This will be the last post on Manny
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on Aug 01, 2008 
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When reporters heard that the Red Sox had traded Manny Ramirez to the Dodgers, we all wanted to get reaction from the Yankees.
It was the natural story to do. No Manny = good times in New York.
Brian Cashman wouldn’t bite. He has seen too many times when everybody in the game thought one thing and the exact opposite came true.
Carl Pavano had seven offers to choose from when he was a free agent. When he signed with the Yankees, it was considered a great victory. How did that work out?
Remember how people thought Theo Epstein was a genius for getting Eric Gagne at this time last season?
Be assured that Mike Mussina and the rest of the pitchers were thrilled to get the news. Manny is 60 of 132 (.455) with 25 extra-base hits, 30 walks and 40 RBI in his last 39 games against the Yankees.
But be careful about celebrating. Cashman’s point was it does no good to crow over the departure of Manny unless the Yankees take care of business first. Everybody was smiling during batting practice yesterday then went out and got destroyed by the Angels.
Ok, but I’m still happy he’s gone…….
Good news is good news in my opinion, and Manny leaving the AL East is very good news.
the red sox dump our tormentor…one of the greatest RHB of all time…and negative nancy says “dont be too happy…grumble grumble grumble…”
Anybody happy to see Manny go isn’t a true competitor.If i was a player i would want to beat an opponent at it’s best. I for one am not happy to see Manny go. Nothing makes me happier than when the Yankees beat Manny, Ortiz. Youklis and the rest of the cast of characters of the hated Red Sox. Why are fans and sportwriters so wimpy when it comes to competition?
I thinkMo said it best this morning in a radio interview and he was n ot crowing. It is the American League as a whole that benefits from Manny leaving not any one team now he is the National League pitchers problem.
Also found it quite interesting that in the Boston Herald’s trade deadline report card that ran today they gave the Sox a B+ saying they got rid of Manny BUT they got rid of Manny and gave the Yankees a B.
Now I cant quibble with a B but how the heck do you rate what the Sox did better than what the Yanks did. The Red Sox made one move that got rid of their Ortiz protection, had to pay the rest of the contract on their own as well as Hansen and Moss. I would have no problem if you gave them equal grades (ok I would but would understand) but to grade them better just makes no sense to me.
Carl Pavano and Eric Gagne are in a different class than Manny Ramirez, though–Manny is no flash-in-the-pan guy who used one or two good years to build his whole career and reputation on.
Everything else, though, I can’t argue with–the Yankees need to win more consistently regardless of who Boston is running out there in LF, which would seem to explain Cashman’s hesitance to say anything more than learning lessons from Gagne or Pavano.
Gayle–it makes perfect sense to give Boston the same trade deadline grade as the Yankees…if you’re a Boston newspaper.
Everybody is expecting the Angels to win this series and completely decimate the Yanks. I doubt the opposite will happen in this case.
There’s a big typo in your next to last paragraph.
It’s good to see him go, especially with Hansen going with him and Boston’s pen getting even weaker.
What a remarkable effect Manny’s personality has had on this team. Boston doesn’t even consider trading him if he acts halfway normal.
Good Manny leaves…..too bad Ponson pitches today.That should be sad.
No surprise from Boston newspapers. They needed to put some spin on it to make the “nation” feel better about getting ripped off. But as Cash said, we can cheer all we want about Manny being gone, but we have got to get going again, or it won’t even matter when we play the BoSox next time.
Forget Manny and let’s try to figure out how to beat the this Super Team called the Angels!
Cash was right…worry about yourself, the rest will take care of itself. 27/08??
Let’s just see how Boston treat’s Varitek, he’s declining in skill……
Going to have to score early and often tonight against Santana to have a chance with Sid on the mound. I can only hope (dream?) that he’s taking the hill in the Bronx for the last time.
Nothing wrong with being happy that Manny’s gone, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have to take care of your own business.
Optimistically speaking, I can’t believe we’re throwing Sir Sidney against the Angels.
Hope the offense came to play today…
Boston deserved a B or B+. Manny put his team in a bind but they were still able to get a premier replacement for him and have LA pick up $7 million. Bay is likely better than whoever would be playing LF in Manny’s absence next year had they kept him and declined his option. I won’t be quite so happy about this move if Boston uses the $10 million or so it saved to pick up Sabathia.
But to give the Yankees a B … that’s reverse-homerism at its finest. The Yankees got themselves a bat which helps them this year and next (and lets them get rid of Abreu), a quality lefty reliever, and a catcher who can hit, which is just about impossible to come by, all for Farnsworth, Tabata, and spare parts. In other words, they filled all their needs except for starting pitching without giving up anything that hurts them. Throw in the draft picks they might get from Pudge, and the fact that they can grab Washburn off waivers, and this is an A deadline for the Yankees.
Boy do we need a bounce back game tonight.
is there a link to this ‘report card’? i can’t find it on bostonharold.com
It’s a Dream:
Damon LF
Jeter SS
A-rod 3B
Manny DH
Hideki 1B
Posada C
X RF
Cano 2B
a.Jackson CF
Jeremy: Is that ESPN?
off-topic… does anyone else have trouble accessing metsblog.com? can anyone find an e-mail address i can use to ask the person who runs the site what’s wrong with it?
Here is the link
http://www.bostonherald.com/sp.....8;srvc=rss
Manny leaving the AL East not only means less torment for NYY pitching but also TB and obviously the other AL east teams. So although Manny hit NYY like they were throwing softballs, it really is a wash.
It is really long past due that their stars need to start playing like stars, no? The Yankees no longer have the luxury of time, and their SPs (aside from Joba) need to step up and give them a fighting chance. Most of the year it’s been the Yankee offense that has been the culprit, seemingly taking games off as a collection of bandwagon hitters hacks away at the air, whereas with the exception of the first month or so when IPK and Hughes were deplorable, the pitching overall and especially the BP has been decent.
Can you imagine the frustration NYY ownership feels when they take a chance and spend serious $$$ reinforcing this team believing they have a fighting chance and then the players haul off and get mauled 3 out of their last 5 games?
The players need to play, and just forget Manny and TB. Quit with the damn excuses and win.
Can someone tell me why we can’t get Figgins out. Talk about yankee killers!
Awh ,Pete stop slobbering over the yankees defeat last night.
You should be sad your “homey” is a Dodger Now!
…Boston gets a better grade than New York?
Umm, while Boston did the best it could with the Manny situation, they didn’t get bullpen help or a bat to help the bottom of their line up.
I’m not sure how much I agree with that.
Why all the obsessing about the Red Sox ? When we were on our string of World Series wins the Red Sox were hardly mentioned. Now, half this blog gets their panties in a bunch if Theo blows his nose.
‘Boston deserved a B or B+. Manny put his team in a bind but they were still able to get a premier replacement for him and have LA pick up $7 million.’
Jeremy, Boston is paying that 7 million, not the Dodgers.
Jeremy:
LA didn’t pick up the 7mil.
Since this is a Manny thread oh boy did Callahan hand it to Manny as well.
Did these columnists and writers write about him like this when he was with the team or just wait until he was out to the door to sharpen their pens
http://www.bostonherald.com/sp.....id=1110406
Can Manny being dumped be similiar to Nomar being traded? That year alot of us were happy that they unloaded him and whatya know. They ended up playing better. I guess the real question to ask is team chemistry that important?
Bingo. Bay is not as good as Manny was in his prime but he’s no pushover either.
Does it REALLY matter? B+ or B? Come on guys. Let’s talk how to get LAA Tonight… I’m really worried about that game. As I wrote before I see us getting one of four. And that’ll be Rasner on Sunday. Let’s hope I’m wrong.
This team as currently constructed is not a playoff team. We can’t have Ponson and Rasner as 2/5 of our rotation in order to compete. Moose, Andy and Joba cannot be expected to pitch lights out everytime out. If we don’t rectify this soon we maybe out of the WC race by a week from Sunday.
