Yankees to call up Gardner
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- June
- 30
According to an article in his hometown paper, the Yankees have called up OF Brett Gardner. A second source confirmed it at 1 a.m.
Gardner was at .287/.412/.429 through 80 games for Scranton. He had three homers, 29 RBI and 34 stolen bases.
It’s too late to call Brian Cashman for further information on this. That will come later today.
It’s uncertain what the corresponding move will be. Joe Girardi said today that they planned to keep three catchers.
I don’t believe anybody is injured, but that is certainly possible. The Yankees have no apparent use for Alberto Gonzalez. Gardner also could replace Justin Christian.
Girardi said today that he planned to use Wilson Betemit as the DH in place in Hideki Matsui. But Gardner would be an intriguing No. 9 hitter because of his speed.
Or maybe the Yankees simply aren’t thrilled with Melky Cabrera (.249/.315/.357) in center field. Cabrera has been regressing offensively for the last two seasons and was 2 for 16 in the Mets series.
UPDATE, 1:19 p.m.: This is a very interesting move on several fronts. Gardner is the kind of outfielder the Yankees usually don’t have in that his best weapon is his speed and ability to get on base
Gardner is an aggressive type of player, the kind of guy who purposely slaps it on the ground, beats the throw to first, steals second and scores on a single. Gardner is charitably listed at 5-10, 180 and was a walk-on as a freshman at the College of Charleston. By his senior year he hit .447 and led his team to 48 wins and into the NCAA tournament.
I watched him play a lot in spring training and at Scranton a few weeks ago. There’s a chance he’ll get overmatched. But there’s also a chance he’ll add a burst of energy into the offense. I would imagine he’s coming up to play, otherwise they’re stunting his development.
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on Monday, June 30th, 2008 at 1:03 am by Peter Abraham.
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This will be huge. Kid is a stud.
I love Melky, but thank goodness.
YESSSSSSSSSSSSS
Could Melky be AAA bound? Most likely, it’s AG or Christian.
First Robertson now Gardner? Melancon isnt far away I hope.
I wouldnt doubt Rasner going down and someone coming up friday to replace him
I know he has good AAA numbers, and I hope he is good for the big club. I love Melky and his enthusiasm, but a move needs to be made as he is the weakest link in the batting order. (Cano’s numbers may not be batter, but the man has hit .300 twice, so he gets some slack in my eyes.)
Truthfully, I think the (secret) reason they have kept playing Melky this long instead of giving Gardner and/or Christian a shot is they have been hoping for him to catch fire and use him as trade bait.
I guess bringing up Christian then Gardner should be seen by Melky as a warning shot. Start performing, or start sitting.
That all said, good luck Brett!
“Girardi said today that he planned to use Wilson Betemit as the DH in place in Hideki Matsui.”
Wait.. What?
There is no way that Melky is headed down.
He’s proven himself in the past and is a great defensive player. Our best arm in the outfield. He has to really blow it this season to be sent down. .220 and maybe theyll do it.
He has plenty of time to make things right and he’s a better player than Gardner right now. It’s just a fact.
I dont even care if this is a “Your job is on the line” call up for Melky. If this pushes Melky to a hot streak, im all for it. But Cash said to Max Kellerman last month that Brett ISNT coming up to sit the bench he is here to play
“This will be huge. Kid is a stud.”
No he really isn’t a stud.
Dont sh. it on Gardner ray, he is good. and could very well excel in the majors. Look how Boston is winning. Speed. I think we may be going along the same lines. This kids slugging is going to be very nice, can turn singles into doubles, and singles into SBs. I see him scoring some runs in the 9 hole with Damon hitting
Gardner’s legs are his strength. He’s the fastest baserunner in the organization,[6] has 80 speed on a 20-80 scale, and has solid baserunning instincts. He’s adept at picking spots, knowing when it’s more valuable to the team for him to use the threat of a stolen base to get the pitcher to throw fastballs to the heart of the order.
He has outstanding plate discipline, draws a good number of walks, and uses the whole field while making consistent, hard contact. Baseball America rated him as having the best strike zone discipline in the Yankees minor league system after the close of the 2006 season.
His speed and excellent sense in the outfield translate to an outstanding defensive game, among the best in the Yankee farm system. His arm is average, though fairly accurate.
As Gardner has not demonstrated much power, he does not fit into the typical Yankee profile for outfielders
LoHud with the scoop.
Whatever happens, it will be interesting. Either way, as Keith Law said earlier, he’s probably just fieldwarming for A Jackson
what makes you say that, ray?
I would think he could be the starting LF. I mean Damon doesn’t really offer anything in LF, so I think he would be better off as the DH. I’m sorry, there’s no place for Betimit to be starting as the DH. He’s good for a PH or a game or two, but he shouldn’t be the starting DH.
“Dont sh. it on Gardner ray, he is good. and could very well excel in the majors. Look how Boston is winning. Speed.”
Riiiight, Boston is winning with speed. Don’t let the fact that they lead the majors in just about every offensive category cloud your judgement there buddy.
They are 1 and 2 in OBP, BA, and slugging. I think that has ALOT to do with them winning. That’s just me though.
And no, Brett Gardner is not a stud. Jay Bruce is a stud. Josh Hamilton is a stud. Brett Gardner is a singles hitter who strikes out a lot.
Dfox, if you have seen, or heard Damon, he doesnt like DH because he gets out of rhythem hitting wise. Matsui was unfazed by the DH role. Also, Gardner strikes out alot and walks, so I dont see him as having good plate disapline. But if he walks, he will probably steal
“This kids slugging is going to be very nice, can turn singles into doubles, and singles into SBs.”
His slugging? LMAO. He has no power whatsoever.
I didnt say he was a stud, I said he is good.
Any update on a arrival date of AJax? 2009? or still 2010?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EI7Pvc-ZJe0
People please don’t overhype the kid. You are only setting yourselfs up for disappointment.
Do you read Ray? This is the 2nd time I have to repeat myself.
HE CAN TURN SINGLE INTO DOUBLES AND IS ALSO A GAP HITTER. He doesnt have to hit HRs to have a good SLG pct
Gardner has a .435 SLG
Melky has a .357 SLG
Ray you are looking too much into his HR number of 3. You have to also look at his Doubles of 11 and Triples of 10. We don’t need a slugger. This kid is going to come in here work the count, get on base (hopefully), and steal some bases. His OPS is a very solid .841. Have to think this is a move for CF and this becoming a competition between Melky and Brett.
“I didnt say he was a stud, I said he is good.”
You responding to my post saying he isn’t a stud. Therefore I thought you agreed that he is a stud.
By the way, I hope he does well in the Bronx. The better he does the better the Yankees will be.
However a lot of people are really acting like this kid is some sort of savior and I think A LOT of people are going to be disappointed.
Well, none of us really knows what he can or will do in the bigs, do we?
It’ll be interesting, that’s for sure.
(didn’t the TandD get the scoop?)
That video shows how ridiculously fast he is.
“Gardner has a .435 SLG
Melky has a .357 SLG”
One is in AAA one is in the Majors. Big difference no?
