Girardi and media become a hot topic
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- May
- 2
For a week or two now, I’ve told you about the issues Joe Girardi has had with the media.
It became a topic in the Daily News.
It’s also something that Joel Sherman of the Post blogged about yesterday.
They’ve even talked about it on YES from time to time.
Perhaps Girardi is simply experiencing some growing pains in a new, difficult job. I hope that’s the case. The last thing I want as a beat writer is for the manager to have a contentious relationship with the media. That doesn’t help anybody, especially people interested in reading about the team.
My understanding is that Girardi is trying to mend some fences, which is a positive step. He’s a smart guy and that’s a smart move.——————
The Brewers DFA’d one-time closer Derrick Turnbow. Might the Yankees consider him? Anything is possible. But Turnobow is a classic example of a player who started to fade once the drug-testing program started in Major League Baseball.
Turnbow was once caught having used a steroid.
Off to the Stadium in a bit. Check back later for the lineup and other news.
This entry was posted
on Friday, May 2nd, 2008 at 12:10 pm by Peter Abraham.
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With the state of the rotation as it stand, it’s clear we’ll need to start transitioning Joba into the rotation. I understand this is easier said then done, but I actually think May is the month to send him off to Scranton and stretch his arm out. Here’s how I think it should go:
It’s apparent to me that both Ohlendorf and Albaladejo are better suited for one inning of relief, rather then this mop-up madness Girardi has chosen. Their stats and make-ups speak to this, and they have never really been given the opportunity to prove their worth in the later innings of close games. With Bruney out, now’s a better time then ever to give them their shot.
This of course would leave us with no long man out of the pen, which we obviously are going to need. Fortunately, the schedule is in favor the Yankees in May as they will rarely need a 5th starter. Based on all performances to date, I believe Rasner deserves the 4th spot in the rotation over Kennedy, at least for the month of May. With that set, we can send Kennedy out to the pen to be the long man, a perfect opportunity for him to come into games where he’ll have the breathing room to work on attacking the strike zone.
To sum my long-winded suggestion up:
1) Joba to Scranton
2) Ross and Jonathan get a shot at the 7/8 inning spot, along with Farnsworth.
3) Ian is our long man out of the pen.
4) Rasner, then Igawa and White, cover the 4th and occasional 5th spots in the rotation.
5) Joba returns as a starter in June, allowing him to start for the rest of the season while adhering to his inning limit.
If Joba does the job half as well as we all feel he can, we’re then left with Kennedy/Rasner/Igawa/White holding down the 5th spot until Hughes comes back.
What do you think?
I still don’t like the idea of losing Joba for a month or however long it would take to stretch him out, but I’d be fine with it if they could find someone to do a suitable job as the setup.
As far as Turnbow goes, if we can get him for a minor league deal, I’d do it and give him a shot to get things back together in AAA. We need arms, and he’s done it before, despite his current struggles. It’s worth the risk for him and Freddy Garcia.
Hey Pete –
Any chance that the Yankee press corps got used to dealing with Joe Torre who was a natural with the media and are having difficulty making the adjustment?
I can’t think of any other circumstance where managers/coaches are compelled to deal with the media as much as this day in, day out interaction between the Yankees manager and the press.
I wouldn’t be surprised if a better rapport develops as the year goes on – as long as Joe doesn’t play fast and loose with the facts and the treatment he receives from the press is generally even-handed.
And I love Torre, but while Torre spends all the time chatting up the media, Girardi is working hard looking at matchups and learning about the farm system and whatever else he does.
Only in New York is the manager’s relationship with the press such a huge issue.
Matt – certainly well thought out. My opinion on yours_
1. Stretch Joba out in NY. Why waste his limited innings in the minors. Besides, the way things are, he’ll get plenty of chances for multiple innings to stretch himself out.
2. Agreed.
3. Ian needs more consistent work to straighten himself out.
4. Rasner, OK, but I’d stay away from Igawa. I don’t have any confidence in him. I don’t know what to do with him, but I don’t have the confidence to pitch him. Maybe Cash, Joe and Dave Eiland do.
5. Agreed.
Maybe Girardi comes off as a little cold to the press, but I feel he’s been pretty good so far, as far as doing that show on YES once a week and doing the postgame. No, he’s not honest as far as injuries and who is available, but we somehow find out the truth anyway. And Girardi already admitted at the beginning of the season that he wouldn’t be truthful about those things because he didn’t want to tip his hand to the opposing team, even though they probably find out anyway.
who cares about the media!!! Girardi’s job is to get the Yankees to win the job and not to make the media feel better… we the readers are tired about media people acting that they are god and that athletes and coaches have to answer to them… we want out teams to do well in the field not on newspapers or some other stories…
just because the beat writers have created an echo chamber of complaints about Girardi – your blog, the 2 hideous tabloids – doesn’t mean it’s a real issue.
it’s a trumped-up internal issue amongst the beat writers, who, like most of the media, all write about their obsessions, then refer to each other to give the illusion that it’s a legit story – instead of what it really is, chatter amongst a clique that abuses its platform.
it’s exactly like how the media always chatters about Obama and Jeremiah Wright, and then refers to the media chatter as an excuse to talk about it more; it’s a “story with legs” as long as someone else in the media keeps the line moving. this syndrome is why i disrespect the bulk of the media.
Girardi may do something to mollify you all, just as you might give a child a lollipop to shut him up. probably a good idea – it’s a form of classic Bull Durham communications. doesn’t mean the “issue” is legit; it probably means he’s decided to preempt a distraction caused by the usual media unprofessionalism.
what is Turnbow’s BABIP ? he has a 9-5 GO/AO IDK if it’s a pitcher that just wanted out or is effected by the roids’ raid.
This no difference between Kyle Farnsworth and Derrick Turnbow.
“There is” no difference.
Pete,
Why aren’t you guys getting on Cashman? He’s the guy setting the tone of being evasive about players and their injuries.
Derrick Turnbow is a disaster.
Pete is right. Another casuality to the MLB Drug Testing Program.
Instead of taking a chance on Turnbow, just go to the minors and call up Jose Veras, or wait a month until guys like Cox, Melancon and Robertson may be ready.
Their numerous internal options are better than the Derrick Turnbow’s of the world.
You solve your problems from within. Not from the scrap heap.
Pete,
Let’s hope that closed door meeting Girardi with the beat guys Wednesday night did some good.
I thought he was much better in the Post-Game last night.
Listening to him, I thought Cashman and/or Zillo must have gotten to him and told him to chill out. That’s before finding out there was a clearing of the air meeting with the beat writers.
Rebecca,
Its not just NY. One of the jobs a manager has to do is be able to communicate effectively with the media. If you can’t do that in this information age, its going to hurt you in a big way.
Its like that everywhere now. Not just NY.
He doesn’t have to be Joe Torre. The beat guys don’t want him to be Joe Torre. He just has to be the Joe Girardi he was in spring training. He was perfect from a professionalism standpoint in the spring.
If he is, he will have zero problems. If he becomes snarky? He is dead man walking in this job.
There are certain realities to this gig. The Yankees are a worldwide brand. EVERYTHING you do is under the microscope. That comes with the gig. No matter who is in the chair, that ain’t changin’.
