Game 99: Twins at Yankees; Posada to DL
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on Jul 21, 2008 
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YANKEES (53-45)
Damon DH
Jeter SS
Abreu RF
Rodriguez 3B
Giambi 1B
Cano 2B
Cabrera CF
Molina C
Gardner LF
Ponson RHP
Sidney Ponson (5-1, 3.96) vs. the Minnesota lineup.
Nick Blackburn (7-5, 3.65) vs. the New York hitters.
Notes: Thanks to Brian Heyman for calling in the lineup. … Johnny Damon talked his way back onto the roster. But the bigger news could be that Jorge Posada is headed back to the DL. His name is not on the lineup card that was posted just now. More to come on that.
The Yankees have won 8 of their last 11 and seven straight at home. … Don’t sleep on the Twins, who are 55-43 and a half-game out in the Central. … Cano is 8 of 14 since the break. … Of Jason Giambi’s 20 HR, 12 have tied the game or put the Yankees ahead. … Sir Sidney has faced the Twins twice already this season, allowing two runs over 14.1 innings. He threw a complete game six-hitter in a 10-1 Texas win on May 21. … Blackburn started against the Yankees on June 1 and allowed one run over 4.1 innings.
PROBLEM? WHAT PROBLEM? As you may have noticed, third base coach Bobby Meacham gets more guys thrown out than a doorman at a frat party.
So I asked Joe Girardi yesterday if he was concerned.
His answer: “No. A lot of times it’s with two outs. Those are the times you’re going to take the chances. That’s not a concern. Those are situations you take a chance.”
Girardi also said that when the runners have been getting thrown out, it was because balls were hit hard. Well, sure. But isn’t that when you should hold somebody?
BUY APPLE STOCK: So I went to the Apple Store today to try and buy one of the new 3G iPhones. There was an hour-long line to wait to get into the store and then it would take another 45 minutes once you got in. I had time, but not that kind of time.
So I’ll try again later this week. It does seem that the iPhone would best enable me to blog from the field, moving cars, etc. My Razr has served me well but it’s time to catch up technologically. I also like the idea of being able to carry one device instead of a phone and an iPod.
Back later with some updates.
* * * * * * * UPDATE ON JORGE POSADA, 4:24 p.m. * * * * * * *
Bad news for Posada. He will see Dr. David Altchek tomorrow and may soon have season-ending surgery to repair the torn labrum in his shoulder. The surgery is such that he may need to get it now to make sure he will be ready for next season.
Posada admitted that he can’t throw and that it has been bothering him all season. Joe Girardi has been saying for weeks now that Posada was improving and he could get through the season but that was obviously wishful thinking.
Hideki Matsui, meanwhile, is putting off his knee surgery and will try and rehab one more time. But given what has happened so far, don’t expect to see him any time soon, if at all.
UPDATE, 4:30 p.m.: Jose Molina, as we all know, is a fine defensive catcher. But having to use him five days a week could be an issue. A backup all his career, Molina could get worn down. He also will be a drag offensively. The Yankees also will have to use Chad Moeller more often.
UPDATE, 4:38 p.m.: The loss of Posada could force Brian Cashman’s hand in terms of a trade. Losing a switch-hitting, middle of the order hitter is a big blow. The dynamic really changes with this news. I don’t see the Yankees trading for a catcher because decent catchers simply aren’t available unless you want to pry one away from Texas.
UPDATE, 4:46 p.m.: Remember all those times Joe Girardi said how Posada was improving? Here’s what Posada himself had to say today: “The shoulder is messed up. I have no power when I go to make a throw and there’s pain every time I make a throw. It has been like that all season.”
Sources I have been in touch with say there is a labrum tear and a rotator cuff tear in the shoulder. Posada will have an MRI tomorrow and could have surgery soon. It seems likely that he would need surgery now to have any hope of being ready to start the 2009 season.
Meanwhile, Girardi said Posada could rehab and come back as a DH or first baseman this season. But that doesn’t seem very likely.
UPDATE, 5:46 p.m.: Brian Bruney is scheduled to throw for Scranton on Tuesday and Wednesday. Going back-to-back is usually the final test for an injured reliever. We could see him back in the majors this weekend if all goes well.
Phantom Phil Hughes is another bullpen and two BP sessions away from getting into a minor league game.
Let’s see … Carl Pavano? Not asking that question. Otherwise you’re all caught up on injured guys.
Question for all.
When Ponson and Rasner get replaced – who gets first call?
Karsten, Acaves, McCutchen, Horne, Kennedy, Ig, or outside organization? When do you see it happening?
Apple products are a rip off.
Pete, is it a guess on your part that Posada is going on the DL or is it a fact?
Fatso & Fruitloops say Manny is not going anwhere and they are right. Not this year. Next year is another story.
Btw, people have heard my support of Meachem before, and I will give it again. I am quite a fan of his aggressive style at 3rd – though we have had a lot of runners thrown out, there have also been a lot of runners that have come in to score. Considering the fact that we are beyond bad with RISP, I think it is a wise idea to send anyone in a close situation – they are probably not getting a chance otherwise.
Hopefully if (err, I mean when) we starting hitting w/ RISP he will change his strategy at 3rd.
They should just DL Posada and have him get shoulder surgery now so he’s definitely ready by next season. The Yankees already have better options at DH so if he can’t catch he should be on the DL.
Heh, the mentioning of iPhone reminds me of Maddox’s rant against them (googling “Maddox iphone rant” should bring it up as top result)
nice try patrick
Don’t by Apple Stock just yet. They have a pending court case that if they lost their stock would plummet.
I would assume Kennedy gets the first call, if healthy and pitching well. If not, it will most likely be Aceves or Horne depending on how ready the organization feels they are. If none of these three are healthy or major league ready, you’ll likely see Karstens, but not Igawa…
MIL-TON BRAD-LEY ! CLAP CLAP CLAPCLAPCLAP
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Posada is done, just spoke to my sources at the Post. Posada on the DL, and his season is over. Season ending surgery.
I have to say that the MLB at BAT feature for Iphones totally rocks!!! Being able to see the video so soon after the play happens is pretty cool.
Buckner -
IMHO Aceves or McCutchen or both get the call when the time comes.
McCutchen has been held back at AAA to keep his inning down because he’s in danger of exceeding last year’s total.
Aceves needs 2 starts by the end of July to be sure he’s ready.
Posada heading back to the DL takes away a lot of the good feelings I had about the rest of the season.
Wohoooo Posada!!!!111111
Very interesting news with Posada. Do we look for another C via Trade, or do we go Molina/Moeller for the rest of the season??
Color me clueless, but why is Ponson referred to as “Sir Sidney?”
Bummer about Posada if Will’s post is true.
Blargh , I came across this page when searching for Maddox iphone rant and I thought I would post it b/c it is absolutely hilarious. There is quite a bit of profanities so be warned:
http://www.thebestpageintheuni.....i?u=iphone
Posada heading back to the DL takes away a lot of the good feelings I had about the rest of the season.
Not really, we’ve been playing w/o him most of this season.
Girardi’s quote about Meachem doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to me. I understand you have to take chances but sending a guy when he’s out by 20 feet is not the odds I would want to play.
This lineup looks so much better with Damon in it.
Let’s get a W tonight NEW YORRRRK!!
Posada being done was to be expected
I apologize to Brandon, I am now a big Milton Bradley fan. It almost seemed like Posada’s shoulder was affecting his hitting as well.
Ponson was knighted by the Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands (Aruba is owned by the Netherlands)
Firstly, fred from jersey what are you talking about?
Secondly, Brandon you are a nut! I like Bradley too but how could you hold him in higher regard than Bay? Bay is more durable and has a longer track record of being a better hitter. Career OPS+ of 130 for Bay, career OPS+ of 116 for Bradley.
Nettles–
Ponson was knighted by the queen of the Netherlands (Aruba, where he’s from, is a Dutch territory), and thus is called Sir Sidney.
WFAN is reporting Posada is headed back to the DL.
posada to DL, shoulder issue,trying rehab if he comes back it’s as a 1st baseman/DH/Catcher
nettles,
Ponson was actually knoghted in his native Aruba. Upon receiving the honor, Ponson said “I don’t know how I can live up to this”.
Sometimes the truth is stranger than fiction.
Gardner is practically auto-out can we pick up an OF.
Giants have confirmed Jeremy Shockey has been traded to the Saints for a 2nd and 5th round picks in the 2009 draft. Good Riddance!! Now back to baseball.
Don’t buy into the hype!! DOWN WITH APPLE!!
Ok I only say that because I could have went long on the stock when it was at $20/share just when King Bill was helping out Jester Steve Jobs WELL before the iPhone came out…and as a result am still working instead of retired. However I just bought a Motorola Moto-Q from Verizon and even though I am still working through the manual I love it.
QWERTY keyboard, Broadband Access, Mobile Windows platform (edit documents, etc.), music player, Dayplanner, VZ Navigator (think a Verizon version of Garmin), Active and Wired Sync, Bluetooth, Camera and Camcorder with flash, oh yeah…and it makes calls.
With rebate $149 with a two year contract. Thanks to a missprint at the Verizon store got the phone, carrying case, travel charger, and Bluetooth for $149 (after rebate).
$120 a month got me 450 minutes, IN Calling, Unlimited Texts (to any network), and unlimited internet access AND insurance.
Check it out!
I was just about to post this in the other thread where all the chaos was happening. Posada is apparently going on the DL which also invalidates some of what I said, but I’ll post it anyway.
I think we have to realize that this is the team we are going to war with in the second half. The Yankees are probably not going to make any huge deals. Maybe a RH bat. Maybe a 4th / 5th starter. I can’t see much else happening. Here’s why:
1. The bullpen has been great, which negates the need to acquire arms out there. Lefty relievers are overrated – give me a guy that throws hard and can hit spots and he’ll get outs regardless of what hand he throws with. The strategy of drafting young pitching and getting back hard throwing pitchers in trades is paying off NOW! See Edwar Ramirez, David Robertson, Jose Veras, Dan Giese, and I’ll throw in Brian Bruney for good measure. This bullpen is one of the best we’ve had in years and there’s more help coming from the minors if we need it. Hawk will be gone likely replaced by Bruney.
2. I think the decision to get an outfield bat hinges on whether Matsui has surgery and is out for the season and whether Damon can throw. Both are better hitters then anyone you are going to pick up in a deal and their presence is huge in the lineup. Cash has to wait until the last minute to ascertain their long term viability. Patience.
3. Posada is going to be doing a lot of DH’ing which will clog the roster with DH/FB bats. We’re carrying Moeller still which indicates to me that his shoulder may not last the season or could go at any time. I also think that Molina behind the plate is one of the reasons this pitching staff has excelled. I don’t think this has been stated enough. I love Jorge, but results are results. If he goes on the DL and is done for the year, we’ll be looking for a bat.
4. I think the plan for the 4th starter is Phil Hughes and/or Aceves. Why make a trade for a someone league average when you might have someone in the minors who can do the same job without giving up prospects?
5. Most of our players are owed a lot of money have have no-trade clauses. They are also underperforming. Abreu, Damon, Jeter, arod, giambi, cano, posada aren’t going anywhere. Melky has no trade value, but could be replaced. Get used to looking at those names because they’re being paid to be the NY Yankees and are locked in. That’s the team and they just have to step it up.
6. The Yankees don’t appear to be willing to take on Payroll. They are subsidizing the other teams with lux tax, and I think they are rightfully sick of doing it as it is making the league stronger. That’s what the Cashman strategy is all about. Reduce payroll, stop paying lux tax, and still find a way to win. It’s a different world and it’s tougher for Cash to operate from a position of strength. The league is more competitive due to the wild card, and awash with cash from lux tax, so salary dumps aren’t going to happen. This has also driven up the value of youth so it isn’t being traded either. Baseball is looking long term more than ever. Unless you feel like getting fleeced, you sit tight because it’s a sellers market (minus teams like ours that have all no trade clause players).
Side note: I’m sick of hearing we should have gotten Santana. Phil hughes + whomever for a 1 year rental of santana is stupid (and yes, it was a 1 year rental because that’s how long his contract was with Minny). Then you would have had to sign the RAPIDLY DECLINING pitcher to a long term deal. The mets are going to regret this move. This is exactly the kind of move you take a pass on. See point 6 on how this makes no sense.
Here are the possible players that can be replaced:
-Melky (awful – no replacement in sight)
-Gardner (good on the bench)
-Hawk (awful but unused – replace with Bruney)
-Rasner (currently awful – replace with Hughes/Aceves)
-Ponson (good so far – status TBD)
-Betemit (Not a fan, but not killing us)
-Sexon (not a fan, but haven’t seen enough)
-Christian (not ML ready)
I’m not going to speculate on who we get to replace them because I don’t know the trade market. Only way I see something big happen is if Posada and / or Matsui are gone for the season. Then you can throw this post out the window (which you’ll probably want to do anyway).
bdog375: Yea, that was the rant I was thinking of; so hilarious…and probably not what Apple wants me to think of whenever I hear iPhone
Blargh…thanks.
Knighthood. Pretty cool. So, he’s got that goin’ for him.
Called Sir Sidney because he was knighted in Aruba.
c’mon milton bradley!!!
This is a really important series (well, they all are) for the Yanks before they hit Fenway Park. The twins are 21-7 in their last 28 games (what???), so let’s hope they run cold against Ponson and Rasner. Here’s hoping for at least two out of three games.
Pete! No!!!
Don’t buy the iPhone just yet. They have been have tons of trouble with their new mobile and mail systems. Thanks to this, I have been without email since Friday morning. Give it a few more weeks!
B.T.W… Let’s go Yanks!
Blargh, thanks – that rant just made my day!
Per WFAN: Posada to see Dr. Altchek tomorrow. Hoping to be able to rehab and be back this year as a catcher/first baseman/DH.
Posada hasn’t been right at the plate since coming back.
I guess this explains why they kept Moeller around as long as they did.
How is Molina gonna hold up catching everyday is the big question now.
Plus that’s a pretty bad bat to have in the lineup everyday .
Patrick- Bradley will likely come cheaper because Texas has alot of hitting and they need pitching the Yanks have pitching seems like a good recipe.
by the way i have the OLD iphone makes no sense to upgrade until they get the bugs fixed but with the new software download you can get some of the new features once again i mention mlb at bat for just 4.99 is totally worth it
Mike Piazza? Just sayin’…
-Rasner (currently awful – replace with Hughes/Aceves)
Rasner has more wins and a better ERA than Hughes. I would want to see what Hughes has coming off the DL first before I trade Rasner in for him. Yeah he’s had some struggles lately but some of those loss would be wins if the offense could have scored 2-3 runs.
I’m really glad we kept Moeller on the squad even though 3 catchers on the team limited the bench.
That was the signal that there was a big risk of trouble. Molina better eat his Wheaties b/c he is going to be playing a TON!
Mike Piazza? Just sayin’…
MIL-TON BRAD-LEY ! CLAP CLAP CLAPCLAPCLAP
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Damon LF
Jeter SS
Cano 2B
Rodriguez 3B
Giambi 1B
Bradley RF
Posada C
Matsui DH
“Patrick- Bradley will likely come cheaper because Texas has alot of hitting and they need pitching the Yanks have pitching seems like a good recipe.”
Maybe. I’m a big Bradley fan myself but would he be worth it to trade for? Is this season an outlier considering he’s never been this good in his career? He has major injury and character issues as well. I’m not sure I’d trade for him but I’d strongly consider picking him up as an FA this offseason.
Also it really bothers me that Posada is trying to rehab his shoulder YET AGAIN. Just get the surgery and rehab it for spring training 2009. We have enough 1B’s and DH’s.
there are no catchers out there worth trading for..
the bottom of the Yanks order looks like most of baseballs, the multi multi millionaires will need to pick it up..
again the yanks if possible need 1 starter and a OF(right handed hitter) if the prices is not ridiculous.
they do not need any bull pen help at all…….
Moeller should be able to hit better then Molina so he needs to play twice a week…
If Matsui was not hurt they would be more then fine but if does not work…….They also lose a righty bat which they are short of already…
NY Times: Posada out for season
http://bats.blogs.nytimes.com/.....ex.html?hp
Thank goodness we kept Moeller. And picked up Sexson to cover 1B when JD gets back in the OF.
They’ll miss Posada’s leadership. But at least the staff had pretty much gotten to being without him behind the plate. So not too much of a dropoff there.
These are the Yankees and they are their best in times of adversity.
So if Molina plays the rest of the year as the starter, what are the chances he wins the Gold Glove? His defense has been amazing.
Also – what are the chances he lasts the entire season? – he never even played 80 games in a season!
“NY Times: Posada out for season”
Do you not know what ‘could’ means?
Does the Psycho play both corner OF spots? Does he have any time in CF?
Pete the iPhone is awesome. I have had one since christmas and I do everything on it including readying your blog!! good luck with it once you get it!
that’s rough losing Posada for the year, if that’s what it comes down to. Anybody have an update on Matsui, have not heard anything about him in a couple of days. Is it still looking like he will be out for the year too?
He might as well just shut it down and get it fixed now if that Times piece is right.
Get it ready for 2009, no sense dicking around with it anymore at this point.
What a bummer.
“I have had one since christmas and I do everything on it including readying your blog”
Many phones have the exact same capabilities at a fraction of the price. And you do not have to install apples software on your computer which leaves an unnecessarily large footprint. 3G technology is not that new either.
Sorry everyone – no more talking about fruitboxes on a sports blog for me…
Ponson got released for being drunk and disorderly, but keeps Bradley after the Rangers GM had to intercept him before confronting a broadcaster?
If they’re truly “cleaning house” they need to dump Bradley (to the Yankees’ halfway house).
Girardi should consider making Giambi the fulltime DH once Damon is back in left. Platoon Betemit and Saxophone at 1B, put Gardner on the bench or back to AAA. That’d give you an every day lineup of:
Damon LF
Jeter SS
Abreu RF
A-Rod 3B
Giambi DH
Cano 2B
Betemit/Sextant 1B
Molina C
Cabrera CF
I’m thinking we need another bat though. Maybe if they get Nady or Bay they could rotate Damon, Abreu and Nady/Bay through LF, RF and DH and put Giambi back at first.
If Posada is really out for the season then it makes more sense than ever to try to get Bay or Holliday.
Damon can DH and play some CF as well and Bay or Holliday can just go play LF.
Next year they can trade one of Matsui or Damon or they can simply not resign Abreu and move Holliday or Bay to RF. Damon and Matsui could rotate in left and at DH for a year.
I have no idea what Holliday or Bay would cost but if I’m the Yankees I try to get one of them if I think the moves helps out this year and in the future.
Man the hits just keep on coming.
(Wait, they haven’t really been coming.)
Losing Matsui and now Posada’s production?
Wow – to be 2-3 back of the WC is a miracle.
Hope Molina can catch 4-5 games a week.
Wow. Talk about a hit to the solar plexus. I mean, psychologically, how much more damage can the Yankees take? Whether or not Posada was playing at 100% is not what I’m talking about here; anyone watching knew he wasn’t able to throw well and he hadn’t been on an offensive tear, either. But – as long as he was active the thought is he could get better or at least he could maintain.
I have no faith that Matsui will be back this season either.
In fact, now, I think that both of them should just have their respective surgeries and get to rehabbing as quickly as possible so they can be ready for next season. Prolonging the agony this season only means prolonging the agony into NEXT season.
Then, everyone has to take a deep breath and wait and see how the team responds. It’s good that Damon is back in the lineup. But it would be really, really nice if Brett Gardner could start hitting a bit, since he’s going to be the left fielder for a little while longer, I’d say.
hip hip…jor…oh shit he’s out for the season. Well personally, i think this is a good move, let posada get right for next yr. Molina is a perfectly capable solution defensively, now melky is going to really have to pick it up at the bottom of the lineup.