“HE CAN TURN SINGLE INTO DOUBLES AND IS ALSO A GAP HITTER. He doesnt have to hit HRs to have a good SLG pct”
I don’t think I ever mentioned anything about him hitting HR’s. He’s slugging .435 in AAA. What do you think that’ll translate to in the majors when he’s facing better pitchers?
“Well, none of us really knows what he can or will do in the bigs, do we?
It’ll be interesting, that’s for sure.”
This is true. I have no idea what he’ll do.
Its not like were saying he is the next Jay Bruce, were saying, this kid can bring a spark to the lineup that we havent had. Melky isnt a threat on the basepaths. Who would you take
Participant A: Gets a Single, stays on first, Damon singles, Man stays at 3rd
Participant B: Gets a Single, steals second, Damon singles, Man scores easily
I realize everytime he gets on he wont steal, but I like the odds when he does
Damon with a .300+ average has a better chance getting a man on 2nd home than a man on 1st
I really hope that this is true. The move will probably be Christian. Gardner should play LF a couple of days, Damon DH. This way Damon can let his foot heal. I don’t think anyone expects Gardner to be great, but lets be serious Melky is not the answer. Sooner or later Melky is going to have to produce or someone else will take his spot. He is not going to keep his position on only defense and hitting .240. This is the Yanks not the Royals. Gardner can’t be any worse then he has been. Yanks probably want to see what Gardner can do on the major leaguer level and if he produces Melky better watch his back because he has been given plenty of time.
David Robertson for Setup, then I guess he would be DHing… Because if Damon has to have the LF spot, then I can’t see him playing the field. There’s no way they are sitting Melky for him, and they can’t sit Abreu, so I don’t really see where else he would get a chance to play every day.
It would be great if he would be the next Lenny Bruce and/or Bruce Lee.
He could both lighten up and straighted out the clubhouse.
Maybe Gardner will play center and they’ll DH Melky. Let him flourish into an offensive powerhouse.
I agree with letting Melky take DH to learn to hit again because he is getting to Cano level. Its not like Melky has saved any games with throwing anyone out this year anyway. And no one at home.
watching that video, I have to say, Gardner has a peanut shaped head
i think gardner will add a dimension that hasnt been seen in the bronx for awhile-speed. all he needs to do is get on base and let his legs do the talking
I don’t see why they would bring up Christian for 2 series, then send him down and call up Christian.
Logical move is Gonzo, who’s growing roots on the bench. We have injured outfielders, so we need more, more, more!
oops, *then call up Gardner*
give up on Melky he is almost 24 it is over he should retire.. I have no problem giving Gardner a try but that is a try. He can play some LF and some CF.. I assume they send down CHrisitan but in reality if they kept both that would be OK also in the short term.. Don’t they have to many pitchers on the roster???they have 7 guys in the pen… giese long man, hawkins(who knows why), robertson, veras, mo, farnsworth, and Edwar…
I got a idea how about DFA Hawkins!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
“scrappy type of player” = dustin pedroia
Will he be there tomorrow, or is this basically just an imminant move just not yet?
“Girardi said today that he planned to use Wilson Betemit as the DH in place in Hideki Matsui”
I know that Girardi loves to show trust and confidence in his players but please do not give us fans that BS line about Betemit.
Yeah that would be great if they DFA’s Hawkins. It has to come sooner or later.
Yeah, I wouldnt say Gardner is scrappy, but he does bring speed to the Yanks for the first time in a long time
From that video clip-He is fast and he does have nice blue eyes.
Let’s just see what happens with him up here. Wishing him all the best.
little fast white guys = scrappy player…
kinda like heady player…
why can’t michael bourn be scrappy or taveras on Colorado etc.????
little white guys get the gutty, heady, scrapppy label…
The idea is to have a scrappy player, not a player with scraps of hair on his head.
Stuart is right, Melky is over the hill. trade him to LA, Torre loves grizzled vets.
Gardner could be another Mickey Rivers (sans killer fro and gambling problem).
“I don’t see why they would bring up Christian for 2 series, then send him down and call up Christian.”
Girardi said that they were facing 5 lefties in a row, so they did not want to bring up another lefty. Also Matsui was still on the roster so every outfielder would of been lefties. Christian isn’t really a prospect he was just a fill in and they wouldn’t be stunting his growth if he sat for a couple of days.
Mickey Rivers’ wife was hilarious.
At least on “The Bronx is Burning”.
Wrong Pete, the player that makes contract the best is A-rod.
I let typos go usually, I know you type thousands of words a day, but when I can make a corny joke out of it, watch out!
It’s finally great to have speed on the roster, especially with the decline in SBs this year (though that has been picking up a bit). It makes the offense instantly more dangerous and takes a bit of pressure off of waiting for that big hit to score. This is one thing that I *gulp* envy those red sux for doing so well with big papi out.
How many people think Gardner will succeed? Im not comparing the 2, but he has been compared to Jacoby
Quick, Someone needs to post minor league stats comparing Jacoby and Gardner!!!
I seriously doubt they’ll demote Melky. It will be interesting to see how he (Melky) responds. We need a spark in the lineup and I pray that it is Gardner. The ‘08 developmental campaign continues. It’s been a frustrating season but it will pay dividends in ‘09.
http://minors.baseball-reference.com/players.cgi?pid=4378
http://minors.baseball-reference.com/players.cgi?pid=5277
Gardner’s not a “can’t miss” player. But he could prove terrific. Here’s his chance.
Maybe he’ll rotate positions a bit — sometimes in LF (like Matsui did), sometimes spelling Melky in CF, backup Abreu on rare occasion, sometimes DH.
But Peter’s right, it wouldn’t be good for the kid to come up and sit.
I would say those numbers are similar, but maybe its just the homer in me?
He also looks like the guy from CSI:
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Brett%20Gardner&pos=LF&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=458731
Elsbury’s last three minor league seasons:
.816 OPS
Stole 105 bases in 132 tries
.314 Avg
Gardner:
.774 OPS
Stole 148 out of 178
.289 Avg
Who was called a pest? Gardner or Jackson? I think it was Gardner.
Elsbury’s last three minor league seasons:
.816 OPS
Stole 105 bases in 132 tries
.314 Avg
Gardner:
.774 OPS
Stole 148 out of 178
.289 Avg
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I would call those close. Ellsbury is a leadoff man, Gardner is a 9th hitter.
Gardner made an adjustment in the AFL last fall and is no longer a slappy hitter. He does use his speed but his ld% and slg. have been way up as he has taken to driving the ball more.
Gardner’s minor league stats convey that every time he gets bumped up a level in the minors he struggles initially. The following year he adjusts well to the level and puts up .800+ OPS. I see Gardner as Ellsbury lite.
I doubt he’s taking the place of Melky Cabrera. He’ll probably slide into left and put Damon at DH. People here make a big deal about Melky Cabrera and his bat and it’s not really a big deal. He’s a serviceable offensive player and a solid defensive outfielder. Most Yankee fans are upset whenever someone isn’t putting up all star numbers and scream for a replacement.
