Game 72: Padres at Yankees
-
- June
- 18
(Check the updates for news, including draft updates.)
YANKEES (38-33)
Damon LF
Jeter SS
Abreu RF
Rodriguez 3B
Giambi DH
Posada C
Cano 2B
Betemit 1B
Cabrera CF
Rasner RHP
Darrell Rasner (3-4, 3.64) has never faced any of the Padres.
Jake Peavy (5-3, 2.64) vs. the New York hitters.
Notes: The Yankees have won five straight and 8 of 10. … Yankee pitchers have thrown 20 consecutive scoreless innings. … A-Rod is 6 of 12 with seven runs scored, five RBI and three HRs in the last three games. … Robinson Cano is 5 of 8 since being benched on Saturday. … The Yankees have outscored their opponents 35-6 the last five games. … Yankees are 4-2 against the National League this season. … Wilson Betemit is 1 for 13 since June 5. … The bullpen has allowed five ERs in the last 34.2 innings. … The Yankees have homered in 10 straight games, belting 16 circuit clouts in that time.
Big start for Rasner, who has lost his last four. He gave up six earned runs against Oakland in his last start and lasted only 3.2 innings. Opponents have hit .326 against him the last four games with an .851 OPS. Now that Rasner is essentially the No. 4 starter, he needs to deliver.
Back later with some updates.
UPDATE, 4:19 p.m.: Hideki Matsui has a sore left knee, hence his exclusion from the lineup. “We’re giving him a day,” Girardi said. ‘zilla is available to pinch hit, however. … Your new long reliever: LaTroy Hawkins.
This press release from the Yanks:
The Yankees claimed RHP claimed right-handed pitcher Oneli Perez off waivers from the Cleveland Indians and optioned him to Double-A Trenton. Perez, 24, has appeared in 21 games combined this season at Triple-A Charlotte (White Sox) and Triple-A Buffalo (Indians) to go 0-1 with two saves and an 8.49 ERA (29.2IP, 48H, 28ER, 17BB, 34K) in his first action at the Triple-A level.
He was originally signed as a non-drafted free agent by the San Diego Padres in 2001 as a first baseman. Since converting to pitcher in 2003, Perez has gone 24-12 with 37 saves and a 2.65 ERA. In order to make room on the 40-man roster, the Yankees transferred right-handed pitcher Jonathan Albaladejo (right elbow stress fracture) to the 60-day disabled list.
UPDATE, 4:59 p.m.: The Yankees have signed Sidney Ponson to a AAA contract and he is en route to Scranton.
Ponson was 4-1, 3.88 for Texas in nine starts before getting released on June 17. This is what Rangers GM Jon Daniels said at the time:
“We’re trying to put together a team of 25 guys pulling together. Based on some recent comments, he did not want to be a part of that, and that’s something we’re not going to tolerate. We want guys who want to be here and want to pull for the team, and not guys who are here for their own self-interests.”
Sir Sidney was with the Yankees in 2006, lasting five games before getting DFA’d.
UPDATE, 5:04 p.m.: Turns out that Hideki Matsui is not “just getting a day.” According to Matsui, he has inflammation in his left knee and will be examined by a doctor later on today. He is not sure he can play tomorrow, but he hopes to.
Matsui had his right knee operated on last winter.
UPDATE, 5:05 p.m.: Here’s some exclusive draft news for you. Kyle Higashioka is in the clubhouse right now. He’s with SoCal area scout David Keith getting a look around the Stadium and meeting the players.
“First time in New York,” Higashioka told The Journal News. “This is really great.”
Higashioka has signed a letter of intent with the University of California. The catcher was taken by the Yankees in the seventh round of the draft out of Edison High in California.
The Yankeees are smart. Higashioka is in uniform, has the locker right next to Jorge Posada and he’ll take BP with the team. Think about how much that must impress an 18-year-old kid. Obviously it’ll come down to money. But this was the strategy the Yankees used with Carmen Angelini last season and it worked.
I’ll post more on Kyle after the game. But I will leave you with this. I asked him whether he had faced Gerrit Cole. “One time,” he said. I asked him how he did and he sort of smiled. “I hit a rocket,” he said.
You have to love a catcher who doesn’t back down. The Yankees haven’t started negotiations yet, Keith told me. But the visit to the Stadium usually works. Look for the Yankees to get this done.
UPDATE, 6:03 p.m.: Ponson will throw a bullpen for Scranton tomorrow and could start Saturday. He is a candidate to face the Mets in one of the doubleheader games.
Cashman spoke to Ponson today. “Hopefully what happened in Texas stays in Texas,” he said.
UPDATE, 6:06 p.m.: The Matsui story continues … he’s getting his knee drained today by team Dr. Stuart Hershon. There’s a chance he will be getting an MRI, too. “Whenever somebody is out of the lineup, I’m concerned,” Cashman said.
UPDATE, 7:11 p.m.: The game is being delayed by rain. I’ll let you know when it will start.
UPDATE, 7:19 p.m.: A little more draft news for you. The Yankees have signed fifth-round pick Chris Smith for slot money ($158,000). He’s the kid who hit .708 for Centennial HS in Compton, Calif. Damon Oppenheimer confirmed the signing earlier today. Baseball America’s web site (as it usually does) had the information first.
Yankees scout David Keith, who’s at the Stadium today, said that Smith had unusual strike-zone discipline for a player his age and could drive the ball to all fields. He did not play against a high level of competition, however.
Smith will be an interesting player to follow. I believe he will be assigned to the GCL Yankees in Tampa. The Yankees also inked outfielder Tom Baldridge, their 33rd round pick from Coastal Carolina.
UPDATE, 7:43 p.m.: They’re starting to pull the tarp. No word on a start time but likely shortly after 8 p.m.
UPDATE, 7:56 p.m.: Game time is now 8:20 p.m.