The Yankees, from the Steinbrenners on down, are committed to their young players. One of the reasons both Hank and Hal left the Yankees in the 80’s was because George wouldn’t listen to them about developing more from within.
The folks who think Hank will blow a gasket and abandon the concept are in for a rude awakening. Its not going to happen.
They will make trades and sign free agents in a sensible manner. They aren’t trading Phil Hughes or Ian Kennedy for 35 year old pitchers or DH’s. The two sons are not like dad in that respect.
Bigjf: It’s funny you believe that. The difference is about 3 minutes. I’m sure Girardi is changing the face of baseball in those 3 minutes. I love how people think Torre never looked at matchups. Those 98 wins he averaged every year were a total accident for 12 years.
Rebecca: Boston and Philly, too. It’s a Northeast thing because the media (and fans) are baseball-centric. Most other places are football centic.
TK: Kentucky basketball, Ohio State football, Alabama football, UConn basketball, the Red Sox, the Phillies, the Mets, the Dodgers. Any place where there is a popular team, the coach or manager has to deal with a lot of media.
I don’t care about styles, I care about getting true information in a timely fashion. That’s all that matters. It’s not up to the media to accept half-truths or misleading info, it’s up to the team to pass on accurate info. The manager is usually that conduit.
And Pete, I love your blog, but you do seem to have some kind of an agenda against Girardi. I don’t know if you suffer from Verducci syndrome or if Girardi spit in your coffee during a press conference or what, but it seems to be one knock after another against Girardi. Can the guy get through half a season first? I know the bashing thing is popular and it attracts readers and that’s your gig, but I don’t think he’s quite hit Willie Randolph status yet.
George:
So you don’t care about getting the correct information about the team from the manager? If you close your eyes and try real hard, they’re in first place too!
You can’t just shake your pinstriped pom-poms and hope all the issues go away. Girardi is getting used to a new job and a different environment in Florida. People care about the Yankees in New York. My blog doesn’t get 1.5 million page views a month because I’m such a witty writer. It’s because I’m in a position to pass along information.
If every day I reported “I have no idea what is next for Hughes because the manager won’t tell us” or “Brian Bruney may be hurt, I’m not really sure” why would you read my blog?
I find it interesting that somebody would go onto this blog then complain about the media. There’s not room for 20,000,000 Yankees fans in the clubhouse. Somebody has to go in there and find out what is going on. That would be us. Ideally, when we ask a question we’ll get a truthful answer.
Or you can have an Art Howe situation. It became evident in a few months that he was over his head, the players read the papers and eventually quit on him because they knew he wouldn’t last.
“who cares about the media!!! Girardi’s job is to get the Yankees to win the job and not to make the media feel better… we the readers are tired about media people acting that they are god and that athletes and coaches have to answer to them… we want out teams to do well in the field not on newspapers or some other stories…”
Speak for yourself. I as a fan want to hear about injuries, thoughts/discussions on players, etc. I don’t want to hear “that’s an internal discussion” or “We’ll just leave it at that”. There is no reason to be so secretive. We have made the playoffs for the past 13 years and have had Torre blabbing away to these guys at the same time. Power to the Sports Media! Keep the fight alive, Pete!
He doesn’t have an agenda against Girardi.
Why can’t you accept what he is telling you and learn something?
Geez, the guy organized the writers dinner with Girardi in the spring. Guys with agendas don’t do that.
Do you read his game stories and Sunday Notebook? I defy you to find something that would suggest he has an agenda against Girardi.
This must have been an issue (Girardi and the media). If it wasn’t, why would Girardi look to mend fences.
Stuff happens over the course of a season. Its better to nip it now than let it linger.
Listen to Pete’s interviews on this blog. When he asks Girardi a question, does it seem like Girardi is ticked off at him?
There is no reason for him to have an agenda against Girardi. What does he gain from one? Nothing.
Pete isn’t a cheerleader. If that’s what you want in a beat writer, there are other places to find it.
He’s just trying to do his job. That’s it. If you can’t or won’t accept it, there really isn’t much anybody can say to you.
“It’s up to the team to pass on accurate info.”
Since when? Is that a written rule or something?
“Those 98 wins he averaged every year were a total accident for 12 years.”
Again, I said I love Torre and he did a fine job, but he also had some amazing talent to work with. We are also talking about the same guy who batted A-Rod 8th. Not to mention, Torre had years of experience (losing experiences, at that) before he joined the Yanks and became a Hall of Fame level manager. Girardi is in his 2nd year of managing. Let’s give him a chance first and see if he doesn’t average close to the same win total as Torre.
Good Morning, everyone.
What’re the topics of the day?
Seems like there was a little kiss ‘n makeup between Joe & the media. I think they tested him and he failed the test. Can’t blame him though as his team is literally falling apart.
Also see lots of discussion of bringing in help. Didn’t read every post, but I did see SJ’s belief that starting pitching would be solved internally.
First option is Rasner. That’s fine. He’s servicable and may have been helpful in the past if he didn’t have 2 encounters with bad luck. Buyer beware. He’s having a great year in Scranton, but don’t expect the same results in the bigs. You’ll be sorely disappointed. He just needs to keep us in games and fill the #4, #5 spot.
Kennedy will have to do until Joba transitions, which I imagine would be pushed up.
Jennifer,
I did read the Wagner comments and I can’t believe what a complete @$$ he is. He thinks that he can motivate a young kid through the media? Something tells me he violated some kind of secret code there. If Wagner’s a leader in that clubhouse, then it’s no surprise they collapsed last year.
It really surprises me that as smart as Girardi is, that he wouldn’t realize how much easier his job is if he has a positive relationship with the media. I mean, think about the players over the years that had poor media relations in NY. It makes a bad situation down right impossible.
Matt—I like your plan, we definitely need to move Joba back to the rotation.
I’m really surpised Girardi is having such a hard time dealing with the media since he was in the media himself. He was a broadcaster and should know how it is from the other side. I hope he calms down cause its only gonna get worse if he starts battling the media. It’s a no win situation and he will get buried in such a fight. As for the team’s struggles, it doesn’t figure to get any easier this weekend with the bats struggling and having to face Bedard, King Felix and Silva. Wang may have to pitch another shutout tonight to have a chance. Mussina can’t give up more than 2 runs and hopefully go 6 at least. We’ll see about Rasner. He is another soft tosser who has to have pinpoint control to succeed. Hopefully, they can get 6 out of him and keep the teamin the game. Again, with the bats in a slump, these 3 pitchers they’re facing doesn’t exactly inspire confidence that they’ll break out this weekend.
BigJF:
I don’t drink coffee.
As for “my agenda” I was the guy who organized a dinner for Girardi with the beat writers in Florida during spring training. I also volunteered to help the Yankees with some media training stuff they were doing. My agenda is to try and get along with the people I work with.
Dude, I don’t get paid depending on who the manager is. They can do whatever they want. I get paid to bring you accurate information and when the manager doesn’t provide that, it’s a problem.
Just an example: I knew that Shelley Duncan was on his way to Cleveland last week. I had spoken to somebody who told me and I confirmed it with somebody else. It was pretty evident that with all the lefties facing them, they would DFA Moeller and bring up Shelley.
