All the excuses are gone
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on Jun 04, 2008 
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Jorge Posada will be at the Stadium today and almost certainly will catch tomorrow’s game against the Blue Jays.
Now that the Yankees are whole again, it will be interesting to see whether they take off. For weeks now, the players had a built-in excuse. A-Rod and Posada were out, they lacked right-handed power.
The weather is fine. That excuse is gone.
The schedule is fine. That excuse has vanished.
It’s time to prove they’re something other than the relentlessly .500 team they have been so far. It was at this time last season they started their run. There’s a playoff spot out there waiting to be had, whether it’s the division or the wild card.
The Yankees were 24-31 and 12.5 out games out on June 4 last season. They’re only seven out at the moment. Now is the time.
I agree. i almost felt like this year was even more painful to watch so far than last year was.. at least last year we had arod to watch.. this year, nothing exciting is happening at all.
we need to take the next 2 from toronto and start winning a bunch of series in a row. aside from seattle, i cant remember that many series wins this year.
The time for excuses is over, the time to be the Yankees is now, if they cant get on a roll in the next week theyre not going to at all this year.. the schedule looks really weak.
I felt like it was going to be more difficult to get the wild card this year, but the other divisions haven’t lived up to their hype thus far. At this rate, the Yanks only have to worry about the AL East. That’s tough to do, but let’s see if the Sox don’t fall a bit without Ortiz in there.
62-42, Pete.
I marked a similar number down in a desk drawer last season and I ticked off the W and L columns after every game – sure enough – they pulled it off.
20-game over finish is going to require they win the majority of their remaining series. Need to make hay in Interleague, and against KC this weekend.
Different Joe this year.
The different Joe has no difference in the race.
Its still a game played by players.
If they don’t play well, they could put God on the bench and it won’t make any difference.
The bullpen is not fine.
But…but…now the weather’s too hot for hitting and pitching!
im pretty sure God on the bench would make a difference
We need a good run to get the confidence back. An 8-10 game winning streak would do the trick.
My problem is one night they look great, and the next night they look absolutely horrible. Cano needs to step up. They NEED him.
I am betting on Jorge dhing tonight.
SJ44
He may not be batting third or pitching every fifth day, but I have noticed one thing the last several games, and that is sloppy baseball. The new Joe strikes me as a stickler for fundamental baseball, so the errors must be killing him. It’s one thing to lose because things got pear shaped with a kid out there on the mound, but when your veterans are getting picked off it’s an entirely different kind of problem.
Jennifer,
I like where you heads at and agree. At least I’d be shocked if he didn’t PH. Who’s getting sent away?
I don’t think this is a confidence issue. Fix the BP and start hitting with RISP & it will solve the problem.
Hopefully Jorge’s return will inspire some fire and passion! – gosh they look robotic lately…AND I hope Jorge is catching on Saturday as I am making my first trip to NYC/Yankee Stadium and seeing him play would be awesome. Go Yanks!
The only way I think they’ll DH Jorge is if Melky sits tonight. I don’t think they’ll sit down one of Matsui/Giambi/Damon tonight with the RH starting.
Has to be a pitcher,I just hope it isn’t Greise, he is a true long man, can got 3-4 innings.
Giambi likely won’t play. He was hit on the foot last night and is day to day.
SJ,
Sure it would make a difference if G”d was on the bench, for one thing, I would like to see Britton try and kidnap G”d’s dog…
I agree, its time for the players to do their thing. Let’s hope that their thing is more than what we’ve seen so far. I have faith (as I did last year) that they will show us what they are capable of…better defense (can’t get much worse), and certainly better offense. The playoffs are not a stretch…good things are happening.
Not hitting in the clutch and not pitching in the clutch = LOOSING
How come Joe doesn’t sit CANO for a few days that might help him ?????
They need to get their heads out of their butts and start playing well. They can do it!
I think
I love capital letters I wouldn’t know incorrect spelling w/o it (and trust me I would know)
50 years watching the Yanks, someone posted earlier…now disappointed etc., can’t do it with only home talent, etc.
Guess what; 1958, the starting 8 players were all drafted by the yanks, along with 4 of their starting pitchers. One of the big differences—age! Only two of the starting 8 were over 30. Different era, different time, but it can be worked out…just as some have pointed out. Mix old with young…great things happen. WS-56 & 58 and again in 61/62, after that…we don’t talk about it. 28/08?
Scorpio-
you forgot to add starting pitching to your list. As far as I am concerned, any start with pettite/moose/rasner is no better than a 50/50 proposition
It’s time for Farnsworth to kidnap Joe’s dog..
They played worse last year under Torre at same juncture of the season.
Its on the players not the manager.
You know who was pitching 8th innings at this time last year? Kyle Farnsworth.
Torre had the same “illness” Girardi has with him today.
Its because at the present time, they have nobody else who can do the job. Every other guy they have tried in high leverage spots have failed to date.
It could change in the coming weeks with more promotions from the minors.
Its a veteran team that has played poorly for most of the season.
Pete is right. The excuses are gone.
They have a month to get going.
If not, you will hear a phrase more frightening to some Yankee fans than “young pitchers”.
“Sellers at the trade deadline”.
If this team can’t get it together in the next 4-5 weeks, it wouldn’t shock me if the Yankees went into sell mode at the deadline.
For those who think it can’t happen, I bet you never thought you would see a Yankee team transitioning young players into the mix during the season.
When you are bad, you do whatever it takes to make yourself better for the future.
Hopefully, the Yankees get going and make a run. If they don’t, this team as presently constructed won’t stay that way for the entire season, IMO.
Well said Pete thank God Jorges back Molina really pissed me off with his weakly caught game last night he could not have picked a worse game for several defensive lapses not excusing Joba but that inconsistency affected his start
SJ-
very well said. agree 100%
Check this kid out. Maybe he can help?
http://www.break.com/index/one.....aguer.html
Joe made a comment the other day, that he doesn’t talk about pitch selection. Which leads me to believe he wasn’t happy with the pitches that were being called.
