Yankees make some roster moves
-
- June
- 13
The Yankees have made some moves to improve their bench in advance of the interleague series against Houston.
Shelley Duncan has been optioned to Triple-A Scranton and replaced on the roster by infielder Alberto Gonzalez.
Duncan has had only one at-bat since May 30 and clearly had fallen out of favor with Joe Girardi. Gonzalez can play several positions, run and get a bunt down.
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on Friday, June 13th, 2008 at 2:45 pm by Peter Abraham.
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Peter Abraham
Beginning of the end for Shelley? Wonder what he would bring from the Cards…..
Whoa! Where’s Gardner? We need speed against the NL.
Decent move. Duncan was rotting on the bench and not contributing when he got the chance.
Any chance Gonzalez would replace Cano for a few games if he is benched/sent down? I realize Gonzalez isn’t near Cano’s calibar but something needs to be done about Cano
i got kind of excited when i saw your headline, thought maybe they called up brett gardner. but oh well, gonzalez is better than nothing
Yeah, really that headline should read “Yankees make a roster move.” I thought they made more than one… Good move though. Clearly Betemit has nailed down the back up 1B role and Gonzalez is a more versitle player.
Thurman,
Not much. Old man Duncan couldn’t save Chris.
I’m afraid we won’t see Shelley again until September and I think we’ll see Gardner when they go back to having two catchers.
Gardner isnt getting called up unless he’s getting to play full-time. Cashman has already said as much on a couple occasions. they view him as a OF prospect, and would rather him get regular ABs in AAA then a couple ABs a week on the MLB bench.
bringing Alberto back up makes sense, because he can also push Cano. Cano doesnt get his act together, and soon, and you could see Alberto cut into his playing time.
could also be a chance at showcasing Alberto, should anyone be interested in trading for him as an everyday defensive-minded SS… but thats just the conspiracy theorist in me…
:shakes head:
Why has this waited so long? I mean, we’re FINALLY playing somewhere where Shelley’s swing is suited for (sweet short left field porch), and he’s sent packing, but he’s allowed to rot on the bench for weeks first.
Excellent move! Duncan is a nice guy, but not a major leaguer.
@ dadofjft
You’re more likely to see Lane when they go to 2 catchers.
“Any chance Gonzalez would replace Cano for a few games if he is benched/sent down?”
Tough to do this in an NL park. Gonzalez is a weak bat. Don’t want to give two outs away everytime thru the order. Be better if they did it with the benefit of a DH in the lineup.
cano sent down!!!!
the guy had 94 rbi’s last yr and is a 307 career hitter, don’t bury him yet.. I know he has sucked this yr. but relax..
I like ading Gardner for Moeeler and then we have soemthing there…
June 15th if the yanks wanted they can trade hawkins!!!!!!!!!
TurnTwo:
Could be a showcase to interest people in Gonzo, or maybe they’re trying to decide if they can live with Gonzo at 2d in the event the incumbent is traded. Or maybe it just makes more sense to have Gonzo up than Duncan. I’d love to think something was up but the simplest solution is usually the best. (Ockham’s Razor).
At least now shelley will get some ABs
V,
they’ve waited so long because they wanted to get gonzalez playing everyday in the minors. obviously they feel hell be needed playing in a national ballpark. more bunting, speed off the bench etc…
also like someone mentioned before gardner is not coming up because they want him to play everyday in the minors. and they said it also has to do with him being another lefty bat. i dont think well see gardner up until someone gets hurt or the yanks finally decide to give up on melky and platoon them.
i think people just like to criticize everything before they realize the yankees do have a plan and strategy. you may disagree with it but please stop complaining just to complain its not like they are just pulling names out of a hat to come play today.
I fully expect Gonzalez to play tomorrow. I also expect Damon and Matsui in the outfield tomorrow as well.
I think Gonzalez at least adds some more speed than the Yankees had with Duncan and Betemit. Duncan wasn’t hitting when he got his chances. His at bats didn’t look very promising either. While some of that might be from the lack of geting many chances, that is what happens with bench players.
I think Giambi kind of pushed him out of a chance.
