 4 BB, 20 K, 0.50 GO:AO, .205 BAA.
8.3 K/9, 1.7 BB/9 and 0.92 WHIP.
Rasner at AAA: 3 GS, 17 IP (1.04 ERA): 11 H, 0 HR, 4 BB, 16 K, 1.62 GO:AO, .183 BAA.
8.5 K/9, 2.1 BB/9 and 0.88 WHIP.
TK,
Nobody retires with 13 million coming. Damon won’t retire.
Guys play when they have that much money coming.
There is no nobility to leaving that much money on the table. Nor should there be.
someone needs to say it get rid of girardi
Anyone else think that that win totals for playoff teams in the AL will be the lowest in quite some time? I would bet that 92 maybe 93 wins is good enough to win the East. I also think 90 wins will secure the Wild Card. The AL is so tough every day and with Toronto and the Rays SP the win totals will be lower.
On another note, the Yanks will have a big day today. Pettitte is great in this spot.
Prediction. Pettitte will go at least 7 innings and 3 yes 3 different Yanks will homer off Trachsel. Blow out win.
I will read but not post until after our games but only if the Yanks win.
Have a good relaxing Sunday.
-dennis
I don’t care if he’s doing magic tricks in the dugout as long as he gets his head out of his butt and not get tagged at first base.
I think Melky should lead off except his switch hitting helps further down the lineup.
SJ - I, too, am tired of seeing veterans with little energy…but I don’t want to see Gardner turn out like Melky the first time up…where he was overmatched.
Neither Giambi or Damon will be DFAd. At the msot they will be sent to the bench. Come to accept it. As bad as they are now, both of them will be very good players to have on the bench.
The only qeustion is what it will do to the team chemistry. Neither of them is selfish like Thomas and may not make much waves, but you never know. That is why they should be given enough chance, a couple more weeks, to prove they can turn it around.
except for catcher, the yankees are going out there today with their veteran ” A” team . their best pitcher to stop a losing streak is on the mound.
this is a test for “veteraness”. if they can’t play well with this lineup, it’s time for a shake up.
shake ups don’t have to be permanent. they’re often just to get people’s attention. just doing badly at the park doesn’t mean damon , giambi, and mussina aren’t sleeping well. it’s hard for a bad day at the office to change some one’s life when they have 50 million or more in the bank.
that’s why i like public humilation for these guys. put the triple a guys in their spots and make them watch from the bench with the the tv cameras checking their faces to see how they are taking it.
look what “benching” mussina did last year after he was sent to the bullpen last august. he came back with a 3.5 era for september. and he was ticked off. you know what . good. just the players like him should be.
whatever it takes to get an edge back on them,
I don’t know SJ - he has his ring, and he knows he is stinking it up.
Then again, what am I saying, $13 MILLION.
I sit corrected.
I’m not sure Igawa nor Rasner are the answer.
I think a lot of folks are falling into the “back-up QB syndrome.” The guy on the sidelines wearing the ball cap always looks better because he’s not the one on the field throwing the interceptions.
Same goes for Igawa and Rasner. I’d rather them give a shot to one of the younger guys instead of the AAAA guys who are great in AAA, up-and-down in Spring Training, and spotty (at best) in the majors.
“someone needs to say it get rid of girardi”
You said it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It is not going to happen.
Melky was 19 when he first came up. Gardner is 24, with college baseball as well as professional experience. A huge difference between the two cases.
Yeah, Damon is definitely not retiring…but someone might have interest in him. Turn him into a couple of prospects. I don’t really think he enjoys NY, I think that’s part of the problem. I think he laments his decision not to resign with Boston.
Ahh, such calm and rational fans.
IT’S APRIL 20TH.
The “solution” to the starting pitching issues is Joba in the rotation.
Rasner? Should be the long guy. Not having a long guy on this roster, as its presently constructed, is nuts.
My beef is simple. Too many guys in unsuited roles on the roster. The whole roster is disjointed. Whatever the reasons, you have to fix it.
First base, Ollie as a long guy, after spending the entire ST working in short relief, Joba being wasted in the rotation, etc.
That has to get cleaned up.
Whether they do it now, next week, next month or whenever, the roster is going to have to be addressed at some point.
I just want it addressed earlier than it was last year.
This doesn’t look good - big red and yellow blobs are taking over Charm City.
It has been a steady rain here all morning:
http://weather.wjz.com/auto/wjzV3/Region/Northeast/2xRadar.html?gimg=http://llnw.radar.cbslocal.com/anim/wjz/radar_anim.gif>itle=WJZ%20Radar
I think most of the discussion today has been very calm and rational.