The Yankees seem to think that they can just jump-start whenever they want. They remind me of the guy who was addicted to brake fluid – he said “it’s okay, I can stop anytime”.
The Yanks can’t wait, they need to get going now. This year we have the Rays in addition to the Sox to contend with.
Why is “sellers at the deadline” more frightening?
I think it is actually exciting. You have many times how these veteran players are making mistakes time and time again. Keep the players you think will be part of the “core” and use the other pieces you have to bring back players that will grow to be part of the core within the unified vision.
Do we want to see Farnsworth give up another lead off double no. I would be willing to take Gardner over Damon -yes that is probably a step back this year But Damon will not be part of this core two years from now anyway and Garnder might.
To be honest, the excuses were gone before A-Rod came back. Since he has returned, it has only shown us that the team is a true .500 team this year. Posada wont make the difference. The entire team needs to start playing above-500 ball, not just one player.
Wow! Spunky kid – good for him!
Thats how most guys in here think Max all kidding aside I say get Brian Fuentes or Brandon Lyon at the deadline and be done with it give up anyone not named Betances and Sanchez if they wanna take Jeff Marquez or Alan Horne who cares those two are not panning out anyway
Max that is amazing!!
Wow. Amazing kid
SJ,
I disagree completely with you thinking the Yankees would be sellers.
With the 2nd half runs they made and other teams routinely make in baseball in the sprint for the post season, I don’t think in another month the Yankees are going to switch into sell mode.
Not to mention that anyone they could sell, Giambi, Damon, Abreu, Farnsworth, etc. all have major dollars coming to them and the Yankees, if they are being as fiscally responsible as you claim they are being, are going to eat money on any of those players.
Who is going to trade for any of those three and their full contract?
What is Cashman going to do? Trade them, eat money and acquire more RH minor league pitching? You’re not getting an organizations top prospect for any of those guys.
You’d be lucky to get Ohlendorf.
While the bullpen is going to be changed within the organization with young arms, I don’t believe they are going to go all kids this year.
I think trades will be made and I think they will finally start dealing some prospects, since we have too many, and trying to plug some holes on this team.
I have to believe there is a initiative in the organization to deal minor league pitching prospects for other organizations positional prospects.
I’m not in denial, but unless the Yankees are trading Mo, Arod or Jeter, the idea of being sellers and getting some huge bounty is a bit off.
Since the money is coming off the books at the end of the year, why would the Yankees eat the money, trade the player and give up the draft pick compensation?
Everything the Yankees will want to trade comes with so much salary attached it’s not worth it.
Is Giambi and his offensive stats intriguing as a trade chip? Sure. But if you get him in another month, you still owe him over 10 million and the 5 million buyout.
Why would the Yankees eat that unless they were getting the organizations top can’t miss prospect?
And trading Abreu would be just silly since if we’re not going to sign him, we should get the picks for him.
this team will finish near .500 if they keep giving away games in the 7th and 8th innings and playing shoddy defense
Jason,
Its not frightening to me. Personally, I think they should go into sell mode anyway this year.
Its not a championship team, IMO and I’d rather see them (if they are able obviously) to move as many players as they can that will bring back parts to make them better in 2009 and beyond.
However, in reading some of the posts on the blog, for some fans, the thought of being sellers at the deadline would cause seizures! lol
I just want to know how Shelley still finds a roster sot today. And why haven’t we checked w/ Erick Threets.
I have a quick question about the Yankees’ relief, particularly the 7th-8th inning guys. So far we have seen bright spots from Farnsworth, Ramirez, Hawkins, and Veras to name a few. Yet none of them seem able to maintain their performance and develop any sense of semblance or stability. Now Britton is pitching well (in the 2 outings he has been used). My question is this: How much of the Yankees’ reliever’s success and then seemingly inevitable failure as they are used more has to do simply with the fact that their first couple of times out, hitters have no idea what to expect, but by their 3rd or 4th outing, major leaguers are able to get a steady beat on these guys?
spot*
The Yankss should only be selling for high end prospects no low A projects we already have enough of those
G Love – My feeling is that you can get rid of them by eating some money and get something back in return. You will not have them back anyway after this year. Someone mentioned the 2009 draft as being very poor, so getting draft picks for losing free agents may not be ideal
If you get use the Sheffield/Johnson model and get some good pieces and a few gambles I think you do it. You got useful pieces in Gonzales and Ohlendorf and then the gamble of Sanchez. He was a top pitching prospect who was available because of injury history. He will be pitching again in a week and may be a future high quality major leaguer.
I think Mike and the Mad Dog are right (the few time they are).That this isn’t a rebuilding year.
John when was Hawkins ever good this year Ramirez Farnsworth had momemts but dont put hawkins in there he stinks
“Posada wont make the difference.”
So you’d rather have Molina in there 4 games a week and Moeller the other 3? Do you seriously think that having Posada in the lineup is not better than having Molina and Moeller in the lineup?
*moments
I agree with them and you too MoBoy.
I think it is pretty clear that the Wildcard is going to be in play for the Yankees deep into the year. No one has run away and hidden.
The Yankees could have a couple of good weeks and be right in the mix for the division, much less the WC.
If we should have learned anything from the Cardinals and the White Sox winning the world series, just to name a couple of recent examples, if you get hot at the right time you can win the rings.
No way they become sellers.
couldn’t disagree anymore
time to play ladies. Now we’ll see what this team is made of.
Nobody in the minors excluding Brackman,Betances or Sanchez should be untouchable in a trade not even Dan Mccutchen, Mccutchen and a low a baller for a good set up guy is well worth it
***YAWN****
Wake me up when this team can stay above .500 for more than a day.
Posada will make a difference. How can he not? He’s the best catcher in the AL.
Will it be enough to make the overall team better? Time will tell.
Having Jorge back is huge. That can’t be discounted.
G Love,
If this team is in last place on the 4th of July, there is no way they won’t move guys at the deadline.
At some point, every GM gets real about his team.
I don’t think the Yankees are there yet. In a month, they will be.