Too bad they still feel the need to carry three catchers, I understand it, but still its tough to take up that additional roster spot for someone who will probably not be playing. Hmph, just like Duncan.
I hope Melky sits a game or two.
He looks lost the last few games. His OBP is down to .312… That’s pretty awfull.
Drew,
Do you really think so? I’m not interested in seeing Lane up here. I don’t see him as much of an improvement over Shelley. If nothing else I think Gardner’s arrival might light a fire under Melky.
I think Duncan could use a trip to the minors to straighten himself out. Clearly he’s been slumping and pressing and he’s not going to right himself without regular at bats which he won’t likely get at the major league level.
How long before they are comfortable DFA’ing Moeller? It seems like the bench is still light for playing national league teams. They now have four outfielders and seven infielders. If they use whichever outfielder is not playing as a PH for a pitcher in the middle innings, what do they do if one of their outfielders gets injured late in a close game. I guess national league teams might take this risk all the time, I just don’t want to see Molina or Gonzales roaming the outfield because we don’t have a better option.
Good send down. Bad call up. Gonzalez wont play alot at all. Gardner is still waiting over in Scranton. I understand they want him to play everyday. But when you need someone with speed, you go with the fastest guy ready in your system. Not a guy that is a good runner, thats not that fast. Ginzalez is fast, but hes not Johnny Damon fast. At least they got one thing right in this move. Now all we have to do is hope and pray that Duncan doesnt get called up again until September call ups.
i meant six infielders
SONOFABI*** can’t even bring up Gardner
Good Move…I am ready for some more ( CC/Tex )
Any chance of them trying Gonzo at first? Not too confident in the way Betimet has been playing there.
Bedard or AJ Burnett anyone?
A friend just sent me an email saying the Seattle Times is reporting Bedard could be available in a trade and Toronto might be the likely destination.
Burnett has an opt out after this season and Toronto’s interest in Bedard is because they think Burnett is going to use it.
“SONOFABI*** can’t even bring up Gardner”
Makes no sense now. Melky or Matsui will have to sit this weekend already. No need bringing him up to watch. Maybe when they are back in the AL.
AG has been hitting very well at AAA, now that he’s gotten to play a few games in a row. Even though he’s likely at best major league average, at this point average is way better than Cano. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him get some starts against lefties, and if he hits, maybe more than that. Obviously, Cano has more potential, but after 2 and a half months of the season that’s all it is. Potential.
Wouldn’t surprise me, either, if once Duncan gets playing every day at Scranton, he starts to hit again. Whether that will ever translate to the majors is another story. He’ll probably never get a real shot in NY.
If Melky continues to struggle, there’s no point in not bringing up Gardner and giving him a shot. What does it matter if he’s a lefty if the guy who should hit lefties isn’t doing it?
i wish david robertson was called up
If I’m Willie Randolph I quit, seriously, they are hanging a ultimatum beat Texas or else your fired
A friend just sent me an email saying the Seattle Times is reporting Bedard could be available in a trade and Toronto might be the likely destination.
I’m telling you Atlanta or Philly book it.
Gardner can’t be far off.
Melky is in another downward spiral. The pressure’s growing on him.
Has any “ace” like Bedard ever been traded 6 months after being acquired? I thought he settled down. Is it his fault that the Mariners are not doing well?
iv never been a shelley guy, and iv been calling for him to be sent down almost all year, but isnt it a little wierd to send him down when they’re going to enron, a RH hitter’s paradise? especially when they are going to need some pinch hitters?
regardless, im glad to see a.g. come up.
Against an NL team Gonzalez is a much more valuable bench player than Gardner is.
They need a backup middle infielder when playing the NL. Betemit is not truly a middle infielder anymore. He’s a corner infielder
Gonzalez isn’t a burner but he runs well enough to pitch run as well.
Gonzalez has shown he can play 3 infield positions at the majors. That’s what they need right now. They already have 4 outfielders and melky can play all three outfield spots defensively.
i wouldnt be shocked to see cano and posada on the bench tonight.
“I’m telling you Atlanta or Philly book it.”
Think the Braves will pass. Pitching staff is in shambles w/ injuries and adding one guy doesn’t change that. Philly makes A LOT of sense though.
