Home Run Derby chatter
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on Jul 14, 2008 
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There having the Home Run Derby press conference now. I picked up a Diet Coke to make sure I stayed awake. Karl Ravech from ESPN is the moderator.
Picking a winner for this event would seem pretty impossible. I’d say Lance Berkman, who can swing lefty with pop. The Puma is my choice.
Josh Hamilton is a monster, however. Plus he’s a great story if he wins. He has 71-year-old Clay Council, throwing to him. He’s a guy from his hometown. I don’t know Josh whatsoever, but listening to him talk today he seems like a genuine dude who’s having fun with this and keeping his perspective.
Dante Girardi, who knows his baseball, told me Dan Uggla would win.
I think Berkman or Hamilton one of them after tonight might be the 1st hit it out of the stadium. Uggla can definitely win this but that short porch will favor Berkman.
It’d be really cool to see Josh Hamilton win.
Have they sold his movie rights yet?
It’s too bad Giambi is not participating. I don’t blame him for not doing it since he wasn’t voted to the team, but it would have made it a lot more interesting. As I see it, there are no real “sluggers” in the lineup. Josh Hamilton would be the closest I guess, but I don’t consider Utley, Sizemore et al to be home run hitters in the classic sense.
Mike and the Mad Dog, are talking about Bobby right now.
Bet on Berkman, this is Hamilton’s first HR derby he’ll be nervous, Berkman has seen the big stage before.
I’m betting on Ryan Braun, for no reason whatsoever.
Found this on the Yankees message board.
There is also a legacy page set up.
http://www.legacy.com/oklahoma.....=113229608
Do you think Berkman will only hit from the left side?
What has he, and other switch-hitters done in the past?
My brother actually got Mike and Mad Dog’s autograph at fanfest.
I was amused.
I’ll go with Sizemore for the win.
not odd that Dante picked Uggla, he probably knows the guy.
they should have had Kei Igawa or Chase Wright pitch for the Home Run Derby…then, at least there’d be some Yankee participation
Kei Igawa, Chase Wright has actually improved in minor league ball this year.
I’m saying Utley wins the derby, he has a real short, powerful swing and he’s going to just drop balls into the short porch in right all night long…. I wouldn’t be surprised if he went on a pretty long home run streak in the first round.
The HR contest grew from an interesting spectacle when it started to the excruciating debacle it was last year.
I’m guessing that the Z-factor hasn’t peaked out yet either, that the organizers/promoters haven’t realized that’s a bad thing, that they will actually try to ratchet up the show this year, which will lead to making it feel even more drawn out than before. So, I’ll make extra sure to miss it.
I’d really really much rather teach myself a few new AutoCAD commands at my workstation. I know for a fact something that boring will still be far more interesting than last year’s HR contest, which I turned off more than an hour before it finished.
I’m not curious about the contest other than wondering if I they could actually surpass last year’s snoozefest. Pete, somewhere on one of your post any time after the contest or the game, could give your opinion on whether they actually did? I’m sure you would anyways.
Berkman he knows how to keep a mean streak meanwhile everyone in the media is whining why Alex isn’t in the HR derby
How about Manny Ramirez, Jim Thome, Carlos Quentin, Miguel Cabrera..I mean Ryan Howard and Adam Dunn lead the NL in HR yet they aren’t in this, I think Adrian Gonzalez or Hanley Ramirez also weren’t invited. I understand one thing MLB brought this on thierselves as a promotional stunt they offered David Ortiz in Yankees Stadium through State Farm to have a Ruthian moment replicated it doesn’t surprise me the Yankees all declined the HR derby. Giambi told them if I’m in the All Star Game I’ll participate Alex basically said since last season he will not do the HR derby. No shocker how MLB botched this weekend.
Rebecca–Optimist Prime–Mission 2708
July 14th, 2008 at 1:33 pm
It’d be really cool to see Josh Hamilton win.
Have they sold his movie rights yet?
Yes, sold to Disney. Robert Downey Jr. is slated to play him
“they should have had Kei Igawa or Chase Wright pitch for the Home Run Derby…then, at least there’d be some Yankee participation”
seems like an ideal opportunity for the newest Yankee, the rehabbing Eric Milton.
i hope Milton does come back strong, though. there’d be a nice story about an old Yankee prospect returning after his career stalled and getting his career on track.