SJ I agree with you. And as just mentioned you can probably get back some nice pieces (not Jay Bruce, David Price) but good pieces that fit within the new organizational framework. I would also take a few flyers – i.e. Humberto Sanchez. Big risk but potential big reward (which they also have done in the draft).
It may be painful for this year and perhaps next, but at least it will be excited. I would much rather watch a young and athletic team rather than one that was built to hit the 3 run homerun (which clearly this team and every team in the league) is not doing nearly as regularly as before.
To be honest I am much more excited checking the minor league box scores. How great is it that Jairo Heredia has not let up a run since returning from the DL. How great is it when Almonte or Jackson have one of those 4-5 nights with doubles, homeruns, steals and rbis.
Not every prospect will work out. Not every prospect will flourish immediately. But with the depth and renewed focus on development we don’t need them too. If Kennedy fails there is Hughes, if he fails there is Horne, if he fails there is Brackman, if he fails there is Sanchez, if he fails there is Heredia and Betances. If one or two of these guys reach their potential the Yankees will be stocked with Wang, Joba and two of the above.
If Gardner fails there is Tabata. If Tabata fails there is Jackson. If Jackson fails there is Almonte.
What is not talked about much is that the Yankees will spend money. They always do and will continue to do so. They will just have the flexibility to spend on their terms.
“He’s the best catcher in the AL.”
He’s the best HITTING catcher in the AL.
“He’s the best catcher in the AL.”
He’s the best HITTING catcher in the AL.
Sorry about the double post there. 1st day with the new fingers.
With the tremendous parity in the league and the way the Tigers and Indians are playing I think they’re going to be at least in striking distance of the wild card.
That coupled with the generally mediocre returns I think they’d get for their veteran players is going to make them becoming true sellers unlikely.
I could see them dumping Farnsworth and Hawkins and perhaps trading Damon – but those would be for reasons other than being in true selling mode.
Especially after the turn around they put together last year.
We’ll see. I do agree that they have to put it together this month.
“Mccutchen and a low a baller for a good set up guy is well worth it”
I agree but don’t tell me Brian Fuentes
“it wouldn’t shock me if the Yankees went into sell mode at the deadline.”
It would stun me, if for no other reason, they have so little to sell that is A) desireable and B)not subject to a no trade clause.
sellers?? Yeah that’s smart with 4 mill sears sold and high priced vets. You make it sound like this team is light years away. These aren’t the royals
We’re finally healthy. It would be nice to have Alby and Bruney in our bullpen as I trusted them, but the offense is there, and hopefully the rotation is pretty stabilized. Our pitching scares me, but it still could be good.
Fredo,
Damon, Giambi, Matsui, Breu… they’re not desirable right now to any team ?
Brandon who else is available
Just our luck that when the DH is going to be out for the BoSux, INTERLEAGUE play is around the corner.
Since they are comparing Papi’s injury to Nomar’s that seems like pretty serious stuff. Too bad for him b/c even though he kills us he seems like a good guy.
going young is great if the young guys are good. Makes a huge difference don’t u think?
It would be awesome to get k-Rod for 2 months lol
I wish they’d trade Damon so he could grow his hair back.
Reading above about buyer/seller at the trade deadline. Call me crazy, but they could be sellers at the trade deadline and still be a better team this year after. Especially when you consider the most likely chips are Farnsworth and Damon maybe Matsui.
That’s the point YD, it’s too early to tell.
Brandon -
$13M+ a year, $20M, $13M+ a year, $16M
Not desirable.
Brandon: No-trade clauses; Giambi/Abreu/Matsui have full no-trades and Damon has partial no-trade
“It would be nice to have Alby and Bruney in our bullpen as I trusted them”
The loss of Albaladejo and Bruney was also a really big loss I think. I’m not totally convinced that Bruney has turned it around but he was pitching better this year.
Albaladejo looks like he’s going to be a nice piece in the bullpen. He throws strikes and gets ground balls.
Brandon:
Three of those players have NTC’s and I doubt anyone is offering much worth having for guys in their mid-late 30′s.
CB,
That’s what I mean. Guys like Damon, Hawkins are Farnsworth are exactly who I have in mind.
I could see some thought about moving Damon at the deadline.
Especially if he is playing well.
JMO but, I don’t he’s back after this season.
I think they want to see what Brett Gardner can give them. If Gardner isn’t the answer, they can put Matsui back in LF, DH Giambi and get a first baseman. Jeter could leadoff.
My point is, there are options with Damon that include exploring the trade market.
Now before the habitial cheerleaders come on board and say I “Hate” Damon, let me be clear.
I don’t hate Johnny Damon. Just as I don’t hate Jason Giambi.
I just love the Yankees more and I think if you can move players to improve the TEAM, you do it.
IMO, there are only 7 untouchable players on this team:
Rivera, Posada, Arod, Jeter, Wang, Chamberlain and Hughes.
Everybody else should be in play if by moving them you improve the team.
If its even remotely close to what Damon can give them, you have a 400K player vs. a 13 million dollar player.
In today’s baseball, the 400K player has more value.
I cant wait to see that 80 plus million bucks roll off the salary dockett following the season its gonna be amazing shedding old useless pieces Pavano,Giambi,Kyle
Actually, I’m not sure about Abreu; originally it had full no-trade. But then the Phillies paid him 1.5 mil to waive that. After joining us, did Abreu get the no-trade clause back?
And the Yankees could go into “seller” mode, but their version of seller mode would be to get rid of a few guys they have immmediate replacements for or that just simply aren’t that great (Mussina, Damon, Farnsworth, Hawkins).
Well, if it’s any consolation TKinDC, the Red Sox drew two division leaders in interleague play: ARIZONA & PHILLIES.
TK,
Matsui pays for itself he still can hit, he leads the AL in BA, Damon is still productive and has 1 yr. left, Abreu has a 1 yr. contract left, Giambi has a 1 yr. contract w/ a buyout …short contract vets who are still productive desireable
From the last thread.
Greetings,
So im breazing through the last thread and heres what im getting out of it so far.