I can’t see Seattle trading Bedard. Whoever they get back isn’t going to be as good as who they gave away to get Bedard.
Adam Jones is considered a very high level prospect and Sherrill is a good bullpen arm.
That GM over there is going to get fired if they trade Bedard now.
“can’t even bring up Gardner”
Yes. Another lefty outfielder is exactly what we need.
There will always be another OFer on the bench with the roster as constructed. With Gonzo, you can sit Cano against a lefty. Really, Gonzo can’t be worse than him right now.
If you want Gardner to play, you realize you’d be benching TWO of Matsui, Damon, Melky and Abreu because of the lack of a DH. I’m fine with benching Melky for someone else right now…But I’d rather it be Matsui, with Melky coming in for a late-innings replacement.
“i wouldnt be shocked to see cano and posada on the bench tonight.”
Wasn’t Posada benched last night?
If Bedard gets moved, would that be a record in how long it takes a team to get soured on a big acquisition?
“i wouldnt be shocked to see cano and posada on the bench tonight.”
Posada? No way. Didn’t Molina just catch yesterday?
“Adam Jones is considered a very high level prospect and Sherrill is a good bullpen arm.”
Doesn’t stop there. O’s also got Chris Tillman, who at 20 years old is the youngest pitcher in the Eastern League (AA) and arguably the 2nd best pitcher in the league behind Bowden up in Portland.
while the management who made the Bedard trade is still in place, there is no way he gets traded within the same season… it’d be management throwing in the white flag, and admitting complete and utter failure in talent and team evaluation.
if they happen to clean house, including the GM, then you could see someone new come in and move Bedard to rebuild.
perhaps even move Ichiro? hmmm…
but i digress.
Toronto makes sense, because Bedard has been rumored to want to go home to play ball when he becomes a FA anyway…
The phillies have a poor to mediocre farm system. If seattle trades him to philly they won’t get nearly as mucy as what they gave up for bedard.
Bedard has been a disaster in Seattle. Not just on the field. He’s just a strange guy. He doesn’t speak to other players on the team and is very difficult to deal with.
He’ll be a bad fit in philly. He doesn’t even speak to the press in Seattle.
We focus a lot here on Santana. But a lot of people who were saying the Santana trade was a must were also very much in favor of trading for Bedard in order to get an “ace.”
Young pitchers bring a lot of risk. But so do many veteran pitchers. Pitching is just very difficult to predict.
Good move.
Shelly will start raking again at AAA, and then be included in a mid season trade for pitching.
Think the Braves will pass. Pitching staff is in shambles w/ injuries and adding one guy doesn’t change that. Philly makes A LOT of sense though.
That’s why they would make it, rumor is they called up Brandon Jones to shop him, they are targeting for a SP, Bedard for Lillibridge and Jones might net them something. The thing w/ Atlanta they know they have to add SP because the Big 3 is done. Hmmm…come to think of it they’d be willing to deal Mike Gonzalez…
Posada will play the next two games and be off Sunday.
Anyone notice how bad Dustin Pedroia has been stinking up the joint recently? A .678 OPS. Not good.
What’s sad is that it looks great compared to Cano, who is sitting at a paltry .580 OPS.
That is beyond awful. A .260 OBP? Wretched. I would hope he would rebound because if he gets any worse, he should be demoted.
I think when people espouse their confidence in Cano, they should really consider just how terrible he’s been.
This is not a 10, or even 20 game stretch he’s been doing this. It’s almost half a season.
It’s about freaking time! It sucks to see Duncan go but unfortunetly for what ever reason Girardi hates him.. so it’s a waste to have him up here.
seattle sure went from contender to ready to rebuild pretty quickly didnt they?
if bedard is available, then so is ibanez, beltran and sexon, and who knows, maybe even ichiro.
“Shelly will start raking again at AAA, and then be included in a mid season trade for pitching.”
Yes. Teams with pitching to spare will line up for a 29 year old AAA slugger who’s failed at the big league level.
Those are SO hard to find.
@dadofjft
Doesn’t make sense to bring Gardner up to sit. We don’t need 5 outfielders. People bash Melky for his bat, but his defense is vital. Damon’s got no arm, Hideki looks lost a lot of the time, and Abreu can only catch stuff hit right at him.