I got to say I’ll be surprised if anyone in this group of HR participants can out do this
The single best HR derby performance I ever witnessed
I actually like all the guys in the HR derby. They are all young exciting players. Well I guess Berkman isn’t that young but he’s a great player. I think Utley will win but I am rooting for Ryan Braun.
I just read a story on Jesus Montero on Yankees.com and now I can understand Pete’s love of this guy. He is 19 years old massive frame 6’4 225 great power (already has a big league power swing) and impressive bat-speed. He is currently playing at catcher and bats right handed (finally a right handed batter in the line-up). I was very excited reading Bryan Hoch’s piece on this young man between him and Austin Jackson the Yankees look like they have 2 big time bats coming in the next few years.
It’s too bad King Felix is hurt, or he and Johan could reprise their special moment for the HR Derby.
Maybe CC should put on Prince Fielder’s uni and participate.
Brandon- Love the Jeter GIDP count it is something that I have noticed as well is he in the top 5?
“It’s too bad King Felix is hurt, or he and Johan could reprise their special moment for the HR Derby.
Maybe CC should put on Prince Fielder’s uni and participate.”
Lmao.
“He is currently playing at catcher and bats right handed”
“Currently” is the operative word there. His big league future most likely will not be as a catcher.
Good find Brandon – The show at the fen was pretty amazing too – Tejada and BigMac.
Bryan Hoch’s piece on this young man between him and Austin Jackson the Yankees look like they have 2 big time bats coming in the next few years.
You know Jose Tabata is still alive
Brandon- Love the Jeter GIDP count it is something that I have noticed as well is he in the top 5?
the declining phase
Fredo Corleone- I agree he projects as a 1B or corner outfielder.
Brandon- I have always been huge on Tabata but this year he has disappointed a bit and yes I know that he is very young but often guys with great tools dont make it because of other factors.
“You know Jose Tabata is still alive”
Lot have soured on him as a top flight prospect. Sure isn’t distinguishing himself any this year.
Hey, we don’t have to watch Bonds this year. I’m down with that.
Lot have soured on him as a top flight prospect. Sure isn’t distinguishing himself any this year.
He’s too naturally gifted to give up, there are times you watch him in Trenton he swings through like Manny and then there are times he reminds you of Victor Diaz (all promise no direction, but Tabata should come back strong in the last few weeks when he returns)
Anyone know when Brian Bruney will be back he was great before his injury.
Who is going to throw out the first pitch?
Fish- Should be a relative of Babe Ruth. Likely wont however.
Brian Bruny pitch 1 inning got through it scoreless and Phil Coke relieved for 8 innings, 1 BB, 11 K’s
Bruney*
Thanks Brandon for the info Coke sounds pretty good but I’ve heard that his stuff doesnt project well. So is Bruney back in stripes by early August out of the question?
Well if he’s rehabbing in AA already I’d say he’s close to being ready.
I understand it’s just a typo, Pete knows the right word, but this mistake is one of my real pet peeves: “There having…”? Oy.
You know, I don’t know when it happened, but sometime this season our bullpen’s become about the one thing going consitantly right with this team.
I believe Berkman has already said he is hitting from the right side in the home run derby. I think that’s what buster olney reported on sunday.
How dare our players regress for a year! Off with Jose Tabata’s year!
Wouldn’t count on him in the bigs next year. Wouldn’t count him out as a prospect either.
“I’d say Lance Berkman, who can swing lefty with pop. The Puma is my choice.”
Sorry Pete, but Lance already stated that he was going to bat from the right side only. He said he is a natural pull-swing from his right side, especially since it works in his favor in the Houston ballpark. And his left sided swing is more “up the middle” and he doesn’t want to screw it up by trying to pull the ball over the RF wall from the left-side.
“Wouldn’t count on him in the bigs next year. Wouldn’t count him out as a prospect either.”
I wouldn’t expect him in the next two years. He’s over his head in AA and will likely have to do it again. Been saying all season they should have started him in Tampa. He did well there last year, but was nowhere close to dominant. He could have used a half year back there again.
bernie throws out first pitch?
Tabata is having a bad year but lets remember he’s still only 19 playing in AA. The jump from A to AA is the toughest, except for making the jump to the bigs. There are a lot of talented pitchers in AA. Give him another year or two before you start worrying.
Dare I say the Yankees need to start playing more like the Mets?
“Yes, sold to Disney. Robert Downey Jr. is slated to play him.”
