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Game 71: Padres at Yankees

Peter Abraham
June
17

(Check all the updates for news. Lots of stuff today)

YANKEES (37-33)
Damon LF
Jeter SS
Abreu RF
Rodriguez 3B
Matsui DH
Giambi 1B
Posada C
Cano 2B
Cabrera CF
Pettitte LHP

Andy Pettitte (6-5, 4.64) vs. the San Diego hitters.

Randy Wolf (5-4, 3.83) vs. the New York hitters.

Notes: With CMW on the DL, Billy Traber has been recalled from Scranton. He comes equipped with a new slider. … The teams are playing for the first time since 2004 when the Yankees took two of three at the Stadium. … The Yankees have won four straight, five of six and seven of their last nine. … Pettitte was terrific in his last start, holding Oakland to one run over eight innings. He is 3-1, 2.74 against the Padres in his career. … Andy is tied with Ron Guidry with 170 wins as a Yankee. That’s fourth in team history. Lefty Gomez is third at 189.

Back later with some updates.

UPDATE, 5:10 p.m.: Dan Giese is officially the starter for Saturday. … Spoke to Chien-Ming Wang. He said he was injured while running on the grass past third base. It came when he pushed off his leg. He will have to wear the boot for 6 weeks even when he’s sleeping. He hopes to come back in September. “I’m going to do rehab every day,” he said. “I’ll try.”

Wang got a supportive text message from Larry Bowa, who told him not to let this injury keep him down. Ron Guidry, who is very close with Wang, called him.

“You can pitch,,” Guidry told him, jokingly. “But you can’t run.”

Wang also is in favor of using the DH in interleague games. “Better for the pitcher,” he said.

You have to feel bad for the kid. The Yankees fought him for $600,000 in arbitration. And now this freak injury will cost him money if they go to arbitration next year.

UPDATE, 5:15 p.m.: Don’t know if you’re watching Omar Minaya’s press conference. But it’s a total disgrace. He’s actually blaming the media, saying the atmosphere around the team forced him to fire the manager.

How can you be an executive in New York and think that way? Ask Ernie Accorsi and Jerry Reese, who stuck with Tom Coughlin and won the Super Bowl.

Minaya goes next. It’s just a matter of when. Over/under is the All-Star break.

UPDATE, 5:19 p.m.: Here’s Hal Steinbrenner on Wang’s injury:

“I think we’re going to stick to the young guys. We’re always out there looking, researching, doing our recon work, and we’ll continue to do that. Losing Wang hurts us, he’s our ace, but the good news is it looks like he’s going to be back before the end of the season, and I know we’ll need him.

“We’ve had a lot of injuries this year and every one of them’s upsetting, but you strengthen your resolve and keep pushing forward. We’ve been good at that all year and we’ll continue to do that, and we’ll be there at the end.”

UPDATE, 5:21 p.m.: Ian Kennedy is not under consideration to pitch the second game of that Mets doubleheader on June 27. The Yankees seem determined to get him some time in AAA. That’s likely a very good idea.

Meanwhile, I went to the Padres clubhouse to speak to Trevor Hoffman for my Sunday column. What a tremendous guy. We got to talking about Mariano Rivera and here’s what he said:

“It’s an honor to be mentioned in the same sentence as that man. I have tremendous respect for him. I’m hoping that sometime in the next three days I can shake his hand and tell him that.”

How great is that?

UPDATE, 5:30 p.m.: Lots of people in the press room here at the Stadium watching Minaya’s presser. It has veered off the road from being simply embarrassing to being making you want to cringe.

The Mets are a Triple-A team playing in a big stadium. What a mess. It’s total clown college.

UPDATE, 5:35 p.m.: Morgan Ensberg was signed by Cleveland. This from the AP:

Former All-Star third baseman Morgan Ensberg signed a minor league contract with the Cleveland Indians on Tuesday after getting cut by the Yankees earlier this month.

Ensberg was assigned to Buffalo of the International League. The Indians are looking for hitters with Victor Martinez and Travis Hafner on the disabled list.

The 32-year-old hit just .203 with a home run and four RBIs in 28 games for New York this season. The Yankees designated Ensberg for assignment on June 1.

The Yankees still owe him the remainder of his $1.7 million deal in case you were wondering.

UPDATE, 5:59 p.m.: OK, you’ll love this.

Mussina wrote “The ice cream is back” on his message board. The Moose made a deal with Girardi that if he got to 10 wins, they’d put the ice cream freezer back in the player lounge. Now there are incentives for 12 wins (donuts) and 15 (candy, maybe).

Mussina went on one of his Dennis Miller-riffs on how he’s pitched well for so long on Mountain Dew, donuts and M&Ms. It was very funny.

Just spoke to Brian Cashman. The Yankees are very, very, very intrigued with Alfredo Aceves and his potential as a starter. But they want to see him in AAA first. “At least a small sample,” Cashman said.

No draft signings in recent days. Gerrit Cole? “That’s going to take a long time,” Cash said.

UPDATE, 7:26 p.m.: Cashman said it was too early to discuss the idea of Willie Randolph rejoining the Yankees in some capacity. Then he said several times what a good baseball man he was. “There’s a lot of baseball left in him,” he said.

UPDATE, 7:28 p.m.: That’s three home runs in as many days for A-Rod. No. 13 this year and No. 531 career. Only 232 left to erase the stain on the game.

UPDATE, 7:31 p.m.: Not so fast, A-Rod. That’s No. 16 for The Big G.

Not a good audition for Randy Wolf so far.

UPDATE, 7:36 p.m.: Brian Bruney threw a 27-pitch bullpen session today in Tampa. The Yanks are hopeful he’ll return after the All-Star break. That would be a big lift.

UPDATE, 7:59 p.m.: You want more news? We got more news. Brian Cashman said the Yankees would stick with three catchers for a while longer. “We’re going to be very careful with it to make sure everything is OK (with Jorge Posada) and we’re protected going forward. We’re not a team that goes to the bench much. I’m not belittling the bench but we could stick with three catchers for an extended period of time just to be certain.”

Cashman even held out the possibility of keeping three catchers all season. But he cautioned not to read anything into it.

“Jorge is not having any complaints, he feels great,” Cashman said. “Muy bueno.”

Yes, he said “muy bueno.”

UPDATE, 8:08 p.m.: What do figure the Yankees would go in the National League? 161-1? No, let’s be fair. 140-22.

To be serious, the Astros aren’t very good and the Padres are dreadful. But the Yanks have outscored their NL foes 27-5 the last four games (so far, anyway).

Meanwhile, Giambi is never going to shave. The power of the ’stache could supply energy to several Third World countries. That seems pretty obvious at this point.

UPDATE, 8:47 p.m.: Here’s why I love the people who comment on my blog (for the most part): Folks are discussing the pitchability of Alfredo Aceves.

Meanwhile, Andy Pettitte has allowed one run over his last 14 innings and fanned 13.

UPDATE, 8:49 p.m.: Journal News operatives just snuck into Brian Cashman’s office and stole his list of possible trade candidates for the rotation. Here it is:

Randy Wolf

UPDATE, 9:09 p.m.: I do believe that is it for Pettitte. Another great outing for him. 7 5 0 0 1 9. Last two starts: 15 10 1 1 2 15. Jose Veras up next.

UPDATE, 9:36 p.m.: A-Rod has shown off his arm tonight.

Meanwhile, Robbie Cano is 5 for 8 since starting Saturday’s game on the bench. Guess a little break was beneficial for him.

Some skinny guy wearing No. 42 is up for the Yankees. Mo hasn’t worked since Thursday in Oakland.

UPDATE, 9:53 p.m.: Talk about setting the tone for the series. You score eight runs and your pitchers strike out 14.

Thanks for reading. Back later.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, June 17th, 2008 at 3:42 pm by Peter Abraham.
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924 Responses to “Game 71: Padres at Yankees”

  1. EricVA

    Anybody know how Traber has been in AAA?

  2. RG

    the opening day lineup! I think thats 4 times all season? love the creativity…

  3. EricVA

    Oh, by the way, when are they cutting Moeller? It seems like Posada is 100%.

  4. Rebecca--Optimist Prime--Mission 2708

    Athletics, Padres, except for the weather, the uniforms, the league, and Billy Beane, they’re basically the same thing.

  5. Matt

    Traber was awful in AAA, cant believe he’s back up here.

  6. JW

    TRABER!?

    WHAT!?

    Over Robertson!?

    That’s just disappointing right there.

  7. Tyler

    Billy Traber, oh god.

  8. al arodien

    bill madon is now on 1050 he as angry as i ever saw him about the willi stuff!

  9. Rebecca--Optimist Prime--Mission 2708

    Eric: They aren’t while Posada’s arm is still not at full strength.

  10. EricVA

    RG, that may be the same players, but certainly not the same order as opening day.

  11. JRVJ

    Traber is surely going down when CMW’s turn in the rotation comes up.

  12. billy

    Traber. lol. Nice outing against Norfolk on Sunday. Three hits, two runs in 2/3. Great new slider:)

  13. TurnTwo

    maybe it was as simple as Billy Traber is on the 40-man, Robertson isnt yet?

  14. Rebecca--Optimist Prime--Mission 2708

    Actually, better question, why isn’t Moeller starting against this guy?

    http://www.baseball-reference......derby=Name

  15. EricVA

    Rebecca-

    He’s been an everyday player for a week now. He’s not 100%?

  16. RG

    oh yeah…haha stupid comment. its pretty rare in that sense too though, isn’t it?

  17. Brandon (supporting "Alex being Alex") (Jose Tabata Supporter 4 Life !!!!)

    Anybody know how Traber has been in AAA?

    Near putrid.

  18. Rebecca--Optimist Prime--Mission 2708

    Eric: They’ve subbed for him in late innings because people can run rampant over him.

    He’s healthy, but not 100%.

  19. Brandon (supporting "Alex being Alex") (Jose Tabata Supporter 4 Life !!!!)

    Jeez Bill Madden sounds like he wants to kick someone in the a..hole, no my questionn is conspicous by his absence where is Mike “I love my Mets” Lupica when he is needed :?

  20. Brandon (supporting "Alex being Alex") (Jose Tabata Supporter 4 Life !!!!)

    no= now *

  21. TKinDC

    “CC Sabathia is a better pitcher than Eric Bedard. There isn’t a single person in baseball who would take Bedard over Sabathia, regardless of how much CC weighs.”

    This is like the Melky vs Beltran discussion – it isn’t just who is better, but the question is who is a better deal.

    How attractive is CC at Johan money? Not very
    CC is attractive at the right contract, So is Bedard. It just depends on the price.

  22. DMan

    Well.. It’s a lefty in the bullpen.. So, that’s something…

  23. billy

    Up until Sunday Traber’s numbers were ok but misleading. Robertson has eaten up big innings in big spots. Traber will still be used ineffectively against lefties even with his new slider.

  24. Brandon (supporting "Alex being Alex") (Jose Tabata Supporter 4 Life !!!!)

    Eh F… it I’ll write it over.

    Jeez Bill Madden sounds like he wants to kick someone in the a..hole, Now my question is conspicous by his absence where is Mike “I love my Mets” Lupica when he is needed :?

  25. Rishi

    Maddon was on fire this morning – you would think the day would give him time to cool off a little bit

  26. Spitzer

    Maybe Traber will get one chance to show what he doesn’t have, then be sent down for good.

    Somehow I doubt this brand new slider is going to make him a great pitcher.

  27. Brandon (supporting "Alex being Alex") (Jose Tabata Supporter 4 Life !!!!)

    LHB have a .283 AVG vs Traber

  28. TurnTwo

    “Maybe Traber will get one chance to show what he doesn’t have, then be sent down for good.”

    thats my guess… one final look, and away you go with your 40-man slot.

  29. Rebecca--Optimist Prime--Mission 2708

    Maybe they’re bringing Traber up as the righty specialist?

  30. raymagnetic ®™

    Maybe this is Traber’s last audition for the big league club. If he’s awful this time up he’ll be DFA’d thus clearing a roster spot.

    This is going to sound a little bit crazy, but isn’t it the least bit possible that the Yankees front office has some iota of knowledge about how to run a club?

    Could there possibly be a rational explanation for all of the moves that the team makes?

  31. frankiedue

    It’s very frustrating watching the yankees call up loser after loser from AAA when there are clearly better arms to choose from. Who’s next, Kei Igawa?

  32. jay destro

    for all those who think some of the young guys should get call ups…

    remember, innings limits, mental makeup, etc… all goes into the decision making

  33. TKinDC

    M&MD were talking to Cash yesterday – needling him about failing to sign a real lefty in the past few years.

    Cash seemed to concede the point. The good ones are too hard to get, but he’ll keep trying.

    So when i see Traber up today, i hope Cash keeps on looking.

  34. Bell

    Traber is terrible. Get Marte already

  35. raymagnetic ®™

    “It’s very frustrating watching the yankees call up loser after loser from AAA when there are clearly better arms to choose from.”

    Dave Robertson is not on the 40 Man roster. Therefore if they called him up someone would have had to be DFA’d or some other roster machinations would have had to take place.

  36. EricVA

    Yeah the Yankees are stupid. Who makes these terrible bullpen decisions? How does that person still have a job?

    Come on. Maybe this is a boring approach, but I trust Cashman to make these moves.

  37. Bell

    Bill Maddon is a scab. Crossed the picket line.

  38. BBB

    Yanks at A’s? It’s like deja vu all over again!! :)

  39. Brandon (supporting "Alex being Alex") (Jose Tabata Supporter 4 Life !!!!)

    Erick Threets had better luck in minor league ball than Traber

    BTW incase anyone cares Jun. 15th

    1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
    PT/S: 14-9, GO/AO 1-1

    Yeh you go Erick !

  40. billy

    Marte? Robertson has clearly earned a shot. He’s never had TJS so nothing should hold him back. He’s turned it around as far as control. Maybe he gets his shot after Billy blows his chance with yet another org.

  41. Bryan (Yankees fan)

    Robertson could easily be added to the 40-man roster by moving Wang, Hughes or Alby to the 60-day DL

  42. berniepaul&tino

    just let edwar pitch to the lefties why does the lefty specialist have to be a lefty if a right hander gets the job done better?

  43. berniepaul&tino

    let edwar pitch to the lefties why does the left specialist have to be a lefty if a right hander can get the job done better

  44. Fredo Corleone

    “Could there possibly be a rational explanation for all of the moves that the team makes?”

    For answers to this and more, go to 46millionforigawa.com (:

  45. Steph

    They’re playing the Oakland Athletic Padres. Got it.

    I wouldn’t have brought Traber up over Patterson if it was an issue of who was on the 40-man. Ah well. Good luck to him!

  46. LadyBug626

    This front office kills me. Traber is a major league reliever – in fact he was supposed to be our lefty specialist. He couldn’t get an out and was sent to AAA. I’d rather see Scott Patterson than Traber.

  47. raymagnetic ®™

    “For answers to this and more, go to 46millionforigawa.com (:”

    At the time they signed Igawa it was a rational move. Cashman thought he was getting a back end of the rotation guy for 4 mil a year.

    There was never a time Cashman thought Igawa would be some sort of an ace. Turns out he was wrong, but the thought process behind the move was rational.

  48. Brandon (supporting "Alex being Alex") (Jose Tabata Supporter 4 Life !!!!)

    Fredo I actually thought that was a site 46millionforigawa.com

  49. Tim

    We SHOULD take 2 out of 3 here with an obvious loss with Rasner on the mound tomorrow.

  50. Brandon (supporting "Alex being Alex") (Jose Tabata Supporter 4 Life !!!!)

    raymagnetic there is no excuse for Igawa I’m sorry man. Jene Afterman or no, Igawa should have been a big no.

  51. Blargh

    Eh, at least it wasn’t Neagle or Hampton

  52. Brandon (supporting "Alex being Alex") (Jose Tabata Supporter 4 Life !!!!)

    Jene Afterman is the assistant GM Micheal Kay (No she doesn’t schmooze players she just finds Igawas)

  53. Mark (Free Brett Campaign)

    This from Chad Jennings last night:

    I’ll throw out another wild card option.

    Billy Traber hasn’t been particularly dominant in Triple-A. There have been plenty of times he’s been flatout bad, but the Yankees are about to face San Diego and Cincinatti.

    The Padres best hitter — Adrian Gonzalez — is a lefty, as is Brian Giles. The Reds have Griffey, Dunn, Bruce, Votto and Bako all batting from the left side. I’m not saying Traber will go up, just throwing it out there.

  54. TKinDC

    Are Erick Threets and Livan Hernandez related? It seems like they are the worst two pitchers that get mentioned on the blog 100 times/night.

    :)

  55. raymagnetic ®™

    Brandon,

    Igawa has been terrible. But at the time he was signed Cashman envisioned an inning eater back of the rotation guy for 4 mil a year.

    Why is that concept so difficult to understand?

  56. Brandon (supporting "Alex being Alex") (Jose Tabata Supporter 4 Life !!!!)

    Willie Randolph’s first words as he exits

  57. Pablo Zevallos

    Um, Padres?

  58. Brandon (supporting "Alex being Alex") (Jose Tabata Supporter 4 Life !!!!)

    Raymagnetic he sucks for his price. Literally has to be the worst signing that keeps getting sent up and down the minors in baseball, to say Barry Zito can outpitch him is an embarrassment in itself.

  59. AeroFANatic

    Billy Traber’s last 10 appearances at Scranton :

    W L ERA SV ING H ER BB K WHIP
    2 0 1.98 2 13.2 15 3 3 13 1.36

    So, he has been fairly good over the last 3 weeks. Plus, he is already on the 40 man. This move makes sense in the near term.

    Robertson will be up sooner than later, and most likely at the expense of Traber or Olly.

  60. Rebecca--Optimist Prime--Mission 2708

    Igawa’s signing was bad.

    That said, there have been worse.

  61. 27 this year

    We cant just keep bringing up our prospects till they are ready. We cannot keep rushing them and then saying they suck when they aren’t ready. We already screwed up with Kennedy who I think should have started in teh minors regardless of last season. Minor leaguers need more than a year. Robertson probably just needs time. Plus, like someone mentioned, if Traber sucks pitching in the majors again, then we cut him and open a roster spot.

  62. Brandon (supporting "Alex being Alex") (Jose Tabata Supporter 4 Life !!!!)

    Adrian Gonzalez vs LHP on the road
    .278/.350/.574 an OPS of .924
    7 HR, 20 RBI, 26 K’s

  63. frits

    not literally the worst signing. mike hampton and barry zito trump igawa in both length of contract and total dollar amount committed. igawa sucks, no doubt, but hampton and zito were worse as far as contracts go.

  64. Steph

    Willie handled himself with dignity and class…much more than you can say for the Mets.

  65. Rebecca--Optimist Prime--Mission 2708

    Heck, Igawa’s not even the worst signing the Yankees have made in the last four years…yeah, you know who I mean.

  66. Carl P.

    Someone say my name?

  67. Don Vito A. Bellamo

    Anyone want to tell me why we are STILL holding on to 3 catchers ?…this is crazy…get rid of Molina and bring someone up already….SHEESH !…

  68. Rob L.

    any chance Carl Pavano replaces Wang in the rotation?

  69. Rob L.

    there…I said it.

  70. Steph

    Hey Carl buddy, how goes the rehab? Working hard at not over-exerting yourself? We know how badly you’re wanting that new contract, since you’re laying the foundation for it right now.

    Why would they get rid of Molina when he’s signed for 2/4? Moeller will be DFA’d, and they will likely lose him to waivers.

  71. Brandon (supporting "Alex being Alex") (Jose Tabata Supporter 4 Life !!!!)

    Carl P.
    June 17th, 2008 at 4:30 pm
    Someone say my name?

    Right on cue :?

  72. raymagnetic ®™

    “Raymagnetic he sucks for his price. Literally has to be the worst signing that keeps getting sent up and down the minors in baseball, to say Barry Zito can outpitch him is an embarrassment in itself.”

    Brandon,

    Read this slowly. Yes Igawa does suck at any price RIGHT NOW because he hasn’t shown he can get major league hitters out consistently.

    When he was signed he was signed to be a back end of the rotation starter for 4 million a year.

    Do you not see the rationality behind that thought process?

    Kei Igawa was a strikeout champion in Japan. The Yankees thought he would have some use in the majors. Hasn’t turned out that way but hindsight is always 20/20

  73. TKinDC

    “We cant just keep bringing up our prospects till they are ready.”

    27 –

    Any special formula you would like to share to determine readiness?

    Cano, Joba, Wang? Ready
    Melky, Ohly, Veras, Edwar? Not ready, then ready.
    Hughes, IPK? Ready, then not ready.

    My point is that it is awful tough to tell. That is why they pay people to evaluate talent.

  74. Bob

    we would need a lefty to face a Griffey or Dunn this coming weekend

  75. 27 this year

    We got to do something with these sucky pitchers like Traber and others clogging our 40 man. Get Igawa off it, if we get lucky, someone takes his contract, if not oh well because he wont take a spot.

  76. Brandon (supporting "Alex being Alex") (Jose Tabata Supporter 4 Life !!!!)

    Moeller will be DFA’d, and they will likely lose him to waivers.

    Maybe an under the radar 1 for 1 trade to the Giants for Erick Threets. :D

  77. G. Love

    Rebecca (and Ray to some extent),

    Forgive me, but who has been a worse free agent signing that Kei Igawa?

    You can’t say Pavano. If he wasn’t injured, he would be in the major leagues pitching right now. He started opening day last year and his contract is for less money than Igawa’s.

    Igawa cost the team 46 million and he’s healthy and cannot pitch in the major leagues and pitches to a 3.5 in AAA.

    It’s the worst free agent signing in history because the guy had zero track record in major league baseball to warrant the money and the roster commitment.

    At the time he was signed he was counted on to be a back of the rotation starter which he has not become.

    He’s a AAA insurance policy that really isn’t insurance since he can’t pitch effectively in the majors.

    It’s the worst signing in the history of baseball. Maybe that awful Albert Bell deal from the Orioles is comparable but they got actual production out of him.

    And to compare Igawa to Zito is so far off base. Zito earned the contract with his history in Oakland. Did they overpay? Yes. But at the time he was a free agent he was a known commodity with a successful track record and no indication he was going to go south.

  78. John_Halfz

    What a bunch of nerts. Traber is obviously bad. But he has lots of MLB service time. He’s on the 40-man roster. You can’t throw away an LHP reliever for nothing until you’re absolutely sure.

    There’s no point in bringing up someone who’s a medium to high level prospect and a) exposing him while using him as your 12th pitcher b) never finding opportunities to use him and disrupting your normal rhythm

  79. 27 this year

    Yea I get in TKinDC. However, we need these kids to get hit around a little in the minors first. The first time these prospects mess up, they implode and they need a chance to gather themselves. Better they get that out of the way in the minors so we dont deal with what happened to Hughes and Kennedy this year. They never experienced failure, and they couldnt’ get themselves back together. Plus, 30 innings is not enough to prove ready for the next levle.

  80. LathamJoe

    “Billy Traber has been recalled from Scranton. He comes equipped with a new slider”..

    Wow Wee! Lefties hitting .283 against him at AAA. Betcha he’ll be lights out against Dunn Griffey!

  81. zellyanks91

    I’m really happy to see Traber back up here. He has looked really good in the minors of late, and didn’t get much of a chance in the majors because of his DL stint. Hopefully he can be a quality pitcher out of the Yanks bullpen.

    Kevin

  82. John_Halfz

    Igawa cost the team very little in real costs since most of the money invested in signing him was sunk cost and immaterial to the team’s luxury tax obligations. For what he was paid, they were basically hoping for Jaret Wright who could actually throw innings. It hasn’t even been that good, but the money invested is a drop in the bucket.

