Joe Girardi’s a genius
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on Aug 28, 2008 
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Credit where credit is due here. After Jason Giambi homered in the seventh inning, Joe Girardi left him in the game to play first base.
Pudge Rodriguez, who came in to catch, was subbed into the lineup for Cody Ransom.
“If itÂ’s 3-2 or 4-2, possibly, probably would have done it,” Girardi said. “But when itÂ’s 2-2, we know that weÂ’re going to need his bat.””
They certainly did, Giambi came back up in the ninth and won it with a single.
Giambi is a fascinating case as a free agent. He’s hitting only .251 and will be 38 before the start of next season. But he has an .893 OPS and has played more innings at first base this season than he has since 2003.
The Big G figures to end up with 30+ homers and 90+ RBI. Teams are shying away from older players in the post-steroids era with good reason. But for the right team, Giambi makes a lot of sense. He has proven he can stay in the lineup and be productive.
Plus the Winter Meetings are in Las Vegas, where the Big G roams in the offseason. Some unsuspecting GM is going to wake up in his hotel room with a hangover and Jason Giambi on his roster for two years and $16 million.
“Some unsuspecting GM is going to wake up in his hotel room with a hangover and Jason Giambi on his roster for two years and $16 million.”
I think something like this happened with Sabean and Zito.
As long as it isn’t one of the Steinbrenners.
Giambi will be gone. Yanks would be idiots to re-sign him.
Where the hell do you play Giambi if you don’t buy him out?
Giambi will be back playing 1st next year
2 yrs – $32 million
Wow, Pete said something nice about Girardi! A red-letter day!
You know, I really do hope Giambi finds a home over the winter and that he does well for himself. I just think his time here is done. Now, I have no idea what Yankee management is thinking – they seem to really like the guy in the Bronx.
He did a good thing today, and if this ends up sparking one last run by the Yankees (whether they ultimately prevail or not), he’ll hopefully go out on an upswing.
Girardi you see you bat Giambi ninth and he comes thru…
I told you he’s reading the blog.
now we gotta find a way to beat the canadians
“Giambi will be back playing 1st next year
2 yrs – $32 million”
You’d have better odds of getting a liver transplant.
Giambi’s OPS will give him a respectable contract that he is unlikely to live up to. I don’t expect him to be able to play a full season as 1B again for precisely the reasons Pete mentioned.
He lives to hit HRs into the short porch. How would he do on teams that have more cavernous dimensions in right? If he can’t hit with power to right, he’s left with walks and little else.
The Yankees should only consider bringing him back if he will count his buyout money toward an affordable contract. I don’t think that will happen.
The problem is our lack of a solid replacement 1B. I’d bet that we don’t get Teixeira. So who does that leave us, absent Giambi?
Giambi will resign with Yanks for less money-he freakin loves it in NY – he told me he loved it there a few months ago. Anyway, I saw him in Vegas last January, he “Roams” there, hmmmm, almost is his second home there in the off season!
The Yankees have too many DHs, Giambi is good as gone.
Goners. They’ve been wanting to get rid of him since the apology.
The Lohud Reverse Curse worked, huh? We trash ‘em, they cash ‘em.
Unbelievable, you can’t make this stuff up.
Young and cheap.
I see nothing wrong with bringing Giambi back and having him play to role Strawberry played in the late 90′s. Name me a better part time player next year?
Maybe Giambi can retire and become the 3rd base coach.
Giambi, thanks for the memories. Enjoy your time in Kansas City or Seattle next year. Sorry, but we need that money off the books.
“I see nothing wrong with bringing Giambi back and having him play to role Strawberry played in the late 90’s. Name me a better part time player next year?”
Rickey Henderson
“Plus the Winter Meetings are in Las Vegas, where the Big G roams in the offseason. Some unsuspecting GM is going to wake up in his hotel room with a hangover and Jason Giambi on his roster for two years and $16 million.”
i lol’d
I wonder if Vegas has odds on Jason’s next zip code?
I say Oakland.
Giambi is GONE. They need his spot for Matsui or Damon. I think Texieria will be the first baseman in the Bronx next year, so there is no room for him. The only free agent I want back is Moose. Pettitte, Abreu, Pavano, Pudge, and Giambi need to GO.