“Thank goodness we kept Moeller. And picked up Sexson to cover 1B when JD gets back in the OF.”
I wouldn’t be surprised if this paves the way for Shelley’s return. He can play some outfield and put in some DH time, take Christian’s place on the roster. This takes another good right-handed bat out of our lineup.
“3G technology is not that new either.”
The concept is old and even now it’s not fully realized. I would say that there is nothing out there that is truly “3G”.
dam, there goes our leverage. Now they know we need a bat.
I wouldn’t be surprised if this paves the way for Shelley’s return. He can play some outfield and put in some DH time
He’s out for the season. And you wouldn’t be suprised ? really ?
confuscious–
Only problem with that is Duncan is out for the year with a seperated shoulder and he couldnt hit anything while he was h ere anyway
I wouldn’t be surprised if this paves the way for Shelley’s return.
Can he play with his arm in a sling?
Confucius,
I’m pretty sure that Shelley is out long-term with an injury.
As much as I love Molina, with posada down for the count, we really do need another bat.
“Only problem with that is Duncan is out for the year with a seperated shoulder and he couldnt hit anything while he was h ere anyway”
Right, forgot the injury for some reason. Though he only could have done better with a second chance.
Will the iPhone stay charged long enough for Pete to blog through an entire Yankees-Red Sox game without having to plug in? That’s the question.
Posada has been a detriment behind the plate and hasn’t been hitting much either. If he’s out, the upside is that Rasner gets his own pet catcher.
If we lose both Posada and Matsui for the season… hmmm, who can fill that void?
Can we please just sign Barry Bonds? All it will cost is money and why the hell not give him a chance? It’s not like Brett Gardner is lighting the world afire. He looks more like Jason Tyner than Ellsbury or Ichiro. Burning 350 at bats on Jason Tyner is a scary thought.
Even if you signed Bonds now, he would not be ready to be much help this season.
“He’s out for the season. And you wouldn’t be suprised ? really ?”
It was a memory lapse. Don’t get too excited, chief.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if this paves the way for Shelley’s return.”
He’s also injured.
The others in the line-up should be able to fill the void of Posada’s bat. Nothing wrong with having a defense-first catcher in your line-up. The issues have to do with A-Rod and all producing.
Losing the bats of Posada and Matsui for the year and NOT trading to replace them is a sure sign that we are looking to 2009. It will be very interesting to see what our roster looks like on August 1st….
BTW, who didn’t know that after winning 3 in a row, something bad would happen?
Story of this season ain’t it?
Says who? I have a hard time believing Barry Bonds couldn’t be plugged into a lineup after a 1-2 week run through the minor leagues. I think that’s such a contrived excuse. He’s Barry f’ing Bonds. Yes he did drugs but let’s not forget that he’s one of the best baseball players to walk the Earth.
So the need would be for a left fielder-type bat, then? There are no catcher bats. They don’t need a DH bat. Who knows what the timetable is for Damon to be able to make throws from left field.
If Brett Gardner could hit just a little bit, they might be able to get through this. There’s no way the Yankees are going to get a deal made that’s not going to cost too much now because it’s a position of need (I won’t say dire need), not want.
And at this point, Barry needs the Yankees more than the Yankees need Barry. If he acts up or he doesn’t perform…you release him.
signing barry bonds is a stupid idea, he OPS is over-rated b/c of all the intentional walks. He is off the juice so he doesn’t have the same power. He is a cancer in the locker room with the ego he has…A-rod, Jeter, and Bonds all the in same clubhouse….good luck
Just get the surgery Matsui and be done with it.
Pete – that’s why you had to get on line at an Apple store at 5:45 am the day it came out.
But I would assume Bonds won’t play the field. Unless Damon can make throws from left field, Bonds is just another DH on a team overloaded with DHs and without a good left fielder right now.
I agree with Adam. I didn’t even think about Bonds. Bonds and Damon could platoon in LF and at DH as well.
Maybe when Joba pitches since he’s a strikeout artist you put Bonds in left and Damon in CF.
“Yes he did drugs but let’s not forget that he’s one of the best baseball players to walk the Earth.”
Again, for all the reasons you mentioned that Bonds should be signed, why is he not on the Giants right now? San Fran is the only place he’s been well-received by fans anyway, and they desperately need offense. So why haven’t -they- signed him?
Cashman knows that this team needs a bat and a starting pitcher to stay in the race the rest of the way. Yanks have the lower level prospects to get deals done. Whether Cashman chooses to once again hold on to his prospects for dear life and not let go or for once realizes that the point of some prospects is for trades…who knows and we will find out. A bat is DEFINITELY needed!! They will now have zero offense from catcher, 1st base, LF and CF. Assuming that Posada and Matsui will give them nothing this year. Lets see if Cashman actually does something.
Also a starting pitcher becasue Rasner will give them nothing and eventually Ponson’s fairy dust will wear off and he will give them nothing also.
I don’t understand how we have too many DH’s. We just lost two of them in Matsui and Posada. Damon couldn’t throw from LF as it was, so it’s not like you’re eating that much defensive value from just sticking him out there.
Terrible news. I’m very sad for Jorge because I know how much he wants to win every year. I hope he comes back healthy and strong whether it be later this year or next season.
I’m sure Pete has the scoop on whether it was Jorge initiated or whether Cashman/Girardi had to sit him down and tell him to go get healthy. Probably the latter.
If Molina is the guy this season it’s great for defense, but also means getting another bat is in order here.
Surprised nobody has yelled ‘Bring up Montero’ yet.
Why would San Fran sink a good portion of their payroll into one player when it’s clear they aren’t going to contend? The team went in a different direction. That has nothing to do with this situation.
“signing barry bonds is a stupid idea, he OPS is over-rated b/c of all the intentional walks. He is off the juice so he doesn’t have the same power.”
Barry’s slugging percentage last year was .565. He slugged .565 a year ago. Was he on the juice last year as well?
But hey, you know what? Molina is still better than Varitek! LOL
I have no problems bringing Bonds aboard – costs very little, especially sense the Yankees are one of the few teams that distractions are expected. It would be rather annoying that PEDs would be associated a lot with Yankees, though.
Hey, what about Yorvit Torrealba?
is salty available? Texas?
Bonds, he wont be a distraction at all.
“Why would San Fran sink a good portion of their payroll into one player when it’s clear they aren’t going to contend? ”
His cost now would be next to nothing. There are even reports that he’ll play for the minimum.
Adam -
There is a difference between not having a good arm in the field and not being able to throw. Damon isn’t able to throw right now in any way that would be passable at least as I read it. Hopefully that will change for the better in the next couple of weeks.
But could Bonds even get to a ball?
I don’t know. Not trying to argue, really. Just no easy answers.
Food for thought … could it be that Girardi had a man to man with Jorge and explained to him due to his injury that Molina needs to be the regular catcher and Jorge decided going on the DL is the best way to save face?
I’m not saying at all that Jorge isn’t injured. He hasnt swung the bat like Jorge Posada most of the season, never mind throw like he normally does. But I wonder how much Jorge’s pride came into the decision. It’s a shame what’s happened this season to one of the best catchers of his generation.
Vinny-B- Why would Texas trade a young starting Catcher who can hit?
MIL-TON BRAD-LEY ! CLAP CLAP CLAPCLAPCLAP
MIL-TON BRAD-LEY ! CLAP CLAP CLAPCLAPCLAP
The goal of the team isn’t to create a viable Boy Scouts troop, it’s to win games. If they want to win games, Barry Bonds will help them. That’s all I’m saying.
No offense to anybody, but the Barry Bonds talk is foolish. The last thing they need is another DH. I’m not going to go through all the reasons again but he’s not the answer.
San Fran is rebuilding. There’s no point in having Barry Bonds on that team, it would just retard the process.
I think you alternate days with Moeller and Molina. Or maybe go 2 on 2 off.
Sign Barry Bonds please
Pete I know it’s crazy but what about Milton Bradley ?
The Nationals have 4 catchers on their roster; Lo Duca, Flores, Nieves and Estrada.
Jim Bowden says hello.
nice job by cashman not letting moller go!
How big is the Molina signing now?
If Posada and Matsui are both gone for the season, it is foolish to dismiss the possibility of Bonds. I am not saying SIGN HIM, but I think there is a chance that it could be a great match.
Maybe Teargarden or a Holliday blockbuster? I think Melky, IPK and Cox for Texeira
Yeah Pete I second Brandon Milton Bradley could be cheap because the Rangers have a ton of hitters and no pitching IPK for Bradley.
How is the last thing we need another DH? It’s not like we haven’t already committed to tossing Giambi out there at first base and holding our breath. So we’re going to be treated to Gardner and his toothpick act in left and Johnny Damon as our full time DH?
I guess I just think it’s ridiculous that Bonds is tossed aside so quickly.
The Nationals have 4 catchers on their roster; Lo Duca, Flores, Nieves and Estrada.
Jim Bowden says hello.
Their not moving Flores, and do you really want any of the other 3? I don’t.
“They will now have zero offense from catcher, 1st base, LF and CF.”
20 HR’s is nothing?
We don’t need a catcher so much as we nee a bat.
Colorado is shopping Torrealba I guess, but……ugh.
Is there ANY way we could get Joe Mauer? We could give up the whole new stadium if they want it. The Metrodome is kinda ugly anyways…
The Nationals have 4 catchers on their roster; Lo Duca, Flores, Nieves and Estrada.
Jim Bowden says hello.
Miguel Olivo saids watsup Joe G ?
“No offense to anybody, but the Barry Bonds talk is foolish. The last thing they need is another DH. I’m not going to go through all the reasons again but he’s not the answer.”
What other DH do they have on the team besides Damon right about now? Giambi plays the majority of his games at 1st base and the other 2 DH’s are likely out for the season. A platoon LF/DH of Damon and Bonds could work.
Let’s not act like Bonds would cause any more of a circus than what’s happened in the past in the Bronx. There’s a reason why the team was labeled the Bronx Zoo in the past. As long as Bonds doesn’t come here and start fighting with Girardi I don’t foresee a problem.
“They will now have zero offense from catcher, 1st base, LF and CF.â€
20 HR’s is nothing?
Obviously I meant when Giambi is DHing which he does most of the time.
“I guess I just think it’s ridiculous that Bonds is tossed aside so quickly.”
Of course…who doesn’t want steroid parties in the clubhouse every day?
http://www.nypost.com/seven/07.....120897.htm
its offical (almost)
I’m still waiting for the other shoe to drop — that is, Molina will have a season-ending injury as well…
“San Fran is rebuilding. There’s no point in having Barry Bonds on that team, it would just retard the process.”
How does bringing in Bonds for three months at low cost retard a rebuilding process? Do the Giants really have one or two huge ML ready outfield prospects that can’t afford to be kept in the minors for the rest of the season? Bonds meanwhile sells tickets and brings in some extra revenue while the young pitching staff continues to grow.
The Giants need the offense and the fan draw far more than we do, plus they have history with the guy. Yet they aren’t doing it.
Time to talk to Pittsburgh. We get McClouth and Doumit. They get ANY combination of our Minor Leaguers including Jackson, Tabata, Kennedy, McCutchen, etc, etc.
Emma- Zero chance of Mauer and honestly he is not a power threat at all I can wait for Cervelli, Montero or another catcher in A ball to be ready.
“MIL-TON BRAD-LEY ! CLAP CLAP CLAPCLAPCLAP”
Anyone remember when those chants were reserved for special moments? Paul O’Neil, Bernie Williams, etc…. Sad that it’s now getting played out, used for every decent play made including an RBI single by Richie Sexson Friday night……
What other DH do they have on the team besides Damon right about now?
You need to give Giambi time off, Robi will need a rest, Bobby sometime this season,especially Johnny.
Anyone remember when those chants were reserved for special moments? Paul O’Neil, Bernie Williams, etc…. Sad that it’s now getting played out, used for every decent play made including an RBI single by Richie Sexson Friday night……
Chris relax it’s a blog
I have to admit I havent been a huge supporter of Posada this season. His defensive problems have bothered me the last few seasons and his unwillingness to dh/1b struck me the wrong way. I always wanted Molina to be a defensive replacement as Posada wont block pitches in the dirt and cant throw runners out this year. With that in mind, this is a huge blow to the season. The intensity and fire Posada brings everyday is something the team needs, which is why he should have played 1b/dh. He is a veteran bat and someone you can count on in clutch. Hopefully he makes a full recovery.
Bret Gardner has to now be replaced ASAP. It will be next to impossible for the Yanks to contend with automatic outs like him and Molina at the bottom of the order. I’d love to keep Gardner around as a pinch runner, but he’s obviously in over his head as a regular.
Winning the Division is doable if a bat can be found. I wish Cashman good luck. Just PLEASE don’t be over- protective! We need a trade along the lines of Rickey Ledee/Jake Westbrook for David Justice.
I don’t think the Yankees need the nationals scraps.
They actually could use a DH in two weeks. Damon should be able to return to the field in two weeks. Giambi should play more 1B to compensate for the fact that you won’t get much production out of the CF/ C spot (or LF while Damon is Dh’ing). At that point, Bonds could be ready and would be a real asset. How much chemistry is there in this locker room anyway. It costs so little that it makes no sense to me not to pursue it (and I admittedly hate Bonds).
As said before, gas will be back to $1.25 a gallon before Bonds ever wear a Yankee uniform.
“Obviously I meant when Giambi is DHing which he does most of the time.”
I guess my point was he is playing a lot of 1B this year, more so than any one else. I don’t know the splits, but seems like he’s started more than half of the games played at 1B.
“Time to talk to Pittsburgh. We get McClouth and Doumit. They get ANY combination of our Minor Leaguers including Jackson, Tabata, Kennedy, McCutchen, etc, etc.”
McLouth+Doumit?
Hughes+Jackson+Tabata+Kennedy+McCutchen+Marquez+Sanchez+Montero+Robertson+Melancon might get it done.
“The Giants need the offense and the fan draw far more than we do, plus they have history with the guy. Yet they aren’t doing it.”
I don’t really understand your point, so because the Giants aren’t signing Bonds that means we shouldn’t sign Bonds? That’s a ridiculous argument. Bonds is better than any other option we could get at the same price, which in terms of talent is nothing.
1. do not trade autin jackson
2. is saltalamachia on the trade block by any chance. I know Texas is still in it, but he can play catcher, and a bunch of other positions. And we MAY be able to get him for IPK and another minor leaguer, Texas is desperite for pitching
“Even if you signed Bonds now, he would not be ready to be much help this season.”
If you take “this season” out of that sentence and replace it with “this month”, you’re absolutely correct.
As for Pete’s “the Yanks already have too many DH types” argument, that makes a lot more sense with a healthy Matsui and Posada. Without them, not as much.
I’d give Texas a call about Laird/Salty/Ramirez. Laird’s probably the cheapest, and an upgrade over Moeller.
man….yanks are catching one tough break after another.
A – BK:
Tex has 2 catchers. And true, they probably wouldn’t trade Salty.
The Yanks are full of no defense playing slow old guys enough Bonds talk. He is not only a DH he is a walking media circus his presence would bring down the club.
They actually could use a DH in two weeks. Damon should be able to return to the field in two weeks.
since when ? didn’t you hear he can’t rotate his shoulder too much, they aren’t putting him in the OF everyday, that’s an injury for sure.
Adam, I’de rather finish in last place in the AL than have bonds on my team.
“Chris relax it’s a blog”
I’m talking about at the games, not on here….
NM; Laird’s out a bit; Hamstring.
Maybe Girardi didn’t want to put us in a position were teams will know we are desperate for another bat.
Oh, and the argument that what the Yankees do or don’t do regarding Bonds has anything to do with the SF Giants is ridiculous. Do I really need to list the reasons why?
You keep Molina and Moeller behind the plate. At the very least, you’ll get the job done defensively. You wait to see whether Damon holds up before looking for outfield help. You can still play a Damon/Melky/Abreu outfield with Gardner as your 4th outfielder. You figure it out between Giambi, Betemit, and Sexson at first and promise to never take first base for granted again.
I don’t see where a big trade needs to happen. When you have a bunch of guys around 35 on your team, this is what happens. Welcome to reality. Glad you all joined us about three years too late.
“Adam, I’de rather finish in last place in the AL than have bonds on my team.”
Um, okay. I’d rather win a championship than ride up on my high horse.
“Remember all those times Joe Girardi said how Posada was improving? Yeah, not so much. That was make believe.”
i also remember Posada throwing a temper tantrum about a week ago about not being allowed to catch as much as he wanted to. did that not happen?
so obviously Posada thought he could catch.
you know, not everything is about Girardi trying to deceive you.
the constant sniping at Girardi is the absolute worst part of this blog.
“You need to give Giambi time off, Robi will need a rest, Bobby sometime this season,especially Johnny.”
Cano has never been the DH as far as I know. I’ve also never seen Abreu DH either. If he does DH you can put Melky in RF, Gardner in CF and Bonds in LF. You want Giambi to DH? Okay he can DH and Bonds can play left and Damon can play CF.
There isn’t a backlog at DH anymore if Posada and Matsui are done for the season.
My thinking is, if you want a bat, which the Yankees do, while giving up little or nothing then Bonds is the perfect answer.
If not then we are talking trades and no GM is trading their prize players for Kennedy and Colin Curtis or whatever other trash you want to trade. Maybe Kennedy and Tabata will get you Milton Bradley or Xavier Nady. Maybe.
Drive 4-5: NYY can afford to have Gardner in the lineup. However, it cannot be Gardner and Melky. No way, will the lineup afford both.
I start Gardner over Melky, the remainder of the season. And trade for a bat.
either that, or sell now.
Getting Laird and Bradley would be awesome. IPK and a few other pitchers could get that done.
Here’s hoping that Jorge gets the surgery he needs and rehabs quickly so that he can take the reins behind the plate again next year! He’s always done what’s best for the team, even if he voices his displeasure at times. If anything, it clears up the whole 1B/DH debate a little bit and may give Cashman a better idea of what to look for on the market.
guys i have a question. have the yankees ever thought bout jose gillen from the royals. he could play leftfield for us if we trade for him. and the royals are pretty much out of it for this season. also the royals have some pretty good lefties in their bullpen but i think our bullpen is fine the way it is now though
I say add Girardi to the 40 man roster.
From this morning’s Post:
Damon, who has been sidelined with a left shoulder sprain, made soft tosses before yesterday’s game and indicated he’s probably a week away from playing the outfield.
I added a week since I’m sure he’s understating things, but the expectation cannot be that he is going to DH for the rest of the season- that really doesn’t help matters.
can we please quit the Bonds talk? it’s practically August.
this is so bad, i think Tina Fey and Seth Meyers should do one of those “Really??!” segments on the LoHud fanbase’s obsession with Barry Bonds.
to follow up on my last post, no, i have no clue what you do next year if Posada doesn’t come back 100% but pray to Jesus (Montero) that someone develops quicker than you thought, or make a youth-for-youth trade of some sort for some catcher of which I have no idea who is out there.
I think that Molina and Moeller are quite capable of handling the catching. I think that the Yanks need another bat (probably an outfielder) to replace Matsui.
I dunno what the Gardner obsession is but he has no power to speak of has been up for a long enough sample to show that hes just a slap hitter ala Scott Podsednik. Melky at least is hitting in the .240′s and has a cannon for an arm.
how about trading for Benji molina and having his bro as a backup…hahah
OR HOW ABOUT WE BRING BACK SAL FASANO, he and giambi could compare staches
And one MORE thing: the prediction that it won’t happen is not a subsitute for an argument about why it shouldn’t happen.
I said ANY combination of our Minor Leaguers!!!
We would be set for years with CF and C!!
Enough “Promises, Promises” with our pitching prospects.
We need to establish a young core again with the “old guys” (Jeter, Arod, Posada next year as DH/1b/PH) propping them up!
Give them all up NOW !