Again, unless you want Damon to struggle again, Damon is staying in LF. He has stated it before, its not like its speculation.
Some of you people need to get through your heads that Gardner is not a stud as the first poster said. He’s not going to do a Mary Tyler Moore and “turn the world on with a smile”. He can help on defense and he can run. Will he hit? Who knows? Hopefully, he provides a little more on offense than NYY has received from Cabrera, over the last two months. Before anyone annoints him as the odds on favorite as ROY, or calls him the next Mickey Rivers, lets just wait to see what the guy does with his chances.
I think Melky is actually younger then Gardner and in his 3rd yr. in the show…
Melky is still very young…
And his offense is regressing. What’s your point. I don’t care if he’s 45 years old as long as he does the job better.
I dont think anyone called him a stud other than the first post. Like someone said, hes a stop gap for Jackson. That or some other team has their eye on him or Melky
I think this has more to do with Hideki and Damon than with Melky.
Getting a little ahead of yourself with Jackson. He’s got a couple of years in the minors to go. Its not like he’s dominating Trenton.
With Melky and Gardner its one or the other. There isn’t a future for both of them with this team. Melky’s below average offensive numbers are ok if he’s a CFer. Melky’s numbers are unacceptable for a corner outfielder.
We have a light hitting outfield as it is, either Melky or Gardner is trade bait.
I was pointing out that in the postings over the last few days, Gardner has been called everything from a stud, to the next Mickey Rivers to the future to the savior. All I’m saying is, although it’s good to hope, don’t get carried away. If he does well, the Yanks will win, but, the first time Gardner stumbles, the same people screaming to have him brought up, will be screaming to “unload this bum). You’re already seeing that with Geise, Christian and every other player who hasn’t been perfect in every at bat or with every pitch. You even saw it today with Robertson, and it will happen to Melancon, too. If you enjoy screaming and whining..suit yourself, but, please refrain from subjecting everyone else to your Jose Reyes temper tantrums. Stuart Little’s first posts after a failure by Gardner should be priceless, though. He’s always good for a laugh in the first couple of rants.
I think this means Damon will be seeing some time at DH while Matsui is on the DL
Tomorrow’s lineup prediction:
DH Damon
SS Jeter
RF Abreu
3B Rodriguez
1B Giambi
C Posada
2B Cano
CF Cabrera
LF Gardner
River Ave Blues is saying they found the article at The Times and Democrat.
It pains me to say this, but who would want either one? If a trade’s going to happen (big if), young RH pitching would go because a)there’s a surplus of it and b)we need outfielders-now. I don’t think they’ll trade OF for outfielders. At least not Melky or Gardner. Jackson and Tabata would be coveted, but I can’t see the Yankees letting either one go.
maybe they’ll be putting abreu in the dh spot and using gardner/christian in right field…
at least thats what i hope… betemit isnt good enough to be the yankees consistent dh
For the 3rd time, Damon has come out and said he plays worse when playing DH. If anything I see them trying Abreu at DH. And I pray to God Girardi doesnt put the B team out there for Joba on tuesday.
Damon can say whatever he likes. But if his foot is barking , he’s gonna DH some of the time. It just makes sense not to run down Damon in the field. As it was, Matsui was playing there twice or three times a week before his knee started causing trouble. Figure Gardner to play left two or three times a week, CF once a week, and DH once or twice a week.
It’s not brain surgery.
I really hope that Gardner does well but lets wait and see him play first. Most on this blog were writing the same things about Shelly Duncan and how did that work out?
Shelley Duncan is def no Gardner
Did you hear what happened? Manny Ramirez asked for 16 tickets for yesterdays game from someone in the organization and he said it was too late, and Manny says “do your f’n job” and pushes him to the ground. Sound familier from last week? Yet “No more disciplinary action will be taken”
I would be quite satisfied with…
.270 avg, .350 obp, .400 slg, .750 ops, 25 sb
^^ I would be VERY satisfied with those numbers for a 9th hitter.
David Robertson for setup,
I think those are realistic expectations for Gardner. He won’t be a superstar, but this team needs guys that hustle every play and create Havok on the bases like him.
Melky isn’t providing any of that energy from last year. He’s not hitting doubles or triples or stealing bases like last year. Gardner has a solid accurate arm and has more range than Ellsbury in CF.
You dont need slugging allstars all over the field, I remember this team winning championships with Knoblach and Chad Curtis in the lineup.
Funny, I suggested this very move Saturday (Christian sent down for Gardner), and was told by many posters why it wouldn’t happen.
This kid is going to be alot better than most think. Stolen bases and speed does alot for a team That has about 4-5 players above or hovering around .300
It’s just a small step, but he will be an improvement over Christian and it will improve the team on the whole.
Robertson and Gardner, I’m excited.
Well Christian didnt get much of a shot. And maybe Melancon before the ASB.
Not to disagree with everybody’s Gardner celebration but if you read Cashman’s comments, Melancon will probably spend the rest of the year in AAA. Now, I know it all depends on need (and things could change) but I think there are a few people ahead of him if the need arises.
Sorry to disappoint Melky haters, this move has nothing to do with Melky. Gardner is not up if Matsui isn’t DL’d. The only reason Christian was called up first was because we were playing at NL parks and no DH and we were facing a ton of lefties.
Now Gardner gets his chance to show what he has while Matsui is on the DL. Hope he provides a spark.
I think you see Melancon in September. After Hughes & Kennedy only throwing 30 something innings in AAA before being rushed to the majors, they are going to be extra slow with Melancon.
He’s working on developing his changeup and AA is where he should be right now until that pitch is ready.
You know who I think of when I look at Gardner’s numbers? Bubba Crosby.
I know that Gardner has shown more hitting ability in the minors but still that’s what he projects to right now.
Gardner doesn’t project to be Bubba Crosby to anybody who is in the projection business.
As another poster correctly stated, this has to do with Matsui’s injury (and Damon playing hurt) more than it does with Melky.
Scranton put Gardner in LF again the other night when Matsui was put on the DL. Probably in anticipation of this move.
Since they are facing righties 6 of the next 7 games (as opposed to all the lefties they faced recently, which is why they called up Christian), this is as good a time as any to see what they have in Gardner. Hope the kid makes the most of his chance. If he can, he will help the offense.
Gotta love Bill Madden this morning. Already decided based on ONE appearance, his first ML appearance no less, David Robertson “isn’t the answer” (his quote) for the bullpen.
And we wonder how posters on blogs can be so ignorant. Here is the lead baseball columnist for a major market newspaper acting the same way a 12 year old poster would act. Amazing.
EricVa,
Crosby was 26 before he got a call up to the majors
Crosby had a 73% career stolen base % and never more than 27
Gardner has a 84% career stolen base % and has stolen 50+
Crosby had a 346 career minor league obp
Gardner has a 390 career minor league obp
Crosby has below average range in CF
Gardner has way above average range in CF
good for Brett. he’s played well and he’s earned his shot. now lets hope he continues to do the little things necessary to stick around and get his playing time.
i’m definately interested to see the kid play, and see what he brings to the table.
people need to stop with the Gardner and Ellsbury comparisons. they arent the same player, and Gardner doesnt project to be as good as Ellsbury.
how about people lay off in railing him about how he’s not a stud, and on the other side relax with the Jacoby Ellsbury comparisons, and lets just see the kid play for a week or two.