-The season is over
-Its a rebuilding year
-We dont have the young talent to compete with our inter divisions young talent.
-Sell your season tickets when team sucks or renegotiate.
-Bullpen sucks and there isnt any answers in the near future.
-CAPITALIZING AND PUNCTUATING MAKES ALL YOU WRITE RIGHT!!?
-raymagnetic has been in a coma for 3 months. So has the Yankees.
-Dump Edwar for having a bad game.
I do want to add one to this list. Bench Cano. Last night, everyone blamed Molina for the throw.When he could of easily snagged it and tagged Rios(i believe)out. Continues to swing at first pitches. Time to send a message.
One last thing. Im going to be in the minority that thinks we still can take this division. If we were 7 games back August 1st. Id still feel the same.
Wish i lived in NY to buy those season tickets.
No. They didn’t. They had a lot of injuries to pitchers, which led to a lot of experimentation. Yes, Cano, Giambi, and Matsui were slumping. However, A-Rod was on fire and so was Posada.
Before their injuries, and after in A-Rod’s case, neither has been on fire this year. Matsui is great. Giambi and Cano are the same as ever. Abreu is slightly better this year.
There’s been no significant effort whatsoever by Cashman to address the lack of hitting by trying guys from the minors.
There are no decent hitters on the bench. After 3 months of the season, we finally — maybe — have a long man in Giese. We’ve still no lefty in the BP, and now we have no set-up man. Well, maybe Britton would be good, but Girardi obviously has some personal issue with him.
We converted a reliever to a starter in the most screwed up, amateur way that a team could ever do.
We have an error-prone rookie manager, not a seasoned experienced guy with a lot of rings.
An we have a GM who has no negotiating skills whatsoever, and since having full control has won nothing at all.
I guess we will be better in the second half. Presumably Cano will deign to make an effort for a couple of months like usual, and Jorge will make a difference. Joba will eventually be ok. And hopefully the BP won’t blow as much as last year.
But this year, it’s too little too late. Cashman must be fired, it’s the only way we’re going to change this.
I trusted Bruney more than I trusted anyone else in the pen, other than Mo (or Joba at that point). Albaladejo hadn’t pitched enough, but I liked what I saw.
Any team lookin 4 them would be contenders.They prob wave no-trade to play 4 contender.
These last few losses have really hit me hard. I’ve come to terms with the fact that this season might not be a fight to the finish. But rather a rebuilding year, one which we have needed for years.
It’s not over, but at the same time, how are we going to pitch into the playoffs with a rotation and a bullpen like this?
“Since they are comparing Papi’s injury to Nomar’s that seems like pretty serious stuff. Too bad for him b/c even though he kills us he seems like a good guy”
No comparison at all, TK. Garciaparra tore his tendon, tendon sheath and had bone damage. Ortiz has a partially torn sheath, no tendon tear and no bone damage.
Still can’t see him playing before mid July, but it’s apples and oranges when compared to what Garciaparra had.
EVERYONE I THINK WE SHOULD WRITE OFF THE SEASON AND SPEND THE SUMMER IN MINOR LEAGUE PARKS FOLLOWING THE THUNDER AND SWB THEN IN THE FALL WHEN OTHER TEAMS ARE IN THE POST SEASON WE CAN ALL ROAD TRIP TO SEE THE JETS/GIANTS SOUND LIKE A PLAN?
Brandon –
I’m not saying they stink – esp. Matsui right now. But a team would have to be pretty desperate for a mid-thirties outfielder with $20 left on his contract over the remaining 1.5 years.
SJ,
I agree on Damon. He’s actually playing well right now so his trade value will be more than it was last year. They may keep him this season but I think they’ll move him in the off season. Going into his contract year I think Damon would be amenable to that and would be open to agreeing on a deal. They might have to eat some money but I think he’s a potentially movable part.
Wonder if they can convince Pinella that Damon can still play centerfield?
I could also see them jettisoning hawkins and farnsworth and essentially going with what’s basically an all rookie pen and Mo. Britton in that mix as well as he does have some major league experience.
I think they need to convert Alan Horne to the pen after the gets a couple of stats. I want to see how his stuff plays. With his fastball and breaking stuff I think he could be very effective for one inning stints.
Roberstson looks like he’s putting it together – walks have gone down a lot his last couple of appearances.
I think being sellers and contending might not necessarily be incompatible. If you trade Damon – who will arguably bring the most back (outside of Matsui or Abreu) then Gardner will bring something to the table. He may will bring defense, speed etc. He is at or near the league lead in many major offensive categories this year in AAA so he may even approach Damon at the plate. At least he we will see what we have and he can get his feet wet.
If Farnsworth is gone he will be replaced (and paraded to the bus).
If Giambi is gone we may lose some stick but would almost have to improve offensively at 1b (imagine if that guy is Eric Duncan)
Losing Abreu and or Matsui would in my opinions hurt this year.
big papi is going to have a cast on for minimum 2 weeks, he is not coming back in 3 weeks, no chance..
interesting papi has knee injuries and then the wrist just like nomar.. nah no PED’s involved here.. super Papi no way…..
the guy stunk in Minny but became great in Boston at 27, nah, I a mjust a hater.. he did it the old fashioned way hard work and determination.
mike and the moron doing it up on the radio as I type..
Do they realize in about 4 starts this pitch count BS will basically be over and Joba will have the same silly pitch count rules that most pitchers have you know the 100 or so limit…..
Fredo –
Agreed for the most part. My point is that wrist injuries can affect hitters dramatically and for the rest of their careers. (Nick Johnson has not been very good since injury)
Here is a quote from the Globe:
While a comparison also has been made to Nomar Garciaparra, his 2001 wrist injury was far more severe. Garciaparra suffered a split tendon in his right wrist, which required surgery to repair, as well as the tendon sheath, and a piece of bone at the bottom of the sheath. The more apt comparison likely is Nick Johnson, the Nationals first baseman. Johnson tore the tendon sheath in his right wrist last month and is expected to be out 4-6 weeks.