  83. AeroFANatic

    Moeller will be DFA’d here very shortly, as Chris Stewart is already at Scranton (and is on the 40 man) in a worst case scenario.

    I believe either Gardner or Jason Lane will be brought up to take this spot. Gardner acts as a speed guy off the bench, and can spell Melky in CF. Lane can play the corner OF, as well as 1st Base.

    We shall see.

  84. 27 this year

    Technically, Igawa’s contract is 20 mil. The posting fee does not go to him but rather his Japanese team. He only gets 20

  85. 27 this year

    Gardner isnt getting called up Aero.

    You dont waste an everyday player because you need speed. Plus, Cashman said Bernie Castro is the guy if we want speed. You don’t hurt Gardner

  86. 27 this year

    Gardner will come up when there is a chance for everyday play. That is what I want to see. I am like everyone in that I want to see him just not as a bench player for his speed.

  87. John_Halfz

    PS Robertson has walked 14 in 26 IP in Scranton. That suggests that he’s either pitching around minor league hitters, or unable to throw strikes consistently.

    Is there really a point in letting him pitch once or twice out of the New York bullpen at home? At best, he gets two or three innings in. At worst, he’s exposed, walks four or five guys, or has a week that hampers his development.

  88. Steph

    Pavano’s contract isn’t smaller than Igawa’s. The Yanks paid 26 million of that 46 million total just to talk to Igawa. His actual contract is only 20 million.

    Nobody is ever guaranteed when you sign them to a contract. Well, nothing is guaranteed about a player, period. That has been proved countless times in baseball.

    The Japanese leagues are a bit of an unknown in the US, but the guy was dominant in Japan. That is why they signed him. They knew they weren’t going to get anything like Dice-K, but it was their response to that signing and their wanting to fill a void in the rotation. How was signing Igawa out of Japan much different than signing the young 16-year-olds out of the Latin countries? You never know how they will pan out! Every team makes its mistakes. The Yanks made a big one.

  89. Blargh

    Mike Hampton’s 8 year/121 million is far worse

  90. Steph

    Bernie Castro is injured, so if they need speed and want to call it from the minors right now, it’d have to be Gardner.

  91. AeroFANatic

    I think Gardner is “ready” and should be a call-up as soon as possible. Matsui should be perm DH, Giambi at 1st. Gardner would play semi-regularly in CF, and to spell others in the OF (Provided he could play the corners)

  92. Steph

    They’ll just argue that Pavano and Hampton’s contracts weren’t worse because they’d be pitching if they weren’t injured.

  93. Al from BK

    Y not Threets or Robertson WTF!

  94. Rishi

    Isn’t the Omar press conf in 15 mins? Anybody know if it is going to be on TV (SNY)?

  95. Just saying

    Maybe instead of retiring, pettitte could be the lefty reliever next season.

  96. Steph

    It’s kind of hard to recall a guy who doesn’t even belong to your team.

    ESPN will probably be broadcasting the news conference.

  97. John_Halfz

    Put it this way. These two men have identical WHIPs (within 0.01):

    Kei Igawa
    David Robertson

    The stats from 26 IP are not adequate to have predictive value. We know he has good stuff because he Ks a lot of guys and because he’s hard to hit. But down in Scranton, even old Kei gives up less than a hit an inning. We need to know why Robertson has nearly 3/5 of Igawa’s walks in only 3/10 the innings.

  98. saucY

    call me crazy, but igawa could very well be a #4 or #5 guy, just not on the yankees. and you can’t sign a #4/5 for $4M anymore. it’s the way it is now.

    personally, i think his failures have had a lot to do with the change in culture, and in addition, the extra pressure of NY (but that is not an excuse). go do a youtube search on him and watch him in the japanese league. he really looks like a different person. relaxed, seems to be having fun, and actually seems like a leader.

  99. Mark (Free Brett Campaign)

    SNY will have it, and I am sure Mike and the Dog will have the audio.

  100. al arodien

    just saying- just stop saying!

  101. raymagnetic ®™

    “Forgive me, but who has been a worse free agent signing that Kei Igawa?

    You can’t say Pavano. If he wasn’t injured, he would be in the major leagues pitching right now. He started opening day last year and his contract is for less money than Igawa’s.”

    Well I never said where Igawa’s signing ranks but it is obviously a bad signing. Definitely not the worse however. Denny Neagle and Mike Hampton have something to say about that. Barry Zito will soon join them. But anyway, I’m talking about the validity of signing him. Dick K had no track record either. He pitched nearly 200 innings last year. Hideki Matsui had no track record and he’s done okay over here. Hindsight is always 20/20

    “And to compare Igawa to Zito is so far off base. Zito earned the contract with his history in Oakland. Did they overpay? Yes. But at the time he was a free agent he was a known commodity with a successful track record and no indication he was going to go south.”

    So then you won’t be bashing Cashman if he signs a known quantity with a proven record who completely bombs? I seriously doubt that.

    And by the way Zito has declined steadily since he won his Cy Young award. That contract will go down as the worst ever when it’s all said and done.

  102. RSM

    “Robertson could easily be added to the 40-man roster by moving Wang, Hughes or Alby to the 60-day DL”

    It’s not as easy as it sounds. Let’s say you put Hughes on the 60 day DL and bring up Robertson. Then you have to make room for Hughes on the 40 man roster when he comes back. Which means someone has to DFA’d and clear waivers. You can’t just send Robertson back down, he’d likely be claimed off waivers.

    I agree with the previous posters that Traber is being given another shot because if he fails again, he will be released. Then, there’s your roster spot.

  103. ray (sox fan)

    I read in an earlier thread that Toronto may listen to offers for Burnett. I went to the MLB trade rumors site and didn’t see this possibility mentioned. Does anyone know anything about this, and if it is true why would Toronto be willing to deal Burnett. I don’t know how he has done against the Yankees, but he is usually tough on the Sox.

  104. jennifer

    Wow some dude from Newsday said they waited at the hotel till 3am local to speak to players, some expressed shock, none said Oh i’m sorry for Willie, none expressed regret. Very Nice classy players.

  105. Rebecca--Optimist Prime--Mission 2708

    Bernie Castro is hurt? Since when?

  106. bphill

    Robertson is on a schedule, he can’t be called up yet.

  107. bphill

    Robertson is on a schedule, he can’t be called up yet.

  108. whozat

    “so if they need speed and want to call it from the minors right now, it’d have to be Gardner.”

    Justin Christian is just as fast and no one considers him a prospect, so it doesn’t matter if he rots on the bench. That said, carrying worthless bats on the bench is pretty pointless.

  109. Blargh

    (the 121 million value for Hampton includes his ‘09 buyout; from ‘01 to ‘08, he gets 115 million including his signing bonus. For ‘09, there’s a 20 million team option or the 6 million buyout…so 121 mil in the end if he’s bought out as expected)

  110. Catalina

    At starstruck.com you can buy yankees apparel and at the checkout can receive a free dvd with the code: FACE2008.

  111. Steph

    Didn’t Chris Jennings write on his blog a few days ago about Bernie Castro being hurt?

  112. whozat

    “Bernie Castro is hurt? Since when?”

    Last week sometimes. It was on Jennings’ blog.

  113. Matt

    Now is the time to keep this hot streak going and make a run for it. Nobody is feeling sympathy for us with Wang out. The Red Sox are playing without Schilling, Matsuzaka, and Colon, Ramirez, and Ortiz now yet they keep winning. We have enough options to hold down the fort for the time being.

    Kennedy will be back in a few weeks, Hughes in August, Wang in September. We will have plenty of options from the minors too. Imagine if we can stay close until August and get those reinforcements. Think of a playoff rotation of:

    Wang
    Pettitte
    Chamberlain
    Hughes/Mussina

    That’d be pretty deadly with our bullpen and lineup shaping up as they have.

    In 2004 we had Brown out and Vazquez struggling mightily, yet we made the playoffs with a patchwork staff and were 3 outs away from the world series.

    In 2005, Wang, Pavano, and Wright were all out at the same time along with Mussina, yet with patching it together with the likes of Small and trades for Leiter and Chacon, we came 1 game away from advancing into the championship series and won the division on the 2nd to last day of the season in Fenway.

    In 2006, we lost Sheffield AND Matsui until late August/early September. Johnson was getting hit around to the tune of a 5.00+ ERA and Jaret Wright and Pavano were out as usual. Yet we didn’t give up when we lost 2 of our biggest clutch offensive players. We made a good trade for Abreu and Lidle, swept Boston in 5, and got beaten by a surprising Detroit team in the playoffs.

    In 2007, we lost Hughes and Pavano in their 2nd starts and Giambi, our best hitter in April, went down with a foot injury. Along with this, our entire lefty portion of the lineup was struggling until July and we were in fact .500 essentially at the all star break. We had no set up man we could rely on. Yet we played .700 ball and made the playoffs, and were a few midges away from maybe making it out of the first round.

    This season is hardly over. We will get Wang back in September, just in time for the playoff run, and since nobody is running away with it this year, we are right up there near the top of the wild card yet again. We’ve weathered Posada and A-Rod, a much tougher stretch than losing a guy every 5th day, especially with the depth of pitching in our minor league system. Albaladejo and Bruney are out, yet Ramirez and Veras have filled their roles and even done better than they have. A testimony to our incredible depth. The season as it will be until August or September starts tonight, but there is no way we are done and in fact I think that we will hold our own and have our full team together for the playoffs, where we will be a dangerous opponent.

  114. Steph

    I doubt that the Jays would deal within their own division…

  115. Mark (Free Brett Campaign)

    Castro pulled up lame going into 2nd on a double late last week.

  116. Rebecca--Optimist Prime--Mission 2708

    Ray: Yankees won’t trade for Burnett–you don’t trade within your own division.. Bbesides, Burnett has a long, long injury history.

  117. Al from BK

    I am going to start the Aaron Harang movement the Yanks need to get this guy. He would be alot cheaper than C.C. and I know everyone says that they wont trade him but for an IPK or Horne who can start very soon I think they would. I believe that they would love a young rotation and thats already in progress with Cueto and Volquez so why not shed salary and pick up a couple of pitchers who can start right away and were total studs in the minors?

  118. John_Halfz

    Yeah, you guys don’t excel in roster management. It’s a different discipline from talent evaluation.

    And for the record, Kei could definitely be a serviceable #5 starter. It would be as simple as pitching lower in the zone and lowering the terrible walk rates at the MLB level. He didn’t get hit as hard as you might think last year, and when he did, it was largely a function of pitching up and pitching from behind in the count.

    Whether or not he ever gets the ball down will be an open question. But if you can sign me a league average 5th man for $4 million, be my guest.

  119. whozat

    Christian has an 85% success rate. If you want a pinch runner to let rot on the bench, there’s your guy.

  120. Bryan (Yankees fan)

    RSM-

    What are you talking about Robertson has options he can be sent down without going through waivers

  121. whozat

    “I am going to start the Aaron Harang movement the Yanks need to get this guy. He would be alot cheaper than C.C”

    Why would he be cheaper? He’s under team control through 2011 at pretty reasonable prices for a proven, reliable, GOOD starter.

    Stop looking at guys in a vacuum. Look at them in terms of their contract. Harang is a WAAAAAY more attractive trade target than CC.

  122. AeroFANatic

    >>Christian has an 85% success rate. If you want a pinch runner to let rot on the bench, there’s your guy.

  123. billy

    Robertson’s stuff is nasty and moves a ton which results in some high walk totals. His control has been better as of late.

  124. whozat

    “What are you talking about Robertson has options he can be sent down without going through waivers”

    If they wanted to get him off the 40-man, they’d have to pass him through waivers. That was the context there…moving someone to the 60-day DL to get Robertson onto the 40 man means needing to open a 40-man slot when that player is ready to come off the 60-day.

  125. AeroFANatic
  126. ray (sox fan)

    Rebecca–Optimist Prime–Mission 2708
    June 17th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
    Ray: Yankees won’t trade for Burnett–you don’t trade within your own division.. Bbesides, Burnett has a long, long injury history.

    Rebecca….does this mean that we can’t trade Lugo to you guys for Arod?? Just kidding!!!!!

  127. Bryan (Yankees fan)

    ok gotcha

    But Robertson will be up here at some point either this season or next season

  128. jennifer

    Well so far no one will ever confuse Omar with Cash.

  129. Fren.

    I’m an avid Cashman supporter, but he seems extremely slow when it comes to cutting ties with mediocre players/calling up guys performing well in AAA. Calling up Traber makes absolutely no sense at all when you have a guy like Robertson completely schooling AAA hitters.

    This move is extremely puzzling.

  130. Rishi

    he looks like he is going to pee in his pants

  131. Rebecca--Optimist Prime--Mission 2708

    Ray: Sorry man.

  132. jennifer

    Didn’t think it was fair to the team to have his job status hanging over the team.

    Um very easy you tell the team, that he is the manager for the year.

  133. Fredo Corleone

    “When he was signed he was signed to be a back end of the rotation starter for 4 million a year.”

    $4 mill a year plus close to $30M posting fee. It was a disasterous and somewhat reactionary signing that does not appear to be at all logical.

  134. Rishi

    I agree, Jennifer – he’s a terrible speaker and he’s not really making any sense

  135. G. Love

    I don’t bash Cashman for Pavano. Everyone in the league was going to sign him.

    Did I love Pavano before we signed him? No. I didn’t see him as a pitcher worth the cost, but I never said it was Cashman’s fault for how he panned out.

    He wouldn’t have been one of my top picks in the free agent pool though.

    Igawa is more of an organizational failure. When you have Ted Lilly willing to come here and wanting to come here and you pick a guy from Japan when Japanese pitchers have been much more hit and miss than position players and on top of it, you bank on the guy to be in your rotation, it’s a bad job. There is no other way to put it.

    Lilly historically pitches very well in the AL East. He handles the Red Sox and when he pitched against Toronto with the Cubs recently he pitched a great game. He’s not a #1, but he’s 3-5 depending on performance since he K’s a good number of guys.

    He also wanted to be a Yankee again. I think Torre had a huge hand in stopping that, but Cashman went along with it and signed off on Igawa who may never show a dividend at the major league level.

    The moves I bash Cashman for are Igawa, Farnsworth, Kevin Brown (which may have been George’s move, I don’t know) and the plan for this off season which included the 2 kid pitchers as rotation givens. Those are my major gripes with the guy who seems to have done a 180 in how this team does business.

    I support building up the farm to help the team and use as trade chips, but I don’t support putting all your faith in the farm since historically more prospects fail than succeed.

    As for Hampton and Neagle being worse than Igawa, those are close. Maybe they’re worse, I don’t know. I just think 46 million for a guy (no matter how you chop up the money they spent as sunk costs) that cannot pitch in the major leagues is one of the all time worst moves in baseball.

  136. mel

    He doth protest too much about whose decision it was…

  137. Dee

    Omar’s press conference is on now.

    He’s speaking on a LAA podium and in front of LAA logo wall papers b/c he’s using the Angels’ press room. So weird.

    He’s taking full responsibility for the firing decision, he emphasized this repeatedly. He said he decided not to leave Willie hanging.

  138. Mark (Free Brett Campaign)

    Its like he is repeating everything he says.

  139. bphill

    Omar sounds insanely nervous

    He is scared to death.

  140. Jessica

    Ray,

    The jays seem to still be in the race, but it’s probably because Burnett can opt out of his contract at the end of this year. P.S. He kills the Yankees

  141. mel

    Does Omar always sound so defensive? The questions haven’t even started.

  142. berniepaul&tino

    minaya is a moron

  143. Dee

    Omar looks so scared. He knows he’s next to go.

  144. Anyone but Farnsworth

    Omar isnt acting soo strange… He is gonna get royaly screwed with the press

  145. Al from BK

    I want everyone who is defending Igawa to look at some tape. He does not have the ability to keep the ball low in the zone it is impossible for him. If he could do that then maybe he is a 5 but he has yet to do that and the reason why his numbers at SWB are solid is because minor league hitters for the most part cannot hit breaking stuff. He does have a good change but up here in the AL East that high change isnt swung on and missed its put in the seats. That is the truth about Igawa and the reason he was good in Japan is because most Japanese hitters are not much better than AAA hitters, with a few exceptions and those exceptions come to the states. Ichiro, Matsui, Johjima, Iwamura, Fukudome these are guys who were the elite hitters in Japan and unfortunately for Japanese pitchers they rarely face the best anymore. This domination of inferior hitters inflates Japanese pitchers stats with a few rare exceptions Dice-K, Nomo in his prime Japanese pitching talent doesnt translate here.

  146. Jessica

    Man… Omar is making a fool out of himself right now. How many times is he going to say that it’s his decision…

  147. whozat

    “Calling up Traber makes absolutely no sense at all when you have a guy like Robertson completely schooling AAA hitters.”

    Or, maybe, Cash is a bit more cognizant of the fact that 25 or so innings at AAA (with a bunch of walks) does not indicate that a player is ready for the bigs — as well as the attendant tradeoffs of roster management issues.

    As for Traber…the AAA pitching staff has been so thrashed by callups and injuries that both Heath Phillips and Billy Traber have been called upon for multiple multi-inning outings, and not just LOOGY work. Traber’s splits against lefties are uninspiring, but he HAS thrown well over his last 10 outings (13.1 IP) 13K’s, 3 BB, 3 ER, 15 H.

    Maybe he doesn’t make sense as a LOOGY, but maybe he makes sense as a decent middle reliever.

  148. mel

    Who is this ‘Wooly’ he keeps mentioning? Sounds like Wooly was the scapegoat. At least Omar admitted that.

  149. Steph

    “And then I said, ‘Willie.’ Because, you know, Willie and I talk. We talked. I said, ‘Willie.’”

    Man, does he know how to say anything other than, “I said to Willie…” He is a terrible speaker…

  150. gayle

    Liar Liar pants on fire

  151. Anyone but Farnsworth

    I reviewed all those areas,, and then i reviewed some more

  152. MikeEff

    gayle— HA!!!

  153. ARX

    I can’t believe this guy actually doesn’t see anything wrong wtih the way he did this….he didn’t want to leave him hanging?!?!?!? He’s been dangling like a worm on a hook for WEEKS

  154. Anyone but Farnsworth

    Since it was your call, then your the ass hole who fired Willy in the most awful way possible.. You should be ashamed of your actions

  155. Dee

    Man this press conference performance will get Omar himself fired even faster. He looks utterly incompetent.

  156. Jessica

    Omar is reviewing the overall review of the eval-review-uation.

  157. gayle

    Dee–

    it truly is amazing the Mets knew about this press conference since last night (early this AM). They very easily could have gone to Kinos as soon as it opened this Am and gotten a logo for the podium as well as logo backdrop. Looks very lame that they have this with the Angels logo behind them.

  158. Rishi

    he’s tap dancing, not really saying anything..has he never learned to let the people ask the question before you answer it?

  159. jennifer

    ARX

    Totally right!

  160. rconn23

    I think J.B. Cox, when he comes off the DL, will be a better option. He’s not a strikeout machine, but his numbers are excellent.

  161. gayle

    ok so now it is the media’s fault he got fired in the middle of the night.

    Wow whomever briefed him for this press conference did a horrible job.

  162. Anyone but Farnsworth

    I guess the environment made his decision not his brain

  163. Mark (Free Brett Campaign)

    We’re working on not releasing information. I love it Omar.

  164. mel

    gayle,

    Well, they want to make it appear that even though it was Omar’s decision, it’s actually the Angels who are the bad guys.

    What was ‘Mike’ right about?

  165. Today's Burning Question

    Is Johan Santana second guessing himself for saying yes to a deal with the Mets or will his contract make him get over the fiasco he’ll see unless dealt elsewhere ???

  166. Blargh

    Igawa got paid to be a #4/#5 (and failed miserably)
    Hampton got paid like a #1 among #1’s….and has pitched in fewer games than Pavano has since 2005. That’s just beyond failing miserably.

  167. Rishi

    Has Omar ever had to conduct a press conf on a less than easy topic? He’s terrible at it

  168. Jessica

    This is like the Clemens @ Congress fiasco.

  169. Rebecca--Optimist Prime--Mission 2708

    Wang is incredibly mature. I’m glad he’s a Yankee.

  170. jennifer

    i can’t say that Willie would be the manager for the rest of the year cause if we lost 15 in a row, he wouldn’t. um okay!

    But now he can say that Jerry will be the manager for the rest of the year. That makes a lot of sense.

  171. whozat

    “I think J.B. Cox, when he comes off the DL, will be a better option.”

    ’strue. And poor Chris Britton is eligible to come off the DL tomorrow. I wonder if he’s ready, and if they’ll just send him right back to AAA if he is. I would like to see Hawk shipped out to make room for Britton or Cox as soon he as can be. I may also like to see Ollie sent to AAA to get back in the rhythm of short relief, and work on his splitter…if someone down there is still making a case to come to the bigs.

  172. Mark (Free Brett Campaign)

    Guys Omar loves Willie Randolph.

  173. Dee

    Gayle,

    All I know is the LA Angels are firing some guy named Wooly, and it’s this gray-haired guy’s decision and his decision alone…

  174. jennifer

    I have to leave work, but this sounds sooo good. :lol:

  175. mel

    Don’t expect a Christmas card from your friend, Willie.

    If we had a ‘Wooly’ or ‘aksed’ drinking game, we’d all be passed out by now.

  176. gayle

    Ok now it has gotten absurd. if the Mets lost 15 in a row that is why Omar could not say that Willie was the manager for the entoire year but he is proclaiming that Manuel will be the manager for the entire year no matter what.

    Bottom line they should have gotten rid of Willie at the end of last year for better or for worse.

    Now Omar brings up the whole racial thing god this is just so bad there really are no words.

  177. Jessica

    Ohh, he’s going to paint himself into a corner.. Oh he just did it.

  178. Anyone but Farnsworth

    Soo he choose Willy casue he was an African American when he decided to hire the new Mets Manager.. WHy cant Omar say Willy was not getting the best out of our players..

  179. Rishi

    Dee – too funny… :)

  180. Jessica

    Now he says that he hired Willie because he is black…

  181. Blargh

    Oh, Cot’s Contracts lists Colorado as the one who’s paying Hampton’s buyout of next year; why’s that?

  182. THU

    George W Bush can talk circles around Omar. OK. OK. OK. OK.

  183. Jessica

    Now race doesn’t matter. I didn’t want to bring this back up but… yeah i do think that Omar especially goes after Hispanic players.

  184. Lampchop Louie

    I wouldn’t ask Omar Minaya to take out my garbage much less make personnel decisions for me.
    He’s a 2nd class hoot for a general manager.

  185. Mark (Free Brett Campaign)

    Someone get Omar another bottle of water.

  186. Steph

    This is a “we” decision? I thought he was saying it was his decision?

    He pulled the race card? Oh, here we go again. Let me guess. Somehow this is MLB’s fault now.

  187. Steph

    He has to be the manager of the year or he’s not going to be the manager? Gee, that’s fair.

  188. CB

    Everyone who complains about Cashman’s vanilla press conferences and public statements, particularly about his ability to speak words and say nothing much should really listen to Omar’s press conference.

    The Met’s public face and public relations as an organization are just mind bogglingly awful. From Jeff Wilpon to Omar – just terrible in the public spotlight.

    Anytime they have to say anything they just make it worse for the team. Omar just sounds awful – unsure of himself, defensive, halting and dodging questions.

    It’s hard to believe the mets could be so bad at this kind of thing after so many years of going through similar kinds of things in new york.

    I’ll take vanilla over evasive and panicked any day. No way any mets fan can have any confidence in the GM, ownership or organization after listening to this pack of nervous lies.

  189. Steph

    “I don’t believe in firing a manager at a game in uniform.”

    Yeah, so sending out an email and firing him at midnight my time is the perfect way to handle it.