Ha! Sorry I was just trying to annoy the whole “Gardner is the answer” crowd.
I still believe (and this is only my opinion) that Melky is the better player in the long run but what do I know.
I do know it’ll be interesting reading the comments over the next few days depending on what Gardner does.
I think this will be a great lineup:
LF Damon
SS Jeter
Dh Abreu
3B Rodriguez
1B Giambi
C Posada
2B Cano
RF Christian
CF Gardner
I think this gives Melky a bit of a scare, whilst Damon still get to play in LF (as he requasted) and we all know that nothing to terrible is happening to the Yankee Defense with Abreu DHing…..
Hope Gonzalez gets DFA`d (though the Yankees to need a back up Infileder)
i wasnt around last night, has anyone heard from Brandon since word about Inoa came down last night to see if he’s ok? i’m a little worried that we’re going to need to talk him off the ledge today…
Tomorrow’s lineup prediction:
DH Damon
SS Jeter
RF Abreu
3B Rodriguez
1B Giambi
C Posada
2B Cano
CF Cabrera
LF Gardner
Mussina’s pitching. Molina will likely catch w/ Posada at DH. I think maybe Cabrera gets the night off.
Turn Two:
He was bummed but didn’t want to talk about last night.
”Cabrera has been regressing offensively for the last two seasons and was 2 for 16 in the Mets series.”
Bingo… you finally hit it! As soon as ‘Milky’ steps into the box… he acts like he’s in the Twilight Zone. Overpowered by fastballs… and fooled on the breaking stuff… for all his playing time, at the plate he hasn’t matured.
There is nothing wrong with having speed on the basepaths. Pitchers get distracted and lose focus. Less than average catchers overthrow to bases. Teammates see better pitches to hit. Double plays are not a given. Infielders have to hurry throws.
Gonzalez isn’t getting DFA’ed, nor should he.
Why would you look to release your best backup infielder?
They will send Christian down for Gardner. Its a simple enough move.
TurnTwo is right. Folks just need to chill out and give the kid a chance to play. Enough with projections and all that nonsense.
You don’t want to end up like Bill Madden. Projecting someone’s career after one inning. As he did this morning with David Robertson.
It adds a whole new element to the Yankees game. It’s another thing that opposing teams have to worry about.
I sort of expect Gardner to strikeout quite a bit in his first couple games, but I think he’ll adjust and end up helping us a lot this year.
Why all the Gardner hate?
Manny Ramirez was reportedly involved in a physical incident in the Red Sox clubhouse this past weekend in Houston, but unlike his scuffle with teammate Kevin Youkilis earlier this month, this past altercation was with a Red Sox employee.
According to a report by Sean McAdam in today’s Providence Journal, Ramirez shoved Red Sox traveling secretary Jack McCormick to the ground in Houston in an argument over Ramirez’ ticket allotment of 16 for Saturday night’s game.
McAdam reported that several onlookers moved quickly to separate the Ramirez and McCormick, a former Boston police officer who has been the Sox’ traveling secretary since 1996.
When McCormick cautioned Ramirez that he might not be able to fulfill his request, Ramirez responded by shouting: “Just do your job!”
An argument insued (sic) and Ramirez pushed McCormick, sending him to the ground.
Later, the two met behind closed doors and Ramirez apologized to McCormick, who accepted the gesture. No further disciplinary action is expected against Ramirez.
yup they are sending Rasner down
so good insight there
Bad News from mlbtraderumors.com re Inoa -
According to John Manuel of Baseball America, the A’s have reached an agreement with 16 year-old Dominican righty Michel Inoa. He’ll receive a $4.25MM signing bonus, a record for an international amateur (excluding Cuban defectors). Manuel reports that the Yankees had a tentative deal in place for $2.7MM at one point but agent Adam Katz stepped in and raised the price.
This signing is akin to drafting a top high school player here in the states, only Inoa is younger. Oakland’s farm system has improved drastically in the last year or so.
“Gotta love Bill Madden this morning. Already decided based on ONE appearance, his first ML appearance no less, David Robertson “isn’t the answer” (his quote) for the bullpen.
And we wonder how posters on blogs can be so ignorant. Here is the lead baseball columnist for a major market newspaper acting the same way a 12 year old poster would act. Amazing.”
Great point SJ - another case of ‘Joba spoiled us Syndrome’
In another column he will criticize the Yanks for not being patient. And so it goes . . .
This post should make everybody happy (as long as they actually start Gardner). I see Christian going back to AAA. Granted he’s more experienced and is a right-handed bat in a lineup full of lefties, but I don’t see the Yankees keeping 3 catchers and 2 backup outfielders when they’ll obviously be dwindling their shaky bullpen in the process.
TK,
Madden has been a baseball columnist for 30 years. No “discount” for nerves with his analysis of Robertson? Blew me away when I read it this morning.
This kid started last year in CHARLESTON. He’s in the majors now. That’s an amazing accomplishment.
His story is even more amazing.
He was a draft and follow kid by the Yankees a few years ago. They had no reason interest in signing him until he went to the Cape Cod League.
While there, he was taught some refinements to his curveball, blew everybody away, and the Yankees signed him.
Since that time, he has DOMINATED at every level he has pitched at more than anybody in the Yankees system. Yes, even more than Joba.
Instead of writing that story, Madden decides, because the kid had the gall of being nervous in his first ML appearance, he isn’t the “answer” to the Yankees bullpen issues.
That stuff really ticks me off because I am of the belief guys like Madden, and other lazy people in his profession, help create the ignorance that currently exists in the Yankees fan base.
You can’t make the decision to go younger and use your farm system to help you without also having some patience.
If some fans and members of the media can’t exercise any, don’t watch or work the games. You can come back when they are finished products.
I commend the Yankees for trying to solve their problems from within before going on the trade market. Its what good organizations do.
If folks don’t have the patience for it, spend the summer doing something else instead of having instant scouting analysis over players you know nothing about.
Christian came in and had a good first 2 games but not mutch afterwards
There is a good post about pettitte on
http://sportsnynj.blogspot.com/
All I know is if Gardner is up, hes playing, Cash doesnt want him riding the bench wasting valuable time
This weekend makes me proud to be a Yankee fan
Reyes throws his glove and has a hissy fit on the field
Manny Ramirez resorts to pushing someone who couldnt get him tickets
Pettitte outdueled the Mets 150M man
Oh and the Manny situation is on Mike and Mike
Sounds like Manny is having a bunch of issues this year. His fight with Youkilis, his altercation with the traveling secretary.
When people act like this there is a reason lying deeper. I don’t think things are as good in the RS clubhouse as it would seem on the surface.
It also sounds as if Santana isn’t all that happy with his new team.