“The phillies have a poor to mediocre farm system. If seattle trades him to philly they won’t get nearly as mucy as what they gave up for bedard.”
True. I mistakenly thought we were talking about Burnett to the Phils rather than Bedard. I do think they have enough to get Burnett as a rental should Tornoto decide to go that way.
“seattle sure went from contender to ready to rebuild pretty quickly didnt they?”
Things is they didn’t realize they overachieved last season. Or, at least, refused to admit it to themselves. They were already pretenders. Bedard wasn’t going to put them over the top.
no offense, but giambi’s been hitting really well, and they didnt have a b/u 2nd baseman, so where was joe supposed to use shelley? he’s not enough of an upgrade defensively at 1B to make joe take giambi out. shelly is 4a.
It’s about freaking time! It sucks to see Duncan go but unfortunetly for what ever reason Girardi hates him.. so it’s a waste to have him up here.
Because watching him swing is like watching Stevie Wonder golf. (I’m sorry Stevie)
Whozat
Included…not straight-up. He’d be a nice throw in.
Thanks for the sophomoric sarcasm, though.
sophomoric
“Included…not straight-up. He’d be a nice throw in.”
Why? Players like Shelley are a dime a dozen.
Fredo,
Didn’t even realize there was a third piece in that trade. Seriously, how bad is that trade looking for Seattle right now?
Wow. Tim Russert died.
Brandon:
Jones and Lillibridge would get nothing more than giggles followed by a hangup from the Seattle front office.
OMG Tim Russert died. Sad
Y’s guy.
Amazing how fast Seattle has slid from the pre-season predictions before actual games were played. I have to admit though that with Felix and Bedard I started to buy into the hype. I simply can not imagine Ichiro being on the block however can you fathom the boost that would give a team that is in need of a leadoff guy?
Central time is much better that Pacific. Have a good weekend.
-dennis
dont know where that came from russert’s newest column on msnbc.com was posted 2 hours ago and no mention of it when i googled him
“Clay Buchholz stole my laptop (aka Joe) June 13th, 2008 at 3:30 pm
Wow. Tim Russert died.”
Holy crap, are you serious?
giardi hates duncan cause he sucks eugie
They also got LHP Tony Butler, and RHP Kam Mickolio.
how much would the cubs be willing to pay for ichiro?
Sad about Tim Russert. Guy could crack me up and aggravate the bleep out of me in the same show, but he was terrific at what he did and generally a pleasure to watch.
I don’t agree. Duncan has above average power.
wow its on drudgereport. so sad.
clay, where did you hear that?
the new york post is claiming the russert has died
Jones and Lillibridge would get nothing more than giggles followed by a hangup from the Seattle front office.
I said it might net them something, never did I say Bedard.
It’s on the front page of the nytimes.com as breaking news about Tim
Brandon, I think Willie will stick it out so if he gets fired he still gets his money. Why let the Mets out of that? If they can him, they are on the hook for the contract amount, no better way to “get back” at them for this treatment. No?
Tim Russert died?
Stupid Friday 13th.
wow, from the NY Post:
Tim Russert, NBC journalist and political heavyweight host of “Meet the Press,” has died after collapsing at NBC’s Washington news bureau, a source said. He was 58 years old.
Russert, who rose from the inside world of politics where he was former New York Gov. Mario Cuomo’s press secretary and one-time chief of staff to the late Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan, was able to successfully cross over to political journalism and rise to become one of its leading lights.
In his role as host of the seminal Sunday morning political program “Meet the Press” – which he took over in 1991 – he became renowned for his hard-nosed interviews where he frequently cornered some of Washington’s cagiest political figures with tough questions.
I don’t agree. Duncan has above average power.
With no contact.
“giardi hates duncan cause he sucks eugie”
So does Kyle Farnsworth but he still plays him.
Wow, here it is on the Post
http://www.nypost.com/seven/06132008/news/nationalnews/tim_russert_dies_from_apparent_heart_att_115384.htm
i see the post has it, but how could it be that they beat nbc to the news since the post says he died at work at nbc?
Russert was young. 58 is too early to check out.