If folks don’t want to discuss baseball, why come in here?
We all know its April 20. We also see a roster that’s a mess, veteran players who look done, and a team that is coming off a completely awful performance last night.
What should the topic de jour be today, “Don’t worry, all is well”?
You’re right, that’s a five-year difference and a big maturity factory. I’m just a realist…I don’t think the Yankees would make a move this early in April. I, too, would like to see Gardner’s energy…I just don’t think they would make a move this early. In the meantime, I’d like to see Gardner get a few more ABs to “mature” his bat.
But, in order for Gardner to get a shot, a roster move would have to take place involving one of the veterans…and, again, I don’t think Cashman is ready to make that move without ensuring there is not enough left in the tanks of either Giambi or Damon.
The one move vis-a-vis Damon and Jason that I can see as likely is releasing Giambi, bringing up Gardner, and benching Damon. I would keep Johnny because he has two more years on his deal, and you need him in the very real possibility that Gardner can’t cut it. But with Giambi the alternative - Shelley and/or Ensberg/Minky (if that deal is consummated) - is more likely to work out.
Given the money involved with Jason I would think the Yanks would give him some more time to get it together. But not a lot longer.
The pitching staff is a whole different issue…I never understood why Girardi kept saying he wanted a long man then left ST without one.
I would LOVE to see Joba in the rotation sooner rather than later.
A true long man is needed.
Ohlendorf should get a shot at the 7th/8th inning role.
I guess everyone has their Yankee they’d like to see banished…mine is Farnsworth. I would have traded him awhile ago and will never trust him.
With so many arms in the minors, I would like to see others get a shot.
edit…big maturity factor…
Joe - where did you read that Minky might be coming back?
“Ahh, such calm and rational fans.
IT’S APRIL 20TH.”
umm larry isn’t this from your blog:
“Grrr…
Perhaps it’s because I’m getting older–all the way up to 24–but last season I managed to wait until April 28th to write my “This team is making me nuts!” piece. (Albeit one couched in some historical context.)
This year, however, they have managed to make me nuts by April 19th”
isn’t there a little disconnect between the two ?
not that i don’t agree with you about going nuts. i ‘d really like a win today ,or i might just take that approach.
SJ is right: today the discussion is calm and rational.
At least, until the game starts.
Giambi’s contract is money that is already spent, regardless of whether he plays or is released. Why compound the problem by keeping him just because you are paying him? If the Yankes really think he can still be productive(which I don’t) fine, keep him. But if they are keeping him solely because of the money he’s owed, that’s just stupid.
SJ44
Maybe the topic should be: Let’s fix it, while there is still time.
SJ’s right. This is just passionate fans discussing potential options for a team with holes. No panic, just being realistic.
Go with the youth movement, sure up the defense (Minky at first…he’s also been playing a lot of third in Pittsburgh, just an fyi). It’s never too early to make good moves.
http://www.weather.com/weather/map/interactive/USMD0018?from=36hr_maps&zoom=8&interactiveMapLayer=radar
Radar does not look good.
Hi, I’m Larry Mahnken, not Richard Barbieri.
To see Giambi in the lineup is so disappointing. Girardi has to know that Giambi 5 hits in 55 pa and Ensberg 6 hits in 16 pa. Wake up Girardi!
Saying that players should be released or the manager should be fired after 19 games is not calm or rational.
Those are the comments I’m replying to in this case.
I just realized: If they have to cancel today’s game, would they schedule the make up for the off day tomorrow? I know thee’s something about playing 21 games in a row so I don’t know.
How irrational of the Jays to release Thomas then I guess.
oh wow that weather looks nice. I think the Yankees would kill the baltimore grounds crew manager if they have to play tomorrow
Larry,
True, but suggesting Joba as a starter, bringing up Duncan, benching Giambi/damon. These are legimate options.
If the game were postponed today they could make it up later in the season. The Yanks visit Baltimore again
Think we can ask opposing pitchers to put on a Mike Timlin jersey and disguise when the Giambino steps into the box?
they wouldn’t play tomorrow, or at least they better not.
So I guess all that BS this preseason about past slow Yankee starts being blamed on Torre not having his guys in shape to start the year can be put to rest?
I think Larry was responding to the DFA posts from the beginning of the thread.
raymagnetic, all Giambi has to do is a halfway-competent bunt and he’s on first. even as slow as he is. all he has to do is push it past Papelbon, and there’s no one to field it. it’s a no-brainer.
Giambi’s done it - i think it was against the Mets a few years ago. so he’s capable. just not willing.
cutting Giambi, as some are suggesting - i think that’s way premature. he’s looked done before. his upside is too high to just give up on him.
