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It would appear Oakland needs a new starter for tomorrow night’s game

July
17

Joe Blanton has been traded to Philadelphia writes Buster Olney on ESPN.com.

You have to admire Billy Beane’s ability to get something for nothing.

This entry was posted on Thursday, July 17th, 2008 at 7:43 pm by Peter Abraham.
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269 Responses to “It would appear Oakland needs a new starter for tomorrow night’s game”

  1. Rebecca--Optimist Prime-Mo for Cy Young 08

    That is quite a heading for a blog post.

    But yes. On all counts.

  2. Tint

    I like how mlb.com says the Phils “shore up” their rotation by getting Blanton.

    How is getting a 5-12 4.96 SP “shoring up” your rotation?

  3. Doreen

    I am watching the Seinfeld episode with Paul O’Neill (2 homeruns). He did a great job on that! :)

  4. Rebecca--Optimist Prime-Mo for Cy Young 08

    The Mets game is amusing me.

  5. Doreen

    I guess Beane just doesn’t get too attached to his players.

  6. S.A.- I believe in this team but can the offense stop being so offensive?

    The reds making Santana work..

  7. Doreen

    Rebecca,

    Apparently it’s amusing Keith Hernandez, too. Did you see the guy who hit without any hip action???? :lol:

  8. Tank

    Sigh… why did the pitcher have to be up with the bases loaded :(

  9. Rebecca--Optimist Prime-Mo for Cy Young 08

    doreen: Yep

  10. Police

    Rebecca, how many hours a day do you spend on this site? 23? 23.5?

  11. Rebecca--Optimist Prime-Mo for Cy Young 08

    Police: No, I sleep about 12.

  12. DFox

    “Did you see the guy who hit without any hip action????”

    Haha, I was laughing when he said that. I doubt when Felix Hernandez hit the grand slam off Santana he was using much hip action.

  13. G. Love

    I wish Beane was our GM.

  14. pat

    Pete

    I thought you were taking the rest of the night off?

  15. sunny615

    there’s no excuse for the yanks not to sweep now…

    (if you don’t count the Yankees’ sleepy offense of course)

  16. Rebecca--Optimist Prime-Mo for Cy Young 08

    sunny: I think we still have to face Duchscherer

  17. mel

    Friday-TBD/Mussina
    Saturday-Greg Smith/Joba
    Sunday-Duch…/Pettitte (TBS)

  18. Doreen

    Well, of course the Yankees are going to sweep. Isn’t Johnny Damon working out with a broomstick?????

  19. Someone Else

    Man, that was quite the haul for a garbage pitcher.

    Does Beane have a charm spell or something he uses in these talks?

  20. Nick in SF

    Nice, Doreen!

  21. Clay Buchholz stole my laptop, (aka Joe)

    My niece is visiting from Georgia with her boyfriend. I will be taking them to a Yankee game on the 28th. Do we need to get there when the gates open for the monuments?

  22. Clay Buchholz stole my laptop, (aka Joe)

    Billy Beane’s real good for a guy that’s only won one playoff series.

  23. Doreen

    Nick in SF –
    That one was a gift, but thanks!

  24. murphydog

    I want GMs who trade with Beane to undergo mandatory drug testing within 24 hrs of making a trade. (Beane must be shooting shoot them up with Rohypnol right before he closes the deal).

  25. raymagnetic

    “I wish Beane was our GM.”

    Me too. That way the Yankees can continue not to win championships. Billy Beane hasn’t won anything yet.

  26. Clay Buchholz stole my laptop, (aka Joe)

    Rebecca, you sleep 12 hours?

  27. Someone Else

    “Athletics give up:
    Dan Haren, Connor Robertson, Nick Swisher, Rich Harden, Chad Gaudin, Joe Blanton

    Athletics land:
    Carlos Gonzalez, Brett Anderson, Chris Carter, Dana Eveland, Greg Smith, Aaron Cunningham, Gio Gonzalez, Fautino De Los Santos, Ryan Sweeney, Sean Gallagher, Matt Murton, Eric Patterson, Josh Donaldson, Adrian Cardenas, Josh Outman, Matthew Spencer”

    From mlbtraderumors post.

    And now, Mark Ellis is expendable. Wonder what he’d get for him.

  28. Clay Buchholz stole my laptop, (aka Joe)

    Beane with money to spend might be scary.

  29. Clay Buchholz stole my laptop, (aka Joe)

    Chris Carter? Didn’t he create the X-Files?

  30. G. Love

    Beane fields a winning team every year with 1/5th the payroll we spend.

    He has an incredible eye for talent and usually ends up winning every deal he makes.

    If they had the payroll we did and he was allowed to sign the players he thought were worthy to long term deals to keep them, I have zero doubt he’d have won multiple championships.

    Every single year it looks like they have nothing and every single year they are in it.

    Cashman looks like a intern next to Beane’s baseball acumen.

    Cashman never put together a world championship team by himself either.

  31. Someone Else

    Hey, guys? Wanna know why Cashman doesn’t trade IPK for Fuentes? This trade is why.

    If IPK can figure things out, and develop into a 4.50 ERA type guy and be cost-controlled, he too could land several excellent prospects in return.

  32. Rebecca--Optimist Prime-Mo for Cy Young 08

    Someone tell Brandon he needs to update his hr count

  33. Someone Else

    Another HR for Brandon’s count.

  34. Jeff NJ

    Beane’s the king of tearing down and getting back talent, no doubt about it. Now I have to figure out which of the players to pick up when I drop Blanton in my fantasy league.

  35. Someone Else

    Um, add 2 to the count.

  36. Rebecca--Optimist Prime-Mo for Cy Young 08

    ....And again.

    It’s a twofer tonight!

  37. Wolf In Pinstripes

    Billy Beane is a master at making unbalanced trades in his favor, yes. How many titles do they A’s have to show for it since he became GM in 1997, though? Their last WS title was almost a decade before he took over.

    My point is that there’s a limit to how much we should actually praise another GM’s ability. When they start winning titles again under his reign and stop having fire sales, then he can be put on a pedestal, IMO.

  38. Doreen

    G. Love –
    The Yankees have been fielding a winning team for over 14 years. How many World Series have the Oakland A’s won? How many playoffs have they been to? I really don’t understand here what people want. Does it have to be World Series Champions every year or it’s a complete bust? Because if those are the standards, they are never, NEVER, going to be satisfied.

  39. randy l

    if cashman only got control three years ago and isn’t responsible for anything that happened before that, i would think that means he has no rings either under his leadership.

    the difference is of course that beane works with 1/4 the payroll that cashman does.

    you can’t have it both ways on cashman. either he’s responsible for the years before he took over completely or he’s not. most of you say he’s the victim of bloated long term contracts he inherited. well if that’s true than he didn’t earn any of those rings.

    nada. not a one.

  40. S.A.- I believe in this team but can the offense stop being so offensive?

    Wow. Brandon is really gonna have to update his HR counter

  41. mel

    So, if Brandon gives the correct count for Jeter, Santana would have a slight “lead”. A two-run shot would’ve been better for Johan.

  42. Rebecca--Optimist Prime-Mo for Cy Young 08

    mel: What does the winner get?

  43. mel

    A date with Carla?