UPDATE, 8:29 p.m.: I get that Wilson Betemit has power and every few weeks he belts one out. But at what point does the fact that he’s not a very good baseball player start to matter? As Cashman said yesterday, the bench doesn’t matter much. But there’s got to be somebody more helpful than this guy.
That said, he’ll probably drive in three runs tonight.
UPDATE, 8:52 p.m.: The extra time off seems to have helped Darrell Rasner. He has fanned four of the seven batters he has faced. That’s two off his season high already.
UPDATE, 8:56 p.m.: Cano is 6 for 9 since his benching on Saturday. … Meanwhile Betemit will drive him in. Why? Because I said he was lousy earlier. You watch.
UPDATE, 8:58 p.m.: See? Pop-up double drops on the line and bounces into the stands. 2-0 Yanks.
UPDATE, 9:04 p.m.: Do they charge people to attend National League games? How does that work? The Padres appear to be sleeping.
UPDATE, 9:33 p.m.: That’s four homers in as many games for A-Rod. The Big G better hit one, too. … Meanwhile, we’re seeing why Sidney Ponson was signed. The bottom two guys in the rotation are Darrell Rasner and Dan Giese.
UPDATE, 10:20 p.m.: In an emotional moment here at the Stadium, “George, a Met Life Financial Advisor” pulled the countdown lever.
Apparently the homeless guy with the cart on the Deegan northbound ramp was busy. That’s like three Met Life employees who have done it this season. Did the Yankees give this thing any thought whatsoever?
UPDATE, 10:47 p.m.: There’s Edwar Ramirez in a nutshell. Strikes out three of five guys, then gives up a bomb. You can only fool Major League hitters for so long.
UPDATE, 10:49 p.m.: Ibid. 5-4 Padres.
UPDATE, 10:56 p.m.: Big hits by Jeter and Abreu. Yankees have to get six outs and need all the cushion they can get.
UPDATE, 11:01 p.m.: It’s like the Yankees can turn it on and off against these NL teams. Hmm, we’re only up one. Better score a few more. The offense is just relentless.
UPDATE, 11:10 p.m.: Maybe Sidney Ponson can pitch the eighth inning.
UPDATE, 11:25 p.m.: Like I said, Wilson Betemit (3 for 4, two runs scored, one RBI) stinks.
By the way, instead of a Hard Rock, the new Stadium needs to have a moat filled with giant snakes. That way they’ll have someplace to throw the guy who bangs on the pan. Is this New York or Arkansas?








Let’s go, Razz!
would have been nice to matsui play against peavey.
Looks like tomorrow I will only be missing out on Posada since Giambi is at DH and Matsui is out. Hopefully Jeter or Rodriguez wont sit
Keep in mind, the start before last, Ras went out eight innings and got utterly no offensive support.
I’ll forgive him one bad start for everything else he’s been able to do for the team.
what happens if he just gets lit up? will the yanks need to get a guy like CC or play cool like no problem what so ever!
read the offspeed pitch Alex and Wilson
surprised that jorge’s catching tonight since its a day game tomorrow and joba’s pitching.
molina is a great catcher and is more than capable of catching joba.
I like the phrase “circuit clout.”
yea and i guess it makes sense to have posada’s bat in the lineup against peavy.
” Obviously basketball requires more athleticism but anyone that says Golf isn’t a sport or is easy just doesn’t know what they are talking about.”
patrick-
no matter how much michael jordan practices and plays, it’s not likely he’s ever going to be a pro golfer.
that right there should tell anyone that golf is a serious sport. michael jordan would love to be a pro golfer and he can’t do it.
there is no such thing as the perfect athlete who can play any sport either. i saw jordan up close when he was playing for the white sox minor league system,and while he made contact he had trouble even reaching the warning track on fly balls.
he couldn’t release his hands at the last split second to generate bat speed. it’s the same release in golf and if he still hasn’t figured it out , he’ll be lucky if he hits his drives 300 if everything goes right. for his height and mechanical leverage, that would be really weak.
bottom line.
tiger is an amazing athlete.
Why is Betemit starting??? This guy’s got nothing!
Matsui NEEDS to be in there vs a GOOD pitcher in Peavy.
http://nationalpost.pa-sportsticker.com/default.aspx?s=mlb-news-display&nid=A17808981213816299A
.
and the Phillies are charging back…only down 7-4 now….GO PHILLY !!!...:-)
“what happens if he just gets lit up? ”
Depends if it becomes a pattern or not. It also depends on how Horne looks in AAA, and how Kennedy does in his rehab. If they both start shutting down AAA competition regularly and Rasner and/or Giese is mediocre/bad…you’ll see the younger guys up there.
I imagine they want Posada’s bat in the line up against Peavy
noe if tiger play base ball what will he do hi a line drive to 2nd or a high pop to right???
“Why is Betemit starting??? This guy’s got nothing!
Matsui NEEDS to be in there vs a GOOD pitcher in Peavy.”
Here’s a hint…why do you think Giambi, Matsui and Damon have been playing so well? Is it magic, or because of judicious rest?
He wants Jason off his feet for a day. Unless Matsui can play first, guess what?
Don Vito- Could have been closer they had 0 outs and the heart of the order up utley lined out and Howard K’d again. Still rooting though hope Okajima blows up.
I’ll definitely give Rasner a pass considering he did throw a lot more pitches than he was used to in his previous start. He had also not gotten much run support in those games, either.
I’m a bit surprised about Betemit starting, especially considering that he’s 1-12 against Peavey. I guess Girardi wanted to give Giambi some time off his legs.
ugh – MATSUI
he’s one of the best hitters in the league and more consistent then anyone on the team
I’d imagine Jason’s DHing to spell his legs and Betemit needs the at bats.
Am I the only one that thinks the Yankees might be shopping Wilson?
I think the Yanks could be shopping Betemit if they have the desire to turn AG into the complete utility infielder…unless Betemit being gone means Shelley’s back up and AG sticks.