Chet
Manny leaving is a bonus for everyone associated with the Yankees.
Boston not getting a pitcher for the rotation and pen is another bonus.
Is this possible?
If the Dodgers start to lose and they are out of it before August 31, they could put Manny on waivers. Depending what the Dodgers want for him, we could have Manny for the stretch drive in September with the BoSox paying him.
Cashman’s right. While Manny leaving the AL is a bonus for all teams (including the Yankees), that doesn’t change the fact that you still have to face Kazmir pitching for the Rays, a mashing Angels lineup (CT is spot-on, BTW. What IS it with Figgins?), or any other obstacle that still remains. It’s ok to be happy about gaining some sort of advantage, but you have to keep it in perspective – and still have to take care of business on your end.
Fact is, Cashman and the FO kept their word by making changes to help the team if they played well enough to justify it. Now it’s up to the team to get out there and pitch, hit, field, and run to the best of their ability.
the Ortiz/Manny combo was one of the most awe-inspiring one-two punches ever in baseball. they’ll never be able to recreate that. at the same time, there is a sadness to knowing that time in history is over.
i’m sure the Sux will continue to not be pushovers, but they’ll never be able to be THAT team again. to me, this is the season their fall back to earth begins.
Here’s an idea, how about they just play the games and see how things shake out. It can be fun to look at the arch rival team and see them suffer through their problems, but it doesn’t mean their team dried up and went away.
Expect to see a lot of Manny bashing from the Media though. Its how the Red Sox always play it with players who leave. Its the way Clinton did with his rivals, the politics of personal destruction, mean to cover over what really happened.
I wouldn’t give either side a free pass on the mess. The RS created some of the monster that Manny became. We also don’t know what went on behind the scenes. One thing you can count on is the Boston media, which also includes ESPN, will be ripping Manny any and every chance they get.
stf, chet –
Agreed. I think doom and gloom IS in order here, starting last night. Yanks have too many tough match-ups on the horizon, including the final 3 games of this series.
To throw Ponson and Rasner as your 4 and 5 guys at a team like the Angels, man…that’s a helluva burden to place on your offense.
WC is well within reach, I understand, and 50+ games remain.
But we could be looking at losing some ground quickly over the next week and a half.
Did anyone notice how poorly the Sox were playing WITH Manny in the lineup? Lost 5 of 6 to the Yanks and Angels at home. Manny’s bad attitude was eating that team up. Everyone here is so excited to see him go, but there’s a reason Boston had to get rid of him – he was destroying that clubhouse. The veterans on the team told management they wanted him gone. Sure, they’re obviously a better team with Manny’s bat, but not if he’s sitting out games, loafing on the basepaths and in the OF and perhaps even shutting it down down the stretch. Best scenario for Yanks might have been if Boston hadn’t been able to unload him – he was like a live grenade on that team, waiting to go off. Bay may not be Manny, but he’s a solid bat and glove, and he’s not a headcase.
Dred Locks in a yankees uniform,nit for nothin!!
Sawyer, it’s not possible, because right now the Dodgers are paying Manny, and if they put him on waivers, whomever took him would have to pay him.
It works both ways. We don’t know what the Sox have in Bay, but we don’t know what we have in I-Rod, Marte, and Nady. On paper, it looks as if the Yankees came out slightly ahead, if only because they filled more needs. But I wouldn’t be at all surprised if the staff ERA goes up without Molina behind the plate, and Marte and Nady are only okay. Can we give both teams an INC until October?
Grading the trade deadline? Are you serious? Who cares? I’ll tell you the grades at the end of the season. If the Yankees make the playoffs they get a C+, if they make the ALCS they get a B, if they make the world series they get an A- and if they win they get an A. Hows that? Seriously who cares what the talking heads at ESPN say, most of them are idiots.
Boston should be in the mix for texeria now that Manny is gone. Can someone post who the top offensive free-agent in the off season?
pete, why does this team not hit well?
Apparently Ken Davidoff is already taking that stance. He thinks Boston should be considered winners for getting Bay, even though it cost them 2 prospects and $7 million.
He also considers the Yankees losers at the deadline because they traded away Farnsworth, and he thinks Marte won’t necessarily be that good. Needless to say, I closed the paper and threw it out. Ken, this isn’t Bobby Murcer that got traded here. I understand he enjoyed playing here, especially for Girardi, but he was expendable. For all the love he’s suddenly getting around here, he’s been destroyed (and rightfully so) for his performance in the past.
The Yanks sold high, and to think that Marte won’t do well just because he got lit up once just isn’t fair. In fact it’s an assinine statement with no basis behind it. They also got Nady, who is having a breakout season. And they got it for nothing, but not according to Davidoff. He thinks the Pirates are winners because they got Tabata. Ken, you can’t tell me that Sox are winners when they dealt two prospects and cash for a year and two months of Jason Bay and then call the Yanks losers for dealing a bunch of players they weren’t all that high on! All of baseball is saying how the Pirates got dominated in that trade, yet you somehow think you know better. Whatever drugs you’re doing, I want some.
Bay is a good player but not close to Manny. Manny’s defensive issues were not a big deal in that little league park..
Also the sux are paying his salary the rest of the year, so that is innacurate.
they gave up Hansen ther #1 pick a few yrs. ago, remember the boston geniuses and gammons talking the next premier closer….Moss also can hit.. they gave up legit chips just to get rid of Manny.
PEter of course if the Yanks do not play well the Manny departure is irrelevant, THAT GOES WITHOUT SAYING.If you do not play well the rest is BS>>>>>
Again scouts who drooled over Hansen and belittled cash and oppenheimer what is the story on Hansen. The sux pen has man y many question marks if you think Aardsma is the answer you may be dissapointed….
NYY, it’s gotta be Teixeira, Manny, and Dunn to top off the list. Also Abreu and I guess Giambi if the Yanks buy him out.
Jeremy:
The Dodgers are not paying Manny
“pete, why does this team not hit well?”
1. Abreu, Jeter, Cano and Melky are having down years.
2. A-rod and Giambi are struggling to hit with RISP.
3. Posada and Matsui are out for the season.
Just look at Marte’s career stats and compare to Farnsworth.. Marte’s are much better. Then look with your eyes at both pitch, Marte is a better bet to excel and is under contract next yr. and is lefty..
I am not saying the yanks made any blockbusters but they improved there team prudently and did not get any crazy contracts back.. Are the Yanks flawed? Absolutely but if Wang and Hughes were not hurt this team looks like a WS team to me as is..Add Matsui and they are even better….
NYY:
Manny
“If the Dodgers start to lose and they are out of it before August 31, they could put Manny on waivers. Depending what the Dodgers want for him, we could have Manny for the stretch drive in September with the BoSox paying him.”
ha!! you know, that def could happen.
X needs to bat infront of Giambi he is better starting to become streaky and this season was hitting w/ RISP very well. I can only hope he keeps it up.
Patrick â„¢:
Hit it right on the head….
TurnTwo:
You have to admit that would be hilarious…
Raise your hand if you think Molina would have thrown out one of those baserunners last night.
Timothy Clougher, you’re right the Sox are still paying Manny. My mistake. That would change if the Dodgers put him on waivers and another team claimed him.
Brandon:
I agree with you, but for some reason that lefty, righty thing may prevent it.
I don’t see Manny going on waivers. The Dodgers are close this late in the season, so even if they fall back a bit they’ve got to go for it in that division. Also, Manny’s contract is covered, so unless LA can get some talent in return, they will keep him for the rest of the year.
“You have to admit that would be hilarious…”
i dont think i could think of anything better that could happen, other than that being the reason we pass by the saux for the division or WC lead and make the postseason.