  44. Twentieth Century Fox Presents

    The X Files: I Want To Believe

    Opening …..... Everywhere …..... July 25th, 2008

  45. Doreen

    It seems to me the missions of the two teams are very different. It seem to me that Beane wants his team to be competitive enough to be in the mix in order to make money without spending too much money. If he wins anything, it’s gravy. The Yankees mission is to win, and until recently that meant at any cost.

    It also seems to me that the Yankees are trying to be smarter about how they do things – no longer at ANY cost – but their mission is not to compete, but to win.

    This year is a transition year, so it’s a little different. And yet, if everything had gone as planned for the Yankees this year, with no injuries, they’d be in pretty good shape. In fact, even with all that’s gone wrong it can be argued that they’re still not in dire straits. For heaven’s sake, they’re having a “terrible” year and they’re 5 games OVER 500.

  46. DFox

    Hmm, Santana just looks awful in this game.

  47. randy l

    “The Yankees have been fielding a winning team for over 14 years.”
    doreen-
    it’s been spun that cashman is not responsible for anything except the past three years so how does he get credit for the other 11 years?

  48. S.A.- I believe in this team but can the offense stop being so offensive?

    Yikes. Santana

    Wait..there is another X-files movie. I didn’t even realize it..

  49. Santana...

    But, but, but I’m a second half pitcher…

  50. TKinDC

    “the difference is of course that beane works with 1/4 the payroll that cashman does.”

    Tell that to these WS Champs –

    2006 Cards
    2005 ChiSox
    2003 Marlins
    2002 Angels
    2001 D’Backs

    Beane is sporting an 0-fer, don’t put lipstick on that pig

  51. Doreen

    randy l –
    I just don’t think it’s that cut and dried. Of course he shares responsibility for some of the mistakes over the years; but it has been documented that some of the worst mistakes he did not approve of but had no real power to circumvent. There’s also some luck involved in any move that a GM makes.

    I believe that since he’s gotten more control, Cashman is trying to move in a better direction that is both fiscally responsible and more productive in terms of fielding a winning team. It just doesn’t happen overnight. And remember, Gene Michael, et al, weren’t able to be productive until Steinbrenner was “banned.” While the Boss was around, even those great minds couldn’t get Steinbrenner to do the better things.

    I generally support Brian Cashman, but I don’t think he’s infallible. And I would think that in the beginning of his career as GM he certainly did enough to SHARE the credit for the 3 rings.

  52. Phil

    We also don’t exactly hear Beane complaining that his team doesn’t spend enough money. It seems to me that if he wanted to be with a team that spent money or was more competitive in the championship hunt, there would be plenty of teams that would snap him up. Beane likes Oakland because he can do these kinds of deals, have the team be relatively competitive and keep the owners happy with a good bottom line. It works for him, but I really don’t get the sense that he’s in it to win it all, but more for the ‘game’ of being GM. Not saying he doesn’t want to win it all, mind you, just that figuring out these types of deals is what it’s all about for him. He also doesn’t get the intense pressure to deliver a championship that Cash has, so it’s just a different mindset over there.

    Just my sense, nothing more.

  53. Nick in SF

    Cashman is an awful, awful GM. I know so because he’s fired coaches who used to be players.

  54. Blargh

    Damn, Beane does it again

    ...wow, didn’t notice how cushy his position is; not only is he the A’s GM, but he’s also VP and a minority owner.

  55. Phil

    Doreen –
    I agree. There’s been moves which have caused a “wha…?” reaction from me, but mostly I support him because he has an impossible job yet has been able to do it very well. I would like to see him return. I shudder to think what new GM would come in under Hank’s reign…
    I trust Cashman is doing his best to balance payroll, expectations, youth stewardship and growth, and competitiveness. It’s not an easy thing to do.

  56. EY

    Yup, that Santana. I really wish he’s wearing pinstripes. That would have brought us to the playoffs.

    Not.

  57. Doreen

    Phil –
    I agree with your post as well.

    When I think of Beane, I think he’s pulling the wool over everyone’s eyes. He makes all these trades, fleecing everyone, and yet, really, what is his bottom line? What does he have to show for all his magnificence? A good payroll/profit ratio? I’m not sure I get his purpose. Although I must say he must have a lot of fun in his job, and I’m sure the A’s fans don’t sit around lamenting how their GM doesn’t do anything. But perhaps they’re also looking at all the teams around the league that have former A’s players and wonder what might have been had Beane held on to a few. Or maybe only in NY do the fans care all that much.

  58. randy l

    “And I would think that in the beginning of his career as GM he certainly did enough to SHARE the credit for the 3 rings.”

    you can’t have it both ways then. if he gets credit for the rings, he gets credit for influencing the long term contracts that helped win some of those rings.

    and he gets credit for a lot of the dead wood that is around from those times.

    it’s one way or the other.

  59. Scott

    And how’s Phil Phony doing?

  60. mel

    EY,

    I disagree. He’s a great pitcher who’s having an off day because he knows the LoHud bloggers are watching him on a slow Yankee day. He’s scared of the HR counter.

  61. blackdragon905

    It was reported on sportscenter that the mariners are looking to get rid of ichiro and just dump his salary and looking to rebuild, as a result he is on the trading block and that he is possibly going to the yankees

    any idea what we would have to give up for him since the mariners are just looking to get rid of him and are u for getting ichiro. me personally, yes if the price is right, but if the price is too high, no, not for a 34 year old outfielder.

  62. TKinDC

    “you can’t have it both ways on cashman. either he’s responsible for the years before he took over completely or he’s not. most of you say he’s the victim of bloated long term contracts he inherited. well if that’s true than he didn’t earn any of those rings.”

    There really isn’t any intelligent dispute about whether or not Cash wanted Sheffield, Kevin Brown, Randy Johnson or Giambi, is there?

    If you want to deal with reality and propose firing a guy, why do you want to hang decisions that he didn’t support over his head? It just seems like misdirected aggression.

  63. mel

    randy l,

    You know in your heart that’s not true. It is not cut and dry, black or white. Every GM makes mistakes and some players don’t live up to their stats. You don’t like him, that’s fine. But don’t paint him as an intern who just lucked out. That’s an insult.

  64. TKinDC

    “You don’t like him, that’s fine. But don’t paint him as an intern who just lucked out. That’s an insult.”

    I’ve always respected Mel’s opinion (esp now!) :)

  65. Doreen

    randy l –
    No one’s ever going to change your opinion of Cashman, and I’m certainly not good enough or knowledgeable enough to try. :)

    But I will say this, without having been in the room when all the activity occurred, nothing is ever simply one way or the other. It’s always somewhere in the middle. Cashman has done both good and not so good; mistakes and gems. One of the points I was trying to make was that early in his career he did not have the standing or the experience to stand down Steinbrenner and his Tampa faction. It is not outside the realm of possibility for him to have liked some of their moves but not all. Or parts of all and none of some.

    He gets blame and glory and just for having stomached the whole thing, he is entitled to list those rings on his resume.

  66. Rebecca--Optimist Prime-Mo for Cy Young 08

    ...do the Reds, like, want to lose this game or something?

  67. mel

    Johan- 4 IP (92 pitches)

  68. Doreen

    Mel –
    I like how you said it! :)

  69. S.A.- I believe in this team but can the offense stop being so offensive?

    “it’s one way or the other.”

    Why? I didn’t realize things were either black or white with regards to Cashman…no gray area at all with him?
    Is the man perfect? No.
    But he isn’t some fool dancing around “la la la..how can I make the Yankees worse”..