  190. mel

    So do the Cashman haters hate Hal, too, for not being pro-active?

  191. ARX

    “I don’t believe in firing the manager at the game in uniform.”
    So firing him after a win, at the hotel, at midnight like a thief in the night is much better? Gotcha. This is pure comedy gold here.

  192. Mark (Free Brett Campaign)

    That would be more disrespect to fire him in uniform, but its fine we couldn’t fire him Sunday, and I came to my “decision” Monday morning. Omar your doing “great”

  193. Al Sharpton

    “If only Willie would have just ageed to be called Guillermo, he would still have a job” -Omar Minaya

  194. mel

    CB,

    He looks like a chronic in rehab. I’m expecting him to start picking at his skin at any moment.

  195. gayle

    OK good one Omar now challenge the media to check the facts of what he is saying. Why do I think that for some reason this will turn even worse very very soon?

  196. mel

    lol, Al Sharpton!

    Where’s Anna Benson when you need her?

  197. Adam

    Omar Minaya is the quintessential stick your foot in your mouth general manager.
    There’s Double A GM’s that have a better handle on a team than Minaya has.
    He can’t talk his way out of a Shop-Rite brown paper bag.

  198. mel

    Omar does have a point. He sent that e-mail @ midnight. Not 3 in the morning.

    That makes it a little better.

  199. SJ44

    Omar just rose to his level of incompetency.

    He has no business being a ML GM. He isn’t good at it.

    Not at building a ballclub nor as acting as the face or voice of a franchise.

    He may be a nice guy but, so are clubhouse attendants.

    That doesn’t mean they are fit to be general managers.

  200. Francis The Praying Mantis

    y’all supposed to be big willie, y’all ackin kinda silly.

  201. Mark (Free Brett Campaign)

    Can Willie throw out the first pitch next Friday afternoon vs the Mets?

  202. Dee

    OMG this is too funny!

    “The fact is, OK, the biggest fan of Wooly Randolph, is Omar MinAAAYA, OK?”

  203. Steph

    Well, he sent it at 3 am ET, but it was midnight out here in the West.

  204. CB

    Mel,

    This is just cringe inducing to listen to. Its one of those things where its just embarrassing to be part of even as a listener. Just completely humiliating all around.

    We take being yankee fans for granted way too much. The mets have an enormous payroll, a cable network and a new stadium on the way.

    And this is the best they can do for their fans. The best face they can offer the public.

    Omar’s evasiveness is only going to make this worse. This is not a finished issue and this press conference only makes things worse.

    This could engulf their entire season. Could get better under Manuel. But it’s going to be clear to everyone that Omar’s not in control and the players will sense that.

    The players are listening to this. Can’t be inspiring any confidence.

  205. Steph

    Hey, that would be a fun idea. I’m all for Willie throwing out the first pitch.

  206. gayle

    ok here we go again liar liar pantson fire.Tony B was tlaking with Manuel before Willie got fired.

  207. RonH

    Pete, I honestly hope Hoffman gets his one on one with Mo. They are both tremendous closers and assets to the game. Please let us know if it happens.

  208. mel

    Steph,

    I was just kidding. A little poke at the person, with their east coast bias.

  209. Evander Holyfield

    Even “Iron Mike” Tyson is cooler than Minaya.
    He’s ready to bite a sportwriter’s ear off at this press conference and he doesn’t even have a full contingent of writers out in L.A.

  210. Steph

    “You ask the questions, I’ll give you the answer to the best of my ability.”

    That’s not a promising response given how this wreck is going…

  211. Dennis-Costanza(Sox fan)

    Happy Tuesday.

    I have always been pretty apathetic about the Mets even though ‘86 was difficult. I now despise the organization. I posted a few weeks ago that I was ticked when the Mariners fired their hitting coach in Toronto a day and a half away from traveling back to Seattle after a long road trip. This is much, much worse. The Subway series will now be a moral challenge but I will pull for the Yanks. I hate the Mets. In fact I “Trisha” hate the Mets now…

    Have a good night. -dennis

  212. YankeeVIP

    not sure if this was mentioned in the earlier section ( i am sure it has been)

    get rid of bobby m. and bring willie in to coach 3rd base!!!!

    how great would that be

  213. BBFan

    “He’s actually blaming the media, saying the atmosphere around the team forced him to fire the manager.”

    It is a lousy excuse to give on the part of Omar.

    But truth of the matter is there is some truth to that statement. Some memebers of the media are totally irresponsible and they will do nay thing to sell papers. There is no accountability.

  214. Steph

    Haha, well, I guess dear Omar got caught up in the technicalities of the time zones:)

  215. stuart

    steiiny finally has figured it out, buying high priced guys or selling the farm for talent DOES NOT WORK.

    Randolph got screwed but he in the long run will be better off, the management did not back him.. Minaya could have put this all to rest a long time ago but did not..

    I would not be against getting Arroyo/fat guys franseccas love child if the price was relatively cheap and fair…

    the offense needs to carry the team until hughes or Wng come back….

  216. gayle

    You know what the funny thing is (well not that funny). If only Omar had done this over the weekend and ot in the middle of the night under a clouod of suspicion this press conference would have been totally different and not so confrontational.

    What an idiot in terms of media relations or at least not seeing further how he did the firing would mean as much as IF he did the firing.

  217. Bryan (Yankees fan)

    Wooly Wooly Wooly

  218. Al from BK

    Wang sounds really disappointed you can tell he loves to compete. Trevor Hoffman sounds like a gentleman, just like Mariano. Hal Steinbrenner should give us an example of these “young guys” that everyone loves to mention. Hughes- out til August,IPK- rehabbing out til July(likely), Horne- Just got back into games a few weeks ago not close, McCutchen-Not ready,Aceves- Not at all ready,Igawa- Nuff said, Giese-NOT a “young guy”, he’s a journeyman. Who exactly are these “young guys” Hal and Hank are referring to, they should review the minor league roster before they start bragging about their “internal options”. There is no one ready to pitch in the Bronx until after the ASB, I guess a month of Dan Giese is a fair replacement for CMW.

  219. tcsports (aka kid)

    Not only is Omar a clown, he’s a dumb clown.

  220. gayle

    How come no one has asked why Alomoar was kept and the first base coach was let go

  221. tcsports (aka kid)

    Meanwhile, I went to the Padres clubhouse to speak to Trevor Hoffman for my Sunday column. What a tremendous guy. We got to talking about Mariano Rivera and here’s what he said:

    “It’s an honor to be mentioned in the same sentence as that man. I have tremendous respect for him. I’m hoping that sometime in the next three days I can shake his hand and tell him that.”

    How great is that?

    That absolutely made my day.

  222. Chris (save Jose Tabata!)

    Wooly ok Wooly ok Wooly ok Wooly ok …

  223. mel

    Maybe that’s the problem, Omar, you keep hiring from within is like inbreeding.

  224. stuart

    al take a pill…

    Horne is a legit prospect and they have others…sorry replacing your #1 starter is not a simple thing to do, at least not in the real world.. in fantasy baseball it is a move away but this is not fantasyland…

  225. Dee

    The Wilpons need to send a security guard in that conference room and carry Omar off the stage asap. He is one step away from offering his opinions on whether OJ did it.

  226. mel

    Huh, Willie is ‘Wooly’ in espanol as well.

  227. Steph

    How sweet. He thought about it on Sunday night and wanted to sleep on it. He felt bad about firing his friend.

  228. S.A.- No pain..no gain! Bronson Arroyo will save us!!

    Watching this Omar press conference-I feel like I need to shower

    So much garbage being spewed..someone call a garbage removal company

  229. ARX

    I need to learn spanish so badly….I picked up the words ‘easy, friend, manager’….thats about it :/

  230. Steph

    Eh, I summarized what he said in Spanish.

  231. S.o.S.27

    raymagnetic,
    I agree with your statement about Kei. Hindsights 20/20. As much as i hate watching him pitch and never want to mr. sunglasses pitch here again. It wasnt an obvious mistake when we signed him. His career era was only a half run higher than Dice k. Strikeout champ,young and a lefty for half the price of Dice. It was either sign him or Lilly which was havnt injuries as of late. Also would have been more of a hit on the luxury tax.

    We should have Randolph be an honery coach on the A.L. team. Wearing of coarse the pinstripes.

  232. tcsports (aka kid)

    Is “ax” a word? As in, if you “ax” me?

  233. CB

    It’s only a matter of time – Omar’s going to get fired and they are going to blow this team up yet again.

    How many times can the Wilpon’s reside over this kind of mess.

    It’s the same pattern over and over and over. And they just don’t get it.

    The one constant through all of these disasters is the ownership. Everything else changes – the pieces move – but there is no difference.

    $140 million payroll and this is what they have to show for themselves.

    The GM letting th public now what the definition of the word “perception” is.

  234. ARX

    Your summary wasnt on the page when I hit ‘post’ ;)

  235. JohnnyC

    It’s classic Mets psychodrama. They’ve been doing this for 40 years.

  236. tcsports (aka kid)

    Manuel looks shellshocked.

  237. Steph

    Haha, whoops. Next time, I’ll transcribe everything as they say it:)

  238. mel

    That’s it?! That was so much fun.

    I want to hear Steve Phillips’ reax.

    And is the first time in history that a new manager was introduced in front on another team’s backdrop?

  239. Al from BK

    Stuart- I’m just saying they are acting like there is a Joba type guy waiting in the wings but there isnt. Alan Horne is very legit I have followed him for years but you and I know that he needs at least 6 weeks of starts to be ready for a tour in pinstripes.

  240. S.o.S.27

    “In fact I “Trisha” hate the Mets now…”

    Dennis your trisha in diquise? Man i would have never guessed with all the i hate the sux comments trisha used to write.

  241. Mark (Free Brett Campaign)

    I love the Manuel Omar pictures being taken.

  242. Steph

    Maybe the Mets need to be under the leadership of the great Steve Phillips again. They deserve each other.

  243. CB

    Jerry Manuel is a good guy. This is going to turn out very badly for him as well.

    The vultures in the Mets front office are going to destroy him as well.

    After this fiasco how is Omar going to every be able to personally hire a top flight manager to replace Manuel at the end of this season?

    How is any big name manager, the kind the Wilpon’s will crave, going to sign on to this? How will anyone tie themselves to Omar’s fate?

  244. Dennis-Costanza(Sox fan)

    S.o.S.27.

    LOL. I was just trying to show how much bias I will now show vs. the Mets from here on out. I feel awful for Randolph and Peterson…

    Have a good night. -dennis

  245. Peter

    pete a lot of pregame updates. you take the adderrall today? hah

    agreed that this press conference is a joke

  246. Al from BK

    Yeah!- Trolls are not welcome here. Sorry that the Mets have no shot of making the playoffs.

  247. YankeeVIP

    here is the problem.

    if omar is fired.. that just creates another attractive option for Cashman at the end of the season.

    we should all hope omar stays

  248. PJH

    Yeah!- If you have to troll you could at least try being creative. Unlike some other trolls you are not entertaining at all.

  249. Al from BK

    “I hope Joba blow up his arm from the bottom of my heart.”

    Dude learn to speak English and how to use grammar. “Sesame Street” is very helpful as is “Reading Rainbow”

  250. EricNS

    I wonder what Mike “the Mets will take over the city” Lupica thinks about this – can you imagine the press reaction if the Yankees had done this.

  251. S.o.S.27

    Al from BK,
    Its funny to here everyone wanting to pull the trigger on C.C. or Bedard. When last week i was argueing about Wang being an ACE. In the end of the arguement it almost sounded like Wang wasnt better than a 3. In that case we really dont have much to replace. Right fellas? Hell Arroyo might suffice.

    We will be just fine. Our minor league system will keep us affloat. Once the trading deadline comes. Im sure we will pick up a decent pitcher. Who knows. Maybe Kennedy can find the Kennedy of 07.

  252. Steph

    Going to the Mets would be an attractive option for Cashman? There are a lot of other teams who could give him a much nicer job as GM without having to deal with the fiasco that is the Mets.

  253. gayle

    OK I guess we know why Almoar wanst fired now. They had to have talked to Manuel about this then before they fired the other coaches. As he said he has known and is friends with Almoar for along time and is now the bench coach.

  254. PJH

    Yeah- Why would a 3 year old want a car for Christmas? I have never seen 3 year olds drive. Have you?

  255. mel

    YankeeVIP,

    I dunno. Cashman’s been part of the Yankee for a looong time. I think he’d go west before he’d go crosstown.

  256. PJH

    You say what you have to say and sound like a brainless moron.

  257. Al from BK

    At least some trolls get my cackles up or are at least fun to hate this guy just isn’t very intelligent. The only thing worse than a troll is a stupid troll.

  258. ray (sox fan)

    Yeah! Just in case you are a Sox fan “Yeah” I just need to say as a Sox fan I am not impressed. You have no class.

  259. S.o.S.27

    “Dude learn to speak English and how to use grammar. “Sesame Street” is very helpful as is “Reading Rainbow””

    My little one watches “kids sprout”. That might also work.

    “WHAT A JOKE YANKEE FANS ARE LIKE THREE YEAR OLD WHO THINK THEY GOING TO GET A CAR FOR CHRISTMAS. KEEP DREAMING…….”

    Huh? Hott wheels? Kids Sprout. Try it.

  260. CB

    Cashman’s interview with on WFAN was very telling for him.

    I think that’s the first time he’s publicly acknowledged that Hank and Hal have approached him and stated their desire to bring him back.

    For Cashman to even admit that in public is a big deal.

    It looks like its going to be Cashman’s choice. Hank and Hal want him back.

    He’s not going anywhere. And forget the Mets. How could any executive or manager every trust Jeff Wilpon?

  261. Steph

    I never said that the way they let Torre go was classless. It was. Never said the Yankees hadn’t been a fiasco either. You’re picking the straw man, dear.

  262. PJH

    Is it just me or does it look like David Paterson and Jerry Manuel are long lost twins?

  263. Mark (Free Brett Campaign)

    YEAH- The drama of our owner has given the city how many championships again?

  264. Rebecca--Optimist Prime--Mission 2708

    So should I be glad I’m not watching Omar’s press conference?

    Also, I like the statement from Hal.

  265. Al from BK

    Yeah!- You really are stupid. If you paid attention to baseball at all you would know that the Yankees didn’t fire Broadway Joe. They simply offered him a contract that he found less than desirable and Mr. Torre himself decided to leave. Joe Torre wasn’t fired at 3 AM in mid June thats classless.

  266. S.o.S.27

    “And talking about classless firing how about the Yankees fired torre huh?”

    Uhhh. He was going to be the highest paid manager in baseball. Go back to your Royals blog. Because even a red rays troll isnt that weak.

  267. gayle

    Mr talkative Billy Wagner will be on Kay show. That could be interesting

  268. Yankee 'to death'

    WHAT the hell is Manuel talking about??!! He is CLUELESS…. and very disrespectful of Willie

  269. Steph

    You should be very glad that you did not watch the Omar portion of the press conference. Manuel doesn’t sound too bad. He speaks coherently, which is definitely a step up from Minaya.

  270. mel

    Manuel with a funny joke, but in poor taste on the day that Willie gets fired.

    He said that at the end of the season, he’s going to stay in his uniform because Omar said he won’t fire a person in their uni.

  271. PJH

    What is the statement from Hal?

  272. Eugie

    “You have to feel bad for the kid. The Yankees fought him for $600,000 in arbitration. And now this freak injury will cost him money if they go to arbitration next year.”

    Really Pete? We should feel bad for a Multi-Millionaire who might not get another Million next year. Forget about the majority of the country who can barely afford to put gas in their car. Poor CMW.

  273. Steph

    Does 27 championships win you championships? Oh, where do I start?

  274. Yankee 'to death'

    FIRE OMAR!!! FIRE OMAR!!! FIRE OMAR!!!

  275. CB

    Rebecca,

    You have to like everything you’ve heard from Hank, Hal and Cash since Wang’s injury (ok Hank’s tirade against the 19th century NL not so much….). On the baseball specific issues they’ve been right on the mark.

    The team is not going to panic. They are not going to make some shortsighted, knee jerk move.

    It may take some time but eventually the rest of baseball is going to see that.

    The team is in very good hands right now. Too much bluster from Hank but on issues of substance they’ve been right on the mark.

  276. Alan

    Yeah!
    June 17th, 2008 at 5:53 pm
    I don’t have to be creative I say what I wan’t to say.

    ******************************************************
    Yes. Typical N.E. education. Dumb as a bag of hammers.

  277. Rebecca--Optimist Prime--Mission 2708

    CB: I agree. The worst possible thing they can do is try to make a panic move right now, and it’s great to see that they’re not doing that.

  278. tcsports (aka kid)

    I don’t think the way the Yankees offered Torre a choice was classless. In fact I think he was lucky to get offered that choice seeing the Yankees hadn’t gone very far in the playoffs for quite a while. Because Joe thought he was untouchable or deserved a ton of money for not producing was on him, not on the Yankees.

    Looks like they made a good choice offering him less. His record in LA is nothing to crow about.

  279. S.o.S.27

    “Hahahahaha….Yeah you’ll have won 27 championships I give you that. But does 27 championships win you championships?????????…….”

    Congratulations!! You have won “The Dumbest Post of the Year Award”! 3 words for you. Hooked on Phonics.

  280. Steph

    Man, I would have loved to hear that conversation. Do you have audio of Moose on his food?

  281. gayle

    Go Moose!!!!

    It is amazing that it has taken this long for him to find the love with fans but glad he finally has it.

  282. Don Vito A. Bellamo

    Yeah! = container full of rear ends

  283. tcsports (aka kid)

    Yeah!

    Don’t hold back. Tell us how you really feel.

  284. S.A.- No pain..no gain! Bronson Arroyo will save us!!

    Funny stuff from the Moose

    “Just spoke to Brian Cashman. The Yankees are very, very, very intrigued with Alfredo Aceves and his potential as a starter. But they want to see him in AAA first. “At least a small sample,” Cashman said.”

    Interesting

  285. gayle

    omar on the wfan wow got tv and radio going at the same time.Wagner having Willie’s back. Omar will not

  286. ARX

    Wait, he had to win to to get the ice cream BACK? why take it away? such awful working conditions :)

  287. ray (sox fan)

    “Don Vito A. Bellamo
    June 17th, 2008 at 6:07 pm
    Yeah! = container full of rear ends”

    Vito……this is a historic moment……..I agree with you!

  288. CB

    Just forget the mets trolls. They’re going to leave this blog and then they are going to have to go back to the disaster that is the reality of their team.

    They’re going to have more Omar press conferences to bumble through in the future.

    More press conferences announcing the hiring of a manager in front of the emblem of another team. What an embarrassment. The New York Mets of Anaheim.

    That they’re trolling here at the same time their GM and new manager are speaking speaks volumes.

    It’s just pathetic all around.

  289. Yeah!

    I is a flippin’ dingle man and I’s gonna tell ya dat yer team is not es goode as mine team ./.which ihn kase u dunt no, iss the Bahstin Red socks guyz….derrr…hold on, I keep drewling inta the keybord…

  290. gayle

    How can Kay have Wagner on and not ask about the firing of the pitching coach and what effect if any that will have. I mean he is talking to the closer on the team one would think the pitching coach and relationship would mean something.

  291. Don Vito A. Bellamo

    ray…I love you, man ! :-)

  292. whozat

    “There is no one ready to pitch in the Bronx until after the ASB”

    No one’s looking to trade useful pitching right now ANYWAY. So it’s a moot point until the break anyway.

  293. YankeesTech

    Yeah, We might not be here in 20 years.

  294. S.o.S.27

    “Am talking from a freaking cell phone, I probably have more education than you punk.”

    1.Time to change your carrier.
    2.Can you here me now?
    3.What does that have to do with you not making any damn sense.
    4.Your too easy.
    5.Mommy wants her phone back.
    6.Ohh yeah!! 1980’s called. They want their word back(punk).

  295. tcsports (aka kid)

    Yeah!

    Yankee fans didn’t fire Willie. Why so much venom?

  296. Steph

    CB-You forgot the entire team name. The New York Mets Angels of Anaheim of Los Angeles of California. Did I leave out part of it?

    Omar is making the disaster of himself on WFAN now. He made the decision on Monday morning, so why didn’t he fire him, oh, in the morning?

  297. Rebecca--Optimist Prime--Mission 2708

    Mussina wrote “The ice cream is back” on his message board. The Moose made a deal with Girardi that if he got to 10 wins, they’d put the ice cream freezer back in the player lounge. Now there are incentives for 12 wins (donuts) and 15 (candy, maybe).

    Mussina went on one of his Dennis Miller-riffs on how he’s pitched well for so long on Mountain Dew, donuts and M&Ms. It was very funny.

    Brilliant.

  298. S.A.- No pain..no gain! Bronson Arroyo will save us!!

    Listening to Omar on WFAN now…

    I feel dirty

  299. Yeah!

    derr…i am tahkin un me cell phoner thing and tryin 2 typee in da youu Yankkeez stinkalot, butt I can’t figger it outta dose ….derrr…i’m gunna laff inyer fase yous sukers. whin my teem dus bettir den..derrrrrrr.yer.teams dus…OK, stoooped ??..I meem stupit !,..,.u r alls a boinch of stupits !

  300. tcsports (aka kid)

    Happy to hear MD put him on the spot.

  301. Don Vito A. Bellamo

    Who is this Yeah! dolt ?…did he really call Pete a Cunk ?

  302. Steph

    So now it was the faces of the players at seeing Willie being put under the gun is why he fired him? And he can’t figure out another way to do the firing? Come on. He can’t honestly be that stupid. Well, maybe he can.

  303. DOC

    Love the anecdotes. I think this blog would be even better with more of that and less of the analysis.

  304. Guiseppe Franco

    I know there are Yankee fans who don’t like Cashman (I’ve had my own issues with him), but let’s thank our lucky stars that he’s not Omar Minaya.

    Minaya couldn’t be more abysmal and made a complete fool of himself in that press conference.

  305. Steph

    Oh boy, now he’s saying that the talk over Willie being fired just really picked up this weekend. He must have been in a coma for more than half a year.

  306. Martin

    I can’t believe I’m saying this, but good job by Russo with Omar.

    Minaya really sounds like a scum bag.

  307. berniepaul&tino

    maddog is a loser

  308. S.A.- No pain..no gain! Bronson Arroyo will save us!!

    Listening to Omar on with Mike and the Mad Dog…I am gonna thank the lord that we have Brian Cashman

  309. S.A.- No pain..no gain! Bronson Arroyo will save us!!

    Go Russo Go!

  310. Martin

    “I know there are Yankee fans who don’t like Cashman (I’ve had my own issues with him), but let’s thank our lucky stars that he’s not Omar Minaya.

    Minaya couldn’t be more abysmal and made a complete fool of himself in that press conference.”

    Absolutely dead-on. Thank you God for Brian Cashman.

  311. Mark (Free Brett Campaign)

    Friday- the owernship and I had full support of Willie.

    win 3 of 4 games

    Early Tuesday morning- fired

  312. bigjf

    “The ice cream is back!” That’s why we come to this board, Pete. Not to hear you whine about how an organization supposedly witheld information from you.

    Russo and Francesa are killing Minaya in the interview right now. Rightfully so. Glad he’s not my GM. Made me think about how I really hope Cash signs an extension with us this off-season.

  313. bphill

    Alfredo Aceves, I love you..

  314. bphill

    mike and the mad dog are absolutely ripping Omar right now.

  315. Mark (Free Brett Campaign)

    Dog is great. Never thought I would say that.

  316. mel

    Colon placed on the DL (back)

  317. Rebecca--Optimist Prime--Mission 2708

    ““I know there are Yankee fans who don’t like Cashman (I’ve had my own issues with him), but let’s thank our lucky stars that he’s not Omar Minaya.