Can someone post a link on Russert? I can’t find any news on it?
I think they told Francessa about Russert in his ear. Just said I’m not saying that unless you confirm it.
“I said it might net them something, never did I say Bedard.”
May bad then. I’m four beers deep into my afternoon. Beer is to my super comprehension powers as crytonite is to Superman.
Brandon, I think Willie will stick it out so if he gets fired he still gets his money. Why let the Mets out of that? If they can him, they are on the hook for the contract amount, no better way to “get back†at them for this treatment. No?
Yeh but it black balls him from a future coaching position.
tom brokaw breaking the news on msnbc
now cbs is reporting russert’s death
“Wow. Tim Russert died.”
Whaaaaaaat?!?
Brandon, I don’t think so. Girardi got fired, and last I checked he was employed by a pretty good franchise.
Sad news about Russert. He wasn’t my favorite, but still its a shock. He wasn’t that old.
brokaw said:
“russert loved his family, his faith, his country, politics, he loved the buffalo bills, the new york yankees and the washington nationals.”
Brandon, I don’t think so. Girardi got fired, and last I checked he was employed by a pretty good franchise.
Girardi is not a minority look how long it took Dusty Baker.
“i see the post has it, but how could it be that they beat nbc to the news since the post says he died at work at nbc?”
That would be bad if NBC learned about this from Post, wouldn’t it? Be like the time George Bush Sr. found out about the Berlin Wall going down on CNN.
Thoughts are of course with the Russert family
R.I.P. Russert
It all depends on circumstance though, Brandon. In this case I think most people can see it was the team that blew things, not Willie. Maybe he will coach third again for the Yankees. He would be better than Meachem.
willie always has a home in the bronx!
“It all depends on circumstance though, Brandon. In this case I think most people can see it was the team that blew things, not Willie. Maybe he will coach third again for the Yankees. He would be better than Meachem.”
Think about that he has to take a demotion before he can be considered again. How does that sound to you ?
How old was he?
His son just graduated from Boston College with my brother
“In this case I think most people can see it was the team that blew things, not Willie”
Can’t give Willie a pass on that collpase last year. He was as culpable as anyone. He can’t play the game for the players, but that last three weeks called for leadership Willie simply was not able to provide.
I think Omar is as culpable as Willie, but Willie has not done a good job.
58 years young
lets not get too broken up about willie, he is making $3M year even if he gets fired, and its the kind of job that when you take it, you know you are going to be fired.
Bryan- 58.
-dennis
He was only 58.
“Think about that he has to take a demotion before he can be considered again. How does that sound to you ?”
Like the life of a manager. He won’t be the 1st guy to go from managing to coaching and he won’t be the last.
I hope this means Cano will be riding some pine this weekend.
I seriously think our best lineup for the NL has Damon in CF and Matsui in LF.
Let Melky and Cano sit all weekend. Melky will be the defensive 4th OF he is and be put in late in games and Cano can go sulk while AG can bunt a runner over when asked to.
I truly hope Girardi has the stones to bench Cano for the series. Sadly, I know he doesn’t because they coddle this prima donna at 2b we’re all supposed to wait with bated breath for deciding it’s time to hit again.
Sundays will never be the same.
Bless the Russert family.
rip tim russert, very depressing
the astros are very aggressive on the basepaths and cf in enron field is humoungous. damon in cf could be a total disaster.
My father’s 58…
lets not get too broken up about willie, he is making $3M year even if he gets fired, and its the kind of job that when you take it, you know you are going to be fired.
And if he loves the game and loves managing then what ? You heard of players that can’t leave the game, well that’s who Willie is, he loves the game has alot of pride and will not be given a fair shake after this. He most likely will have to wait 3-4 yrs. before another franchise takes a chance on him, he all season will be criticized for the collapse and how the next season he wasn’t a good manager.
Sometimes things like that aren’t easy to get over.
G Love,
We need to give Melky and Cano a weekend pass. Then they can enjoy the nightlife. It’s been awhile since I lived there, but I’m sure they have more than honky tonk bars. Didn’t Damon meet Michelle in a “restaurant” in Texas?
