The roller-coaster 2008 roster
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- July
- 27
Everybody, fans and reporters, makes lists in spring training trying to figure out the 25-man roster for Opening Day.
Talk about a waste of time.
At the moment, the Yankees have 11 players on the roster who weren’t there on Opening Day. That’s not counting Andy Pettitte, who was on the DL for the opener but made a start on April 5.
So what happened to the original 2008 Yankees?
On the DL: Chien-Ming Wang, Phil Hughes, Jorge Posada, Hideki Matsui, Brian Bruney.
Demoted: Shelley Duncan, Ian Kennedy, Billy Traber.
Released: Morgan Ensberg, LaTroy Hawkins.
Demoted then traded: Ross Ohlendorf.
The only players who have been on the roster for all 103 games are: Derek Jeter, Bobby Abreu, Jason Giambi, Robinson Cano, Jose Molina, Mike Mussina and Mariano Rivera. That’s seven players.
Don’t forget, Melky Cabrera and Kyle Farnsworth missed games because of suspension and Joba Chamberlain was on the bereavement list. A-Rod was on the DL, too.
You have to give credit to Joe Girardi for keeping the team together through so much turmoil. That the Yankees are 58-45 at this point is somewhat of a miracle. It also suggests that this recent run isn’t a fluke. It’s more a product of finally having a good core group of players together at the same time.
——————-
The Kansas City Star reports the Yankees have interest in RHP Brian Bannister. Melky Cabrera would go to the Royals. Interesting deal.
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on Sunday, July 27th, 2008 at 1:22 am by Peter Abraham.
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Peter Abraham
It’s always a long season and people should never write off the Yanks.
What about A-Rod?
Hello?
Yeah, he’s the guy who’s our MVP.
man… I knew we had a lot of injuries and stuff but wow. It is pretty incredible that even with all of the injuries/turnover of the roster that we are now 1 game out of a playoff spot and tied in the loss column.
the yanks have been a second team these last few years. key parts of the team like cano and abreu and dramatically better second half players and i think that has had as much to do with our pre-break post-break splits the last few years as anything
A Rod was hurt as well.
Alex was on the DL in April/May.
Three of those players especially have been responsible for the Yankees managing to head into the break over .500.
One of those is making me think we need to get him to take a week in the Dominican with his father before Opening Day.
Two of the others are finally coming around.
The last one just has baseball’s best ‘stache.
I give the credit to Mo Moose and the Stache
http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/queens/2008/07/26/2008-07-26_another_fan_falls_from_escalator_at_shea.html
Another schmuck.
They really should fix that escalator already…
I guess maybe they do need to stop serving alcohol earlier
jgnyc survival of the fittest at its best.
hangs head in shame in actually saying it.
Now we just have to batter Lester tomorrow.
The one thing I like about tomorrows game is that Lester isn’t facing the same Yankees. Literally, and figuratively. I hope he comes into the game thinking he’s going to mow through the lineup like he did last time. It’s not going to be that easy with the new hitting with RISP improved lineup, which also includes Sexson and Nady. I really believe he’s going to have a tough time. And also, it’s not the same Robinson Cano.
OK I have to comment on a trade proposal from the last thread.
I usually agree with most of what Guiseppe Franco says, but this is one of the worst ideas I ever heard.
Grienke and DeJesus for Cano and Cabrera?
Are you completely insane? First of all, the Yankees don’t need Grienke. And David DeJesus, are you kidding me?
Cano is one of the top 2nd basemen in the league. He’s young, signed to a cheap contract, and immensely talented both with the bat and in the field. Melky is also controlled for 4 more years and plays great defense. Yeah, his hitting has taken a step back, but is DeJesus even better than him straight up?
Your logic was that we could get another 2nd baseman. Ok. There are about ummm let’s see… ONE 2nd baseman I’d rather have than Cano. His name is Chase Utley. Only about 5 2nd basemen are above average hitters. But I guess replacing Cano must be easier than replacing a player like David DeJesus? That’s laughable.
You could argue that if we sign CC this offseason, Grienke would be our 5th or 6th starter next year, and that’s if he could handle NY.