  70. Jorge Steinbrenner

    why are we writing about the Mets here? no, really?

    i admire Beane, but he refuses to take it to the next level and spend the money in order to have that right mix of players. Brian Cashman has, can, and will do that.

  71. mel

    S.A.

    I think the color is “ash”.

  72. S.A.- I believe in this team but can the offense stop being so offensive?

    Johan- 4 IP (92 pitches)

    Not the best day for Johan..

  73. Brandon (Jeter GIDP: *15 even in All Star Games) (Johan HR count: 13 and a SP)

    My god and I thought Ed Wade left Philly, to let go of Outman a LHP w/ good stuff for Joe Blanton ? One thing I notice is Beane wouldn’t survive in NY he kills a season every 2 years, it’s not like Oakland can’t spend money this is what he chooses to do.

    Excuse me for I have to do something ….

  74. sw

    I was looking forward to the Yanks beating up on Blanton tomorrow. :P Now the A’s will probably bring up some no name pitcher that stymies the offense once again.

  75. hmmmm

    hmmmm, which team has a better chance of making the playoffs, Mets or yanks?

  76. beezr

    Blanton has the worst goatee in baseball…and that’s saying a lot.

  77. Brandon (Jeter GIDP: *15 even in All Star Games) (Johan HR count: *15)

    There..

  78. randy l

    nick in sf-

    i guess your world view is threatened by players who are also smart .

    we wouldn’t want any more of those smart athletes like billy beane to be gms.

    who knows what would happen to the game of baseball if you let the people who actually play it have a say in running it.

    why, that’s as dumb as letting doctors have a say in running a hospital.

    (and actually they don’t, do they?)

    strange world we are in that if you actually do something, it disqualifies you from being an expert in the field you are in.

  79. TKinDC

    “to let go of Outman a LHP w/ good stuff for Joe Blanton ?”

    Is it safe to say that Outman is no Erick Threats? :)

  80. Rebecca--Optimist Prime-Mo for Cy Young 08

    Brandon: LMAO

    Jorge: Because the Yankees haven’t played since Sunday and there were no baseball games at all last night.

  81. randy l

    “But don’t paint him as an intern who just lucked out”

    mel-

    wow, i couldn’t have said it better. lol.

  82. mel

    Brandon,

    Still not correct!

  83. Ed - Yanks will be Yanks in the 2nd half!

    blackdragon905, before Ichiro resigned with the Mariners last season, he wanted to join the Yanks. He changed his mind because we had a leadoff hitter (Damon) and a canon arm CFer (Melky).

    Here’s proof that Ichiro did wanted to be a Yankee:

    http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/sport/archives/2007/11/28/2003390275

  84. S.A.- I believe in this team but can the offense stop being so offensive?

    What is this, the HR derby part 2?

  85. mel

    randy l,

    That is funny, but still it still insults our intelligence. Lowest common denominator not withstanding!

  86. TKinDC

    Bad News for Innings Eaters and the misguided people that love them:

    (from mlbtraderumors)

    “Most likely, the Twins would be an improved team by replacing Livan Hernandez in the rotation with Liriano. But this isn’t the first time the Twins have chosen veteran mediocrity or worse over promising young players.”

  87. Brandon (Jeter GIDP: *15 even in All Star Games) (Johan HR count: *15)

    mel did I lose count somewhere ? Encarnacion and Dunn that’s 15

  88. hmmm (the real one)

    “hmmmm, which team has a better chance of making the playoffs, Mets or yanks?”

    wow, i happen check in after a few weeks and it looks like i have an impersonator.

    i haven’t posted here in a while, so if there have been posts under hmmmm, it wasn’t me.

  89. blackdragon905

    Ed, I thought that was the case, that is also good news that he wanted to be a yankee

  90. DFox

    “It was reported on sportscenter that the mariners are looking to get rid of ichiro and just dump his salary and looking to rebuild, as a result he is on the trading block and that he is possibly going to the yankees”

    That’s really good news. If it’s a salary dump, then the Yankees should really try to get him.

  91. sw

    Brandon, you were writing 13+ an SP before but that was actually 14*.

  92. john habyan

    billy beane’s great – where’s his ring?

  93. mel

    Brandon,

    The ASG GIDP doesn’t count! Johan’s ASG HR counts though. What? He wasn’t there? I swear he gave one up.

  94. Brandon (Jeter GIDP: *15 even in All Star Games) (Johan HR count: *16)

    oh yeh King Felix.. thanks :)

  95. mel

    Oi! MLB is showing 16 HR given up by Johan.

  96. Brandon (Jeter GIDP: *15 even in All Star Games) (Johan HR count: *16)

    King of Bloop is back w/ Cincy

  97. randy l

    doreen-
    you know i always have respect for your views, but i think you are too generous with cashman.

    just remember that we certainly will still be yankee fans long after he’s gone, and like almost all gms he likley won’t care one bit about how the yankees are doing when he’s gone.

    cashman is not synonymous with the yankees.

  98. Rebecca--Optimist Prime-Mo for Cy Young 08

    If we can get Ichiro for anything short of Hughes + Jackson, we should take him.

    I don’t know what Seattle’s new GM is like, but there are a lot of deals I would consider, and if you know me, you know I am extremely conservative when it comes to trades.

  99. TKinDC

    “The ASG GIDP doesn’t count! ”

    Not only is mel beautiful and intelligent, she know her stats!!!

    Up with people, down with Jeter’s GiDP!!!!

    :)

  100. mel

    Yes, come to think of it, Billy Beane does a great job…for the owner(s). Not so much for the fans or the players.

  101. Eugie

    The A’s should be contracted. What’s the purpose of that team? They have a chance almost every year but never seem to pull the trigger to get it done.

  102. Nick in SF

    So Ichiro is married to a wife 7 years his senior. Is that what made Arod jealous?

    http://www.enjoytheenjoyment.com/2007/11/if-not-for-his-wife-ichiro-might-be.html

  103. Blargh

    I assume that the fans are cool with what Beane does. After all, he can say ‘alright guys, we suck; we’re rebuilding, now shut up’ and they’ll go ‘yes, master’.

  104. Ed - Yanks will be Yanks in the 2nd half!

    Ed, I thought that was the case, that is also good news that he wanted to be a yankee

    Since its a salary dump, then it “shouldn’t” to bring Ichiro to us. Just like Bobby Abreu 2 years ago. Now the only thing is Ichiro wants to wear #51, and of course #51 can’t be worn. Unless the fans could accept Ichiro wearing #51, he won’t disappoint us since he’s a good OFer for a few more years. I rather take Ichiro over Abreu since Ichiro isn’t AFRAID OF WALLS.

  105. mel

    Hey, Andy back with the Reds. Just singled.

    TK,

    Do you follow the Redskins? Colt Brennan’s a good guy.

  106. yankee21

    As a GM and part owner, Beane is a guy who has gotten alot of cred for his so called ‘money-ball’ approach. A guy who plays the small-market card to a tee. For the folks in the bay area, OAK is a small market, right?? A guy who builds for the future by bailing out before the season starts by discarding young, cost-controlled pitching talent, rated among the best in the game (Haren) all for the future, it doesn’t seem to matter that he hands ANA yet another division title. Yeah, Haren was going to be a high-priced FA in a couple years, better get rid of him now at his advanced age of 27…Oh yeah and ANA is getting old and has no money, nor farm system, nor pitching so they will be lousy real soon and stay that way for the next few years, great opportunity for OAK in the near term as their future takes shape.. I’m sure A’s fans love the BB strategy. Anyone take a look at A’s attendance rates? Yeah, the team is a hot draw….