They can drink, party, go to Mexico, and just show up before the plane leaves. Take a break to clear the mind and get back to playing some good ball.
Yeah, Willie has to bear some blame, but that team isn’t all that great. Its the Mets afterall. I think Omar is the next to go through the hot seat when they still fail.
You can’t polish a turd, and while there are good players there, they are what they are.
“He most likely will have to wait 3-4 yrs. before another franchise takes a chance on him, he all season will be criticized for the collapse and how the next season he wasn’t a good manager.”
You’re right, but the fact is he wasn’t a good manager during the period you are talking about (Girardi has Willie’s MOY Award from ‘06 on his mantle as far as I’m concerned). That’s how the game works.
willie’s refusal to go manage in the minors was a major factor in why it took so long to get a job. and it may have also been a major factor in why his team has been so dysfunctional.
you cant absolve the manager for a collapse like last season, but they brought him back and the results are no better.
im not putting this all on willie, but did you ever consider that maybe he’s just not a good enough?
also, its not the met’s buisness whether willie can get another managing job, they do what is right for them and willie has to fend for himself. this is the big leagues.
i love willie, but when you take a manager’s job, you are held accountable for the team performing up to expectations, whether those expectations were realistic or not.
“Anyone notice how bad Dustin Pedroia has been stinking up the joint recently? A .678 OPS. Not good.”
i was wondering when the league was going to figure out how to pitch to the odd all out across the shoulder swing he uses. he has a real problem with low pitches.
G. Love,
Why do you think Cano is a primadonna? Do you honestly thinks he wants to hit .220? Do you think he’s happy with the way he’s performing?
There’s a very famous ballplayer who was pretty terrible his first 5 years in the bigs. During his 20-24 years of age in the league. I wonder if he had played now what people what be saying about him?
Anyway, I’m not saying Cano is as talented as he is, but this ballplayer ended up as one of the best players who ever played the game. He was a young Latino ballplayer as well. I wonder if he came off as aloof when he was struggling?
Anyhoo, the player I’m referring to is Roberto Clemento.
Sometimes it takes time for players to become who they are. That’s all I’m saying.
that’s the problem with Melk and Cano they spend too much time at the clubs, when they are split up next year you will see two different ballplayers. Bowa was good at keeping Cano’s head on straight.
“willie’s refusal to go manage in the minors was a major factor in why it took so long to get a job. and it may have also been a major factor in why his team has been so dysfunctional.”
did girardi manage in the minors?
randy l,
Obviously not. Otherwise he’d know that he’d lose the clubhouse if he took away their sweets.
BTW. Do we know for a fact that Cano and/or Melky party up during the season?
“willie’s refusal to go manage in the minors was a major factor in why it took so long to get a job. ”
That and the fact that he’s black I’m sure had a lot to do with it. I don’t recall Girardi ever managing in the minors. Even Mattingly was close to getting a shot as a manager and I also don’t recall him ever coaching in the minors.
I really miss Bowa, I think he brought a lot to the club. I think Cano is missing his firm hand as well.
“did girardi manage in the minors?”
He may not be good enough either. Today he remains a sub .500 manager without accomplishment.
“that’s the problem with Melk and Cano they spend too much time at the clubs”
Seriously, can we just stop this already? Can we let this die?
Brandon, I don’t think it has a single thing to do with race for Willie. Donnie was treated like a love child of the Steinbrenners, Girardi was bench coach and came across well on YES.
Willie can find a job somewhere, and he might be better off for all of it.
Ray,
From many accounts, including Pete’s, the word is Cano is resisting making adjustments to his offensive approach and his swing. He is stubbonrly insisting he will magically wake up and hit his way out of it.
To me, that kind of attitude is not only immature, it’s detrimental to the team and the goal of winning. That’s what a prima donna is.
He should be putting in more work, breaking down at bats, working with Long to find a way out of this, but from all accounts he is not doing this.
Show me where it is reported he’s doing everything he can to get his game back together.
74% of the time he is getting out. 26% of the time he is getting on base. Couple that with the fact that he cannot help the team by bunting or moving runners. That is unacceptable.
I loved and miss Bowa, too.
HOWEVER, Cano’s a big boy and should be responsible to the employers paying him mucho dinero.