Not a chance in hell this deal makes sense no matter how you spin it.
Its just awful.
miggs, I agree with you 100%.
You see Cano and he looks like one day he can seriously make a run at being a hall of famer. This guy is so good that if one year he gets off to a semi-decent start, he can probably make a run at hitting .400.
Not to mention his gold glove caliber defense, and his solidness in the terms of never getting injured. He’s also a guy you can see playing many, many games in a row, like Tejada did.
Grenkie’s good, but you don’t see a hall of fame caliber player in him. Throw in his mental unstableness and even comparing him to Cano is silly.
anyways what has been going on w the stache lately? maybe time to shave it off a grow a new one? oh ya and trading cano is one of the worst ideas ive ever heard in the forum.
The one thing I like about tomorrows game is that Lester isn’t facing the same Yankees. Literally, and figuratively. I hope he comes into the game thinking he’s going to mow through the lineup like he did last time. It’s not going to be that easy with the new hitting with RISP improved lineup, which also includes Sexson and Nady. I really believe he’s going to have a tough time. And also, it’s not the same Robinson Cano.
I know the team has played well lately but let’s not get carried away.
This same team you are referring to managed just one run against Josh Beckett last night and he has nothing close to his normal self.
And Sidney Ponson – who is very likely to get hammered – isn’t Joba taking the mound against the Red Sox.
Plus, their win streak has to end sooner or later, so my guess is that the cards are really stacked against them on Sunday night.
I’m just happy they have managed to win the series.
“I know the team has played well lately but let’s not get carried away.
This same team you are referring to managed just one run against Josh Beckett last night and he has nothing close to his normal self.”
Fair point, fair point. I agree it’s going to be tough, but if the Minnesota Twins, whose offense is less than impressive managed to touch him up for 5 runs, there’s no reason the Yankees shouldn’t be able to touch him up for more. Lester isn’t close to Becketts level. He’s very good, but he’s no shut down guy like Beckett.
Let’s just hope for the best. Maybe Sidney’s luck can continue.
miggs,
I never said I was looking to trade Cano. But I’d listen to offers if another team wanted him.
But it’s clear – according to the article – that the Yanks and Royals talked about Greinke.
How serious were these discussions?
I have no idea.
But many Yankee fans are high on Cano now because he’s red hot. Many of those same people weren’t as high on him when he was hitting .200 back in May.
I’m not looking to trade Cano. But I wouldn’t rule anything out either.
Let’s just look strictly at 2009 here and tell me who you would rather have:
Is Grienke better than CC? Obviously not.
How about Wang? Nope.
Joba? Negative.
Pettitte? Too clutch, great 2nd half and postseason pitcher. Even at 36, I take Pettitte.
Mussina? With the way Moose has pitched since May you can’t realistically say Grienke will have a better ‘09. Grienke has better stuff obviously, but Moose has reinvented himself and is pitching with his head, and its beautiful to watch.
That doesn’t even mention Hughes, Kennedy, etc.
Grienke would have a tough time cracking the rotation, especially if Moose and Pettitte are resigned. I expect CC to sign. That’s one big fish the Yankees covet. They’ll throw a ton of money at him.
“Many of those same people weren’t as high on him when he was hitting .200 back in May.”
You’re correct, and those people are dumb. Just looking at his makeup, everyone should have known he was capable of this. And plus, a young kid like him doesn’t just hit .297 one year, .342 the next, a solid .306 season, AND THEN .215???
But I think most people who know baseball truly believed he was going to start hitting. I admit when I was wrong about things like Mussina, Giambi, but as for Cano, I always believed he was going to hit. But I feel pretty stupid now for thinking Mussina was done.
I agree it’s going to be tough, but if the Minnesota Twins, whose offense is less than impressive managed to touch him up for 5 runs, there’s no reason the Yankees shouldn’t be able to touch him up for more.
The big difference is that the Twins is the best team in the majors in situational hitting and RISP.
The Yanks’ problem is not getting runners on base – it’s driving them in.
And they’ve just started to hit well during this winning streak. It had been an Achilles heel for this team all season.