When I asked Girardi about Shelley he said “I don’t know. That’s a possibility.”
Meanwhile, at that exact moment, the kid was in a plane on his way to Cleveland.
If you’re OK with that. than good for you. But that’s usually not how most managers would handle such a situation. They would say “Yep, it’ll nice to have his bat back” or whatever.
Pete, hopefully you guys and Joe can nip this in the bud and defuse things. I really can’t see this helping either party. Joe seems like a smart guy and I think he realizes this. From the looks of the post-game YES press conferences (and granted, that’s not with the print guys), he looks like he’s really trying to temper his comments. Hopefully he learns from this and turns this around.
Matt, Let’s let Rasner pitch one game in the majors this year before we start awarding him a continued roster spot, let alone a place in the rotation.
As for Turnbow, the guy has been in a free fall for two years now. And he was never a power guy. I didn’t think it was possible to do this, but he would be a downgrade from the arson squad of Farnsworth and Hawkins.
I’m all for information, but I want accurate information. If that means I have to wait for an MRI, that’s fine. I don’t need a PhD or MD to tell me that Bruney’s not going to pitch for a while when he’s hanging his head and dragging his foot around in a walking boot.
Something tells me that Pete’s one of the more reasonable, patient guys. The others? Not so much. There’s definitely room to compromise for all parties involved.
Maybe Hank should do the post game interviews. Then they’ll just ignore Girardi.
Pete – How did you deal with that Shelly situation? Did you bring that up with Girardi? Did you guys reach a sort of agreement or provide specific examples to him like that?
That must be incredibly frustrating.
How can you not call him out?
I care about correct information. i don’t think your whining about Girardi’s communication style, plus the echoing of that in the News/Post, constitutes “information”. it is just a clique’s gossip.
if anything, you’ve been a source of misinformation on injury topics. for example, you were suggesting Hughes wasn’t injured the other night, and that the Yanks were using the DL for non-injury purposes. not just u – Kepner recently scared everyone w/an irresponsible spin on Posada’s strain.
i don’t expect, or want, “homers” in the media. for example, i wish someone would do a story on why Giambi never bunts, and why Girardi doesn’t order him to. i like to read about BASEBALL topics, and i like the info to be fair and reasonably accurate.
I never said I’m OK with not getting info in a prompt and accurate fashion from Girardi, all I’m saying is that’s his choice and he has a right to do that if he wants. I don’t understand why he does it myself, when the truth comes out anyway, but if he has convinced himself of his reasons, he’s not forced to say anything. Whether or not that hurts his popularity is just what he has to deal with.
Peter, I think you are wrong about one thing. Your blog DOES get the amount of views it gets because you are a witty writer AND you pass on information. ( hold up, I can’t type too well with these pom poms in my hands…and DANG these pinstriped glasses are making me see double,,,let me ditch these too ! )... Nobody, including you, is going to make everyone happy. You have a great job, but you also are interacting with many people on many levels….Keep it up…as I said,,,you can call me all the names in the book….I won’t ever blindly follow your thoughts, but I am a Yankee fan until death. We all get frustrated when the Yankees play like this and the infighting peaks at these times. Here’s hoping a winning streak and some smooth sailing is headed YOUR way, the Yankees’ way and we have some Yankees Baseball to watch come playoff time. ( Siss – boom – bah ! )
Turnbow is really of no value.
The answer to the bullpen is David Robertson, Mark Melancon and J.B. Cox. Those are our 7-9 inning guys of the future, IMO.
The latter two are fresh off of injury so they likely won’t be a factor until next year at the earliest. But Robertson, I think is the real deal and is ready to come up after a short stint at Scranton. I’m really excited about the potential of that trio.
I send Joba to Scranton for some starts as soon as possible. He should be in the rotation by July.
We need to build the rotation from within, instead of singing another pitcher to a long-term contract such as C.C. or Sheets. That money needs to instead be spent on replenishing the offense. Tex should certainly be looked at as an option.
I thought the playoffs were a long shot heading into the season, and I’m more sure of that now. What I didn’t count on were Hughes and Kennedy struggling so mightily.
It’s great that Mussina, Pavano and Giambi will all be coming off the books, but I’d like to see a trade explored for Damon, especially since he’s hitting well right now.
I think our outfield should be Cabrera in left, Gardner should be called up to play center – let’s see what he can do for the top of our lineup – with Abreu staying in right.
While it’s not laden with power, that outfield I think is better defensively than anything we’ve thrown out for years – with more on-base potential at the plate.
While I certainly don’t want to give up on Cano, because I think he will rebound, I think any trade options, even if they include him, should be listened to if it will help the team. That’s only if it’s a knock-em dead proposal.
Just some thoughts.
If I’m Girardi, the last possible thing on earth I want is to start a war with the beat guys. Remember the bad ol’ days? They tried to get managers fired like it was their job. If I’m Girardi, I’m extending the whole olive tree to the beat guys. It’s a fight he can’t possibly win.
It ended before Wednesday night’s Yankees-Tigers game. While meeting with boss scribes that afternoon, a reporter asked Girardi about the status of Phil Hughes. Girardi answered by saying Hughes’ situation was the subject of “internal discussions.”
“That’s all I will say,” Girardi explained.
The same reporter then asked if Hughes was still in the rotation. Girardi said, “Yes.”
Another scribe asked if that meant Hughes would make his next start. Girardi answered by saying, “I just said” Hughes was in the rotation. The same scribe then said, “That’s not what I asked you, I asked if he’s going to make his next start.”
Girardi repeated his “internal discussions line” and said: “That’s just the way it is….I don’t mean to get irritated, but I’ve been asked the same question five times.”
The scribe again asked if Hughes was going to make his next start. Getting an earful of the same inquiry ignited Girardi’s Wigometer. “I just got done telling you he’s in the rotation,” Girardi said. “Am I supposed to now tell you when I’m going to hit and run?”
The reporter said he wasn’t “asking that” and – again – wanted to know if Hughes was going to make his next start. At that point a Yankees PR executive scolded the reporter and cut the session off, prompting the scribe – in full lecture mode – to remind the suit it wasn’t his job to tell him how to “ask my questions.”
How freakin pathetic can you be. Guess what? I’m not a media person (though journalism was my major) and I was able to tell through that interchange that Girardi was saying as much as he chose to say. To me you had to be a D-bag of the highest order to keep that interchange going. What is this, let’s see who can act like the biggest loser and have the rest of her/his buddies walk away smirking about how cool the barrage of questions was. Is that some media rite of passage? Act like a total a-hole and really press someone who isn’t willing to give something up at that point, and you get the star of the day?
Girardi should have told the loser to go blank himself.
Mitch
My faith in Rasner has nothing to do with his AAA numbers, and everything to do with the 9 starts he’s given the Yanks. If he’s half as good as he was in those starts he’ll still end up with better numbers than Kennedy and Hughes. I don’t think he’s anything special, but I do think he has what it takes to be a #4-5 guy. No flash. Just keeps the team in the game.
Pete, did you tell Girardi at that moment that you knew for a fact that Shelley was on his way?