Top offensive free agents:
M. Teixera (LAA) 1B
M. Ramirez (LAD) OF/DH
M. Bradley (TEX) 1B/OF/DH
J. Rivera (LAA) OF
P. Burrell (PHI) OF
A. Dunn (CIN) OF/1B/DH
R. Frucal (LAD) SS
R. Baldelli (TB) OF
C. Delgado (NYM) 1B
J. Crede (CWS) 3B
G. Anderson (LAA) OF/DH
K. Millar (BAL) 1B
O. Hudson (ARI) 2B
Jeremy:
I’m not sure about that, some one wiser on this please answer.
If say the Dodgers placed manny on waiver’s, they aren’t paying him, the waiver pick up team, would they have to pay anything???
Labrum:
No way would Molina throw those guys out. They were going on first movement and just getting lucky by guessing that Pettitte was going home with the pitch. No one could’ve gunned them down. That’s where Pettitte’s move can actually be a problem.
X took a while to get going, but the past couple of games, he’s had two home runs and two doubles.
I think X will be more than fine.
I think Girardi needs to get Giambi out of the five hole, ASAP.
what do you all think of this:
Damon
Jeter
Abreu
A-Rod
X
Robbie
Giambi
Pudge
Melky
or
Damon
Jeter
Abreu
A-Rod
X
Robbie
Giambi
Melky
Molina
Go Diamondbacks !!!!!
Timothy:
Since the Dodgers aren’t paying him, they can look to trade with whatever team puts a valid claim on him through the waiver wire. If they can’t reach a deal, they just pull him back. Even if they somehow fall out of the race, having Manny for a couple of months is going to put asses in the seats anyway out there.
Brandon:
I agree with you, but for some reason that lefty, righty thing may prevent it.
Torre started that crap years ago, I can only hope this is not how Girardi will go w/ his lineup.
#4 and 5 hitters are a combined .233 w/ RISP, worst is the combined .373 SLG % .. MOVE X UP AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS !
Manny being gone means no more Manny during the regular season, and that’s a good thing when they face the Red Sox. But they still have to face Pedroia, Drew, Lowell, Youkilis and Ortiz, oh and Bay. It should be a little easier without Manny, but Cashman is so right here. The Yankees have to TCB – take care of their own business – otherwise it won’t make a difference at all.
Do the Yankees, or have they this season anyway, won any games of the 11-9 variety? In other words, where the hitting was great and the pitching stunk? It seems there have been more of the variety where the pitchers are picking up poor hitting than the opposite. Not that it matters, just wondering. A win is a win and a loss is a loss, after all is said and done.
Rebecca -
I just think it’s neat that there’s an “X” factor on the Yankees!
Or an X-Man!
He better be a damn X factor !
Ok i am ready for you guys to bash me, but I have some stats for you that kinda back me up. I think Jeter should be movied from the 2hole and I say go with Nady, or Pudge. I will send stats out
coach, that may actually be a good idea
“i would want to beat an opponent at it’s best.”
You have to assume that Boston only makes trades to try to make themselves better. Manny’s amazing, but has a lot of quit in him that’s hurting the Sox.
In the last month, Manny is the 43rd best hitter in baseball (based on Yahoo Fantasy rank). Jason Bay is #42 in the same period.
No question, I fear Manny a lot more, but overall, the Sox believe they’ve just improved their club, and we’re in 3rd place.
I’m optimistic, but agree with Pete: let’s celebrate after real wins.
Doreen: Forgot about the 12-11 game against the Royals back on June 7 already?
Blargh -
You know how it is here, “What have they done for me lately?”
Oh, yeah. There’s probably a couple others, too.
Pudge-83 games. Xman-95 games Jeter 101 games
BA-.295 .328 .280
OBP-.338 .385 .343
SB-6 1 6
TB-127 188 161
H-90 113 114
Ks-53 59 53
No chance the Dodgers waive Manny. I’m pretty sure I read that he agreed not to take them to arbitration, so they wouldn’t be taking a risk offering it — so they get the draft choices when he leaves. They’re not giving up those picks for anything they’ll get in a trade for one month of Manny.
Coach I agree it’s getting pretty pathetic watching his GIDP at the moments he does it or hitting it weakly to the 2B it really has been pissing me off for some time.
I don’t care if Manny is a grade A pain in the rear, I’m still laughing at the fact that they gave up Moss, Hansen, and $7M. Yes, they get rid of the headache, get a good player back, and instantly improved their bullpen.
Kind of sounds like Green Bay paying Favre to stay away.
Crazy times.
coach-
i was just thinking that. Pudge or (Cano, when hot) DJ kills to many rallies with those weak grounder’s to 2nd.
Those are stats that try to back up my case… I think it would open up the offense a little more and I am sick and tired and seeing AROD lead off an inning. and Everyone complains about the bottom or the order hitting well if Jeter is 6th think Cano Melky and Nady/Pudge will do better knowing Jeter is in front of them. Damon and Jeter are not getting on base in the 1st innings we need some1 to
I hope you guys can get those stats sorry for the way it came out.. I like Cano dont know if hes a 2 hitter yet cause he doesnt always take pitches he has been better.
I will confess that I will miss Manny in some ways. He was a great hitter and he had a zany sense of humor. But he really had become a divisive presence on the club.
I think it is normal for the fans and sportswriters to now put a somewhat negative spin on Manny. But don’t think for a moment that only Boston fans do this.
When it looked like Arod was leaving the Yankees he was crucified in the press and in the comments on this blog. He was called a cancer in the clubhouse, a choker and worse by Yankee fans and press.
I dont think if Girardi does it, its like when Torre moved AROD down for the playoffs. Its different, I think maybe it will send a message to the team and maybe Jeter that hey if you dont produce I dont care who you are we are here to win as YANKEES.
RAY GET OUT OF HERE. Manny has ran his course on this BLOG, he is gone go get a membership to a DODGERS blog we need to focus on the YANKEES turning this ship around and catching the Rays.SOx, and TWINS, thanks for you time now good luck with Jason Bay protecting LIL PAPI
I remember the news in Boston when the Sox snookered the Yankees by stealing Hansen from St. John’s out from under them.
And only because Hansen had retained Boras as an agent and demanded a large signing bonus.
Yankees took B. J. Cox in later rounds, the jury still out on him.
“1. Abreu, Jeter, Cano and Melky are having down years.
2. A-rod and Giambi are struggling to hit with RISP.”
thats not a reason, its a description.
Hey CoachJ I understand but Jetes GIDPs are killing us here. ! That’s part of the reason we can’t hit until there are 2 outs he takes 2 oppurtunities away in the lineup. I dare a Yankee fan to tell me that’s not true.
The Damon cut-off throw intercepted by Manny one of the all time favorites.
coach again i couldn’t agree with you more. It’s time to move el capatain down in the lineup.
Just to let you know how the pundits around RSN are feeling, here are three of today’s headlines: (I am including the links but unless you have the en energy to register for the Projo, I don’t know that you’ll be able to read the articles.
Sean McAdam — Sox pay a heavy price to trade Manny, get Bay http://www.projo.com/redsox/co.....422d2.html
Steven Krasner — Don’t expect Sox offense to pack as much punch http://www.projo.com/redsox/co.....2dd6d.html
Jim Donaldson — Trades leave Red Sox the underdogs http://www.projo.com/redsox/co.....3d717.html
As you can probably imagine, it REALLY takes a lot for a Yankee loss to get to me. Well I have the day out of work and need to go out and do something to make myself feel happy so that I can distract myself from thinking about last night’s horror show of a game. I think about Steve Phillips on BBT and how people put him down for saying there would be a learning curve with Pudge and how the games where Pudge had trouble could end up really hurting us at the end. I feel that will continue to resonate.