And you know what Guiseppe Franco? Tomorrow will be a great test. Let’s see if they can get it done against Lester. He’s not going to over power everyone like Beckett can. They SHOULD hit him, and they should continue hitting with RISP against him. It will be very interesting to see.
miggs,
Have you really seen Greinke pitch?
This kid’s stuff is as good as anyone in the league. And he’s 24 years old.
I didn’t start this rumor. That newspaper did when it said the Yanks and KC talked about him.
And for your information, Moose wouldn’t be resigned if Greinke was added to the rotation.
Hell, Moose probably won’t be resigned anyway because the trade for Washburn would guarantee him a spot in the 2009 rotation.
I understand you like Cano and that’s fine. But don’t undervalue Greinke and his ability. Every GM in baseball would love to have that kid – including the Yankees.
DFox,
Some of us just wanted Cano to have a mental health break.
The ASB did wonders for Cano. If he stumbles out of the block next spring, just send him home for spring break
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/scorecard/mlbnews.asp?articleID=237175
CC is the only big name I hope the Yankees go after.
No Mark Teixiera.
I repeat, please no Mark Teixiera.
No one’s blocking Moose next season if he’s healthy, effective, and desires to pitch in New York. Same for Pettitte.
“CC is the only big name I hope the Yankees go after.
No Mark Teixiera.
I repeat, please no Mark Teixiera.”
Agreed.
“The ASB did wonders for Cano. If he stumbles out of the block next spring, just send him home for spring break”
Haha, seriously, or make his dad Cano’s personal hitting coach, or SOMETHING. I mean if this guy starts the season off hitting to his actual ability, he IS a .342 hitter, and you can even see him hovering around .400 during a very good season. It almost makes you infuriated to think about it. Even if he hit .270 in the first half of the season, it wouldn’t bug you, it’s just so strange why he couldn’t get it done then.
DFox,
It was mental. Kevin Long just needs to put on a Mr. Cano mask so Robi will listen.
BTW, Congrats to the new toy for sitting down Big Papi tonight.
Girardi said that he’s going to use him and Ramirez to face tough lefties.
With respect to the rotation, 2008 and 2009, here’s my opinion.
This year, Joba/Pettitte/Mussina are locked in. Period. #4 spot will be Washburn if the trade is made. #5 is Ponson until he loses his spot (Rasner to long relief; not sure what that means for Giese). If Ponson loses his spot, it goes back to Rasner.
Ponson is gone at the end of the year (if he makes it that far), wish him luck, etc.
2009 rotation: Wang, CC (average salary of 18M per for 5 years (slightly frontloaded to take advantage of luxury tax breaks from the stadium)), Joba, Pettitte (1 year deal @ 16M), Mussina (if he’ll take a 1 year deal). This is probably Pettitte and Mussina’s last year as Yankees.
Hughes and Kennedy start the year at AAA. They are in AAA until they absolutely force themselves back to the majors, Liriano style. Worry about too many SPs when you get there (someone ALWAYS gets hurt).
Oh, and 2009, Washburn is dealt in the offseason, or relegated to the bullpen.
Does Washburn still have a NTC if he waives it to come here?
Could we trade him in the off-season if he sucks? Or does he still have the NTC?
Zack Greinke21 starts7-7 record 133.0 IP138 H 18 HR 41 BB 114 K1.35 WHIP 4.06 ERA.
He may have great stuff and he is young, but these numbers don’t exactly knock my socks off. He’s got great potential I agree with you on that. But a WHIP of 1.35 and an ERA over 4 do not translate into a dominating starter.
Go check Pettitte’s ERA. Then check Mussina’s. Neither of those guys are considered dominating, yet their numbers are superior to Grienke’s this year.
He also gives up a ton of HRs. I don’t know, I’m not exactly sold on this guy being a great pitcher. Yes he’s 24, but he has yet to even put together one very good year. Now put him in a pressure cooker like NY, let the AL East teams see him 4-5 times a year.
The guy will be popping Xanax nonstop.
Now Guiseppe, I know you agree with me on Teixiera, as well as a lot of other issues. On this one I respectfully disagree.