George, everyone also thought it was a big joke that Wilson Betemit went on the DL for eye problems. Turned out it was worse than pinkeye. Their hatred for him made people cynical to the whole situation. They thought they Yankees would put him on the DL for pinkeye to cover up the fact that considering a roster move or to DFA him. That’s ridiculous. Only the fans were thinking DFA and they projected all kinds of ugly thoughts to Wilson and the Yankees. Paranoia. It makes people stupid.
Pete – here’s a line from “Moonstruck” that Girardi needs to hear
“Just tell the truth (Joe),they find out anyway”.
So some fun Yankees memories from Lost yesterday.
Trisha, you hit the nail on the head. You don’t want some of these guys focusing on submarining Girardi as their own personal jihad, and some guys would do just that. Girardi needs to calm the waters here.
No one cares about Girardi’s handling of the media except the media. Get over it. We care about the team on the field, and think it’s refreshing to have a manager who doesn’t spend his time sleeping in the dugout during games or dignifying every last beat reporter’s nonsensical questions.
Rick –
Amen.
Pete:
I here down in DC (obviously) and the Redskins are a religion but Zorn or Gibbs is only on the hook for limited press availability after games and maybe once during the week during the season (which is 20 weeks).
I went to school in Austin, TX and the same deal with Mack Brown.
The difference is the length of the schedule, the grueling travel at all hours, and the extended losing streaks that can come make it a much more ‘in your face’ circumstance.
Same thing with Hughes. Everyone was so focused on the results, but not the cause. Nobody, including myself, brought up the possiblity of Phil being hurt. Those who want and like Phil were a little kinder and gentler, but those who wanted Santana just got downright nasty towards Phil.
Girardi is over his head, this won’t end well. Cashman once again got what he wanted and it was the wrong move. Seems pretty commonplace for him.
It ended before Wednesday night’s Yankees-Tigers game. While meeting with boss scribes that afternoon, a reporter asked Girardi about the status of Phil Hughes. Girardi answered by saying Hughes’ situation was the subject of “internal discussions.â€
“That’s all I will say,†Girardi explained.
This is the first time that I think Barry Bond’s line to a reporter who continued to press him when he said he wasn’t going to answer a particular question should have been trotted out:
What did you go to deaf school?
Like what about “That’s all I will say” didn’t you understand?
Pete, your blog isn’t just popular because you report accurate information. It’s popular because you update constantly. You’re devoted to this thing. So if you posted once every 3 hours saying, “I still don’t know what’s up with Phil Hughes,” I believe you wouldn’t lose popularity because we all know that as soon as you did know, you’d probably be the first to post it up here. But as far as accurate info goes, it’s not like you’re hiding in a potted plant in Girardi’s office, eavesdropping on his phone calls. There are many sources where we can get info. I feel your blog is popular because you update it often, you engage us fans, you post excellent interviews with personnel, and you spark up good topics of discussion and debate.
But I don’t need speculation about Phil Hughes not really being hurt and how Joe won’t tell you because he hasn’t gotten test results back. Who knows…maybe, just MAYBE Phil actually has a tough time seeing at night due to the glare, as the Yanks said. I’m not saying I believe that, but if he comes back wearing some kind of shades at night or we hear about how he did something to get his eyes fixed, well maybe there was something to it after all. I don’t blame you for discrediting Phil’s injury, when all your peers were doing it as well. It seems clear now that he really thought at first he had strained something. Maybe it’s not even causing Phil’s sudden drop in stuff, but I’m guessing that Joe didn’t want to reveal anything because he wasn’t sure himself yet.
I can care less about how Girardi treats beat reporters and the media. He’s here to run the team not make cupcakes with reporters. Please Pete, like Belicheat is alot easier to deal with. Your whining about Girardi is getting really lame.
Girardi is not over his head. Let him find his way.
Hell if Tom Coughlin can develop a somewhat sane relationship with the NY media, anyone can.
Girardi is finding his way. Sure maybe he could have handled things a bit differently or gave a different answer or been more clearer. I dunno.
But this is being made into a bigger deal than I think it should be imo.
We just need to win some games. Winning makes everyone happier.
BTW, Art Howe did badly w/the Mets because the team was poor, not because players didn’t like what they read in the papers about Howe. if the team had better players…well, we’ll never know if he would have managed them better.
same thing with Girardi – if the Yanks win, Girardi could go nuclear with the media and not a single person in the fan base or front office would care. if the Yanks don’t win, then Girardi could be as masterful w/the media as Torre was, but still be out the door. ‘Das it.
Pete’s right. Girardi needs to be more forthcoming. Look, this isn’t football, teams aren’t spending all week trying to scheme how to stop a particular player. Teams have their rotations set and that’s not going to change because Shelley Duncan is on his way.
Girardi needs to get real. He’s not fooling anyone, and even if he was, it’s obviously not working. He better start figuring out a way to motivate his guys to start playing like they care or just like Pete said, you’ll have another Art Howe situation. In fact I think it’s already happening.
Mr. Exceptional,
You have some excellent thoughts about Cashman and Girardi. Have you ever thought about making your own blog?
I don’t want to see Damon here next year. Probably can’t trade him mid-season but he should be traded in the off-season. Give Gardner a chance next year.
Pete obviously has let it get to his head that he gets 1.5 million supposed page views a month. What happens to that number when you strip out the page views of people posting and arguing with each other about whatever controversy you tried to stir, such as implying you know more than the manager about how to do his job?
Ixnay on UrnbowTay.
We don’t need any more players that took steroids or HGH.
Some guys are so daft as to continue to do so and what does he have left in the tank?
Pete,
Do I have to get rid of my pinstriped pom-poms now?
I don’t know if the yankees will go after turnbow, but this guy did close 40 games a few years ago. Anything or anyone can help our bullpen, you sign him, he can’t pitch, you release him, it’s over with. The upside, outways the downside. Being on the team for a few weeks, and if he can’t pitch, then he can be eaisly released.
I was at the game last night, sitting through all of the rain, and Jon Alba got rocked in his third inning of work, why was he in three innings? Because we need bodies in the bullpen. Turnbow is a viable body and he is worth a chance. If not, then who? Billy Koch?
Mr. Exceptional,
In what way do the Yanks have their rotation set? 2/5 of it is in chaos right now, and that’s not counting Mussina.
The injuries have put his lineup in chaos too.
Of course, Joe Torre was sleeping. That’s exactly true.
Amazing how with all that sleeping, the team never got in a panic. Quite a coincidence.
Pete, this is nothing at all personal because I actually think you’re a top-notch dude. I don’t think it is necessary that we always agree with your take on things, and vice versa. As more of a generic statement here, I agree with others who say that the popularity of your blog has to do with so many different factors. I think you’re a character in your own rite so that makes it fun for me to come here. You post provocative things at times, and that stimulates discussion. You keep us up-to-date on things happening – the things we really need to know about at any given moment. When you can give us a scoop or a hot item, all the better. But if there are things that the Yankee organization decides to keep close to its belt at any point in time and for any reason, you do not end up doing us any disservice. I think that we have the right to know information only when the organization is ready to give it. We really do get what we need. None of us is making critical decisions about life based on what the Yankees decide to do, so if they don’t let us know their immediate plans, no big deal. We get what we really need here, and that is basic information. We know as soon as you know and I think that is more than good enough.