Damon is playing well and someone will want him
Teams in the NL may want to take a flyer on Farnsworth who last pitched very well in that league. Colorado may want Hawkins back.
I would imagine a contending team needing a hitter would absolutely value Matsui and/or Abreu. Plus you are not stuck with long term deals.
Again, you will not get Jay Bruce or David Price but these players can bring talent.
BTW I am still unsure why (other than the actual rule) that you can’t trade for draft picks. That would add an element that could help a perennially good team like the Yankke move up in the draft and potentially grab an impact prospect.
if they did decide which they will not but to trae Damon or Matsui there value actually may go up because of production and the term of there contract is less and less. Damon is signed thru 2009 and I think the same for Matsui, they are decent values based on amount and term of contract.
The Yanks should keep Matsui and Damon for next yr. and let Bobby Abreu walk after this yr… That is what I would do….
Honestly this team doesnt deserve our money or even attention they are a total disgrace there is always one thing I hzave been proud of and that was being a supportive yankee fan but honestly this team makes it nearly impossible almost as hard as the knicks have made it i almost wish we could fire sale marlins style suck for 4 years ignore the team then come back when the yanks are respectable again i wish it was that easy
They don’t need to fire sale and suck for four years.
I actually feel they are pretty close. There are key pieces there Arod, Posada, Jeter, Cano (if he can get his head out of his…), Rivera, Wang, Joba, Hughes and then some of Melky, Gardner, Jackson, Tabata, Cox, Sanchez, Melancon and then some of Garcia, Brackman, Almonte, Montero, Romine.
We will watch Posada age before our very eyes, and it won’t be pretty. Old catchers get hurt a lot and stop hitting. Bad contract, tendered for a good 2007 and sentimental reasons. See if the Sox sign Varitek for four more years.
SJ,
I agree with your SEVEN untouchables.
My question is this…hypothetically speaking, if the Yankees offered Abreu arbitration this fall instead of resigning him and he accepted (doubtful) could the Yankees up and trade him straight away? Would there be a waiting period? What is the trade able status of a player after arbitration heading into the new season?
“BTW I am still unsure why (other than the actual rule) that you can’t trade for draft picks. ”
A number of people feel this way. It’s basically MLB’s way of enforcing league discipline. They want to make sure the larger market teams don’t use their financial clout to trade up for players who have over slot demands.
Same reason why you can’t trade a player after he’s drafted for one whole year.
Some teams e.g. Florida could decide to essentially “sell” their draft picks and move back to the end of the first round – that way they could select players that would cost far less at that slot.
It’s understandable that players such as Giambi, Damon, and Farnsworth cannot be moved anytime soon but that doesn’t take away from the fact that Betemit and Duncan clearly are 2 players that should be sent down ….. NOW. Jason Lane and Alberto Gonzalez can’t possibly contibute less.
Jason-
Brackman,Almonte, Montero,Garcia are all at least 2 years away
They aren’t that bad. If you feel that way, don’t watch them.
I can’t understand some of today’s fans when they say, “They don’t deserve our attention”. Or, “I’m done watching them until they are better”.
First off, nobody is tying you down to the TV, radio or your seat at Yankee Stadium and forcing you to watch them.
If you don’t want to watch them, don’t do it. I don’t think one needs an announcement to do so or try to recruit anybody to join into the boycott.
Secondly, not wanting to watch them until they get better smacks of bandwagon behavior to me.
When they are struggling, look at different ways to follow the team. Check out how the prospects are doing in the minors. That’s one way of dealing with it.
When I went to Charleston, Scranton and Trenton earlier this season, I was struck by two things.
How talented the Yankees were at the AA and A level. More than they have been in years.
The other thing that struck me was how excited the players were about the Yankees trending younger. Guys actually believe they are going to get a chance to play for the Yankees and its made a HUGE difference in minor league development.
It used to be that guys played in the Yankees system either knowing they are stuck there forever or praying they get traded.
Now? Guys want to stay because they believe they are going to be the next star in NY. That’s a good thing and that’s one reason why the Yankees struggles won’t be a long term issue.
Heading to Tampa to see McAllister and Garcia pitch this week. Can’t wait.
Its one way to deal with the struggles of the parent club.
“Honestly this team doesnt deserve our money or even attention they are a total disgrace there is always one thing I hzave been proud of and that was being a supportive yankee fan but honestly this team makes it nearly impossible almost as hard as the knicks have made it ”
The Yankees are as bad as the Knicks? What the heck?
“We will watch Posada age before our very eyes, and it won’t be pretty. Old catchers get hurt a lot and stop hitting. Bad contract, tendered for a good 2007 and sentimental reasons. See if the Sox sign Varitek for four more years.”
Posada is old but he hasn’t caught nearly as many innings as a lot of old catchers. It’s too soon to say if Posada’s contract will be a good or bad thing for the Yanks.
Why are we talking about a fire sale in the first week of June? Im the last guy in here thats positive. But I guess this reverse pshycology is working.
Possitives
1.Giambi is hitting
2.Arod is back and healthy
3.Joba is starting
4.minor leaguers are dominating and will be called up
5.Posada is back
6.Jeter seems to be out of his slump
7.Matsui is giving us much more than expected
8.Damon is finally consistant and might help in either this team or a trade chip
9.Cano cant play this bad fore ever
10.Its June 4th and we are only 7 back with everyone in the lineup finally being healthy.
I wonder what we can get in the trading deadline for Pavano?
NOW IS THE TIME ! We make our move in June !!!
Nobody is talking about a fire sale. Selling at the deadline isn’t a fire sale.
You do what you have to do to improve your team. If it means you sell, then sell. If it means buy or stand pat, you do so.
I’m sure the Yankees are going to look at all their options at the deadline because this is a transition year.
Not only during the season but in the off-season with so much money coming off the books.
If something comes up that facilitates the process, it wouldn’t shock me if they did something.
Sj,
Im surprised you didnt include Matsui as untouchable.
20-8 in June will do us JUST FINE ! Here we GO !!!
Yu – Montero and Almonte are 2 years away but possibly not Garcia and Brackman.