No one’s blocking Moose next season if he’s healthy, effective, and desires to pitch in New York. Same for Pettitte.
We agree on Pettitte. But I wouldn’t bring back Moose next season.
He’s going to be 40 years old and everyone – including Moose himself – is shocked by how well he’s pitched this season after such a terrible 2007.
The odds of him coming back next season and pitching close to his 2007 stats are a lot better than him coming back and pitching close to his 2008 stats.
He’s had an outstanding season – no question about it. But this is still the same guy who couldn’t crack the rotation back in August of last year.
I like Moose, but they need to let him walk. He’s another one of those players who is overachieving during a contract year.
“Does Washburn still have a NTC if he waives it to come here?
Could we trade him in the off-season if he sucks? Or does he still have the NTC?”
He has it unless he waives it in the trade – I assume the Yankees will want to buy it out.
On the Mets escalator incident this isn’t the Mets fault
canos not going anywhere they just signed him to a good contract and hes a good young hitter. as for the cabrera/bannister trade… while bannister is effective and im not so high on cabrera, noq does not seem like the time to trade the centerfielder. heck, who would play there? abreu? damon? gardner? negative, negative, negative i say.
cabrera needs improvement but making a trade just for the sake of making a trade doesnt seem to be the move right now
“He’s going to be 40 years old and everyone – including Moose himself – is shocked by how well he’s pitched this season after such a terrible 2007.”
I disagree, because you also have to remember he won’t be in the same role he’s in this year. He’s a top of the rotation guy this year, possibly their #1. Skip ahead to next year, you have Joba at the top, CC, hopefully Hughes, Pettitte, and then Mussina would be your FIFTH starter. You wouldn’t need nearly the production out of the 5th slot as you need from him this year…
DFox,
You dope, where’s Wang? Phil cracks the rotation if we don’t get CC.
And don’t say that’s too many pitchers.
Look at 2006 Sox and 2008 Yankees.
“You dope, where’s Wang? Phil cracks the rotation if we don’t get CC.”
WHOOPS, completely forgot about him
miggs,
C’mon, you have to be smarter than that. If I looked at Pettitte’s stats back in early June – his numbers wouldn’t be all that impressive either.
His numbers look good now because he’s pitched very well for over a month.
Greinke has been struggling a bit lately but he was 7-4, 3.40 ERA, 1.24 WHIP just 4 starts ago while playing for a really bad team that’s in last place and 13 games under .500.
Let me remind you that this kid is 24 years old.
You have to think about the future. Moose may not be back in 2009 if they land Washburn anyways and Pettitte almost assuredly won’t be back in 2010.
I happen to like the kid. And so does every other GM.
Moose can be just as good next year.
He’s not blowing the ball by guys. He’s not dropping that sick knuckle-curve like he used to. Moose is moving the ball inside and out, cutting it both ways, and striking out way more guys than in the past. But they’re a lot of called 3rd strikes. He’s fooling guys with a mid-80s fastball.
My point is that he has changed his style completely. The way he pitches now he relies less on stuff and more on guile and brains.
Look at Maddux, Glavine, Moyer, etc. All were effective far past the age of 40. Not because they had great stuff. Because they located effectively and evolved their games to what their strengths were.
Moose finally figured that out. He finally started pitching inside.
Moose isn’t pitching for a contract. The guy has made tons of money in his career. He knows he’s only getting a 2 year deal max. My bet is he stays with the Yanks on a one-year deal. The Yankees simply give him the best chance to succeed, and I bet he stays.
All depends on how much Moose is going to be asking. I’d love him back in pinstripes, maybe 6M? I don’t even know how to price pitchers anymore ever since that Carlos Silva deal.
Guiseppe,
Don’t the Yankees have their own Greinkes in the system?
You can not discount a nervous breakdown. That’s some serious baggage.
I disagree, because you also have to remember he won’t be in the same role he’s in this year. He’s a top of the rotation guy this year, possibly their #1. Skip ahead to next year, you have Joba at the top, CC, hopefully Hughes, Pettitte, and then Mussina would be your FIFTH starter. You wouldn’t need nearly the production out of the 5th slot as you need from him this year…
You forgot Wang. And you are also assuming they sign Sabathia – which he has to agree to come here for this thing to work out.