    Beane is the master of trades, the teller of quotes, a media crafted genius, a guy that talks and looks cool doing whatever he is doing… I have just one problem though with his approach…somewhere along the line he forgot about championships… Let’s see, how many championships does OAK have under BB leadership? Too high a standard? Then, how about consecutive playoff years?

    How the hell can an A’s fan, stay an A’s fan? I bet most of the fans in the bay area just love forking over $39+ for a ticket in an absolute dirtball stadium knowing they’ll be good in a few years as Beane wields his magic and builds for the future. Who needs Haren, who needs Harden, trade them away while they are hot commodities for the future.

    Yes, let’s get Beane and dump Cashman at the end of the year. Cashman really is a bum after all, as he builds for the future, and Beane is great as he builds for the future.

  107. jon

    Looks like Sexson will be in the lineup tomorrow, as the A’s are throwing a lefty in place of Blanton. Guess we’ll see what we got for the league min.

  108. Nick in SF

    “I assume that the fans are cool with what Beane does.”

    Yes, they both still like him a lot.

  109. Rebecca--Optimist Prime-Mo for Cy Young 08

    You know, the point some of you guys are bringing up-about how Beane doesn’t seem to manage to win, but only to be competitive-I’m not sure that’s actually been discussed before (outsie of Oakland, anyway). You might be onto something.

    Also, he remins me of Lou Lamoriello (GM of the Devils, with an unspellable last name). Except that Lou has three Stanley Cups to his name.

  110. randy l

    mel-

    all kidding aside, cashman can’t have it both ways. he can’t get credit for the early years , but none of the blame. if he gets the credit , he gets the blame too.

    if the yankees are serious about changing the culture of the team they need fresh blood in the gm role.

    i think this is cashman’s last shot at winning a world series because each year he’s in control will worse than the one before.

  111. stuart

    randy and glove are beane groupies… the A’s won a playoff series in the last 8 yrs I think?

    Blanton is not a bad pitcher and eats alot of innings…

    AJAX is really really playing well. He is hitting over 285 with 55 + RBI’s.. He may be up this time next year… Imagine a 5 tool young outfielder!!They have not hd that since Bernie was a youngster…

    Again cashman has a good plan, even if the spoiled impatients Yankee fans cannot comprehend, lowering the payroll, getting younger, and more athletic.. that takes a while when you have pillaged the farm system and laughed at the draft for 10 years.

    the yanks have so many good young arms it is silliy.. very good pen arms and MLB ready,less ready starters but they also have some really high cieling guys just lower in the minors…

    Sexson is a no brainer, if he sucks DFA him just like Ponson, they cost basically nothing.. Man I cannot wait to no more abreu, kyle, giambi,hawkins, and others… There is a whole generation of spoiled yankee fans that have no idea that having 5 1B dh types is not exactly a good idea…....

  112. saucy

    Anyone who happens to get NESN, thunder @ Portland is on.

    I knew the direct TV sports packazge was worth it!

  113. TKinDC

    “TK,

    Do you follow the Redskins? Colt Brennan’s a good guy.”

    Well now that the Redskins are going to start Brett Favre at QB, I think Colt will make a good fit! (per Francesa)

    I’ve seen interviews of CB and his coach praising him – I hope he sticks with the team.

    [personally I’m a G-men fan and I love sticking it to the local bumpkins] :)

  114. Brandon (Jeter GIDP: *15 even in All Star Games) (Johan HR count: *16)

    I wonder if the Reds would deal Jeff Keppinger everytime I’ve watch this guy RISP, men on base he just gets a hit or a double or a triple.

  115. Ed - Yanks will be Yanks in the 2nd half!

    I got this from the Seattle newpaper:

    If that’s the case, the Mariners should deal Ichiro Suzuki by the July 31 deadline. If I’m Lincoln, I’m telling interim GM Lee Pelekoudas to gauge the interest in his All-Star right fielder to see if he can get an ace and/or prospects in return.

    http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/baseball/371111_moore17.html

  116. stuart

    beane is part owner of the A’s they draw terrible and there fan base is not as in love with his continuous trading as G love and randy and other fantasy fans are…

    it is all about expectations, look at baltimore fans they are happy and so are ranger fans, look at there records…......

  117. Ed - Yanks will be Yanks in the 2nd half!

    I wonder if the Reds would deal Jeff Keppinger everytime I’ve watch this guy RISP, men on base he just gets a hit or a double or a triple.

    is he willing to be a bench player again? Yeah I know, he was a bench player last season. At least, he is better than Betemit (who is on the trading block, btw).

  118. Brandon (Jeter GIDP: *15 even in All Star Games) (Johan HR count: *16)

    would the Reds take Gonzo and Betemit for Keppinger ?

  119. CB

    Al Aceves is having a nice second appearance in Scranton tonight coming back from that strained groin injury.

    4 IP 2H OR 5K. Hopefully next time out he can start and throw around 6 or 7 innings. They’re bringing him back slowly.

    This is a make up rain out game that picked up in the third inning. Bruney threw innings 3 and 4 and did well. 2IP 1R 1ER 3Ks. Chad Jennings said he was sitting around 92mph.

  120. sunny615

    Here are the pitching matchups for the A’s series:

    Friday, July 18
    Greg Smith, LHP (5-7, 3.43) vs Mike Mussina, RHP (11-6, 3.61)

    Saturday, July 19
    Justin Duchscherer, RHP (10-5, 1.82) vs Joba Chamberlain, RHP (2-3, 2.62)

    Sunday, July 20
    Sean Gallagher, RHP (4-4, 4.25) vs Andy Pettitte, LHP (10-7, 4.03)

  121. Brandon (Jeter GIDP: *15 even in All Star Games) (Johan HR count: *16)

    After reading that link as crazy as it sounds and I suggest people read the link before saying anything I don’t want Ichiro.

  122. TKinDC

    Haven’t the A’s threatened to move to Freemont or something?

    Move over Columbus blue jackets and san jose sharks! here come the FREEMONT F’S!!!!

  123. Nick in SF

    Did I miss some Cashman quote where he tries to have it both ways? Has he claimed credit for every good move and shirked blame for every bad one? Really? Because I don’t know where all this black-and-white stuff is coming from.

    Either Cashman is responsible for this or he isn’t:

    http://www.stevemandich.com/uploaded_images/blogichirobday-718904.jpg

  124. mel

    If Ichiro wants to be traded he’ll let them know, and he’ll be a Yankee (I mean who wouldn’t want to be?).

    That Bobby and the wall thing kills me. It’s not that he doesn’t want to run through walls (we don’t expect him to), it’s that he misplays balls because in his mind the wall appears closer than it is.

  125. sunny615

    Here’s the scouting reports from Yankees.com:

    Friday, July 18

    Greg Smith: Smith will get the series-opening nod in the absence of originally slated starter Joe Blanton, who was traded to Philadelphia on Thursday for three Minor Leaguers. Smith threw six shutout innings against the Mariners in his last start, but got zero run support—nothing new for him—en route to a no-decision. He left the game having received zero Oakland runs in seven of his 17 starts, and one run in another three outings. Smith scattered just four hits while walking one and striking out two. This will be his first career start against the Yankees.