It appears that more often than not, you get what you need in short order. The times you don’t, I think you just have to respect Girardi’s right to field things the way he wants and needs to. He’s a bright guy. I don’t think there is anything loosey-goosey about him. If he is holding something back it is likely for good reason.
I’ve never once felt indignant about learning something that perhaps I could have known sooner. Hell I’m happy to get any information that I can. When I get it doesn’t change the course of my life as a Yankee fan. We as fans are not entitled to anything beyond Girardi doing the best job he can with the team.
I my goodness Francesa is leaning towards Joba being a starter now. Looks like he’s coming around.
Brilliant Mr Exceptional
Maybe having Arod back at clean-up and Posada behind the plate would help. It wasn’t Girardi’s idea to plug Kennedy or Hughes into the rotation either.
“Girardi needs to get real. He’s not fooling anyone, and even if he was, it’s obviously not working. He better start figuring out a way to motivate his guys to start playing like they care or just like Pete said, you’ll have another Art Howe situation. In fact I think it’s already happening”.
This blog makes me laugh. You guys inside a cubicle really know how to run the Yankees with a keyboard and a monitor? Think a few mouse clicks you can get IPK straightened out? C’mon, Girardi has been given the same team as last year with a rotation thats obviously worse. Let’s see the end result please…
Who’s in a panic Pete?
How is Turnbow an option? He got released by a team that needs pitching because he was awful.
Not everybody who gets released is an option for the Yankees.
The have players in the minors who are better options.
Yes, he saved 40 games a few years ago. Strangely though, he’s down 5-8 MPH off his fastball since that time.
Its also around the time a full drug testing program took place.
Coincidence? Perhaps. Either way, he can’t pitch. That’s why he got DFA’ed.
Hey Rick Carlile,
You’re free to stop putting your own hits on this blog at anytime.
Jax, when IPK can’t get you past the 4th inning and Kei Igawa is looking for a call up, that’s enough to sway just about anybody.
Changing the subject somewhat but as some of you may have heard Buzzie Bevasi died yesterday and anyone who knows anything about the history of baseball knows what an integralpart of the game he was both with Brooklyn/LA Dodgers as well as the Angels. If you saw the HBO documentary about the Dodgers he was a HUGE part of that.Maury Brown at the Biz of Baseball write a really niece piece about him today that has a link to an interview he did with him. I would like to share with all and recommend it
http://www.bizofbaseball.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2148&Itemid=1
Trisha:
I’d rather have somebody say “I’d rather not say” than tell me a lie. That’s the problem. Don’t tell me brian Bruney’s MRI showed no structutal damage when it showed that he would be out for the season. That’s a problem.
I want to know the truth.
Last week Girardi looked like a fool when he said he didn’t think Posada will go on the DL…pan camera to Posada…”I am definitely going on the DL…”
All this defending of Girardi is premature. His juggling of the line-up has had no synergetic effect to date. He benches Matsui who was swinging a hot bat because of numbers then turns around and benches Giambi because he has a cold bat in SPITE of the numbers. His trial & error method of managing this past month has not won my devotion.
Show me a winning record and then you can have Richard Nixon paranoia syndromes and I wouldn’t care.
Pete, go get the truth!
Cut Pete some slack. He’s just trying to do his job. He has opinions too, and on his blog, he should be able to express them.
Pete’s obviously been on the inside of the scene for a while. He must see some parallels developing between Girardi and what happened to Howe. If Joe G. can’t find a comfortable place within him to deal with these things his tenure in New York will be short.
I’m all for giving Girardi a chance, but he really has been a disappointment at this early stage.
trisha – Hughes needs to go down to AAA NOW.—- you NAILED it !
Pete, I saw this morning on ESPN that Bruney might be back in August? Is that a real possibility?
Girardi is getting beaten up by everyone in the media not just Pete, Sherman, and Raissman. Even Michael Kay mentioned it on his radio show – he even had it on his website following the Marchland report. Mike & Chris asked him about it on the radio yesterday where he admitted to needing to improve. I have to wonder if he isn’t allowed to make definitive statements without checking with Brian or if he thinks he is “protecting” the players by hedging. The bottom line is he needs to improve this now. These are little problems that can be fixed; it’s the bigger problems that concern me.
Johnny Damon is hurt (not DL hurt) but as he said he can’t stop playing now. Look, I go back and forth with Abreu, he’s great at the plate – especially with A-Rod behind him – but his “wall” problem drives me crazy. I know they have Gardner who has speed and wants to come up but they need the big bats (Johnny and Abreu) to overcome the lack of pitching.
How about AA so I can see him pitch when the Thunder come to Harrisburg.
...please?
I on the other hand don’t care who gets called up. Just call up someone. Hell if we get two different starters at AAA who can get us through 5 innings that will be more than we have gotten out of Kennedy and Hughes. AAA is there for a reason, right kids? That’s supposed to be the place you go when you need replacements parts on a temporary basis. Otherwise why bother having a farm system? Whenever the Sux needed pitching, they went to PAWtucket (nobody pronounces it correctly but a Rhode Islander
). You didn’t see them go and try to make a freakin trade! Check out AAA. We have time here. If it doesn’t work and you don’t get the kids straightened out, sure then you look at other options. But not until.
You can’t compare the media policies of football coaches and baseball managers straight up. It is more fair to look at it like this:
Football = 1 game a week = 1 interview a week
Baseball = 7 games a week = 7 interviews a week
Maybe laid back Torre sucking on a bigelow tea would inspire calm into everyone if he was still here.
This is funny Mike and Chris trying to figure out what the Yankees have on the farm.
Pete,
You have very valid gripes with Girardi. Have you talked to him about it? Seems like this is not the proper forum to air out those issues. Especially since we can’t help you.
I’d rather have somebody say “I’d rather not say†than tell me a lie. That’s the problem. Don’t tell me brian Bruney’s MRI showed no structutal damage when it showed that he would be out for the season. That’s a problem.
I was just about to post the same thing. It’s annoying when Girardi witholds information like when Shelley was called up but it’s not a big deal. His outright lies, on the other hand, are unacceptable. If he doesn’t want us to know about injuries he could just refuse to give up any info like he does with everything else.
Hopefully Joe can get used to the media and become a bit more flexible.
“This is funny Mike and Chris trying to figure out what the Yankees have on the farm.”
what would be even funnier, is if they started looking at the columbus line-up/stats…
OMG GUYS
I know this is utterly unrelated…but I GOT INTO GRAD SCHOOL!
The best part? Grad school = Fordham = more Yankee games!
The media’s job is to report information.
They’re used to Torre handing them quick and accurate information which makes their job easier.
Girardi doesn’t hand over that info as quickly, thus making the media’s job more difficult.
As a result of their jobs being more difficult and being inconvenienced, they’re now collectively throwing Girardi under the bus.
Does anyone really think it’s a coincidence that three seperate sources within a matter of days are bringing up this “issue”? Is that just dumb luck? Of course not. The writers obviously discussed this between themselves and this is the result.
“All this defending of Girardi is premature.”