“he’s one of the best hitters in the league and more consistent then anyone on the team”
Perhaps. Jason and Damon are both hotter right now. Would you prefer one of them sit? Or all of these old guys play every day until their creaky bodies relegate their performance to the crapper?
“Big start for Rasner, who has lost his last four.”
Bit misleading here. He’s given up 1,4,2 and 7 runs in his last four starts.
He could have just as easily been 3-1 or 2-2 if he’d gotten some offense.
His work was not done.
Even though Aceves pitched a one-hit sparkler Tuesday against the Senators that doomed the home team to a 7-0 defeat in Eastern League baseball to his Trenton Thunder.
As the 1,769 fans headed out and the grounds crew went to work on the field, the big 6-3, 220-pound right-hander got busy with his conditioning routine.
Under the guidance of strength coach Lee Tressel, Aceves took his reps with the giant exercise ball and a weighted pole, did some leg lifts off the bench, and some other work shouldering a weight bag.
“I threw this game, now you see me, how I work so I’m prepared for the next game,” the Mexican-born Aceves said, meticulously working through his English.
“If you work hard, you’ll feel great on the mound,” Aceves said. “That’s what I do.”
The 25-year-old Aceves seemed more impressed with previous outings he’d had this season even though this was his only one-hit shutout.
“I’m satisfied,” he said. “Good work.”
But Senators manager John Stearns, acknowledging his team’s hitting slump, said it was the best anyone had thrown against them this season.
“He changed speeds and located at will against us, we never got anything going against him,” Stearns said. “That was the best pitching that we’ve faced all year.”
Aceves, who faced the minimum 24 batters through eight innings, forced 13 ground ball outs and seven flyouts, with just four strikeouts and two walks.
His defense turned three double plays to erase each of the baserunners.
The only hit was Garrett Guzman’s single to right in the fourth inning.
“If I was down in the count, 3-1, 3-0, I threw the cutter. Down 3-2, most of the time I threw the splitter,” Aceves said. “They are good hitters. I adjusted my stuff.”
“He was throwing his fastball to both sides of the plate for a strike,” Stearns said. “He could throw his breaking ball anytime in the count he wanted.”
Signed by the Yankees out of the Mexican League in January, Aceves evened his record at 2-2 and dropped his earned run average to 1.64.
With his conditioning work behind him Tuesday night, Aceves just planned to run today.
“I’m going to run 22 minutes and stretch. And a couple of sprints,” he said. “That’s all.”
Jesus who is this guy ?
“bottom line.
tiger is an amazing athlete.”
I 100% agree. To be fair though, MJ is a near-scratch golfer. Still, that doesn’t even come close to guys that play on the PGA tour and Tiger is worlds better then everyone else on the tour.
Can you really compare Tiger’s athletic ability to Jordan’s athletic ability?
Does anyone think that even at Jordan’s age Tiger could score 2 points against Jordan in a 1 on 1 basketball game?
“Jesus who is this guy ?”
Someone who needs to face stiffer competition
Curse you, Kei Igawa!
“Jesus who is this guy ?”
You may have just answered your own question.
Why is Matsui benched AGAIN?
“Jesus who is this guy ?â€
The anti-Igawa?
I’ll ask the same question earlier today. No one seemed to know the answer. Maybe someone here will.
Does Aceves have an innings limit? He pitched 109 innings last year. That would make 139 this year. He already has 84, I think. If he had to make 3 more minor league starts, he’d only have around 5 starts in the majors before they shut him down. Assuming, of course, he’s ready and they push him that far.
I know its off topicbut I just got accepted to medical school!!
Chris Smith (the kid from Compton) apparantly signs for $158,000 according to BA
anti pavano
Chris Smith (the kid from Compton) apparantly signs for $158,000 according to BA
VICTORY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Matsui can’t play 2 days in a row? Really? Girardi needs to stop screwing around with the lineup now that it’s starting to hit again.
DLev,
Aceves probably has thrown much more than 109 innings in the Mexican league I would imagine so there’s probably no innings cap for him.
“Matsui can’t play 2 days in a row? Really? Girardi needs to stop screwing around with the lineup now that it’s starting to hit again.”
Didja read the update from 10 minutes ago? Sore knee. Better to nip it in the bud.
Is it true this Perez guy has 12 fingers? Rad.
DLev: I doubt it, Aveces has pitched significantly in the Mexican Leagues, I believe, and is not that young.
Josh: Congratulations! Which school? Do you have any idea what sort of medicine you want to practice
Is this the same knee Matsui had drained last year?
1. Matsui has a sore knee – see Pete’s update, above.
2. Josh – congratulations, and best wishes.
Where’s the link on Chris ?
“Does anyone think that even at Jordan’s age Tiger could score 2 points against Jordan in a 1 on 1 basketball game?”
No chance, Jordan would wipe the floor with him with 1 hand tied behind his back.
also, Giambi was more of a butcher than usual at 1B for Rasner’s last start.
Rasner needs a good outing.
Hey everybody, my friend is going to his first Yankee game tomorrow—- Is Monument Park open on Thursday day games?
open every game but it closes 45 minutes before the game so get there early
Tiger would probably play like he has a broken leg. Oh wait.
Albany medical college. And my top choice is radiation oncology. I’m really open minded though and want to try evryging. Including Yankee team doctor.!!
Neil—Yes he’s polydactyly
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polydactylic
His numbers were sick (in a good way) before this year, in which they are sick (in the traditional way).
http://www.todaysprospect.com/d05.26
Congratulations Josh
Congratulations Josh!
My advice to anyone who wants to go to Monument Park – GET THERE EARLY. With this being the last year at the “old” Stadium, the lines are even longer. Get there at the gate (not sure what number, it’s directly across from “new” Stadium, and next to el) in plenty of time for the gate to open (2 hours prior to gametime). You then wait in a snaking line, reminiscent of DisneyWorld, to get in. If you arrive much later, you risk being left out, as they do stop letting people in about 45 min before game. But it’s a great experience.