“I say Oakland.”
Totally.
It will be weird seeing him with all that facial hair again. Maybe not as weird as the mustache though.
It will also be weird seeing other seems use the supershift on him and thinking “that’s not our player anymore.”
I agree with you Pete, some GM will sign him to a two year deal in the off-season.
BTW, stay at the Hard Rock, the best waitresses in town when you are playing Black Jack!
Giambi will be back here next year but I think 32 for 2 is too much.24m for 2 years or 1 with an option.
So who’s the next 1B if Teixeira is unavailable at a sane price?
Do we return to the dog days of Mientkiewicz/Phillips-type scrubby players who have Heart and Grit?
I think we should bring Josh Phelps back from whatever minor league team he is on, just to see this entire site self-combust.
The line about Giambi, GM’s, and Vegas is gold. He’s going to get himself a contract for sure.
I think we all know the bigger name players, but who might be available to the Yankees for, say, 1B who isn’t a big name, but a good player? There must also be some AAA players somewhere who are just about ready, but being blocked at the ML level. Is it worth it to take a chance on a CF or 1B that would fit that description? Will the Yankees be giving serious consideration to more all-around players (4-tool, at least, since 5-tool are so rare) and not just mashers? Or will they see a vacuum where Giambi’s HRs used to be and start to fret?
Also, the Yankees need to get some position players for their minor league system. If not the draft, and if not Latin America or internationally, can they mine the systems of other teams?
Doreen – I think whether the Yanks go after a 1B will be determined in great part by their decisions about Johnny and Jorge.
And who knows – if they get a good offer for Matsui, then Jason may be back as our DH next year.
The Yankees will just build a first baseman for next year with the money the save.
Mattingly’s Brain & Defense
Giambi’s Power & Indestructible Liver
Tino’s Clutch
Bob Watson’s Smile
or they could just sign Teixeira…it’s a toss up.
Giambi would be a better fit for the Angels next year than for Oakland or any other team.
I wouldn’t bring him back. 38 years old, begging to break down, too many DH’s on the team already, who knows if Posada will be able to catch or if he’ll have to make an early move to 1st…I’d rather get rid of him too soon than too late in this case.
They’ve been trying to get out of Giambi’s contract for years.
I don’t think they’re going to bring him back because he won today’s game or that overrated OPS stat is whatever.
Besides that, if they brought him back. What do they do about Matsui, Damon and Posada?
That’s three position/DH players right there. Girardi has already made it clear what his plans for Posada are.. 1b.
“And who knows – if they get a good offer for Matsui, then Jason may be back as our DH next year.”
Matsui has chronic knee problems and will possibly have surgery in the off season, he has very little appeal to another team at this point.
As it has been pointed out here for the last few days, suppose Jorge has arm problems next season? Then we have the same problem all over again with Matsui, Giambi and Posada sharing the DH.
Giambi is gone.
Does anyone else share the opinion that Joba should be shut down for the season?
Its over, the season that is. Even if we make the playoffs, we have barely any starting pitching whatsoever. Why risk Joba’s long-term health and success for the sake of a lost cause?
The Rangers are fairly deep with young position players… we are fairly deep with pitching prospects. I’d like to see what it would take to get someone like Chris Davis (1B) or David Murphy (COF). We need to get younger and the only positions where we are not locked in are 1B and COF.
This may sound strange but I think Giambi could end up a Blue Jay. Oakland won’t pay him, Toronto won’t break the bank either but they’ll be more generous than Oakland. And he actually would be a great fit there.
I actually agree with Colonel Nathan Jessup, I think Giambi goes to the Angels, especially if Texeira walks. Oakland would only take him on the cheap.
They can’t bring him back here. The only way I see it happening is if by some stroke of God’s hand, Giambi singlehandedly carries this team into an improbable post season birth.
Texas isn’t trading Davis and it’s not likely to be moving Murphey, either. They’re good, young and cheap.
***Murphy***
Can’t Hank be charged with tampering for naming CC and Burnett by name?
http://www.nydailynews.com/spo.....n_cc_.html
Yeah, Murphy is in Texas’ future plans as their 1b. Saltalamacchia is not, not at 1b or C. We need to trade for him and take on Catalonatto’s contract too, which will lower the price on a return in pitching prospects.