The other thought I have, and anyone who knows me at all knows this is not a whining accusatory screamy complaint but rather a statement of my opinion on a situation as I see it – Derek Jeter’s ineffective play both in the field and at bat has hurt us immeasurably this season. I don’t think there is any way to overstate just how costly his inability to hit and his record-setting GIDP has helped to cut the life out Yankee productivity and the ability to win games.
I’d be interested in hearing Pete’s take on the subject some day in one of his blogs.
not down up. have him lead off again
mark fiensand is live chating now
http://www.nydailynews.com/blo.....-chat.html!
Interesting that there was talk going on about Jeter as I was writing my post (and obviously well prior to my writing my post). The situation really is awful.
It’s nice looking at him in the 2 hole but if he’s hurting you there move him ! hell have him leadoff he’s batting .360/.415/.560 leading off an inning. Make Damon the #2 hitter.
Jeter
Damon
Abreu
Arod
Nady
Giambi
Cano
Pudge
Melky
Girardi wants to make his mark on this team and make a statement to every1, then he moves Jeter down and bench Giambi. Give a Giese a start if Ponson or Rasner sux it up.
I thought Girardi shouldve got himself thrown out after that awful call at home last night
In that way you don’t waste Damon’s ability to hit w/ RISP.
The problem is Damon and Jeter are not getting on in the 1st inning, I coach and in the 1st inning I always try to scratch out a run any way i can to put pressure right away on a team. Arod is either leading off the 2nd inning or batting with 2 outs in the 1st and trys to hit a 2-run HR cause he knows that Giambi is HR or bust and lately its bust.
“I thought Girardi shouldve got himself thrown out after that awful call at home last night”
it was a meaningless run. yes yes “the momentum could have changed”
but Girardi has shown he doesnt go overboard for no reason. only when the game is on the line. we were getting blown out at the time of that call at home plate.
RhapsodyInBlue:
That is a true classic!!!!!!!!!! LOL
I think the Yankees might have made themselves Losers at the deadline by not addressing the one glaring need: a starting pitcher.
They made all these bolstering trades for guys (bats) with good contracts to the point where it was obvious that Cashman intends to compete in 2008, but how are we go compete with Ponson, Rasner, and any other potential starters from the farm? Kennedy got lit up early on as did Hughes. We can be tempted to say “but they were injured”, but who is to say any of them will come back and be effective?
I like who we picked up, thought they were good moves, but I’m not sold on those moves being more important than adding a solid starter.
I am not saying it wouldve won us the game at all, to me it wouldve shown Pudge that I like your hustle and you earned that run and shouldve been rewarded for it. Also, he gets thrown out in a one-sided Im saying to myself damn he wants to win no matter the score thats what the players need to see and do.. Get that fire and aggressiveness
What about:
Damon
X
Abreu
A-rod
Giambi
Jeter
Cano
Irod
Melky
Coach J it’s not just the 1st inning I’m worried about it’s the whole game. The way the LR LR LR LR LR thing is used to combat the matching up vs pitchers but it really hurts you because you put certain guys in spots they can’t succeed in.
Now w/ Jetes hitting .361 leading off innings I’d bet he’d get to 1st or 2B over 40 % of the remaining games, Damon getting those spots early to hit w/ RISP can only be a plus and then Abreu makes it even tougher, Alex cleans up on mistakes since the # pitches the pitcher would throw to get to him and then you have Nady if he can work those counts and continue to w/ RISP like he has this season.
I mean scrap the LR LR LR LR lineups already. Worry about losing the BP matchup when it happens.
someone please explain to me what starters were out there for the Yanks to get??? the best pitchers CC,Harden,Blanton, all got traded now yes i wish we got one of them but we didnt. Why traded any good prospects for a 4 or 5??? If there was a 2 or 3 out there then yes we shouldve got the, but not one SP got traded yesterday
What about:
Damon
X
Abreu
A-rod
Giambi
Jeter
Cano
Irod
Melky
or flip X and I-rod….move Jete’s and see what happens
Timothy, you have jeter batting 7th. Put down the pipe. You think Nady is giong to do any better?
I know its a 9inning game. But it would be nice to get momentum early and get a run the 1st inning, it also changes the batting order for the rest of the game if we get to the 6th batter in the 1st, who knows it may actually more ABs for guys in the long run 5 ABs a game for 3 games is 15 compared to say maybe 12-13 over the same span
Question.
I mentioned last winter trying to get Crede to play first base for us. At that time we didnt know if he would have the same pop that he did before his injury. What do you think of getting him this offseason to play first for a couple years till Montero is ready or some other youngin? Im still against getting Tex for 7 years. We’ve been there and done that.
I think Damon has been ok at lead-off..
The Mad Prince in Pinstripes:
All I’m saying is maybe give it a shot…
SOS,
Makes zero sense.
1B is not an area of need, especially considering Posada will be forced to play there sooner than we all might like.
Timothy w/ X’s power I wouldn’t waste him in the 2 hole
from http://www.boston.com/sports/b....._file.html
“Super important stats: Bay is hitting .421 lifetime (8-19) against Andy Pettitte, .429 (3-7) against Mike Mussina and .500 (1-2) against Joba Chamberlain.”
The Mad Prince in Pinstripes:
It was 6th..
Did anyone else read Gammons’ column on the Manny trade? He said there was no way the Sawx would have made the playoffs if they kept Manny. His Boston homerism is and always has been nauseating.
why not have Damon or Jeter bunt to get on base, maybe a hit & run once in awhile, it’s station to station. WHen Girardi took the job that’s what he talked about. More aggressive ball. Don’t see it.
ok now if Bay goes o-4 against MOOSE and JOBA hes under .300 and .200 come one you need better information than that to scare me. Talk me when he has 30 ABs against them thats 1 game vs. Joba, 2 vs. Moose and 5 games against Andy.
We have 4 guys among the top 40 OBP hitters in baseball this year. Unfortunately in the 2 and 3 holes we’re ranked 92 and 55 respectively:
07. ARod
15. Giambi
22. Damon
27. Nady
55. Abreu
92. Jeter
149. Melky
154. Cano
Pudge would be ranked 104 if he qualified (ABs).
I’m not blaming just Jete’s but lately he has been a rally killer, why not try to move him in the order. I think of all people he would understand.
How about
Abreu
Pudge
Damon
Arod
X
Cano
Jeter
Giambi
Melky
Isn’t Joe Crede a 3rd baseman?
Melky has a higher OBP than Robbie?
So much for automatic out.
S.o.S.27:
I guess it does not matter the order, pitching will still come up..
Blargh yes.
Prince of Pinstripes, I was thinking Posada and Crede rotate at first base and dh. I cant imagine them keeping Matsui and Damon for 09. I know im reaching here but i dont want another albotros contract at first and Crede is a gold glove caliber infielder.
Here’s my lineup and why
Jeter (.361 leading off an inning)
Damon (.378 w/ RISP, .513 SLG w/ runners on)
Abreu (.592 SLG w/ runners on)
Arod (.526 SLG w/ runners on)
Nady (.310 w/ runners on)
Giambi(RUNS INTO A HR EVERY NOW AND THEN)
Cano (he might get more run production w/ Stache’ infront)
Pudge (whatever he can do is a plus)
Melky (eh )
“Melky (eh )”
(slides going to first to set the tables for Jete)I like it!!
I think Giambi needs to be moved down a notch or two in the real lineup and i wouldnt mind seeing Jete and Damone flip flop.
I-Rod is hitting
.500 vs. Buchholz (1-2)
.667 vs. Delcarmen (2-3)
.333 vs. Okijima (1-3)
.333 vs. Papelbon (2-6)
.298 vs. Wakefield (14-47)
He has never faced Beckett in his career (surprisingly) and is 0-2 vs. Lester.
Pudge also is a .385 career hitter vs. Halladay and a .333 career hitter vs. Brunett. Hits .385 vs. Daniel Cabrera too.
Brandon, you still hating on Nady? it looks like Nady is coming through when needed.