    Mike Mussina: Mussina will take the mound for the Yankees first game following the All-Star break. The veteran right-hander last pitched on July 10 against the Pittsburgh Pirates in New York’s final Interleague game of the season. He surrendered two earned runs on nine hits while striking out five over six strong innings of work. He is now 2-2 with a 3.09 ERA in his past three starts. The 39-year-old is 17-10 with a 3.82 ERA in his career against the Athletics.

    Saturday, July 19

    Justin Duchscherer: Two days before making his second career All-Star appearance, Duchscherer pitched 7 2/3 solid innings against the Angels, giving up just two runs on five hits while walking two and striking out three in a no-decision. He has yet to surrender more than three earned runs in a game, and his last start marked the 15th time in 16 starts he walked two batters or fewer. Duchscherer will look to repeat his stellar first half against a team he is 1-0 against in his only career start. He gave up one run on five hits through seven innings while striking out four while facing the Yankees earlier this year.

    Joba Chamberlain: Chamberlain will be making his first career appearance against the Athletics. The 22-year-old phenom has been extremely effective since joining the Yankees rotation on June 3rd, posting a 2.81 ERA in eight starts, but has just one win over that span because of a lack of run support. Chamberlain’s last outing was on July 11th against the Blue Jays. He surrendered three runs on seven hits while striking out nine. He was forced to take the loss, though, as Jays ace Roy Halladay out dueled him en route to a shutout victory.

    Sunday, July 20

    Sean Gallagher: In his first career start as an American League pitcher, the newly acquired Gallagher proved he can get a win just as easily as Rich Harden in the A’s rotation by pitching seven dominant innings of two-hit, two-run ball. Traded by the Cubs for Harden in a six-player deal four days before he made the start, Gallagher struck out seven in the dominant win over the Angels. This will mark his first career start against the Yankees.

    Andy Pettitte: Pettitte’s successful first half of the season came to a disappointing end during his last outing against the Blue Jays. New York’s veteran left-hander suffered through a four-run second inning en route to his seventh loss of the season. The biggest blow came off the bat of infielder Marco Scutaro who hit a three-run home run over the wall in left to break the game wide-open. Pettitte managed to settle down after that, though, and completed six innings, allowing eight hits while striking out six. In all of Pettitte’s losses this season he has surrendered at least seven hits. He is 9-5 with a 3.42 ERA in 18 career starts against Oakland.

  126. Ed - Yanks will be Yanks in the 2nd half!

    do anyone know if Lee Pelekoudas made any trades before? I just want to know if his trade history good or bad. If it’s bad, then Cashman should “rip” him off to snag Ichiro.

  127. TKinDC

    “After reading that link as crazy as it sounds and I suggest people read the link before saying anything I don’t want Ichiro.”

    I respectfully and totally disagree. Ichiro is a STUD. I would trade for him in a heartbeat.

    We are losing 3 OF’s in the next 2 years. How quickly will we forget Brett ‘Flash’ Gardner when we have the real deal patrolling the OF?

  128. sunny615

    Duchscherer vs Joba will be a great matchup… can’t wait for that one.

  129. Blargh

    Seattle trading Ichiro is still akin to shooting itself in the kneecaps. Certainly they should rebuild, but they should keep Ichiro to maintain an income while rebuilding (ie, unload everybody but Ichiro and King Felix).

  130. Nick in SF

    TkinDC, the A’s would very much like to move to Fremont. They would love to move to San Jose, but Fremont is as close as they’re allowed to get because San Jose was mistakenly given to the Giants as their exclusive territory.

  131. stuart

    thanks for the heads up on the Trenton game on NESN.. I missed AJAX…

  132. mel

    sunny,

    rather than stick someone in on Friday, there bumping everyone up? (I need a cross-eyed emoticon here)

  133. Marc from Portland Maine

    Hey, Trenton Thunder is pounding the Portland Seadogs 3 – 1! I can almost watch it right out my window.

  134. Ed - Yanks will be Yanks in the 2nd half!

    Imagine this, if Ichiro were to be trade here..where would you place Ichiro in the lineup? Maybe bump Jeter to third and Damon second? Ichiro, Damon, Jeter…..

  135. Marc from Portland Maine

    Oops. 8-1

  136. stuart

    Ichiro would be a good get.. He is old and his skills are lessening.He has a big contract and is slowing down yeah sounds like another shrewd move from our astute talent base..

    maybe we can sign varitek in the offseason also, his skills are diminsihing by the second… maybe sign Moose to a 3 yr deal with a player option also!!!!!!!!

  137. Brandon (Jeter GIDP: *15 even in All Star Games) (Johan HR count: *16)

    I respectfully and totally disagree. Ichiro is a STUD. I would trade for him in a heartbeat.

    We are losing 3 OF’s in the next 2 years. How quickly will we forget Brett ‘Flash’ Gardner when we have the real deal patrolling the OF?

    Again at what price. If we’re talking Kennedy and Melky then sure do it, people need to remember how LH heavy this lineup is and Ichiro has not had a good year at all, some say he’s dogging it and others say he’s getting cocky on that field, we watched him when he came to NY made one of the worst efforts for a Molina flyball that we have ever seen. IDK …there’s a limit to what we are shoring up, Kennedy, Melky Horne that’s as far as I would go. How old is he ?

  138. mel

    stuart,

    Ichiro’s a star. A fading star, but the real deal. The only drawback to such a deal is that I would have to stop teasing him about that girly batting stance and those pants he pulls above his waist.

  139. saucy

    The thunder uniforms are nice

    The sea dogs unis look like they should read ‘Sea Monkeys’

  140. Brandon (Jeter GIDP: *15 even in All Star Games) (Johan HR count: *16)

    stuart

    Ichiro would be a good get.. He is old and his skills are lessening.He has a big contract and is slowing down yeah sounds like another shrewd move from our astute talent base..

    maybe we can sign varitek in the offseason also, his skills are diminsihing by the second… maybe sign Moose to a 3 yr deal with a player option also!!!!!!!!

    Yeh I thought about it stuart is right on this one

  141. Blargh

    Aside: Hot damn, Duchscherer has a strong case for top starter in the majors currently….best ERA/ERA+ and WHIP in the majors. Yea, Joba has his work cut out for him.

  142. mel

    The Adventures of Todd Jones continues. Leadoff double. I wonder if the O’s can tie it up?

  143. DFox

    Anyone who doesn’t want Ichiro is crazy. As long as he only costs money and lesser prospects, then there’s very little to lose. He’s still a VERY good player, better than most of our options. I mean look at this team, you can plug Ichiro anywhere: DH, LF, CF, RF, maybe see what he can do at 1b?

    But stop saying he’s hold. For god sakes, he hit .350 last year. He’s sort of like Brett Gardner but he can actually hit.

  144. TKinDC

    “but Fremont is as close as they’re allowed to get because San Jose was mistakenly given to the Giants as their exclusive territory.”

    NickinSF – As a resident of the greater Washington DC metroplex, allow me to reassure you that there is no rights issue between clubs that can’t be solved by a morally bankrupt television deal (the Nats are broadcast on Angelos’ network)

    It is ugly but true.