Giambi..upside? Have you not been watching him the last few years?
I’m aware of what Larry was referring to. By association the idea of releasing Thomas would also be considered irrational.
The Blue Jays were afraid that Thomas was going to turn it around and then they would owe him $10mil next year. I also think they were ticked off that he outed the situation to the press. Frank Thomas still has some goods left. He should be able to land somewhere. We don’t need him. We’ve already got an aging DH (Giambi) who is slumping.
Giambi has no upside. He’s 37, he’s not going to recapture what he had at 30. Sorry it’s just the truth.
When Giambi’s BA has been low in the past, he has always been able to keep up OBP up with walks and HBP. However, thus far this year, the walks (even those he is second on the team in BB) aren’t enough to compensate and his OBP is only .291.
edit…up his OBP with…
Pete, what happened to the edit buttons?
And consider this another vote for registration!
PLEASE PLEASE CUT GIAMBI AND DAMON. BRING UP SHELLY AND GARDNER.
Giambi has done NOTHING the past 2 years. He was good because he took HGH and steroids. He is NOTHING now.
Damon is another LOSER who needs to be cut. this guy flails at pitches like a woman. Gardner will easily replace this “idiot”
Don’t forget the past few years how when Giambi made his regular trips to the DL, the team always seemed to start playing better. Coincidence…I think not.
Laura, I agree. I think the dollar situation was a factor for them (they’ve spent a lot in recent years on the longterm contracts for Burnett, Ryan, Wells, with Alex Rios waiting -I don’t think they’ve signed him longterm, yet, but I might have missed it). I think Thomas might still have something left in the tank. However, we are amply stocked with DH possibilities.
I wish my life is better.
Giambi…”upside”? You don’t normally refer to a 37 year old’s “upside.”
up side (noun) - an upward trend; a positive result; an encouraging or positive aspect
The three Yankee pitchers with a WHIP at 1.00 or lower:
I think everyone can guess two of the names right off the bat:
Mo
Joba
And the third?
Bruney
Unless Damon’s bench laughing has been discussed and resolved by Girardi, the next time it occurs the bench coach (Rob Thomson) should go right to Damon and tell him to expect a strong conversation with the manager after the game and do it so some of his teammates can can hear it.
nypd-
you know how i know that you are basically a dumb $#$%$. you step into the middle of discussions when we yankee fans are already beating each other up.
I have a feeling Giambi and Damon will both hit a HR today..if the game is played. I think they read this blog, and they are getting mad at how much we hate them. I bet they want to prove us wrong.
The WHIP of our starters:
Moose - 1.38
Pettitte - 1.55
Hughes - 2.14
Kennedy - 2.29
Wang - 1.08
Keith - I would rather Girardi handle it professionally (if he hasn’t already) by reprimanding in private. Especially with a veteran ego.
Instead of signing that fat washed up loser Frank Thomas, cashman should go ahead and sign the best baseball player of all time- BARRY BONDS.
What reputation are the yankees trying to keep? the franchise is known for roid abusers (giambi, arod??, clemens, pettitte), thugs (melky and shelly punching rays players), headhunters (clemens, farnsworth, joba), adulterers (arod), tax evaders (jeter), a spoiled fanbse, an unfair budget, ETC ETC.
sign bonds and see a dramatic change in the offense.
SS Jeter
LF Melky
RF ABREU
3B AROD
DH BONDS
1B DUNCAN
C POSADA
2B CANO
CF GARDNER
My feeling on Damon’s bench comedy is that these guys should be as miserable watching the games as I am. If it hurts me to see them lose, they should be hurting too. There is absolutely nothing funny about how they are playing right now. I don’t know what the hell Damon was laughing about, but he needs to get more focus and try putting the bat on the ball.
Westerner: OW. Why did you do that to me?
“I think they read this blog, and they are getting mad at how much we hate them.”
Hate them?? Not only that…We?? I think “we” is simply you. And perhaps you should put things in perspective.
Westerner 99 :
Giambi’s numbers are a direct result of his quickly declining bat speed. Damon also fits in the same catagory.
It’s easy enough to see on TV.
We are not signing Bonds.
End of story.
Unless Damon’s bench laughing has been discussed and resolved by Girardi, the next time it occurs the bench coach (Rob Thomson) should go right to Damon and tell him to expect a strong conversation with the manager after the game and do it so some of his teammates can can hear it.
—–
I saw it too and was disgusted by it. Obviously the “idiot” is not bothered by losing. He’s looking forward to partying the night away and committing adultery.
Rebecca - I was surprised by the numbers when I saw them. Moose’s number surprised me.