    Minaya couldn’t be more abysmal and made a complete fool of himself in that press conference.”

    Absolutely dead-on. Thank you God for Brian Cashman.”"

    Thirded.

  318. Patrick Bateman

    Maybe with Mussina pitching better without the ice cream and candy he should continue the course instead of loading up on junk food.

  319. Steph

    “There has never been a time in the history of baseball that a manager hasn’t picked his staff.” When did baseball history start, today?

  320. emobacca

    You gotta love Moose’s dry sense of humor. All we need is a Moose patented 7 seconds of silence after a Kim Jones question after his next start and we will be off and flying.

  321. Steph

    Whoops, I meant has picked his staff.

  322. jessiedog

    Wow – Omar is making no sense not on M&MD

  323. S.A.- No pain..no gain! Bronson Arroyo will save us!!

    He is making no sense at all.
    What the hell is he talking about

  324. CGAR

    Best interview ever by mike and the mad dog. I hate these guys but they’re grilling omar good.

  325. thunderfangabe

    what teams in the majors do not have drama somewhere? haha

  326. andy Hawkin's ghost

    Aceves? Why not at this point? I like Giese in the pen and want to see Malancon, Patterson, and Robertson in the Boogie Down by 8/01. Again, we’re playing for ‘09.
    Minaya is making himself look REAL foolish. Back peddle, back peddle, back peddle, BOOM. Yup, Omar, that’s the wall. No place to hide. You screwed it up. Have fun looking at the crab grass in Miami.

  327. Martin

    So why not fire him Monday at breakfast then, Omar?

  328. S.o.S.27

    Folks! We need to focus on this game. We have to keep this streak going. 5 and a half back and sox are playing a formidable opponent. Im a bit worried about the pitching matchups. Seems that we are going against some good pitchers. Wolf,Peavy and Banks? Would you guys be happy with taking 2 of 3?

  329. Steph

    A front office where everyone agrees with each other loses. A real winner.

  330. BBB

    Awww, I want audio of the Dennis Miller-riffs! At least paraphrasing? I

  331. Pierce - 2008 Best Actress Academy Award

    Wouldn’t it be hillarious if the Mets deal Santana to the Yankees during the coming blowing up of the Mets? Discounted of course, kind of like A-Rod was. Santana is probably seeing all this and wondering what the heck was I thinking?! I bet he wishes he didn’t sign that contract now.

  332. Steph

    Why couldn’t he fire him before the game yesterday? He said he woke up with the idea that morning. Willie wasn’t in uniform in the morning, unless those were his night clothes or something…

  333. whozat

    “Seems that we are going against some good pitchers. Wolf,Peavy and Banks?”

    Banks is NOT a good pitcher. Go look him up.

    Of course, that means the Yankees will probably make him look like Cy Young. I don’t know what it is, because it’s spanned multiple hitting coaches, but they seem to be hideous against guys they’ve never seen before, regardless of their stuff. Junkballing righties that are always around the plate…they should FEAST on them but they don’t.

  334. S.o.S.27

    “Colon placed on the DL (back)”

    Isnt that the same injury that shelfed him in the playoffs against us? I dont know how much that will hurt them. Dice is almost back.

  335. BBB

    hmmm, lohud ate half my post lol. As I was saying…long live the Moose, and ice cream and Mountain Dew. Go for those donuts next Mike!

  336. Scott

    I “perceive” that Omar Minaya is a joke of a baseball executive.

  337. benfica356

    and Manuel will be coaching the mets for the rest of the yr, according to Minaya.

  338. Billy

    Omar is dumb as a box of rocks. Next step Liga de Béisbol Profesional de Puerto Rico once it gets rolling again next winter.

  339. CB

    As Yankee fans its very, very easy to just take things for granted.

    13 years in a row in the post season – not enough.

    Wang gets hurt and people are demanding that they come up with an ace immediately as a more recent example.

    You look at what’s happening at Shea, you listen to Omar or you look at what a guy like Bavasi did in Seattle – you just have to be very happy that the yankees have set the organization in the right direction.

    I can’t even imagine what Met fans are thinking listening to Omar today.

  340. BBB

    ” Seems that we are going against some good pitchers. Wolf,Peavy and Banks? Would you guys be happy with taking 2 of 3?”

    It does seem that way, but somebody posted their home/road splits and the numbers away from Petco are not good, so hopefully it’ll be a little easier than it looks. But yeah, I’d be happy taking 2 out of 3. Just win series, that is always the goal.

    I’m not gonna lie though, it would warm my heart so much if we hit Peavy hard. I’ve never liked him probably for the same reasons why I’ve always loved Aaron Harang – one gets way too much credit imo, considering where he pitches and some of his (lackluster) big game performances over the yrs, and the other gets nowhere near enough.

  341. CGAR

    I think Manuel made a good impression in his presser.

    Omar is a joke.

  342. Doreen

    I LOVE Mussina. Paul McCartney kind of love (I’ve loved McCartney since I was 6 years old!) Seriously, I think that whole junk-food incentive is truly funny and fun!

    You gotta think that Dan Geise is one happy guy, knowing he earned a major league start.

    Glad I’m not in the NY Mets organization. Ugh.

  343. Nicole

    I vote that all Yankees fans should mail one candy bar of their choice to the team when Mussina wins his 15th! Let them know we stand behind them, for better or worse, injured or healthy, chocolate-deprived or sugar-laden.

    (Might I suggest Baby Ruth’s to remind them of past glory)

  344. Martin

    Can anyone tell me why Omar’s message to the Mets fans was that Willie was the first black manager in New York.

    Does anyone know the relevance?

  345. S.A.- No pain..no gain! Bronson Arroyo will save us!!

    This series won’t be easy. I hope we see Good Andy and the bats are still alive

  346. Pierce - 2008 Best Actress Academy Award

    Mets fans are not very intelligent, so they are probably upset that Wooly got fired instead of Willie.

  347. Dennis-Costanza(Sox fan)

    CB.

    Great point. I was thinking the same thing about being a fan of a well run organization. I also thought about it after hearing Cashman post the Wang injury. Nice to have a plan A, B and C. Imagine being a fan of KC, Balt, Pitts, etc, etc…

    Real bad day in Flushing…

    Have a good night. -den

  348. Confucius

    “Colon placed on the DL (back)”

    Let’s not forget, once upon a time, this was Sabathia. Eight solid seasons, 200ip+ almost every one, and a Cy Young award. Every argument being used to deflect the risks of a long-term Sabathia signing, just look at Colon.

  349. Pierce - 2008 Best Actress Academy Award

    Omar is trying to cover up for his racist ways. Wooly wasn’t hispanic, Omar wasn’t going to stand for that for long.

  350. tcsports (aka kid)

    Martin it had as much relevance as anything else he said in that press conference.

    CB good points. It’s easy to get spoiled when you’ve had so much good for so long and so much of the time. I train myself to back off and not fly off the handle when something goes wrong. It always end up the right way to do it. It probably adds years to my life too.

  351. S.o.S.27

    I just want to say that im spoiled watching Posada hit. You dont appreciate it till you watch our backups swing and missing the ball by 2 feet. Or hit with no power. IMO he probably has one more year behind the plate before he has to move to dh or first. Due to keeping him healthy. I hope one of our youngsters in the minors can bring that pop in their bat as he has. Its a luxury id like to keep.
    Had to get that off my chest.

  352. Martin

    We are neither trading for nor signing Sabathia. Be thankful cooler heads run the Department of Player Acquistion for your favorite baseball team.

  353. CB

    Dennis,

    You’re exactly right. I could never imagine John Henry/ Lucchino/ Theo ever doing anything remotely like this. Or hiring a guy like Bavasi, etc.

    There’s no guarantees in winning any game, never mind the WS. But all you can hope for as a fan is that your team has a rational plan and is committed to it. That the team isn’t run willy nilly.

    From a management perspective, the Yanks, Sox and Rays are all being run in a top notch fashion.

    The results show on the field.

    Don’t know if the team is going to get past losing Wang. But I do believe they aren’t panicking and won’t. They’ll move down a list of options and see how things go.

    Schilling gets hurt, Buchholz winds up back in AAA, Dice K has a set back. There’s still a plan in place.

    No sense of that at all over at Shea. It’s completely haphazard and reactionary. They’re more concerned about the PR aspects of their decision making than the baseball substance.

  354. S.o.S.27

    How many wins does Mussina have to win to get slim-jims in there?

  355. tcsports (aka kid)

    We are neither trading for nor signing Sabathia. Be thankful cooler heads run the Department of Player Acquistion for your favorite baseball team.

    Hear hear.

  356. whozat

    “Every argument being used to deflect the risks of a long-term Sabathia signing, just look at Colon.”

    Except Bartolo’s 7 inches shorter and has always needed more effort to throw hard. So…the situations aren’t THAT comparable.

  357. SJ44

    The Yankees are playing for 2009? Really?

    Somebody better tell the Yankees because they are only 4 games out of first place in the loss column on June 17.

    They are playing for THIS year. They won’t sacrifice the future for this year but, they also aren’t shutting down the year because Wang got hurt.

    Omar is an embarrassment. A guy who stepped on a lot of people and sucked up to a lot of columnists in town, to gain his “rep”.

    Today, it all ended for him.

    You judge leaders in times of crisis. Omar failed on all counts. That press conference was an embarrassment.

    Met trolls on this blog? As laughable as Omar’s PC today.

    If I was a Mets fan, I’d worry more about my own team than the Yankees.

    This is the last baseball GM job Omar will ever have.

    Back to scouting after the Wilpon’s blow him out of this gig.

    Ironically, Tony Bernazard will back stab Omar just like he did Willie. Its in Tony’s DNA. He can’t help himself.

    He wants to be the GM and since he’s attached to Jeff Wilpon’s hip, its only a matter of time before he gets the gig.

  358. SJ44

    Colon got hurt swinging the bat last night. Another pitcher injured by doing something he isn’t used to doing.

  359. vinny-b

    confusious: Exactly. No long-term contract, to Colon. I mean, Sabathia.

  360. Dennis-Costanza(Sox fan)

    CB.

    Well said. Folks should be more concerned with the product than the marketing. In the oil business we call it painting the pig when you put the spin before the substance.

    Omar was power painting the pig this afternoon. I felt like I was watching Big Brown’s trainer blame the jockey…

    -dennis

  361. SJ44

    FYI: Aceves is pitching tonight in Harrisburg for Trenton if folks want to follow his start.

    I believe gametime is 7 pm.

  362. CB

    Steve Sommers with the line of the day,

    “James Dolan never looked so good.”

  363. John

    lets go yankees!!!!!!!!!!!

  364. CaptainsCorner

    The Yanks BETTER not throw 1 good pitch to hit to Gonzalez. He is their offense. If the Yanks let him beat them then they really are pathetic. You don’t need to look at scouting reports to know that. Girardi pitch around him, not like how you pitched to Manny,..

  365. S.o.S.27

    SJ,
    Im glad to here your optimism. I was waiting for the Yankees to be at the magical 5 games over .500. Your 3 hours early. But im not complaining. We will be fine without Wang. The offense is looking potent since Posada came back. Arod hasnt gone on that amazing tear yet. I think Geise will do well Saturday. Small and Chacon take 2.

  366. kd

    I have a general question for hte blog. How often to NL pitchers take BP? Is it 1/5 as much as the position player? The reason I’m asking is that you rarely hear of an oblique strain for a NL guy, but seemingly much more often for the AL. A prime example would be Tim Hudson.

  367. CaptainsCorner

    Does anyone know what pitches Aceves throws? Is he a hard thrower?

  368. Fran

    After watching Minaya and his press conference, I have even more of an appreciation of Brian Cashman and the Steinbrenners.

    Let’s go Yankees. A chance to go to 5 over .500 tonight.

  369. CB

    If Aceves has another good start at AAA I think they might promote him to Scranton.

    Until he gets up to AAA it’s tough to know what you have.

    That said, it sounds like he might be a legitimate back of the rotation guy.

    Everything you hear is that he knows how to pitch. Doesn’t have great stuff but a low 90’s fastball and 4 pitches might be enough.

    He also has a lot of experience pitching in the Mexican league.

    Wouldn’t it be great if the yanks could fill Wang’s spot in the rotation with a guy they found by data mining performances in the mexican league.

    They have a $200 M payroll but they are leaving absolutely no stone unturned trying to find talent. Amateur draft, international signings, rule V draft, international league, Mexican league, Israeli league and China.

  370. SJ44

    SOS,

    Its a tough team to figure out. This is a big homestand for them. They have to load up the wins against bad teams at home. That’s going to be key.

    At some point, they will fill Wang’s spot in the rotation. If Giese can get them to the AS Break splitting his 4 starts in Wang’s spot, that’s all you can ask of the guy.

    In the meantime, they are going to have to hit. I mean, get back to the 968 run offense they were last year.

    If they can do that, it gives Cashman some time to make a logical deal.

  371. CB

    “If Aceves has another good start at AAA I think they might promote him to Scranton.”

    Meant to write if Aceves has another good start at AA…

  372. S.o.S.27

    CB,
    Do you see them calling up Aceves before Horne? Who do you think has the better make up for the bigs?

  373. Pinstripes

    Go Phillies

  374. Don Vito A. Bellamo

    http://mlb.mlb.com/news/articl.....p;c_id=mlb
    .
    Schilling has setback, returns to Boston
    .
    The wheels are FLYING off the BoSux Wagon ! :-)
    .
    http://mlb.mlb.com/news/articl.....p;c_id=mlb
    .
    Colon goes on DL with back problem
    .
    FLYING !!! :-)

  375. Martin

    “If Aceves has another good start at AAA I think they might promote him to Scranton.”

    Huh?

  376. CGAR

    Our “Department of Player Acquisition” means nothing if Hank decides he wants CC. I won’t be surprised if Hank pulls a power play like his father and swoops the big guy up.

    Maybe Hal could talk him out of it.

    If we could get CC at 4 years 80 mil guaranteed and then team options for a couple more years so the agent can say it’s a 120-40 mill contract then I think its a good deal.

    CC will hold up fine the next 4 years.

  377. Martin

    “Meant to write if Aceves has another good start at AA…”

    Oh. A lot of scouts are really high on this guy. Anyone see him pitch?

  378. DVB

    what ?

  379. JMO

    I’m really looking forward to f***ing Michael Kay rehashing the Wang injury six ways to Sunday…kind of like the incessant Joba pitch count references in his first and second start…

  380. Mark (Free Brett Campaign)

    Staten Island Yankees start their season tonight. Pat Venditte is on the roster which should be cool to see.

  381. JMO

    John Flaherty’s hair…what is going on!!???!?

  382. Rebecca--Optimist Prime--Mission 2708

    Is there a place we can follow Aveces’ start?

  383. Annie Savoy

    Glad that his great year on the mound has brought a return of Mike Mussina’s wonderful sense of humor. My brother, who lives 15 miles from Camden Yards had always told me about it, and now we are the beneficiaries here in NY. Don’t know if Mike will want another year though………

  384. tcsports (aka kid)

    Our “Department of Player Acquisition” means nothing if Hank decides he wants CC. I won’t be surprised if Hank pulls a power play like his father and swoops the big guy up.

    If you’ve been paying attention the Department of Player Acquisition continues to have their way with Hank.

    CC ain’t happening.

  385. Martin

    “If we could get CC at 4 years 80 mil guaranteed and then team options for a couple more years so the agent can say it’s a 120-40 mill contract then I think its a good deal.”

    Do you really see this as even a remote possibility? 4 guaranteed and 3 team options–not even player options–for the #1 rated FA pitcher on the market next winter?

  386. CB

    SoS,

    I think it really depends on health and how they think Horne is throwing relative to what he looked like before. How his arm strength and command are, etc.

    Aceves does need time in AAA. He’s 25 and pitched in a fairly advanced league – the competition in the Mexican league is good. You need to see him against more advanced hitters to get more of a sense for how ready he is.

    And ultimately, it’s going to come down to who is pitching the best – and by that I mean not only who has the best statistics but who looks the best to the yankee’s pitching people – who looks the most major league ready at this time.

  387. The Fallen Phoenix

    Horne is probably better than Acevedes, but he just got back from an injury, so it doesn’t make sense to rush him to the majors now.

  388. JMO

    Remember when everyone wanted Brian Giles really bad? And then he leveraged the Yankees for a fat deal in SD? I hate that guy.

  389. Joe from Long Island

    OK, the kid’s been fed, the dog’s been fed, wife out on her business trip, and now to business….

    1. Larry Bowa and Ron Guidry are good guys. I’m a Guidry fan from way back. I wish Bowa were still our 3B coach.

    2. I used to work with a guy like Omar. Spent all his time kissing up, but not really accomplishing anything worthwhile. When we got taken over, he kissed every rear end he could find. He even served as a hatchet man for a few firings. But in the end, he got canned, just like everyone he canned.

    3. IPK is going to have to step up, big time, sooner or later. It may be later, in July, but he will need to do it. He can, he just has to believe that he can. It’s all up to him.

    4. Cash’s comment on Aceves is VERY telling. Cash usually doens’t tip his hand, so I think this is significant.

    5. Thank goodness I’m a Yankees fan and not a Mets fan. GO YANKEES!

  390. Rebecca--Optimist Prime--Mission 2708

    Andy. Strike Zone. Please find.

    Also, it’d be amazing to play on the same team as your brother.

    Okay, Andy, I mean, find the strike zone and throw strikes, not hits.

  391. Rey22

    Wasn’t the game gona be in channel 9 according to Pete? D:

  392. JMO

    Welcome to a Pettitte start, son!!!

  393. Rebecca--Optimist Prime--Mission 2708

    Not a Pettitte start without the pick off

  394. CB

    “Is there a place we can follow Aveces’ start?”

    milb.com is very good. you can also get all the audio for games for free. they also have gameday for AAA.

    http://web.minorleaguebaseball.....p;did=milb

  395. S.A.- No pain..no gain! Bronson Arroyo will save us!!

    Nice start Andy!

  396. Fran

    Nice 1st inning for Andy.

  397. tcsports (aka kid)

    Andy. Strike Zone. Please find.

    Sounds like Hawk Harrelson.

  398. Mark (Free Brett Campaign)

    Rebecca, you can follow Aceves start here, just refesh it every few minutes.

    http://web.minorleaguebaseball.....x_haraax_1

  399. S.A.- No pain..no gain! Bronson Arroyo will save us!!

    “Wasn’t the game gona be in channel 9 according to Pete? D:”

    It is

  400. Rebecca--Optimist Prime--Mission 2708

    The game is on nine.

  401. Mark (Free Brett Campaign)

    CB beat me to it lol, byt yea milb.com is awesome.

  402. JMO

    funny as hell tcsports

  403. Rebecca--Optimist Prime--Mission 2708

    CB and Mark: Thanks!

  404. ARX

    If im the pads manager when he got back to the dugout I’d have said “what part of ‘Pettitte pickoff move’ didn’t you understand”? :P

  405. BBFan

    Any one living in Princeton , NJ area.
    On which channel of Comcast is the game on?
    Thanks for your help.

  406. tcsports (aka kid)

    funny as hell tcsports

    I wasn’t trying to be funny. That sounded like something Harrelson would say.

  407. JMO

    Way to take some pitches!! (gag)

  408. help

    channel 9 is not working for me…anyone else having trouble?

  409. Rebecca--Optimist Prime--Mission 2708

    Most of the Yankees haven’t seen this Wolf guy before. You know how Yankees do against pitchers they’ve never seen…

  410. MoBoy

    How about Dellin Betances he’s just in AA ball and never had a full minor league year.He can help us.How about get Gerrit Cole to pitch after we sign him.Can Cashman think of anymore minor league pitchers to fill WAng and pretend that will make everything okay.He’s gonna make a trade.

    Cashman also said Igawa can pitch because you know the minors is like the Majors…but trading overrated Kennedy is crazy.We don’t need a starter now but we willl soon.

    And Minaya is really a douchebag.

  411. Rebecca--Optimist Prime--Mission 2708

    help: I’m okay, maybe it’s your provider? (I use Cablevision)

  412. JMO

    Dandy.

  413. Fran

    Rebecca – that’s true about the Yanks not having seen Wolf. Plus his name has been mentioned in trade talks with the Yanks so he probably has incentive to do well.

  414. Mark (Free Brett Campaign)

    This made me lol.

    http://mlb.mlb.com/news/articl.....p;c_id=mlb

  415. Fat Free

    I still can’t believe Wang has blew out a foot on a blade of grass.

  416. Chris (save Jose Tabata!)

    Anyone else have no announcers on 9?

  417. ARX

    A-ROD!!!

  418. Rebecca--Optimist Prime--Mission 2708

    Uh, did I just see what I think I just saw?

    Also, Alex = the man. Third HR in as many games.

  419. Fran

    ARod with another HR!

  420. Fat Free

    Fran-

    Also, Wolf has a scary name.

  421. The Monk

    BOO YAH!

    I said yesterday in a comment to the Wang injury notice:

    “You want a step-up guy, then the Yanks should move Alfredo Aceves to AAA and see if he can continue his Joba Jr impression at that level for a month. If he does, then they can slide him to the rotation and see what we have between him, IPK, Giese and Rasner.”

    Hey Cash! I think like you! Can I be an assistant? It’d beat the cr-p out of my current job.

  422. mel

    Nice!

  423. YanksAngel

    Arod!!!

    How many is that this past week? 3

  424. help

    i have cablevision too
    im listening to gameday audio so im not completely in the dark
    arod!!!

    chris…i have nothing on channel 9 just a black screen and a low buzzing noise

  425. JMO

    That’s pure talent…taking that pitch out is just sick.

    “He plays a game with which I am not familiar”
    -Bobby Jones re: Jack Nicklaus

  426. kd

    I am a big fan of the bats coming alive.

    If we can stop the bleeding, play .650 ball for a month or two ( i know that’s hard, but the bats are hot) and get cano going, this team might be downright scary. Matsui is so much better when he’s not forcing himself to play outfield everyday. get a little luck in the pitching department and we’re in the playoffs.

    how’s that for optimism, rebecca?

  427. Rebecca--Optimist Prime--Mission 2708

    Uh, this Aveces kid? I like him so far…

  428. YanksAngel

    Rebecca,

    What did you see?

  429. Martin

    That’s it. I’m growing a mustache.

  430. Rebecca--Optimist Prime--Mission 2708

    kd: Excellent.

    I also like this Giambi kid.

  431. JMO

    Giambi: One year, 10 million?

  432. Rebecca--Optimist Prime--Mission 2708

    YanksAngel: I’d rather not say if it didn’t actually happen.

  433. S.A.- No pain..no gain! Bronson Arroyo will save us!!

    The year of the stache!

  434. YanksAngel

    The stache works again

  435. kd

    maybe a lohud blog mustache pact? for those of us who can grow them?

  436. Just saying

    If A-Rod is the Man, what do you call Marcus Thames?

  437. sunny615

    perhaps randy wolfe is indeed not a good choice…??

  438. Sudakis

    Is it the ’stache or the HGH?

  439. CB

    ARod got off to a bit of a slow start for him.

    But since he’s come back he’s just been absolutely phenomenal.

    He’s now hitting .330 and his OPS is at 1.036. Last year his OPS in that monstrous year was 1.067.

    It’s amazing the difference in his game this year and last compared to his first three years in pinstripes.

    There’s no more controversy about his future or where he’s going to finish his career. He looks completely at home and has since the start of last year when he spoke candidly about his relationship with Jeter and then put the controversy behind him.

    ARod getting hot is going to do wonders for the teams difficulties hitting with RISP.

    It’s really hard to imagine where this team would be right now if they had lost ARod in the off season after he opted out.