Scorpio, I would say all this bashing of Girardi is premature. And maybe immature. You know the old saying, walk a mile in my tennis sneakers before you judge me? Well, here is a guy in his first year managing the Yankees, a team with its two star players out, injuries up the wazoo happening from day one, two kids in the starting rotation who have basically wet the bed, players being sent for MRIs and then to Dr. Hirshon, Dr. Andrews, etc., and you’re worrying because he may not be telling the media things on the dime? I’d say priorities are a little out of whack here.
“OMG GUYS
I know this is utterly unrelated…but I GOT INTO GRAD SCHOOL!
The best part? Grad school = Fordham = more Yankee games!”
Congratulations, what are you studying?
Congratulations, Rebecca!
“Stretch Joba out in NY. Why waste his limited innings in the minors.”
Anyone else have an opinion on this? I agree with Joe from LI. Joba’s already been “stretching” his repertoir of pitches despite 1-2 inning appearances. So he’s already preparing on the fly (and not doing to badly!).
Any good reasons SWB should benefit from the extra innings?
Mitch I’m pretty sure the media just doesn’t pop in one day during the week and ask questions. I’m going to have to believe that football, the most popular sport in America, has a pretty voracious press corps.
the yank have 3 guys with a OBP leess then 300(stinks). cano, ensberg, and molina.. they are playing 2 of these guys day in and day out, that is not helping the run production.
it is not real complicated YTD no one is really producing offensively…
It will have to hange.. Joba can stretch out with the big club when it is the right time, have him pitch 2 innings then extend it to 3 and on and on until he is up to 4 innings then you can send him down to SWB for 2 tarts, I would not do this until July…
Oh, unless it’s June 7. Then I encourage Joba to pitch as many innings as possible for SWB
Mike: How about AA so I can see him (Hughes) pitch when the Thunder come to Harrisburg.
But he’s not pitching at all for at least a month… So… Why?
Jax: This is funny Mike and Chris trying to figure out what the Yankees have on the farm.
I SO WISH I COULD HEAR THIS! Those two chuckleheads trying to figure out the Yankee farm system? Priceless!
“Malancon? Sounds like a Melon, Mike. You want a Melon pitching for you?”
“Austin Jackson, that Reggie’s boy?”
“Hey Malusis, who are all these kids on the Clippers website? I see Tyler Clippard, but when did they get Bret Boone?”
trisha
I’m with you, some of the citicism of Girardi is warranted, most of it unfair. Along with the injuries, dealing with the NY media and fans, the Torre legacy, he is only a month into his first season.
Rebecca – Congratulations. Just remember, you asked for it. (I’m kidding – sort of. I’ve been to grad school myself.)
trisha,
I agree. Girardi had overlapping issues with: Jeter, Posada, Rodriguez, Betemit, Bruney, and Hughes. No small task dealing with players, media, doctors, trainers, and front office.
Everyone needs to get over it and move on.
All those people who want Damon gone, keep in mind he is one of the few guys who has actually produced in the off-season. Last year he went .278/.316/.611, 2 HR, 5 RBI. Only Cano had better numbers. He also hit the three-run homer to win the only game the Yanks won in the 2006 ALDS, and while his .238 average looks crappy, it was still better than everyone except Abreu, Jeter and Matsui.
Sure, the Yanks may not even make the playoffs, but if they do, I’d kind of like to have some guys there who have proven they can hit in the post-season, especially since the clean-up hitter has 1 RBI in his last three post-season series.
I don’t think you stretch Joba out in the minors. Right now he can get Major League hitters out (most with ease) so you distribute his innings in the majors. Better for the team, better for Joba.
rebecca congrats! grad school was definitely one of the best times of my life, it’ll change your life
as far as girardi lying, i think it’s a real problem. one of the reasons i like the yankees so much is that i believe that they are always trying to put hte best team on the field, unlike some other teams that make a half hearted effort and pocket revenue sharing money. lying to the media, and therefore the fans, diminishes their credibility. i’m not saying that yankee management doesn’t want to win, just that they need to do a little damage control.
Mr. Exceptional,
You missed my point. Actually, you got it completely backwards. People above were saying that the NY media was unreasonable, since they want daily access, whereas football coaches like Mack Brown and Joe Gibbs talk to the media once a week.
I was arguing that it’s an unfair comparison, since baseball plays more often. So, the managers have to speak more often.
Read the posts above.
Mitch it is actually 14 times a week. Pre and post.
the whole front office needs to be flushed down the toilet, these nincumpoops can’t even read off the same talking points memo, speaks volumes of how disorganized they must really be behind close doors. When is someone going to finally realize Cashman is a joke? He’s starting to make Isaiah good. One last thing, does Girardi actually make decisions, whats with all this “we” stuff enough already.
Thanks guys!
Pat: Medieval history, what else?
Tricia,
Are you implying that I’m bashing Girardi?
He’s giving bad information aka lying. The case I pointed out about Posada is the perfect example. If the team wants to keep things on the downlow then get EVERYONE on board. Right now, only Girardi looks like he has something to hide.
Walk a mile in my shoes is a quaint idea but he is in a public job so he will need to respond to the public.
My priorities? I’m a fan. Plain & simple. One thing I hate most is people telling me what MY opinion should be.
Immature and out of whack? Don’t like what I write, don’t read it.
I have no problem with how Joe G. has responded to media questions. It seems like many others feel similar. I actually think its a little funny that the writers are frustrated. Joe isn’t the only one dealing with a learning curve in a new environment.
Mitch, duly noted, my apologies.
rockindabronx,
Cash and Isiah? Really? Wow. That is so unfair. Like, being forced to watch Farnsworth pitch with the game on the line unfair.
Isiah destroyed a franchise, made deals the league laughed at (over and over), built a huge payroll with zero results, and was finally fired, leaving himself with his reputation so shattered that he is unemployable.
Cashman’s teams have made the post-season every year, he made deals that impressed the hell out of people (getting functional prospects for RJ even though everyone knew Arizona was the only place he could go, turning a one-year option on Sheff they had no intention of picking upinto three prospects, getting an actual live body for the disaster that is Jaret Wright, who he never wanted in the first place). And, if Cash decides not to re-sign at the end of the year, there will be a line of teams waiting around the block for the chance to sign him.
Come on. Get real.
Congratulations Rebecca! It will be nice for the Bronx to have the first lady of the Yankees in town.
FYI, Mike Francessa now admits that Joba should be moved to the rotation. Of course he’s using the same argument that we have all been using against him for the last month.
what is Fatcessa talking about I just tuned in catch me up please….
Amen, Pete. I get the feeling that some folks around here never get lied to. Unfortunately, I do. I’m a litigator (also unfortunate). I get lied to by my adversaries, I get lied to by people I’m deposing. It’s expected. We have different agendas. I don’t take their responses in these situations at face value; I verify. But if I ask one of these same people what time it is, I don’t expect them to look at their watch and say “noon” when it’s three o’clock. That’s just being a loser.
If Girardi is evasive, as a manager, that’s often a strategic decision (the “internal discussions” response). When he lies, on the other hand, it’s still a lie. And the Shelly Duncan situation is another thing. When someone prevaricates when the truth would work more easily, and no strategic advantage is gained, it stinks. It makes life more difficult, especially when someone has to be dealt with on a daily basis.