I heard it was Tony Danza.
Nice of the Trenton Yanks to shut down the Baby Mets of Binghamton.
You know, I don’t know when it happened, but sometime this season our bullpen’s become about the one thing going consitantly right with this team.
I know.
All I heard is how it was going to be crippled with Joba not being in the pen. It doesn’t seem all that crippled to me. It’s not 100% perfect, but they have been pretty much getting the job done. Props to the pen.
Jennifer,
Thank you for posting the official obituary. It was extremely moving and beautiful.
Now if we could all only take a page from Bobby Murcer’s life and show a little more kindness all around.
Wouldn’t it truly honor Bobby Murcer’s memory if there is a roll call at the ASG, for all the names to be mentioned – leaving NO ONE out? Not only that, but what a great way to show how classy Yankee fans can be.
Rebecca -
Good luck in your hunt for ASG tickets. Since you are young and free, as well as a person with some ingenuity and intelligence, I don’t doubt you’ll find success, and at a decent cost, too.
Here’s a July tidbit
In the Number of total pitches category the top 20
1. M. Kemp 262
2. A. Either 254
3. A. Iwamura 254
4. J. Thome 252
5. J. Hamilton 248
6. D. Wright 246
7. C. Delgado 245
8. J. Hardy 245
9. J. Rollins 244
10.R. Howard 242
11.D. Lee 242
12.C. Granderson 241
13.R. Ibanez 241
14.H. Ramirez 240
15.I. Kinsler 239
16.J. Bay 233
17.M. Holliday 231
18.B. Abreu 229
19.B. Hawpe 229
20.J. Reyes 229
….50. A.Rodriguez 205
Think about that in July our 2nd best disciplined hitter in pitches total seen is Alex Rodriguez not even ranked in the top 10 or 20 and Jeter/Giambi don’t even break top 50 and are ranked 86 and 87 overall. A team that lacks patience and ability to foul off a pitch to bait the opposing pitcher into a mistake pitch.
TKinDC -
Was that yesterday? Did you go to the game? Saturday night we went and, well, they lost to Binghamton. But A.Jackson had a couple of nice hits (though not in the inning where Trenton scored their run) and looked even better than when we first saw him play about 5 weeks ago.
Has Peter Gammons been spotted in his Red Sox uniform ?
Doreen: I’d have some more success if I wasn’t bound by a crazy price constraint!
Seriously, I’ve spent more for regular game tickets…
SA: It’s interesting to compare the bullpen stats from this year with, say 98 or 99. And it’s not just Mo, either.
home run derby was really fun in the 50′s and early 60′s with mantle ,killebrew, etc.
they built interstate 91 right along one of the fields we played baseball in. a perfect fence was put up that became our home run derby fence.
no one could beat gary thurston. after about 45 straight days of trying and losing, at about age ten, i decided i’d had it with baseball. so i quit cold turkey,
i remember thinking of all the things i could do if i didn’t waste my time on baseball.
that lasted about a week.
for some reason the new home run derby at the all star game seems boring, but when a josh hamilton jumps into the baseball scene it’s worth taking a look. part of baseball has always been about new phenoms coming along.
.. and hamilton was available last winter. interesting.
too bad the whole yankee farm system is so good it’s untouchable.
Lot of lead off hitters in that group Brandon. Naturally, they’d see a lot due to higher number of plate appearances. Yanks should be doing better though.
This would be a great sight for the Yankee fans at the Stadium, who has been starving for homeruns from their team this season.
I’d love to see Coke make it to the bigs. I’d also love for Pepsi to make it worth his while to endorse their products.
“Coke only drinks Pepsi!”
Francona just said he’d have Month finish the game, if possible.
Francona just said he’d have Mo finish the game, if possible.
If the Yanks project Montero for 1B that should cut into any possible interest in Teixiera since the big kid should be ready in 2011 or maybe 2010.
As I’ve written before this has been a frustrating, but staying the course on player development has the Yankees in very strong position for the future. What needs to happen now is to continue to define and refine the A-List of prospects and make them off limits.
The B-List, which is better than the A-List of many teams can still help you acquire good players to fill voids on the big league roster.
My “A-List” is Montero, AJax, Tabata, Veras, Ramirez, Melancon, Hughes, McCutchen and Robertson.
Is that list too long? Too short?
Not looking to deal anyone in particular on the “B List” but I think these guys have the highest cielings.