  145. Hamburger with Relish

    I wouldn’t mind Ichiro playing over Melky.

  146. Brandon (Jeter GIDP: *15 even in All Star Games) (Johan HR count: *16)

    08:$17M (35)
    09:$17M (36)
    10:$17M (37)
    11:$17M (39)
    12:$17M (40)

    Send all your declining players to us ! if your over 34 you got a home in the Bronx !

  147. Hamburger with Relish

    Ichiro might make a decent difference with the offense on this Yankee team as well.

    Maybe he misses his pal Sexson. If they reunite, maybe the Yankees can be the Mariners East. :roll:

  148. TKinDC

    “maybe we can sign varitek in the offseason also, his skills are diminsihing by the second… maybe sign Moose to a 3 yr deal with a player option also!!!!!!!!”

    Ah, the beloved straw man appears again. Ichiro is 34 years old and ‘clinging’ to a .304 avg.

    You are a clown.

    Btw – see that laser he threw from the wall to 2nd base in the ASG? guess not!

  149. Hamburger with Relish

    Brandon – only if they are DFA’d first. ;)

  150. DFox

    “Send all your declining players to us ! if your over 34 you got a home in the Bronx !”

    If that involves all the players who hit .350 in 2007, then yeah, they can happily have a home in the Bronx.

    So what if he’s declining? Unlike Seattle, he’d just be a small piece here.

  151. Lenny

    Ahhh yes. Sheffield walloped his 6th homer tonight for the Tiggers.
    This means he’ll say he’s not appreciated and wants a 2-3 year contract extension and the bucks to go with it.

  152. Nick in SF

    The best thing about getting Ichiro is that he would come with a Nintendo Wii—good for the clubhouse!

  153. David Cone's Labrum

    Yankees would’ve welcomed Blanton tomorrow night.

    Now they have their work cut out for them against these three.

  154. Brandon (Jeter GIDP: *15 even in All Star Games) (Johan HR count: *16)

    So what if he’s declining? Unlike Seattle, he’d just be a small piece here.

    What are you giving up for him, keep in mind other teams are going to raise the prospect or player ransom. So what is enough for Ichiro ?

  155. TKinDC

    Brandon –

    Hughes for Ichiro, straight up – Yes or No?

  156. Hamburger with Relish

    If its a salary dump, the M’s might be looking to unload Sexson’s costs to the Yankees as well as getting some prospects back.

  157. S.A.- I believe in this team but can the offense stop being so offensive?

    Maybe he misses his pal Sexson. If they reunite, maybe the Yankees can be the Mariners East.

    LOL….oy

  158. Brandon (Jeter GIDP: *15 even in All Star Games) (Johan HR count: *16)

    Hughes for Ichiro, straight up – Yes or No?

    (tone…...............)

  159. pat

    If the Yanks are trying to get younger, cheaper and more athletic, why would they be interested in Ichiro for 4 more years at 17 million a year?

  160. DFox

    “What are you giving up for him, keep in mind other teams are going to raise the prospect or player ransom. So what is enough for Ichiro ?”

    I would hope mostly eating salary, and some low end prospects. Like you listed above, that 12 million a year is an awful lot for a team that isn’t even close to contention and is trying to rebuild.

  161. mel

    Just think of it as 2 for the price of 1. Sexson’s cost next to nothing. We’ll worry about next year next year. :)

  162. EricNS

    If they sign Varitek the Yanks can set up boxing matches between him and A-Rod

  163. DFox

    “If the Yanks are trying to get younger, cheaper and more athletic, why would they be interested in Ichiro for 4 more years at 17 million a year?”

    No Pat, you have to understand, you can’t have a team entirely made up of 22 year old prospects. If Ichiro just costs money and lower end prospects, how does that stop you from getting younger? It doesn’t touch your farm. It doesn’t touch Jackson, Tabata, etc. What you’re saying is: don’t spend money, don’t make trades, just develop the farm. Sorry, you can’t field a team that way.

  164. TKinDC

    “Hughes for Ichiro, straight up – Yes or No?

    (tone………………)”

    OK, so . . . . I think we got disconnected, did I say Hughes? I meant IPK and Tabata. Whaddya think?

  165. rconn23

    Austin Jackson 4 for 4 2 RBIs and a BB

  166. Hamburger with Relish

    Pat, I could see the Yankees taking Ichiro and letting Abreu leave come the season’s end. Its pretty much a wash then as to cost, and Ichiro still has speed and a good bat.

    Yes, the team is trying to get younger but there aren’t enough prospects in the minors to cover all the fielding positions. They are pitcher heavy, but not so much fielders.

    You also want to balance veteran and youth. Ichiro wouldn’t be bad for the Yankees.

  167. mel

    Ichiro’s quotes alone would be worth $3M per.

  168. TKinDC

    “If the Yanks are trying to get younger, cheaper and more athletic, why would they be interested in Ichiro for 4 more years at 17 million a year?”

    Those pesky first ballot HOFers are so easy to land, we shouldn’t overindulge.

    The rotation is getting younger and cheaper, the field?, not so much.

  169. Bronx Jeers

    Ichiro will get 17 mil per year for the next 4 years. 5.5 of that is deferred each year and is due by 2032. He’ll be 35 in Oct. It,s iffy at best. Sounds like another one of those deals where we have to pay a guy for what he has accomplished on another club. I love him but he’s definitely on the downside of the hill.

  170. jon

    All of this talk about Abreu is funny…if for the simple fact that the reasons we are all discussing about him (inconsistency, not going “all-out”) are the same things Philly fans hated about him. We should have seen these things coming.

  171. Ed - Yanks will be Yanks in the 2nd half!

    I would hope mostly eating salary, and some low end prospects. Like you listed above, that 12 million a year is an awful lot for a team that isn’t even close to contention and is trying to rebuild.

    just like Bobby Abreu 2 years ago. seriously, the wall thing must be pissing Cashman off up to this point.

  172. stuart

    yeah what is $85 mill for a declining star paying him until he is 40 and he is a speed player.

    sounds like another winning move like trading for the big unit..

    shrewd move maybe they can trade AJAX and Melancon for him????

    In 2 yrs. Seattle will not be able to give away Ichiro, clowns…..

    th six finger guy is in…...

  173. Hamburger with Relish

    mel – maybe more if they put them on t-shirts.

  174. Fredo Corleone

    Agree with Randy on Cashman. Can’t have it both ways. If we acknowledge he’s only had control for 3 years, we must also acknowledge his contributions to bulding those title teams was next to nada.

  175. jon

    BTW, Tabata does not appear to be too high on many lists right now, due to his attitude and lack of performance this year. He is only 18 though…

  176. stuart

    Ichiro for Farnsworth and Seatlle pays $8 mill of his salary a year.

    the Yanks are not getting him and he is old and expensive….

  177. Blargh

    If it took just one A-list prospect to get Ichiro, I’d take it, give Pelekoudas a free dinner at a nice restaurant as thanks for the instant millions in profit, and then club him in the knees on the behalf of Mariners fans. Then I get in the departing team plane, laughing maniacally while throwing around hundred dollar bills.

  178. pat

    D Fox

    I don’t want a team of 22 year olds. I’d develop a farm to play some and use some to trade for players in their prime not 35 year old outfielders who are guaranteed 17 million dollars a year until they are almost 40.