Check out the ever brilliant writing of Ian O’Conner. Someone really needs to knock this guy down a few pegs. He calls Alex arrogant, cause he said he watched the left fielders body language to know if it was out. Also said that the Yankees are closer to last place than first. Um that is what happens when you play in a good division. Unlike the Mets or Dodgers.
Good point, SJ44.
David Robertson didn’t do anything in his first major-league outing that Farnsworth doesn’t do every time he’s sent out to the mound, and that’s when Robertson was nervous! If you keep sending Farnsworth out to give up a home run every other inning in tight situations, can’t Bill Madden wait more than one inning to evaluate Robertson’s overall ability? Apparently not.
Hey anyone who cares, I’m going to Yankee Stadium Saturday to see the Yankees make mince-meat of the Red Sox…since Joba is starting today and they have no off-days leading up to Saturday’s game, that would put Joba in line to start, right? If so, I’m the happiest man alive.
Also, would that set Justin Masterson to pitch against Joba? I could only wish for a Beckett vs Chamberlain matchup. WOO!
If Santana knew what he did today, wonder if he would demand to go to that other NY team without the Twins trying to rob them blind like the Mets.
The RS clubhouse is all f’d up, but they keep winning. We could be ahead of them by sunday. Haha a sweep for us and Tampa, then we sweep the RS. Imagine that, ah, its great to dream
Brent you really lucked out! I’m going to Thursday’s game, Jon Lester vs Andy Pettitte, not a bad matchup. I’d rather see Joba though..
Sorry Brent, but they moved Mussina up (to today) and he will be pitching Saturday against Masterson. I know that because im going to the game too. But I saw Jobas 5 2/3 9 K performance
BOOYA!
The BG Era has officially begun! He is going to cause havoc on the basepaths and give the yanks a new dimension!
Cant wait!
http://thefinalseason.blogspot.com/
well, either people will be right about Gardner and finally put this debate to rest, or they’ll be wrong about him and finally put this debate to rest. Either way, I’m glad this coversation will be over. Give us a show kid.
woooooohoooooo
‘atta boy Brent
God I love Melky but seriously it was time for a change… the whole dropping average since mid-may thing was killing me.. I wonder how Cano will be effected if melky is in fact sent down to AAA
“well, either people will be right about Gardner and finally put this debate to rest, or they’ll be wrong about him and finally put this debate to rest. Either way, I’m glad this coversation will be over. Give us a show kid.”
I have my reservations as to whether or not he’ll be ‘the answer’. He has a history of struggling when advancing up a level.
I hope he succeeds, but I also hope all of the ‘Melky haters’ admit their mistake if he fails.
Saying that Melky is a fourth outfielder doesn’t mean we hate him…
“Bad News from mlbtraderumors.com re Inoa -
According to John Manuel of Baseball America, the A’s have reached an agreement with 16 year-old Dominican righty Michel Inoa. He’ll receive a $4.25MM signing bonus, a record for an international amateur (excluding Cuban defectors). Manuel reports that the Yankees had a tentative deal in place for $2.7MM at one point but agent Adam Katz stepped in and raised the price.
This signing is akin to drafting a top high school player here in the states, only Inoa is younger. Oakland’s farm system has improved drastically in the last year or so.”
I hope this isn’t true. I’ll be extremely disappointed in the Yankees if so.
“I know that Girardi loves to show trust and confidence in his players but please do not give us fans that BS line about Betemit.”
why not? have you even looked at what Betemit has done this season?
it’s like once the people here get it in their head that they like or don’t like someone, their performance doesn’t even matter. why, because Pete said he wasn’t a good player?
Betemit is currently doing some good things off the bench. he currently has a 104 OPS+. he has 10 XBH’s in only 79 ABs.
with Matsui out, who is the better choice to DH (and by DH, i mean get those ABs, it may be Betemit at 1B and Giambi DHing)? seriously, who should get those ABs, Justin Christian? Shelley Duncan?
Wilson Betemit has a lot of potential power. he is a flawed player, but that is why he isn’t a starter. with Matsui out, he is the logical choice to get some ABs.
Betemit has done a decent job and it looks like Cashman made a very smart trade. Proctor has been awful and is now having (surprise!) elbow problems.
Robertson did look nervous yesterday and his curveball, which the Yanks announcers kept saying was his best pitch was junk.
I imagine he was gripping th ball too tight or trying to put too much spin on the ball. When you do that it tends to roll over and hang like his did.
Hopefully, he will get over it and show us what he can really do next time. The old Yanks might not have given him a next time though…
Re Gardner, It looks to me like he is a fill-in until Matsui gets back (if he gets back) with Damon going to almost full time DH. If Gardner gets hot and Damon’s foot gets batter then and only then does Melky have to worry about his job. I don’t think Christian showed enough in his short time to say that he would be a good CF replacement.
Cash isnt going to even bid on Yu Darvish
“Also said that the Yankees are closer to last place than first. Um that is what happens when you play in a good division.”
but, is it not true?
read it any way you want, but overall the yankees have been a disappointment this season, all excuses or reasons aside.
and the AL East is a good division overall, and better than divisions like the NL West, but the Orioles are not a good team. neither are the Blue Jays- theyve got some good pitching, but that lineup is atrocious.
Look a little deeper into the Inoa stuff.
The Yankees had a deal with his Dominican advisers. Adam Katz then gets involved, junks that deal, and raises the price.
I would have walked away just like the Yankees did in that circumstance.
That whole situation had trouble written all over it. Kind of like the street agents in hoops. Too many people involved, all with their hands out.
Perhaps this kid will be great. Or, he may be like a bunch of other big Latin American signings that never pan out.
However, when you have a deal in place, and all of a sudden you are told its going to cost a minimum of another 1.5 million just to get back in the bidding, you walk away.
That’s more of a shakedown than a bidding war.
Betemit is hitting .266 with ten extra base hits in just 79 at bats. He’s not Matsui, but he’s a helluvalot more productive than Melky.
Damon 7
Jeter 6
Abreu 9
A-Rod 5
Giambi DH
Posada 2
Cano 4
Betemit 3
Gardiner 8
Looks like a good place to start. Melky needs a fresh look and this could help him focus.
Three catchers is stupid… let’s move on and bring someone up or find an acceptable RH bat somewhere…
Good luck to Brett in NY.
At the risk of being a party pooper, I’m gonna watch him play at least a few games at the MLB level before I annoint him savior or say he is going to be overmatched. Some guys rise to the pressure of the situation around them, some shrink. Here’s hoping Brett is a riser.
I still have concerns over what this move means. I know Matsui is on the DL, but that does really open up an outfield slot unless Damon can’t play on the field.
It could be a kick toward Melky and his batting woes.
If they send down Christian, I don’t think he had much of a chance to do much. Its a big adjustment to make.
“but, is it not true?
read it any way you want, but overall the yankees have been a disappointment this season, all excuses or reasons aside.
and the AL East is a good division overall, and better than divisions like the NL West, but the Orioles are not a good team. neither are the Blue Jays- theyve got some good pitching, but that lineup is atrocious.”
Yankees have been a disappointment?