Garcia – SJ please let us know how he looks, but he has potential front of the rotation stuff. He will also need to be put on the 40 man. Doubt we see him this year, but if healthy we will probably see him next.
Brackman I don’t know if anybody knows. But since he has a big league deal I would imagine you see him sooner than later.
Again, will not nor do you need wholesale changes. But the Yankees are so stacked that you can very well see two new impact players a year for years to come.
I even forgot to mention macallister who has quite a bit of potential and is in Tampa far sooner than originally thought. SJ let us know how he looks too.
The key word is almost Ray they are not that bad but headed that way too many old guys bad contracts lazy underperforming team its that simple and eventually the knicks losing became borderline comical thats what helped me get through but the Yankees should never be a team that disappoints in this fashion it doesnt even seem like theyre trying and SJ it seems your trying to make me out to be a non-baseball knowing noob who likes to front-run that simply isnt true I believed last year I was a fan in the early 90′s pre joe torre I wore my yankee hat the day after the ALCS in 04 Im a huge fan I never have seen this kind of old lack luster team in my life tell me one game where they showed any fire or life this season I cant think of one thats why Im not standing by them
“Honestly this team doesnt deserve our money or even attention they are a total disgrace there is always one thing I hzave been proud of and that was being a supportive yankee fan but honestly this team makes it nearly impossible almost as hard as the knicks have made it â€
OH HELL NO !!! you did not just say that !, nothing has been worse than them ! yes exclaimation point on this ! I’ve been a Knicks fan for 16 yrs. watched Jordan w/ his tongue out, Reggie and the throat strangle, SCott Layden the bafoon ! Isiah Thomas aka BOZO THE COACH/GM !then there was Stephon Crapbury, James Dolan ..don’t ever go there, I draw blood on this !you have not begun to suffer what it is to be a Knicks fan !
Yu Darvish ,
I didn’t think it was possible, but you wrote a paragraph-long post without the use of a period. Well done.
If it was a scale of 1 – 10 you have touch 1 in suffering as a fan. Don’t ever compare this team to the Knicks , EVER !
Nonsense. The umpires and MLB are still out to get the Yankees and not to mention those big bad pitchers who use Jeter’s hands as target practice. If you can’t find any excuses you aren’t looking hard enough.
Then you didn’t see them play last year. They looked the same way, had a worse record and were further behind than they are now.
Did you happen to see them in 2005? Same thing.
Its not like they didn’t look like this under Torre. When you are an older team with obvious flaws, as well as some key injuries, this is what happens.
SOS, Matsui is not an untouchable player. Not at his age.
He’s a very good player and I’m glad he’s on the team.
That doesn’t put him in the untouchable catagory. If team offered the right deal (as the Yankees showed last off-season), you trade him.
BRANDON are you a tard im a knicks fan myself why am I getting yelled at like Im from Kentucky SCREW YOU I was there for all of that and obviously the suffering isnt the same I was just referring to the overrall laziness and old guys/bad contracts obviously no one can suck as hard as` the orange and blue
SOS you almost made my point – No mention of Farnsworth or Hawkins who I think both should be “sold” for what we can get. You mention Damon as a trade chip (particularly if Gardner is still hitting as well as he has in a month and/or Melky gets back to April). The prospects are playing well and will be called up soon.
The only questionable sells would be the Giambi, Abreu and Matsui. These will take some analysis of the Yankees current position, future options, and return value.
In sell at the deadline, I mean let some guys go to get back prospects and pieces, rather than give away prospects and pieces for someone who will help for 3 months.
BTW I would imagine that cash is probably sitting in his office reading the comics. I am sure he is exploring every possible avenue to buy and sell
An old lazy team is an old lazy team whether theyre wearing blue shorts or pinstripes
“I wonder what we can get in the trading deadline for Pavano?”
A pack of smokes for Hank?
LEBRON IN 2010 YEAH BABY IM A WITNESS!!!
“BRANDON are you a tard im a knicks fan myself why am I getting yelled at like Im from Kentucky SCREW YOU I was there for all of that and obviously the suffering isnt the same I was just referring to the overrall laziness and old guys/bad contracts obviously no one can suck as hard as` the orange and blue”
YU then I guess we’re the same, I’m sorry but you pushed a red button w/ my Knicks I can’t explain it, I get pissed off when I talk about them. Oh Yeah I can James Dolan, Isiah Thomas (who’s still not fired) we hired O’Phony and have horrible IQ players. They do it to me, they get me frustrated because it’s been 7 yrs.
The Yankees are right now in the anti-Knicks phase. They will be getting out from the awful contracts, they are beginning to bring in youth, they have a coherent organizational philosphy.
There were some similarities, I guess we are all hoping that the Yankees have learned from those choices and moving in the opposite direction.
I remain optimistic about this season BUT very optimstic about the future.
Read in a book about the dual vision of a leader – the ability to accurately assess the strengths and weaknesses of the current situation and to envision a future. Then institute a plan to go from here to there. The Yankees are on this path.
“I didn’t think it was possible, but you wrote a paragraph-long post without the use of a period. Well done.”
Yes!! I think that broke my record. Thanks Brandon for catching that. I thought i was the only one who thinks periods are speed bumps. Not needed.
BRANDON im sorry man im a fellow sufferer I know how personal the Knicks get they hurt my soul but now im feeling a similar kind of lethargy with the Yanks and that is not cool
“Im a huge fan I never have seen this kind of old lack luster team in my life”
How easily we seem to forget the past. 11-19 ring a bell?
I love Matsui and think he’s an integral piece to the team.
I’ve never thought he was a spare part and never entertained the idea of trading him for someone like Noah Lowery or whomever.
That said, if Matsui is hitting .315-.330 this year with the kind of power he’s shown then he will have a lot of trade value. He’s signed for one more year at a very reasonable $14M.
I’d have to explore trading him in the off season just to see what I could get.
A lot of teams, especially in the NL west, just can’t hit.
The dodgers have a ton of good young players and might put a lot of value on getting a veteran power hitter like Matsui.