I don’t get the people who are talking about Kennedy like he’s actually been contributing to the team this season. So the Rangers are just going to give away Gerald Laird and Milton Bradley for a guy that throws 90 mph and projects as a 4 or 5? Yankees fans need to temper their expectations as to what Cashman can actually do this summer until something actually happens. Throwing out fantasy trades does nothing except raise false hopes.
texas is not trading Bradley…..
Thames for pen help; kyle or hawkins and a minor league guy with talent..they can absorb the loss of kyle with bruney, ohlendorf, cox, and or melancon, and strickland.
no trade will be made to the last minute because the pirates and other loser teams are asking for outrageus prices for decent but not great players…
fatcessa does not comprehend that Arroyo has a addtl yr. on his contract for next yr. for I think $9 mill…
Fran. Molina is a lifetime backup, and Moeller never plays and has also been a backup of a backup. We Cannot ride Molina and Moeller as the catchers for the rest of the season. They will tire out..Not to mention we just lost one of our best bats
It seems ignorant not to give him a shot. Luckily, Brett Gardner will still be around next season if we want to indulge in his infield pop-fly power again. Barry Bonds was the best player in baseball.
And for whoever is suggesting Jose Guillen and Milton Bradley…well it’s not like those guys don’t have their share of off the field issues as well.
Jose Guillen has an OBP under .300 that frightens me. Bradley is a great OBP guy always has been.
Texas has many options at catcher with four viable everyday catchers. Maybe Marquez and Horne or like two decent pitching prospects could get us Cruz and one catcher. I think I am overrating Marquez and Horne but a package like two pitchers could net us a possible decent OF and a catcher.
“can we please quit the Bonds talk? it’s practically August”
What does the month have to do with this? Is it that he has been gone from the game for too long to hit ML pitching? He missed pretty much the entire 05 season and came back with a .999 OPS. That is crazy good, and even though I cannot stand the guy, I dislike him less than I dislike making the playoffs.
Psyluk, we are including minor leaguers in there as well. Texas is building for the future. Im sure they will take a package of Ian and say austin jackson for Bradley. It is just like Eric Gagne last year. They buy these guys low, sell them at their highest point for good prospects and watch as the player stumbles and they get a good package of young players
Texas will trade Bradley, but only at the right cost, which I’m not sure Cashman is ready to pay. It makes no sense to keep Bradley, who is in a contract year, if Texas is out of the race (which they probably will be soon). Since Bradley is probably going to sign somewhere else this offseason, the Rangers may as well pick up a few prospects for him, especially since he’s having a great season at the plate.
How does anyone justify Gardner’s .163 over Melky? How? I’m not saying Melky’s having a great season. But Gardner has not shown he can do the job. Maybe if he starts getting on base a bit more I’d be sold, but he’s not doing it. He’s not hitting — and he’s not walking, either. And HE’S NOT EVEN TRYING TO BUNT HIS WAY ON. (Shakes head)
Right now, you keep on doing what you’ve been doing. Johnny Damon replaces Posada in the lineup. That’s really the only difference, save a couple of games that Posada caught.
And it is conceivable that Posada WAS improving a bit, but that a few in-game throws set him back.
Stuart- Why would Texas not trade Bradley for pitching? The Texas offense is in no position to collapse if they lose one player.
Batman Begins is on FX! Great for pregame entertainment
If Posada is really done, it just got harder to make anything that resembles a fair trade. Unless other GM’s will take pity on poor Cashman and help him out.
“fatcessa does not comprehend that Arroyo has a addtl yr. on his contract for next yr. for I think $9 mill…”
stuart, I believe it’s for $12 million. I know, because fatcessa mentioned it. In that case it might be wrong because he knows nothing.
Doreen- Thank you for being a voice of reason. Melky even at .240 is still a better all around player than Gardner.
The Bonds talk is ridiculous.
I miss the informative posts of SJ44.
melky abreu cano are the only ones on this team who haven’t been hurt this season
Jeter- out a week with a hand problem
Arod- out 4 weeks
Matsui- Out
Posada- out
Damon- out almost 3 weeks
Giambi- Has missed some time here and there
Betemit- DL stint
and add wang and bruney to that list along with hughes and kennedy
WHAT IS IN THE WATER IN NEW YORK, jeez
one of my friends is an athletic trainer for the giants, i can tell you the reasons why the giants wont resign barry, as told to me.
Barry doesnt get along with the staff, the trainers, the front office or the security guards. He requires his own space in the locker room and he generally makes lots of crazy outlandish requests to the clubhouse attendants. The giants are trying to get younger and feel barry is a cancer to the clubhouse, as we’ve all read.
Now knowing this, i wouldnt give a crap if barry wanted a-rod’s locker, if he came in here and hit 25 HR’s, had 50 rbi’s and got on base 60% of the time. We dont have to worry about the youngsters, as there are plenty of leaders on the team. I’m sure barry wouldnt be a cancer here, he would want to prove people wrong for not signing him. Barry bonds playing angry might be a great recipe for the new york yankees
“What does the month have to do with this? Is it that he has been gone from the game for too long to hit ML pitching? He missed pretty much the entire 05 season and came back with a .999 OPS. That is crazy good, and even though I cannot stand the guy, I dislike him less than I dislike making the playoffs.”
He’s 152, has no knees, and his head inflated to the size of a blimp because of the various horse parts he may or may not have put into his system. That sounds like a guy who’s just going to be ready at the drop of a hat to play at peak level.
I think there are catchers worth looking into. Moeller is not better than these guys…
Miguel Olivo/John Buck, Kansas City
Paulk Bako/David Ross, Cincinnati
Gerald Laird, Texas
I really like Ross (and I know him) and he shouldn’t cost too high level a prospect…. emphasis on shouldn’t!
Meanwhile, Girardi is clinging to the idea that Posada could rehab and come back as a DH or first baseman this season. That doesn’t seem very likely.
Any chance he’s just trying to make Cahman’s job a little easier here?
I mean why let your potential trade partners know just how desperate you are?
Pete,
Despite whatever Girardi said about Posada’s condition anyone who watched him field bunts then make the throws to first or make the throw to second on a steal attempt knew exactly what the circumstances were.
What is your point? Girardi in another Richard Nixon attempt to mislead the press?
Not saying he’s going to make a run at the batting title, but Melky has been starting to hit lately and is capable of hitting .280 or so with occasional power.
Gardner may or may not be better than he has shown, but he’s not better than Melky in the field or with his bat. His legs, yes, of course.. but that only helps if he learns to get on base in the big leagues more often.
Doreen, I am with you 100%. People hate on Melky on I do not agree with it one bit. Here is a sad fact for the Melky haters/Gardner homers: Gardner is OLDER than Melky. Melky can still develop into a very good player.
I assume Texas will try to sign Bradley long term.. Texas is not going to give up on the season…
The Yanks should shoot lower and get Nady or Thames, it will cost less in futrue players…….
again all they need is a starter and 1 OF… Why not trade from there strength which is the pen especially young arms!!!!!!!!
they have tons of young relief arms, why not trade some?????
Justin ask yourself this question. Why would Cashman deal his prospects when he didn’t deal with for Johan Santana and CC Sabathia? If he wanted to do it, he would have done it before in the offseason. Unfortunately for him and for Yankees fans, Hughes, Kennedy, Cabrera and Gardner have BOMBED this season, which sort of ties Cashman’s hands together. He’ll look for cheap pitching help along the lines of Aaron Small and Shawn Chacon like he always does because the plan is probably to rehab Kennedy and Hughes for at least one more shot in the rotation, perhaps this year. Either way, I don’t see him making deals for All-star DHs anytime soon.
j- Nobody hates the Yankees more than ESPN.
Here’s what I don’t get from Peter’s coverage. Were Girardi and the Yankees going to tip their hand regarding Posada publicly so every team knew about Posada’s arm. We all knew it wasn’t right, but that doesn’t mean Posada’s arm at 60% isn’t bad. Credit wasn’t given to Girardi when he was taking flack from his own catcher for not having him catch, and now flack is given to Girardi for trying to hide the severity of the injury. Damned if you , damned if you don’t.
You’re not missing a thing in the absence of SJ44!
“Someone Else” is SJ44 undercover !!!
Hmmm, Girardi was catching Mo in the pen the other night at the AS game.
Maybe he was getting ready to become a player/manager?
LOL
Let’s trade for Varitek.
We just got the news, so there’s lots of ideas flying around.
But, the best and probably only solution is Molina with Moeller to spell him.
Molina is one of the best defensive backstops, so that just means the other guys have to pick it up. If Damon is as ready as he claims then we’ll at least have his bat.
If we make a trade, it’ll be for an OF before a catcher. Think like a GM. Address the problems in descending order of importance. We have 2 catchers to fill one spot. We have 2 (or 1.5, depending on if you think that Melky’s a 4th OF) ML outfielders.
Teams don’t willingly give up their catchers just because the Yankees have a need. Read Pete’s post about the trading deadline.
Doreen: Melky is what he is. Personally, i like him. However, neither player can hit.
I believe Gardner will play CF on par, with Melky. And Gardner brings speed to the lineup. And if he hits a single, it becomes a double.
neither player, can hit.
vinny-b,
I’d prefer Melky’s defense and limited bat over Gardner. Melky’s arm is better than Gardner’s. Melky has played a terrific outfield. He’s make a great 4th outfielder.
Gardner hasn’t shown anything other than great speed and hasn’t showed that he’s a major league player yet.
Justin the angels have had more injuries then the Yanks…..
Kennedy getting hurt is no big deal, the other guys are a problem….
“Meanwhile, Girardi is clinging to the idea that Posada could rehab and come back as a DH or first baseman this season.”
Someone tell Girardi that we already have too many DH/1B types.
Also, with Bonds, you cannot discount the fact that it would be a different league to adjust to, different pitchers. Not saying he couldn’t do it. Just saying it’s a thought.
Michelle – your idea that an angry Bonds with something to prove could be a good offensive weapon is about the only reason I’ve read so far that makes me almost wonder if it could work.
“I miss the informative posts of SJ44.”
LOL.
If Matsui & the doctors are OK with it, I’d think that doing his knee sooner rather than later puts him comfortably ahead of schedule as far as spring training is concerned. Assuming it’s a routine procedure, that is.
Posada being 3-for-37 on gunning runners down was no surprise if his arm was smoked. Also explains any possible frustration with his being used as a DH or 1B or with Molina catching so much. Good idea to git-r-done right away so he can be ready for next year too.
Good thing they carried 3 catchers. Wasn’t Moeller out of options or something like that?
Rather than a catcher, could Tiexiera be the middle of the order switch hitter they make a deadline deal for? I know that makes for a Sexson/Giambi platoon at DH but with Posada & Matsui both out there’s room for the L/R DH combo. Sexson could be used as the backup 1B once in a while too. That leaves Wilson for the IF backup.
I’m guessing Damon could be back and able to play the OF soon enough so Gardner could be the 4th OF / pinch runner guy.
Now that it’s the 2nd half, everyone’s hoping Cano becomes Mr Second half again.
Melky? That he’s gotta stop struggling is an understatement.
Except for Rasner (who’s pitching as well as anyone could have asked of him by the way) the rest of the rotation are cruising now (Joba, Pettitte, Moose & Ponson) and the bullpen has put together quite a few good games. So at least that part of the team’s stabilized somewhat.
So who do you package together to get Tex? Hopefully nothing like what Minnesota was asking for Santana over the winter. It could be just that one move and that’s all we need for the stretch run.
“I don’t really understand your point, so because the Giants aren’t signing Bonds that means we shouldn’t sign Bonds? That’s a ridiculous argument. Bonds is better than any other option we could get at the same price, which in terms of talent is nothing.”
The point is that there are reasons the Giants aren’t bringing him back (and that 29 other teams with various needs/resources aren’t touching him) and there are reasons they cut him in the first place, despite the fact that his production and star power could benefit the team heavily.
If you bring in Bonds, it becomes a media circus, the way A-Rod had a media circus surrounding him when he was struggling two years ago. -Everything- going on with the team becomes about Bonds. His AB’s are carefully scrutinized, the developments with his legal problems become a nonstop story that the other players are continually asked about, and the larger issue of how the Yankees are playing and what their postseason chances are is dwarfed by ‘what’s the latest on Bonds.’ Nobody on the Yankees or on any other team wants to deal with that, regardless of what he can offer offensively.
Psyluk, well right now we don’t exactly need pitching. All i was saying is that we either are going to need another OFer if damon is still hurt off and on, or a catcher. We will see, the whole thing is a mess because of the lack of production from these players
Kenji Johjima
People are speaking as though Molina hasn’t been the regular catcher for the majority of the season. The workload has probably effected his hitting, but it certainly hasn’t effected his ability to throw out baserunners or call a game for his pitchers (both excellent). The one thing that I think Girardi should do is play Moeller more often to spell Molina. I’d be perfectly fine with Molina behind the plate.
Girardi looked pretty good catching at the ASG. Hmm I wonder?
Gotta love the recommendations to trade for young, cost-effective catchers from teams with limited financial resources.
Why would KC trade John Buck?????!!!!
Yanks got unlucky here, but are also paying the price for signing so many injury-prone vets.
How many DHs will we have next year?
This surgery seals Giambi’s fate. No way he resigns next year with NYY.
Can Ronny Storxson catch? He’s a pretty big guy, what would get past him?
Once again why the Gardner/Melky debate? They’re both Yankees and both needed.
In case you’ve been too busy looking up ages and stats and whatever else, we don’t have a LF at the moment. Gardner is a stopgap. That means we need him right now. When a better solution presents itself, then you can argue about it.
being an athletic trainer myself, i know for sure when you have a labrum injury, it leaves you with a dead arm. Whether or not there is a Rotator cuff tear also has no bearing on rehab time. He needs surgery! a labrum will not heal on its own.
“Kenji Johjima”
Yeah sure. Just because Seattle is in the cellar doesn’t mean they want to give away a Japanese marketing icon. Ichiro and johjima are sponsored heavily by Japanese companies.
Is Johnny Estrada available?
I’m no expert or doctor, but I had exactly what Posada has now: a torn labrum and a torn rotator cuff. If he wants to be ready for spring training, he absolutely must get the surgery now. Even 8 months might not be enough to get back to full strength, depending on the severity of the cuff tear. I also know his pain…I played a full season with the injury (including some catcher) trying to just rehab it. It won’t work and waiting will just push him back for next year.
Well, Jorge…this makes things interesting!
guys i have a question. have the yankees ever thought bout jose gillen from the royals. he could play leftfield for us if we trade for him. and the royals are pretty much out of it for this season. also the royals have some pretty good lefties in their bullpen but i think our bullpen is fine the way it is now though
About Jose Guillen, he just signed like a 5 year 55 mil contract so he doesn’t exactly fit in long term plans. He would clog up space.
“If you bring in Bonds, it becomes a media circus, the way A-Rod had a media circus surrounding him when he was struggling two years ago. -Everything- going on with the team becomes about Bonds”
This is the New York Yankees we are talking about. They already are a media circus. If the Yankees even mention that they might make a move it’s a front page story. Bonds isn’t going to create something that already exists.
Wow, Pete, that is one of the most myopic posts I have ever read. You have to be a horrible journalist to not figure out that Girardi isn’t going to come out and say, “hey one of our top bats in the lineup is worthless right now and by the way, if you feel like stealing, do it when he is behind the plate.” Your agenda against Girardi is not only laughable but pathetic. Posada has been complaining about getting playing time behind the plate and yet somehow its Girardi that was misleading. Its called gamemanship, your boy Bellichek does it all the time. I am sorry that you have failed the art of inference and subtlety. The fact you could not put two and two together that it might be because he is injured and the FO doesn’t want to tell the world and show their hand is amazing.
Looking real good we kept Moeller now, doesn’t it?
Justin, I’m just saying that people are aiming WAY too high when it comes to the trade deadline. Granted, the Yankees have dealt for some high profile players in the past. Generally speaking, they settle for lesser transactions that may influence the team in smaller doses. People are throwing out names like Bay, Nady and Bradley as though they believe that the teams they belong to won’t want to soak the Yankees for everything they’re worth. The worst kind of trade occurs when people start to look addressing their gaps in a dramatic way. That’s how we get deals like Kazmir for Zambrano, Slocumb for Varitek and Lowe, etc etc. Personally, I’d like Cashman to see his plans through and try to compete with the players currently on the team.
“Is Johnny Estrada available?”
Doesn’t he have concussion issues or something?
I agree with Jon’s post from 5:10.
Pete’s grousing about Girardi not being up front with the media.
Should Girardi care more about the media in this case, or his player and team?
I don’t think managers should tell the media that their catcher’s throwing in pain.
Girardi has been doing the right thing.
Stop taking it personally, Pete.
Even if I agreed that Melky “is what he is” (which I think is more than what you think he is), I would prefer whatever it is that Melky is right now to whatever it is that Gardner is right now. And .280 ain’t chopped liver (if he continues to hit and bring his average up to what it’s been in the past, which, by the way, if he does, means he’ll be hitting pretty well from here on out), and even if it hovers around .250, it’s a lot better than .163.
Again, I’m not saying Cabrera is a superstar. I’m saying except for being able to stretch a single (if he hits the ball) into a double, and stealing a couple of bases (if he hits the ball), Melky brings more to the table right now than Gardner.
However, if Gardner could find a way to get on base, the Yankees will be fine with BOTH he and Melky in the outfield and Damon as a DH. IF Gardner could get on base more, then maybe the Yankees wouldn’t be in quite so desperate a situation. Otherwise, they’re going to have to be creative. Because I’m sure that Cashman is not going to want to spend his prospects in this manner.
Posada’s contract wasn’t a bad one. Before this year, he never really got badly injured, he was consistent behind the plate and one of the best catchers in the era. He handles the staff well and he is one of the top offensive catchers. We just got unlucky and screwed again.
A few people said the Yankees should sell and wait for 09 and I think that is really a terrible move. Yes we have been hampered by injuries but this team is 8 games over 500. I think Posada going out actually helps as they can identify what their needs are better. With him not really being able to catch effectively there are only so many choices. If Damon comes back healthy the main concern would be getting another decent pitcher and looking into another backup catcher. If the team starts hitting we are in good shape, my main concern is whether melky starts hitting or not.
doreen: points taken.
however, i am not willing to judge a rookie player, on their first 50 AB’s.
Melky has had 3 years. And his bat continues to regress.
Confucious, the reasons why Bonds doesn’t make sense for the Giants are unique to that team, they have nothing whatsoever to do with the reasons why Bonds wouldn’t or would make sense for the Yankees or some other team.
Bonds is a total question mark and even more so as a potential fielder, he would be a far riskier pickup for an NL team. There are really only a few teams for whom the reward might be worth the risk and the grief. The Yankees are one of them.
I don’t see why talking about Bonds is so upsetting to anyone. Are you afraid Cashman is reading LoHud to guage fan sentiment?
I don’t think the Yankees will do it, I suspect they wouldn’t have the guts to get Bonds even if they decided it was a good baseball move.
What happend to doug Mirabelli, he can hit. he can catch. Where is he now anyway? Maybe he retired
What happened with SJ44?
Had enough of the general whining by the whiners in general?
Had enough of the more offensive whiners who took his posts as offensive rather than just reading them and accepting them as someone’s insight or someone’s opinion?
Did Anti-Mussina put a hit on him?
Which reminds me, has Anti-Mussina begun posting as someone else now and hidden his previous identity out of humiliation? Moose has long since reached the threshold Anti-Mussina had laid out for his own disappearance (thank GOD because that guy was irritating) but did he get banned first?