Doreen –
I wasn’t at the game (it was today) I’m stuck working for “the man”
Westerner,
That’s the right thing to do. The only thing is if it’s tied in the 9th who do you send in? Paps or Mo? If you send Paps, you risk a walk-off in the bottom half. If you send Mo, he may not be your last pitcher of the game.
TKinDC-
Then they took 2/3 from the BMets! Because I just read they won yesterday’s game, too, 6-4 with Melancon getting the win in relief and Austin Jackson driving in one of the runs. Good going Thunder!
“The man” makes a lot of people work M-F!
Money has to be on a lefty to win this- I would say berkman and hamilton obvious two favorites. Utley has a chance. If i had to pick a righty it would be Ryan Braun
ANSKY – Are you an AutoCAD guy?
Berkman is going to bat from the right side.
““The man†makes a lot of people work M-F!”
Doreen, I think Pete Abe has asked that people not use appreviations or other tricks to sneak explatives into the blog.
Oh, you meant Monday through Friday? Nevermind.
“.. and hamilton was available last winter. interesting.
too bad the whole yankee farm system is so good it’s untouchable.”
Would you have dealt Joba for Hamilton?
It would have taken at least him. The Rangers gave up Volquez.
randy l -
I don’t think Josh Hamilton would have wanted to play in NY – just a hunch. (Not that he wouldn’t have done well, just for his peace of mind — too much extraneous you-know-what in this city for someone who’s gone through as much as he had to deal with.)
I am rooting for him to win the HR derby and he will be the only reason I watch, as well. It’s a great story, and so far he’s handling himself so well. I also know he would use the stage to spread his message of hope, and that’s a good thing, to my mind.
(P.S. -I think he is under pressure now, and will be wherever and for however long he plays, but in NY he would have a lot less control over the constant demands.)
I hate that Terry Francona manages the Sox.
He seems like a great man, and I want to cheer for him. Why can’t he manage a harmless team out in the NL West somewhere?
Nick in SF –
As I hit the “submit comment” button, I wondered if someone would “misconstrue” the M-F!
Alright 40/40 SWINGERS BASH !
attempt # 2
Alright 40/40 SWINGERS BASH
Rebecca,
Agreed.
But one thing I can’t stand about him is all his spitting. Get a spitoon, man.
im rooting for hamilton and longoria
I’d probably throw Betances on that “A-List”… Kid has great stuff, needs to work on his command and development.
attempt # 3 (No more after this)
Alright 40/40 SWINGERS BASH
i agree betances goes on the A list due to his potential.
I would also allow veras and mcCutchen to be traded. I like him but i think he is a 3/4/5 pitcher who could have some decent trade weight due to his success over the last year
“Think about that in July our 2nd best disciplined hitter in pitches total seen is Alex Rodriguez not even ranked in the top 10 or 20 and Jeter/Giambi don’t even break top 50 and are ranked 86 and 87 overall.”
Don’t forget, A-rod was out for a few weeks. That has to hurt his numbers. I agree about Jeter though, he is 43rd in the league in AB’s yet doesn’t rank that well in pitches seen.
“too bad the whole yankee farm system is so good it’s untouchable.”
As someone just mentioned, it would have taken Joba to get Hamilton. I wouldn’t make that trade, the Yankees can’t afford to lose starters like Joba. However, I wish the Yankees had the same foresight as the Reds and picked Hamilton up when he was really cheap. I can’t really fault them for it though because no other team had faith in Hamilton.
McAllister might also be considered as an untouchable. Not quite sure what his stuff projects as in the majors, but he has some pretty impressive numbers in the minors this year.
horne could go either way, it is hard to tell with him until he gets some time in the majors he could be a solid 4ish type though.
I don’t picture Cutch higher than a # 3 SP
Although I’d deal him and Kennedy for Ulbaldo Jiminez and Brian Fuentes.
Brandon – Here’s a July tidbit
In the Number of total pitches category the top 20
—————————————————
Somewhat misleading, as it has a lot to do with total ABS.
ARod missed 50+ dues to injury, and Giambi a LOT more due to resting him regularly.
I suggest you look up: pitches/AB
as much as I love the job Veras has done, I’d be tickled pink to have him on such an “A-List” since I don’t trust relievers as far as I can throw them.
Don’t forget, A-rod was out for a few weeks. That has to hurt his numbers. I agree about Jeter though, he is 43rd in the league in AB’s yet doesn’t rank that well in pitches seen.