I know he has a no trade but Matsui is such a professional I could see him waving it to go to a team like the dodgers or even the diamondbacks.
Isiah has to have something on Dolan to still have a job with the Knicks. I’m sorry. I know he is running around Europe, but after everything, that thing is STILL a part of the team.
UGH!
Back to the Yankees. Would be nice to win the game tonight.
and not for nothing, but the way Damon and Matsui are playing, they are very valuable for a team looking for a leadoff guy or a middle of the order run producer for a playoff bound team.
i dont think the team will be sellers, but i agree with SJ44 in that i dont see both Damon AND Matsui back in 2009, so if you get a good offer for one or the other that improves the team, and gets rid of a little salary in the process, youve gotta do it.
This is different S.o.S there is no Joba type pitcher waiting in the wings to pitch out of the pen for the next 2 months our top set up guys are Farnsworth and Ramirez thats a chilling prospect
“Back to the Yankees. Would be nice to win the game tonight.”
Yes it would be.
Im not predicting anything a win and Baltimore loss would rock get us out of the cellar
I’m still in belief that Cashman will take a gamble on Erick Threets, you can’t leave a LHP pitcher w/ his arsenal untouched.
any info on Freel, Patterson or Hall ?
This year and next Jorge will be backed up by Molina. Ideally Montero backs up Jorge in 2010 and Jorge is the backup catcher/DH in 2011.
He definitely got a lifetime achievement award with that contract, it made ZERO baseball sense. Still getting him back should be a huge plus.
Any chance the Braves would like Farsnwurst back now that Smoltz is done for the year? I think Farnswurst for two tickets to Six Flags would be a decent deal.
“Reds placed INF/OF Ryan Freel on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right hamstring.
Freel injured himself coming out of the box on Tuesday night, and is in Cincinnati on Wednesday to get an MRI. That he felt a pop indicates that he could be looking at an extended absence.”
“That doesn’t put him in the untouchable catagory. If team offered the right deal (as the Yankees showed last off-season), you trade him.”
Wouldnt eliminate half of the 7 that you had. For the right price almost everyone is tradable.
jason,
I agree. But i think we need to remember that we just cant focus on getting rid of veterans for minor leaguers or drafts. Do be a contender you need a mixture of both veterans and youth. We have in the last few years fallen in love with draft picks(cant blame us) and feel the need to hold on to them. They cant all make the bigs. Its why you stock your farm system. To trade some for needed pieces and fill some pieces in house.
Ricky Ledee landed us Justice and the rest is history. Cant be affraid to pull the trigger if you think your a couple players away.
Nice idea Brandon but threets walked 9 in 10 this year no thanks we already have alot of non-strike throwers
“Any chance the Braves would like Farsnwurst back now that Smoltz is done for the year?”
absolutely. they wanted to take a chance on him last year, but the yankees didnt want bob wickman as a return. i’m sure something could be worked out.
with Kotsay on the DL, they may want to take a shot with Damon, too. put the two of them together in a package, and you can get something good in return.
Yu he has tremendous upside. And may have been pitching hurt at the beginning of the season. I like that he is a LHP throws legit hand busting 96 mph, and the 13 mph difference in his change up, he has a ok slider too. Too much upside not to try it.
“This is different S.o.S there is no Joba type pitcher waiting in the wings to pitch out of the pen for the next 2 months our top set up guys are Farnsworth and Ramirez thats a chilling prospect”
Melancon,Cox and Horne. Not in Jobas league. But can do the job.
Freel isn’t good enough to help. Hall wants to play 3B so unless A-Rod moves to first that makes no sense. Plus Hall has really dropped off the last two years.
I’m still hoping for Xavier Nady… nice lower level addition and he can play a little OF too. Would Matsui for Soriano makes some sense? Cubs need a LH bat, Yanks need a RH bat…. just wondering….
if there is selling at the trading deadline, it won’t be cashman doing it.
no one is talking about joba flaming out last night,
but if joba continues to have control problems ,which he might because he really doesn’t look like a complete pitcher right now, cashman’s credibility is nada.
joba has three starts to get it together. if he doesn’t cashman is gone.
he’ll never see the trading deadline.
but cashman has been known to pull rabbits out of hats when his butt is on the line. that’s when he does some of his best work. maybe he’ll do it again. but he doesn’t get to stick around for selling off the team at the break.
that’s no going to happen.
maybe melancon s.o.s. but cox is better suited as a 6th inning guy and i thought horne was injured plus he needs to convert from starter and brandon we thought the same thing about sean henn hard throwing lhp walked too many guys
Melancon’s upside is very close to Joba’s league. Not in terms of being a starter, but in terms of being an extremely effective set-up man.
Horne has great stuff will be very interesting to see if the Yankees keep him as a starter.
SOS – yes you absolutely keep all options open. This team will have vets – Mo, Wang, Arod, Jeter and Posada.
Maybe the Yankees just stink. Who’s gonna trade for an overpriced, past-his-prime, short-haired former center fielder who can’t throw and had his best game in Yankee Stadium playing for the Red Sox? Chickens coming home to roost.
“Would Matsui for Soriano makes some sense? Cubs need a LH bat, Yanks need a RH bat…. just wondering….”
Didnt Sori just sign a huge contract last year? That wouldnt be a good trade unless they ate a big chunk of his contract. I havnt seen him play on the field much.Didnt think he was that good out there.
86W great post soriano back would be awesome
Julio Lugo = Sox troll
“I havnt seen him play on the field much.Didnt think he was that good out there”
he’s been horrible in the OF I got video to back this up
s.o.s Sori is a hell of a lf
If the past couple of years have taught us anything, it’s don’t count the Yanks out too early. It’s only the first week in June, Tampa is playing over their heads, and now Boston is losing Ortiz for at least a month. Cashman will have to make a deal before the deadline, but if they stay at .500, get Posada back, the Wildcard or Division is not out of reach. There is no runaway team in the AL this year.