Believe it or not, Cashman has pushed some right buttons. Right now, our bullpen is strong and the only FA we signed was Hawkins, and that was the mistake. Also, keeping Moeller was probably the best move and resigning Molina was the best moves ever and sticking to his plan when it came to stretching Joba.
mel,
The Yanks need a left fielder and Gardner obviously isn’t the answer at this time. At least he’s not the answer if the Yanks don’t want to toss it in for the season. He’s on the team right now, but let’s hope they have a better option after the trade deadline.
vinny-b,
What we don’t know is if Melky is just in a slump. He needs to be more disciplined and not chase the high pitches. But we do know that he’s at least shown that he belongs in the majors,just perhaps as a 4th outfielder.
vinny-b -
I would never say that Gardner is never going to be good; I agree that you don’t judge a player after 50 ABs. I’m just reacting to the reality that is now. Now, he is not as good as Melky. Melky isn’t even as good as Melky’s been, so I know it isn’t saying a heck of a whole lot.
But really, Mel’s point is on target. Right now we do need BOTH Gardner and Melky. And I’m hoping BOTH of them can “kick it up a notch.”
I think its a virtual lock that Cashman will trade for another bat at this point. He might have to get a bit creative though.
I haven’t read Pete’s post about Girardi. Should I not read it to avoid getting really unnecessarily pissed about it?
1 and 1/2 years, is a long slump.
as i stated, i like him. However, NYY needs to find out, what they have in Gardner. I believe once he adjusts, their will be no drop-off from Melky’s production. At the same time, he will bring a speed dimension to a line-up, which needs it badly.
Doreen you are right about Gardner. He isn’t ready right now. I’m glad he got a taste of the majors but I think its nearing the time that he gets sent down. I think he’ll get some more play time with Damon unable to field but my guess is by the trade deadline he’ll be in the minors or on the bench.
Seriously, Bonds would help a lot
It would be GM malparactice to not even consider Bonds.
Get Cashman in a room alone with Jack Bauer and before he comes out, he’ll admit that they’ve discussed Bonds.
“I haven’t read Pete’s post about Girardi. Should I not read it to avoid getting really unnecessarily pissed about it?”
LoL. No need to read it. It is a rehash of the same. It must be nice, to be a journalist and a perfect human being.
Whatever happened to that kid we signed when Posada first went on the DL? I forgot his name, on the tip of my tongue and can’t think of it. Know he only played like 3-4 AAA games, haven’t heard about him since.
“This is the New York Yankees we are talking about. They already are a media circus. If the Yankees even mention that they might make a move it’s a front page story. Bonds isn’t going to create something that already exists.”
Really? Aside from some All-star game stuff and the nonsense with A-Rod and Madonna (which didn’t get -that- much play from the media), what story has surrounded this team the last few months except their on-field performance? Players expect their performance to be a story, but at least they know that playing well allows them to ward off the media and the story is never another player. It is impossible to diffuse the story of Bonds on the Yankees, and the story involves steroids and legal issues, two things players don’t want to talk about.
“I don’t see why talking about Bonds is so upsetting to anyone.”
Who, exactly, is upset? All I’m doing is explaining why Bonds would be more a detriment to this team than an asset.
Considering Bonds would be a desperate sign.
Nick, I didn’t take you as one in the sign Bonds camp…
Nick and friends:
I understand gamesmanship. I get that. But there is gamesmanship and there is flat-out lying.
Less than 24 hours ago (listen to to the audio yourself), Girardi acted totally surprised at a question about Posada needing surgery or being shut down. Now we learn that this has been in the works for several days.
Any\ manager is a spokesman for the team. As such, he should not lie to the media. He say “I’m not sure” or “I don’t know” or “we’ll see.” But he can’t say that 2+2=5.
What you guys are saying is that I should never bother to quote Girardi?
Cashman, at least to me, has never once flat-out lied. But he has said, “I can’t tell you.” 1,000 times.
If at some point the manager is not a credible figure, the writers will just stop bothering with him. Then the columnists will notice and write that the manager is over his head. Then the players will notice and wait for whoever the next manager is. It takes about a year for that to happen. Once it does, there is no going back.
See Art Howe, Isiah Thomas, Willie Randolph, etc, etc.
I personally like Girardi. He’s a smart guy and he’s a good guy. I think he could be real good manager. But he has to learn that this is not Florida, it’s New York and people pay attention to what the manager of the New York Yankees says.
We need another RH bat.
A number of people appear to be upset, Confusious, have you not read the posts?
“Is Johnny Estrada available?â€
“Doesn’t he have concussion issues or something?”
I don’t know about that but he did just come off the DL and has seen limited action this year. I know the Nats have that Flores kid starting and they also have LoDuca and Wil Nieves. Estrada might be available on the cheap and would be worth a shot to platoon him w/ Molina. He is more of an offensive threat than Molina and he is a switch hitter. He would be no worse defensively than Posada has been.
So where is the discussion on Adam Dunn now? I don’t think we’re going to find much help at catcher that is worth trading for, so now I think we need to start thinking about looking for a DH that can be had for probably not too much and can have a big impact in this lineup. And being that Bonds is pretty much out of the question it seems, what about Dunn? Free agent at the end of the season, the Reds are 11 out, let’s pick him up!
i just don’t see how rehab is going to do Posada any good whatsoever right now. his shoulder is messed up and has been all season. if one month didn’t fix the problem then neither will another.
as much as i hate to lose him, get the surgery done and look towards 09 (like the rest of the organization)
Pete–
I hear what you are saying but Posada and how he feels about his manager right now doesnt equate for me. As far as I can recall whenever Posada was asked about his shoulder since he came back on the DL he has said he is fine and acted like a petulant child when he was not catching saying that he is a catcher and not a first baseman or DH therefore he deserved to be catching never once saying that his shoulder was barking and that he had no power when he was swinging.
I think it goes both ways where Posada is concerned. Would he have preferred that Girardi flat out an came out and said Posada couldnt catch right now his shoulder is no where near ready. Then the media would go to Posada with that quote and Posada would totally NOT back up Girardi.
Meacham needs to go. He is going to cost the yankees a win sooner than later. These plays haven’t even been close. Arod was out by 6+ feet on both occasions this weekend. Then he holds up runners when they can clearly score. The other day, Betemit hit a double with cano at first. Cano was rounding third and the ball was just then being played off the wall. You mean to tell me cano couldn’t score from third with the ball at the right centerfield wall? People tag up from third on medium fly balls to right field all the time.
“A number of people appear to be upset, Confusious, have you not read the posts?”
I’ve read the posts, but I haven’t spoken to any of the people making them so I wouldn’t have the -slightest- clue how calm or upset any of them are. And I’m not in the business of ascribing motives/feelings to Internet posters.
bdog375:
You’re absolutely correct. Apple makes beautiful products that don’t work with Windows pc’s.
FYI, the “Nick” that Pete refers to in his recent post isn’t me.
Rebecca, I think Bonds is worthy of consideration and worthy of discussion. There are valid reasons to not get him. If someone stuck a gun to my head and told me to decide, I’m not sure what I would do. But I’m a lot more open to the idea than I was before Matsui and now Jorge went down.
Also, as I’ve said before, my perspective on him isn’t the same as most here. There’s something in the water in SF. Probably HGH!
Pete,
Really, lying? Have you told Girardi that you think he is lying? I mean that is a pretty bold statement to question a man’s integrity.
Regardless, most, if not all, other columnists have not made the kind of remarks or connections you have. So that leads me to believe that you are an island. Just because Cashman says “I can’t tell you” doesn’t mean that is how a manager should handle it. Girardi gives answers and if he said “I can’t tell you” the media would have a field day. He also needs to answer to his players. Again, I reiterate that if Girardi came out and said anything but Posada is fine, it would have run on every paper that something is wrong and Cashman would be in a worse leveraged position to make a deal happen for a bat to replace him. Don’t you think that is why they won’t give you a definitive answer on Matsui either.
PS, I don’t see your morals getting in the way of calling out Jeter or Posada for flat out lying about their injuries.
Ugh, Confusious, “not in the business of blah blah blah”, whatever. Are you in the business of playing silly semantics games about how someone characterizes “The Bonds talk is ridiculous”? Please.
You made some valid points and some not-as-valid points, that’s better than most.
Pete,
You make an excellent point and can, no doubt, cite many instances of Girardi not telling the truth.
In this case, he may have been protecting Posada.
Nick: SF is a weird city, I’ll give you that
Pete,
Wasn’t it already a known fact that Posada had a torn labrum and would need surgery at the end of the year? Would you prefer if Girardi came out and said “I can’t tell you”? Either way you wouldn’t get any information.
Don’t try to act as if you like Girardi. It’s clear you do not like him and you have a problem with how he manages. You have made that point abundantly clear. You’ve been making it clear since the season started. Don’t make me list all of the negative things you’ve said about Girardi since the season started. Leave him alone already. Your constant second guessing and mocking comments about Girardi aren’t helping the fans. You’re doing it to satisfy your own personal gripes with Girardi. We get it already.
raymagnetic: very well, said.
thank you.
So for all those “DFA Moeller” types out there – maybe the Yankees had a reason for keeping him on the roster?
This Posada news pisses me the hell off. I am all for loyalty, but giving this guy a contract in the off-season is gonna hurt them for years to come.
It’s obvious that he cannot catch anymore. So now we have a guy who can basically only DH (when healthy), making an huge amount of $, forcing us to use a good fielding, terrible hitting catcher. Ugggggghhhh, I knew this was a terrible resigning. I love Jorge, but when its time, its time.
You guys can have fun with Milton Bradley. There is a reason he has been on 8 different teams in 10 years. Trading Bradley is like smoking at the gas station. It might not do anything but if it sets off an explosion, it can do a ton of damage. Bradley might not hurt the team in any way, but if he does, its usually a bad situation. We dont need a tempermental idiot on this team.
“Are you in the business of playing silly semantics games about how someone characterizes “The Bonds talk is ridiculousâ€?”
So someone says the talk is ridiculous. Big deal. Doesn’t mean anyone is upset, just that they think any talk about getting Bonds is ridiculous. Personally, I don’t think -any- talk is ridiculous, because this is a blog and discussion is what it’s about. So I don’t agree … but implying a poster is ‘upset’ when I have no clue how he feels would be demeaning and make it sound like he shouldn’t have a say. -That’s- the kind of thing that really annoys a person on a blog.
Pete – there’s a difference between Girardi being optimistic about Posada improving and flat out lying. He was holding out hope that Posada could return… whats wrong with that?
Johjima is available. Remember Ichiro is already on that team. You think they tune in to watch Kenji. Clement is their catcher of the future.
“We dont need a tempermental idiot on this team.”
But we had so much fun with Kevin Brown.
I absolutely knew this day was coming. Posada’s shoulder is a lot worse than we were told about…you could see it in his face even when he batted. He needs to get this surgery now and be more than ready to come back fresh next spring.
Girardi needs to get it through his head that Posada is no longer an asset to this club this season…well, except in a supporting role in the clubhouse of course. No need to rush him, pressure him, or make him feel any worse than he already does.
In the meantime, we’ll have to make due with what we have, Molina and Moeller. Plenty of teams have catchers who lack significant offensive skills but are extremely reliable behind the plate. No need to make a panic move and try to get another catcher ASAP. That is when other teams hold your prospects hostage.
We definately need to replace his bat however,which was a problem with this team already. In my eyes, we are in the same boat we were before this news. We all knew Posada was a liability catching and that his at bats were not of his norm.
One last thing though, Girardi better learn to watch what he says to the media. His constant grandstanding and misleading is making him look like a fool. I honestly like him but he will be booed right out of New York if he doesn’t change the way he handles the media’s questions.
“Try and think a little. Cashman did not package his best prospects for Johan Santana or CC Sabathia. What makes you think he’ll suddenly shift his thinking now?”
Wiser words have rarely been penned. Indeed, I am wizened by your insights.
“The loss of Posada could force Brian Cashman’s hand in terms of a trade.”
But… but… the ink is not even dry. I’ve got the stuff smeared all over me from reading it, it’s so fresh. And now you are taking it back? What folly is this? What madness? Aieee!
Pete- If you think that is the case, go to his face and say it. No need to go behind his back and tell people on a blog. If you think that is right your values system is messed up.
Confucius- One Kevin Brown in my life is enough. We already have Sydney Ponson. No need for another clown.
Is something wrong with Pete?
He forgot to crap all over Girardi in his 5:46 update!
Hopefully he will make up for that in the next one.
Oh my god Confusious, I was referring to *many* posts over several weeks, that was just the most recent example. “I would rather finish in last place than sign Bonds” is another example. Etc.
If you thought I was referring to you in particular as being upset, you are wrong. If I hurt your feelings, I apologize. But really, it’s nothing to be upset — er, sorry, touchy word — nothing to be annoyed by on a blog.
If you go back to what I wrote, I encouraged, not discouraged, the Bonds notion as a discussion topic. For people to suggest that it shouldn’t be discussed, well, that’s the kind of thing that *can* really annoy a person on a blog.
The iphone sucks if you email a lot, use multiple accounts and travel a lot internationally. I bought one last July when it first came out and had to return it. I have been a mac user my whole life and love my ipod so have been eager to jump back in to the iphone craze since the new one came out but have been advised by my tech guys to hold off.
Posada being out for the season is not a shock. He has been really unproductive since returning. I’ve been trying to convince myself that he may just need glasses to see pitches better but deep down I knew it’s a bigger problem. I’ve been a big fan of Molina’s since he joined the team last year and am so happy he’s been getting more recognition. But I am worried he may not hold up given his age and overall conditional. Treat Jose well and hopefully he’ll put in a good word to Yadier to come over in a few years once Jorge and Jose’s catching days are done, I like him too
Pete: Thanks fo the injury updates. I am very impressed with Bruney’s progress.
Nick; I have as have several others. It stopped for a while and now it has started back up. As for other columnists, many have written about his style and the problems he has had. The Post, the News, Newsday, etc.
Raymagnetic: I have nothing personal whatsoever with Girardi. In fact, I talk to him more personally than I ever did with Torre. My only concern is getting accurate information to readers. I try to help fans by letting them know what is going on, not by being a cheerleader for the team like you would have me be. I don’t work for the Yankees, sorry.
A temperamental idiot? The Yankees’ clubhouse, Jeter, in particular, has a way of curbing volatile personalities. See Strawberry, Sheffield, Wells.
Bradley would be ideal. I vote for him. He’s on a one-year contract. And with the year he has had, he will probably earn A-level free-agent compensation. (Although the rules on how this works still elude me.)
The question is can the Yankees obtain him for B-level pitching prospects like Karstens, Marquez and Wright or an A-level prospect with a history of injuries like Horne.
Keep Hughes, IPK, Montero, Melancon, A-Jax, and Aceves out of the equation and the Yankees should entertain the trade if Texas, that is, is willing.
Kevin Brown hit walls; Bonds and Bradley hit baseballs.
Kennedy should be made available.
Pete, I wonder if Girardi, however, isn’t under orders from the GM’s office to equivocate about player’s injuries.
Rumors had it that Torre’s candor on this subject incurred the front-office’s wrath and sometimes even earned him an explicit reproach.
Perhaps, Cashman deserves some of the criticism as well.
OK so right now we have no Damon, no Matsui, Gardner and Melky in the outfield, our catcher is going to the DL, Wang is out, Ponson and Rasner continue to pitch. I’d say everything is just dandy.
“If you thought I was referring to you in particular as being upset, you are wrong. If I hurt your feelings, I apologize. But really, it’s nothing to be upset — er, sorry, touchy word — nothing to be annoyed by on a blog.”
Again. Not offended. Nor upset. I just -try- my best to encourage people to be a little less demeaning in these discussion forums. You’re being snarky about the ‘semantics’ and the choosing of words, but that’s not my point. It’s the assumption that a person feels a certain way when a posting. It happens a lot here. Most posts (the ‘I’d rather finish in last’ doesn’t qualify in my eyes) don’t convey any feeling, they just make points and express opinions. Too many people on this blog jump to throw around words like ‘relax’ and ‘upset’ and ‘panic’ and it leads to flamewars a lot. I don’t like seeing it, even if I’m not involved.
what about Josh bard?
Cabrera, Molina, Gardner, and Ponson
If it were the name of a law firm somewhere, that’d be fine.
But it is truly awful to see those four names listed in a row on the Yanks’ scorecard.
I agree with Peter on the issue of Girardi lying. He has been caught at it a couple of times now, and while some of you think its protecting someone, or helping the team, quite frankly its bull.
He can state flat out that he isn’t going to talk about a subject, he can claim to not know, but to lie about something that will be found out makes every one trust his word less.
If your boss lied to you how well are you going to work for him? Credibility is something that you earn. It goes hand in hand with respect. Lose either and you are done.
Am I wrong for hating Posada’s guts? Milking the Yanks for all that money and not doing shat the next year.
I have to laugh when ANY MEDIA type person accuses somebody of either lying or stretching the truth. What manager, coach or for that matter, any corporation head is going to publicly come out and say there is a production issue while trying to fix the problem? Let’s face facts, three of the most dishonest occupations are politicians, media and lawyers. I’d have more faith in crooks. at least they’re honest about being crooks.
Did Pete just delete my post? Maybe I forgot to hit submit..
I said something like,
“Hmm so according to Pete’s post the beat writers can get a manager fired because he isn’t being 100% truthful with them.”
Pete if you have a problem with this, why don’t we discuss it? It seems pretty clear what you are implying here.
IAN KENNEDY AND…..CHAD MOELLER FOR JOE MAUER!!!!
lol
Seriously Pete, what about Pavano? Any chance we get anything from him? I know I will be attacked for even asking the question.
I don’t wanna admit this at all—but I am kinda interested to know where Pavano is with his eon long rehab.
I really hope Cashman doesn’t do anything rash here. To be honest, I don’t think a couple trades can fix this team and make it championship caliber. I’d much rather sell at the deadline, unload a couple of the guys who will be FAs next year (unless Cash wants to resign them), and prepare for 2009. Farnsworth’s stock should be pretty high right now, so we could probably get something worthwhile for him (though I’m not sure if he’d waive his NTC). It sucks missing the playoffs, but I’d much rather set us up for a run in 2009 than trade away our future, when a championship seems unlikely, given all the injuries and underperforming players.
Russell W – yeah, you are wrong to hate Jorge. Do you think Posada planned to get injured? It’s unfortunate, but it happens. Jorge’s been one of the best catchers the Yankees have ever had. You want to hate him because he’s injured?
YankeesLuv
Legitimate question. I have wondered about him myself; probably as trade material, it would be hard for him to be accepted in the clubhouse
“Am I wrong for hating Posada’s guts? Milking the Yanks for all that money and not doing shat the next year?”
Yes.
You are wrong to hate Posada’s guts for the huge contract.
You can be annoyed at his ego driven behaviour after the injury
John Kruk says we need help. So there you go. Metatron has spoken.
Patrick: That is not what I wrote. I wrote that once the beat writers stop bothering to talk to the manager, it leads to that. The Mets writers literally stopped bothering to interview Willie for a while. It’s like that in any sport. Any team in any sports needs its manager to be credible to the press because that is the conduit to the public.
Yes, you are wrong for hating Jorge. I was irked by Jorge’s “pettiness” at the time about being a catcher and not a first baseman. But I understand now, maybe more denial than anger directed at Girardi?
I mean how can Jorge say that knowing he had pain throwing and was a defensive liability? Has to be denial right?
Gosh, Confusious, I’m sorry I inadvertently pushed some button with you. For the record, I encouraged, not discouraged, discussion about the issue. I didn’t mean to engage in a practice that too many people apparently engage in. I didn’t mean to lower the level of discourse on this blog. But if you’re going to go after people who do that, I’m not exactly sure why you started with me.
Hopefully we can agree to disagree.
Given what I’ve seen from the Yankees and Cashman, I don’t see this happening but this would be my ideal scenario.
My first thought would be to try and trade for Mark Texeira. he should be available, and is a switch hitter and his bat will mostly make up for the loss of Posada. Of course the deal has to be right. I’d certainly consider including Cox, Robertson and some other of our young starters. I don’t know the right deal, but with our depth of pitching, giving up some for a hitter who is in his prime isn’t a bad deal.