Those numbers are just for July.
Doreen has always seemed so nice and civil – and then she calls me that?
Boy, you think you know someone . . .
SJ44 any trade rumors??? or news in general??
“My “A-List†is Montero, AJax, Tabata, Veras, Ramirez, Melancon, Hughes, McCutchen and Robertson. ”
Interesting list, its a mix of high upside guys and major league ready guys. Personally I’d take McCutchen, Robertson, Ramirez and Veras off that list. All of those guys are easily replaceable. Obviously I wouldn’t want to trade all 3 of Robertson, Ramirez and Veras but I could stand to let one or two go. McCutchen doesn’t have a huge ceiling but he could be a useful major leaguer later this year or next year.
My A-list would only be guys that have future star potential. Melancon, Jackson, Tabata, Hughes, Montero, Brackman. Betances has that potential too but he’s so raw its almost impossible to project him.
I suggest you look up: pitches/AB
I know about pitches per AB, those are total pitches seen for the month of July not per AB.
“Those numbers are just for July.”
Oh ok I didn’t read very closely, sorry.
Although I’d deal him and Kennedy for Ulbaldo Jiminez and Brian Fuentes.
You’d propose it. You wouldn’t get the deal though.
McCutchen’s a #5.
You’d propose it. You wouldn’t get the deal though.
How about I throw in Alan Horne or JB Cox ?
“(P.S. -I think he is under pressure now, and will be wherever and for however long he plays, but in NY he would have a lot less control over the constant demands.)”
Oh, definitely. He ‘has no life’, which is for the best. He doesn’t go out to the bar with his teammates, or even to restaurants. After the game, he goes home. He carries no more than $20 on him, with no way to access his money.
The life of the recovering addict is not easy. I hope he eventually conquers his remaining demons; I know at least one former heavy alcoholic (20 years sober; scotch was her drink of choice) who can now walk into a store and buy wine (for others, she completely abstains).
This makes me happy:
http://yankeesfuture.wordpress.....prospects/
Jesus Montero, C, A
Austin Jackson, OF, AA
Gerrit Cole, RHS (2008 draftee)
Mark Melancon, RHR, AA
Zach McAllister, RHS, A+
Dellin Betances, RHS, A
Alan Horne, RHS, AAA
Chris Dwyer, LHS, (2008 draftee)
J.B. Cox, RHR, AAA
Andrew Brackman, RHS, 60-day DL
Dan McCutchen, RHS, AAA
David Robertson, RHR, AAA
Scott Bittle, RHR (2008 draftee)
Jeremy Bleich, LHS (2008 draftee)
Abe Almonte, OF, A
Brett Marshall, RHS (2008 draftee)
Jose Tabata, OF, AA
Ross Ohlendorf, RHR, MLB
Matt Richardson, SS/RHP (2008 draftee)
Brett Gardner, OF, AAA
Jairo Heredia, RHS, A
Carmen Angelini, SS, A
Bradley Suttle, 3B, A
Garrison Lassiter, SS (2008 draftee)
Corban Joseph, SS (2008 draftee)
Humberto Sanchez, RHR, 60-day DL
Austin Romine, C, A
Chris Garcia, RHS, A+
David Adams, 2B (2008 draftee)
Mikey Brown, RHR (2008 draftee)
TKinDC, I think she was just trying to talk “street” to relate to your tough, suburban D.C./Virginia demographic.
Or maybe she was making an ultra-oblique reference to the classic MC5 record “Kick Out the Jams”, but that would be pretty far out there.
I don’t see why’d they deal Jiminez. Unless they were getting someone with similar upside.
Fuentes for one of those Horne, McCutchen types is probably about as far as it goes with the Rocks.
according to mlbtraderumors the rockies like kennedy a lot. But personally i still have some faith in kennedy, and i really don’t like fuentes
Theres no way the Rockies would trade Fuentes for Horne or McCutchen, IMO.
Also I’m not a big fan of that top 30 list.
Doreen and MC5? Now I am feelin’ you, dogg.
(did i say that right? I am originally from the mean streets of McLean, VA – milquetoast central, or south central as the case may be)
MLB 2008 #P/PA
Bobby, Jason and JD at 4th, 15th and 39th.
i was just refering the the great names on it in my opinion. I think the list order is kind of a mess. There isnt much explanation.