Jeff: Hah, thanks, but I don’t think I deserve that label…not yet, anyway.
what is Fatcessa talking about I just tuned in catch me up please….
If you’ve never dealt with the media, other than as a passive viewer from the couch or the barstool, accept the fact that you don’t know the dynamic between newsworthy individuals and professional reporters.
Girardi doesn’t have to entertain reporters, or say what they want to hear if it’s not the truth, but media sells baseball and baseball sells media. That symbiotic relationship pretty much creates a Gentlemen’s Agreement that in exchange for continued coverage (good for the team’s coffers) the team will provide someone in authority to provide truthful answers to fair questions at reasonable times and in reasonable places (good for the media’s coffers).
Girardi is the designated Yankee pre and post-game answer man. He doesn’t have to volunteer information not asked for, but “don’t lie” is unwritten rule no. 1 about media interaction. (Unwritten rule no. 2 might be “don’t get annoyed about being asked baseball questions after you agree to be asked baseball questions.”)
By the same token, reporters who violate the unwritten rules governing their behavior lose their credentials and access. Where’s the fine line between fair and unfair? The pros know it when they see it and when there’s no agreement they fight. But they must pick their fights carefully.
Brandon- Now Francesa admits you needs starters. He wants Joba in the rotation because he looks like the best option compared to Igawa. He’s looking at stats for McCutchen and Dan Giese.
Wants to make a trade maybe for Bronson Aroyo. Fans calling up for Joe Blanton.
Can we get back to talking about the game of baseball instead of this “he said-she said” hurt feelings stuff?
Hey.
Just dropped in to read. The best news is Rebecca’s. CONGRATS. Medieval history is when Barbara Walters had her first affair…Right?
All- Have a good weekend.
-dennis
melhall3, so you think its OK to lie? Hope you don’t ever have to deal with the Feds then.
Girardi lies. That is the bottom line. If he said he won’t or can’t talk about something at that particular time then it would be more acceptable. The lies are the problem, mainly because the things he is lying about are being found out shortly after he does so.
Saying something in error is one thing. Lying purposely is going to get him nailed. It also won’t make the player feel comfort in anything he says. If I were one of his player and he said I was playing Right Field, I would immediately start getting concerned. His track record speaks for itself.
I don’t believe anything he says now till it gets second and third confirmation.
Great job, Rebecca! Just stay away from law school!
Good news. David Robertson was promoted to AAA. Looks like Joba’s replacement is one step away now.
Rebecca wowee! Congratulations!!! I can actually remember walking around with envelopes in my hand afraid to open them because I didn’t want to see possible rejections!
Scorpio – I think I was saying more that I feel it is premature for ANYONE to be judging/bashing Girardi and that I also thought it was immature for people to be focusing in on his media skills. I really was talking about the larger audience, not you. I used your post as a talking point. Sorry if I made that sound too personal.
wooooooow !!! Jax talk about 180 LOL…so FATBOY now saids trade McCutchen for Arroyo ? ...(sigh) amazing to me just amazing…
Did you just provide a link to Bob Raissman??
Are you serious?
Just lost all respect
“Good news. David Robertson was promoted to AAA. Looks like Joba’s replacement is one step away now.”
2 steps away it’s Melancon and JB Cox
and I have no idea why people want Millwood or Blanton …
Hey Pete,
Why don’t you rip Belihoodie for being a complete jack@$$ to everyone in the media and making a mockery of the NFL injury report
Maybe Girardi should setup a camera in center field to steal pitching signs from the catcher a la Belicheat and then maybe you will start liking him
18-1
Being that Joba only seems to pitch in Pettitte or Mussina games, I would think it would be pretty easy to stretch him out over 2-3 weeks. That time has come. I mean, Joba was used as the 6th starter in the spring just in case of injury, well injury time has come, stretch the boy out and let ‘em rip!
ellen: Don’t worry, after the international law class I took this semester, I’m going to stay far, far away…
Dennis,
I just had a quick question for you. Is there a Sox blog that has as much information and posting as this one? I have looked around and I have seen nothing close to this one.
LOL DID HE JUST SAY THAT, WOW FATCESSA !!!
congrats, rebecca! ellen’s right – stick to your guns. my little brother is about to graduate from a humanities grad program, and he’s already getting pressure from my parents about when he’s going to go to law or med school. sad, really – do what you love! if you love it enough, you’ll make a great living doing it!
that said, ellen! nice to see another litigator on here. welcome to the fold, counsellor!
Girardi on the DL –
The Feds? Get him nailed?
I understand it is not good of Joe G to misrepresent things but you make it sound like it is congressional testimony!
Ease up.
“Girardi lies. That is the bottom line. If he said he won’t or can’t talk about something at that particular time then it would be more acceptable.”
Did you bother reading Raissman’s (sp?) rendition of how it all went down? Did you read where Girardi was asked about Hughes and said that it was going to be discussed in house and that is all he was going to say about it. And then how some lightweight reporter decided to ask him again and again and again about Hughes making his next start?
I’d say that saying “That’s all I will say” more than qualifies for what you said you would consider acceptable.
Thanks, rb! We’re a dying breed.
Tricia,
sorry too, my misunderstanding.
GROUP HUG
I think Girardi & the media need to go to group therapy too, LOL.
He doesn’t want to trade McCutchen for Arroyo (although I’m sure he wouldn’t let it stand in the way of getting Arroyo) but would like to see him called up because Kennedy is not getting the job done.
He keeps talking about getting veteran pitchers but sounds like he’ll trade anybody on the farm to do it.
Why would Francesa want to trade McCutcheon for Arroyo?
Just promote McCutcheon.
Geez Louise, no wonder why a generation of sports fan in NYC are so ignorant. They listen to that fool for insight.
Ray.
Sadly there is not. I hate to admit it in this forum but I have to be candid as there is no one that works as hard as Pete and gives detailed updates. “Extra Bases” blog in the globe is great in game but with a third of Pete’s updates during the day. It is all Sox and Pete as you know does MLB updates if it is news worthy.
-dennis
I think we should count it as a moral victory that Francessa is aware of a minor-league player.
What is the over under on Mad Dog mentioning the Joba vs. Manhattan game?
the interesting quote was
Fatcessa: “Even me who wants to see Joba in the BP can’t argue if they put him into the rotation”
NO REALLY, THAT’S WHAT WE’VE BEEN FOR MONTHS, NOW FATA.. UNDERSTANDS !
Congrats Rebecca on grad school.
I will echo what others are saying, do what you love. If you do, you will live a much more fulfilling life than doing something just for money or what others think you should do.
When you do what you love, the money usually follows.
Thank you Dennis for confirming what I was suspecting!
And I also want to congratulate Rebecca! Awesome.
Ray & Dennis,
Just admit it. Under your Red Sox colors you’re both wearing pin-striped boxers!
congrats Rebecca !
Congrats Rebecca! Good job.
As for this Girardi media mess, I side firmly with Pete.
The whole playing dumb about Duncan as he’s on a plane to Cleveland is textbook wrong. If I were Pete, I’d have my nose out of joint on that one alone.