  440. Rebecca--Optimist Prime--Mission 2708

    Melky hit that well, that was a nice play by Giles.

  441. Nick in SF but now in Napa

    I’ve missed all of the day’s comments, but did anyone ever suggest that Randy Wolfe was auditioning for the Yanks?

  442. whozat

    Well struck ball by melky, that’s too bad.

  443. whozat

    “but did anyone ever suggest that Randy Wolfe was auditioning for the Yanks?”

    Several times:-)

  444. Rebecca--Optimist Prime--Mission 2708

    You know, I almost forgot Bruney was on the team cos it’s been so long!

    Glad to hear he’s making progress, he’d been such a boon for the team in the beginning–except, of course, in those high leverage situations.

  445. sunny615

    Well, people and websites (ESPN, SI, etc) mentioned that regular workshorses (Wolf, Artoyo, Millwood, etc) would be viable solutions to the Wang dilemma.

  446. sunny615

    *Arroyo*

  447. TKinDC

    “If A-Rod is the Man, what do you call Marcus Thames?”

    Umm . . . Marcus? Mr. Thames?

  448. help

    so im the only one without channel 9??
    this is annoying

    im not used to the radio…suzyns accent is killer she sounds like my boston friends

  449. Nick in SF but now in Napa

    Thanks, whozat, I suspected as much. I trust Arod and Giambi’s commentary will be added to the Wolf file.

    Rebecca: what was it you think you might have thought you saw? Bored minds want to know.

  450. michael

    giambi’s ops is .982, second in al.

  451. Rebecca--Optimist Prime--Mission 2708

    Nick: Oh, all right. When they were showing Travolta, it looked like the two guys to his right (our left) were in the middle of a make out session.

    But I must have thought I saw something I didn’t see, or someone else would have said something, I think.

  452. CB

    I’ve been trying to catch some of Aceves’s start on the radio. The trenton radio announcers are very good (sadly better than the yankees major league radio coverage…).

    They are very impressed with aceves. Here was an interesting thing they had to say about him and his approach to pitching:

    “Aceves has an advanced command for a pitcher in this league [AA Eastern League]. He really has a great feel for the strike zone. Every pitch from Aceves has a purpose.”

    Aceves tonight – 1 hit allowed so far through 4 innings with 1K and 0BB.

  453. Mark (Free Brett Campaign)

    Good stuff CB thanks.

  454. Nick in SF but now in Napa

    I was hoping you thought you’d seen the (in)famous white tube top girl from Houston, but I’m not watching anyway, so I don’t know why it would matter.

  455. Ron

    Andy looks very good. It’s nice to see more of the curve ball to righties to go along with a sharper cutter.

    If we get 4-5 runs, that’s normally it for the Padres. So lets get Wolf and put this one away.

  456. Doreen

    Rebecca -

    What I saw was Travolta in the middle, Kelly Preston to one side, and Travolta’s son leaning in to John. I have heard that Travolta’s son is autistic, but because he is a scientologist he will not acknowledge that. That might explain if you saw the boy behaving somewhat strangely for an older boy.

  457. Rebecca--Optimist Prime--Mission 2708

    Great stuff, CB.

  458. kd

    thanks for the update cb, that’s blog gold.

  459. Bad Scooter

    Aceves so far 4IP 1H 0R 0BB 1K

  460. CB

    “giambi’s ops is .982, second in al.”

    As a team they now have 4 of the top 15 OPS players in the AL including 2 of the top 5 and 3 of the top 10.

    This team really should start scoring runs in droves. The last piece they really need is for cano to get hot. That would give them a run producer at the bottom of the line up.

  461. Joe from Long Island

    “That’s three home runs in as many days for A-Rod. No. 13 this year and No. 531 career. Only 232 left to erase the stain on the game.”

    Gee, what are you getting at here, Pete? Something about the current HR champion?

  462. Ron

    It’d also be nice if Jeter could be a little better than a below-average offensive player.

    Melky’s been hitting the ball hard of late; I think he’ll go on a hot streak soon.

  463. Mark (Free Brett Campaign)

    4 homers in 4 games for A-JAX. He has 4 RBI tonight.

  464. Bad Scooter

    AJax 3-3 HR 4RBI

    45RBI for year

  465. Rebecca--Optimist Prime--Mission 2708

    Nice hustle, Bobby!

  466. Don Vito A. Bellamo

    Are they really going to DFA Moeller and keep J. Wellington Wimpy ?
    .
    http://www.haveeru.com.mv/engl.....e_wimp.gif
    .
    I mean, Molina ??? :-)

  467. sunny615

    law of averages… HR in his 1 ab, whiff in his second. arg.

  468. S.A.- No pain..no gain! Bronson Arroyo will save us!!

    Darn, wish we got something from that

  469. CB

    The yankee’s pitching coaches are very impressed with Aceves. Really impressed.

    When a guy who is older like Aceves puts up ridiculous pinball numbers in the minors (especially low minors) you never know what exactly that means. Just could be an advanced guy pitching way above the competition.

    But when those stats are backed up by the general impression the coaches have – then you could have something. That’s where Aceves is right now.

    The yankee’s pitching think there’s real substance with Aceves. For comparison, last year at this time with Edwar was putting up pinball numbers the organization held him back in the minors for longer than seemed necessary from his numbers because they felt like Edwar needed better command of his fastball (which proved to be very true last year…).

    With Aceves they do think he’s legit. Not going to be great. But he knows how to pitch and has a decent arm.

    He’s only going to be a #5 starter type but if he could do that for them at some point this season that would be an enormous help.

    If nothing else – he throws a few good starts and he becomes a valuable trade chip.

  470. Ron

    Such a relief to see A-Jax driving the ball. That second-half promotion was something else, and it’s nice to see evidence that the progress may have been real.

    Damn, Andy’s on.

  471. Rebecca--Optimist Prime--Mission 2708

    MELKMAN!

  472. Ron

    Well, that’s why we keep him in the lineup.

  473. sunny615

    If he can be a #5 right now, that would be a great lift to this team that’s in a precarious situation right now.

  474. Chaz Fertal

    great play melky

  475. DYNASTY IS DESTINY!

    What a catch by Melky!

    GO YANKS!

  476. Mark (Free Brett Campaign)

    That’s not going to help my free brett campaign great catch Melky.

  477. Wander

    Gotta love Melky. He’s building himself one hell of a highlight reel.

  478. sunny615

    9 pitches this inning – great job by Pettitte.

  479. Fran

    Thanks to Melky a quick 1-2-3 inning for Andy.

  480. A fan of the DH

    Who was it that was looking to trade the Melkman?

  481. A fan of the DH

    Andy is wheelin’ and dealin’!

  482. Ron

    The difference between Moeller’s offensive performance and Molina’s is a few singles. The difference between them defensively is that Molina has a cannon for a right arm.

    As long as you hit better than, say, Flaherty, defense is most important for a backup catcher.

  483. kd

    pete is the update king today

  484. Chaz

    we are gonna have a very clogged outfield in a few years – we’re gonna have to make some moves

  485. Patrick (the good one)

    Giambi is a monster

  486. Mike

    Who’s hitting the ball better right now? Giambi or Austin Jackson?

  487. Ron

    God, those opposite-field homers are just gorgeous.

  488. TKinDC

    Wow – Bruney is throwing? He had the same injury Wang has right?

  489. Rebecca--Optimist Prime--Mission 2708

    The thing I love about John Flaherty is that he has no problem admitting—
    GIAMBI!! SECOND OF THE GAME!

    –that he wasn’t much of a hitter

  490. Tim

    Guess Wolfe is off our Menu haha Giambiii

  491. Ron

    Edwar’s still there! (looking a bit malnourished!)

  492. Martin

    Martin
    June 17th, 2008 at 7:32 pm
    That’s it. I’m growing a mustache.

    I’m man-scaping right now.

  493. bphill

    anyone know the song they are playing at the stadium right now? once posada got the single?

  494. A fan of the DH

    Didn’t someone suggest we get this guy? Um, I don’t think so.

  495. S.A.- No pain..no gain! Bronson Arroyo will save us!!

    ya can’t stop the stache

  496. mel

    Holy frijole! I think I’ll grow me a stache, too.

  497. Ron

    Missed a hanger there. C’mon Robbie!

  498. Bad Scooter

    That’s the thing TK, Bruney was throwing weeks ago. I saw somewhere where he said he was throwing sitting down, keeping his arm in some sort of shape. Hopefully Wang can do the same.

  499. help

    wooww
    giambi!!

    wow sterling and especially suzyn are getting fired up about randolph

  500. Tim

    Randy Wolfe’s Yankee audition should be done right now. NEXT!

  501. Tim

    Thats my boy Cano

  502. Ron

    Oh it would be so nice if this were the start of something for canoe.

  503. CB

    “Such a relief to see A-Jax driving the ball.”

    Jackson’s growth as a player has been remarkable and as he looks poised to put together a very strong second half. Can’t expect him to do what he did second half of last year – but you have to be very happy with what he’s doing.

    The power is going to come for him. He’s only 21 and already in AA. The biggest thing for him this year is the progress he’s made in his approach at the plate. He’s become much more patient and more selective.

    Two years ago, as a 19 year old, he struck out 151 times in low A ball. Last year that dropped to 109. But his walks also decreased last year to only 48 the whole season.

    So far this year he’s already drawn 33 walks in 65 games with 56K’s. The walk rate is a great thing to see – AA pitching is much more advanced than A ball. To see him drawing more walks in AA than A ball while holding his K rate essentially the same is a terrific thing to see.

    As long as he stays patient and selective the power will come. That’s what we are seeing so far with him this year.

    He has a chance to be a very valuable player. It’s really not easy finding CF who can play good defense and hit.

  504. kd

    cano with the 6 pitch at bat. patience pays off

  505. Tim

    We need to take this game because Rasner is gonna get rocked tomorrow

  506. Laura - A fan of the DHL

    Yeah, we don’t want to add this guy to our pitching staff.

  507. Chaz

    ive been growing the stache for 3 weeks already

  508. S.A.- No pain..no gain! Bronson Arroyo will save us!!

    Um yeah, I vote no for this guy coming to the Bronx (not that I had a vote anyways :P )

  509. Patrick (the good one)

    “wow sterling and especially suzyn are getting fired up about randolph”

    They should, he was a great Yankee and he’s been disrespected by the freaking Mets.

  510. Nick in SF but now in Napa

    No chance they dump Molina is favor of Moeller. Among other things, the current Collective Bargaining Agreement mandates that at least 2 Molinas have to be playing in top media markets at any given time. WIth Yadier’s injury, Jose is going nowhere.

  511. Laura - A fan of the DHL

    “wow sterling and especially suzyn are getting fired up about randolph”

    I don’t blame that. That is not how you treat a human being, let alone someone you claim is your friend.

  512. michael

    giambi’s ops is 1.003 – second in the al.

  513. whozat

    “we are gonna have a very clogged outfield in a few years – we’re gonna have to make some moves”

    There’s Melky, who hasn’t shown that he can hit enough to be a starting OFer on this club…Gardner, who’s Melky-arm+speed, Jackson who’s in AA and starting to hit, and Tabata who’s NOT hitting at all well in AA.

    I don’t think that’s really going to be a problem. Someone will not make it to the bigs, and someone else will turn out to be a 4th OFer. If one of the four turns out to be a starter long-term, that’s good. If two do, that’s GREAT.

    That’s not doing the job, Melky…

  514. michael

    tied for league lead in homers

  515. sunny615

    Too bad I can’t grow a mustache… asian y’know.

  516. michael

    .408 on base percentage

  517. The Monk

    Aceves can be better than a #5 because he has plus control. After all, Jamie Moyer has high school quality velocity, but plus-plus control and decent movement.

  518. sunny615

    ps – I was interviewed for that firing story that Pete referenced…

  519. TKinDC

    CB –

    Did you see the interview that the NYTimes beat writer did with A-Jax? He stressed the exact same thing that you are talking about. (the Bats Blog)

    He wants to become a professional hitter, not just a slasher using his athletic ability.

    He also admitted he thought he could be in the NBA if he had stuck to basketball. Nice to have that kind of talent in the system.

  520. kd

    time for the captain to do some damage

  521. sunny615

    yeah – no randy wolf please.

  522. Laura - A fan of the DHL

    Oh no! The king of the DP is up.

  523. EY

    Wow Giambi. He’s really turned this season around. Now it’s up to a couple others to do the same too *looks in the general direction of Melky and Robbie*

    Clearly Randy Wolf’s not up to the job. Who’s next on the list? Derek Lowe or Freddy Garcia?

  524. Tim

    Lucked out on that one haha

  525. sunny615

    can the Capt pull off a slam?

  526. whozat

    Boo, Jeter. Thanks Pads!

  527. Rebecca--Optimist Prime--Mission 2708

    I think the Padres’ error was muy bueno :-P

    Cashman probably has better Spanish skills than we realize.

  528. Mark (Free Brett Campaign)

    I know Ortiz is going to win the fan vote for the dh at the all star game, but that is really a joke. Fear the stache.

  529. Laura - A fan of the DH

    Jeter got saved there.

  530. TKinDC

    “Collective Bargaining Agreement mandates that at least 2 Molinas”

    Nick – what if we pick up an Alou or an Alomar?

  531. Tim

    Dodgers want Chamberlain for Lowe or Penny.

  532. Laura - A fan of the DH

    This is our chance to blow this game sky high. Let’s go, Bobby!!!

  533. Al from BK

    Wolfe messed up his Yankees audition.

  534. Ron

    I’m looking for a solid outing for Rasner. The Padres are what the Yankees were with A-Rod and Posada out, but a little worse. Besides Adrian Gonzalez, there really isn’t a single other outstanding hitter on the team.

    I cannot believe the Randolph situation. Remember when people were saying the Yankees disrespected Torre? I mean, they waited until the offseason, and offered him a contract (with a pay cut). It was a dirty situation either way, and the Yankees didn’t handle it all that well, but byegones are byegones and everybody’s moved on.

    To wait until 3 AM after the team’s won 3 of 4…it’s not just classless, it’s senseless!

  535. help

    patrick and laura: i completely agree. suzyn said that she spoke to some members of the media in houston and they not only knew that willie was getting fired but who was replacing who. they also said that willie asked omar, as a friend, to tell him what was up and omar said dont worry your fine. so rude.

  536. sunny615

    I’ll give a penny for Penny.

  537. mel

    Nice, productive non-out.

  538. Al from BK

    “Dodgers want Chamberlain for Lowe or Penny.”

    LOL.

  539. Tim

    “I know Ortiz is going to win the fan vote for the dh at the all star game, but that is really a joke. Fear the stache.”

    Giambi isnt a vote on DH he is on there for 1B which he also deserves. Matsui is the DH and in 2nd place, but Ortiz wont play in the ASG

  540. sunny615

    Al from BK
    June 17th, 2008 at 8:14 pm
    Wolfe messed up his Yankees audition.
    ———–
    and that’s ok by me.

  541. Wander

    Wow. We’re just getting a ton of breaks tonight.

  542. whozat

    “Aceves can be better than a #5 because he has plus control. After all, Jamie Moyer has high school quality velocity, but plus-plus control and decent movement.”

    Moyer’s lefty and an outlier. Aceves _could_ be better than than a #5, but the odds are that he won’t be.

  543. EY

    Alright Bobby, time to put this game away and end the Randy Wolf experiment

  544. CB

    “Wow – Bruney is throwing? He had the same injury Wang has right?”

    Unfortunately Wang does not have the same injury as Bruney. His is considerably worse because he really has two injuries.

    He has the Lisfranc injury (and Wang’s Lisfranc may be less severe than Bruney’s).

    But Wang also has a torn peroneal longus tendon. The torn peroneal longus tendon may actually be a worse injury than the Lisfranc. Will Carrol had a good entry on this today:

    Carrol spoke with a foot specialist about Wang:

    “It is unusual to have both a Lisfranc ligament sprain and partial tear peroneal longus together, and longer time will be needed for recovery (8-12 weeks if no significant instability occurs at the Lisfranc joints). The combined injuries represent greater rotational stress than would be experienced for each injury alone.”

    http://www.baseballprospectus......cleid=7676

  545. Al from BK

    Tell the Giants they can have Dan Giese for Tim Lincecum.

  546. Tim

    Damn, we only got 5 runs

  547. S.A.- No pain..no gain! Bronson Arroyo will save us!!

    Now that was great
    Back to work Andy

  548. EY

    Haha oh wow. No to Wolf. I’d rather see Giese.

  549. kd

    let’s see if andy can go 8 and save the bullpen

  550. sunny615

    “I cannot believe the Randolph situation. Remember when people were saying the Yankees disrespected Torre? I mean, they waited until the offseason, and offered him a contract (with a pay cut). ”

    It’s interesting to note that even with the “pay cut”, Torre still would’ve been the highest paid manager in the majors. What was it – $5 mil? With a $3 mil incentive program???

  551. Mark (Free Brett Campaign)

    Ah thanks Tim, I didn’t realize Giambi wasn’t on the dh ballot.

  552. thunderfangabe

    yanks up 7-0, thunder up 7-0…woohoo good day for baseball!

  553. YanksAngel

    already 20 runs in the past 2 games :)

  554. Rebecca--Optimist Prime--Mission 2708

    Wow, I liked that inning–like the Dynasty Yankees, capitalizing on every hour.

  555. whozat

    “Dodgers want Chamberlain for Lowe or Penny.”

    Only the Dodgers would think another team would do something so dumb. Because they probably would.

  556. Fran

    Andy with a 7 run cushion.

  557. Laura - A fan of the DH

    “To wait until 3 AM after the team’s won 3 of 4…it’s not just classless, it’s senseless!”

    Not to mention the fact that he flew all the way to LA for the Angels game for no freakin’ reason! You mean to tell me that he could fire him in NY the night before?

    That’s alright. The Mets suck and no mgr in the world is going to save them. The Wilpon’s will have no choice but to fire Omar next. You know what they say; what goes around comes around.

  558. TKinDC

    Is Aceves a soft tosser? That wasn’t my impression -

  559. RustyJohn

    Pete- you’re a regular William F’ing Randolph Hearst with all these news flashes.

  560. Rebecca--Optimist Prime--Mission 2708

    whozat: LMAO.

    I think Joba was untouchable even for the Santana deal!

  561. Tim

    If I remember correctly, is this the same Padres that whooped the Mets ass?

  562. thunderfangabe

    random thunder fact (cuz i know you all love it)….tony clark was the first former thunder player to have his # retired.

  563. jennifer- I got your back Girardi

    Is this a AAA team? I am confused. I thought we were playing the SD Padres. They gave us 6 outs in that inning. :lol:

  564. Al from BK

    Was that a serious post about Lowe or Penny for Joba. Tell Joe Torre that he cant get his hands on Joba if he wanted him he should have taken that contract.

  565. Laura - A fan of the DH

    I will never forget the 3-1 pitch that Tony Clark took back in 2004. A meatball right down the middle that he should have crushed. Instead, he took it for a strike. Loser.

  566. TKinDC

    Helpful medical info CB – THANKS!

  567. jennifer- I got your back Girardi

    2-1 3 straight games.

  568. Joe from Long Island

    I know it’s the Padres, but it’s about time something started to go our way.

    What’s the saying, play the top clubs even and murder the second division suckers. We have to do that.

  569. CB

    “Did you see the interview that the NYTimes beat writer did with A-Jax? He stressed the exact same thing that you are talking about. (the Bats Blog)”

    I did see that. One of the best articles I’ve seen recently on Jackson was from the NY Observer. Very good take on his development as a player:

    http://www.observer.com/2008/y.....-big-thing

  570. sunny615

    The Wilpon’s are a gutless, classless, and pathetic excuses for humans. Especially that dingleberry Jeff. I hope they lose money for the next 10 years.

  571. Tim

    Joba will always be untouchable. Theres no trading a pitcher like that. Im seeing him thursday

  572. Al from BK

    Wow Jeter looked old on that play.

  573. Tim

    “Is this a AAA team? I am confused. I thought we were playing the SD Padres. They gave us 6 outs in that inning. ”

    Well this AAA team swept the Mets

  574. Joe from Long Island

    sunny615 – don’t hold yourself back, express yourself.

  575. CB

    “Is Aceves a soft tosser? That wasn’t my impression -”

    He’s sits in the high 80’s. Gets up to 90-91. Commands his fastball very well.

  576. Al from BK

    Tim- Good stuff I wish Yankee stadium had wifi so you could live blog for us.

  577. whozat

    “Is Aceves a soft tosser? That wasn’t my impression -”

    I’m pretty sure his stuff is Rasnerish. Maybe a little better. Great pitchability, though. I’d like to see how he does against guys who go up there with a plan.

  578. sunny615

    Thanks Joe. Can I add that they’re also spineless?

  579. Bad Scooter

    Ajax 4-4

  580. Rebecca--Optimist Prime--Mission 2708

    “Is this a AAA team? I am confused. I thought we were playing the SD Padres. They gave us 6 outs in that inning. ”

    Well this AAA team swept the Mets”

    Dude. They’re the Mets :)

    Also, it was this time last year–interleague–that we first got hot as well.

  581. sunny615

    Tim
    June 17th, 2008 at 8:22 pm
    “Is this a AAA team? I am confused. I thought we were playing the SD Padres. They gave us 6 outs in that inning. ”

    Well this AAA team swept the Mets
    ——————
    Aren’t the Mets a AA team?

  582. whozat

    “Wow Jeter looked old on that play.”

    I dunno…it was right over the 2B bag…tough to get to.

    How can you walk Barrett?

  583. Al from BK

    At this point I wouldnt trade Joba for anyone he is homegrown. Thats something to be proud of him becoming an absolute beast of a starter is one of those things that have taken the sting off the Wang issue for me at least.

  584. Tim

    “Tim- Good stuff I wish Yankee stadium had wifi so you could live blog for us.”

    Actually my iPhone works from YS so I probably will for a little bit.

    If this is the Pettitte were going to see down the stretch along with Mussina who is already passed the win mark I expected him to have, and Chamberlain and a returning hopefully healthy Hughes. We should be set.

  585. mel

    Not to pile on, but I heard this one on the radio:

    M y
    E ntire
    T eam
    S ucks

  586. Martin

    “Collective Bargaining Agreement mandates that at least 2 Molinas have to be playing in top media markets at any given time. WIth Yadier’s injury, Jose is going nowhere.”

    Additionally, MLB would not want to loose revenue by canceling America’s favorite game show “Name that Molina” on ESPN.

  587. John

    I think the yanks are going to make a deal for bedard. I hope they don’t give up too much tho

  588. Al from BK

    I wish Hughesy could come back already. I wonder how long he was injured this year before he went to the DL?

  589. Fran

    Mel – the M should stand for Minaya’s Entire Team

  590. S.A.- No pain..no gain! Bronson Arroyo will save us!!

    Back to work bats and let’s go Phillies!!!

  591. JT

    “I’m pretty sure his stuff is Rasnerish. Maybe a little better. Great pitchability, though. I’d like to see how he does against guys who go up there with a plan.”

    Aceves will do fine. He mixes his pitches well and keeps the batter off balance by throwing the unexpected.

  592. sunny615

    Bedard’s hip problems worry me. I hope Cash won’t deal for Bedard. Besides, didn’t he express distaste for big markets?

  593. Tim

    Theres no previous talk of the Yankees being interested in Bedard. I believe it will be Sabathia if its anyone. But when (if) Wang comes back in Sept. What do we do? Put Joba as the setup man down the stretch and hopefully in the Playoffs? Actually thats not a bad idea

  594. TKinDC

    It won’t be hard to guess my favorite Michael Barrett moment . . .

    Remember when AJ Pierzinski (sp?) slid into homeplate against the Cubbies and AJ got a little chesty – next thing you know Barrett cold-cocked him!