  179. jon

    Stuart…thats funny

  180. Brandon (Jeter GIDP: *15 even in All Star Games) (Johan HR count: *16)

    Did Johnny Damon die ?

    I mean the reason for this is for what a LH leadoff hitter in a lineup that is LH heavy again if he was 4 years younger I’d do it, but this Ichiro I just don’t want. We’re not addressing our real issues we’re 15-15 vs LHP…Guys like Casey Blake or Jeff Keppinger or Josh Willingham should be what we are targeting. Again when fans fall in love w/ the name they don’t take everything to account, I’ll give you one plus the CF defense would improve immensely but again at what price.

  181. Ed - Yanks will be Yanks in the 2nd half!

    jsut curious, doesnt Ichiro have a NTC on his contract?

  182. mel

    TKinDC,

    No one would consider Ichiro a first ballot (I’m assuming you’re joking), but some expert on the radio said that if he hit that certain milestone (3000 hits?) he might make it in.

  183. TKinDC

    “yeah what is $85 mill for a declining star paying him until he is 40 and he is a speed player.”

    Wow! he is 34 and he is going to be 40 years old in 4 years? You’re right – we don’t want any part of that!

    [idiot]

  184. Fredo Corleone

    “Guys like Casey Blake or Jeff Keppinger or Josh Willingham should be what we are targeting”

    Blake can be had fairly inexpensively I would think. The other two??? Not so much, especially Willingham.

  185. randy l

    “They would love to move to San Jose, but Fremont is as close as they’re allowed to get because San Jose was mistakenly given to the Giants as their exclusive territory.”

    all this talk about gms and who’s better misses one point.

    what’s the most important thing?

    location, location , and location.

    the yankees and the mets have location. the a’s do not. the twins do not. the rays do not. most teams do not.

    so much money comes into the new york coffers that a gm would have to be an idiot to have a bad team. yet cashman is very close to having this team be a bad one.

    the twins give up santana and tori hunter and still have a better record than the yankees.
    does anyone really think cashman could run the twins and have a record that good?

  186. Brandon (Jeter GIDP: *15 even in All Star Games) (Johan HR count: *16)

    Blake can be had fairly inexpensively I would think. The other two??? Not so much, especially Willingham.

    Keppinger would shore up that bench as a utility man. Willingham would be tough to get, what I like about Casey Blake is no ego and gets the job done. He’s the type of player that this lineup could use for stability.

  187. Hamburger with Relish

    Probably does have a NTC, which could keep his cost down in terms of trade possibilities. If its a salary dump, he would have to approve the trade to the club. I think he would be open to going to the Yankees.

    Yes, there is a down side to it, but his bat looks inviting this year. He could cover Abreu’s leaving as well. Then Melky could be the 4th outfielder.

  188. TKinDC

    “No one would consider Ichiro a first ballot (I’m assuming you’re joking), but some expert on the radio said that if he hit that certain milestone (3000 hits?) he might make it in.”

    Mel – with all respect, find me someone that has more than 200 hits in every year of the first 7 years of their MLB career that isn’t in the HOF and I will mail you a case of Nick’s Moose Bars.

  189. Glenn

    I’ll bet that Cashman would love to have December of 2006 back again when he selected Rule 5 player Josh Phelps over Rule 5 Josh Hamilton.
    Hindsight ? Yes it is but all GM’s take chances at one time or another.

  190. Blargh

    Re: Josh Hamilton
    Probably the same for every GM who passed up on him (nevermind that at the time he was radioactive)...and the GM who didn’t protect him from the rule V draft in the first place.

  191. Ed - Yanks will be Yanks in the 2nd half!

    I would go after Cody Ross too. A good power hitting platoon outfielder who kills lefty which we lack of lately.

  192. Marc from Portland Maine

    EricNS,

    Then they can have CPR classes on Variteck afterword :)

  193. Bronx Jeers

    I think ichiro has 3000 if you count his career in japan. Thats pretty good if you consider that jeter’s at 2500? and is just a year younger. I think he can sustain 175 plus till the end of his contract. 30-40 steals a year. A gun for an arm. He’s still awesome but Cashman won’t give anything to eat a contract. Even if he has a NTC I’m sure he would waive it come to NY. He signed the contract with the understanding that Seattle was going to compete. Alot of people thought they had a good chance to take a run at the Angels. Many M’s underperformed including our new 1/2 time 1st baseman. Make that 1/4 time as he’ll only play against lefties.

  194. Argggggh

    Phelps was great! I miss him.

  195. Ed - Yanks will be Yanks in the 2nd half!

    Probably does have a NTC, which could keep his cost down in terms of trade possibilities. If its a salary dump, he would have to approve the trade to the club. I think he would be open to going to the Yankees.

    Ichiro would be open going to the Yanks. I posted a link before, proving my point.

  196. Bronx Jeers

    Yeah I’m surprised they looked over Hamilton with the substance problem and all. Seriously.

  197. Argggggh

    “Many M’s underperformed including our new 1/2 time 1st baseman. Make that 1/4 time as he’ll only play against lefties.”

    Sexson might play more, the Yankees seem to face more left hand pitchers than right hand pitchers.

  198. Little Chip (Release Sexson)

    For all you people who think Sexson will hit in New York, good luck. All he hit in Seattle this year was Kason Gabbard in the head with his helmet!

  199. Laura - Thank God for making me a Yankee fan!

    You can’t have an entire team made up of kids. We need some veterans to balance it out. I’d take Ichiro in a heartbeat. Not sure why SEA would move him. To me, they are alienating their fan base (what was left of it).

    That being said, I wouldn’t mortgage the farm to get Ichiro. But I would part with Melky for him. I love Melky, but Ichiro can hit and field. Melky.. not so much!

  200. Brandon (Jeter GIDP: *15 even in All Star Games) (Johan HR count: *16)

    I’ll bet that Cashman would love to have December of 2006 back again when he selected Rule 5 player Josh Phelps over Rule 5 Josh Hamilton.
    Hindsight ? Yes it is but all GM’s take chances at one time or another.

    HE NEVER GOT TO THEM, HE LANDED WITH THE CUBS FOR 45 SECONDS THEN THE REDS TOOK HIM ! THE GUY WAS ON SUICIDE WATCH ! A PLAYER THAT COULD HAVE KILLED HIMSELF ! READ UP ON IT.

  201. mel

    TK,

    All I can come back with is “He’s a singles hitter! A slap hitter!”

    Does anyone know where the HOF prospect list is? It has all the active players listed in order of induction probability.

  202. Argggggh

    Ichiro would waive the NTC to come to the Bronx.

  203. Little Chip (Release Sexson)

    Ichiro is not going anywhere Ed, he is the face of the franchise.

  204. Nick in SF

    Hey, I only have two Moose bars left, I’m not giving them up that easily. I promised to order a full case if Moose made the AS team, which he should have.

    I’m still on the hook for a full case if Moose gets 20 wins. Mmmm, I going to bust one of them out tomorrow night if Moose gets the win.

  205. Fredo Corleone

    “the twins give up santana and tori hunter and still have a better record than the yankees.
    does anyone really think cashman could run the twins and have a record that good?”

    In fairness, we have no way of knowing the answer to that. Dan Duquette did a terrific job with the low budget Montreal Expos and then damn near ran the Red Sox into the ground.