We’ve got tons of pitching talent in our system, but I’d like to see some more position talent in the near future.
Retire 51: what about Claggett, he’s tearing apart AA. I like the list, but has Tabata fell that much. Bad season, but 19 at AA is not bad, plus he was turning it up before the injury.
Anyone saying Montero won’t stick at catcher needs to use the PI at Baseball Reference to check the height and weight of major league catchers. There are some big boys there. There is a chance that Montero adds a couple inches, or a lot more pounds, but he has look really comfortable behind the plate. If his development is for the most part finished, physically, then I think we can look forward to have Jesus Monstero behind the plate in 3 years
“according to mlbtraderumors the rockies like kennedy a lot. But personally i still have some faith in kennedy, and i really don’t like fuentes”
i dont see this about IPK anywhere. it makes sense, because Kennedy can still be a productive pitcher at the MLB level.
now, i wouldnt move him for Fuentes alone. i really dont think like the bullpen needs a lefty that bad to move Kennedy for a short term bullpen solution thats not really, really needed.
but, if they want to expand the deal, i’m more than willing to talk.
Also that list for pitches seen in July is stupid. Why even point that out? It makes no sense.
Thats like posting a list of plate appearances and wondering why A-rod isn’t #1.
The Yankees have a terrible offense, they don’t get that many plate appearances because players rarely get on base enough to get those 5/6 PA days.
Therefore, the players with the most PA’s are going to be our leadoff hitter, who happens to be injured for most of July so far.
You need to look at P/PA to really see how effective they’ve been at working pitchers.
Unless that list is supposed to be a blanket condemnation of the offense in general, in which case I agree it stinks.
“I am originally from the mean streets of McLean, VA”
Vienna, VA (my hometown) >>> McLean, VA (:
Unless that list is supposed to be a blanket condemnation of the offense in general, in which case I agree it stinks.
Bingo.
“Anyone saying Montero won’t stick at catcher needs to use the PI at Baseball Reference to check the height and weight of major league catchers”
Along with size, you have to take into consideration he’s not thought of as very good at it.
Cashman has expressed that he wants to get a lefty and is frustrated that he has been unable to do it over the past 2-3 years.
With a back end of Rasner and Ponson I would be crazy to think that IPK can’t help us, but he was SO disappointing at the start of the season that I would deal him in a deal for a lefty out of the pen.
I haven’t seen anyone who has posted a projection for next year’s rotation put IPK in there. Hughes, yes but IPK no. So I’d be willing to part with him.
is it legitimate to put Gerrit Cole at 3rd on the list of Yankee prospects already?
Hey Fredo – didn’t know you were from the Old Dominion – good to hear it!
i’d consider utilizing IPK in the right deal. Brian Fuentes is not the right deal. We don’t need relievers. I don’t trust relievers. There is no middle-to-late inning reliever on the face of this earth that would make a difference for this team right now.
“what about Claggett, he’s tearing apart AA. I like the list, but has Tabata fell that much. Bad season, but 19 at AA is not bad, plus he was turning it up before the injury.”
I didnt make the list, i just was looking at it. I agree putting almonte over tabata is pretty stupid. I think he is still 6 or 7, definitely not 17
also this list puts way to much faith in draft picks
the bullpen has been solid, if we were on the verge of the division i would say pick up a reliever, however i think a righty bat is more pressing
we can sign fuentes in the offseason if we really want him. i didn’t realize he was a FA after ’08…
jayson stark sucks. the cover of espn.com is his article blaiming arod for not being in the all star game. he is just trying to stir dramma. the title is “Sorry, Babe”. what an ass
“Along with size, you have to take into consideration he’s not thought of as very good at it.”
This isn’t true at all. He looked good in the Future’s game, and Cashman even said that he thought he has improved at the position by about 50% and he is still in Low A!
Everyone claiming he won’t stick at catcher is due to his size, not his ability. He is a monster athlete, he isn’t bad at catching.
Boston 57-40
Yankees 50-45
Boston 37/65 games against teams .500 or >
Yankees 43/67 games against teams .500 or >
Boston 34 home games-finish at home against Yankees
Yankees 32 home games- finish away at Toronto and Boston
Yankees 10 games against Angels, 9 against Boston and 4 against Chicago, current leaders in their divisions
Yankees @92-70 would have to play 2nd half @42-25, essentially must win every series.
How many wins will it take to win division? To be wild card?