“I-Rod is hitting
.500 vs. Buchholz (1-2)
.667 vs. Delcarmen (2-3)
.333 vs. Okijima (1-3)
.333 vs. Papelbon (2-6)
.298 vs. Wakefield (14-47)
He has never faced Beckett in his career (surprisingly) and is 0-2 vs. Lester.
Pudge also is a .385 career hitter vs. Halladay and a .333 career hitter vs. Brunett. Hits .385 vs. Daniel Cabrera too.”
Yeah but the most important stat is how he does vs. Colon? Arod OWNS him.
Lets hope he does Ed again I’m not making quick praises for him.
Upon the Manny Ramirez trade, Johnny Damon commented on how many players leave the Boston Red on bad terms.
“Nothing surprises me about Boston,” said Damon. “Not too many players leave there happy, dating back to Mike Greenwell, (Roger) Clemens, Nomar Garciaparra and on and on.”
Last 30 days. Damon only played 13 games so I am not including him. Arod-.352. Cano-.320. Abreu-.301 then MELKY.284
alright Brandon. lets hope he does continue his hot hitting tonight.
Like I said earlier, we will see were all the Boston love is on Varitek this off season…
I bet the Yanks miss teeing off of Colon.
“Like I said earlier, we will see were all the Boston love is on Varitek this off season…”
I wonder if they would dump Veritek and sign Pudge?
I feel a Sid no hitter tonight, he’s got to be due.
Speaking of the Angels, Pavano is mound against them on Yankees classics.
Does anyone other than me think that Jeter should be moved from the two hole? He has been killing rallies with ground ball doubles plays at a rate reminiscent of Mike Piazza.. I would actually be interested to see if Melky could thrive as a #2 hitter. He is speedy, He can Bunt, he can take pitches and he might hit better if he saw more fastballs. Even Nady might be good in the #2 spot. Jeter may be hurt or just having a down year, but to me he’s lost his edge.
Pudge is 10-30 (.300) with a HR, double, and 7 RBIs vs. Colon.
S.o.S.27:
I was wondering the same thing…maybe Pudge could be our back/up slash 1b, him and Posada could rotate. 1B/C
Ray SOX fan as far as the NY take on Arod when he as leaving town he was here 4 yrs not 8 and did not win 2 titles.
Also Ray why do many if not all the recent sux superstars leave town under similar circumstances to Manny.
I will also remind you of a few of these departures; clemens, vaughn, nomar, damon, and Pedro to a lesser extent.. Even teddy ballgame was bitter for many years, WHY??????????????
John F. McCullagh:
Not his “EDGE”…lol
I’m happy that Manny is gone and I suspect that Boston is more beatable now due to the lack of the devastating Manny-Ortiz 1-2 punch, but I still think Boston will be real good. They are a tougher team than the Yankees and have much better starting pitching. The Yanks have a better bullpen and maybe a bit more depth off the bench. I still think the Yanks need a hard nosed kid like a Dustin Pedroia, the one Red Sox I would want on the Yanks. I would trade him for Cano and Kennedy in a heartbeat.
But, back to the point, I still wonder if the Red Sox will take off with Manny gone as did Seattle after, ahem, A-Rod left.
Timothy,
I dont think Pudge would go that. The only way i see Pudge staying is if Posadas arm isnt there yet. Supposidly being that he had the surgery done now. They are expecting him to be back behind the plate. Pudge wont be a backup and we wont have a 13 mil backup anyways.
Guys remember how bad we looked against the Red Sox the first game of the 4 game series (before the break started by Andy) we syill managed to split the series, hope is here.
Besides in baseball anything can happen.
Don’t laugh how bout Giambi hitting 2nd. Yes he is slow beyond belief but gets on base at almost a 400 level and should see more fastballs..
the yanks would never do that but it is fun to wonder..
ego’s aside I would shake up the lineup.. as others have said why not..I keep Damon up first and then arod I keep at 3rd or 4th but everyone else is up to be changed for lack of or dissapointing performance..
Det actually thought about using Pudge at 1st before they move Miguel there. I think Jorge is done behind the plate, I say the Yanks have some ways they can go. Keep Pudge DH Jorge sign Tex and let Abreu walk and trade Matsui. and use that money from Abreu,Giambi,Pavano to go get Tex and CC. the OF can be Damon,Melky,Nady
I’ve been away for a few days, and have a question. I see Edwar was suspended for throwing a pitch way over the head of Kevin ‘i am a *hole’ millar. Now was Craig Hanson or Cabera suspended for ACTUALLY HITTING Alex?
Damon-LF
Cano-2b
Tex-1b
Arod-3b
Jorge-DH
Nady-RF
Jeter-SS
Pudge-C
Melky-CF
Wang,CC,Joba,and either Moose,Andy,Hughes, or go buy some more..haha
Jeter lead off, Damon in 2nd, Nady in RF, Aberu DH
this needs to happen.
Damon
Abreu
Giambi
A-rod
Nady
Cano
Jeter
Pudge
Cabrera
How about this?
Stuart,
The problem is it isnt just one guy struggling. Jeter,Melky,Cano(once again),Giambi,Abreu(at times). I guess it couldnt hurt. But i cant see the obvious week link. Jete and Giambi need to move.
daniel cabrera got suspended 6 games which will only be 1 start for him
John F. McCullagh:
Sorry John, just could stop playing those Ford Edge commercial with Jeter on YES……….lol
I just became a CC fan
Giambi does not belong in the 5th spot. I would put cano there, but he cooled off again the last few games, i would give Nady a try there.
SOS.. I agree. Damon and Arod has performed and so has Abreu but he has been to streaky.. The rest have not performed.cno, giambi, melky, jeter, and the catcher have not performed and matsui has been hurt….
if they had 90% of last yrs. offensive performance they would be in first by 5 games….
Not bad Coach. Im still not a big fan of a looong term deal for Tex. How about a cheaper route. Sign Juan Rivera for left. Have Damon or Matsui dh. Whoever doesnt get traded. Posada at first.
outfield Nady,Melky,Rivera
infield Posada catcher Pudge dh Damon
Sorry should say “couldn’t”…you know:
Man Jeter he’s got an edge….lol
Sorry…to funny…
The Minneapolis Star Tribune reports that there are “strong indications” that Livan Hernandez will be let to go open up a spot in Minnesota’s rotation for Francisco Liriano.
He’s an innings eater and much better than sir sidney….. what do you think?
Speaking of the edge, I love that cute little kid going “Are you sure you’re not a ShortStop?”
To me signing TEX would give us a defensive 1st baseman that we need and havent had since TINO and the greatest defensive 1st baseman of all-time DON MATTINGLY.. Juan Rivera is def not some1 we want. He is 30 and would be 31 next year not some1 i wanna give a contract 2
I think they will sign Pudge, Giambi is gone, Posada and Pudge split time at 1B/C.
Pudge, is he arbritration eligable?
boomer:
I hope not, Minnesota paper’s says when he’s pitched in a game it’s like batting practice…
You have Jose Molina signed through next year.
Rebecca -
Now, why did you have to go and link that?????
I was very content with my thinking that the Yankees should not pursue CC Sabathia for various reasons and a sort of gut feeling.
Then I am confronted with a humanitarian reason why I think the Yankees should pursue CC.
Doreen: I wish more ballplayers did things like that!
Rebecca:
Ok, he’s a stand up guy, sign him…..
what did CC do? i couldn’t access the link.
jennifer:
Ok, let him be the back-up when someone gets needs rest…I don’t think we have a shot at TEX.
Pudge/Jorge: 1B/C
Molina: nice back-up to have….
With Manny’s departure from Boston notwithstanding, little attention is paid to the fact that Theo Epstein did nothing to fix the weak 7-8-9 hitters and the shaky middle relief problems.