And if all that happens, there’s no room for Moose. So you’d be wrong.
Guiseppe we’re not looking at numbers from last month, we’re looking at 2008 season stats.
You’re nitpicking here. Games in July count just as much as games in May and June.
Ok so Pettitte has pitched well the last month and Greinke hasn’t. We should discount those games? That’s silly.
Moose isn’t pitching for a contract. The guy has made tons of money in his career. He knows he’s only getting a 2 year deal max. My bet is he stays with the Yanks on a one-year deal. The Yankees simply give him the best chance to succeed, and I bet he stays.
I expect the Yanks to push hard for Sabathia this offseason. And if he signs, there’s no room for Moose – especially if they make this Washburn deal.
Your 2009 rotation would be:
Sabathia, Wang, Pettitte, Joba, and Washburn
And don’t say they can trade or DFA Washburn if he sucks. Look at how Seattle is struggling to get rid of him and the Yanks are offering to pick up his entire salary.
Easier said than done.
And DFA’ing a guy making $10M+ isn’t likely to happen.
Hawkins made only $3.5M and sucked all season. Yet, he was dead weight on the team for the first 102 games and blocked someone like Britton who would have been more effective.
M4rk6,
$6M would be an insult. Andy got $16.
The Yankees have to consider that Moose toiled for $11M. He won’t come back for less.
He wants to pitch, but he’ll walk if he’s insulted.
But it’s short and sweet, so no biggie IMO.
Moose is already at 13 wins for the season and 263 in his career.
300 wins is like the sun, sucking pitchers into its orbit as they get closer.
If Moose got near 300 wins in the AL East that would be incredible.
Sorry Guiseppe, Moose starts over Hughes.
Its not even close. If Moose wants to come back, he makes the rotation.
Its an absolute no-brainer.
Plus, Hughes is going to have an innings-limit next year, and he can’t stay healthy. The guy pulls a hamstring, then badly sprains an ankle running conditioning drills. These injuries keep him out 3 months.
Then he comes back this year and fractures a rib, he’s not even sure how it happened. The guy is fragile. I hope he can overcome these injuries, but its not a sure thing by any means.
Come on now, your arguments are losing validity the more you try and defend them.
“We agree on Pettitte. But I wouldn’t bring back Moose next season.
He’s going to be 40 years old and everyone – including Moose himself – is shocked by how well he’s pitched this season after such a terrible 2007.
The odds of him coming back next season and pitching close to his 2007 stats are a lot better than him coming back and pitching close to his 2008 stats.
He’s had an outstanding season – no question about it. But this is still the same guy who couldn’t crack the rotation back in August of last year.
I like Moose, but they need to let him walk. He’s another one of those players who is overachieving during a contract year.”
I disagree. If Moose stumbles down the stretch, to the tune of 5 straight mediocre starts? I give it to you. If he continues doing what he’s doing now, I don’t think he loses that over the winter.
Even if they deal for Washburn, I honestly don’t see him in the 2009 rotation, barring injury.
Moose also starts over Washburn.
But I doubt he even comes here. The trade doesn’t make too much sense to me.
If they do trade for him, he’s gone in the offseason. Or in the bullpen.
He’s simply not good enough to be penciled in for 2009.
I have a nagging suspicion that the Yankees won’t end up taking Washburn. I don’t know why – maybe the fact that the Nady/Marte deal came out of nowhere – I think it’s a Cashman smoke screen.
Guys, do we really need Bannister? who plays Center for the reat of the season, Gardner? I’m not so sure i do the trade, i think kennendy or even aceves can provide what bannister does
Funny thing on espnews, Lowell said, “We got our Pavanos kicked”.
the yanks will not get a pitcher in the offseason.. they will sign Texiera only..
the rotation next yr will be; wang,joba, hughes, pettite, and moose or someone else….
the team will be mainly what they have now with no giambi, or abreu, but tex and matsui..
the pen will be more or less the same without kyle but with melancon and potentially more young studs..
so we have OF of; damon lf, melky cf, nady rf, matsui Dh, tex 1b, cano, jeter, arod, and posada…
this is a real good team.. matsui,nady, and damon in last yr of deals…
Someone Else you and I are on the same page tonight.