Good point Fredo, Girardi hasn’t proven anything yet. Its only because of him being in the honeymoon period that he isn’t on the hot seat himself.
ill pass on the obvious joke about florida being a minor league team: no not everybody does go manage in the minors, but if you don’t you have less chance to land a job.
my point was more that maybe had willie managed in the minors, he would have been a better manager when the mets got him. his tem is totally lacking in leadership and cant fight thier way out of a paper bag when things start going wrong. this is where a few years as a minor league manager may have suited willie much better.
like said, i love willie and had hoped that he was going to be torre’s successor but he has done a poor job with the mets and if he gets fired for it, so be it. its not all his fault, but its never all the manager’s fault.
im sure willie will have the option now to go down and manage at aaa and help his chances of coming back up and being a mlb manager.
Whats the proof that Melky and Robbie spend every free minute at the clubs? Because they are young and good looking? Please..
G. Love,
I haven’t seen any reports that he isn’t working on his hitting. In fact I recall him having a 4 for 4 day in May and immediately afterwards talking about how hard he had been working with Long and how Jeter was telling him to work on hitting line drives etc.
I seriously doubt he’s slacking not with Jeter, A-Rod, and Posada around. I can’t see them letting him get away with being a slacker.
I know what he’s numbers are but I don’t think it’s because he’s not putting in work. I just think he’s struggling mightily.
One thing I know though, he’s not going to hit .220 this year, he just isnt.
how the hell does anybody know if melky and cano are spending too much time in the clubs. and how much time do either of them spend in the clubs compared to mickey and whitey? those 2 clubhoppers did pretty good.
The Mets would have 3 more wins right now if it weren’t for Wagner. 3 wins right now is the difference between them being over .500 and under .500.
Nothing Willie can do about his closer blowing games.
Last year the whole team except for Wright stopped hitting in September. Sorry but you can’t pin that on the manager either.
Sometimes the players have to be held accountable.
you cant fire 25 guys so you fire the manager, thats the way its always been and willie sure knew that when he took over.
“Good point Fredo, Girardi hasn’t proven anything yet. Its only because of him being in the honeymoon period that he isn’t on the hot seat himself.”
And he should get a honeymoon period.
It can’t be argued that Willie wasn’t given a chance to succeed. In many ways he did exactly that, insomuch as he changed what was a losing culture in that organization and brought them within a couple out of a World Series. But things have gone downhill since Yadier Molina’s homer and Willie’s been driving the car.
like i said early this morning, if damon is in cf, matsui better line up for a relay when damon goes to the hill.
“Last year the whole team except for Wright stopped hitting in September. Sorry but you can’t pin that on the manager either.”
Never would have happened under Torre, Ray.
If it were Torre they’d hav made the playoffs….then wait til Ocotber to stop hitting. (:
Taken from Pete’s previous Q&A post regarding Cano’s struggles:
“Answer: Cano is very talented, but thinks that talent is enough to allow him to swing at bad pitches. So while he makes contact pretty easily, he often doesn’t do much with the ball. He lacks discipline as a hitter. I think the Yankees need to be a little tougher with him, maybe even sit him for a few days. The problem is they lack alternatives.”
To me, that’s a primadonna. A guy who thinks his talent is enough to get him through anything. Life and baseball doesn’t work that way. You have to work for it and earn it every day or you lose it.
Cano has lost it. He’s abysmal.
The only way he’s going to come out of this is for him to hit rock bottom again as a player. Right now, with the comfort of the contract and Melky on the team, life is good.
Take away his starting role and he will suddenly realize that if he really cares about being the 2b for the yankees for the next 10 years, he better do something about it.
I just don’t think he’s driven by winning. Just reading Pete’s opinion screams that.
“he has done a poor job with the mets and if he gets fired for it, so be it.”
That is a completely inaccurate statement. I hate the Muts but love Willie. He is the second manager of the Muts (behind Davey Johnson) to get to 100 wins the quickest. He took the Muts to within one inning of getting to the World Series. He has accomplished a lot. The Muts suck. Plain and simple. They are old and can’t get the job done. Not Willie’s fault
How do you know that Pete’s opinion is true? Its just his opinion.