Thanks TIM!
Raining right now hope the game isnt cancelled or its likely a day-night tomorrow.
Josh: Best of luck, hope you enjoy it!
Did we just pick up Sidney Ponson?
Did Michael Kay just say that the Yankees signed Ponson to a minor league deal?
Sky’s clear in my area of Bergen County.
Looks like there might be a delay or two, but they should be able to get the game in.
Okay, ESPN 1050 reports we picked up Ponson, so what about Oneli Perez?
Which one did we get? OR BOTH?!
“Did Michael Kay just say that the Yankees signed Ponson to a minor league deal?”
Well, THAT would make the AAA rotation even more crowded…
“Chris Smith (the kid from Compton) apparantly signs for $158,000 according to BA”
Hells yeah, the nation is very proud.
Ponson? Didn’t he already prove once that he couldnt’ pitch in NY, WTH?
Can’t blame Rasner if he does bad.He is what he is a spot starter/Long Reliever.The same thing will happened to Giese,Kennedy, and Igawa.
The Yankees need stater and not a #4 or #5.They need a #3 guy.But we can hold that off until at most the last week of JUly.
...We picked up Ponson? For real?
Two thougths about Sir Sidney –
1. We tried him a couple of years ago, but released him after a couple of starts. After his latest implosion in Texas, what makes Cash think he’s going to do any better now? This one has me shaking my head.
2. Like whozat said, what’s this going to do the the AAA rotation? They can’t make room for Aceves, and now this?
3. As a corollary to #1, above…what must Kei Igawa think?
Ponson couldnt hack it hear hes a fat turd useless signing.
here*
I’m still in shock over Ponson. C’mon Brian, you’re better than that. Sidney Ponson?
I guess they signed him strictly for the double header against the Mets next week. But Sidney Ponson?
According to ESPN, we have not signed Ponson
Yankees sign Sidney Ponson
by Dan Graziano
Wednesday June 18, 2008, 4:41 PM
The Yankees just announced that they have signed right-handed pitcher Sidney Ponson to a Triple-A contract. Presumably, this means Ponson will report to Scranton, but it would seem likely that he’d get a shot in the Yankees’ major-league rotation soon.
Ponson was pitching very well this season for the Texas Rangers, posting a 4-1 record and a 3.88 ERA. But the Rangers released him on June 6 after a couple of incidents of what Rangers management described as “disruptive” behavior. Reportedly, Ponson made some kind of scene a a hotel bar on a recent road trip and fought with manager Ron Washington when he felt Washington removed him from a game too early.
what i don’t understand is why are we clearing room on the 40 man roster for a guy with an over 2 WHIP in AAA this year? i see he put up some good #s before AAA, but was this worth a 40 man roster move?
Holy mother of….
If we picked up Sidney Ponson it better have been for a six pack of Budweiser and a bag of nachos.
Seriously though … was the Ponson info a joke? I thought ESPN.com said they called up Traber. That could be old but who the heck knows.
Ponson had a few good starts at the beginning of the year for TEX… so maybe we can catch lightning in a bottle for a couple starts and then release him
The story of Ponson’s life:
Pitching well, but drinking.
Sober, but not pitching well.
Bring back the liquor, Joe.
Ponson was dreadful with us a few years ago hes so fat and disruptive I hope Horne does well so this cancer doesnt get called up. Everyone is hailing his numbers but look deeper than his ERA. His WHIP is over 1.50 ughh and hes given up 70 something hits in 55 IP keep this loser in the minors please.
It’s not even like he’s in the rotation… he’ll pitch a little at SWB and then if he’d not horrible/we have no other choice… it’s not even like he was bad this year
If September comes along and Ponson doesn’t work out (which I would expect) why don’t we just skip over Igawa and go directly to giving Pavano a shot?
I guess this means Sidney, and not Kei, will be starting one of the games next Friday. I’m not sure which option is worse, probably Igawa.
Ponson? LMAO!! Don’t remember if it was verbally or here, but I totally called this. I would guess its just for the doubleheader and then maybe if he pitches well in that game (haha) they will give him another chance. He actually did decent in Texas this yr I think, they released him b/c of a clubhouse conflict or something? I think he’ll only be here 2 starts tops so, won’t have the chance to cause the same commotion.
Man, poor Moose….just when he gets ice cream back in the clubhouse, here comes Sir Sid to eat it all! lol. luckily pinstripes are slimming.
I git excited, thought they signed another brother, Sidney Poitier
It amuses me no end that Sidney Ponson was knighted in his native Aruba.
At least he can be had for pennies, as Texas should be paying whatever he’s owed
Release Igawa
trade Melky and Kennedy for a quality starter
trade Cano for Reyes than either put Reyes at 2nd or move him for an ace pitcher
btw, i was talking about Perez, not Ponson, in my last post:
“what i don’t understand is why are we clearing room on the 40 man roster for a guy with an over 2 WHIP in AAA this year? i see he put up some good #s before AAA, but was this worth a 40 man roster move?”
don’t we have enough internal bullpen options?
Bartolo Colon part 2
Cash whyyyyyyyy, I guess it’s a filler but seriously why Ponson ….
The Yanks were probably better off giving Poitier a deal instead
“Ponson was pitching very well this season for the Texas Rangers, posting a 4-1 record and a 3.88 ERA.”
That’s why ERA is not the best stat to post to get a good picture on what a guys done. Ponson has a WHIP over 1.5. That is not good at all.
Whatever, I’ll take Ponson, Igawa, and this Perez dude all over Zito. He lasted 2 innings against Detroit, giving up 5 runs.
rumor has it that Ponson ate Natalee Halloway, not the sharks.
I posted this last night in the game thread, but it was late so here it is again:
I went to the Trenton game last night.
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.
Brandon, are you the same Brandon who was posting on last night’s game thread? If so, you should know that Mike Ashmore, who covers and blogs about the Trenton team, has also said that A Jax does not have fantastic speed. He looks like a great talent, and he gets great jumps on the ball, but pure speed is not his greatest asset. I’m very excited about him as a hitter, though.