    AJ deserves that to happen to him every week.

  595. Al from BK

    John- What makes you think that? Ive heard that Seattle would want a haul for him based on the top level prospects they gave Baltimore. C.C. believe it or not might come cheaper, I’m really gunning for Harang I dunno why I got a feeling about him.

  596. Rebecca--Optimist Prime--Mission 2708

    I love playing Name That Molina!

  597. Tim

    I dont really like Harang. I dont trust his stuff, and it would REALLY help if we got a lefty especially since Pettitte might be gone after this year.

  598. CB

    “Joba will always be untouchable. Theres no trading a pitcher like that.”

    Agreed. But it’s also very self-evident to say that now that he’s had success at the major league level.

    Joba was only an untouchable player because the organization decided to make him one.

    I bring this up because of all the Sabathia trade talk. A lot of people have said they should do “whatever it takes” to get Sabathia.

    But last time at this year the Rangers wanted Joba in a trade for Teixeira. The organization didn’t do it – but in the past they would have.

    And both fans and people in the media said that the yankees needed to do “whatever it takes” to get Teixeira last year. The first base situation last season was awful.

    It’s true not all prospects work out. But it’s also true that every great player was at one time a prospect.

    That’s why you can’t make panic trades. Good thing the organization is no longer working that way.

    The rest of baseball just refuses to believe this however. That’s why they keep making absurd trade demands that always center on Joba. They still think/ hope that the yankees are being run the way they used to.

    It was a choice on the part of management to change that. Different management could just as easily made a different decision on Joba. The mets did it wit Kazmir.

  599. whozat

    “Aceves will do fine. He mixes his pitches well and keeps the batter off balance by throwing the unexpected.”

    He hasn’t even thrown a game in AAA yet. Calm down, folks. He’s keeping AA pitchers off balance. That doesn’t _necessarily_ mean he’ll keep big leaguers off balance.

    I actually agree that there’s a great chance he’ll be “fine”, by which I mean a decent #5 guy. But more than that…well, we’ll see.

  600. Doreen

    Giambi’s hitting 270!

  601. scorpio

    Sorry, just got in from work and caught up with all Pete’s updates. I’m loving Moose more & more this season. Brought back the ice cream and 3 HRs tonight, sugar works!

    Cashman, LOL. He’s had a few worthy sound bites today.

    Wang sounds very hopeful so that’s a good sign.
    Guidry & Bowa are so sweet.

    Pete – your blog is the ABSOLUTE BEST!

  602. Tim

    CB- thats very very true. He only established himself last year basically. I believe we have 2 more lightning in the bottle type pitchers in Betances and Heredia

  603. Al from BK

    I’m watching the Sox gamecast. Go Phillies!

  604. TKinDC

    “Bedard’s hip problems worry me. I hope Cash won’t deal for Bedard. Besides, didn’t he express distaste for big markets?”

    Bedard did very weil in the AL East – he just wanted out of Baltimore because they had no bullpen, no offense, the owner stinks and he got tired of losing.

    I don’t know about the hip though – he has made 24-30 starts the last 4 years.

  605. S.o.S.27

    We had on crappy attitude pitcher lefty that we had to get rif of. I cant immagine Beddard coming here. From what iv heard and read here. He makes Randy Johnsons attitude look like Nieves. It isnt happening.

  606. Tim

    Its hilarious how EVERY Red Sox fan was saying..”Arent Yankee fans jealous, look at Colon, he is sick this year” Look at how he did yesterday against the first good team he has faced. Oh and hes going to the DL

  607. Mike

    Apparently it is a “degenerative” hip condition. If that’s not a red flag I don’t know what is.

  608. Tim

    Bedard also showed interest in opting for FA and going to his home country Canada to play with the Jays

  609. pat

    I was working in Philly today so got to hear a different take of sports talk. Lots of talk about Sabathia. The callers are all revved up about him and want him.

    ESPN had someone from the front ofice on. I think they said he was the President of baseball operations (Montgomery?). They asked him about Sabathia and he said they prefer not to give 5 year contracts to pitchers, but wouldn’t be opposed to a Sabathia-like player as a rental if they thought it would make a difference.

    The Philly fans are looking at this interleague set with the Sox as a World Series preview.

  610. Al from BK

    The big three are hitless in Philly expect that to change. I dont see Lester shutting them down.

  611. Al from BK

    Good and bad news. Colon to DL but Dice-K is back on Saturday.

  612. TKinDC

    I don’t know that much about the quality of AA hitters – but it looks like Aceves just got 2 swinging strikeouts in the 7th inning of a shutout.

    Count me in the impressed column.

  613. Rebecca--Optimist Prime--Mission 2708

    I knew Bedard had a hip condition but didn’t know it was degenerative.

    Degenirative, however you spell it, means it’ll only get worse.

  614. Laura - A fan of the DH

    “Bedard also showed interest in opting for FA and going to his home country Canada to play with the Jays”

    Bedard is more interested in Hockey than in Baseball. That’s why SEA is unhappy with him. He would be miserable in a Yankees uniform.

  615. Tim

    “The big three are hitless in Philly expect that to change. I dont see Lester shutting them down.”

    Unfortunetly he will probably shut them down. The Red Sox rarely lose a series. But that may change since they have a tough few weeks

  616. Mark (Free Brett Campaign)

    After tonight I think it will be time for Aceves to go to AAA to see what he really has. This is a guy who is 25 already, and he is 1 hitting AA batters. I’m not saying he will be anything more than a 5 starter, but he should be going to AAA.

  617. Laura - A fan of the DH

    Anyone else having issues with MLB.tv? Keeps cutting in and out. At this rate, they are going to switch to the SD feed.

  618. Tim

    Does Sabathia want to come to NY?

  619. Rebecca--Optimist Prime--Mission 2708

    Tim, Sabathia might, but the yankees aren’t going to trade for him this minute. Ultimately, the best option is to sign him as a FA at the end of the year.

  620. Al from BK

    Aceves is good but lets talk about him when he is at SWB. The talk of him dominating is a bit premature. McCutchen destroyed AA but has been so-so at SWB. I think both these guys should not come up til 09. Horne however is intriguing. Also great play by the MVP there.

  621. Laura - A fan of the DH

    “Does Sabathia want to come to NY?”

    I don’t think so. He said in an interview that he wanted to stay in CLE.

  622. TKinDC

    Laura – any source for that story? It is pretty hard to believe that Bedard has a great career ERA and track record but prefers hockey?

    Are you an anti-canadite? (JK!)

  623. YanksAngel

    same here Laura :(

  624. Rebecca--Optimist Prime--Mission 2708

    What’s Andy’s pitch count?

  625. Raj

    I agree with you Mark, we need to see what Aceves is about

  626. CB

    “I knew Bedard had a hip condition but didn’t know it was degenerative.”

    He gets recurrent inflammation in his hip joint. No idea why. Could be his mechanics.

    But he’s needed to get high doses of anit-inflammatory steroids. That’s very serious.

    I’d only take a chance on him if Seattle was wanted to just dump him and start new, which I doubt they’d do.

  627. whozat

    “I don’t know that much about the quality of AA hitters – but it looks like Aceves just got 2 swinging strikeouts in the 7th inning of a shutout.”

    I didn’t say they were bad. I just said that they usually don’t go to the plate with much of a plan…that’s a big part of the maturation of a ballplayer, and 21 year old kids don’t usually have it. So, a guy with a lot more experience mixing his stuff could very well get them out handily.

    I’m not saying Aceves is doing badly…he’s doing GREAT in AA. I’m saying let’s not start agitating for him to be in the bigs nowNowNOW because he still has to show that he can get out hitters who are thinking along with him.

    I do think that it’s pointless to keep him at AA, though. Who leaves the AAA rotation for him? Karstens, Horne, Igawa, Marquez or McCutchen?

  628. Fran

    Andy is really looking impressive tonight.

  629. Laura - A fan of the DH

    I don’t think Alex gets enough credit for his transition to 3B. He had a rough spot that one year, but other than that, he’s been great.

  630. mark

    Anyone still for trading Giambi? Pettitte? Damon? Mussina? Matsui?

    I remember this blog the first few weeks. People couldn’t get rid of those guys fast enough!

  631. Laura - A fan of the DH

    “Andy is really looking impressive tonight.”

    That’s what we’re going to need with CMW down and out for the count. Rasner needs to bounce back tomorrow with a strong start.

  632. Al from BK

    Tim- Unlikely Lester is well past 70 pitches going into the 6th. If they are shut-down it will be a group effort Delcarmen, Okajima, Papelbon the wole gang has to shut it down.

  633. Wes

    Aceves is having a helluva start in Trenton tonight… 7 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 4 K

  634. Joe from Long Island

    whozat – I wonder if that question is keeping Aceves in AA more than anything else.

  635. DFox

    Why would you bring in a guy who has the reputation of being a detriment in the clubhouse? The one thing this team always has going for them is that they all get along well and there’s no jerk on the team. Can’t they try to keep it that way?

  636. Laura - A fan of the DH

    “Anyone still for trading Giambi? Pettitte? Damon? Mussina? Matsui?”

    Not all of us. I never called for any of those guys to get traded. I gave Giambi until the All Star Break to get his act together before we DFA’d him. That’s a moot point now.

  637. S.A.- No pain..no gain! Bronson Arroyo will save us!!

    86 pitches for Andy

  638. Al from BK

    C.C. might not wanna be a Yankee but he likes the fashion.
    http://ballsiest.com/sportsblo.....bathia.jpg

  639. Laura - A fan of the DH

    Aw, Curt Shilling had a setback.

    Everyone break out the champagne!!!

    Celebrate good times, come on!!!!

  640. mark

    Laura that makes you a reasonable fan. I scratched my head any time I saw a call for Yankee mass murder. How smart do the fans who called for restraint look now.

  641. Bad Scooter

    Aceves up to 8 shutout innings with 1 hit.

  642. TKinDC

    CB –

    Speaking of Seattle dumping Bedard – here is a quote from their baseball blog:

    “Basically, I feel the same as Geoff, but I don’t think the Mariners are willing to go 70 cents on the dollar with Bedard. They gave up too much to get him. If this front office remains, they will spend the next three years trying to justify that deal. So, unless the Mariners fear he won’t re-sign after next season (and Bedard does not seem too happy here), they’re going to be stuck offering a huge contract to a pitcher unwilling to act like an ace.”

    I smell a FIRESALE! :)

  643. Tim

    Only one I didnt want was Mussina. But who would have HONESTLY guessed he would even have 5-6 wins let alone 10 at this point? I love Damon as a player. Same with Pettitte Giambi and Matsui

  644. Rebecca--Optimist Prime--Mission 2708

    The fun part about this season (now that the Yanks have done some winning) is seeing all these people step up and perform tht we didn’t expect–Mussina especially, but also Giambi and to a lesser extent, Damon and Matsui

  645. Tim

    C.C. might not wanna be a Yankee but he likes the fashion.
    http://ballsiest.com/sportsblo.....bathia.jpg

    When was this? Cleveland front office must have been pisssssed

  646. Al from BK

    Fire-sale call seattle tell them Igawa, a pack of Hebrew national franks and a bucket of balls for King Felix. Hey its worth a shot LA asked for Joba for Brad Penny(chuckles)

  647. Laura - A fan of the DH

    Mussina has reinvented himself. Once he accepted that he was going to find another way to pitch, he’s been fantastic. I wouldn’t be surprised if he wins 20 this year.

  648. JT

    Alfredo is done for the night. Here is the line:
    IP H R ER BB SO
    8.0 1 0 0 2 4

    Time to move to AAA

  649. CB

    Igawa is a problem for a wide range of reasons.

    But one of the ways he’s going to become a problem soon is by the fact that he’s wasting a spot in the AAA rotation.

    The yankees are about to get into a big crunch for starting spots in AAA. Horne, Marquez, and McCutchen are there and need spots. Kennedy is coming back soon and will need a spot – sounds like they are going to try not to rush him back. Then there’s karstens and Igawa. Ultimately, Hughes will be back as well. And it looks like Aceves now needs to be challenged at AAA.

    They can send karstens to the pen. Igawa being in AAA clogging up a starting slot just doesn’t help. Part of the reason why McCuthchen didn’t start the season in AAA was because of the numbers game in AAA. Turns out now that the yanks would have benefited from having McCutchen at AAA earlier rather than later.

    They’ll send Igawa to the pen as they’ll have to but that will really be admitting defeat with him.

  650. Anyone but Farnsworth

    Screw boston and especially screw them Celtics

  651. Laura - A fan of the DH

    About that pic of CC. Just because he plays for the Indians doesn’t mean he can’t be a Yankees fan. I wouldn’t have worn that hat out in public, but that’s me.

  652. S.A.- No pain..no gain! Bronson Arroyo will save us!!

    “But who would have HONESTLY guessed he would even have 5-6 wins let alone 10 at this point?”

    Honestly, not me!
    If someone told me back in March that Moose would have 10 wins by mid-June, I would have asked them for the name of their drug dealer.

    Moose has been a pleasant surprise. Hope he keeps it up.

  653. TKinDC

    Tim –

    Nothing new for the Mistake by the Lake – LeBron wears a Yankee cap to Indian/Yankee games in the playoffs last year.

    (he’s begging to be a Knick!)

  654. Jaewon

    At least if randy wolf were traded to the yankees, he wouldn’t have to face their lineup anymore.

  655. MoBoy

    Gerrit Cole.C’mon we can use him after he signs with us this year.I mean he’s been good in High School.Anybody else how about Al Leiter?

    Cashman loves to put a pokerface like we are really gonna use all these AA guys.

    This is the same man in the 2005 off-season who was prepared to have Bubba Crosby as a our centerfielder.

    We got 4 weeks to make a trade.It will happen.

  656. Tim

    I dont understand why Cashman is not stringent with the prospects. We have a plethora of good pitching in the minors. Not just 2-3, we have like 7 or 8 pitchers that could be very good. Yet we only have 2 spots after this year that will be open for a while

  657. Al from BK

    *SCOREBOARD UPDATE*

    Cubs have tied it 1-1 in Tampa.
    Boston tacked on a run leading 3-0 in Philly.
    Houston tacked on a run lead Baltimore 5-3.
    Torontos till losing 0-2 at Milwaukee.

  658. Laura - A fan of the DH

    Wow, that wasn’t even close to being a strike. It’s amazing how bad the umpiring has been this year. Thank God that call went our way. Usually, we are getting screwed by the umps.

  659. Rebecca--Optimist Prime--Mission 2708

    TKinDC: What about LeBron as a Knick and ‘Melo as a Net? I’d be so down with that.

    Pete, you’re on your game tonight. Hysterical.

  660. Wes

    A-Jax 4 for 4 with a homer and 4 ribbies… Aceves 8 innings of 1 hit ball… Pettitte looking like himself again… the Stache on fire… good day for the Yanks organization.

  661. Al from BK

    TKinDC- Hold those horses Yanks got no cap room til 2011. Lebron on the Knicks is a Nike wet dream. Imagine how many kids in NYC would have a 23 james on their back.

  662. Al from BK

    *Knicks got no cap room*

  663. CB

    For people interested in Bedard here’s what Bavasi had to say about Bedard and his willingness to work deep into games.

    Bavasi traded for Bedard – staked his job on Bedard. And this is what he had to say. This is about as damning a statement about a player as you’ll ever see. From the seattle news tribune:

    “We asked him about Bedard and his unwillingness to go past 100 pitches…

    “You have to ask him and I know that’s no fun. And he’s going to have a stupid answer for you can count on it. He’s going to have some dumb-ass answer.”

    “He’s either gassed because he’s laboring. He’s protecting himself because he knows even he sticks around and is mediocre he gets another 2 million bucks lopped onto his salary.”

    “Why doesn’t he go longer? It’s a real pointed question. But you need to ask him. And good luck with that.”"

    http://blogs.thenewstribune.co.....ding_bavas

  664. Joe from Long Island

    CB – Besides worrying about the big club, Cash has to solve this dilemma – and a good dilemma it is. Sounds like a deal or two will be made at some point, to either help the Yankees ML team or restock the minors with position players.

    Any thoughts?

  665. Laura - A fan of the DH

    Michael Barrett is one of the worst catchers in the majors.

  666. Anyone but Farnsworth

    Bron Bron, coming to the knicks will not happen.. Why would He leave a perfect situation, Its Cleveland

  667. Rebecca--Optimist Prime--Mission 2708

    Niiiiice Andy!

  668. helno51

    who would they trade to restock the system?

  669. Angel

    Granted the Padre’s aren’t a great team, but this is exactly the kind of start they needed from Andy. He’s really looked very good.

  670. S.A.- No pain..no gain! Bronson Arroyo will save us!!

    Great job tonight Andy! 103 pitches for him

  671. Tim

    Wang
    Chamberlain
    Hughes

    are locks in the rotation for another 5+ years

    We have:

    Kennedy
    Horne
    Aceves
    Marquez
    McCutchen
    Betances
    Heredia
    Kontos
    Jackson
    Coke
    De La Rosa
    Garcia
    Pope
    McCallister

  672. whozat

    “I dont understand why Cashman is not stringent with the prospects.”

    I do not think “stringent” means what you think it means.

  673. RSM

    “I’ve watched Randy Wolf pitch extensively when he was a Phillie, and trust me, he’s not the answer.”

    Just wanted to remind everyone that I posted this comment yesterday. See, I told you so. :)

  674. S.A.- No pain..no gain! Bronson Arroyo will save us!!

    “Meanwhile, Giambi is never going to shave. The power of the ’stache could supply energy to several Third World countries. That seems pretty obvious at this point.”

    LOL. I missed that before. Funny :)

  675. Joe from Long Island

    I don’t know who Cash would trade, but it’s reaching the point where some moves need to be made. And remember, Humberto Sanchez and Andrew Brackman are in the wings. There are just so many openings in NY, or SWB for that matter, to go around.

  676. Al from BK

    If Cleveland in 2-3 years hasnt won a title. King James will be looking for a change of scenery and his sponsors will be in his ear telling him how great NYC is. Nothing sells better than a superstar in NYC Jeter, A-rod, Johan Santana, David Wright, Eli Manning, ask them how easy it is to get a corporate sponsor.

  677. Anyone but Farnsworth

    With the offense the Yanks have, they need to go 12-6 minimum in the next 18..

  678. S.A.- No pain..no gain! Bronson Arroyo will save us!!

    Let’s go Lakers!

  679. Angel

    Eek, that is pretty damning on Bedard. The shine wore off him really quickly.

  680. Tim

    “I do not think “stringent” means what you think it means.”

    I didnt mean Stringent, why I said that I have no idea. I meant strict

  681. E

    From Mike Ashmore’s blog thunder thoughts:

    ACEVES

    The scout told me that Aceves really knows how to pitch, and he likes how he gets ahead of hitters. However, his lack of an out pitch limits him to no more than a 5th Starter in the big leagues though. He should pitch real well for Trenton however.

    The scout also said

    MELANCON

    The scout told me that Melancon has a special arm, and he’s seen him pitching at 93 and hit 94. He has a curveball that the scout described as really good, and he doesn’t expect Melancon to be in Trenton for long. The scout does not feel that Melancon projects as a big league closer in the future though — his arm action is long and he’ll have problems with command most likely. However, according to the scout, he won’t need to command to succeed in the minors because his stuff is so good.

    The scout was concerned about the stiffness in Melancon’s elbow during his delivery, and feels his current motion places a lot of strain on his shoulder. He agreed with my “catapult” description of his delivery, and felt that his delivery was long in the back.

    http://thunderbaseball.wordpress.com/ great blog

  682. Mark (Free Brett Campaign)

    Why Veras up 7?

  683. Angel

    Solar power, nuclear power, wind power… stache power.

  684. Laura - A fan of the DH

    I don’t know if people realize it, but Flava Flav is almost 50 years old.

  685. Al from BK

    Ya last year Erik Bedard was a top 5 AL pitcher. Wha happened? Seattle got hosed.

  686. Brandon (supporting "Alex being Alex") (Jose Tabata Supporter 4 Life !!!!)

    A-Jax 4 for 4 with a homer and 4 ribbies… Aceves 8 innings of 1 hit ball… Pettitte looking like himself again… the Stache on fire… good day for the Yanks organization.

    Funny thing about that HR, he now has 4 straight games hitting a HR :D

  687. whozat

    Tim, of that list, the only guys you make room for MIGHT be McCallister, Betances, and Garcia if he ever puts it all together and can stay healthy. Maybe Horne, if he shows consistent command. Kennedy, if he Mooses-it-up. The rest are all back-end guys, which are nice to have…but I’m not afraid to deal most of those players. Not for pennies on the dollar or anything, but I’d move most guys on that list.

  688. TKinDC

    CB –

    Here is some pro-Bedard propaganda (not that the GM who just got canned for being a total clown is not a good source!)

    “The raves come fast and furious, unreserved testimony that the Mariners have acquired, in Erik Bedard, an elite talent.

    “The Mariners just got one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball,” said Hall of Famer Jim Palmer, an Orioles broadcaster. “We’re talking about a guy who can be as good as Johan Santana.”

    And just as quickly, in any conversation about Bedard, comes the ancillary warning: Don’t expect a warm and fuzzy fellow. ”

    I’ll take Jim Palmers opinion over Bivasi 8 days a week

  689. Rebecca--Optimist Prime--Mission 2708

    Missed home run #2 by milimeters.

  690. Angel

    *waits*

  691. Anyone but Farnsworth

    Poor defense by Gerut

  692. Laura - A fan of the DH

    Okay, that one he was watching.

  693. Al from BK

    Veras up 7 is silly, its time foe the Hawk Latroy Hawkins that is.

  694. whozat

    “Why Veras up 7?”

    No need to push Andy. 7 strong, 103 pitches…what would be the point of pushing it?

  695. Joe from Long Island

    I wonder if Alex was thinking about protecting his leg/quad when he stopped at 2nd. He clearly could have gone to third, but with 7-0, in the 7th, he may have played it safe.

    And he still got to third.

  696. Angel

    I’m curious, did he say that when Bedard was an Oriole? You don’t think that Jim Palmer might have been slightly biased himself, when he said that?

  697. Tim

    “Tim, of that list, the only guys you make room for MIGHT be McCallister, Betances, and Garcia if he ever puts it all together and can stay healthy. Maybe Horne, if he shows consistent command. Kennedy, if he Mooses-it-up. The rest are all back-end guys, which are nice to have…but I’m not afraid to deal most of those players. Not for pennies on the dollar or anything, but I’d move most guys on that list.”

    Well considering Joba and Wang should be our 1-2 starting next year unless we get CC, they would all be fighting for the 4-5 spot since Hughes COULD be an ace as well.

  698. Laura - A fan of the DH

    Man, that guy will be glad when this game is over.

  699. whozat

    “Veras up 7 is silly, its time foe the Hawk Latroy Hawkins that is.”

    Oh…that’s a good point.

  700. TKinDC

    ““I dont understand why Cashman is not stringent with the prospects.”

    I do not think “stringent” means what you think it means.”

    LMAO

  701. Anyone but Farnsworth

    On Bron Bron coming to New York dont think its happening. One he is in a perfect situation in Cleveland. Not only is in his home-town but he is the face of the City and the sports world in that area. Yes he would make a lot more money in New York but he already makes a great deal. Finally moving to New York he would deal with tremendous pressure and although he is finding it hard to win in Cleveland it is a lot harder to win in New York. New yOrk is the toughest place to win and why would Bron Bron move from a perfect situaiton to a city where he has to prove that he can win in New York

  702. Al from BK

    If big G is hurt Im throwing something.

  703. Tim

    The kid that throws lefty and righty is playing for Staten Island right? I wanna go see them play the Renegades (Tampa Rays A) up here in the Hudson Valley.