Assuming Damon can get back to the outfield in a couple weeks, the line-up would look like this:
1. Damon (LF)
2. Jeter (SS)
3. Abreu (RF)
4. Rodriguez (3B)
5. Giambi (DH)
6. Texeira (1B)
7. Cano (2B)
8. Cabrera (CF)
9. Molina/Moeller (C)
That’s a pretty good and balanced line up with the Catcher as the only real dead spot. Of course, things could be juggled a bit, but I’d go to war with that this year, and if Tex performs, he could be a staple here for years.
Posada has been very healthy. This year he got injured. It happens. He probably should have gotten surgery when it first came up, but he instead appologized for being injured and when through painful rehab in an effort to contribute this year to the team.
Hate his guts for being human. Yeah. That is valid.
I’ve only heard of two people saying they were sorry to the fans for being injured. Hideki and Posada. While players from other teams might have said something, I don’t know. It is quite unusual for that to happen though.
Posada hasn’t been hitting very well since he returned from the DL the first time. It was gamesmanship that brought him back to try and play. It failed. Better for him to go out now and have the surgery and come back next season to be a help rather than a hinderence on the team for the rest of this season, and possibly the larger part of next season.
Pete,
To be fair actions speak louder than words…while Girardi has said Posada is improving, he has not been playing him behind the plate a majority of the time.
UPDATE – To also be fair, try pulling the quotes where Posada insists on catching and saying he doesnt want to DH or play first base because he is a catcher and because he can catch
…just saying
Pete, you shouldn’t knock Pavano. He could come of the d/l and win a pivotal game for the Yankees…
cows could fly too….
Maybe we can trade him for some semi clean socks, or a 3×5 advertisement in the new stadium on the urinals.
anyways,
I hate to say this, but maybe Cashman should give Bonds a minor league deal, and see if he can still hit in AAA. Assuming he’s not striking out half the time and completely useless, bring him up, let him DH. Send Melky down. Put Gardner in center. (or keep Melky and send Gardner back down – either way, I think Gardner will come around, eventually and maybe Melky will get the message and turn things around.) and put Damon in left (assuming he can throw more than 20 feet)
Posada won’t be back this year. Neither will Matsui.
“You are wrong to hate Posada’s guts for the huge contract.
You can be annoyed at his ego driven behaviour after the injury”
You could take issue with the team giving an aging catcher that kind of a contract. But the Mets have shown little reluctance to give big contracts to aging players, and they would have outbid us for Posada if we’d been cheap with him. I don’t think we had much alternative. :\
Steve Phillips was just on ESPN radio and he said that The Yanks shouldnt do anything crazy like when the Mets traded in 2004 traded away Kazmir for Zambrano.
I swear I am not making this up.
Could these catchers from losing teams be a better possible option,than Chad Moeller, to share time with Molina? These are names with decent bats and arms.
Miguel Oliva-Royals
Kurt Suzuki-A’s
Ryan Doumit-Pirates-Unlikely to be available
Bengie Molina-Giants
If Posada has any significant damage, he’ll need surgery. Matsui’s continued knee swelling in all probability means surgery.
Texas is still in race for a wild card, so they are unlikely to trade Milton Bradley.
Texas gave the Braves Teixeira and Mahay for Saltalamacchia,so suspect they want a “bounty” in return.
We’re in a “pickle” as we won’t be dealing from strength, with the other teams knowing our weaknesses, which now include catching,LF defense, CF offense, declining OBA in RF and unknowns at 4th and 5th starting positions.
Nonetheless if Cashman can pull off some deals, and the Yankees come together, and Wang, Hughes, and Bruney come back and contribute, we still stand a chance for the playoffs.
POsada should just get the surgery we got enough DH’s.DAmon,Giambi(should be),Matsui and now Posada.
The difference is Joe Torre catered to the NY media (almost too much) and as a result they loved him. If Girardi chooses to not be as forthcoming, than so what? It’s his perrogative. Would one really expect Girardi to throw his player (in ths case Jorge) under the bus for a story?
A few things:
First, Posada and Matsui are done for the year. To think they could rehab is silly. Matsui might be able to come back but he will just go down again.
Second, all you Bonds haters are absolutely crazy. Hes been keeping in shape and would definitely need a rehab assignment but he could still prove to be a valuable asset. How come other teams haven’t signed him? Because none of them hall the balls to do so. They’d rather not put up with the media. The Yankees don’t have this issue. They’re used to the media attention and handle it well (see: ARod and Clemens). If you don’t like the guy, fine. I understand. But stop being dellusional and saying he couldn’t help the team. Here is your lineup with Bonds:
LF Damon
SS Jeter
DH Bonds
3B ARod
1B Giambi
RF Abreu
2B Cano
C Molina
CF Molina
Against lefties:
LF Damon
SS Jeter
DH Bonds
3B ARod
RF Abreu
1B Sexson
2B Cano
C Molina
CF Cabrera
Gardner sucks. Hes overmatched, strikes out a lot, and hasn’t hit for power. Let Christian be the back up outfielder. Sign Bonds, put up with the two weeks of media whining, and then progress.
Pete…getting updates. Peterino, talking to doctors. Pete, making copies….
Pete,
I understand your frustration at being misled.
But I hardly think that Girardi’s a pathological liar. He’s a player’s man and is part of 3 headed monster. Some things should be left inhouse.
I agree that no comment or can’t say right is the right way to go.
But the aren’t the writers supposed to convey his words not motive? (I’m not scolding you, just referring to the Mets thing)
Ask question, record answer, put quote in story. I know you guys see managers come and go, but I hope you guys figure it out.
We like you, we like Girardi. Don’t make us have to choose.
Come on Peter, I am anxiously waiting for Pavano news! It’s been a long time since his 45 has been in view.
mel, I choose ice cream!
Pete
At this stage of the game, why dont you lay off Girardi already?
Rather than criticise him for telling this “suppost” lie about the Jorge posada injury why dont you post that article in which POSADA DEMANDED to play catcher?
so wasnt Posada lying about his health too?
POSADA WANTS TO CATCH
JORGE UNHAPPY WITH CURRENT ROLE
http://www.nypost.com/seven/07.....119309.htm
Seriously, we know you hate the man, dont try and act as if you like him now all of a sudden.
“But if you’re going to go after people who do that, I’m not exactly sure why you started with me.”
‘Read my posts’ to paraphrase a saying you keep using (another one I don’t like for many of the same reasons). You’re hardly the first.
And again, you haven’t pushed any buttons. No one is offended here (as far as I know). My buttons have been pushed before on other forums with far more cutting and nasty posts. I’m just doing my part to ‘police the blog’ as Pete would say.
it’s a blow to the team that posada is done catching this year.
the time it took me to write that sentence is the time i’m going to spend being upset about it. it’s done. injuries like that happen. bad luck.
now moving on,i don’t see the problem with molina being the number catcher if they have a decent back up for two days a week. so what if molina hits .230. he yankees can pick up the offense somewhere else. molina’s defense and his ability to sneak in a few hits at the right time override the weak offense.
it’s time to suck it up and move on.
I’m not upset at Posada getting hurt–injuries happen and he’s certainly not faking this.
Nick,
I said Girardi, not Ghiradelli. Or Moose Bars.
At times like this I wonder if we should have let him walk – if he is fine for the next three years okay if not it was another bad contract despite what he has meant
The problem with the media and Peter’s one-sided hammering of Girardi (especially on this issue) is that the media believes they are are privy to more information than everyone else. And when they aren’t given that information, personal opinions start to get in the way of objective journalism. For the most part, I have agreed with Peter’s articles and opinions, but on this issue, the media seems to hammer Girardi for being more guarded than his predecessor.
YankeeJosh
Forget about Teixeira. Boras wants him to test FA. The only way we would get draft picks is if he declines arbitration, as he would unlikely sign with another team before 12/02/08. Would the draft picks be worth the AAA players that we would have to give up?
Cashman will look for cheaper alternatives for all the reasons Pete indicated.
Do you want another 7 year 140M+ contract?
Go read TonyB 4:16 post near the top of this page. He makes excellent realistic points.
Alright, Confusious, I plead Not Guilty and I refer further questions about this non-issue to my counsel, Lawyer Dan.
Molina still has a better BA than Veritek. If the RS can compete with Veritek in the lineup then I think the Yankees can survive with Molina in the lineup.
One plus that the Yankees have is that Molina can throw out a lot more runners than Veritek can. Another is that he doesn’t wear a silly big “C” on his chest.
was andrewyf just banned fom here?
hey why not call up ajax man he is heating up and we need a right at bat and an awesome outfielder why nott lets see what he go man…
“At times like this I wonder if we should have let him walk – if he is fine for the next three years okay if not it was another bad contract despite what he has meant”
So who do you pencil in as the starting catcher in the spring? Molina? Lo Duca? Part of the problem is that there were no better alternatives. If Joe Mauer were a free agent in the winter, Posada would likely be a Met.
Not only does Molina have a better BA than Varitek; he’s a heck of a better defender.
“The problem with the media and Peter’s one-sided hammering of Girardi (especially on this issue) is that the media believes they are are privy to more information than everyone else. And when they aren’t given that information, personal opinions start to get in the way of objective journalism. For the most part, I have agreed with Peter’s articles and opinions, but on this issue, the media seems to hammer Girardi for being more guarded than his predecessor.”
indeed, and Pete being the media in this case its going a bit overboard about this news.
Plain and simple, Posada is hurt, how is Pete connecting Posada’s injury to Girardi is beyond me.
If anything, he sounds like he is taking his frustration at not been able to have this News first and been the first to publish it.
Again, he wants to attack Girardi for being a liar…why not attack posada for being the first one to go public about his desire to play catcher?
what type of message are you sending to your manager if you demand to play? that you are healthy and ready to go.
Michael Kay is back for all of you that were worried.
the way i grew up being called a liar was fighting words.
calling girardi a liar on this blog is in my opinion totally unprofessional.
you know peter a. would not say it to girardi’s face so why can he say it here without repercussions.
unless he says it straight man to man to girardi, peter a. is just being totally two faced about the whole thing.
Pete,
If Joe treats you with respect and if you like Joe, then maybe you shouldn’t take it personally?
Maybe ask questions without that idiot Joel Sherman around?
I’m assuming you’re not married (would a wife let you pose with FSU hussies?), so I’ll let you in on a little secret. You can’t change people, so it’s best not to try. Results: peace and harmony.
LF Damon
SS Jeter
DH Bonds
3B ARod
1B Giambi
RF Abreu
2B Cano
C Molina
CF Molina
.
I really don’t think that Molina can get to a fly ball hit to center from behind the plate !
Bah, Al Leiter. We have a really bad record when Al Leiter is in the booth–I was keeping tack for a while and the record is kind of not good.
It’s kind of like the Orioles on Sundays, except not.
Its one thing to be guarded, its an entirely different matter to use the media as a tool for misdirection and falsehoods.
I don’t bother listening to any of Girardi’s post game interviews anymore. Either he is “tipping his hat” to the opposition, or saying everything is fine and dandy. When asked a pointed question about a player, you can’t believe anything he says. He could easily put off questions like that. He could also handle it as he did with the talk he had with the players. “Its between me and the team”.
Torre didn’t answer every question, but he didn’t look to misinform either. That is Girardi’s biggest problem.
Awesome. I’m excited to hear that Jose “The automatic out” Molina will be playing full time. At least he’ll stop that running game since as we all know has been a major problem this year!
“I really don’t think that Molina can get to a fly ball hit to center from behind the plate !”
Brett Gardner could.
Raise your hand if you prefer Flash over Lighter?
Rebecca, if I recall – your record wasn’t good either.
Maybe this is when the Leiter record gets turned around.
“Alright, Confusious, I plead Not Guilty”
Heh, clearly. But this was not a trial nor a fight nor an assault, nor anything but an explanation of myself. You made an issue about posters being ‘upset,’ I challenged the idea that anyone really was upset, and you’ve since come across as more upset than I or any of the posters to whom you were referring. Believe me, I never thought there was an issue. Though, again, the sarcasm does little to keep things mature and cordial.
Posada tried to gut it through,
At this point as much as he’d like to help the team he should go and get his shoulder taken care of. He needs to worry about next year.
*raises hand*
For $13: Yes, but I learned how to turn it around
“Bah, Al Leiter. We have a really bad record when Al Leiter is in the booth–I was keeping tack for a while and the record is kind of not good.
It’s kind of like the Orioles on Sundays, except not.”
I like my own little ‘any game on ESPN’ theory. I never really made an association between record and announcer (though you could say it’s good ol’ Joe Morgan, I guess…).
gotta win with the 25 guys suiting up tonight. same thing tomorrow night. no time to cry about who’s not here, just win tonight.
we need runs our co #5′s are going today and tomorrow.
Let’s Go Yankees!
Superstition is not healthy.
Anthropomorphism is ultimate vanity
Brett Gardner can cover every position simultaneously with his eyes closed and his right arm and left leg in casts. All while dealing with hay fever.
RHP Carl Pavano — Continuing to rehab from Tommy John elbow reconstruction surgery and could be ready for a big league promotion in August.
I’m angry that the Yankees last regular season, home game is going to be broadcast by ESPN. There’s nothing like having Yankee-hater Joe Morgan (who is always just plain horrible as an announcer) and that blubbery mess next to him to close out this cathedral.
For all the folks talking about the wisdom of keeping Moeller on the roster, please check his career offensive stats. Stats on yankees.com, click on his name in the list of this season stats.
I understood keeping him on the roster while Jorge was catching sporadically – Jorge could then also DH and Moeller was there if Molina had to leave a game. But this is not a guy you want to rely on backing up a career backup. He is actually a worse hitter than Molina! He is okay behind the plate, however. But a lineup with Molina, Gardner and a scuffling Melky is a bit of a problem. Somehwere a bat needs adding – more likely in the OF. And Cash will keep looking for better C options.
Baseball is the most superstitious sport there is!
Most of the Yankee beat writers were in journalism schools or possibly not even old enough to remember when Billy Martin was the Yankee manager.
Few writers in the 70′s and early 80′s were ever interested in drawing the wrath of Billy.
By comparison Joe Girardi is like a day at the beach.
Chuck Norris carries a picture of Brett Gardner in his wallet.
This is a petition to Cashman to sign Barry Bonds NOW!
http://tinyurl.com/6ear89
NongEyeJon
It stinks doesn’t it!! How about espn lets Michael Kay in the booth. At least have a Yankee slant there.
Sorry if this was already covered but too many comments to read through.
If today is the first time that Posada told reporters he was in pain, was he hiding it from the team too?
Pete you’re certainly entitled to your opinion and I can see your point about trusting what the manager of the Yakees says. My view on it is that if Girardi wants to be deceitful on the true condition of Posada’s arm just before the trade deadline, let him be do it for a little while. It certainly doesn’t raise the price of getting a switch hitting middle of the order guy (not necessarily someone who’s a catcher) to replace Posada’s bat. Once it’s confirmed that he’s got to go under the knife right away rather than his throwing arm is injured (as was already known) but he’s still able to DH the rest of the year (as was previously assumed) the price of such a bat goes up.
Rebecca,
But about the broadcaster?
I understand player’s superstitions, but the broadcaster? On that basis there is no way the Yankees can ever win again.
You tell people to buy Apple on the same day Apple releases sub-expected guidances for the next quarter? Do you want people to lose money?
“RHP Carl Pavano — Continuing to rehab from Tommy John elbow reconstruction surgery and could be ready for a big league promotion in August.”
I don’t like to admit it, but it’s been in the back of my mind all season that Pavano would pop up sometime in the summer and that free agency would be the one thing that would motivate him to get his @#% onto the mound and start competing. My only question was whether the team would -allow- him back, when they could just keep him away from the mound to spite him.
But, with all the injuries, I wonder how much choice they’d have. Can you imagine if he came back and lead our rotation to a title?
Let’s go Yanks!!
Confucius (and sorry for misspelling your handle before), that’s one way to look at it. Another is that you took an inelegant turn of phrase on my part, misunderstood it, and blew it way out of proportion.
I’m upset because you were not upset but annoyed that I had asked why anyone would be upset about discussing signing Barry Bonds to the Yankees. Sacre bleu.
To be clear, I’m sitting in Napa, California, and don’t feel upset at all. This cul-de-sac of the discussion has amused me, actually. I’m not upset, or even annoyed.
To rephase my original point in a less annoying fashion, I don’t know why anyone would want to stifle discussion about what I consider to be an interesting player-personnel issue for the Yankees to contemplate as we see a staple of our offense exit the stage, possibly for the season.
Now I’m going to drive home and miss the first hour of the game. That does upset me. I’ll get over it.
pat- I think Girardi knew, that is why he wasn’t catching too much. They were trying to push it hoping that he’d get better, but unfortunately it hasn’t happened.
Hearing now that if he waits to have surgery it might linger into next season he needs to get it taken care of.
VRSCE: I was talking more about the players and the fans
i notice the “franchise” label when referring to phil hughes has quietly dissipated. probably a good thing…at least for now.
i’m sorry – was at PT, but do we know who is taking Jorge’s spot?
Folks. We dont need to trade for a Bradley or Bonds. We need to do what the Cards did. Find a wild starter and convert him to the outfield with pop. Igawa anyone?
Johnny damon
Thanks Don Vito A. Bellamo for the Pavano update! I will anxiously await his return to the Bronx coming to an August near you. Heheheh
I believe in the jinx of Joe Morgan, and Tim McCarver, but that’s just me!
Regarding Leiter, his Yankees broadcast record is pretty bad, but since we are from the same town, I’ll let it slide.
“melky abreu cano are the only ones on this team who haven’t been hurt this season
Jeter- out a week with a hand problem
Arod- out 4 weeks
Matsui- Out
Posada- out
Damon- out almost 3 weeks
Giambi- Has missed some time here and there
Betemit- DL stint
and add wang and bruney to that list along with hughes and kennedy
WHAT IS IN THE WATER IN NEW YORK, jeez”
jason’s been healthy all year.
oh – duh! thanks, Jennifer…
“Can we please just sign Barry Bonds? All it will cost is money and why the hell not give him a chance?”
Ding, ding, ding…we have a winner.
I don’t particularly like the idea, but this makes sense. He’ll come cheap in terms of both money (league minimum) and prospects (none), and should rake plenty of homers into the right field seats at the stadium.
I get the sense that Girardi just sort of says stuff to reporters even if it is potentially untrue. Like the injuries and that thing about Meacham.
Of course, it can’t be fun to have every employee’s performance evaluated in the press each day.
Can’t say I’d dig it.
NY should call Pavano up, pitch him twice for 5 innings at a time, then trade him to a rival for the stretch run.
Either that or give him his minor league rehab innings, call him up but trade him away the day before his first outing.
I’ll take a stab that those two games is one game less than it’d take to land him on the DL again.
If the Yanks have to pick up his salary in sugh a trade it’ll be worth it. To get something in return for the rest of the salary owed would be nice.
Oy Sidney! Strike zone!
Hopefully Ponson can give us…like 2 innings today? Dan Giese, get ready.
Yankee Trader -
Your point about Tex and FA isn’t really accurate. The fact is that Texeira is likely to be one of the first FA’s signed. The players most in demand usuallu go the quickest. Plus there’s no big risk in offering him arbitration. If he signs elsewhere you get picks – and he will sign somewhere. If he accepts you’ve got him for one year, at a high price but with no long term committment. So the Yanks definitely offer arb, with no concern about his decision.
That said, still not sure he’s going to be on the market, and if he is the price in trade will be high. And he’s still very likely to go to free agency, so best to wait until offseason on him and look for a bat for ’08 elsewhere.