“I hate the Muts but love Willie”
That ‘splains the blinders then.
Glad the Yankees finally sent Duncan down. I guess Cashman read my first blog post. =)
he also managed the team that pulled off the biggest collapse in mlb history and philadelphia will always appreciate willie’s team taking the 64 phils off the hook.
btw, i love willie, one of my favorite yankees of all time.
Fredo,
Very funny.
G. Love,
Pete never said that Cano doesn’t try hard though when he’s in practice. Sometimes you forget what you learn in practice. Last year I recall Long working with Cano extensively before games and basically telling Cano when to swing and when not to swing, eventually it worked out for him.
I also don’t think having Melky on the team is making him not hit. I have no idea what he’s thinking and neither does anyone else.
Perhaps he’s trying to hard right now to show he belongs. Who knows, I just don’t think he’s struggling due to lack of trying.
Fedo..what blinders. The guy has his ace pitcher on the mound who pitches a shut out into the 7th. he gives the ball to his bull pen with a 4 run lead then gives the ball to his closer with a 2 run lead. What exactly did Willie do wrong? Did he not give his team the best chance to win? Is there any manager in baseball who would have done different?
Sara:
In one sentence you give Willie credit for bringing the Mets within a couple outs of the World Series and in the next you absolve him of all that’s gone wrong since. Where I grew up, we called that “trying to have it both ways”.
Doesn’t work that way. He got credit when they came close to winning the NL and now he’s deservedly taking heat for the team underachieving.
I read this blog and plenty of others every day and I have never seen any evidence that Cano is a primadonna or doesn’t fully apply himself.
The only reason anyone says otherwise is because he smiles a lot and sometimes clowns around with Melky. I suppose he should punch the water cooler when he makes an out instead.
The Yankees are a strict team full of veterans, and Cano is no veteran. Does anyone really think that the Yankees would let Cano get away with a lackadaisical attitude toward practice and preparation?
Calling Cano a lazy is a lazy way to critique him.
Another thing Sara, if Willie gets the gas, it’s not becuase of last night. It’ll be because they’ve been a slightly below .500 team for the better part of their last 162 games.
“Take away his starting role and he will suddenly realize that if he really cares about being the 2b for the yankees for the next 10 years, he better do something about it.
I just don’t think he’s driven by winning. Just reading Pete’s opinion screams that.”
If this were true, Cano would be one of the dumbest athletes in the world (because he doesn’t understand that playing poorly endangers his career) and also one of the most despicable (because he doesn’t care whether his team wins or loses). I think it’s infinitely more likely that he’s trying his best to get out of a horrible slump than that he’s the person you describe.
Wow I can only dream of Ichiro being moved…I absolutely love the way he plays. Once he gets on base, it’s impossible to stop him from going all the way to third.
I don’t see that happening though, unless M’s are bent on completely blowing the entire team image apart and building on ground up.
Sometimes i think people on here have never watched baseball in their lives. Its not uncommon at all for players to lose strike zone discipline (not that that has ever been Cano’s strength) when in a slump. When players aren’t hitting, they often press and swing at too many pitches out of frustration and the idea that you can’t get a hit without swinging the bat. In other words, they want the hit so much that they lose the perspective that they are more likely to get the hit if they make the pitcher throw strikes. I think we’ve all seen A-Rod in that mood when he’s pressing.
I’d love if it Cano were more disciplined. But to say that he’s not is either because he’s a primadonna, is arrogant, or doesn’t care, is just bs. Cano is not a rookie that pitchers have suddenly figured out or a washed up veteran. He’s only 26 and has a career BA above .300. He’s going to turn it around, but he needs to continue to get his ABs to do it. Benching him or platooning him with Gonzalez is crazy talk born of frustration.
And while people are complaining about plate approach, why aren’t the same people complaining about Jeter? He only has 4 more walks than Cano this year and has the lowest OBP of his career (a fairly abysmal .330) and the lowest slugging percentage of his career (.370). I think Jeter will play better as the year goes on, but I’d be much more worried about the decline in his game than Cano’s.
NOW the team will take off and fulfill their destiny. That guy was just holding a good team down