  704. Laura - A fan of the DH

    Okay, Giambi licking his ’stache was gross.

  705. Mark (Free Brett Campaign)

    Yea I didn’t mean stick with Andy, use the bad arms in the pen tonight hawkins or Traber.

  706. Laura - A fan of the DH

    Glad we don’t need these runs.

  707. YanksAngel

    why no stache?

  708. CB

    Joe,

    A trade needs to be made. As it is I’d be surprised if the yankees didn’t lose a player to the rule V draft this year.

    Here’s the rub – the pitcher they’d rather trade – Marquez, McCutchen, etc. largely project to be back end starters – #4 or #5 starters.

    Those guys have limited value as minor leaguers. But if they even have a little bit of success at the major league level they become much more valuable – it shows that they’re stuff does project to the majors. A good case in point for this last year was boston trading Kason Gabbard after the started and won his first 3 mlb games.

    If they could get some of these guys some major league innings that they did ok in they’d be much, much more valuable guys.

    Joe Blanton as a minor leaguer wasn’t much of trade chip. As a league average starter he’s very valuable in a trade.

    They also have a glut of right handed middle innings relievers who will probably be pretty good major leaguers compared to the average middle reliever. Guys like Anthony Claggett and Kevin Whelan. Same deal there – not much value as minor leaguers but a lot of value with even some major league success.

    For example, compared to the beginning of the year the yankees could get a decent return for Veras or Ramirez if they wanted to trade them. Both those guys could be nice trading pieces.

    My feeling is that they are eventually going to trade Kennedy and Marquez possibly Horne. Claggett, Kevin Whelan as well. If Kennedy has some success this year in the majors he becomes a very good trading piece. That’s a big factor.

    If they make a run at Sabathia those guys will be involved – they are not trading Hughes or Joba (or Brackman). Otherwise I think they will package those kind of guys to get a first baseman in the off season.

    They key think, IMO is how do you get some of these guys an opportunity at the big league level to increase their trade value while still trying to win.

  709. Mark (Free Brett Campaign)

    Tim- Yes that kid Tim Vendette is with Staten Island, going next Friday to see them play. I hope he pitches.

  710. Angel

    I dont think he’s hurt – I think they just wanted to give Betemit an AB.

  711. mark

    I hope everyone is listening to the conversation between Kay and Cone. Why would you even call for a trade for a pitcher when you have possibilities in the minors?

  712. whozat

    “they would all be fighting for the 4-5 spot since Hughes COULD be an ace as well.”

    Yeah, it’s true…right now, those back-end-looking guys in AA aren’t worth much. If they get to AAA and are still looking decent, then they have some value. I’m loathe to trade anyone who could help this year because we might need more arms to try if/when Rasner and Giese flame out.

  713. Matt

    Anyone thinking Giambi is hurt… they’re up 7-0 in a game against a team that can’t score, and they pinch hit for him to get Betemit an at bat, who has barely played recently being in the NL and who will replace him defensively anyway to keep Giambi’s legs strong. He’s sitting there hanging out in the dugout, he’s clearly not hurt.

  714. T

    I don’t like that Girardi took Giambi out. He had a chance to hit 3 home runs and I’m sure he would want to go up again. Were that the case and Girardi decided to stick him on the bench anyway I think that was a bad call.

  715. Rebecca--Optimist Prime--Mission 2708

    So I don’t think Giambi’s hurt. Probably just trying to get Wilson an AB or so–perhaps they’re auditioning Wilson for a trade or something?

  716. TKinDC

    “I’m curious, did he say that when Bedard was an Oriole? You don’t think that Jim Palmer might have been slightly biased himself, when he said that?”

    Angel – nope –

    Palmer said this after Bedard was moved. Palmer is unusual in that he is NOT an uber-homer like our broadcasters or worse the NESN mafia. The Palmer quote was in an intro profile of Bedard in the Seattle paper – here is the link:

    http://seattletimes.nwsource.c.....rd100.html

  717. michael

    not watching game. is jason hurt?

  718. Laura - A fan of the DH

    There’s nothing wrong with the ’stache. I think Girardi just likes seeing Betemit strike out. In all fairness, he hasn’t been striking out a lot lately, but he just looked silly during tonight’s at bat.

  719. Al from BK

    Im clamoring for Alan Horne but he needs another 4-5 starts because he missed so much time if he wasnt injured hes pitching Saturday but I think Giese can finesse his way on Saturday.

  720. Brandon (supporting "Alex being Alex") (Jose Tabata Supporter 4 Life !!!!)

    CJ Henry also has 2 straight games w/ a 2B :D

  721. Laura - A fan of the DH

    Veras has got the hot hand. I think that Hawkins is in the dog house.

  722. Al from BK

    I hope papi is still on his ouch for the all-star game it would be nice to see Giambi as the AL DH I dont wanna see 6 Red Sox in the final Yankee stadium AS game.

  723. Joe from Long Island

    CB – thanks. Makes sense.

  724. Al from BK

    *couch

  725. Angel

    Fair enough, I just wondered when it was said. I still don’t want them going after him – but that’s just because I dont’ see him as the answer.

    I get all the games on MASN when they play in Baltimore and I think while he’s a decent announcer, he does come across as a bit of a homer at times.

  726. Tim

    When does Brackman project to be up in the big leagues? Is he back from injury yet?

  727. Jeff NJ

    Just home from my sons Bris. Looks like I missed a lot. I’ll have to go through the thread and catch up. Not to mention I need to look up this Aceves kid, what’s the correct pronunciation? The Bris went well by the way, the kid only cried for a few minutes until he immersed himself into a few gauze pads full of wine. Ah alcohol, is there any problem you can’t solve? Ok back to the game.

  728. whozat

    “is how do you get some of these guys an opportunity at the big league level to increase their trade value while still trying to win.”

    If someone’s showing something in AAA, you move Giese or Rasner to the pen and bring up the prospect. Obviously, they need to force your hand on that. Unless Ras and Giese manage to keep putting up really good numbers. Then…well, maybe you can package one of them :-)

    I betcha we see Mo tonight. He’s had three days off, right?

  729. Confucius

    “muy bueno.”

    Is that Spanish for ‘moving forward?’

  730. S.A.- No pain..no gain! Bronson Arroyo will save us!!

    Maybe Giambi had to go groom his ’stache?

    c’mon Veras

  731. whozat

    “When does Brackman project to be up in the big leagues? Is he back from injury yet?”

    He’s not yet thrown a single pitch as a pro…we have no idea when he projects to be in the majors :-)

    He’s still on the TJ rehab train. Sanchez has started throwing BP, I’m pretty sure. Maybe even throwing in extended spring games. He could be an impact reliever next year.

  732. Rebecca--Optimist Prime--Mission 2708

    Jeff:

    מזל טו

  733. Al from BK

    Jeff- Mozeltov! Yeah its been a good game. Boston is winning 3-0 and Tampa is winning 2-1 in Tampa.

  734. Dee

    Joe is right to sit Jason. With a 7 run lead, nice to give some of the older guys rest to make sure they’ll stay strong for September.

    But with 7 run lead, why use Veras? Why not use Hawkins or have a look at Traber and save Versa for Rasner tomorrow night?

  735. CB

    TK,

    No one questions Bedard’s talent. No one every has. He has great stuff. Absolutely nasty.

    That’s never been the issue with him.

    Unfortunately, everything else has always been an issue with him – attitude, healthy, “heart,” competitiveness, etc.

    I know Bavasi is bitter but those issues with Bedard have been going on all season up in Seattle. Bavasi said that now but the reporters and fans have been questioning bedard’s commitment all season long.

    Could you imagine a pitcher in NY just flat out refusing to throw more than 100 pitches. Just taking himself out of games?

  736. Tim

    At this point the Yankees DESERVE more players in the All Star game than the Sox

    Giambi over Youk
    Matsui over Ortiz
    Damon should be in the OF with Manny
    Jeter
    Rodriguez
    Mussina

    But only 2-3 will actually make it, maybe Mussina. And who wants to make a bet Francona picks Papelbon and K Rod over Mariano. Francona is such a immature dick and hates the Yankees so much. He will pick Drew and Okajima as well (Drew deserves it)

  737. TKinDC

    “When does Brackman project to be up in the big leagues? Is he back from injury yet?”

    TJ surgery is at least a year of rehab – then baby steps.

    Humberto Sanchez might start pitching this summer but I believe Brackman is going to be on the shelf for a while.

  738. Brandon (supporting "Alex being Alex") (Jose Tabata Supporter 4 Life !!!!)

    Damn Jetes is getting lazy w/ that jump :?

  739. Al from BK

    I wanna barf that Pedroia is gonna start for the AL. If Cano had been Cano all year then that 15 year old looking tool wouldnt be near an AL ballot.

  740. CB

    Jeff,

    Congrats. Glad to hear the bris went well! Hope you’re getting some sleep.

  741. helno51

    why is girardi going to use all these relievers in a blow out? he almost makes me wish for torres handling of the pen

  742. whozat

    Some company needs to sponsor Yankee ’stache day. Give out fake staches for the kids.

    Also, Veras will be cranky if Traber gives up these runs.

  743. Ron

    Well, the pen hardly got a workout in Houston, and there was an off-day yesterday. So why not give light assignments to a few guys that haven’t pitched in a few days. At least it’s not a Torre-Proctor thing.

  744. Al from BK

    I also feel bad that a Sux manager is the AL Manager this year. To be fair he picked Girardi as a coach. Okajima doesnt deserve it, Drew maybe, Manny yeah, Youk no but will win do to Sux nation zombies voting him in. Papelbon over MO= LOL if that happens then its pure bias and should be investigated.

  745. CB

    As an aside – given Wang’s injury – one of the things that this game should really tell you is that you have to take the performance and statistics of pitchers from the NL west with a grain of sand.

    The teams in that division just cannot hit. Outside of the really elite starters in the division – Webb, Peavy, Lincecum etc. you just can’t project how those guys will do if you trade for them.

    Pitching in the NL West is just not the same as throwing in the AL East.

  746. whozat

    “why is girardi going to use all these relievers in a blow out? he almost makes me wish for torres handling of the pen”

    I think it’s that they haven’t thrown in days. Veras hasn’t thrown since Friday, I think. You want your best guys to be sharp, you know? And Traber, well you want to get him right in there.

  747. Jeff NJ

    Thanks Rebecca, Al and CB. We’re actually getting plenty of sleep, got a baby nurse for a few weeks, so it’s been easy so far.

    Welcome back Traber, get it done this time, we need a lefty in the pen.

  748. Rebecca--Optimist Prime--Mission 2708

    whozat: You know they’re already on it.

  749. Al from BK

    Ollie warming.

  750. Confucius

    “Francona is such a immature dick and hates the Yankees so much.”

    This is the dumbest thing I have ever read on this blog.

  751. cc

    when did it become standard to take out a starting pitcher throwing a shutout, when he is not coming back from an injury?

  752. Ron

    Betemit knows how to play first. What a play by A-Rod!

  753. CB

    You can hate the sox if you want but Francona is a very good manager and a stand up guy.

  754. whozat

    Not so good by Traber.

  755. TKinDC

    CB –

    I’m pretty sure Clemens took himself out of games, and Randy Johnson, and Kevin Brown, Jaret Wright maybe even (one of my favorites) Moose has – we’ve had our share of guys who are limited.’

    I think the aspect that gets overplayed about Bedard is the run-ins he had with the FO of the O’s. He did not want to stay for obvious reasons and so he became a pain in the A$$.

    This is hardly an unusual tactic for players today, like it or not.

    So he was traded to a “contender” who turned out to be a pretender. I think he is tough enough to pitch in the AL East b/c he has done it successfully for 4 years. The press will be a problem if he struggles. The hip might be a problem although he has logged 180+ IP the past 3 years.

    Like everything else – it depends on the deal – he is locked up for 1.5 years rather than CC’s .5 years – I just think if CC is looking for Santana money a 1.5 year test drive of Bedard makes sense.

  756. Joe from Long Island

    Alex is having some game at 3rd.

  757. blackdragon905

    great play by a rod, thats the second one tonight!!!

  758. the dirtman

    was that derek jeter playing third? nice play arod

  759. sunny615

    off to get some nookie… sorry – nookie goes before yankees!

  760. Tim

    “This is the dumbest thing I have ever read on this blog.”

    Do you watch the post game interviews from him after Yankee-Red Sox games? Especially like after Farnsworth ALMOST hit Manny? I guess you dont

  761. whozat

    “when did it become standard to take out a starting pitcher throwing a shutout, when he is not coming back from an injury?”

    When managers realized that it’s pointless to have your starter throw 130 pitches in a game that you’re winning handily.

  762. Al from BK

    Sox players always annoy me but I have to say Pedroia, Youk and Papelbon incite a new level of hate in me. Pedroia- Reminds me of a garden gnome or one of the Loli-pop kids from “The Wizard of Oz”, Youk- Reminds me of Scott Ian from
    Anthrax only without the musical talent, Papelbon- His wannabe death stare makes me wanna jump through the screen whenever he pitches.

  763. Tim

    Francona said Farnsworth should have a minimum of 5 game suspension with a huge (dont remember the amount) fine. He also declined comment on if the Red Sox would retaliate. I dont remember if there was a game after that, but what kind of “stand up guy” does that?

  764. BBFan

    Cano might have found his stroke finally.
    If so the offense will be awesome.

  765. Brandon (supporting "Alex being Alex") (Jose Tabata Supporter 4 Life !!!!)

    Austin Jackson how are you doing this week :?

    Jun 13 @REA .200 1 for 5, RBI, R, HR
    Jun 14 @REA .400 2 for 5, 2 RBI, 2 R, HR
    Jun 15 @REA .200 1 for 5, RBI, R, HR
    Jun 17 @HAR .800 4 for 5 4 RBI, R. HR

    That’s .400 w/ 4 RBI and 4 HR in his last 4 games

    He’s slacking because there are no doubles or triples in his line.

  766. YanksAngel

    Cano’s looking good this game

  767. whozat

    “I’m pretty sure Clemens took himself out of games, and Randy Johnson, and Kevin Brown, Jaret Wright maybe even (one of my favorites) Moose has”

    Taking yourself out of a game and having your stuff noticeably degrade as your pitch count approaches 100 are very different. I don’t think Wright or Moose has ever taken himself out, but Torre certainly didn’t feel like they could get outs anymore once they got to around 90-100 pitches. The other guys, I wasn’t paying much attention back when they were on the team. Especially Brown and Clemens.

  768. Brandon (supporting "Alex being Alex") (Jose Tabata Supporter 4 Life !!!!)

    Austin Jackson how are you doing this week :?

    Jun 13 @REA .200 1 for 5, RBI, R, HR
    Jun 14 @REA .400 2 for 5, 2 RBI, 2 R, HR
    Jun 15 @REA .200 1 for 5, RBI, R, HR
    Jun 17 @HAR .800 4 for 5 4 RBI, R. HR

    That’s .400 w/ 8 RBI * and 4 HR in his last 4 games

    He’s slacking because there are no doubles or triples in his line.

  769. Tim

    Youkilis honestly looks like a WWE wrestler. Pedroia will not amount to much as a baseball player. And Jon “my dog ate it” Papelbon, just so much hatred for him

  770. TKinDC

    “I also feel bad that a Sux manager is the AL Manager this year. ”

    Francona is a nice guy, but I would guess that if the DEVIL rays continue to hang on and finish 3rd in the AL East – their manager would have a shot.

    Francona hasn’t really done anything remarkable IMHO.

  771. whozat

    Melky still looking kinda poor at the plate. One good swing today.

  772. Rebecca--Optimist Prime--Mission 2708

    I don’t like the Red Sox as a team, but Ortiz and Francona have always struck me as stand up guys.

    They probably took Andy out because a) pitch count, and b) the bullpen hasn’t exactly had to work hard the last couple days.

  773. Tim

    What I think is funny is, I know and most people know there is no shot, but there hasnt even been any jokes about the Yankees signing Clemens since Wang went down

  774. Rebecca--Optimist Prime--Mission 2708

    Pete, for the record, I think this is one of your best game posts this season.

  775. mark

    I hated Ortiz from when he whined about not being chosen for the All Star Game one year and said that he deserved MVP more than Jeter. He’s a crybaby.

  776. Tim

    Ortiz is actually a nice guy. I saw him out in Anaheim in 2006 when he and Wily Mo were walking to his car and he walked with a bunch of fans talking to them. While Manny was off screaming in spanish to someone. His driver was no where to be found

  777. John

    wow pete, you are really keeping us updated tonight. good blogging

  778. whozat

    Odd that Headley doesn’t have a good arm. He was a 3B, no?

  779. 27 this year

    Is it me or has Abreu been in a minor slump. I keep noticing his average drop day after day.

  780. Tim

    Im just happy Ortiz isnt doing the “Call your shot” thing at the HR Derby. Even though they are still advertising him, I cant see anyway he will be ready and or willing to do it

  781. MrMulligan

    I believe we’ve “turned the corner” my friends…and this team is ready to come together for a helluva run.
    By the way, when we are dealing with young pitchers ya gotta look @ Kazmir (who we’d all agree is a STUD in training) tonight: 4 2/3, 110 pitches, 3 H, 1 ER, 4 BB, 7 K…

  782. mark

    Tim he might be a nice guy outside of baseball but he’s a baby inside of it.

  783. 27 this year

    Cabrera is definitely slumping, maybe bringing up Gardner to play Center even for one day just so Melky gets that same wake up that Cano has gotten.

  784. Al from BK

    Francona is all bent out of shape about Farnsy trying to hit one of his players. Dude what about the past 5 years your pitchers have probably hit 4 times as many Yankees as Yanks pitchers have hit Red Sox batters. Ridiculous not to sound like my dad or anything but ” Don’t throw stones if you live in a glass house.”

  785. cc

    “when did it become standard to take out a starting pitcher throwing a shutout, when he is not coming back from an injury?”

    ‘When managers realized that it’s pointless to have your starter throw 130 pitches in a game that you’re winning handily.’

    Is it pointless to add 1 to Pettitte’s career shutout total? It’s a fairly prestigious achievement. I guess it’s not enough of a point to risk an injury. Pettitte with his elbow must be in the permanent risk of injury category.

  786. Joe from Long Island

    This will be 5 over .500. It’a about time.

  787. Laura - A fan of the DH

    Why is Mo pitching in an 8-0 game? When was the last time he pitched?

  788. Tim

    5 games over .500 and 5.5 out of the AL East and 3 games out in the WC

  789. TKinDC

    Hey –

    Robbie is hitting .230!

    Next stop .240

  790. Al from BK

    I love the commercial for Dunkin Donuts “I forgot about the sleeper-sofa(oh uh oh oh), I forgot all about the air hockey table.”

  791. CB

    Headley was never considered to be a very good defensive player. Where he would play was always a question. People weren’t convinced that he could stay at third.

    He was always about his bat.

  792. Tim

    I cant wait to see Joba on thursday, but the lineup is gonna suck since its a day after night game. Molina, Betemit oh well

  793. Al from BK

    Mo last pitched the final game in Oakland I think Girardi doesnt want him to go cold.

  794. mark

    I gotta say I was with Laura. I didn’t call for any heads. I expected the Yankees to get to where they are. Nice moment for us Yankee fans.

  795. whozat

    “Is it pointless to add 1 to Pettitte’s career shutout total? It’s a fairly prestigious achievement. I guess it’s not enough of a point to risk an injury. Pettitte with his elbow must be in the permanent risk of injury category.”

    It’s pointless to do this with ANY pitcher. If Andy was at 8 IP and 100 pitches…ok, maybe. If your pen needs the rest, ok. But he was at 7. There’s just no point in pushing any starter when you’re dominating a game AND you don’t have any particular need to rest your pen.

  796. Confucius

    “Do you watch the post game interviews from him after Yankee-Red Sox games? Especially like after Farnsworth ALMOST hit Manny? I guess you dont”

    Farnsworth?? Are you joking? 90% of the people on this blog can’t stand Farnsworth.

    Francona’s never discussed the Yankees without mentioning the respect he has for the team. He was practically in tears when he talked about how much it meant to him that Torre and Jeter watched the ring ceremony in ‘05.

    I don’t think that going after the psycho righty in the glasses qualifies him as a Yankee-hater.

  797. Brandon (supporting "Alex being Alex") (Jose Tabata Supporter 4 Life !!!!)

    Cashman had hair that year :lol:

  798. Al from BK

    Mo looks filthy right now.

  799. 27 this year

    Tomorrow, its Peavy vs. Rasner adn either it is a close one or a blowout in their favor. I know our bats are coming alive but I honestly dont think we aer going to score that much after scoring 13 on Sun and 7 tonight. Usually, we take an off day.

  800. mark

    Wish they’d cut to Trevor Howard in the bullpen.
    real nice stuff he had to say about Mariano.

  801. 27 this year

    Mo doesnt look rusty…

  802. Ron

    Yawn…Mo strikes out the side.

  803. Brandon (supporting "Alex being Alex") (Jose Tabata Supporter 4 Life !!!!)

    Sp in 2 years Sandman will break out the change up ? oh lord.

  804. YanksAngel

    Mo is unreal

  805. Tim

    Cashman in 1998…Ahh when he actually cared about the Yankees. Cant say he doesnt care because he did build our farm, but I have no doubt he is bolting after this year

  806. AlbanyYankee

    Giambi was a third baseman too, remember.

  807. Al from BK

    Game over YEAH! *Fist Pump*(followed by twirl and re-pump)

  808. Fran

    The Yankees continue to roll. 5 game winning streak. 5 games over .500. Going for 6 tomorrow night.

  809. TKinDC

    “Francona is all bent out of shape about Farnsy trying to hit one of his players.”

    Yeah – I’m not a fan of people headhunting A-Rod or Jeter, so I can kind of sympathize with Tito.

    It is the BS that Coco Crisp pulled when he was hit the right way that makes the MLB’s role necessary for Judge Bob Watson.

  810. Brandon (supporting "Alex being Alex") (Jose Tabata Supporter 4 Life !!!!)

    So * (I got too excited)

    5 GAMES OVER .500 8O

  811. S.A.- No pain..no gain! Bronson Arroyo will save us!!

    Nice Win!

  812. mark

    Tim I think just the opposite. I can’t see Cashman wanting to leave.

  813. PAT M.

    I’ve been watching Rivera for over a decade and he still just leaves me shaking my head…..

  814. 27 this year

    Andy was at 103 after 7, he looked like he was starting to tire getting into longer counts. The last game, he threw like 113 and so you dont want him doing too much in straight starts unless the game is really close or really meaningful. When we are up by seven, what is the point in having Andy tire himself to get through another inning when we have every guy in our pen available.

  815. 27 this year

    Mo was beast!!!

  816. TKinDC

    Great Win Yanks!

  817. V

    I would just like to say ‘I told you so’ to all the haters who ‘guaranteed’ that this was a .500 team at best, who laughed at me when I said this team was capable of winning 90-95 on the year ;-)

  818. 27 this year

    Who cares how much we pay Mo? If he keeps pitching this way, I could care less.

    Plus it ain’t my money…

  819. 27 this year

    5+

  820. cc

    “It’s pointless to do this with ANY pitcher. If Andy was at 8 IP and 100 pitches…ok, maybe. If your pen needs the rest, ok. But he was at 7. There’s just no point in pushing any starter when you’re dominating a game AND you don’t have any particular need to rest your pen.”

    well, as long as shutouts are counted as a statistical category, there will be A point to allow them to be pitched. You are probably accurately reflecting the current approach. But it’s surprising to me that players’ concern for their statistics, which determines certain other managerial decisions and certainly larger aspects of the game such as the DH rule, doesn’t extend to this area. I guess they see it as unrealistic for them to even come close to challenging the pitchers of the past in CGs and SHOs.