Arod
Jeter
Matsui
Bruney
Pettitte
Wang
have all missed more than a week.
I think its more of, the Rays being such a sucess story and the Sox being the first half Sox they usally are. Do me a favor, check the Yankees record and check the Red Sox record the 2nd half of the year for the last 5 years
Sorry V,
But the report on Inoa is true. BA has confirmed it. It’s too bad because it said the Yanks had agreed on a deal with him, until Katz stepped in and upped the price. Can’t blame the Yanks for dropping out at that point, baed on principle. George pulled a similar move like that with David Wells a few years ago that probably cost us a shot at Curt Schilling. Wells had a handshake agreement with the Diamondbacks until George stepped in and talked Wells into signing with the Yanks instead. Jerry Colangelo was so incensed that when they were ready to trade Schilling, he pretty much ordered his people not to trade Schilling to the Yankees under any circumstances.
A word re: Gardner. None of us who are fans of him are seeing him as a “savior”.
There isn’t one player on any team, or in any farm system, who is a savior.
What we see is a guy who may be able to add some offense to this team.
One of the problems the Yankees have had this year (a MUCH bigger problem than its bullpen) has been an offense too reliant on the HR to score runs.
They are on pace to score almost 200 runs less than a last years team. Not good enough to win.
Gardner may be a guy who can make some things happen at the bottom of the order.
If he can, he turns over the lineup with a runner or two on base, it will make this offense better.
That’s the hope.
He doesn’t have to be a savior. He has to be a solid contributor. If he is, he will help this team win games the second half of the season.
86w183
Posada isn’t catching Mussina so you need to re-work your line-up.
I would like this lineup today
Damon-LF
Jeter- SS
Abreu -RF
Rodriguez-3B
Giambi-DH
Posada-1B
Cano-2B
Molina-C
Gardner-CF
But I dont see Melky sitting out today
TurnTwo
Do you think this team would be in a better position with Joe T at the helm? Personally I think they’d be in a worse position. They already won more one run games this year than they did all of last year. Mo already has more saves at this point (yes I know it is a product of not scoring a ton of runs), but it is also a product of having a pen that can hold the lead. the yankees are something like 34-1 when leading after 6. What does that tell you? It tells me Joe does a pretty damn good job at handling the pen.
I don’t think they would play Posada at first again so soon.
Girardi has to stop sitting Posada, hes obviously fine
Any more conjecture on where Gardner will play — LF, CF, RF, DH, or D (all of the above)?
“Girardi has to stop sitting Posada, hes obviously fine”
really, and how do you know this?
Jennifer,
You are correct. They are 36-1 with the lead after 6 innings.
I don’t think the bullpen is nearly as bad as some think it is.
The issue has been injuries, lack of consistency on offense, and starting pitching.
Its not the manager.
With all that, they are in position to control their own destiny, starting with this homestand.
Have a 7-2 homestand, and they will be fine. Its doable.
really, and how do you know this?
Maybe its because he has been back for 3 weeks now, no problems, and a few snap throws to first which would f up an injured shoulder. Im pretty sure hes fine
And I’d like an honest answer from everyone. At the beginning of the weekend, if you were told that the Yankees would split the series, you would take it. Espically knowing the pitching match ups.
If we go 7-2 with Boston and Tampa in this homestand, were in VERY good shape
“Do me a favor, check the Yankees record and check the Red Sox record the 2nd half of the year for the last 5 years”
this isnt the same team.
and the fact that major players have missed somewhat extended periods of time and the team has stay afloat is a credit to Girardi for getting these guys to stay focused.
but all teams have injuries.
i’m not saying they cant make a push here over the last 80 games or so and make the playoffs, but if you are being honest in evaluating the team overall, they’ve been incredibly inconsistent in their performance, and lucky that Moose decided he was going to wake up in 2003 again, and that MO is still MO.
And I’d like an honest answer from everyone. At the beginning of the weekend, if you were told that the Yankees would split the series, you would take it. Espically knowing the pitching match ups.
I said we were losing all 4. I was dead wrong. But I also have a feeling we have a huge advantage during the Texas series
“Do you think this team would be in a better position with Joe T at the helm?”
not at all. i’m a fan of what Girardi’s doing… but that doesnt mean the team hasnt been a disappointment, overall.
SJ
I don’t differ from you in that a contributor is all I hope for.
Many here however are expecting Brett to steal 1st base and cure a terminal disease on his way to second because he’s fast enough to get there with time to spare before the ball arrives.
There is a difference between a player who disappoints and a player who is disappointing. When expectation levels are set so high, many will have a hard time seeing the difference.
“this isnt the same team.
and the fact that major players have missed somewhat extended periods of time and the team has stay afloat is a credit to Girardi for getting these guys to stay focused.
but all teams have injuries.
i’m not saying they cant make a push here over the last 80 games or so and make the playoffs, but if you are being honest in evaluating the team overall, they’ve been incredibly inconsistent in their performance, and lucky that Moose decided he was going to wake up in 2003 again, and that MO is still MO.”
Its not the same team. Tell me who left between this year and last? Of course Wang is out, but we didnt have Joba starting last summer. We are a summer team
Fat Sid gave a shocking performance. I eat my words:)
“Maybe its because he has been back for 3 weeks now, no problems, and a few snap throws to first which would f up an injured shoulder. Im pretty sure hes fine”
how do we know that after every game he isn’t sitting there in agony with his shoulder on ice? how do we know he hasn’t told Girardi he can’t catch more than 4 days a week?
how do we know that after every game he isn’t sitting there in agony with his shoulder on ice? how do we know he hasn’t told Girardi he can’t catch more than 4 days a week?
Because he would be on the DL right now if he were hurt.
I like the fact that the Yankees are sending messages to their younger talent. Kennedy to Class-A. Hughes may not pitch in the majors again this season. Melky’s playing time is most likely going to get cut at least somewhat. Sometimes you have to take the kid gloves off and demand they step up. And it sends the message to the prospects in the minors that performance will be rewarded. Good stuff.
“We are a summer team”
you better hope so, or its going to be awfully quiet in the Bronx come October for the first time in a long time.
“Because he would be on the DL right now if he were hurt.”
we do know thats he’s hurt. he’s admitted himself that, i believe, he’s got a torn labrum, and is going to need surgery after the year’s over.
but no matter how bad his arm is, he’s going to fight thru it for the team because as long as he can swing a bat, the yankees cant afford to DL him.
Jorge is not saying he can only catch 4 days a week.
He is quoted in papers today saying he understands Molina working with Moose but he wants to catch everyone else.
“Sometimes you have to take the kid gloves off and demand they step up. And it sends the message to the prospects in the minors that performance will be rewarded. Good stuff.”
agreed. also, in combo with the Robertson promotion, this is the type of stuff i assumed we’d see with Girardi on the bench… with results come rewards and playing time.
Posada isn’t fine. He will need surgery after the season.
That’s not “fine”.
They are smart to play him some at first to keep his bat in the lineup and to keep everybody fresh.
You have to do that with an older team. Especially with guys who are banged up.