I had surgery to repair a torn labrum and rotator cuff 13 months ago. Even now, I would not say my shoulder is 100%. It probably took me 6 months to get to 90% and another 6 months to get to 95%. If that is in fact what Posada has, he would definitely need surgery now to be ready for spring training and even then would probably still be a little week going into the season.
Raise your hand if you wish Michael Kay would go back on vacation?
From John Heyman on SI.com
“A canvassing of the star veterans in the Yankees clubhouse found no objections to Barry Bonds. And while a few stars wanted to stay out of it, Johnny Damon, who conceded “it’s up to [the front office],” seemed to endorse Bonds.
“Barry knows how to hit home runs, and he knows how to get on base. And I’m sure he wants to prove a lot of teams wrong,” Damon said.
Alex Rodriguez, always a Bonds supporter, was more careful. A-Rod said, “Any team that signs a great player would be lucky.”
**hand raised!
Come on Sir Sidney
The day the Yankees sign Bonds is the day I walk away from the team. That’s how much that man disgusts me.
Good pitching to get out of it.
See, Sidney, you see what happens when you throw strikes? You get outs!
Too bad we couldn’t get a Livan vs. Sir Sidney match-up.
It would have been about 600 lbs of pitcher on display.
Nick, I’m not sure what else I can say. I wasn’t looking for a fight. I wasn’t annoyed or offended or any of the things you think I was. I was just trying to talk you away from an implication that came across as insulting to other posters. I’ve gotten sarcasm and passive-aggressiveness in response. Your rephrasing of the post is exactly the kind of thing I was trying to encourage, though even that seemed an attempt at mockery. Again, I don’t know what more to say. :\
Except sorry you’re going to miss the game, for whatever that’s worth.
TK: If that was the case, the game might never end.
Thankfully (I think?), I’m still having an MK vacation. I’m blocked out on EI due to being in MN, and have to watch on my local Fox Sports affiliate.
Isn’t this the kid that Abreu hit in the face?
Laura: Yes.
“Too bad we couldn’t get a Livan vs. Sir Sidney match-up.”
That’s not a pitching match-up – thats a Celebrity DeathMatch.
ALEX!!!!
Just read the piece on Posada. Not good. That 4th year really looks bad now. Yankees paying for Posada like Pavano. Hopefully Jorge will not miss the next 3 years left.
I wish A-Rod would swing that smoothly more often.
2 outs no problem
Great homer
TK – been looking for you…thanks for your well wishes the other day
Rehab in progress…hoping to have full shoulder use any time soon. I did get in trouble for going to the game on Sunday – apparently the sun is bad for healing. Who knew!
Did you guys feel that one coming?
Veras looks like a fat Mo.
Did you see him put the HR ball in under his cap?
Hey, two runs with two outs, I won’t complain!
Nice job Alex. Runs are fun
An A-bomb from A-Rod — and when it counts too….atta boy alex
so does that count as somewhat “clutch”?
Too bad there’s no way Ponson will make that lead stand.
Alex needs to step it up when it matters. I mean, you know that doesnt matter. Runs early in the game? UGH
THE TRUE MCCLUTCHIES hit .220 until its the late innings!
Oy, Sidney, Strikes!
“so does that count as somewhat “clutchâ€?”
It’s not an 8th inning tie-breaker. But it ain’t an 8-2 blast either. It’s somewhere in the middle.
Wow, Pedro, way to stay positive. Does your life suck that much?
“I wish A-Rod would swing that smoothly more often.”
That was a joke, right? He’s hitting .315. OBP over .395. Top 3 OPS in the AL?
Confucius – seeing as how 2 runs is pretty average output these days, I’ll take it
Every run matters now, especially when the Yanks cant score, and especially when Sir Sidney is pitching.
That was a good line from Kay
“Even Houdini had a problem with his last trick”
Come on Sidney! Strikes!
Al leiter said “maybe if he dove” referring to cano, does this guy watch any yankee games? Cano doesnt get his uniform dirty, neither does anyone else in the infield for that matter.
Gotta dive for that Robbie.
I hate Ponson.
does cano dive much?
Or, you know, don’t throw strikes and get into a bases loaded no one out jam. Lovely.
“seeing as how 2 runs is pretty average output these days”
Good point! Though if Ponson loses it here, we may forget about the HR by the 6th …
And he’s now very close.
Cano had no chance at that.
um – an out, please…good lord, giving it all back so soon!
That last home run was an illustartion of something I mentioned last week. I think that Rodriguez has become more of a pull hitter the last couple seasons and how sometimes I wish he didn’t try to pull the outside pitch.
This AB was an example of how he can often take those pitches and do damage because of the extension he has. That pitch was not right down the middle. It was on the outer half. I don’t mean the outside corner, but it was on the outer half. But he was able to use his tremendous extension to reach out and pull it over 400 feet.
Aw dammit. Sinking feeling about this game.
and Ponson shows why he needs to go away….NOW !
“That was a joke, right? He’s hitting .315. OBP over .395. Top 3 OPS in the AL?”
No, that wasn’t a joke. How many times have we seen A-Rod pop up balls he should hit out? Imagine what his stats would be like then.
This team isn’t the Blue Jays and A’s.They can actually hit.
Get well Jorge! It won’t be the same without you!
Larry, I agree with your analysis that ARod is mainly a pull-hitter now. I am actually surprised at that, because left field in Yankee Stadium is not Fenway. I don’t know what it is, but aside from that homer a couple of a days ago to right, i hadnt seen him hit one to right in a while.
When did they start playing the P.C. Richard & Son theme after a Yankee pitcher K’s someone? That could get pretty freakin’ annoying (watch the Joba highlight reel from this weekend.)
I’m no Ponson fan, but in fairness the guy hasn’t pitched in close to 2 weeks. No surprise if he’s rusty, I would think.
You know, I think Alex should have come home with the throw–but that said, I will take the out at third.
And on the replay he had no chance at home, anyway.
Oy vey
Should have thrown home.
Good call by Arod
A-Rod needs to get Molina out of there. We’re running low on catchers.
I think he got him on his left hand before the shoulder.
OUT BY A FRIGGEN MILE….the stupid umps are sqeezing us again.
woww what a bad call
ugh – end the freaking inning
What Al said. The fingers snapped forward. But the throw beat him by so much and the glove was right there. Awful.
…He was so out.
Sidney, next inning, let’s not load the bases, okay?
Wow, an awful call. If you’re going to make that call, you better make damn sure that he missed that tag, and he clearly did not.
nice play by Jeter, but possibly the worst call of the year before that
Ugh.
Get back to work bats
Are you kidding me? Who cares if he got him on the hand. He still got him on the shoulder before he touched home plate! What BS!
Blown calls like that are the difference in games. Instant replay couldn’t come any sooner. These umps are disgraces to the game.
MLB umpires are the dinosaurs of pro sports. Blown calls every game.
Ponson is pathetic. It’s sad that after 3 beautifully pitched games we have to watch Ponson and Rasner back-to-back.
Jon, you see homers like the other night and wish he’d do it more often because of the distance. He’s so strong that he could just push a half dozen fly balls over that short porch.
He’s actually hit 2 in the right field grandstand this season. Last year he hit none. I mean the grandstand. Not the bleachers, not the gap between the bleachers and grandstand.
YOu could see Molina’s glove get the guy’s fingers on his left hand before it went up to his shoulder. But of course the umpire was out of position. Stupid umps.
One of Shakespere’s poems is titled “Sweet are the uses of adversity” The poem basiclly says, every thing happens for a good reason and when you look back six months or so later, you will feel what seemingly looks bad now is in fact for better.
It is very difficult to see the good out of Posada’s injury at this time as he is very important to the team offensively.
However, here are the positives I see:
1. With Molina you have the best defensive catcher in the line up, probably 60% of the time. It reminds me of the days of Girardi during the early years of the dynasty. Also, Moeller is also a good defensive catcher. He will catch about 30% – 40% of the time thus relieving workload on Molina.
2. With weak armed Posada on the Roster, it creates very awkward situaiton for Girardi. Now he does not have to worry about ruffling any feathers.
3. Now that the offense will slack, Girardi may become aggressive and he has the right people on the roster to do so.
4. The underperforming key guys will hear the wake up call and elevate thier play. A-Rod might have already done it with that home run.
5. If he has the surgery, Posada will have ample time to recover and be ready for 2009. It is very important as we want to win in the new stadium right away and start a positive trend.
6. Imagine winning this year with all these injuries. Indeed, it will be “Sweet are the uses of adversity”
might be one of the worst calls….ever
Bad tag by Molina. He was safe.
But since the umpires use the theory of the ball was there before the runner when sliding into second, that makes this a bad call.
But, Molina should know better. That was a lazy tag that cost the Yankees a run.
Moron umpire and TV announcers.
My god.
Blatantly got him on the hand, you could see it twist upward!
that call was almost as bad as the out-by-ten-feet “safe” call at second last year.
Robbery. Let’s get it back.
WOW THIS UMP IS A DIRTY PIECE OF POND SCUM.
WTF, Molina tagged the runner out!!!!
Fearless prediction:
A-Rod will take off from here, carry the team rest of the way and win MVP.
damn………….. ball beats him by 5 feet and he tagged him on the hand
talk about a bad break
if i have to hear another ump at the end of the game talk about ” I blew the call, it happens ”
I’m gonna lose it!
Larry, like you said, you just know that ARod is cutting down his options by being pull-happy. The guy is so strong that right-field is a chip shot if he went there more often. My guess, however, is that pitchers are also aware of this, and knowing his power, choose to punish him in and force him to get around on the ball.
No, he did not miss the tag. He got him on the shoulder before he touched home plate still even if he missed the hand. The replay showed it. The ump was out of position as usual and it cost the Yankees big time.
“Bad tag by Molina. He was safe.”
Are you blind?
He got him on the left hand 2 feet from the home plate.
The tag was late on the shoulder, but way early on hand. Last time I checked you’re allowed to tag somebody out on the hand.
I remain amazed at how bad the umps are this year and that no one has done squat about it.
even from the umpire’s angle it should have been an out, especially by how much the throw beat him….not to mention how the hand came up.
what an idiot!!
girardi is a little too calm…not saying he should get tossed in the 2nd, but c’mon
And this guy’s B&S calling sux, too.
Molina wouldn’t have aruged that badly unless he knew he tagged him on the hand. Bottom line.
what is really bad is that he ended up tagging him out twice, and the ump missed both
Melky.
STOP SLIDING HEAD FIRST!
Melky’s at-bats are awful. I don’t care what kind of hit he gets. And the sliding headfirst…he just doesnt learn. This shows he’s not that sharpest tool in the shed
No more sliding headfirst Melky!
“Are you kidding me? Who cares if he got him on the hand. He still got him on the shoulder before he touched home plate! What BS!”
It got him on the shoulder at the same time that he touched the plate. But it got the hand and, like Whiff said, it -looked- good enough for an out call.
whiff, i you look at the replay, molina got the guy in the hand and then the shoulder. The ump was out of position.
Oyy Melky…wish he would teach robbie that move when going after a ball.
Whoever runs the Yankees’ Kangaroo Court has to fine Melky for each one of those bone-headed slides into first.
Laura: As bad as the umps have been this year, they were worse last year.
Is there a rule prohibiting the catcher from tagging the runner by falling on him? I mean the runner can tackle the catcher.
Although in a way, it is just nice to be able to complain about Melky sliding headfirst, feels like I hadn’t done so all season…least he’s getting on base…
cabrera…you’re about the only yankee who hasn’t landed on the DL. what…are you doing, especially since there is no throw.
Make Melky go on a diet. Get rid of the landing pad for him.
Just got back. Meaningless count 21. I love it!! Keep it up future homerun king.
good think girardi came out and calmed molina down. we would have had to go with moeller for the rest of the game with no one on the bench and no backup catcher if he got tossed.
Ugh…seeing that picture of Randy Johnson makes me sick.
Ummmm…..
July 21st, 2008 at 7:39 pm
“Bad tag by Molina. He was safe.â€
Are you blind?
He got him on the left hand 2 feet from the home plate.
The tag was late on the shoulder, but way early on hand. Last time I checked you’re allowed to tag somebody out on the hand
Yes I am blind. If he got him on the hand why was there no movement from his hand until the tag was applied to the shoulder…Did you see the hand stay on the same path, which by that time the hand had crossed home plate and ran into Molina’s knee which instead of being IN FRONT OF THE PLATE WAS ON TOP OF IT, IN THE FRIGGIN MIDDLE.
But apparently your feed of the game is showing something different.
Again, bad call or not, it was a bad tag by Molina. He had plenty of time to block the plate with his knee and apply his tag to the shoulder.
“Laura: As bad as the umps have been this year, they were worse last year.”
Last year, it seemed like the Yankees were getting hosed. This year, it seems like they are screwing over all of the teams. A lot of my friends who follow other teams cry and moan every day about some call that an ump blew.
SoS…I’d hardly say meaningless when the Yanks cant score runs and Ponson is on the mound. Oh yeah…if he didn’t do that, theyd be down 2-0.
s.o.s. how was a 2 run hr to take the lead with 2 outs meaningless???
j/a
And how is a two run home run in the first inning meaningless?
Great at-bat.
Hey! Molina got a hit!
HAHAHA I knew Jose was gonna get a hit there! He’s pissed about the BS call!
I heart our Molina.
“Did you see the hand stay on the same path, which by that time the hand had crossed home plate and ran into Molina’s knee”
It got his fingertips. You could see them catch on the glove and snap forward.
Does Gardner have an upper-cut swing? Too many pop-ups from this guy who should be putting the ball on the ground and using his legs.
rock on Molina
Okay, so NOW he’s working on bunting??? What the? If you have a player with that kind of speed, isn’t that what you work on in the minor leagues?????
Brett Gardner vs. Bubba Crosby…discuss.
Wow, I didn’t know he could hit the ball that far.
“Is there a rule prohibiting the catcher from tagging the runner by falling on him? I mean the runner can tackle the catcher.”
Anything goes as long as the catcher has the ball.
“Brett Gardner vs. Bubba Crosby…discuss.”
I’ll give the edge to Gardner because of his speed, but I do see a similarity.
Hahaha…look at the 7-8-9 monstrosity. Good hitting there.
Oh no! We have the bases loaded!
/covers his eyes
really interested in what cashman is gonna pull out of his tuchas this year
Now THAT’s the way Brett needs to hit. Good job Lil Scrappy!
Bubba Crosby didn’t have the same kind of potential that Gardner has.
Nice hit for Gardner, there. Even hit it too hard!
what is going on here – back 2 back hits by molina and gardner
mel -
if the catcher has the ball he can knock the crap out of a runner. or vice versa, the runner can knock the crap out of the cacher.
managers generally do not want catchers making full body contact. an “ole” tag is usually preferred to keep injuries down.
sciosa was the best i’ve seen at blocking the plate. if a catcher has a mean streak it’s kind of fun to flatten a runner, but you had better have the kind of body that can take it. a tall rangy guy like mauer probably shouldn’t look for contact.
Folks. Calm down. Im just having fun. I thought you would have caught that with the 21 meaningless homerun count.
Relax.
We’re going to need a double to score Molina.
Let’s go, JD!
I’ve always wanted to know how you spell tuchas. Is that how?
What’s our record in games Gardner gets a hit? Destined to win?
That looked like ball 4, Johnny!!
The big difference in Gardner’s last two swings was that he got his legs and hips into the swings. His at bat.
Is it me or have the Yankees suddenly started taking more pitches?
I have been unable to watch games since the All Star break but they seem to have a different approach going tonight than before the break.
Was this the same against Oakland?
nice 3-0 gift strike, ump. jesus, why doesnt anyone say anything about this BS?
***nice at bat***
That’s why you don’t go home.
DOESNT MATTER NOW DOES IT
Stupid decision, by the 2nd baseman. Make sure to get an out. Good at-bats by the Yanks in this inning. Blackburn obviously can’t strike anyone out.
Better be lucky than good. Too bad there’s a inning ending DP coming now.
Nice!
Yeah, that was smart, you don’t want to be down a run against PONSON in the SECOND inning.
We almost needed a double to score Molina. LOL!
molina chugging along to home plate, love it.
Let’s see….DJ…..wow. He hasn’t done that much this year. Bats are breaking out when they need to tonight, because I don’t like how Ponson looks.
THese hits are nice, but station to station is kooky!
damn it – I’m going to the game tomorrow and if they score a lot tonight they’re going to get shut out tomorrow
just kidding – plenty of runs to go around
Watch Brett pass Jose.
Barry Bonds! Barry Bonds! Barry Bonds! Barry Bonds!!!!
Aight, I’m sorry Jetes!
good call pedro.
Wasn’t Boof a starter?
He’s only thrown 43 pitches? I thought he’d be at least over 50 by now.
Was a starter is the key to that question Doreen
I’ve always thought it was spelled tuchus, but I could be wrong…
Is Meachem actually holding runners at third? *shock*
“Wasn’t Boof a starter?”
Apparently, not a very good one.
Joe T.,
They’re about under pace by about 100. They’re rollover runs.
BBB – i just rather use a word more risque than fanny.
sw-i believe there was a “talking to” – though I figure if Molina can score from third, surely Brett can score from second
Ok, earlier this year, people jumped all over SJ44 because he said he would take his chances with a singles hitting team rather than the Yankees mantra of trying to hit the 3 run HR’s.
So far, the singles are paying off. Gardner, Molina, Jeter, and a force to the defense to make a play.
2 runs already and no HR. This is how you beat teams and beat down a pitcher. 3 run HR’s are not as damaging as singles because HR’s are usually done on a bad pitch where location was missed.
Jay -
Failed?
This is fun
“I’m going to the game tomorrow and if they score a lot tonight they’re going to get shut out tomorrow
”
They’ll do just fine against Slowey. Wednesday’s game is the one to worry about.
I guess A-Rod and Jeter are the only 2 players that Meachem will be aggressive with. He’s gun shy now. Gardner could have easily scored there. The kid can fly, was off on contact and only a perfect throw could get him.
It didn’t cost them with Abreu beating out the grounder but Meachem is terrible.
Not a meaningless HR, but I’ll take it A-Rod!!
Sidney needs to throw the first pitch of every game. Then we’ll score a ton of runs!!
Doreen – he was ok from what i recall, but i suppose they find him more useful in relief, slowley, blackburn and the other kids are pretty good. livan is livan (just an innings eater)
so can Ponson hold on to these runs now?
hey hey hey…mr clutch two innings in a row
haha, I hope so Mel
It’s nice to see a few bounces go our way this inning
Not a concern for us. Boof stinks!!
We need to see this team more often
Well, been several minutes and I’ve yet to see a complaint about Jeter swinging at the first pitch. Like I always say, it’s fine, as long as you get a hit. However, if instead he had hit a sharp grounder that they turned 2 on, it would have been what was he thinking, what terrible hitting fundamentals.
the term “meaningless home run” is stupid.
in the american league every run has meaning.
Sir Sid better get his game on because Blackhead just left the game.
Larry
Good positive comments. They really add a zest to the game experience.
CUYanks-
did you go to CU-Boulder?
trade kennedy,tabata,betances for holliday,dh damon,platoon gardner and melky untill a replacement center fielder comes along.if boston and or tampa get’s hot the yankees can’t hang.we absolutely have to spend some money and get an ace for 2009,cc,weeks,etc….. if you can have a 1-2-3 punch of cc,wang,joba,bring back pettitte and or moose and hughes as the 5th or 6th nobody can touch us.try to get rid of damon,matsui,let giambi go,dh posada or move him to first,bring abraeu back for less money,pettitte and moose have to take less or let them go,we will get a ton of picks for all of them.the bullpen is going to easily be baseballs best.we have a major surplus of minor league pitchers that we do not need,all we need is cc,wang,joba,brackman,hughes, maybe a few others.keep montero,ajax,brackman.in 2009 cox,melancon,sanchez will be in the mix with an already lethal pen.we need a whole new outfield,dh or first baseman depending how posada get’s used and hold down the catchers spot until montero,cervelli,romine are ready.romine’s arm is an 80 on the 20-80 scale and montero’s power is an 80 on the 20-80 scale.
jay,
It’s used as an inside joke here of that exact reason.