“I git excited, thought they signed another brother, Sidney Poitier”
Now Mr. Poitier is playing baseball I thought he was a good enough actor to not have to do anything else lol.
Brandon,
Did you hear how Colon hurt his back? Batting in Philly!
“Bring back the liquor, Joe.”
Not until Mussina get’s his M&Ms.
Uh oh.
Please let this be minor—we need his bat!
When will we see Alfredo “the Ace” Aceves in Scranton and then…hopefully…the Bronx?
pat,
Have you tried the Mint Crisp M&Ms? They taste like Thin Mint Girl Scout Cookies. They’re so good!
Believe it or not Ponson hurled a complete game 1 run gem about a month back.
Just wondering, is it possible the additions are for the 5th spot, or are the Yanks gearing for a trade and need some bodies to fill some holes once they deal some prospects?
“”We don’t feel Sidney deserves to be here or wants to be here,” Daniels said. “We’re not going to get into details other than to say we’re clearly trying to put together a team here, in a true sense of the word.”
“Ponson had become the Rangers’ No. 3 starter after posting a 4-1 record with a 3.88 ERA.”
source: http://www.star-telegram.com/284/story/687448.html
“Ponson was dreadful with us a few years ago hes so fat and disruptive I hope Horne does well so this cancer doesnt get called up. Everyone is hailing his numbers but look deeper than his ERA. His WHIP is over 1.50 ughh and hes given up 70 something hits in 55 IP keep this loser in the minors please.”
If you look even deeper, his FIP and xFIP are decent, and his HRs are WAAAAAY down, even pitching in that launching pad. His GB% is way up too. I dunno. If he gives a couple decent starts, sounds good to me.
i called it as well, I knew this was going to happen
CB will say it’s a low risk proposition and SJ44 will say that Cashman is chumming the water for the kill.
Dont worry about Matsui with knee surgeries things flare up and you get sore around the healing tissue. I had knee surgery a few months ago and its amazing Matsui is having such a great year. Dont expect anything more than a couple of days off for rest.
Man, I wish I could take BP with the Yankees…
Josh,
Congrats. My wife is just finishing her third year of med school. It’s grueling, but if you really want to be a doc then it’s also very exciting.
At the risk of being presumptuous, my biggest piece of advice would be not to stress out. If you were admitted, then you have what it takes. Just do the work, study hard, and you’ll do fine. Too many med students drive themselves crazy with worry.
Best of luck.
mel
I’ve never even seen them. The standard and peanut butter ones are a big hit in my house.
Al: Except this is Matsui’s other knee, apparently.
aniithing is better than kei igawa ppl.
“If you look even deeper, his FIP and xFIP are decent, and his HRs are WAAAAAY down, even pitching in that launching pad. His GB% is way up too.”
Didn’t look this deep but I don’t feel that bad anymore about Ponson after reading this.
“CB will say it’s a low risk proposition”
It is
damn, its not just today for matsui.
So Matsui is having problems with BOTH knees?
pat,
They’re new, with Indiana Jones packaging. Try the bagged candy aisle at the market or drugstore. It’s a “Medium Bag” (11 oz). Worth the effort. Lots of greens, too. haha.
Rebecca- Often the other knee gets sore from overcompensation because his surgically repaired knee is healing the opposite knee is in turn getting sore from baring the majority of his weight. This too is common after knee surgery he just needs to rest it.
All I know right now about Oneli Perez is he has 6 fingers on each hand
Hopefully ponson is a prelude to cc or Roy
Brandon,
You’re joking, right? That’s not even funny….Does he have a special glove?
and yeah, anyone but Igawa.
I see the Yankees picking up Ponson as low risk and low cost insurance just like the Sox picked up Colon. It isn’t really costing the Yankees very much and if he doesn’t work out then you release him.
Say what you want about Colon, however he has as many wins as Hughes, Igawa, Kennedy, Rasner, and Chamberlain combined right now. I am not saying he is a better pitcher than all of those guys, but if Ponson gives you a few quality starts then you are better off.
Al: That makes sense, thanks
ugh!!!
http://www.southsidesox.com/story/2007/11/30/20029/209
and
http://bp0.blogger.com/_YntY1kyKo4o/RjB_pIiKt4I/AAAAAAAAAv0/_k6ZkRGoy8g/s320/fingers6.jpg
Ponson is better than any minor league pitcher on the 40 man that the yankees can bring up.
Ponson>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Karstens, Igawa, Giese, Rasner ect. And its not even close.
ray,
What are you talking about? We love Colon.
If Ponson means I never have to see Igawa again this season starting for the Yankees, then today is a day to celebrate.
Besides, the guys numbers in Texas (hello? hitters park) are quite good.
We all know he’s a headcase, but I like this move. This is a good low risk backup plan for a guy with some experience.
Rebecca- No problem Im just re-stating what my doctor said to me I havent had too many aches and pains with my knees but obviously I am not a world class athlete. The all-star break will serve as some nice resting time for some of these guys.
Ponson sucks. But if im not mistaken, we caught lightening in a bottle his first start with us. So lets use him for the one game and cut him. We can use some bandaid pitchers till we either have Kennedy/Horne or a legit free agent set.
I guess looking internally took all of what a day or two? C’mon Cash!
mel
From earlier posts I know you are particularly fond of Colon’s clown hair!!!!
Carlos Zambrano is pitching tonight against the Rays hopefully he can act like an Ace and help us in the process.
SoS,
Regarding your question about making the finals? Let’s just say it’s better to have love and lost, than to never have loved at all. And it’s good experience for the young guys.
Ponson has a bad attitude and will hurt the team in the lnog run ? How desperate are we right now that we are collecting Rangers rejects ?
ray,
But he’s buzzed it!
I do have to say though that it’s his body that makes him look like a clown. He’s quite vertically challenged, no?