I can’t imagine why it’s hard to tell the truth and quite frankly, it could be seen as a character issue in Girardi that no one knew about.
If his instinct is to lie even when it’s not important, it’s a problem. He could have a little “I know what you don’t know” complex and if he subconsciously gets off on that sort of thing, it’s not good.
I really don’t see the benefit in playing coy. This isn’t the NFL.
He’ll find his way and realize just telling the truth isn’t going to cost the Yankees a win.
It’s really silly.
Congratulations Rebecca!!!
mel
Have you been peeking??
Pete,
Most of the comments regarding the reader’s lack of sympathy for you writers is spot on. Any organization sports or not have the right to keep internal discussions private.
Two things I would like to know. Is there something wrong with Robbie Cano and can Posada hit and play 1st. because it looks like Giambi is a liability at the bat as well as in the field.
If the Yankees have a poor season my sources tell me they will field a team next year.
Trisha,
I’m not going to tell you what to do. Oh, who am I kidding. I know you’re a lawyer and it’s in your DNA to debate (argue), but why do it? They’ve already said they have issues with Cashman, which extend to Girardi, and even down to Hughes.
If we win, great, if not it’s an opportunity to push their agenda.
In other words, no logic or platitudes are going to change their minds.
But I can tell you’re very good at your job.
“Just dropped in to read. The best news is Rebecca’s. CONGRATS. Medieval history is when Barbara Walters had her first affair…Right?”
Wait until she drops the bomb about her and Big Stein…..
ray,
How can we miss them! Even your plumbers’ crack is showing!
Rebecca,
Congrats. But standby, if you think you wrote a lot as an undergrad just wait.
I wrote approximately 50 pages worth of reports this past semester in my MBA program.
mel,
I am speechless! I am a beaten man. I have no comeback.
derrick turnbow is awful, he is far worse than the farnsworths….and he is one odd looking dude
Arroyo?!? That would be funny just to see if Alex called him Brandon or Bronson.
Thanks guys =) This is really the best news I’ve had in ages (even more than the foul ball I got last night!)
I’d been freaking out about not getting in and whatnot, but I have to say, life does not get better than medieval history and Yankees baseball.
As my father once said, “how the heck did I raise a daughter that likes sports and swords?”
One thing that may play into their decision on stretching Joba out in NY or AAA. They may want him to work more exclusively on his 3rd and 4th pitches so AAA would be the place for that. When he’s a starter he will need his full arsenal by the second and third time through the lineup. You don’t want him experimenting with stuff up in the majors.
Yanksrule: My thesis this year was 60 pages and I have written a 350 page novel draft. Writing I can handle.
Bill Belicheck (sp?) had/has the media whining all the time up here in Boston, and I think he’s worked out fine for the organization. Terry Francona was very much disliked by the media during his first season here, as he was a little testy at the time. How’s he worked out? Maybe Girardi shouldn’t outright lie, but the press has no right to information. If Girardi thinks it’s in the teams best interests to not reveal stuff, then he shouldn’t. The team comes first, the media & fans come second. That’s just the way it is these days. We might not like it, but that’s the way the cookie crumbles.
As for Turnbow, there’d be no harm in a minor league deal. Sometimes a change of scenery helps. I wouldn’t expect much though. He’s been a real train wreck outside of his artificially aided season.
Francessa was actually pimping Arroyo last week. Initially he said they should get an average starter from a team that has young starters that are succeeding thus making that team’s veteran starters more available. His suggestion was the reds and that the Yankees should get Harang or Arroyo (he quickly backed away from Harang who is far from average).
I can see his point of view especially now that Hughes is out. The Yankees need someone to eat innings. Obviously SJ you think we should get someone within the system to fill that role. I agree Rasner could be very valuable for us.
HOWEVER if the Yankees decide to demote Kennedy and bring someone in to eat innings the answer is not McCutcheon. If they want to send one young starter down for an innings eater, another youngster is not the answer. Personally I’d stick with Kennedy. But, I could see the Yanks doing what Francessa is proposing and getting a veteran starter.
My hope is that Kennedy starts pitching well and the need for another starter dissapears.
Rebecca,
I have read some of your writing and you definitely have a gift.
“Why would Francesa want to trade McCutcheon for Arroyo?”
Maybe he wants somebody he knows can eat innings while posting somewhere around a league average ERA. Not like McCutchen is an ace in waiting. This is not a Phil Hughes level talent we’re talking about here or anything close.
I’m not advocating the move, but I can cetainly understand the sentiment. Arroyo has averaged over 200 IP at better than a half run below league average the past 4 years. He’s pitched in the AL East before with reasonable success for a bottom half of the rotation type. Yankees can count themselves fortunate if becomes what Arroyo has become.
Yanksrule: Thanks man. That means a lot to me
Chris: “Hughes can’t hold Lincecum’s jock strap” ha,ha
http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/yankees/2008/05/ian-kennedy-will-be-skipped-or.html
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May 2, 2008
Ian Kennedy will be skipped or sent down
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and who do they bring up from the Minors ?
( just askin’ your thoughts, ALL )
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Id love for the yankees to acquire harangatang
“Chris: “Hughes can’t hold Lincecum’s jock strap†ha,ha”
Lincecum is a couple years older. Need to see where Phil’s at when he’s 23-24.
Better comparison is Gallardo who is Phil’s age but is pitching a lot better. Might reflect the difference between pitching in the relative calm of Milwaukee as compared to the pressure cooker that the Bronx can be.
What makes you think Arroyo can eat innings? He’s been awful for a year and a half.
You don’t trade high end pitching talent for innings eaters. That’s too lopsided a trade.
You do what the Yankees are doing right now. You first try to solve your issues from within.
You don’t trade the McCutcheon’s of the farm system for guys like Arroyo. You hold them off (if you trade them at all) for better calibur players.
True Fredo but I don’t except people like Mike and Chris to know something like that when it comes to young pitchers.
Maybe pitching against Boston in Fenway and Detroit could have something to do with it too.
“Better comparison is Gallardo who is Phil’s age but is pitching a lot better. Might reflect the difference between pitching in the relative calm of Milwaukee as compared to the pressure cooker that the Bronx can be.”
mikeand the maddog are talking about people they have never ever seen..
hanrahan(I think that is his name) on the senators is looking good, he is from NY, and young and stunk last yr.. Pitchers take time… Hughes is 21 he will not be 22 till the end of the season…
again kennedy and hughes aside there offense is killing them.
if you guys are right on melancon, cox, or robertson(I think) being potential late inning guys one or more of them come up in the pen and that will allow joba to go to the rotation..
Joba has 12 innings pitched so far on the yr..Mo has the same why would 2 of your 3 bset pithers on the team have a total of 23 total innings pitched!!!That shows why having Joba in the 8th in the long term is a stupid idea long term…
Francis,
lol. Harang’s a great pitcher, but I did notice that he has a funny pigmentation. Like he’s wearing some kind of self-tanning lotion.
That’s a good one.
Don Vito
Girardi said last night that was what he thought I would guess that they will skip himhis next start and see where he is before they make a decision after that.
Id love for the yankees to acquire harangatang
Well of course you would, he’s one of the best