I’ll tell ya, with the amount of guys that he’s gotten thrown out this season, I have no problem with Meachem dialing back the aggressiveness. I think Bowa was underrated in being aggressive without being too much so.
What the hell was the ‘stache doing there? Geez!!!
Gotta love getting into their bullpen like this in game one of a series. Hopefully we can tax their relievers now too!
Bad at-bats by Giambi. He swung at an awful pitch in the first at-bat and then that pitch…he’s expanding the zone more lately. Don’t know why.
Anyone feeling a 9-8 game?
Horrible AB, Giambi.
They have to give him run support since he’s likely to give up 6. LOL!
Let’s hope during the long inning that Dave Eiland talked to Ponson to make any adjustments.
Has Peter fell into a black hole?
From the Wall Street Journal -
“New York Yankees star Alex Rodriguez has signed on with the William Morris
Agency. William Morris, the Beverly Hills, Calif.-based talent representation
company, has a client list that includes some of the biggest names in
entertainment, sports and the corporate world. For Mr. Rodriguez, the move marks
the latest turn in his relationship with Scott Boras, one of baseball’s most
successful and controversial agents. Mr. Boras, who has represented Mr.
Rodriguez throughout his career, said he will continue to represent Mr.
Rodriguez in any baseball-related negotiations.
“
Well, Jon, if they’re going to give up 8, tonight seems to be a good night for it.
At least they’re scoring tonight. It’s hard to tell with this offense. They might be back in 2 run mode by tomorrow.
i havent been posting in comments much in the last few weeks, my wife is teaching tonight so i can be lazy on the couch with the laptop
I thought I had read that ARod did that months ago.
TK,
Is that current? Sounds like something we heard 6 months ago.
Horrible ball to strike ratio for Sir Tubby.
It would be nice not to have this be a close game as I assume that Mo is NOT available tonight
I like how the umps take a walk to let catchers gather themselves after getting hit. So cool.
Sid just needs to make it through 5…go to the bullpen after that.
Larry…youre right about the offense, and tomorrow.
yeah trade Betances and Tabata 2 huge upside guys because they are 19 and washed up……
NO THANKS>>>>>>>
Casilla blew that inning for Minny.
What are the odds that melky, molina, and gardner get 3 consecutive hits????????
THat probability is low for sure… Ponson is living lucky it will end if he continues to walk batters…
Nice inning by Ponson.
Let’s get more runs
Damn…Kaat was in town a couple of weeks ago talking about his yearly trip with his wife. That’s sad. Condolences.
Jon,
I doubt Peter has that much time to read comments. Writing for the paper and all, he probably wouldn’t take offense either. Just my thought.
I’m telling you.. there’s a black hole in the press box.
Hmm… Jim Kaat’s wife had cancer? Wonder if he’ll come back to the booth sometime. He was mainly away to spend time with his family because he and his wife took trips all around.
See ya!
There goes second half Cano!!
Dontcha know!!!
Robbie must have gotten “some” over the all star break.
He is starting to stroke.
This is exactly the kind of game that the Yankees needed to have to back Ponson. Hopefully they’ll bring some offense to the plate tomorrow for Rasner.
Robbie!!!! well maybe his season is turning around…i almost dropped him several times this yr on fantasy baseball, but i hung with him….
Damn….the Twins look bad tonight. Just shows the tone starting pitching can set.
So it’s like a off/on switch for Robbie before and after the ASG, now I get it.
Sloppy game by the Twins so far.
Great to see everyone staying positive with a 5 run lead.
That’s new. William Morris signing sounds like he has cut ties with Guy Oseary.
thats pretty good situational hitting for molina.
Ohhhhhhhhhhhh Peter… yup, I’m convinced.
Phil….I’ll bring everyone back down and say “it’s early”.
Someone definitely said something to Meacham.
What happened to Jim Kaat’s wife? I had to step out of the house for a few minutes.
Doreen, she passed away with cancer.
Molina’s smile makes me smile :0)
If the “after the all-Star break” people would bother to look, Cano has hit over .300 since May 1st. April is normally his bad month.
If the “after the all-Star break” people would bother to look, Cano has hit over .300 since May 1st. April is normally his bad month.
Welcome back Johnny!
any way to move the all-star game to May?
We have to be careful not to use up our run allotment for the week.
Thanks, Cody. That’s bad news. Jim Kaat seemed to be in such good spirits last time he visited just a few weeks ago.
OAK left us and went to TB, where they are continuing to suck.
So – how do we pass some of these runs on to the As?
Pete wrote:
“Patrick: That is not what I wrote. I wrote that once the beat writers stop bothering to talk to the manager, it leads to that. The Mets writers literally stopped bothering to interview Willie for a while. It’s like that in any sport. Any team in any sports needs its manager to be credible to the press because that is the conduit to the public.”
Thanks for clarifying Pete. (sorry for the late response, my commute is LOONGG)
Anyways I just wanted to add that in football head coaches lie about injuries all the time and they don’t lose credibility.
I have to give credit to Ponson for settling down.
The offense is clicking, hopefully Ponson pitches well with this lead. So far he looks ok but it seems like he gets in trouble every inning.
Sir Tubby seems to have settled down. Runs from your offense tends to do that to a pitcher.
Someone ask SJ44 how the whole trade Cano thing is working out and the DFA Giambi and not sign Pettitte. That guy really knows his baseball. SJ44, what stock do you recommend to sell so I can buy it??
fun fact
Alois Terry Leiter
Al Leiter’s real name!!
Have I mentioned that I’m totally digging this preview of MLB Extra Innings? I am so getting this next year.
Any fool calling for Bonds should read Joel Shermans article over the weekend. Explaining pretty explicitly why the Yanks want no part of Bonds.
Heh.
Go eat dinner, come back to see the offense has one something like explode.
I love this.
Get it early Laura. You get a good deal before the season begins.
I guess Felton wants a 2nd baseman who only shows up in the second half of the season.
The only division that is already closed is the AL West.
MLB Extra Innings is great………You get to watch teams you hate lose!!
“Get it early Laura. You get a good deal before the season begins.”
Oh, okay. Thanks Marc!
“Have I mentioned that I’m totally digging this preview of MLB Extra Innings? I am so getting this next year.”
You do realize you can buy it now, right?
“MLB Extra Innings is great………You get to watch teams you hate lose!!”
The only problem I have with that is that you get the other announcers, who suck!! We don’t realize how lucky we are to have ….. gulp…. Michael Kay. It could be that fool the Hawk here in Chicago. That guy needs to be retired.
Sir Sidney is a big luckbox this year. WHIP of 1.61, .309 BAA 4.3 Ks/9IP and K/BB ratio of only 1.40. Yet his ERA is only 4.00. AL league average for those stats are 1.36 WHIP/.260 BAA/ 6.5 Ks/9 IP/ 1.40 K to BB and 4.12 ERA.
The only thing he has done better than average is keep the ball in the park with only 6 dingers allowed in 75 innings.
Fickle game this baseball that a guy like him has good luck.
Take what we can get from him but this is not sustainable.
My question is….Joe Torre got great credit last year for keeping the Yankees’ heads above water with all of the injuries last year. While I am definitely not ready to buy this Yankees team’s ability to make the playoffs, does he now get credit from all of those who were for the “Torre for Sainthood” movement?
Guys what’s going on? Game recap anyone?
I guess we shouldn’t want an all star 2b who is home grown and under an affordable contract. Considering we have 2 starters under 30 and all. Huh, YankeeTech?? I’ll throw you in the trade Cano group too that is presently eating crow.
Apparently, Ross Ohlendorf interests the Pirates. Wonder if we can spin him off for Marte or Grabow. Maybe even Nady.
if you need a time filler and haven’t read this yet, I highly recommend:
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/.....id=3492010
Oh, good grief! Kazmir is pitching against OAK. That game is over.
What I meant is, does Girardi get credit?
“You do realize you can buy it now, right?”
Yes, but I’ve already plunked down cash for MLB.tv so I’ll stick with that the rest of the season.
Sidney, your team has a six run lead.
Can we do the strike throwing thing, please?
….
I think Sidney likes to spite me.
Rebecca – he just needs a reminder every now and again..
so – anyone “warming up in the bullpen”?
Nice double play!
i love winning
we havnt had many blowout wins like this, so far this season
nice laid back wins i love them. Lets me enjoy the pictures they are showing in HD of New York. Those pictures are amazing the one of the bronx and of the GW bridge. I’ve never seen New York so clear in my life
Is Ponson so bad, that he’s good?
Don’t rip SJ44. He was wrong all last year as well. it is “his thing”. Maybe one of these years when he calls the Yanks dead and buried he will be right. Cross your fingers for him.
Rishi: With a six run lead? I doubt it this early.
Don’t see him going more than six, however. Though if the Houdini thing keeps working, he can pitch all nine for all I care.
“What I meant is, does Girardi get credit?”
Not from me. I didn’t give the credit to Torre either. The credit belongs to the players.
…Knew I should have kept my mouth shut.
I never realized how much I like the Yankees home announcers until I moved to Florida and listened to Tampa and Marlins announcers who are terrible
ok – one more out and get yourself in line for the win
Terrible news tonight, but not the end of the world. I don’t agree with trading away prospects fro the Tex’s, Hollidays, Bradley etc. Reason being is what do you do when Matsui and Posada come back with a healthy Damon in 09? Even if we decline both Abreau and Giambi (which I don’t think will happen) there are still too many out fielders/DH’s fighting for PT next year. I think our pitching and defense (yes I said defense) as well as the bats we have can keep us in this thing.
Signing big sexy was a decent move and I think those are the types of moves that cashman should make for now. We need to stay the course and not only compete this year but also strategically plan for 09. I am happy with our pitching. I think Ponson will actually do a better job than what he is being given credit for and between a Rasner/Aceves I think we can float it until Wang comes back and stay competitive. I don’t want to feel the sting of a 1st round knockout again, but at the same time I hate thinking we might miss the playoffs. In a 5 game series you never know though. I think if our rotation continues and picks up Wang in Sept. and the bullpen performs we can hang with the big boys. We just wont beat people into the ground like old times. Why not Bonds for a few months off the bench? No harm no foul. My 2 cents. Go Yanks.
Oh Sidney. Come on
Sir Tubby probably only has one more inning left. Right now, he’s at 82 pitches.
Ponson is beyond bad.
the man makes me nervous – he’s a couple pitches away from giving up a lot of runs.
Ponson has given up 2 runs and he is beyond bad?
“I never realized how much I like the Yankees home announcers until I moved to Florida and listened to Tampa and Marlins announcers who are terrible”
Those Rays announcers are God awful. I have to put my PC on mute when the Yankees play down there.
“Ponson has given up 2 runs and he is beyond bad?”
I don’t think he’s beyond bad. I think he’s beyond lucky.
Ok, Pedro. Who’s Little Petey Martinez doing?
Ugh…I hate watching Cabrera’s at-bats.
Is Pete boycotting his own blog tonight?
Yes.
“I don’t think he’s beyond bad. I think he’s beyond lucky.”
He rather be lucky than snakebit without run support
damn molina! We’ll take a game like this all the time from ya! Great job!
Evan- the TB annoucers are SOOOOOO bad. the play by play guys voice is really annoying
So, now you can’t even mention Pedro (LittlePetey) Martinez without getting caught by the filters?
So, now you can’t even mention Pedro (LittlePetey) Martinez without getting caught by the filters?
i say – good job with the 10 pitch ab, even if you got out!
Looks like Molina feels secure with Posada out and has become a hit machine
any early guesses at the “Player of the Game”?
I looked at Pedroia’s page on MLB and it claims that he’s 5’9″. The guy on ESPN’s Baseball podcast said that he was 5’7″ and he was looking down on Pedroia. So how tall is Pedroia really? I’m thinking 5’6″.
Kay and Leiter argue a lot…….
It is pretty obvious the Yankees are going to need another starter at some point and another bat.
I hope Cashman gives this team of fighters some help.
Ponson is doing exactly what he needs to do as the #5 pitcher…get through 6-7 innings and keep the team in the game. He’s done this in three of the 4 starts. Not bad.
You know, Jose Molina could hit .150 and I’d still take him with his defense if the rest of the guys in the line up start hitting.
OAK has yet to put up a fight in their game against TB. Thanks a lot, A’s. You suck!!
So, where the heck is Pete tonight with the Updates? Working on some silly news story or something??
The marlins guys are pretty bad too. and they do “email tuesday” in which they barely announce the games and just read and talk about emails people send in and some emails they take are just terrible. But yeah the Tampa guy has a terrible voice, like he has a constant cold or something
“You know, Jose Molina could hit .150 and I’d still take him with his defense if the rest of the guys in the line up start hitting.”
Absolutely! If 1 thru 6 do what they are capable of doing, constant outs by Molina won’t mean a thing.
Laura :
Pedroia is shorter than 5′ – 6″ …..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WD_bqXMO5aY
The A’s didn’t put up a fight against us, either, Laura!
Okay, why does the pitcher always point up to the sky on pop ups? Does he think the other guys don’t know where the ball is? LOL!
anyone have tickets for wednesday and cant go? not trying to overpay some idiot ticket broker on stubhub
Okay, it might be time to say “thanks Sir Sidney, let’s call it a night!”
“The A’s didn’t put up a fight against us, either, Laura!”
Yeah, but that was a good thing. I want TB to lose so I need OAK to act like a real team for a change.
Can you imagine how hard it must be to play for OAK? Three of your 5 starters are traded within weeks of each other. Talk about deflating.
um…warming in bullpen?
Um Ponson? Yeah..we wanna keep this lead..
“Pedroia is shorter than 5′ – 6″ …..”
Funny!
Molina handles the pitchers better too, look at Andy’s splits this year with the different catchers:
http://www.baseball-reference......;year=2008
Posada – 8 games, BA against: .317, OBP against: .382
Molina – 7 games, BA against: .224, OBP against: .254
Moeller – 6 games, BA against: .284, OBP against: .284
so Rob Neyer was right – Gomez is killing the Twins…
Nice of the crowd to give him a big hand.
Oops, typo, last one should be OBP against: .314
Rishi: LMAO!
sw: Molina for team MVP?
I was on the phone, what happened with Sir Sid? Just ran out of gas? It is a hot night…
Nice, Edwar!
Casilla was 3-3 off him
oh K-Ram (how I appreciate you in our bullpen)
“I was on the phone, what happened with Sir Sid? Just ran out of gas? It is a hot night…”
No, Girardi didn’t trust him against a guy that already had 3 hits off of him. Plus, he was at 100 pitches.
Someone needs to feed Edwar.
What happens on a windy day? He might blow away..
Is this the best bullpen the Yankees have had since 2000?
GO Edwar – great job! Nice fan!
It’s funny how different Edwar is this year from the guy who was crying by his locker last year.
Yahhhhhhhhhh Jete!!!!!!!!!!!
Wow, Derek just doesn’t hit for power anymore. It’s a shame.
oh man, if Jeter and Cano heat up the offense can rollllll…. Melky even has two hits tonight, as does Molina, hopefully it’s a trend and not a fluke!!
Wow, listen to Jeter chants!
Unbelievable that folks here still think Edwar is a chump.
What does he have to do pitch the equivalent of a no hitter? oh, wait check that off.
and I looove mariano is his Yoda.
Another useless home run by Jeter.
I know that crowd was asking for curtain call 9-3 com’on now
Thanx Captain. Those all important insurance runs never hurt.
Wow, Jeter showing some of that opposite field power. I believe that his power has been sapped since he got beaned in the hand a little while ago. Hopefully he’s getting over it and gets back to hitting like we all know he can.
o captain, everyone is heating up!
wow jeter finally got a ball out of the infield
w *asn’t
i guess if you’re going to swing at the first pitch, that’s a good way to do it
remember Edwar last yr. before he got sent down. he gave up a bunch of Jacks against someone and was crying.
Man he has continued to improve.. players can improve, you do not give up on guys who have excelled like he did last yr at AAA and AA.
Gardner needs some time… The pen is there strength.. robertson is 23, veras is 27, edwar about the same, remember they still have bruney, britton, ohlendorf, and MELANCON the big long term stud or so they say…..
Fuentes would be a waste, I would trade some of the pen arms if it makes sense……..
I believe that his power has been sapped since he got beaned in the hand a little while ago. Hopefully he’s getting over it and gets back to hitting like we all know he can.
yeh that’s what it was
so do we call that an “A-rod home run”?
(just kidding!)
Psy, since 2001 for sure, although the 2002 bullpen was pretty good, too. The 2000 bullpen was not that spectacular (4.52 ERA).
Oh, ok. Smooth move on Girardi’s part then. I was just wondering b/c I came in just in time to catch Sid smacking himself in the side of the head as he was leaving, lol.
Meanwhile, meaningless Jeter HR…clearly, hes been spending too much time around A-Rod! Stat padders.
Since 1999, at least. And better than 1998. Not sure about 1996. (In 1998, our clutch hitting and sp was a lot better, hence the 114 wins)
Save some runs for tomorrow..
wait a minute again the Twins are asking who they are going to move out of the rotation for Liriano COM’ON NOW, LIE TO ME !
ok – cranking up the laptop, back in about 15 mins
I love that when the camera shows you the bullpen, Edwar and Mo are buddies. What better friend could Edwar have?! No wonder he has been pitching so well. I think this kid is going to be with us for a while and do great with us now that he has found his way.
Hey Ben,
I don’t know the exact numbers, but I feel as though the bullpen, asides from Mo, has been their weakness for the past couple of years. Granted they got some decent years out of Flash Gordon and one from Steve Karsay, but overall, it’s been pretty weak.
And Brandon, get over yourself. Keeping track of GIDP in your title is sad.
Did you hear that? Mauer just said “Let’s get a ground ball, come on!”. Gotta love that field level mic.
Well in 96, the Yankees were unstoppable after 6 because of the whole Mo for two, Wetteland for one combo.
I doubt we can count on all of them to be hot at once for an extended period of time, but something has definitely lit a fire under this lineup. Nice to see, though!
And Brandon, get over yourself. Keeping track of GIDP in your title is sad.
Mind Your Business (have a nice day
)
Considering how your name is published in a public forum, it’s everyone’s business.
Kay was ready to rip Abreu there
you know, I didn’t actually realize the Yankees had three home runs tonight!
Guess it’s because two of the three were solo shots…and even without all four of them, we’d still be winning.
Hey, I like this new pitcher. Can we get him tomorrow too?
I actually hope the Yankees go after Wesley Wright we have depth in our BP.
Tonight would be a good night to use Hawkins
Sloppy, sloppy game by the Twins. Here’s hoping they play like this for two more games.
Craig Breslow, nervous much?
This dude is awesome
Joe Mauer is still looking for that elusive ground ball.
…Can we save a couple of these run thingies for tomorrow?
Please?
Wow. Breslow is having a heck of an inning, huh? Ouch.
As much as I am always down with the concept of saving some runs for tomorrow, I would also love to score several more on them tonight, blow out their pen completely (or as close as possible) in the 1st game.
“…Can we save a couple of these run thingies for tomorrow? Please?”
I know. We only have so many in reserve. It would be nice to leave a few in there for the end of the week.
Just For Men… Big G
not giambi’s night. try sexson.
Jeez, Giambi has looked awful tonight. Perhaps it’s time to darken the ‘stache again?
Okay, what is so special about those two?
Cano officially has a pulse.
Robi needs to to start ST in December.
Cano has just been crazy so far..
Cano is on FIRRREEEEEE
This is why I would never want to trade the kid, he’s a monster.
can we please try to save some of these runs for joba?
Would anyone be surprised by a .400 second half?