You see what I see.
“Guys, do we really need Bannister? who plays Center for the reat of the season, Gardner? I’m not so sure i do the trade, i think kennendy or even aceves can provide what bannister does”
I don’t think a Bannister – Melky deal will see the light of day. It’s possible the idea was broached, but I don’t think there’s even a 5% chance of it happening.
You’re nitpicking here. Games in July count just as much as games in May and June.
But you’re nitpicking as well.
You are comparing the stats of Moose, Pettitte, and Greinke on July 25th instead of what they look like at the end of 2008.
I’m not going to judge anyone’s season by the last few good or bad starts because the numbers are skewed.
I’d rather look at the whole picture and their projections for the future to determine their value beyond this season.
“the yanks will not get a pitcher in the offseason.. they will sign Texiera only..
the rotation next yr will be; wang,joba, hughes, pettite, and moose or someone else….”
The Yankees haven’t signed me yet – I’m holding out for $15M.
I love these posts.. Moose toiled for $11 mill, poor guy,
He will be 39 yrs old, that is real old to be an elite athlete….................
Someone else, I belive you’re right this whole article doesn’t make any sence to me
Sorry Guiseppe, Moose starts over Hughes.
Its not even close. If Moose wants to come back, he makes the rotation.
Its an absolute no-brainer.
What are you talking about? I haven’t mentioned Hughes at all.
Stuart I’m glad you’re not the GM.
I’ll leave it at that.
Let’s just put it this way. I think signing Tiexiera goes against everything this team has been trying to do the last 3-4 years.
I think signing him sets the franchise back in ways you can’t even comprehend. Its not just the money. Its the logjam at 1st, the fact that Tiexiera is wildly overrrated… I could go on and on.
The Yankees haven’t signed me yet – I’m holding out for $15M.
LOL!!! you made me laugh 3 o’clock in middle of the night
“But you’re nitpicking as well.
You are comparing the stats of Moose, Pettitte, and Greinke on July 25th instead of what they look like at the end of 2008.”
Guiseppe I’m starting to really question your baseball knowledge the more you argue this point.
How the hell can I compare stats from the entire season when they haven’t played those games yet?
Put down the scotch man. Or pass me some of what you’re smoking, it must be some good stuff.
Hughes controls Mussina’s fate!
miggs is on greinke’s nuts. can i say nuts?
miggs,
How the hell can I compare stats from the entire season when they haven’t played those games yet?
Exactly. Which is why comparing the stats of said players on July 25th is meaningless.
Let them play the whole season before you make a decision on the future of this club.
And if you’re going to debate me about something, be a man about it. No need for insults.
Ok I have to go to bed.
If I keep up this Grienke argument I’m going to put my head through the wall.
Its frustrating when you can’t get others to see common sense.
“Exactly. Which is why comparing the stats of said players on July 25th is meaningless.”
How is it meaningless? I’m arguing that Grienke is not nearly as good as you think he is. I’m using stats from 2008 to support my point. Would you rather I use stats from 2006? How about 2005?
At least figure out how you want to argue your point before writing this nonsense. You’re stumbling over all your points, you’re contradicting yourself, its annoying.
Ok I’m out. See everyone tomorrow.
Wow, They have some good drugs in KC. Brian Bannister? He’s pitched 20 innings in 4 starts this month and has given up 20 runs in total. It kind of defeats the purpose.
I think miggs is handicapped.
You’re the guy who said Greinke wouldn’t crack the 2009 rotation because of their stats on July 25th of 2008.
Maybe you should wait until the Yanks play 162 games before you make such a decision.
And since one of these guys is going to be 40 years old and the other is going to be 25 years old (and getting better) – it’s really not a tough concept to understand.
But you managed it. Congratulations.