I don’t hate Damon or Giambi. Hell, I don’t even hate Farnsworthless. I just want them to perform better.
The only baseball player I hate is Manny Ramirez, who I think is a talented, yet disgraceful player who should be knocked on his butt every now and then.
just incase they read this blog…
to giambi: *middle finger*
to damon: *middle finger*
Jackie - I never said it wasn’t. I was talking about his OBP not compensating for his BA decline.
Need a big bounce back game today.. The Yankees need to show some life.
Mark my words, the Yanks want nothing to do with Barry Bonds.
It will never happen. I will lure Jessica Simpson away from Tony Romo before the Yanks sign Barry Bonds.
How many DH’s do you want on this team?
I don’t think any team is signing Bonds ever again. He is a clubhouse cancer.
Oh this is rich stuff. Now we have Bonds. Too funny.
Giambi’s upside over the last few years is shown by his stats. his OPS+ in 2006-2007 was excellent. last year it was slightly above league-average, poor for a DH-1B type - but he was doing well before he hurt his foot:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/g/giambja01.shtml
yeah, no doubt, he’s not the Giambi of 2001, he hasn’t hit .300 in awhile. but 2006 & 2007 are not ancient history - those years define his upside: 30+ HRs, a .400+ OBP, a .500+ slugging percentage.
Guiseppe Franco
April 20th, 2008 at 12:40 pm
Mark my words, the Yanks want nothing to do with Barry Bonds.
It will never happen. I will lure Jessica Simpson away from Tony Romo before the Yanks sign Barry Bonds.
How many DH’s do you want on this team?
—-
I want a competent DH, at least!
Giambi has got to be the DUMBEST hitter on the face of the planet. He has the entire left side of the infield open and he REFUSES to hit it there. He stays in his open pull stance cause he wants homeruns.
WANTED :
Some long lost Yankee stagger. This comes from feeling good about themselves with come-from-behind wins, run production with 2 outs, timely hitting, and clutch pitching.
There’s been little semblance of the things required to get the stagger.
Winning breeds confidence. Time for a mild shakeup.
yeah, because having giambi on the bases is a GREAT THING. It takes 3 singles to knock him in from first.
Old bonds will still outrun FAT GIAMBI anyday. Bonds might not be able to run with stamina but he can still do it in spurts.
Methinks Moeller is in the line up cos he rakes against Trachsel.
Ensberg’s got good numbers too, they should be playing him.
Yankees OBP leaders:
Matsui - .400
Abreu - .365
Cabrera - .365
Rodriguez - .358
Jeter - .340
SJ,
I agree with you on the Yankees needing a real first baseman. But what options are better than Posada if he can’t catch? Giambi is a terrible defender who looks timid everytime he has to throw the ball. Shelley Duncan may be mashing, but his defense at first is awful. Ensberg is a Third Baseman and I haven’t seen enough of him there to comment on his defense, but wouldn’t figure it’d be spectacular.
So, while I agree that Posada cost the Yankees a run there last night, there aren’t many better options, and Jorge’s the most proven bat we could use there. It would also let Damon play left and Matsui DH.
I really believe Damon will come around. He did last year, and was one of our best offensive players in the playoffs. I’m not sure about Giambi. I certainly wouldn’t DFA him yet, but would like his playing time reduced since there are alternatives. Posada is hitting. Ensberg has shown some promise. I’d like to see more of the players who are hitting.
I’d also like to see a bit more of Alberto Gonzalez. I’m not screaming to bench Cano, but can he get in a game from time to time? Yesterday would have been the perfect time to start him at Second.
Bonds, yeah, just what Girardi’s already unraveling composure needs.
Sometimes I think Kim Jones asks provocatively obtuse questions by design just to assume the stance of the aggressive reporter. Is it that hard to devise intelligent questions to ask a manager? There were questions I wanted answered that no one asked– like, was IPK struggling to command all his pitches? Or does IPK always have to pitch on the corners to be successful? Does he have the repertoire to be successful even on days his control and command escapes him? Would Ohlendorf’s performance of late ever commend him for a spot start, a regular position in the starting rotation, or as a long-man? Are the struggles of the offense compounding the Hughes/IPK’s struggles? Are Hughes’ and IPK’s struggles, in turn, inducing the hitters to press and to aggravate their collective slump?
BTW, what’s the real story about Posada’s arm? Are the Yankees just being overly cautious or can we infer that their enigmatic secrecy about it is designed to conceal a genuine fear that Posada may not be able to catch again this year?
I find it hard to believe we can’t find a way to put Duncan on the roster. He absolutely deserves it and we could use his enthusiasm. Put Jorge on the DL until he’s ready to catch.