Saltalamacchia then becomes the Yankees’ starting 1st baseman, Frank the Tank the new 4th OF/occasional DH/backup 1b/pinch hitter. Bam, we just improved our lineup and our bench in one fell swoop.
This needs to happen. It’s just too perfect, imo.
I think that when Joba pitches again for us it will be based on the calculation that it isn’t a serious risk at all.
Once that determination has been made, then I think you want Joba pitching more innings.
But who knows, if we have a bad series vs. Toronto and/or they see something they don’t like from Joba on Saturday, the equation could change.
Rhapsody,
Did you see where I said bench player ala Strawberry in the 90′s?
The Yankees can afford to carry a big stick off the bench. Why not have it be somebody who’s familir with NY, likes playing in NY, and is a team player?
“Yeah, Murphy is in Texas’ future plans as their 1b.”
Whoops…DAVIS is their 1b of the future, rather.
Saltalamacchia may prove to pretty decent some day, either at first or as a catcher, but, right now, he’s a butcher at both positions, and, he can’t hit, either. Maybe some day.
“Why not have it be somebody who’s familir with NY, likes playing in NY, and is a team player?”
Yes! Like Frank Cattalonatto! My thoughts exactly!
Giambi is a team player? Since when? He seems to be everybody’s best friend in the clubhouse and favorite after-the-game drinking buddy, but if he were truly a team player, wouldn’t he do the little things like showing bunt to take away the shift, or trying to hit a little ole single the other way rather than constantly going for the homerun?
Texas is planning to move Murphy to 1B (over Davis)? Blalock is also back. It just seems that they have an over abundance of position players and have a real need to stock up on pitching prospects. Not sure exactly what deals could happen but it just seems that they’d be a good trading partner.
raymagnetic
I saw your point, the real question is have your read all the numerous reasons by all the different knowledgeable posters who frequent here why there is no room for Giambi at the DH in 2009?
Ray, the only way NYY keeps Giambi would be if the pay the buyout, don’t offer him arbitration and take their chances. Otherwise, it’ll cost NYY a minimum of 17-18 mil a year (about 80% of this year’s salary). The Angels are in the same situation with Garrett Anderson.
GB, I know Jarrod has had a bad season, but he seems to be on fire lately. A few weeks ago his avg was hovering around .220, then yesterday I was looking at the Texas boxscore and it was up to .256. So I think he can already be considered a decent hitter for the spot in the order he will hit, but I didn’t know his defense at 1b was as shoddy behind the plate. That is a red flag. Can he really be worse defensively than Giambi though? I mean he has to at least be more athletic/better range, right?
glad everyone’s in a better mood…
interesting fact: A-Rod has 4 (FOUR!!) rbi after the sixth innings of games this year. That’s amazingly choking-doggish.
now, if you really want check out something you don’t see every day, check out the respect doled out by some of the, ah…folks in RSN re: their favorite Yanks (yup, you read that right)
http://www.boston.com/sports/t.....uldnt.html
I’ll buy dinner for whomever, even stuart, gets the nine right without peeking…(I got four, btw)
If Giambi wants to be an uber-team-player, take the buyout and then sign a team-friendly contract. How about $7 million + the $5 million buyout? Maybe ad some incentives for base hits that go to left field.
Then bat him 7th or 8th or 9th. For the team.
“Not sure exactly what deals could happen but it just seems that they’d be a good trading partner.”
Exactly. Something should be worked out, especially since the Yankees have the ability to lower the return on their end by absorbing Cat’s contract, and that would help us in more ways than one as Frank would be an ENORMOUS asset to this team. I’ve always thought he belonged on the Yankees anyway.
raymagnetic
Do you think the Yankees will match offers Giambi will receive from other teams as a full time DH? Just to sit the bench ala Rueben Sierra?
He can’t play first, he can’t ran the bases, what exactly would he doo besides clog the DH role for 13 mil a year?
I love how Giambi has one good game and all these posts about him coming back next year. I don’t care how much he loves it here. He’s an aging, out of shape slugger who can only pull the ball and hits mistakes out of the park. Not to mention his D is terrible. We already have like 5 DHs.
If we bring him back that will be against everything Cashman is trying to establish for the future.