    I don’t think Cashman is anywhere close to being the game’s best GM, and I give him little to no credit for anything that happened prior to 2006, but he has done some things right since having more control of things.

  206. Brandon (Jeter GIDP: *15 even in All Star Games) (Johan HR count: *16)

    I’m calm now. But you stupid posters that think Josh Hamilton was on everyone’s wishlist need to shut up.

  207. Al from BK

    Anyone suggesting Cashman should have known about Hamilton when he was still a recovering junkie is inept.

  208. Laura - Thank God for making me a Yankee fan!

    “For all you people who think Sexson will hit in New York, good luck. All he hit in Seattle this year was Kason Gabbard in the head with his helmet!”

    I, for one, am willing to give him a chance. Let him get here and stink before we start trashing him.

  209. Ed - Yanks will be Yanks in the 2nd half!

    Matt Murton, anyone?

  210. Yankee Trader

    Ichiro’s salary would pay for itself in NY.
    Would be the best defensive center fielder the Yankees have had in more than 20 years. The best defensive RF’er since Roger Maris. His stolen base rate is better than last year when he hit .351 so he is not slowing down.

    He’s just the kind of pesky lead off player that we need.

  211. Blargh

    Ichiro has a 164 rating on the HOF Monitor list, which is good for 66th place on the all-time list for batters.

  212. Someone Else

    I’d love to have Ichiro IF the Mariners eat a considerable amount of money.

    For his contract? No way.

    For half his contract? Yes.

  213. Laura - Thank God for making me a Yankee fan!

    I hope the Yankees kept Randy Johnson’s uniform. He and Sexson are about the same height, right?

  214. stuart

    so the kids are dreaming about Ichiro tonight.. another shrewd move, buy when the guy is down after all many players have resurgance in there mid to late 30’s!!!!!!!

    Abreu was a good trade but his time is up.. he is 34 and declining, just like the singles hitter but heck they have the singles hitter tied up for 5 more years at $17 mill, what a deal.. Kinda like buying shares in a company going out of business because 5 yrs. earlier the company was great…

    I need to exit tonight the stupidity on this site is even worse then normal…

  215. Someone Else

    “Aside: Hot damn, Duchscherer has a strong case for top starter in the majors currently….best ERA/ERA+ and WHIP in the majors. Yea, Joba has his work cut out for him.”

    Check out the first time the Yankees played him – read all of the ‘who is this guy?’ and ‘shut down by a scrub again’ type comments.

    Yeah, there are a lot of stupid Yankees’ fans.

  216. TKinDC

    “All I can come back with is “He’s a singles hitter! A slap hitter!”

    Does anyone know where the HOF prospect list is? It has all the active players listed in order of induction probability.”

    There is some formula website (good news Bernie is in) (bad news, I don’t believe it!)

    I consider myself smitten w/ Suzuki, he is an OBP machine and can hit any pitch anywhere anytime. BTW – that cannon of an arm was fully on disply in the ASG.

    I’d trade IPK & Tabata for him this moment.

  217. Nick in SF

    Maybe the Mariners would trade Ichiro to try to keep up with the A’s in alienating their shrinking fan base.

  218. Blargh

    http://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/hof_monitor.shtml

  219. Bronx Jeers

    “Sexson might play more, the Yankees seem to face more left hand pitchers than right hand pitchers.”

    Yeah that was crazy. Watch now they’ll start killing lefties and we’ll never see another.

    I’m not saying that the Cashman should have seen Hamilton’s future ability.
    I’m saying I’m surprised they didn’t say Hamilton? Substance Abuse? LETS SIGN HIM NOW!!!!!

  220. Brandon (Jeter GIDP: *15 even in All Star Games) (Johan HR count: *16)

    Anyone suggesting Cashman should have known about Hamilton when he was still a recovering junkie is inept.

    The guy literally to tried to slit his own throat and drug himself to death. And yet wannabe GM posters on this board have the nuts to ask why he wasn’t taken by the Yankees !

  221. Nick in SF

    Ichiro and Bonds, like the Boggs and Fielder of ‘08!

  222. mel

    Thanks Blargh. Do they use the >100 as a good chance of getting in scale?

  223. Laura - Ready for a better second half

    I personally wouldn’t trade Ichiro if I were SEA, but I’d take him if I were Cashman. I don’t see Cashman doing the deal though. He seems 100% committed to trying to keep our prospects and build a dynasty for years to come.

  224. Fredo Corleone

    “Yeah, there are a lot of stupid Yankees’ fans.”

    In fairness, Ducsherer was a 31 year old with FIVE career MLB starts to his credit coming into this season. Yankees fans were not alone in the ” who is this guy?” comments. Billy Beane is probably still wondering that himself.

  225. mel

    Jeter #32. Bernabe #100. Talk about borderline! (postseason stats gets him in)

  226. Ed - Yanks will be Yanks in the 2nd half!

    does Cashman really want to be another version of the Marlins? just curious.

  227. Brandon (Jeter GIDP: *15 even in All Star Games) (Johan HR count: *16)

    For the posters asking why Josh Hamilton isn’t a Yankee other than obvious reasons of drug problems.

    THE 2006 RULE 5 DRAFT

    1. OF Ryan Goleski Tampa Bay Devil Rays
    2. RHP Joakim Soria Kansas City Royals
    3. OF Josh Hamilton Chicago Cubs Tampa Bay Devil Rays Later traded by the Cubs to the Cincinnati Reds for cash considerations.
    4. RHP Sean White Pittsburgh Pirates
    5. RHP Alfredo Simon Baltimore Orioles
    6. C Jesús Flores Washington
    7. LHP Edward Campusano Milwaukee Brewers
    8. RHP Jared Burton Cincinnati Reds Oakland Athletics
    9. RHP Lincoln Holdzkom Houston Astros
    10. C Adam Donachie Philadelphia Phillies
    11. RHP Nick Debarr Boston Red Sox Tampa Bay Devil Rays
    12. INF Jason Smith Toronto Blue Jays Chicago Cubs
    13. RHP Kevin Cameron San Diego Padres Minnesota Twins
    14. LHP Jay Marshall Oakland Athletics Chicago White Sox
    15. INF Alejandro Machado Minnesota Twins
    16. INF Josh Phelps New York Yankees Baltimore Orioles
    17. RHP Levale Speigner Washington Nationals
    18. RHP Jim Ed Warden Philadelphia Phillies
    19. C Ryan Budde Philadelphia Phillies

  228. Yankee Trader

    Pete Rose hit .331 at age 38 and .325 at age 40.
    There’sno reason that Ichiro, who stays in shape can’t still be a top flight lead off batter and superb defender when his contract ends.

    I do agree however that Seattle would need to eat some of the money if they wanted better prospects.

  229. TurnTwo

    those who think Ichiro wouldnt be useful on this are kidding themselves. there’s no evidence in his play to think that he’s slowing down or at greater risk for injury. he’s the model for consistency.

    again, like my feelings for Matt Holliday, Ichiro would be a great pickup for the right price. if the Mariners help eat salary on the contract, they get a better package. if they dont pay anything, they get nothing.

    but dont dismiss him just because.

  230. mel

    2 outs, Cordero. 2 itty bitty outs!

  231. TKinDC

    “another shrewd move, buy when the guy is down after all many players have resurgance in there mid to late 30â€