  821. 27 this year

    Picked a good time to make a run. The teams we vs. arent exactly any good and the Mets right now are the saddest team in baseball, second only to the Mariners who all I can say is shame, shame…

  822. Dee

    We scored TWENTY ONE runs in the last 2 games and gave up none!!!

    Remember back in April/May when it would take us 10 games to score 21 runs?

  823. TKinDC

    Developing deeper respect for A-Rod all the time – he was just talking to suzyn about his defense – he said ‘it is contagious and picks up the pitchers, that is how you win world championships.’

    Keeping him was not a bad off-season move – love that he is thinking about WS Rings in mid-June!

  824. mark

    V I remember the hits you took. I think you more than earned that “I told you so!” It’s one thing to disagree but some posters got downright nasty with you for thinking the Yankees could win games!

  825. Tim

    I think we need to sweep the NL from here on out. We need to finish 16-0 after starting 0-2. Were 4-0 so far

    Im just kidding by the way

  826. #9

    Let Willie throw out first pitch at next Mets/Yanks game at stadium!

  827. PAT M.

    V there were a few of us who never gave up….I’m stil on the hook for a couple hundred that they win 92

  828. mark

    Lots of Willie stuff on Baseball Tonight. Maybe even a few web gems for the Yankees. Olney calling Minaya a liar.

  829. Tim

    After what Mussina and Giambi have done for us, I think the least we can do is give them a ring before they depart. I seriously got the feeling of a Championship by looking at this team and what it could look like by August, and its the first time since 2004 I have felt like we have a real chance to win it all

  830. V

    It’s amazing what a difference a healthy ARod/Posada do for this offense.

  831. mark

    Pat M the ones who never gave up were the ones who took the hardest hits. Go figure. I didn’t give up either.

  832. Mark (Free Brett Campaign)

    wow 14 strikeouts for the team tonight nice.

  833. Blargh

    Ooh, a win, nice. I like this offense proving me wrong about their living/dead status.

  834. Brandon (supporting "Alex being Alex") (Jose Tabata Supporter 4 Life !!!!)

    Alex has looked more than very good at 3B, I mean near GG candidate like. I wouldn’t put too much on the WS comment they need to do it not talk so much about it. I do think Girardi has had a bit of an influence on his attention to defense because this is the best I have seen him.

    Andy Pettitte had 9 K’s wow :?

  835. cc

    “After what Mussina and Giambi have done for us, I think the least we can do is give them a ring before they depart.”

    Won’t they have a lot better chance of making this happen than “we” will?

  836. John

    tim, your dreaming. I’m a huge Yankee fan but even I can see that this team still as major, major problems
    you like these matchups in the alcs (if we make it)
    beckett vs. pettitte
    dice k vs. mussina
    lester vs. chamberlain

    i don’t know. I still just don’t think we have the pitching depth to compete in the playoffs. didn’t last year, and the only change we made was move joba to the rotation

    I don’t know, im a pessimist

  837. V

    My fantasy team says “Thank you” to Andy Pettitte ;-)

    Despite Kazmir’s 4 2/3 innings, I’m at 0.77 ERA, 16 Ks, 1.11 WHIP on the week so far ;-)

  838. Tim

    You know what I mean..

  839. Brandon (supporting "Alex being Alex") (Jose Tabata Supporter 4 Life !!!!)

    an excess amount of Cubs fans at the Trop. tonight.

  840. PAT M.

    Mark…I recall after the Met series, several of us getting drilled…..They are doing what good teams do, take advantage of the schedule and beat up on the weak sisters….

  841. V

    “tim, your dreaming. I’m a huge Yankee fan but even I can see that this team still as major, major problems
    you like these matchups in the alcs (if we make it)
    beckett vs. pettitte
    dice k vs. mussina
    lester vs. chamberlain

    i don’t know. I still just don’t think we have the pitching depth to compete in the playoffs. didn’t last year, and the only change we made was move joba to the rotation

    I don’t know, im a pessimist”

    Wang’ll be back by then. Hughes too. They probably WILL make a trade, but it’ll be a surprise deal (as they all are).

  842. mark

    John I don’t know about anyone else but I’d take the Yankee pitchers in all of those matchups.

  843. whozat

    “But it’s surprising to me that players’ concern for their statistics, which determines certain other managerial decisions”

    If any manager is allowing his concern for player stats to determine his decisions, he needs to be fired.

  844. John

    Yanks are playin some mighty fine baseball. Tomorrows pitcher is going to be a tough one in peavy. hopefully ras can shut em down.

    You can really tell when andy is locked in. he gets the ball and he immedietly looks in and wants to throw. he works fast and really attacks the zone. It’s a fun thing to watch

  845. Tim

    “tim, your dreaming. I’m a huge Yankee fan but even I can see that this team still as major, major problems
    you like these matchups in the alcs (if we make it)
    beckett vs. pettitte
    dice k vs. mussina
    lester vs. chamberlain

    i don’t know. I still just don’t think we have the pitching depth to compete in the playoffs. didn’t last year, and the only change we made was move joba to the rotation

    I don’t know, im a pessimist”

    Actually I do like those matchups. You forgot Wang since he is out until Sept. Plus our offense is better. Plus I still feel good about Hughes this year.

  846. Brandon (supporting "Alex being Alex") (Jose Tabata Supporter 4 Life !!!!)

    oh crap Jose Reyes got hurt.

  847. Joe Mama

    Don’t know if anyone posted this

    Aceves pitched really well tonight
    here is his line

    IP H R ER BB SO
    8.0 1 0 0 2 4

    Era is 1.64

  848. S.A.- No pain..no gain! Bronson Arroyo will save us!!

    Reyes not happy

  849. Brandon (supporting "Alex being Alex") (Jose Tabata Supporter 4 Life !!!!)

    Reyes now pissed off w/ Manuel as he pulls him.

  850. Tim

    Not to mention I still have a feeling were going to pull off a good pitching trade.

  851. mark

    V, I won’t be surprised if there’s no trade. If the rotation holds up there won’t be a need for any trade. If Hughes or Kennedy manage to come through there’s already too many starters. We’d be crazy to make a trade unless our backs are really against the wall. Yankees backs that is.

  852. V

    Reyes and Jerry Manuel already not on good terms. Reyes calling Omar as we speak, lol.

  853. Brandon (supporting "Alex being Alex") (Jose Tabata Supporter 4 Life !!!!)

    Joe Mama a few times already. Aceves is a man amongst boys right now.

  854. Tim

    What happened with Reyes??

  855. S.A.- No pain..no gain! Bronson Arroyo will save us!!

    Come on Lackey!

    **No Willie, no reason for me to root for the mets

  856. V

    “V, I won’t be surprised if there’s no trade. If the rotation holds up there won’t be a need for any trade. If Hughes or Kennedy manage to come through there’s already too many starters. We’d be crazy to make a trade unless our backs are really against the wall. Yankees backs that is.”

    I think we will see -some- sort of trade, either by midseason, or shortly after the end of the season. This team has a -lot- of pitching depth in the minors, some of whom have to be left unprotected in the Rule V draft.

  857. V

    “What happened with Reyes??”

    Appeared to tweak his hamstring (not major), and was pulled by Jerry Manuel, and obviously unhappy with being pulled.

  858. Tim

    The Mets problem is Reyes. It has been for a while. And say what you want but Beltran hates playing in NY.

  859. S.A.- No pain..no gain! Bronson Arroyo will save us!!

    Reyes acted like a baby when Manuel tried to take him out..

  860. Blargh

    My fantasy team rues its ability to curse/decurse pitchers via activation/benching :P

  861. Brandon (supporting "Alex being Alex") (Jose Tabata Supporter 4 Life !!!!)

    What happened with Reyes??

    ran hard to 1B and looked to be favoring his hammy, Manuel came out saw it did the right thing told Easley get your helmet, Jose in spanish was telling him No no no no then he was murmuring I’m ok , deja tu viana (stop your crap) btw it’s not that bad in english, but after 2 minutes of arguing on field he said cono threw his helmet on the field and stormed off into the locker room meanwhile Jerry went down there to calm him down.

  862. Larry K.

    Aceves –> AAAA pitcher

  863. Larry K.

    “consecutive shutouts for the first time since May 7-8, 2005″

    woohoo

  864. V

    Ace Santana has already given up 2 runs in the first.

  865. Eugie

    “I would just like to say ‘I told you so’ to all the haters who ‘guaranteed’ that this was a .500 team at best, who laughed at me when I said this team was capable of winning 90-95 on the year ”

    Isn’t it a little early to be patting yourself on the back? We’re 5 games above .500. We just lost our ace. Our bullpen is still an issue. The only thing that’s been going great is our offense.

  866. V

    “Aceves –> AAAA pitcher”

    Isn’t a AAAA pitcher a pitcher has succeeded at AAA and failed in the majors? Kinda hard to put that label on a AA guy, no?

    He’s probably a solid #4, #5 guy down the line.

  867. Brandon (supporting "Alex being Alex") (Jose Tabata Supporter 4 Life !!!!)

    Ace Santana has already given up 2 runs in the first.

    3

  868. V

    Wow, the Mets look bad.

  869. Rishi

    3-1 already…wow – that manager change really worked out for them ;)

  870. S.A.- No pain..no gain! Bronson Arroyo will save us!!

    Peavy tomorrow right? Oy. He will be tough.
    Hopefully, Rasner will bounce back from his last performance and not channel his inner Igawa
    ;)

  871. Kevin CT

    Hey Eugie a

  872. ML

    I went to tonight’s Trenton game. Thought I’d report back, esp. since folks seem interested in Aceves tonight.

    Harrisburg isn’t a great hitting team, but nevertheless Aceves was dominant. 8 shutout innings, one hit. A couple of walks, but DPs erased them. As was noted, he doesn’t have overpowering stuff, but he knows how to pitch. Good curve when he can throw it for strikes, nice tailing fastball that moves in on righthanders.

    Austin Jackson was also dominant. Four hits, including a 3 run HR to left center. Not quite as fast as I expected; he was caught stealing once. But very impressive nonetheless.

    I’ll be going to Wed. and Thursday’s games as well, so feel free to let me know if there’s someone you’d like me to keep an eye on.

    Michael

  873. Kevin CT

    sub 2.0 era for the pen in last bunch of games is pretty good

  874. S.A.- No pain..no gain! Bronson Arroyo will save us!!

    not the greatest start for the Mets tonight

  875. mark

    Eugie I think you gotta give V his props. Some posters were vicious when V said the Yankees could get the job done. At least so far, he’s right and they’re wrong. It looks to me like the Yankees will manage to overcome their problems. They lost their ace but that’s one game in 5. They have guys in the minors and they still have Kennedy. Hughes will be back at some point. Nobody thought Rasner would get the job done either. Am I missing something about the bullpen? I think the pen’s been great.

    I think V is more right than wrong.

  876. tonyb

    Wow, I hope Wooly is sitting at home in front of his big screen with his family watching the Mets implode in Manuel’s first inning.

    Reyes is a child. Talented player, but the attitude is unbearable. Bet he’ll be trying to undermine Manuel by crying to Omar from the trainers room.

  877. Joe from Long Island

    Looks like the Mets are trying to sabotage Manuel just like they did Willie.

    Must make Omar feel good to see his team place this well for the new skip.

    They just stink.

  878. Don Vito A. Bellamo

    beckett vs. pettitte
    dice k vs. mussina
    lester vs. chamberlain
    .
    I LOVE those matchups….we WIN all of those games….BeckJerk stinks…and so does Dice-W…and are you kidding ???….Lester vs Joba…..SWEEP that series, dude….take your pessimistic garbage to the curb, boy ! :-)

  879. S.A.- No pain..no gain! Bronson Arroyo will save us!!

    good stuff ML. Thanks

  880. Joe from Long Island

    I wonder if Fred Wilpon, that old Lafayette HS baseball star, is paying attention. If he is, what must he think of Omar for buying him this collection?

  881. Brandon (supporting "Alex being Alex") (Jose Tabata Supporter 4 Life !!!!)

    I feel a little bit of pity not for Mets management but for Jerry Manuel because he’s going to be judged for every little thing. That’s not fare to nobody.

  882. bphill

    stupid celtics

  883. TKinDC

    I have an idea for Minaya –

    Make Reyes “player-coach”

    Billy Wagner can be the pitching coach.

    Delgado can be the hitting coach.

    Since those guys already run the freakin team, the transition should be seamless :)

  884. S.A.- No pain..no gain! Bronson Arroyo will save us!!

    Did Keith Hernandez hear the same Omar press conference that I did?
    Was Omar emotional? I couldn’t tell with all the crap I was hearing from him.

  885. Brandon (supporting "Alex being Alex") (Jose Tabata Supporter 4 Life !!!!)

    Fakers getting punk’d in Boston. It’s only a matter of time now.

  886. TKinDC

    Thanks for the eye-witness info ML!

    I’m getting excited about A-Jax – I wonder if he projects to a corner outfielder or CF.

    BTW – Tabata continues to scuffle :(

  887. Rishi

    I agree S.A – seemed a little too “party line” for my taste…

  888. Confucius

    Injury. Reyes pissed at the manager. Delgado error. Santana disappointing.

    After only one inning, Manuel’s Mets look no different from Willie’s Mets.

  889. V

    “Fakers getting punk’d in Boston. It’s only a matter of time now.”

    I can’t watch basketball. I just can’t. We turned it on earlier just to check the score and saw a classic play – Celtics player with the ball, charges a Laker who’s just standing there, runs into his arm (Laker doesn’t move), trips, and a foul is called on the Laker.

    I can’t watch that garbage. It makes no sense, whatsoever.

  890. Ron

    Reed, what the hell was that?

  891. Cano is worth keeping

    how about aceves?
    good lord maybe he is the answer to our prayers..(we could have pitched igawa with the kind of offense we have been having the last two nights) and why would we trade… we have some considerable talent down in the farm… I like this, I have not in a while been able to project a bullpen solely made from prospects… (I could be getting carried away) STICK WITH THE FARM CASH

  892. Confucius

    “I can’t watch that garbage. It makes no sense, whatsoever.”

    Sort of like Giambi flinching slightly and getting called out on a swinging strike 3?

  893. Brandon (supporting "Alex being Alex") (Jose Tabata Supporter 4 Life !!!!)

    I’m getting excited about A-Jax – I wonder if he projects to a corner outfielder or CF.

    CF and he’s fast, seriously IDK what ML is talking about, maybe he caught him in an off day but Austin has close to Granderson/Maybin speed.

    BTW – Tabata continues to scuffle

    Youngest in AA and they adjusted his swing this month. So he’s in transition of learning to pull pitches during game AB

  894. mark

    Unless it was just a teaser Arod definitely at least one of the web gems.

    I love seeing the Rays jam it to Lou. He couldn’t get away from them fast enough. Revenge is sweet.

  895. Al from BK

    I am so sick of Boston having great sports teams it keeps me up at night. Kobe is a chump nice 4-2 loss there mvp.

  896. Al from BK

    What kind of Yankee fan roots for Tampa. Dude they are still ahead of us I’m rooting for the Cubbies.

  897. S.A.- No pain..no gain! Bronson Arroyo will save us!!

    This basketball game is pretty much over…
    Unless the Lakers put on the mother of all comebacks

  898. Al from BK

    The Yanks won tonight, but so did the rest of the AL East. It sucks why does the NL have to blow so hard.

  899. Brandon (supporting "Alex being Alex") (Jose Tabata Supporter 4 Life !!!!)

    Santana better find himself tonight.

  900. Pierce - 2008 Best Actress Academy Award

    The only good thing about the Celtic winning tonight is that it ends basketball season and we will stop hearing about how great they are after about another 4 months.

    I can’t stand the officiating in basketball. I don’t like either team in the finals, but I really can’t stand the Celtics and their academy award winning actress, Pierce.

  901. PJH

    The Mets are very entertaining.

  902. Rishi

    Yankees scored 2 unanswered runs for the first time since 1948, Arod had Web gem #4 and Melky had #1 :)

  903. RSM

    The Mets season is over. Even if they can pull it together, which I doubt, the Phillies look like the real deal this year. Baring injuries, they may actually be the best team in the league.

    Question…Given the state of affairs in Flushing, who would want that managerial job???

  904. Rishi

    ok – that should be 24 unanswered runs

  905. Tim

    Santana the Ace getting roughed up. hes no Pettitte…25-2 in the NL my ass

  906. mark

    Arod number 3 web gem. Melky number one.

    Great night for the Yankees.

  907. Eugie

    “Eugie I think you gotta give V his props. Some posters were vicious when V said the Yankees could get the job done. At least so far, he’s right and they’re wrong. It looks to me like the Yankees will manage to overcome their problems. They lost their ace but that’s one game in 5. They have guys in the minors and they still have Kennedy. Hughes will be back at some point. Nobody thought Rasner would get the job done either. Am I missing something about the bullpen? I think the pen’s been great.

    I think V is more right than wrong.”

    Sorry I don’t see it that way. It looks more like he’s celebrating in June. I prefer looking at the end product. The pen is still an issue with Farnsworth setting up for Mo. We’ve been lucky lately but it’s not going to last if it stays that way. Girardi may be too stubborn to let the better arm in Veras take over that role but we’ll see.

    Losing Wang is a big deal. It isn’t just 1 game out of 5. He was the one that went deep into games. Kennedy and Hughes are not replacements for that. Those 2 are still experiments and suffer from major “growing pains”. Joba is also a rookie too and people need to remember that.

  908. Tim

    I cant wait until next season and Pierce getting fined for his flops. He is sooo bad and obvious at it. Pierce is garbage. Add Garnett to the Knicks and they would win the championship. Dont even need Allen, just Garnett

  909. stuart

    ML.. Thanks for the Trenton update….

    give us the highlights each day, please.

  910. Rebecca--Optimist Prime--Mission 2708

    Wow, they even talked about the Mets on Jon Stewart

  911. mark

    Eugie I don’t remember exact inning for Rasner but Pettitte and Mussina go deep into games. Even if they get us into the 7th, that doesn’t kill our pen. I’m thinking Joba will be able to give us innings too.

    Losing Wang is bad but it isn’t fatal.

  912. Al from BK

    The Mets are abysmal.

  913. Al from BK

    That Mets troll who was in here earlier must be contemplating his next raid and how to defend his beloved Mets. He actually tried to compare the Joe Torre situation to the Willie Randolph situation, what a typical idiot troll.

  914. Tim

    The Mets with this team and this payroll is an embarassment to baseball. Add in their front office, and they are an embarassment to the human race.

    And losing Wang ISNT the end of our season or close to it. We won tonight without him. Thats the thing about pitchers, they only play once every 5 days. Were not going to get a loss everytime someone takes his spot in the rotation. Pettitte is very good in the 2nd half. Mussina is doing very well. The offense has been hot since Posada and Arod returned.

    Delgado sucks haha

  915. S.A.- No pain..no gain! Bronson Arroyo will save us!!

    So…
    I’m thinking tomorrow we also won’t be able to play the “fatso and fruitloops Bronson Arroyo” drinking game.

    Sad….maybe by friday!

  916. Tim

    Reyes making an appearance back in the dugout. Aww getting along with his new manager.. You think Santana wishes he went to the Mets now, More money from us, better team, and a better record. Is he still all of the writers pick for CY Young?

  917. murphydog

    Tonight’s player of the game is ….

    Pete Abe. Incredible coverage with lots of power (18 solid updates) All around great game.

    Oh and the Yankees played well too.

  918. Peter Abraham

    Love the poster who said they won without Wang today.

    Right, they also won without Moose, Whitey Ford, Red Ruffing and Catfish Hunter. Wang wasn’t scheduled to pitch.

    The Yankees will win plenty of games. But they’ll miss CMW. He has been one of the best, most consistent pitchers in the game for 2+ seasons. They’ll do just fine but it’s going to be a lot more difficult now.

  919. Tim

    Love the poster who said they won without Wang today.
    Right, they also won without Moose, Whitey Ford, Red Ruffing and Catfish Hunter. Wang wasn’t scheduled to pitch.
    The Yankees will win plenty of games. But they’ll miss CMW. He has been one of the best, most consistent pitchers in the game for 2+ seasons. They’ll do just fine but it’s going to be a lot more difficult now.

    That would be me. And its obvious were going to miss CMW, you dont know much about baseball if you wouldnt miss a player like that, but I still believe we will win 90-93 games without him

  920. RSM

    Pete,
    Are you sure? I’d swear Ruffing pitched the sixth.

  921. Pierce - 2008 Best Actress Academy Award

    No doubt that the Yankees will miss CMW in the rotation. Its tough to make up the number of games he wins each year.

    It will be interesting to see how the Yankee front office looks to fill in the gap. I see call ups for bit, but how solid will that be?

    Joba might fill in a big role in the rotation, but its way too early to tell now.

  922. Tim

    If Joba didnt come into the rotation we would be in a lot of trouble. I think Rasner will crap out soon, and they will try one more option in his spot, if he doesnt work, I think a trade will be in order and not some scrub

  923. Tim

    People really have to stop defending Rasner because when he collapses whether it be injury or just sucking it up, you will all be even more pissed. Just accept it now. He throws the ball right down the plate. Wait until he faces the Sox or the Angels or Tigers he is going to get rocked

  924. Chris

    UPDATE, 5:59 p.m.: OK, you’ll love this.

    Moose so funny and cute

    Moose for CYA GO! you can do it

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New York Yankees baseball fans cheer during a ticker-tape parade along Broadway celebrating their 27th World Series championship on Friday, Nov. 6, 2009,  in New York.   (AP Photo/Henny Ray Abrams) New York Yankees baseball player  Mariano Rivera, bottom, waves during a ticker-tape parade along Broadway celebrating their 27th World Series championship on Friday, Nov. 6, 2009,  in New York.  (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan) Floats carrying the New York Yankees baseball team make their way along Broadway during a ticker-tape parade celebrating their 27th World Series championship on Friday, Nov. 6, 2009,  in New York.  (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan) New York Yankees baseball players Alex Rodriguez, second from left,  Francisco Cervelli, third from right, and entertainer Jay-Z, left, celebrate on a float  during a ticker-tape parade along Broadway celebrating their 27th World Series championship on Friday, Nov. 6, 2009,  in New York.   (AP Photo/Henny Ray Abrams) New York Yankees baseball player Alex Rodriguez, right, and entertainer Jay-Z celebrate on a float during a ticker-tape parade along Broadway celebrating their 27th World Series championship on Friday, Nov. 6, 2009,  in New York.   (AP Photo/Henny Ray Abrams) Floats carrying the New York Yankees baseball team make their way along Broadway during a ticker-tape parade celebrating their 27th World Series championship on Friday, Nov. 6, 2009,  in New York.  (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow) New York Yankees' Hideki Matsui, the World Series MVP, celebrates from a float during a ticker-tape parade along Broadway celebrating their 27th World Series championship on Friday, Nov. 6, 2009,  in New York. (AP Photo/Henny Ray Abrams) Baseball fans cheers as the New York Yankees were honored along Broadway in New York on Friday, Nov. 6, 2009, with a ticker-tape parade celebrating their 27th World Series championship. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle)
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Thoughts and discussion on the 27-time World Champion Yankees.

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Chad JenningsChad Jennings joined the The Journal News in October 2009, having spent the better part of seven years covering baseball in Scranton, PA. He is a graduate of the University of Missouri and an award-winning beat reporter and features writer. E-mail me at cjennings@lohud.com
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Sam BordenSam Borden is an award-winning journalist who joined The Journal News and LoHud.com in January 2008. He covered the Yankees for the New York Daily News from 2004-06, and has also worked as a columnist for the Florida Times-Union in Jacksonville. E-mail me at sborden@lohud.com
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