Thank God the NBA is over that season realy drags especially when your team is the Knicks. Im so glad to have the Yankees even if they arent great they at least are fun to watch.
Oneli sounds like a scrub, infinity ERA, low 90’s and a slider…ughhhhhh Atonio Alfonseca wannabe
higashioka’s name to us is Kyle-son, aight? has a good ring to it
Ponson might just be for the double header. Who knows? Anyway, he was on waivers—not like it cost the yankees much.
mel
June 18th, 2008 at 5:30 pm
ray,
“But he’s buzzed it!
I do have to say though that it’s his body that makes him look like a clown. He’s quite vertically challenged, no?”
Mel, rather than saying Colon is vertically challenged I like to think of him as being horizontally gifted!
Jeter,
It’s Kyle-san. And dollars to donuts he has a Japanese middle name.
seriously (and Im not picking on you SOS, its just that you said it last), can someone please tell me what this lightening in a bottle cliche means and its origin. It really gets under my skin, I hate it.
“How desperate are we right now that we are collecting Rangers rejects ?”
How desperate were the Sox that they signed a guy who was stinking it up in Dominican winter ball, throwing in the high 80s?
You take a flier on a guy, see what happens. He costs, essentially, nothing. And Ponson was actually doing decent, getting lots of grounders. Giving up hits, yeah, but a) his IF defense stunk over there and b) so what? It takes a lot of singles to put together some runs.
Low risk move. If he throws better than Giese in the next two weeks, give him a spot until someone better comes along.
So Boston wins again and another monster day for JD Drew.
Why can’t the Yanks have a bench guy that can produce like that? Why does their bench have to be an embarassment?
Meanwhile, the Yanks idea of a good bench is Wilson Betemit…ugh.
“Oneli sounds like a scrub, infinity ERA, low 90’s and a slider”
Yeah, he’ll really hurt the ol’ AA roster.
Seriously, who cares about a guy they put in AA? If they really need the 40-man spot, they’ll cut him and not really care.
“So Boston wins again and another monster day for JD Drew.
Why can’t the Yanks have a bench guy that can produce like that?”
Since when is their starting right fielder a bench guy?
Samuel- Who ever called JD Drew a bench player hes not Manny or Papi but he is a top outfielder with a great bat. I dont even get the Betemit-Drew comparison.
mel,
I see your point. But it must have been tough to watch them play bad at the absolute worst time. Just like my Spurs did. The way these teams are improving each year. I see it getting tougher for teams to get back to the finals like in years before. You have teams like Houston,Seattle,Charlotte and Portland that are going to be better. Im just hoping my boys due a major bench over haul.
http://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-lig1.htm
lightning in a bottle.
Not authoritative, but there you go
Seriously, who cares about a guy they put in AA? If they really need the 40-man spot, they’ll cut him and not really care.
I rather use that roster spot on Erick Threets.
‘Seriously, who cares about a guy they put in AA? If they really need the 40-man spot, they’ll cut him and not really care.’
i guess you pretty much answered my question from earlier. maybe he just had some trouble adjusting to AAA. his numbers before were good.
Just hope the rain holds off.
“seriously (and Im not picking on you SOS”
Why are you picking on me!! All i want for my team is for them to catch lightning in a bottle. Boston does. So why cant we? I dont deserve this treatment.
Kei Igawa. Thats why you sign Cindy Ponson. Thats one more guy you will get to see before The Kei Man.
I’d rather see Pete pitch a game before I see Igawa again seriously.
Since when is JD Drew a bench guy?
“I rather use that roster spot on Erick Threets.”
Brandon,
Im starting to believe Erick hired you as his agent. Come on. You can tell us.
The way Brandon feels about Threets is the same way I feel about Jonathan Sanchez I would kill to put that guy in pinstripes too bad SF would never do that trade.
“I rather use that roster spot on Erick Threets.”
Threets HAD TO BE IN THE MAJORS. He can’t throw strikes and he had to be put on the 25-man roster in order to keep him after a claim. Now that he’s in AAA, you’d have to TRADE for him, and the Giants have no incentive to do that because they can just keep him now.
Francis the praying mantis,
I also want to add that “Catching lightning in a bottle” happens to be Cashmans favorite line.
not only is JD Drew not a bench guy but he makes like $17 mill per yr…..
Lightning in a bottle is homemade liquor. I would imagine it to be extremely difficult to catch “lightning in a bottle” due to the fact it’s a liquid.
Don’t know why we use the term the way we use it today however.
Now that he’s in AAA, you’d have to TRADE for him, and the Giants have no incentive to do that because they can just keep him now.
They don’t want to keep him, trade minor leaguer for minor leaguer Karstens, Ponson, 12 digit whatever nothing to ridiculous.
He also pitched 2 IP of scoreless ball last night. low risk high rewards whozat. And no SoS I;m not his agent I’ve liked his arsenal for sometime.
It’s not so much as JD Drew is performing exceptionally well this year (though he is) as it is he glaringly underperformed last year.
Meanwhile, weather here does not look good.
I hope Cashman get Threets just so we don’t have to read Brandon asking for Threets comments again.
“They don’t want to keep him”
No, Brandon…they didn’t want to keep him IN THE MAJORS. They didn’t DFA him because they don’t want him, they DFA’d him because he’s out of options and they wanted to send him down to AAA.
I hope Cashman get Threets just so we don’t have to read Brandon asking for Threets comments again.
Tarp is on the field.
Ponson is the same as Igawa….you pitch that slug and you are throwing the game…stupid move by the Yankees ….really stupid move…
“low risk high rewards whozat.”
It’s not low risk, high rewards. Now, you’d have to pry him away from the Giants because they are happy to hang on to him. They have leverage. So you can’t just give them some junky player you don’t want. AND…HE CAN’T THROW STRIKES. After the years of Yankee relievers that come in and walk guys, I can’t BELIEVE that you’re so strongly in favor of yet another guy who has no idea where the ball is going.