“nypd-
you know how i know that you are basically a dumb $#$%$. you step into the middle of discussions when we yankee fans are already beating each other up.”
– Look on the bright side randy, we have had some beautiful weather the last couple days.
“Yankee stagger”
They’ve been staggering. I’d like to see them with some swagger so they don’t stagger.
We are NOT cutting Giambi or Damon or Cano or whoever else you think is stinking up the clubhouse.
Have some faith, people. We ain’t done yet.
“Stagger” — a pretty apt freudian slip to describe the current team.
Kill-Schill(ing)
April 20th, 2008 at 12:46 pm
Bonds, yeah, just what Girardi’s already unraveling composure needs.
—
why should anyone care about girardi’s composure? if he can’t manage bonds then he shouldn’t be in new york.
I just noticed Dan McCutchen’s great numbers in AA. SJ44 or someone else, can you give us a scouting report on him? Also I suppose he’s not on the 40 man roster. I wonder if they’ll call him up to AAA soon. Also if you had to rank the Yankee starting pitching prospects not currently in the majors would McCutchen top the list?
I want a competent DH, at least!
Giambi has got to be the DUMBEST hitter on the face of the planet. He has the entire left side of the infield open and he REFUSES to hit it there. He stays in his open pull stance cause he wants homeruns.
Guess what? This isn’t fantasy baseball. You can’t drop any player you want without repercussions. They would still have to pay his enormous salary this season.
It’s easy to release players when it’s not your money.
This is the kind of thing that happens when you sign players to enormous deals because you’re stuck with them if they become unproductive.
Cashman has made his bed with these deals and now he has to sleep in it for one more season. The same goes with Pavano, Moose, Farnsworth, etc, etc.
cashman is too insecure to admit he’s wrong.
he had the chance to trade giambi to the angels but turned it down, asking for a better package.
damon is just a huge disaster. this “idiot” only had 1 good year and it has been downhill ever since.
instead of cutting these 2 losers and bringing up those who derserve to play (gardner and shelly), he won’t do it because of his ego.
guess what cashman? you’re no theo epstein.
you’re right this is cashman’s bed:
- the yankees not making the playoffs
- cashman forced out of new york
- cashman signs with a loser franchise and stays a loser until he dies.
- new yorkers write “loser” on cashman’s tombstone
“Ray, your stat references are good, but you’re a bit of a Giambi apologist. In 2004 he was awful, he hasn’t hit for average in years, and his glove is horrible.”
I’m not apologizing for Giambi. But it’s a myth to say he wasn’t good in 05 and 06. The numbers bear that out. While he hasn’t hit for average his OBP was over .400 in both 05 and 06.
Giambi is WASHED UP AND WILL NEVER BE DECENT AGAIN. THIS IS ALMOST FACT.
The difference between Giambi and Frank Thomas is that Giambi won’t complain about losing playing time. From what I understand, Giambi’s teammates love him. He won’t get DFA’d like Thomas. I would however, consider giving him the Thomas treatment that the Jays originally intended (less playing time). After almost 20 games, a .116 average is enough to be worrisome.
I think Giambi must be a cy-lon.
Giambi is going to crush Traschel today. Watch.
if giambi doesn’t crush traschel today then that will be the final straw i hope.
‘ Look on the bright side randy, we have had some beautiful weather the last couple days. ”
yeah, what have you been doing , planting pansies?
Jeter loves Giambi, btw. Not that that would affect the Yankees decision-making, but Giambi isn’t going anywhere.
If he continues to struggle, the Yankees will sit him, demote Moeller, once Posada can catch, and play Shelly Duncan at 1B.
BTW, the person to worry about is Damon, not Giambi. Whatever offense Giambi produces is a luxury. Getting Damon on-base, on the other hand, is an imperative.
I’m ambivalent about Cashman because he has made a lot of bad moves.
However, the direction of the franchise has changed (aggressive player development and rebuilding from within) in recent years and that is the most significant thing Cashman has done since he arrived.
Personally, I don’t care whether he returns next season or not as long as his philosophy on player development sticks and is continued by his successor.
That said, I don’t think Cashman is going anywhere. And Hank and Hal have basically said that it’s just a matter of time before they work out a deal.
“‘ Look on the bright side randy, we have had some beautiful weather the last couple days. ”
yeah, what have you been doing , planting pansies?”
-Unfortunately stuck inside @ work. BTW, Manny’s HR just landed.
I love the idea of an “almost fact.”
Almost fact: The Yankees won the World Series in 2003.
Gutsy move by what the Blue Jays did to Frank Thomas, maybe that will give the Yankees a teac