Only so much blame can be placed on Manny’s antics in recent weeks and months but Boston’s weaknesses have become exposed. They don’t have the depth that analysts thought they did and Jason Bay is not a quick fix.
He needs adjustment time in a growling media town and he’s never faced the pressures of a pennant push.
The Yankees need only to focus on their own position in the standings and let Boston and Tampa Bay handle their concerns.
The giddy time is over.
if the decision is between CC or Tex give me CC 10 x 100 times in FA.
CTYankee: He took out a full page ad in the Cleveland paper thanking the fans.
Pretty much Thanked everyone in Clev from the FO to the fans for touching his families lives, while being in Clev.
Karstens is pitching right now against the cubs and he’s doing pretty well. 2ip 0h 1bb 1k
If Ponson throws no hitter, as someone above predicted, I will never watch another baseball game. Ever.
Rebecca–Optimist Prime
August 1st, 2008 at 2:52 pm
I just became a CC fan
Very good gesture by CC. But this is old news.
I think you can forget about the Yankees getting too deeply involved with Scott Boras clients in the off-season.
That means, no Pudge, Tex or Manny.
That’s a world the Yankees would rather avoid and I can’t say I blame them.
They are already at their wits end with Boras over Gerrit Cole. Its very unlikely they will want to deal with Scott re: Veteran free agents. Two of whom are past their prime.
I think they bring back Pettitte and Moose at reasonable deals, let Abreu and Giambi go, and make an all out push for CC.
If they are successful with the above plans, they will use the trade market to find a first baseman.
They aren’t taking 80+ million off the payroll to add 120 million back to it in 2009. Not part of their big picture.
Rebecca -
It was a really sweet thing to do. Not just the fans, but the entire Cleveland Indians organization, his neighbors, and pretty much anyone he ever had anything to do with during their time in the Cleveland community.
He pretty much made it clear how much he appreciated his experiences there. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like that before in this kind of situation – a player being traded away.
i wouldn’t mind bringing back pudge next year on a 1-yr deal if he does well for us.
SJ44 -
You think they won’t resign Abreu, or you think they make him a take-it-or-leave it type offer of 1 year for modest money?
Anyone going to tomorrows game?
This from Massorati
Make no mistake, Ramirez wore out his welcome here, and in some ways it is a miracle that the breakup took this long. Ramirez had lost virtually all support in the Boston clubhouse by the conclusion of Wednesday’s unsightly 9-2 loss to the Los Angeles Angels, after which just about anyone in a Sox uniform seemed prepared to toss Ramirez from the right field roof deck.
Said one Sox player when asked about such a level of frustration with Ramirez: “We’re way past that.â€
And then this: “He just doesn’t care.â€
I didn’t know thing were so bad with Manny in the clubhouse.
Rebecca thanks. That was nice of CC, not to many other ballplayers would do that.
Three hours after the trade, Ned Colletti, Dodger general manager, was asked whether he had spoken to Ramirez.
“I left him a message,” said Colletti.
Four hours after the trade, Dodger Manager Joe Torre was asked whether he had spoken to Ramirez.
“I left him a message,” said Torre.
SJ44, IB would be set for 5-6 years…..Gold Glove, 35 HRs’ 120 RBI’S .300 ba…..With a glut of OF issues, signing Texeria would be the easist option…..
Do you think the Dodgers will even bother with a press conference to “introduce” Manny? I mean, wouldn’t they be taking a chance that he’s a no show?
You know what’s going to happen, right? Just because you said that?
NYY: First I saw it
Pete–I get annoyed by posts like this. Our being happy over Manny’s departure has zero to do with what happens in Boston this season. It’s not like our thoughts are going to make Boston win more games.
It’s ludicrous to suggest that a fanbase being happy one of their nemesis is gone from the team is going to correlate into the opposite happening as some sort of karmic retribution.
Sounds more to me like a closeted Boston fan trying to give us all a stern warning.
If all the players in the Boston clubhouse did in fact tell Theo Manny had to go, they psychologically may have put even more pressure on themselves for making the guy a scapegoat for their poor play.
Manny was not the sole reason they lost 5 out of 6 to the Angels and the Yanks and anyone thinking that is a Red Sox apologist.
As for the Yankees acquisitions, clearly the media thinks they won’t have much effect after seeing these ridiculous Trade deadline grades.
I guess since the media is grading the Yanks new guys at a low level that must mean they are all going to be amazing according the logic espoused in this original post.
After all, what’s going to happen is the opposite of the popular thought, right?
Peter King from SI refuses to do trade deadline grades. He clearly states that there is no way to grade a team until the season is over and the full scope of the trade can be evaluated. He thinks the grades are ridiculous.
So do I.
I also think it’s equally ridiculous to tell us all to calm down about Manny getting traded or else the baseball gods will make Boston win the title this season.
If Boston wins the title this season it has nothing to do with our thoughts. It has to do with a complete failure by the Angels and the Yankees (or the Rays perhaps).
Karstens is pitching right now against the cubs and he’s doing pretty well. 2ip 0h 1bb 1k
Trust me Kontos and Coke >>> Karstens
Anyone know if Manny has to cut that mop?
Bold Prediction: Ponson stinks tonight. Offense stinks tonight.
Oh, and Abreu still in RF.
fred- you said bold, that isn’t.
Just 2 weeks until the draft signing period deadline – Can Gerrit Cole actually expect to get more than the $5.6M given to #1 overall pick last year, David Price?
If Boras screws the Yankees on this I will be really ticked.
JASON BAY :
He strikes out more than the average hitter, averaging 153 whiffs over a 162-game season. He is on pace for 130 this season. He averages 84 walks per 162 games, with a high of 102 in 2006.
I think Manny will be absent for the press conference. His grandmother died again.
Jennifer – I will be there with bells on
Rebecca- You would think that MLB woudl take the opportunity to market someone like CC especially in the urban communites he is very involved in the RBI program and they could use him very nicely to help more with inner city youth baseball. He was also very privlaged to be on the WBC USA Team and I think he also may have played in the Olympics.
Why does everyone think Jorge can just slide into playing first base? He hates playing there. Ideally he’ll be 100 percent by April and he and Molina go back to their “platoon”. It would be smart to add an emergency F.A. catching candidate like David Ross or Rod Barajas. Pudge would be too expensive to keep and would be unhappy if Jorge came back as the fulltime C.
Teixiera makes perfect sense in every way. He and Sabathia are the two F.A. to go after this year… they might cost half the $ 90 mill or so coming off the books, but so what?
That’s the same amount being paid to Mussina, Pavano and Giambi.
Re-signing Abreu means you have him, Nady, Damon and Matsui sharing three jobs unless someone gets traded which is unlikely.
I am asking please please please STOP TALKING BOUT MANNY.. Guys the Yanks are in 3rd place and we need to take the next 3 games or at worst 2 to keep pace. thats more important than the 7:00 eastern press-conference that the Dodgers are holding. we should be talking bout how the Yankees inability to score early in the game is hurting us, or how the SPs are struggling right now. How maybe the clutch hitter we are waiting for Jeter to be is not going to come around. Hopefully Hughes,IPK(oboy),Wang and worst case Pavano can help us in the next month.
I’m actually kind of glad that Giambi has cooled a bit, because I was starting to think that there might be a temptation to bring him back again. Now, I don’t see that happening.
Sometimes I feel like I’m in the minority among you guys here, but I like Abreu in spite of his “wall phobia.” He still brings an awful lot to the table and he’s got such a positive attitude. I know now they have Nady, so there’s definitely going to be some outfield action during the off-season. And who knows what’s going to happen with Matsui. They can’t keep everyone, that I do know.
I truly don’t see why they couldn’t sign both Tex and CC, depending on what else happens. But in either case, it’s up to Tex and CC what they want to do – who they want to accept an offer from. I never assume the Yankees get the free agents anymore.