Don’t get me wrong, I think he’s a nice guy and I’m glad he came through today but by no means does it merit a new contract.
I notice that Murphy is on the DL – is that the result of the collision with Pudge?
Sorry about the spelling, no edit button.
Saltalamacchia has been hot recently, but 71 strikeouts in 196 at bats is too ugly to contemplate.
OK, maybe $3 million.
I think he takes more to go elsewhere. He has a wife to feed.
Giambi is an aging one dimensional ball player, a pinch hitter, period.
He has been one of the problems this season, one of the reasons we are in third place and will not make the play-offs.
Paulie D: I have to get all 9 right? OK, I’ll take a stab at it. Assuming all 9 players are guys they ‘sincerely’ like rather than something like ‘A-Rod because he helps us by being unclutch.’ lol. ok here goes:
1) Matsui (who doesnt like him?)
2) Jeter (as much as they hate on him, I believe they begrudgingly respect him)
3) uh…..um…I dunno, Darrell Rasner? Heh, is this all-time, or just current Yankees?
Well, he’s aging, but he’s in pretty good shape this year. I don’t see Giambi here, but there’s always the outside chance that once the team is configured there could be a place for him. I wonder if Giambi considers himself at the role player stage of his career, though. If he can find himself a better gig, I’m sure he’ll take it, no matter how much he likes NY. No one wants to come to work and sit and do nothing if they have the opportunity to be busy somewhere else.
I think a problem the Yankees are going to have to face is that there are some questions that are not going to be answered until closer to spring trainer, specifically regarding Posada, but possibly also Matsui and Wang. In some cases, they are going to have to make decisions before all the information is in or lose out.
Is he married to the Snuffleupugus?
Man this offseason is going to be fun. I see C.C. in pinstripes and maybe teixeira depending on where they want to go. Donny was Tex’ idle and I know he would like to know what it felt like to be in the same position and same uniform. Plus we have a brand new ball park, too. Its going to be a hit. C.C wont turn down those big dollars. I expect hard throwing lefty marte to come back. We didnt trade our players for nothing and plus he pitches better in the specialist situation. Last but not least we need a centerfielder. I say we go after david dejesus from KC in return for Kennedy and another prospect. Perhaps we can trade away melky too for something in exchange. He is not THAT great.
What’s the question about Wang? I know he’s coming back from a long layoff, but it was a foot injury, nothing arm/shoulder related. My question about Wang is, can he finally win 20 games next season? And I say YES.
Screw Giambi…let him walk and move on to someone young.
I say yes too. And the Yankees better not take him into arbitration over $600K this year! What were they thinking giving Cano that generous long term deal and stiffing CMW like that?! Most puzzling move of the offseason and I still say Wang deserves a deal like that more than Cano.
oh and giambi goes back to the west. Either oakland or the angels. If not most deffinately cleveland.
I think in the offseason we should do a Jason Giambi blog pool of some sort. What team does he end up on, how many years, and how much $$ per.
BBB, ditto with a CC pool.
CCweepstakes!
Young or near ML ready players are typically among the most difficult and expensive to acquire. Texas won’t just hand Chris Davis over unless they feel they’ve got a ready replacement (Chad Tracy? Only 73 AB’s at AA). There may be some candidates, but I’ll leave that to another. That LaPorta served as the key piece for Sabathia tells you the value of young players with power. And the Yanks need to add a power bat with Giambi’s departure.
Mad Prince – you got inside info on Joba’s health? Don’t you think the Yanks are at least as concerned about this as you? It’s likely he’s just not as hurt as meany feared.
Pete’s comment on Giambi’s contract deal is great. “Coyote Ugly Contract?”
The fact is somebody’s gonna be playing 1B in NY next year – if not Tex, then who? Not sure Miranda is the answer, but he should get a look in Sept. if Yanks drop out of contention. Down the road, Laird in Low A is one of 2 Yanks minor leaguers with 20 HR’s, but he’s only hitting .267, and low A is a long way off. Montero could move, but at the same level. If they return to Giambi, hope it’s short and reasonable – closer to Pete’s numbers than Forntoso’s.
Giambi’s fate depends on whether the Yankees manage to sign Teixeira. If so, Giambi could be signed to a 1-year deal by the Angels with a team option for a 2nd year.