Grienke’s not in the cards, though the Yanks are hoping his brother Luke’s velocity spikes just like Zach’s has. You guy wasted some energy. Of course the Yanks would like Grienke. Any team would as long as his troubles are being managed. Good night, and let’s blast Boston later!
if cano is ever dealt i will flip.
Why in the world does so many trade rumors involve Cano ? Regardless of his recent performance, I don’t see how you would even consider trading him at all, unless you are getting some insane player back in return. Greike isn’t cutting it.
Cano is probably the best 2B in the league and should be our long term #3 hitter with his ability to hit for average & power.
Washburn could be flying in to Boston to pitch tonight for the Yankees. ( key word: “could” )
And of course, the Yanks are not trading Cano.
yes, trading Cano would be insane
Someone needs to call AP and tell them that the Yankees Mediocre Road record ( WAS 23-23 ) is now 2nd best in the AL and 3rd best in MLB at 25-23. So from Mediocre to AL’s 2nd best in a mere 2 games….WOW !
I think we are going to see a big second half from Jeter. Robbie is the hottest thing around right now but Jeter is also starting to get hot. His first half numbers project him to have career worst numbers in several cateories but I think the captain will right the ship.
His first half was so bad (for Jeter not for ordinary mortals) that he projects to have career lows in hits, homers, steals, batting OBP and slugging. Already though things are looking up. In the last seven days he is batting .321 while slugging .536!
As a fantasy baseball nut, I believe players typically end the season close to their career averages. So a cool Jeter in the first half could mean big things the rest of the season.
For those who are thinking Cano could hit .400 someday. You should consider that he has never hit .400 for even a full month in his career.
VT, Cano had never hit .151 in a full month before, either.
MELKY HAS TO STAY.
I HAVE FAITH.
Trading away Melky for Bannister when you can get a serviceable Washburn for merely cash would be a mistake.
Melky still has offensive potential and is the Yankees best CF alternative for at least two more years.
“You have to give credit to Joe Girardi for keeping the team together through so much turmoil.”
To the people who somehow think Pete has it out for Girardi, read this and please be silenced forever.
Why would they trade anybody at this point? They are willing to give up Igawa to get Washburn—period.
Bannister? Grienke? Why when you have Phil Hughes and CMW?
Washburn is insurance, nothing more. If the Mariners were to give up Ichiro and Washburn for Matsui, Melky, and Igawa—then I would listen.
Remember, the key here is that the Mariners have Japanese ownership.
“If the Mariners were to give up Ichiro and Washburn for Matsui, Melky, and Igawa–then I would listen.”
I would love to have Ichiro but this would be an insanely unfair trade. Plus I would love Matsui to retire a Yankee. He is all class and all clutch.
Melky I don’t care wither way. If it’s true that Ichiro has the condition of a 27 year-old and is 35 on his ID only then I would love to see Nady, Ichiro and Bobby in the outfield next year (this means signing Bobby for one more yr, and Ichiro as leadoff over Damon), then Nady, Jackson, Ichiro in 2010.
Trading melky for a starter…NO. Melky is a big part of this team. Damon can’t play center anymore, we have no other CFer. Don’t trade the melkman!!!!
get this, on a royals message board their fans are going crazy they are so upset that someone thinks they should trade grienke for cano. are you kidding me, trade a mental case who probably will never make it for arguably top 3 second baseman hitting and fielding wise in the mlb. Does anyone know about robbie cano, come on mlb fans
not to mention the yankees chances of doing a trade like that are about .00000001%. Cano is here for life
Heres my thoughts guys, The Yankees are a win now organazation right?? We all agree. After the trade the Yanks just made, there is no way that Cashman trades are starting CF (Who now can relax and not worry bout being traded and play like he did the firts 2 games of this series)and Go with a rookie in CF for a stretch run. We all Damon can not play CF, and Nady is not a CF. Melky stays and the only way we get Washburn if it SEA understands we will take all of his contract and they will get a low-level guy. LETS GO YANKEES!!!!!!!!!
We shouldn’t weaken CF for Zach Grienke. I’m glad he’s coming around. You don’t want a young guy’s career to suffer because of emotional issues. You want them to show the ressiliance, come back and, hopefully, he has.