Rest July before trading deadline:
3 Oakland @home
3 Minn @ home
3 @ Boston
3 Balt @ home
1 LAA @ home
Cashman- You should be a buyer and seller. A buyer for needs now and in the future, since we have a lot of FA’s.
A seller of FA’s you don’t plan to resign or offer arbitration. This team can still make a push with returning injured players and injection of some new talent.
My vote to Josh Hamilton to win HR Derby.
Retire #51-
Thanks for the post of the questionable top 30.
Not one lefty starting pitcher. Let’ look at top lefty pitchers, by ERA in in top ten list of all pitchers.
AL:
Cliff Lee 2.31
John Danks 2.57
Why is Josh Hamilton a “great story”? He is a drug addict who now makes millions of dollars playing baseball and can’t walk around with more than $20 because he will spend it on drugs. Yeah… great story and a guy I want kids looking up to.
Don’t get me wrong, good for him for cleaning himself up and whatever he now does, but it is not a good story.
well said with cashman being a buyer and a seller. he needs to prepare for the holes next year,it is tough to do but he needs to inject players that have long run use the team. the yankees are not one old veteran away from winning it all. they need a relatively young player who we can remain a solid spot in the line up as we hit our peak in the next year or so
nady seems like a nice fit, however he is having a somewhat inflated year
Retire #51-
Thanks for the post of the questionable top 30.
Not one lefty starting pitcher. Let’ look at top lefty pitchers, by ERA
in top ten list. .
AL:
Cliff Lee 2.31
John Danks 2.57
Joe Saunders 3.07
Jon Lester 3.38 followed by Greg Smith, Dana Eveland, Mark
Buehrle, CC Sabathia, Andy Pettitte, Kenny Rogers
NL:
Johan Santana 2.84
Cole Hamels 3.18
John Lannon 3.40
Scott Olsen 3.77 followed by Manny Parra, Paul Maholm, Jamie Moyer,Jonathan Sanchez, Randy Wolf, Zach Duke
Almost none of those would be available before the trading deadline, only the Pirates 2 pitchers and Randy Wolf, none of whom I’d want.
For those who are picking Montero as the first baseman of the future, I’m not so sure. Montero has improved over the course of this year defensively and is actually doing better than the top of the line glove they drafted last year, Austin Romine. Montero’s never going to be Johnny Bench, but, he’s not exactly a slow footed oaf behind the plate, either. It’s hard, and, ridiculous to tag an 18 year old kid as the next anything. Right now, he has the body of a Carlos Delgago (but, he hits right handed).
The kid in Charleston that’s just moved to first base this year is Brandon Laird. He’s hitting for power and the average is rising. More importantly, his defense is getting better every game. He has something that’s been missing at first base for years….an accurate and strong arm. He should start moving fast. Montero, hopefully, will keep up his catching skills, and, I think that his biggest issue is footwork, not game calling or throwing. He has a good arm and, it’s accurate. Tony Pena will help both Montero and Romine with this. Neither he nor Romine get much help from the pitchers in holding runners.
chuck- Josh Hamilton’s journey back to baseball is a great story. He was out of the game for years…barely participated in any baseball activities. He comes back & becomes one of the top players in the game. I would say thats a feel good story. His story also teaches people a lesson. Nothing would make me more pleased..than seeing him win the derby tonight. All guys are worthy though..should be fun to watch.
Kevin
Chuck, it’s Hamilton’s idea to keep no more than 20 dollars in his pocket. I give him all of the credit in the world for cleaning up his life….just like I gave Mickey Mantle all the credit in the world for finally getting straight. Some people might think it was too late for Mantle, and, that’s BS. It’s never too late. It takes all of the guts in the world to put your whole life out there to take shots at you. He deals with that, and, if he helps one kid, one person of any age. He’ll have done more fore humanity or baseball than a dog like Bonds ever has. Same with Mantle. His last year was an open book, and, he opened it for everyone to see.
Chuck ;
Josh Hamilton is in fact a feel good story. I met him in ’98 before his demons came calling and saw much of the rest. Through family believing in him along with good close friends and advisors, he’s battled through much adversity and today is admired by many. He affords himself no opportunity to return to those demons and has no interest in disappointing all that helped him.
He loves his life being simple and $20 will be all he needs with change leftover.
A 5-tool player did not go down the drain. He won’t allow it.
“They’re having…”
They are.
There? Really? You think that’s right? My goodness.