Anyway, I’d love to get through this season before I start agonizing over 2009. As we’ve seen, so many things change!
Jason Bay:
http://bp2.blogger.com/_-IOiLz.....ns+Out.jpg
Doreen,
The more you watch Abreu play RF, the more you wonder what the Yankees are thinking about his future in NY. He is still a fairly productive offensive player.
However, he has become a disaster in RF. They can’t sign him, even to a one year deal, to play RF if he continues to play it like he has this year. Not at his expected asking price (north of 14 million per year) in 2009.
That’s one reason why Nady is here. He can play RF a lot better than Abreu, will make half the money Abreu earns in 2009, is younger and is a RH hitter.
If you look at the Yankees in 2009, Damon and Matsui are both in the final years of their contracts. I could see both guys alternating between DH and LF, with Nady playing RF.
Its a tough dilemma for the Yankees. Abreu is a good player and a really good guy who is VERY well liked by the players and management.
His skills defensively however reduces his overall value.
Its probably a 50-50 call right now. If he can’t pick up his game more down the stretch, I think the odds will move toward not bringing him back.
gayle- It is going to be such a long day, I only hope it isn’t too hot.
SJ44:
Good point forgot all about the Borass factor.
SJ: I could see the Yankees bringing Bobby back as a DH if they let Giambi go and Jorge slides into first…but there is a lot that would have to hapen for that to really be a possibility.
It’s a pity, because Abreu has amazing stats as a DH.
SJ44:
What about Abreu at 1st…
SJ44:
or Hideki at 1st abreu DH..
haha guys why not say put JETER there..lol not everyone can play 1st I said Jorge cause he has played there before.
Timothy Clougher
August 1st, 2008 at 3:24 pm
SJ44:
What about Abreu at 1st…
So far we have the following possiblities for 1st base in 2009
Texeira
Giambi/Posada/IRod/Matsui
How many more 1st basemen do u need
…Jeff Karstens is one hitting the Cubs?
I guess alot will depend on how things go, the restof the way…..
We will have some holes to fill and money to spend…
I know this may be stupid, but why has no one suggested this line-up
1. Damon
2. Abreu
3. X
4. A-Rod
5. Giambi
6. Cano
7. Jeter
8. Pudge
9. Cabrera
(my question is why couldn’t X bat third)
Well SJ bought up a good point, TEX/Irod?Giambi will not be there..
am i foolish to think rasner can outduel lackey on sunday afternoon?
Brandon,
I know they’ve got more upside probably, but Karstens seemed like a hard working guy so I hope he does do well with the Pirates.
Jackie V.
August 1st, 2008 at 3:19 pm
JASON BAY :
“He strikes out more than the average hitter, averaging 153 whiffs over a 162-game season. He is on pace for 130 this season. He averages 84 walks per 162 games, with a high of 102 in 2006.”
Jackie V
At their current pace Manny will have more strikeouts than Jason Bay this year. They both have 86 strikeouts right now but Jason Bay has more at bats (393) than Manny (365) right now.
Jeter can still hit in the 2 hole… We should try something called a “hit and run” when he is up… Wonder if Girardi has ever heard of it. Almost everyone of his DP balls are hit to 2B… I am still very confused as to why we haven’t executed more of those this season with all of Jeter’s struggles.
mark: It’s more likely to happen than Ponson outdueling (the other) Santana
go Karstens! shut up those fools that said we gave up nothing in that trade!
NYY:
Please tell me what you, think 1B will be like in 2009.
If you actually think Girardi will move Jeter out of the 2 hole, you’re nuts.
Does he deserve to sent to the bottom of the batting order? Absolutely.
But I think the organization is going to wait until he’s batting around .200 with no power to make that move and they’ll wait for the press to pick up the scent and start writing about how Jeter needs to be moved down and then after a few weeks of that debate, it will finally happen.
That said, it really does seem his offensive decline is coming early age wise for him, doesn’t it?
Uh oh, hope I didn’t jinx him.
“We should try something called a “hit and run†when he is up… Wonder if Girardi has ever heard of it.”
yeah, Girardi does this all the time.
i love how there are exactly 50% of people on either side, one side complaining that Girardi plays too much “small ball” and the other side complaining that he doesn’t do it enough.
The Yankees aren’t signing both Tex and CC. Not going to happen.
Pat M, that’s true with two caveats:
1. They don’t want to deal with Boras if at all possible. They are getting sick of his act. They can’t ex-communicate him and not do business with him. But, I do think they want to pick their spots.
Simply put, I don’t believe they see Tex as a 20 million dollar per year player. I think Arte Moreno sees him as that type of player and will pay him that much money. Moreno is also VERY tight with Boras.
The Angels trade for Tex tells me Anaheim is his most likely destination in the off-season.
2. I don’t think Tex wants to play in NY. I’ve talked with players that know him (I don’t know Tex at all) and none of them think he wants to play in NYC. He’s a very smart guy and knows the value of keeping the Yankees in the hunt for business reasons. However, the word from players is that he isn’t that gung ho about playing in NY.
CC on the other hand, likes NY. Yes, he’s building a big house in Southern California and is a Northern California native but, he’s really into NY. Kind of like Andy Pettitte in that way.
He likes his hometown area, but really likes pitching in NY.
He’s also a guy who will follow the cash. If the Yankees go big with him, both in the recruiting process and the offer, its more likely they sign CC than Tex.
Could things change in the next couple of months? Sure. But, this early in the horse race, that’s the way its playing out at this time.
I wish we would call up either Kennedy or Aceves.. They at least have FUTURE POTENTIAL.
THEY could show FLASHES OF BRILLIANCE. Or we could watch another Ponson riding shot gun, BLOW OUT! All I am saying is at least with the young guns we have a chance to see them pitch 7 innings of one run ball. Ponson- Not so much.
Not for nothing, but…
BA OBP SLG OPS+
DJ 2007 .322 .388 .452 121
2008 .280 .343 .396 98
Varitek 2007 .255 .367 .421 103
2008 .216 .302 .354 71
Tough year for Captains.
From Feinsand’s chat:
Sources have told me that the Yankees weren’t thrilled with Kennedy’s attitude as he felt he didn’t belong in the minors. But as he continues to pitch better, it’s going to be hard for the Yankees to ignore him. Brian Cashman said yesterday that Kennedy is working himself back into the mix. So I wouldn’t be surprised to see him soon if Rasner or Ponson stumbles. After all, this is the same guy that they handed a rotation spot to four months ago without any question.
http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/yankees/
At 2:08 of the chat
hmmm-
I can’t remember the last time I’ve seen a hit and run on with Jeter at the plate. I mean, feel free to let me know and I am not trying to be sarcastic or anything, I would truely like to know. If Girardi does it all the time (which I honestly don’t see at all. I see a straight steal more often with the batter swinging, but not for a hit and run, but for a basehit) then why does he not do it the most with Jeter who is struggling with DPs this season and a solid contact hitter?
And in no way I’m I going after Girardi’s style of play. I feel he has been fantastic as a manager this season given his hand. I just feel like he should call more hit and runs when Jeter is AB.
Karsten Line so far 4 innings, 2 Hits, 0 Runs, 1 K, 3 Walks against the Cubs
Yesterdays game took away the Manny fun.
sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/big_league_stew/post/Answer-Man-CC-Sabathia-talks-imaginary-friends-?urn=mlb,97668
pretty funny interview with CC..(sorry not sure where to put his dots)…
G. Love: It does seem a bit early, but I think he’s been playing hurt, no?
“am i foolish to think rasner can outduel lackey on sunday afternoon?”
anything can happen. never fixate on pitching matchups. i don’t know how many times i have to say this on here, but this is real baseball, not MLB2K8 on someone’s PS3.
FWIW, i’d like to think we can root for Jeff Karstens, Ross Ohlendorf, Dan McCutchen, Jose Tabata, Xavier Nady, and Damaso Marte to all succeed. Go Karstens…
…let me ask, though, is the CF wall in Pittsburgh measure around 600 or something?