Over under on how many runs we score against Peavy. 3
Going to Arthur Ave with some friends tonight, so I won’t be far from the Stadium.
But the weather for my dear old Bronx looks poor:
http://www.weather.com/outlook/health/allergies/hourbyhour/USNY0172?from=36hr_topnav_allergies
Go get ‘em Raz!
“Ponson is the same as Igawa”
The fact that Ponson has won 4 games this season in the major leagues disagrees with you. And it’s not because of run support. He gives up lots of ground ball singles, but that’s pretty much it. Some walks, some K’s, very very few homers, despite playing in a launching pad.
So…much more reason to think he could give you a few decent starts. Which is pretty much all you’d expect out of him.
Can you imagine SoS and Brandon as kids? I bet they never left the store without the candy or toy they begged for.
“BUT I WANT IT! I WANT IT NOW!!!”
3 exactly
http://www.weather.com/outlook/travel/businesstraveler/map/interactive/07481?from=36hr_maps&zoom=8&interactiveMapLayer=radar
Current radar. It looks like it’s going to rain a bit, but then should be okay. The problem is, I’m can’t tell how long they’ll delay it—looks like thunder and lightning with some of these storms, and it’s at least a half hour for lightning.
“AND…HE CAN’T THROW STRIKES”
Would he make Farns look like a control pitcher?
PT/S: 31-17
He’s a work in progress whozat. Work In Progress…
mel: My father tells a story that one day when my brother and I were really young, he took the two of us to Toys R Us and basically told us we could get ANYTHING and EVERYTHING we wanted.
So I got one book and my brother got one action figure.
I’m not sure my father has ever been as disappointed in us as he was that night…
Don how is it a stupid move. Didnt cost us anything, no youngsters, no money and he is not even on the 40 man. Why not take a flyer on him. Believe me I would rather see him any day of the week than Igawa. 4-1 with a 3.89 ERA is much much better than anyone else we have at this point in the minors in terms of MLB experience. He has pitched here before we know he can handle it and he knows the locker room.
Boy…if Colon comes back and Ponson makes it to the bigs…
Colon vs. Ponson
not only does that rhyme, but they might collapse the mound.
Sidney Ponson? Yay?
Go get em Rasner!
I just dont like Ponson’s demeanor he seems like a legit arse-hole. He seems like a fat, cantankerous dirt bag like Boomer wells with way less talent.
“Can you imagine SoS and Brandon as kids? I bet they never left the store without the candy or toy they begged for.
“BUT I WANT IT! I WANT IT NOW!!!”
Ummm mel.
a. Im not the one asking for threets.
b. Thats actually called a Yankee Fan that you described.
So you are partly right.
Are you still mad about the 39 point blow out? I had nothing to do with it. All i kept saying is A.B.K.
Pete: Any word on when they plan on starting the game? Because it doesn’t look like it’ll be 7.05.
Rebecca,
Trust me. He was proud of you guys for bein good kids.
pphill,
I heard you can make a lot of money on the competitive eating circuit.
I’ll take Ponson in the jello shots contest and Colon in the hot dog contest.
I’ll be back later people.
mel I didn’t forget about you
” UPDATE, 6:03 p.m.: Ponson will throw a bullpen for Scranton tomorrow and could start Saturday. ”
.
WHAT ??? Start Saturday Where ? In Scranton ? It better not be in place of Giese….Are the Yankees completely mad ?...wasn’t this bum DFA’d last time we picked him up with a Yankee ERA of almost 11 ???
“So I got one book and my brother got one action figure.”
Becca,
What the hell is wrong with you? He took you to Toy R Us. Not the library.
Sidney Ponson and Kei Igawa.
Two roster cloggers at AAA in the way of progress of Alfredo Aceves and others.
SoS,
I’m not mad about anything. You and the Lakers have nothing to do with each other, no matter how many insults you hurl. I accept it as a quirk in your personality and move on. You should try living without hate and bitterness. It’s much more fulfilling.
OK..all of you….let me know after he gets the snot knocked out of him JUST AS BAD AS IGAWA….after THAT…let me know how it wasn’t a stupid move to put that fat slob in pinstripes again…
Giese earned it and this jabba the hut looking drunk comes in and steals his start WTF! If I was Giese I would throw down with fat boy.
“Scott June 18th, 2008 at 6:10 pm
Sidney Ponson and Kei Igawa.
Two roster cloggers at AAA in the way of progress of Alfredo Aceves and others.”
I agree fat boy and big in Japan should get lost. Melancon and Aceves should be there instead.
Am now a little worried about Matsui.
S.o.S., you don’t know me very well, do you? I’m a writer. Books ARE my toys.
Well, books and jigsaw puzzles. And yarn.
I would like to see Geise get a start. He pitched well in his last two outings, let him get one shot and if he doesn’t perform then go with Ponson. He’s a mediocre pitcher at best, Geise has at least earned the right to be just that.
“lightning in a bottle.”
Funny – Sidney’s problem is that he is always lighting into a bottle.
I think he was 4-1 with the Rangers but showed up hungover or drunk and was terminated immediately.
We have a bunch of starts to fill up with someone – whether it is Giese, Ponson, IPK or when healthy, Franchise.
I really would love it if Phil ends up grabbing that spot and getting his feet under him.
Soon come is Peter the Oh So Int’r’st’d Ree-Dur’s latest post on how mean Joe G. is for not giving him the whole truth and nothing but the truth. I’d like some from Pete himself, like a recollection of what drew him to bash another Yankee FAN site’s postings. But hey, it sound like he’ll be too busy for that, what with the Yankees showing around this Higashioka fella and Pete being the official remora of Yankee AZNs. When’s the book come out Pete?
“Have you tried the Mint Crisp M&Ms? They taste like Thin Mint Girl Scout Cookies. They’re so good!”
thanks mel! I hadn’t heard of those but they sound great.
here we go (matsui)-this will probably develop into a stint on the dl
I’m officially worried about Matsui.