I think Pete is absolutely right on this. Other than the Hughes/Kennedy debacle, the team will be intact once Jorge comes back. Then we’ll get to see what they really are as a team. Someone once said that, at the end of the season (in football, I believe), you are what your record says you are. I’ve been reluctant to consider this years’ team to be “a .500 team” because they seemed to never been intact. But if they still are at win-one, lose-one, after Jorge returns, they may just be mediocre this year.
Brandon hes had like 15 outfield assists the last two years
“86W great post soriano back would be awesome”
Yu now com’on …you know he doesn’t work the count and plays a horrible LF
“Brandon hes had like 15 outfield assists the last two years”
I’m telling you he’s really been horrible in that OF, I’m not making this up.
Soriano has (counting this year) 7 years and 119 mil left on his contract; 13 mil for 2008, 16 mil for 2009, and 18 mil each for years 2010 to 2014. He also has a full no-trade.
no one expected to see joba at thirty pitches in the first innings last night. joba really might not be ready to start at the major league level while being ready to pitch the 8th. i’m surprised by how little command he has of his breaking pitches.
maybe it’s because of the exceptional movement, but he has no idea where they are going . major league hitters will wait him out like the toronto hitters did last night. joba has got to get his command back pronto or it’s not going to be pretty.
neither does cano brandon were stuck with him two at least sori is a big time bat we need that to combat manny/papi
why would anyone argue against Fuentes? You sold on the other lefty pitchers out there??
I agree Dalers why is everyone against Fuentes hes got good numbers in a hitters park
“joba has three starts to get it together. if he doesn’t cashman is gone.
he’ll never see the trading deadline.”
Randy,
I’ve read some crazy things you’ve wrote in the past but this is the craziest.
Joba is not getting only 3 starts to prove his worth and Cashman isn’t gone after 3 starts from Joba even if Joba loses all 3 starts and gets hammered in every start.
That’s just wishful thinking on your part.
cb,
Interesting comments on matsui. he is probably the only yankee that could bring something of value in prospects. damon, giambi etc would bring very little anymore even at the trading deadline plus the yankees would have to eat their contracts.
“neither does cano brandon were stuck with him two at least sori is a big time bat we need that to combat manny/papi”
your not saying what I think your saying are you ?
Just telling it like it is, Yu. What’s JD done since he cut his hair?
Alright I admit Brandon that was an idiotic post but who protects A-rod in the line-up next year when Abreu and Giambi go?
Julio hes been alright his 06 was great and last year wasnt that bad either he hasnt been huge but hes been solid
“Alright I admit Brandon that was an idiotic post but who protects A-rod in the line-up next year when Abreu and Giambi go?”
Duncan, Hawkins, Molina, Farnsworth and Veras all NEED TO GO. Replace them with someone that at least has a CHANCE to make it as a MBL NY Yankee, because these 5 DON’T HAVE IT !!!
all thats left is Matsui, Jeter and Cano(uhh) Posadas offense will be in a tailspin by next year hes already been out 1/3 of this year
http://youtube.com/watch?v=pU2-rtM6ufk I lol’d pretty hard
derrrr..I mean a MLB NY Yankee….
I disagree with Don Vito about Molina… he’s a solid back-up catcher, calls a good game and provides solid defence. His bat is weak, but IMO the rest of the team should be able to compensate for that. He started off well enough this year with all of those doubles. I’d like to see a bit more of Veras before rendering an opinion. IMO Duncan hasn’t shown very much potential at this level, and Farnsworth is simply the same pitcher he was last year.
cashman was a seller when he passed on linebrink and chose a loser named hawkins.
If you’re unhappy with Molina as backup catcher, then you are beyond spoiled with the luck the Yankees have had by having Posada as starting catcher. A lot of catchers flat out suck. Most backups are terrible.
Frank did you see the game he called last night and he hasnt gotten a hit in a month
you combat papi and manny with howard and arod. get it done cashman.
Johnny Damon 2004: .304 average and 92 RBI from the leadoff spot. 2005: .316 average and 75 RBI. Clearly he peaked before he got to NYC. A bad contract just to spite the Sox. Ultimately counter-productive.
a moose great observation http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/.....atsId=6455
I read those numbers and started to carve a voodoo doll in the shape of Cashman
All Cash had to do was give him two years and we woulda had an all star type set-up guy to replace joba
Last 7 Days for Linebrink 9.00 ERA, BAA .400
that’s 2 games and I think he gave up a walkoff too
last 7 days for hawkins 500 era, BAA hitting .950
Brandon he gave up one Home run in Tampa dont try to dis the guy hes having a tremendous season
Another strength that Posada brings to this team is how he handles the pitching staff. Expecially our young pitching. Not taking anything away from Molina who is a good defensive backstop, but Posada knows how to guide and be on the same page with a pitching staff better. I believe this is a connection that is missing right now as well.
“Another strength that Posada brings to this team is how he handles the pitching staff. Expecially our young pitching. Not taking anything away from Molina who is a good defensive backstop, but Posada knows how to guide and be on the same page with a pitching staff better. I believe this is a connection that is missing right now as well.”
Awesome post couldnt have said it better you’ll see how much calmer Joba is throwing to Jorge on Sunday
Yu, I did watch the game last night, but please remember that Joba may have been calling off Molina, we’ve seen that happen before. Joba was almost exclusively using his slider and fastball, same as when he would come out in relief. That could have been the case last night, but I’m merely speculating.
Regards Molina, I agree he looks lost at the plate at times, but what is the option ?
Linebrink got 4 years/19 mil; why would the guy settle for just 2 years?
coulda sworn he only got 2 my bad thanks for pointing that out blargh 4 is a bit much for a set-up guy and Frank I noticed that he agreed more on the calls with posada calling i think he has more respect for Jorge despite Molina being a good back up plus last year when he dominated jorge was behind the plate 90 percent of the time
I agree Yu, Joba does seem more comfortable pitching to Posada, and that issue should be rectified shortly. Remember how when Joba would overthrow Posada would come out to settle him down ? IMO the contributions Posada makes to this team can’t be overestimated. Glad he’s returning.