He’d also still be a major question mark at Yankee Stadium, and we’d be weakening further where we’re weak (young position players) to strengthen a strength (young pitching with major MLB potential.)
Better trades will be made in the off-season when we continue to look at which young pitchers we fully invest in and which can be spun off and replaced within the system. That’s when we can trade our young pitching surplus for young position players.
And Cano….the return better be Tim Lincecum or something, I swear.
“The Yankees are a win now organazation right?? We all agree.”
Raises hand
Depends on what your definition of “win now” is.
“Melky I don’t care wither way. If it’s true that Ichiro has the condition of a 27 year-old and is 35 on his ID only then I would love to see Nady, Ichiro and Bobby in the outfield next year (this means signing Bobby for one more yr, and Ichiro as leadoff over Damon), then Nady, Jackson, Ichiro in 2010.”
I wouldn’t put much stock in Ichiro having the physical condition of a 27 year-old, or whatever. Aging in aging. A whole lot of similar stories were being said about Jorge Posada before this season.
I love Ichiro. I would have loved him much more five years ago.
I don’t think I would do the Bannister trade, though I wouldn’t hate it. But really, I feel like the Yanks should either try to get a catcher who can hit a bit or just stay put. Maybe bring back Kennedy, and definitely bring up Aceves once he is sufficiently stretched out.
Bannister is a step down from Ponson and Rasner, ain’t happening. Grienke is too emotional, can’t handle NYC so that aint happening either.
Melky is not going to be dealt now… we have already seen what happens when Brett Gardner plays every day… it aint pretty.
One of the problems with a Washburn trade is the impact it has on the decision making with regards to putting together the ‘09 rotation. It would seem to lock up three spots for Washburn, Cahmberlain and Wang… now what to do about Pettite? Mussina? CC Sabathia? Hughes? Kennedy? and so on
I cannot for the life of me figure out the anti-Teixiera sentiment out there. What’s it based on? He’s a Gold Glove first baseman, a switch hitter from both sides and turns 29 in April. While his has not been a great year for him offensively, .277 with 20 HR and 77 RBI is pretty strong. the last three years his average season is .305 35 HR and 120 RBI.
If the alleged price tag really is $ 23 million a year then you look the other way, but if the price tag is reasonable he is exectly the type of free agent the Yankees should always be interested in because he’s an all-star caliber player in his prime at a position of need.
Cano in a Greinke deal? Blasphemy. Pure BS.
Asuming no disintegration for the rest of the year, I think Moose is a lock for the one of the bottom starters. I don’t believe at his age there would be huge physical dropoffs year to year, until maybe 42 to 43 and then who is to say loosing 1 to 3 additionla mph in velocity would do anything other than increase the movement of the pitches. Moose is getting by now on knowledge planning and command not velocity. He also knows the magic 300 is more likely in NY. I honestly believe he will be a solid bottom end for any team with some offense. Personally There will be few options with the proven abilities of moose and 30 teams fighting to get those few. He has already achieved this season what I would have thought to be the most we could expect from him, and he did that with a team in turmoil and unable to score. You bring him back until he proves you can’t bring him back, he is old school and you always get everything he has, he is a competitor who takes pitching seriously as the art form it is. He needs and wants to win. Of course the money matters too, but in his case there is also another prize on the horizon for the Moose,want and need when combined in the right situation can be very powerful and tough to defeat. Moose could do what he does for 4,5,6 more years. I believe you pencil him at #4 or 5 until you can’t then you shop for another #4 or 5, those guys are generally around.
Mussina has been pretty clear about being just about ready to spend more time with the kids.. I’m not certain he wants to pitch much longer, but four or five more wins would make 300 seem doable in two more years and that might affect him.
I bet both he and Pettite look to pitch at least one year in the new stadium. Add in Wang and Chamberlain and that’s most of your ‘09 rotation right there.
yes i woulf forget about wasburn he is no better than ponson or rasner, I like the possible trade w kc for bannister for melky , bannister is only 29 and Im sure we have much better youth or trade for a center fielder..?