I’d put the Big Sexy in now for defensive purposes. Plus, the ‘stache is stinking up the place and needs some time to clear his head.
Angelini homered tonight.
On a night like tonight, Giambi can have an off night, just as long as he shows up tomorrow.
Yep, there goes the Big Sexy!
Sexy time
Agreed Rebecca, I don’t care who hits, as long as they’re putting numbers on the scoreboard.
Why doesn’t Girardi just use Hawkins or Dan Giese?
Is tomorrow a day game or is that Wed?
kinda curious of the ump to call two of the exact same pitches two different things. How can one be a ball and the other a strike when they’re the exact same pitch in the exact same spot?
Another nailbiter?
Ok, Mauer is clearly a member of the baseball hotties club.
With the way Sir Sidney conjures up run support, one would think he brought some kind of voodoo from Aruba. We need him to pitch every other game, because he sure can put a magic spell on this offense.
Why doesn’t Girardi just use Hawkins or Dan Giese?
work day. Man Robertson is really putting me in awe here.
Laura: it’s an evening game tomorrow.
Eh, Big G won the game yesterday, he’s entitled to have a bad day.
Wednesday is a matinee games with a 12:30 start ..
Wow the rookie got a gift.
Robertson has been fantastic so far. Him, Veras, Ramirez and Farnsworth have been HUGE. Even Giese has contributed and obviously Mariano is incredible. I’d like to see a lefty in place of Hawkins or perhaps Cox/Melancon.
“Laura: it’s an evening game tomorrow.”
Thanks!!
I’ve never felt so settled and content with the Yankee bullpen before. They’ve been a dominant group for a while now.
they couldn’t pinch him, D-Rob looks bored..
Our bullpen is our strength. I see no need for Fuentes. We need a BIG BAT.
Craig: Game starts at 12.30? If YES coverage starts at 12.30, the game starts at 1.00
Wed is the day game
What’s not to like about David Robertson ? Gotta like his mound demeanor.
Pretty sad that Girardi’s trying to pile on the runs by bringing in the home run thumper like Richie Sexson to replace the glove specialist, Giambi.
The Pirates were said to be interested in Ohlendorf. Maybe we can spin him for Marte.
Yup. I’m officially excited about the David Robertson era.
Rebecca ….
Go with the 12:30 time if you’re going to the game. It will get you there in ample time.
Just like setting your watch ahead.
i would deffinetly love to see cox up because he is really successful against righties and he would help more instead of hawk..
My uncle told me Saturday what this BP reminds him of are the Nasty Boys Reds BP in the 70..he said they absolutely look better than 1996, I agree all we’re missing is a LH reliever. Wesley Wright of the Astros can be acquired for cheap.
Molina trying to show and prove.
Hi guys I have 3 tickets to Wednesdays game i found out last minute and i was wondering if anyone would like to buy them.
What’s with the infatuation with Melancon and Cox? Their minor league stats this year aren’t really that good.
You know, Jose, if you hit like this–like you field–every day…
Molina’s having a good week tonight.
Molina is still pissed about that call, lol. Watch him homer if he gets another AB!
That’s good news on angelini, Brandon. He’s been driving the ball into the gaps more often in the last few weeks. He’s cut down on the strikeouts and even his outs are hard hit. More importantly, he and Snyder have cut down on the errors.
Craig, it’s now my policy NOT to mention when I go to games.
Inspite of the nervousness expresed by many, Sir Sidney did well. For 4/5 starter, he gave up 3 runs in 5.2 innings. Not bad. His stuff was good, though he threw lot of pitches and did not break.
GB7 I got a question since your the veteran here, does this 2008 BP remind you of the Nasty Boys (Reds) ?
Fantastic dialogue on Yes just now btwn Kay and Leiter on how fantastic JoeG’s handling of the pen has been. Kay ran through the stats and how dominant the pen has been over the past 2.5 months – he also noted how JoeG has recouped great value from Farnsworth and Veras despite others’ doubts, managed w/o a LOOGY, etc.. Leiter made the incisive comment that Girardi really trusted the young guys in all kinds of spots immediately upon callup (it was clear he was talking about the diff vs. Torre there), he said Girardi was of the belief that if they were good enough to get promoted up here, they were good enough to pitch. And how guys like Robertson really did belong. And both guys mentioned how the Joba loss to the pen has become a non-story.
Pete: you need to write this as a full-length story on this. Unlike his poor record on discussing injuries (which matters very little to team performance), here is an area where Giradi has made a tangible difference to the team’s record. (and somehwere Scott Proctor and Tanyon Sturtze weep!).
Hey! Who was this Chad Moeller person batting?
Haha, Chad Moeller? Why remove Damon when he could use the live batting? Although this is highly unlikely, what if Molina takes a bad hopper off the shoulder or something like that? Why use your backup catcher as a pinch hitter? Shouldn’t he use Betemit?
Seems like Papelbon may have invited trouble along the parade route…
http://cache.boston.com/images.....08_bgs.jpg
I hope Bernie goes to All Timers day this year. He really should.
so are they going to make Molina the DH now?
I’m watching the Brewers and Cardinals on tv and they just threw up the NL west standings. Is there a more pathetic division in sports?
The yankees got both Joba and Dave Robertson in the same draft – 2006.
They drafted Ian Kennedy and Mark Melancon in that same 2006 draft.
Dan McCutchen – drafted 2006.
They also drafted Zach McCallister and Dellin Betances in 2006. McCallister maybe their best starting pitching prospect with less than 50 major league innings thrown. Betances is probably the their third most talented pitching prospect after Brackman and Cole and has top of the rotation potential.
Chamberalin, Kennedy, Robertson, Melancon, McCutchen, McCallister and Betances – all in 2006. That’s more pitching talent in one draft than many teams have in their entire farm systems.
Think about how hard it is to put together a pitching staff. How many years it takes. The yankees assembled the core for an entire staff in one draft.
We’ve seen what Joba is doing. Now Robertson is excelling. I still believe that Kennedy is going to be a valuable starter. Melancon is going to be tremendous and will be with the team next year. McCallister is going to be a very, very good major leaguer. McCutchen will make a nice back end starter. Betances will take some time but he could has the potential to be a #1 or #2 starter.
It’s truly unbelievable A franchise changing draft.
The Mets stopped having Old Timers Day because they didn’t want to see Gary Carter.
Laura,
Not to be picky, but its “old timers” game not all Timers.
Just a point of reference, to help not to be picky.
Michael
“so are they going to make Molina the DH now?”
I think they put Moeller in there to get his feet wet again since he’ll be playing more now than before. My guess is that he’s catching Rasner tomorrow.
Brandon – why can Wesley Wright be acquired cheap? Where do you have evidence of this?
Last I heard, the Astros are trying to ADD relievers, not subtract them.
You really have a very annoying habit of latching onto either crappy AAAA guys or guys that AREN’T AVAILABLE and wishing the Yankees would go after them.
“Not to be picky, but its “old timers†game not all Timers.”
Yeah, I know. That was a typo, Mike. But thanks!
Brandon – why can Wesley Wright be acquired cheap? Where do you have evidence of this?
I’m pretty sure they would value a SU man over a LOOGY, could Farnsy get you Wright and Mark Loretta who knows, but that could definitely be an option.
Try following the Atlantic (besides the Celtics) in the NBA.
CB: Wow, what a draft! I mean, you hear of worst-to-first in a year…but never totally changing a franchise! Now we just need a draft like that with the position players!
Okay, should we call the Police and have them put out an APB on Pete?
I say this with guarded optimism, but maybe the club is past the sink or swim situation……Deperately need a RH hitting OF……Good to see the astute CB back in the fold….
it’s a girardi love-fest out there…
and LaTroy’s bringing it tonight
“I’m watching the Brewers and Cardinals on tv and they just threw up the NL west standings. Is there a more pathetic division in sports?”
Is there even a team that’s over .500 there? I don’t think so.
It paid for Girardi to be in the YES booth last year and as Joe Torre’s bench coach in 2005.
It taught him how to not overuse a bullpen and Dave Eiland deserves some props also.
Any news on Brackman? Do the yankees plan to let him pitch in these winter leagues?
“What’s with the infatuation with Melancon and Cox? Their minor league stats this year aren’t really that good.”
Huh? Melancon’s thrown 70 IP through A and AA, 2.31 ERA, .219 BAA, 8.1 K/9, 2.2 BB/9. That’s AMAZINGLY good (he’s been better at AA than A).
And he’s still recovering arm strength after Tommy John surgery.
Cox has only thrown 38 innings, and hasn’t been anything spectacular. But he, too, is still recovering arm strength.
Where’s SJ44 and his “Melancon is that good” posts? Finally seeing the light are you?
Laura: About the NL West–nope.
Mr. Clean just hit 97 mph on the gun (I kid you not)
I see that OAK decided to not even show up in Tampa. Losers!
Nice inning, Hawkins. If that was really him.
Anyone have a Hawk Bar?
“Laura: About the NL West–nope.”
They should forfeit their spot in the playoffs. You know whoever wins that division is going out first round.
Pete:
The iPhone 3g is spectactular. I’m posting this from Disneyland after checking my Yankees news and getting the score of the game. It has the best browser of any phone out there and is incredibly easy to use. Plus, the 3g is dang fast – not quite Wifi but pretty dang close. I highly recommend you get one ASAP.
Good post CB and with some eye opening info. Let’s hope Damon Oppenheimer’s selections this year produce some good position players.
I think COX is a potential trade chip.
They will keep Melancon, but will trade Cox if they can fill a need. Ohlendorf too.
Already we have a good bullpen and we do not need all these guys.
Come on, Sexy. No strikeouts tonight.
At least the Celtics won the championship.
Melancon isn’t pitching on consecutive days. How useful could he be?
Laura: That’s the biggest problem I have with the current playoff set up–it’s that the teams that make it aren’t necessarily the four best in the league!
Pat M,
Agreed on the outfield situation. Abreu’s power has really dwindled (as has his OBP). They could in theory afford to carry an average to below average CF but its difficult to carry both a CF and RF who aren’t hitting for power, especially without getting plus production from the catcher spot. Abreu’s OPS is now .780. That’s just terrible for a RF.
I don’t know what the answer is. I don’t think the Pirates are going to be easy to deal with – the new GM is still trying to live down the legacy of the last regime. Holliday is not going to happen. We’ll see.
Wow, the Big Sexy walks again. Didn’t he walk yesterday too?
“Melancon isn’t pitching on consecutive days. How useful could he be?”
Yeah, you’re just a troll. We get it.
He’s throwing 2-4 (yes, 4) innings per appearance. That’s what you do with relievers coming back from TJ surgery.
Try to buy a clue, d00d.
Let’s hope the Yanks didn’t empty the clip on this game. They’re going to need some runs tomorrow for Darrell Rasner.
…well, Robbie had a HR and RBI single before, so I guess I can excuse him that.
Arod needs to take Cano aside and tell him how important those stat-padding situations are. You have to pounce there!
That’s two at bats in a row where Melky has swung at the first pitch. I know the Yanks are up by 9 runs, but I hope he’s not giving away the AB.
Derek Jeter UNO cards? LOL!
I’ve just added this Span guy to the baseball hotties club. Right now, membership is very high.
The saddest thing about the NL West is that the teams have good players and pretty large payrolls. They are not cheap like the Marlins or Rays. The Dodgers signed some big contracts, the Diamondbacks have a strong team, and the Giants and Padres dont even have tiny payrolls. Pathetic
“That’s two at bats in a row where Melky has swung at the first pitch. I know the Yanks are up by 9 runs, but I hope he’s not giving away the AB.”
I swear, you guys would whine if Babe Ruth made an out, lol.
If yall didnt know…
Span is super good
A win like this puts us in good position for the series.
It’s not whining, it’s hoping that Melky is focusing at the plate every time he steps up there. For someone who has struggled all year, it was a good time to plate some more runs. Is it whining to expect the hitters to focus regardless of the situation? I’ve played baseball and know it’s hard to hit when you’re up by so many runs, but then again I don’t make millions of dollars to play baseball. Is that too much to ask?
“If yall didnt know…
Span is super good”
Did you see that catch he made the other day? Jumped over the fence to snag a foul ball.
Now that is a way to open a series!
* Breaking News *
Anthony Claggett after 14.2 IP finally gave up a run
The pressure is now on Boston. They must win tonight or fall behind Tampa Bay another game and see a brighter glare in their rear view mirror from Yankee headlights.
Brandon, no way do these guys remind me of the Reds bullpen of the 90s. For one thing Myers and Charlton was left handed, and for another, they all threw in the upper 90s. NYY has an advantage in that they have more pitchers to use than Piniella had. Only the results have been the same.
I’m still frightened about how the best record in the NL West now would be no higher than 4th in every other divsion
In Claggett’s last 21.2 IP he’s held the opponent to a .165 BAA
Nice night for yankee catchers all around –
AA Ehlers is 1 for 2 w/ 2 bb’s,
AAA Stewart 3 for 4 w/ a bb and an rbi.
Brandon, no way do these guys remind me of the Reds bullpen of the 90s. For one thing Myers and Charlton was left handed, and for another, they all threw in the upper 90s. NYY has an advantage in that they have more pitchers to use than Piniella had. Only the results have been the same.
Thanks I’ll make sure I tell him that.
TKinDC Ehlers is a 1B
GB –
Don’t forget Dibble in the Nasty Boys – who led the league in brawls with his manager in the locker room.
I like this winning games stuff they have going on
“TKinDC Ehlers is a 1B”
D’Oh! My bad – the first initial ‘C’ threw me off.
Regardless of the ragging I get about Holliday and his Coors Field stats, the guy is a soild player who would elevate playing for the Yanks…..The cost factor could be to high….That thing with the Angels was as we know to get a feeling for the market however it was too much of a high auction bid……Good to have you back, don’t know where SJ has been,but Randy 1 has been around which is good….The forum gets a little off tract when stimulating opinions are missing….
8 in a row at home.
You folks can bad mouth the guy all you want but SJ44 was one of the better posters here along with CB and the blog community is a little worse if those two guys are gone. They may not have always been right (who is?) but their points always seemed to be thought out before they put fingers to keys, well informed (with actual information be it a legit source or some first hand view), and were at the least good to foster debate. I always search for CB and SJ’s posts to get a sense of how the board was doing during a given game.
Maybe the constant stalkers who trolled his every post finally won, hope not because stifling freedom of expression is always a sad thing.
“Melancon isn’t pitching on consecutive days. How useful could he be?â€
Yeah, you’re just a troll. We get it.
He’s throwing 2-4 (yes, 4) innings per appearance. That’s what you do with relievers coming back from TJ surgery.
Try to buy a clue, d00d.
oh wow the troll card – you just revealed your level of intellect with that one. Just because I don’t overvalue Yankee prospects like everyone else here I’m a troll. I follow your logic…
I didn’t see the SJ44 bashing, but I too miss his posts, hopefully he’s having some good summer family fun and will return to these parts. Good to see CB posting again.
Hey guys, the Angels are pitching a no hitter and losing.
Again.
(so it’s only the 2nd, it’s still amusing!)
oh wow the troll card – you just revealed your level of intellect with that one. Just because I don’t overvalue Yankee prospects like everyone else here I’m a troll. I follow your logic…
I’m sorry I came into this discussion late are you implying that Mark Melancon is overrated ?
“oh wow the troll card – you just revealed your level of intellect with that one. Just because I don’t overvalue Yankee prospects like everyone else here I’m a troll. I follow your logic…”
And you’re showing yours.
That bullpen is full of ex-farmhands. Veras, Ramirez, Robertson. ‘Overrated’, right?
Melancon’s been tagged as the heir to Rivera. He’s -that- good.
Melancon is in double A and rehabbing from TJ surgery as you pointed out. I took issue with these people screaming for Melancon to be pitching for the Yankees this year. – If that’s no over valuing your prospects I don’t know what is – thinking a pitcher rehabbing from surgery who hasn’t pitched in Triple A is a viable solution for the big league club.
“That thing with the Angels was as we know to get a feeling for the market however it was too much of a high auction bid”
I’m not real big on Matt Holliday honestly – it’s not that I don’t like him it’s just that I feel he’s very overvalued.
He’s come to be seen as a top 15 type player – and he’s not. But that’s how the Rockies are valuing him and how Boras is making contract demands.
If the rumored trade demands they made of the Angels are even close to being true then its just ridiculous to even try to trade for Holliday.
They supposedly asked for Nick Adenhart and Howied Kendrick – ok fine. But on top of that they wanted either Ervin Santana or Joe Saunders! What? So they wanted the Angels best pitching prospect, a .300 hitting second baseman and an all star pitcher under 26 for Holliday.
That’s the thing – Holliday is just not nearly that good and he’s only signed for one more year.
He’s another player demanding franchise money who is simply not a franchise player. On top of that the Rockies want a kingdom of talent.
If they made a similar request from the yankees it would be Joba, Hughes and Jackson or something similar to that.
Holliday is good. But he’s not an elite player, IMO. But he’s being valued as an elite player.
Here’s hoping SJ44 comes back soon. Agree with him or not, but he’s a huge asset to this blog.
tim boat AA Mark Melancon is getting through 1 IP w/ a less than double digit pitch count, because of this he has to pitch 2 – 3 IP at times. In year 1 in AA after 44.2 IP of relief the opposition is batting .185 vs Melancon…I’ll take that overrated in the big leagues any day of the week.
TK, The Yanks have Ponson to match up the barroom fights with Dibble. The New York Knight will sit on Dibble’s face and shut his mouth permanently.
Melchon overrated?Thats kinda crazy because he was the best closer in the 2006 draft.But again I don’t say anybody good until they can prove it in the major league level.Veras has proven it and shut me up.
But JB.Cox,Kennedy,Ohlendorff.Then yes those guys are overrated.
“Melancon isn’t pitching on consecutive days. How useful could he be?”
I think that’s the controversial statement by ‘tim boat’ if that is indeed his name.
hey that’s progress Alex actually stayed in the stadium
Hey guys, if you want to be amused, see what Detroit is doing in KC.
If you want to get nervous, look at what the Cubs are doing in Arizona.
Maybe it’s the five dingers he launcehed last Postseason that has clouded my judgement,,,,But if the exchange rate in players were to come down somewhat he’d be an atractive addition…..I see were the Rockies called up Ian Stewart ( HS teammate of Ian Kennedy ) …Watch out for this kid…..Bottom line, Cashman has to find a RH hitting OF and I have to think everyone here agrees to that…The Organization is forming a bottleneck at the AA/ AAA level….On the mound that is….
So when do we see the Franchise back in stripes if at all did Pete just give good news or bad news?
Twentieth Century Fox Presents:
DArk Knight will take next weeks box office.
“Melancon isn’t pitching on consecutive days. How useful could he be?â€
I think that’s the controversial statement by ‘tim boat’ if that is indeed his name.
How is that a controversial statement? Someone said they’d like to see Melancon in the Yankee bullpen this year. One of my replies was he hasn’t been pitching on consecutive days because of his rehab which adversely impacts his overall utility.
Then you have people pegging him as the heir apparent to Mariano while he has yet to pitch above AA or prove his durability.
Wow Detroit….
tim boat … you heard it here first … the heir apparent to Mo is neither Mark Melancon or J.B. Cox … nope … his name is Jonathan Ortiz.
Within 2 years (provided they dont trade him) you will be hearing about him pitching for the Bombers.
He is currently at Single A Charleston and he is their closer and dominating. Granted it is Low A, but his numbers are filthy. Next year I predict he will be turning heads at AA Trenton and in 2010 (Mo’s final year of his contract) he will be in the Bronx by mid-season.
There is some video of him on You Tube … he looks like he is cut from the same cloth as K-Rod.
Wilkins De La Rosa has also been dominating at Charleston this year … but he is now starting games after spending the first half of the year in bullpen.
Wow, hope no one took your apple advice. Stock is down 10% today
Don’t quit your day job