Feel better Hideki!
quirk- a peculiar trait.
O.k. mel. Now that i know what that means. Ill take it as a compliment. Because you wouldnt try to insult me. Would you?
Im glad the basketball season is over so we can finally be 100% on the same side. Friends?
Raining in Bergen County.
SoS-
BFF.
There’s ridiculous retreads who get too many chances in this league, and then there’s Sidney Ponson.
I guess we could view him as “insurance” in the same sense guys like Ben Broussard may have been insurance in AAA, but, recent record or not, you’d have to think we have better options that him….
....or maybe 2008 is more like 1990 than I thought, if we need guys like this holding spots because youngsters aren’t ready yet. what IS Chuck Cary doing these days?
LOL
Uh Oh…I hear thunder and the raindrops have started falling where I’m at.
I agree with the posters that think Giese should get his chance. He’s earned a chance to pitch. But thats not always the direction the team goes. Like bringing up Traber.
Thunder and raining here, I’ll be shocked if they start the game on time.
Quick! Everyone empty your bottles of rum and tequila. Now run outside and catch that lightning. We need it!
T,
My understanding at this point is that Geise AND Ponson are starting Saturday. One will fill Wang’s spot, and the other gets the “extra” start since it’s a double header.
I wonder if Ponson will be a bad influence on Melky and Cano? Or is it the other way around? Who is more of a partyer. Wells or Ponson?
I suppose its better for it to rain before the game and delay the start rather than have it interrupt it once its started?
If we get enough lightning – it might be enough for Ponson.
Wells is a “partyer”, Ponson just has a drinking problem. There’s a difference.
Angel: I’m with you.
Fortunately, it looks like one line of storms followed by a lot of nothing, but unfortunatley, the line’s kind of thick.
http://www.weather.com/outlook/travel/businesstraveler/map/interactive/07481?from=36hr_maps&zoom=8&interactiveMapLayer=radar
Radar for those interested
“I suppose its better for it to rain before the game and delay the start rather than have it interrupt it once its started?”
Im not sure about that Angel. It might be better to have an hour delay after a couple innings so that the starters are done for the night. We are facing Peavy. Id take sitting Rasner and Peavy to get to the bullpen anyday.
Angel,
Maybe Ponson has some empties under his bed.
Good thought, he might. Then I won’t have to go begging for quart-sized bottles.
“He’s a work in progress whozat. Work In Progress…”
Fine. Do you understand that, if the Yankees got him, he’d have had to make that progress IN THE MAJOR LEAGUE BULLPEN? You never seem to admit that when we talk about Threets. They COULD NOT get him and put him in the minors. It was not an option. You take him and waive him, the Giants take him right back and waive him again.
“Wells is a “partyerâ€, Ponson just has a drinking problem. There’s a difference.”
Got it. One gets beat up while the other has hang overs.
“I agree with the posters that think Giese should get his chance.”
Two starts on Saturday, folks. Doubleheader.
Take a look at all the available info before getting indignant, perhaps.
If Matsui goes on DL we may see Gardner.
“Wells is a “partyerâ€, Ponson just has a drinking problem. There’s a difference.â€
“Got it. One gets beat up while the other has hang overs.”
Sounds about right!
Angel: there’s enough lightning where I’m at—my house literally shook with one of the cracks, and I live in a fairly large house!
Sounds real scary outside right now. Eek
Flaherty has an awesome haircut
Yes! Sidney Ponson! yankees blow!
“If Matsui goes on DL we may see Gardner.”
Could be…Damon DHes more in that case. Though, I’d prefer to see him replaced with a decent righty 1B bat, so that Giambi’s get out of the field more often. Of course…they don’t HAVE a decent righty 1B.
Could also see Miranda, if they think his shoulder’s healthy. Worthless against lefties, though.
So who wants to guess how many games Ponson starts before being DFA? I say 3.
Ponson can’t hang with Melky and Robbie. Ponson would punch a couple of judges before throwing up and passing out. Robbie and Melky would continue to dance the reggaeton all night long.
I wish I wasn’t talking about Sidney Ponson at all today, though.
I hear the tarp is still on the field?
Any start time estimation?
Ponson is starting in Scranton Saturday, not NY.
“So who wants to guess how many games Ponson starts before being DFA? I say 3.”
After Saturdays game.
Also, good news: looks like it’s clearing up in my corner of Bergen County—some rumbles of thunder, but no rain.
And the doubleheader with the Mets is on a Friday not a Saturday.
Sorry to beat a dead horse, but I still find it so frustrating that the team finally started firing on all cylinders and Wang goes down. Now we will be watching Ponson and Geise pitch two games to the Mets this weekend. Ugh! Very frustrating.
Ack. Lightning like that is scary. Especially when it cracks with thunder at the very same time.
Hey, why are you telling me about it? Why aren’t you outside bravely capturing it? Sir Sidney Ponson’s pitching mojo is now depending on you!
“Take a look at all the available info before getting indignant, perhaps.”
Isnt that what we have you for? Next time come out with that before we look stupid.
Does anyone know who was suppose to pitch for Scranton? Please dont let it be SHADES.
“Two starts on Saturday, folks. Doubleheader.”
Why are people saying there is a double header this Saturday. On the schedule I have and the one on YES the Yanks have a 3 game series with the Cincinnati Reds – Friday night, Saturday afternoon and Sunday afternoon.
The DH is next Friday with the Mets.
Sydney Ponson? Who’d of thought.
I’m not thrilled by it but its one of those hold your nose moves that you make knowing that its not hard to throw out the garbage when needed.
I think the driving factor in this is just short term need, especially that double header.
I could see Ponson throwing a game or two and getting cut. He’s most likely going to make only a handful of starts as a bridge.
I think he’s an insurance policy if Giese pitches badly.
The positive with this is that they seem committed to trying everything needed to not rush any of their minor league pitchers. T