Excuse me, but some of us actually have a history of going to Yankee games and are having a tough time shelling out the cash (and scheduling the right time) as it is…

Heck, I’ve made plans to go only to cancel them all season long.

In Mattingly’s days, this wasn’t a problem.

The M’s treat everybody like that, outside of Suzuki, Johjima and King Felix. There are fewer ballclubs in the Majors who have a worse reputation for management, from the ownership to the front office to the skipper.

Lou Piniella knew what he was doing when his core players of Boone, Edgar and Olerud were gone. As I said before, he saw the trainwreck coming when the organization had fully Japanized the Mariners.

The next skipper failed to reverse the course. Then again, it wasn’t really Hargrove’s fault; he tried to change the culture but got bucked by the likes of Ichiro.

Sexson was all too happy to be released (and still get paid). The M’s mis-management of Richie is the Yankees’ gain.

“why are they not trying to get Burke or even Johjima instead of Vidro?”

As I said, the Mariners are not going to part company with one of their Japanese star players (although Kenji is hardly star material).

I don’t know much about Burke.

But besides that, there is no WAY the Yankees are going to start breaking in a brand new catcher for the starting role.

Definitely not with Girardi (a former catcher who knows better) and the confidence he has in Molina.

Again, unless there is a COMPLETE disaster, nothing dramatic is happening in the catching slot.

End-of-discussion.

As for Vidro, did anyone know he had 3 hits and 2 RBI’s against Boston last night, including a homer off Buchholz? I really don’t think this guy is done. I think he’d be a nice righty DH to use every now and then off the bench. Maybe the guy wants to show suitors he has something left.

With the needs I see that the Yankees have listed, why are they not trying to get Burke or even Johjima instead of Vidro? Jo has been a near .300 hitter every year but fell to the same issues as Vidro and Burke, our 3rd string, should be our starting catcher IMO. In fact I would try and get Burke way before I would consider Washburn and the way the M’s evaluate talent you should be able to get him for nothing more than a reach around.

“we do need a catcher, if we’re not believing in moeller
molina is great, but he can’t hold up over the rest of the season”

Molina is the best replacement for Posada anywhere in the league. The Yankees are lucky to have him and don’t think the Yankees don’t read the CERA statlines. Or that this latest run of well-pitched games is occuring with Molina behind the plate.

Baseball is more than just stats; it’s about relationships in a professional environment and off the field. Molina has built his rapport and rep with the rest of the players and especially the pitching staff over a LONG drawn-out period. He knows what they expect from him and vice versa.

The Yankees are NOT going to make drastic changes and risk throwing that chemistry out of balance mid-season for 50, 100 or even 150 points of OPS. And BTW, that assumes that any ballclub would willingly let that calibre a catcher go (NOT likely, and NOT without a high price).

Molina stays where he is unless disaster strikes. That lees likely to happen because the attributes that got him into the starting role (defense and ball-calling) are not as prone to “bad streaks” as offense.

Moeller, who can catch Rasner exclusively, will give Molina the fifth or odd day-off, much like Molina gave Posada his fifth day off.

As far as the catching goes, the Yankees have made preparations, and those plans have bourne fruit.

Bravo Zulu, I say.

You always want a solid third catcher in the system somewhere to protect the first two. I don’t know the quality of the current AAA catcher (and I don’t mean his statistics, ANYONE can read statistics) so maybe someone can help me there?

Moeller used to be the third back-up until Jorge became unworkable. He’s since been moved up in the pecking order.

Catchers break down. It’s the hardest position in the field and a playoff candidate that doesn’t plan for a replacement, including one for the backup catcher, is irresponsible.

Also, their season is done for, so they’ll be more than happy to play to the Japanese crowds. They may decide to ante-up on that fact alone which increases Igawa’s trade value well above his expected value to any other ball-club.

I say trade Igawa for prospects, picks, and a little money (Washburn and Vidro are nice but I think unecessary) but don’t upset the chemistry too much (granted, the chemistry among everyday players and the bullpen is different than among the comparably loose fraternity of starters).

Look it up.