Remember all the whining on here about Matsui not being in the lineup everyday? We see now they were trying to get him through his knee injuries and still having him available to play most nights.
It worked for awhile until the injury was just too painful for him to play.
This is an instance where the team really does know best on how to handle their players.
They know about their injuries, serious ones and nagging ones, and we don’t.
David Robertson for setup -
Posada needs shoulder surgery after the season ends. I’d say he’s still injured despite how he looks in games. My guess is he will play about as much as he has been for the rest of the season. Even with that expectation I believe Moeller isn’t needed. Molina is a capable backup and now he’s healthy so Moeller really isn’t needed. I think the Yanks should DFA Moeller to free up a spot on the bench.
I’m fine with Stewart as the third catcher, he really isn’t as bad as it appeared in his first ML game. Keep him stashed at AAA in case of an injury to Posada or Molina, the difference in his performance versus Moeller will not be much.
Anyone else notice that the 40-man roster on Yankees.com has 41 guys? Looks like they never updated it after the move to put Ponson on the active roster… Anyone know anything about this?
“Anyone know anything about this?”
shhhh!!!!!!!!
Mussina has to stop being sooo finicky. Molina can’t catch two days in a row… his bat gets so slow he couldn’t swat an unconscious butterfly.
Good points on delivering messages to young players… it’s great to give young guys an opportunity, but too many guys (like Kennedy) treat it as a birth right. He coms off as awfully arrogant for a guy who hasn’t done a damn thing.
Melky’s attitude may not have slipped, but .246 doesn’t pay the bills. His miserable season vs LHP has exascerbated the Yanks’ troubles there as well.
serious question, who is Moeller blocking?
people complain about him being here, but now that Garnder is up, who is Moeller preventing from riding the bench? Shelley Duncan?
it just seems like complaining for the sake of complaining.
I have been a big Melky fan but you have to take a step back and look at his numbers. They don’t lie. Sometimes players don’t improve and rapidly regress. Go go Joe Charboneau!
“Anyone else notice that the 40-man roster on Yankees.com has 41 guys? ”
i would assume that Hughes has been moved to the 60 day DL and it’s just a clerical error.
I realize that melky has underperformed drastically to this point, but here are a few fun facts:
1. Melky has the same amount of total bases as Vernon Wells(99). He also has only 1 less HR, only 4 less RBIs, and 13 more BBs
2. Everyone seems to be in love with that Ellsbury kid, but his stats at the plate are not that different from Melky’s: four more Total Bases, Ellsbury has 8 less RBIs, three more BBs, one less 2B, and the same amount of Ks
3. Most people insist that Carlos Gomez is a total stud, but he is not that far off of Melky numbers wise: Gomez has struck out more than 2x as many times as Melky (82 v. 40) has 3 less RBIs, 15 less BBs, get this, an OBP of .295 compared to Melky at .312, and 2 fewer HRs
But, despite all of these stats, people keep crying: get rid of him, he sucks. Seems to me that hes not that far off from some players that are viewed as studs. Just some food for thought.
Nice!! Run Brett Run!!
http://pinstripealley22.blogspot.com/
“For the 3rd time, Damon has come out and said he plays worse when playing DH. ”
Who cares what Damon has come out and said. You keep repeating it as if it’s the holy gospel. Players do things all the time that they might not want to do.
http://pinstripealley22.blogspot.com/
Hmmm,
You are correct, Moeller isn’t blocking anybody.
I like having him on the roster. He works well with pitchers. A lot of the guys on the team think he can be a manager in the future. He really knows the game.
You can never have enough of those type of players on the team.
Good morning, all.
Had one of those weekends with a lot to do, trying to keep half an eye on the Yankees. Missed yesterday’s game entirely, but got the scoop when I got home.
Just from what I read in the papers, Robertson seemed to have first-outing jitters and only gave up one run. That doesn’t seem all that bad to me, and not having seen Robertson ever pitch, I would think you just have to give the guy a few outings to get a feel for what he can do. His history sure seems encouraging, though.
Regarding Inoa, aside from the situation that sounds like the Yankees were dealt dirty, isn’t he 16 years old? At least that’s what I remember reading. How much money should a team invest in a pitcher who is YEARS away from helping the major league team?
I’m looking forward to seeing Brett Gardner play. No pressure on him, right?
This is getting dangerous. Sit Melky? ah, no. This kid is tearing up AAA? not really. Again, if Cashman would have traded Melky Kennedy etc in the winter when they had high value we would not have this problem. Now sitting Melky or worse sending him down devalues him further.
I think Melky should be given the same consideration as others get when they are in a slump. Putting Gardner in for Abreu (leading the team in RBI`s or putting him in for Damon (hes hitting great) is stupid, unless the yanks fall out of the race. It should be best players play, instead of what Girardi did yesterday throwing a game away.
thanks for the stats, sfochild…def puts things a little bit more in perspective
“1. Melky has the same amount of total bases as Vernon Wells(99). He also has only 1 less HR, only 4 less RBIs, and 13 more BBs”
do you mean the Vernon Wells who missed 30 games with a hurt wrist?
“30 games”
i meant 30 days.
“This is getting dangerous. Sit Melky? ah, no. This kid is tearing up AAA? not really. Again, if Cashman would have traded Melky Kennedy etc in the winter when they had high value we would not have this problem. Now sitting Melky or worse sending him down devalues him further.”
Melky did not have high value in the minds of anyone other than Yankee fans. It was pretty clear that the Twins weren’t that excited by him.
I heard about this on Thursday & Friday night that’s why I said I was confident but still not sure, I asked is Inoa signing w/ the Yanks ? My cuz told me Primo my people told me he’s making his decision the next 24-48 hrs. , I said is NY one of his choices ? He said yes, but (this is where I got worried) someone else has stepped in, he never told me it was a new agent all he said was expect something this week because his guy told him the game has changed. I was like WTF do you mean ? So Sunday morning he said his source has told him expect something tonight, Again I didn’t know he changed his agent midweek those are bad signs but I never would have thought the Yankees would walk away from him, Last night I was so pissed off, pissed off to the point I cursed out my cousin and anybody else.
Yeh I know immature but you don’t understand how good this kid is going to be. That’s as far as I got w/ this last night. To think Billy Beane a peasant GM outbid Brian Cashman and the Yankees I could not believe it, morals or not does the kid have the talent yes, did you want him ? yes, so what was the deal people can not be surprised he took the best deal, unfortunate he walked away from a guaranteed deal but the Yankees are not in any position to reject a future Johnny Cueto, Volquez or Hernandez, it’s 10 in the morning and still I feel sick to this very minute.
I got off the phone an hour ago he saids unless there is a 180 w/ his prick agent this is done. So now we move on and this is where I’m limited in info, Yorman Rodriguez last I heard Cincy is offering him big money, Portillo no info on him other than Seattle and Atlanta are strongly looking at him. So whatever.
“3. Most people insist that Carlos Gomez is a total stud,”
i actually think most people dont view Gomez as a total stud, and certainly not now. he’s got potential, but his skills are incredibly raw. i think he’s performed better than i expected him to so far this year, actually.