Sox not batting Bay 4th. Lowell will bat 4th and Bay 5th tonight.
IPK is going to be damned if he does, damned if he doesn’t with this crowd for life, isn’t he?
Pete,
all very true, but gosh, it sure did bring a smile to my face…just for the mere fact that Ortiz won’t have “Protection” as much anymore, and so on, it sure helps our wildcard chances
If this is old news so be it. I just saw it on ESPN TV. It seems that Theo met with the Sux veteran players on Wednesday night and they told him that Manny could no longer be counted on and that he had to go.
And they talk about the Bronx zoo!
Francona/Bay press conference coming up right now. It’s on EEI if anyone wants to hear it. I’m just interested in hearing any questions about Manny leaving. I’m bored today.
Rebecca,
I don’t see them bringing Bobby back to DH. I also don’t see Jorge playing first base next year so they can keep Pudge.
I think the Yankees holding tryouts for first basemen are over after this season. Somehow, someway, they are going to get a real first baseman and play the guy everyday at the position.
You guys have to understand something about Posada. There is NOBODY on this team with more pride than Posada. Nobody.
He is also universally respected by everybody within the Yankee Heiracrchy. They aren’t going to diss him or embarrass him in any way.
Unless his arm is amputated, he’s going to catch next year. He certainly isn’t going to concede the position to Pudge.
He asked for 100K more than the AAV (Average Annual Value) of Pudge’s contract so he can have the highest catching contract in history.
Those guys aren’t friends. They are rivals. They are both from Puerto Rico and they have always had a rivalry-type of relationship. They don’t hate each other. But, they aren’t busom buddies either.
I also don’t think the Yankees are going to tie up 26 million bucks into the catching position. Asking Jorge to play first because they want to sign Pudge? Good luck with that. I’d love to be in the room if that’s every proposed to Posada. That won’t go well.
Pudge is going to have suitors. Most notably, the Red Sox.
Its a great market for Pudge this off-season because Varitek has fallen off the map as a player and Boston has nobody in their farm system to replace Varitek.
Ironically, it puts Boras in a tough spot. He represents both Varitek and Pudge. Pudge is the better option for the Red Sox right now. Yet, its Varitek who is pushing Boras for a “Posada-type” deal for himself with the Red Sox. Which of course, he isn’t going to be able to get.
Pudge can (if he plays well these next two months) get that kind of deal with the Sox. Not in years but, in AAV. AAV is the measuring stick players use to gauge their financial value. Especially veteran players who realize a long term deal is no longer in the offing.
As competitive as these guys are on the field, they are just as competitive when it comes to being paid.
For example, when Mike Mussina negotiated his 2 year deal with the Yankees, he made sure Cashman knew he wasn’t going to have an AAV less than Carl Pavano. Believe me, these guys know all about the business side of the game. You can’t trick them.
Look at Karstens-doing very well so far. Good for him
Girardi had Jeter hit and run with Damon on base twice on Saturday and 3 times overall in the Orioles series.
He does it quite often. He doesn’t do everytime because if you do, teams will know that and prepare for it.
Jeter is having an off-season. He’s not having an awful season. Like Varitek is for example. Big difference.
Oh yeah. Livan was DFA to make room for Liriano.
A though about pitchers that you might love to see come to the Bronx, Washburn included (if you do). Always remember that there is never a guarantee that what you have seen elsewhere will ever translate the same way in the Bronx. History has shown us that over and over. Just a word of caution to people who could end up being disappointed.
Also, WEEI spent a lot of time talking about Pudge’s reputation for calling for outside pitches so he could showcase his arm. We might as well acknowledge the reality of what we have gotten as well as well as we acknowledge that he has had an HOF career. And oh yeah, I disagree that Pettitte calls his own games but rather agree with Kay and the posters who pointed out that Pettitte’s comfort level lies in having the catcher call the game. Seldom do you see him shake anyone off.
And didn’t Molina come to us from the Angels? Who better to call games from behind the plate than someone who knows the players! I still say it was a mistake to throw Pudge right out there especially against the Angels. Better that we had the opportunity to take a game or two than to deal from a deficit position. Just my opinion.
Press conference is live on ESPN. Francona and Theo on right now.
A tribute to Manny from and created by Pinstripe Zac.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OiSLSOi8Ok4
Eiland and Pettitte called 90% of the pitches yesterday.
Every team has a scouting report. Catchers and pitchers go over the scouting report before the game. The scouting report is broken down in such detail, they know what to throw guys in certain counts.
They know what to do going into the game. The only difference comes from framing pitches from guys you haven’t caught before. That takes a few innings to get comfortable with the movement of a guy’s pitches.
Molina behind the plate would have had no impact on last night’s game if the location of the pitches were in the same spot as they were last night.
Molina was behind the plate when Andy gave up 10 runs in 5 innings (8 of them RBI by Guillen) when he got smoked by the Royals at the Stadium earlier in the year. Was that Molina’s fault? No.
Andy had a bad night. It happens. It had nothing to do with Pudge.
In terms of Pudge’s rep, that’s a 12 year old story back when he was with the Rangers and in his early 20′s. Unfortunately, those stories make for great talk radio chatter but, it has no relevence today.
Pudge called plenty of pitches inside when he won a ring with the Marlins in 2003 and helped lead the Tigers to the WS in 2006. Ironically, those pitching staff’s kicked the Yankees butts in those series. Does he get any credit for his work with pitchers on those staffs in those series against the Yankees?
If Pudge got traded to the Red Sox, the boys on WEEI would tell you what a great trade it was for the Sox.
I wouldn’t get too caught up about Sox talking heads discussing Yankee trades and taking their information as fact.
By Sunday, WEEI will have Jason Bay as a first ballot Hall of Famer and Manny Ramirez being another serial killer.
Its how they roll on that station.
I don’t think Pudge should have caught last night just from the sheer exhaustion of his night/day travels/travails. But I don’t necessarily think Molina would have done better – Pettitte didn’t have “it,” and the defense last night didn’t quite have “it.” It was not a good night. And they might as well throw Pudge into the fire – it’s gonna be a learning curve, but I think a short one.
Then again, he (Pudge) was probably running on adrenaline anyway!
Follow-up on previous thread regarding the Yankees’ schedule – The Yankees have 54 games left, only 22 of them @ home, 32 away; only 12 (including 6 with the O’s, who have really hurt the Yankees this year) games vs.
Gayle,
The writers are jealous that a person can have so much talent they can tell their boss to “bleep off.” Manny is like Mozart, does what the bleep he wants. People who can’t are jealous, and acquire high moral tonality and bleat out their pathetic prose.
I will miss Manny. What a peerless hitter. I’ll have to stay up late, I suppose, and watch Dodger games. At least, I can actually cheer him on now. He can’t really hurt us any more.
I don’t understand the correlation between getting blown out by the Angels and Manny leaving Boston, unless the point is one cannot predict the future, which seems to be a vacuous comment.
If anyone outside of Boston is not “happy” Manny is gone, they’re idiots. Cashman did the professional thing by simply not commenting on another team’s player.
Putting Manny Ramirez in the same sentence as Carl Pavano is silly.
Not for nothing, but…
BA OBP SLG OPS+
DJ 2007 .322 .388 .452 121
2008 .280 .343 .396 98
Varitek 2007 .255 .367 .421 103
2008 .216 .302 .354 71
Tough year for Captains.
Add Paul Konerko from the White sox……….his stats aren’t necessary…….they are worse them Jeter and Varitek
I don’t understand why Joe G brought in Mariano Rivera with the game tied.
Does he not get that Mariano Rivera isn’t very good, and hasn’t been very good, throughout his career with the game tied?
And the Angels just scored.
History could have predicted it.