True Todd, but Cashman REFUSED to trade him. Which was a mistake, as he Cashman again over rated a player
“True Todd, but Cashman REFUSED to trade him. Which was a mistake, as he Cashman again over rated a player”
how do you know that? maybe he refused to trade him knowing his only other option in CF was Johnny Damon? or because teams wanted Melky in a package of other players along with him?
you have no clue what conditions surround Cashman’s presonnel moves to say he refused to deal him.
okay hmmm, ill give you the vernon wells one, but the other two don’t lie.
I’ll throw in another name, just to get me back to 3. Torii Hunter: 17 more Ks than Melky, only 5 more RBIs, only 2 more HRs, and 7 less BBs
“it just seems like complaining for the sake of
complaining.”
Who is the corresponding move for Gardner? Gonzalez, Christian, ? One of those guys will be blocked by Moeller. When Matsui is off the DL, another guy will have to be sent down as well. I have nothing against Moeller but he hasn’t played (other than garbage time) in weeks. A third catcher is not a priority on this team. Some of you are acting like Moeller is an amazing player. He really isn’t, guys like that are a dime a dozen.
Hell yeah! A full name shout out for yours truly on the NPR broadcast! “Cameron Gilbert cheers on some obscure outfielder (Jason Lane).” Haha, freakin’ best way to start a new work week!
No Joba for me. Oh well. At least I’ll get to see Father Time stick it to Mr.Masterson.
“When Matsui is off the DL, another guy will have to be sent down as well.”
that could be in August. just saying. we dont know know when Matsui is going to be right, but would it surprise anyone to wake up, say, tomorrow morning and find out Hideki had knee surgery today, and will be out 6 weeks?
and while Moeller is pretty much a dime a dozen, its not like losing Christian or Gonzalez back to AAA is a devastating blow to team morale.
People are overrating Gardner and people are overrating Melky. Lets be honest. It is likely that both players will be 4th outfielders/fringe starters in this league.
Gardner is fast, can steal bases, has good range, has good patience at the plate and is a line-drive hitter. Thats pretty much his ceiling too, he’s never going to develop any power beyond 10 HR a year.
Melky is an excellent fielder, great arm, above average speed, but at this point he is below average to average at the plate. He does have the potential to be a .300 hitter with 15-20 HR power but thats pushing it IMO.
Both guys can help the team but neither are going to be superstars.
“Both guys can help the team but neither are going to be superstars.”
i dont think anyone is going to disagree with you there.
“Who is the corresponding move for Gardner? Gonzalez, Christian, ? One of those guys will be blocked by Moeller.”
If they send down Christian and replace him with Gardner then what’s the difference?
“and while Moeller is pretty much a dime a dozen, its not like losing Christian or Gonzalez back to AAA is a devastating blow to team morale.”
True enough. Moeller or no Moeller the team won’t really be effected that much.
Regarding Minnesota Melkys stats are slightly better than Gomez (from Santana trade we shouldve made)
Player hits Homers K`s Bave OBP
Gomez 86 5 82 263 295
Melky 69 7 40 246 312
I`ll take Melky-better fielder and better arm although Gomez steals bases
GM guys.
How many instances until Manny is ordered to go to Anger Management?
Can you imagine group therapy? Manny gets up in the middle of it and goes to the closet to do his thing.
“I`ll take Melky-better fielder and better arm although Gomez steals bases”
im not so sure thats such a given. gomez’s player projections are partially sold on his CF defense from what i remember.
“Rodriguez, who has struggled all season in the clutch, has four hits in the last 18 at-bats (.222) with runners in scoring position. For the season he is batting .243 (17-for-70) in the clutch compared with .322 overall.”
That little tidbit from one of the local NY papers this morning.
I don’t expect Melky or even Cano to carry this team and deliver key hits when they are needed.
But I honestly do not believe that it is too much to ask a 28M dollar a year player to have better stats than that.
All show and no go when it counts just like in Seattle, Texas and now NY.
“That’s as far as I got w/ this last night. To think Billy Beane a peasant GM outbid Brian Cashman ”
well, that’s not what happened.
Inoa AGREED to a deal with the Yankees. then backed out of that agreement.
sorry, but this isn’t on the Yankees.
i realize you love the kid, but he failed to negotiate in good faith. it would be bad business for the Yankees to just go back and increase their offer.
I’m a bit concerned as to the war in Iraq now that Brett Gardner has to give his full attention to the Yankees now. He was doing such an amazing job leading the troops while being such an unstoppable force on the field.
Let’s see Melky do that!
In all seriousness, I think he should be up here. If he’s such a hustle-type player as people claim he is, we need a guy like that off the bench.
What we don’t need is Melky sitting. In the little I’ve actually watched the past few days, I’ve seen great catches, doubles trimmed to singles through hustle, and runs saved. No, he’s not there offensively right now, but he still deserves the same patience we’ve afforded a hell of a lot of other guys on this team.
i saw the Madden piece this morning and agree with SJ. this is why comments section on blogs like this is unbearable. apparantly, the only solution to the Yankees bullpen, according to Bill, is Brian Fuentes becoming available. Why stop there? maybe the Angels will put K-Rod on the block…
Insane.
Gomez vs. Melky? Let’s look at Gomez’ stats in three years.
I`ll take Melky-better fielder and better arm although Gomez steals bases
What ? Did I just read this ?
Carlos Gomez 3.33 RFg .976 FPCT
Melk Cabrera 2.54 RFg .985 FPCT
I’ll take Gomez’s range any day of the week over Melky’s and in arm strength, Gomez has that over Melky. As for the bat
Melky: .246/.312/.354 , Carlos: .263/.295/.370
same thing. But overall if Minny came to NY and offered Carlos Gomez for Melky Cabrera, Melky would be on a bus ride to Minneapolis.
I’m not going to criticize Alex for what he does or doesn’t do.
But since someone brought it up and you guys watch more games than I do, I have a question.
How does Alex look at he plate this year compared to last? I’m talking about the balls put in play. Is he driving the ball like he did in his hot streak last season? I know that was something he was concentrating on after a disappointing (in his eyes) ‘06.
Thanks.
“Putting Gardner in for Abreu (leading the team in RBI`s or putting him in for Damon (hes hitting great) is stupid, unless the yanks fall out of the race. It should be best players play, instead of what Girardi did yesterday throwing a game away.”
I think the point is that Damon needs some time off the field. If that’s the case, and Matsui is on the DL, and you are facing righties, then replacing Christian with Gardner makes sense.
If Damon can use some time off the field now is the time to do it with the Sox series coming up.
I don’t think Gomez is going to be all that. That boy has some strange ways about him. I think he will be clubhouse problem with the way he acts which will diminish what he can do on the field.
Please, lets not bash Arod now. The team turned around when he came back from injury.
Fuentes, Marte, Grabow, Affeldt, Mahay… any of the five would improve the bullpen. It’s amazing how few people talk about that weakness… I watch the games on the MBL Extra Innings cable package and every other team’s broadcasters bring it up.
Gardiner will help… I’d