He could also go full circle and go back to Oakland with a similar deal once Frank Thomas announces his retirement.
The Yankees 2nd option should be a strong attempt to deal with Atlanta for Casey Kotchman.
Regardless, Giambi’s days as a Yankee are done. The team needs a better glove and more flexability which Giambi can’t offer.
Ya weren’t saying the same thing about JG when he struck out all those times in the past few games. I don’t understand it. Every week or so he has a HUGE game with some kinda clutch hit or monster dinger, and then he has a bunch of subpar ones and we get mad because he’s still batting fifth. Make up your minds.
Who is the fallback target if CC spurns the Yankees? Sheets?
I’ve lived through three pretty decent WS series runs by the Yankees, and in all three cases they were a decent defensive team. All three had good defensive first basemen, Moose Skowron, Chris Chamblis and Tino.
How any Yankee fan can envision one more year of Giambi at first is beyond me.
don’t worry Giambi is gone.. If they did not have matsui and damon, giambi as a dh is another story but he is GONE..
I would not be suprised if the sux and the yanks do not make the playoffs. the sux are hurting big time. if only the Yanks could hit…
Rhapsody, many of us are just being sentimentalists.
In cold reality, I think Giambi is gone.
Nick in SF =
I don’t expect Wang to be in top form unless he really has the opportunity to work a lot over the winter. That’s the question in my mind.
It’s not like Wang’s foot fell off – he has basically the same injury as Bruney, who came back in August from an April DL. But a starter is going to stress that more, so he takes a bit more caution. Wang is just running out of season. He should be fine in ’09.
Call me a crazy optimist, but Wang has the whole off-season and then a full spring training to fully recover, I think he’ll be fine come 2009.
Perhaps I’m oversimplifying things here, but seems to me Giambi brings back the stache, he beats Boston.
http://www.BringBackTheStache.com for much more on the topic…
People say Wang is fine.But I know he’s innings pitch isn’t bad but hasn’t he been in the DL at least once every year since he’s been up here.
Hughes,Mussina,Pettitte,Wang the past three years are one hamstring or sore elbow from missing three months.Thats the problem even the young guys are always injuried.
Not sure if anybody saw this report the other day, but Baltimore’s Adam Loewen’s pitching career is over. He was a Yankee Killer in the making. 3-1 record and a 2.79 ERA in 5 starts. He had the makings of a very good left handed pitcher, until he came up with multiple stress fractures in his elbow. He’s going to become an outfielder starting next year. Hate to see talent like that wasted.
Wow – really have to be careful here.
Calm down. I don’t expect there to be a problem with Wang, per se. But I would think there’s always a question with a guy coming off a season ending injury, even if it wasn’t to his arm. I did forget for a second that Bruney came back off a similar injury, but apparently it wasn’t as bad as Wang’s. Wang just got the boot off.
(And to think, I threw his name in just before I hit submit – what was I thinking????
)
No problem, Doreen, just talkin’ baseball.
MoBoy: “he’s” is a contraction for “he is”. What you want to use is “his”, which is the masculine possessive.
And every pitcher — heck, every player — is one injury away from the DL. If there’s a player who comes with a guarantee to never miss a game due to injury, we should look into signing him.
Wang managed to win more games than any other pitcher in ’06 and ’07, even with his injuries.
Hooray, Girardi made a move that won us one more meaningless game
Giambi:
Would only bring him back at age 38 if he was willing to play for free, considering he’s pocketing 5M upfront, like a signing bonus. However, as much as I hate to admit it, behind Teixeira, Morneau and Youklis in the AL,he been the 4th most productive 1st baseman in AL.
On the FA market you have Teixeira, who would be worth a 5 year, but don’t want us stuck with him for 7 years. There’s Adam Dunn who could be had for less but along with his 40-45 homers would strike out 200 times/year and probably play awful defense, another DH.
However I think we have options. Colorado might not be able to sign both Matt Holliday and Garrett Atkins who become FAs at end of 2009. Atkins might be the one they are willing to trade and they need pitching. They also have a surplus with Ryan Spillborghs at CF. If we traded for both of them, we’d be picking up good young talent and solve our 1st base and CF positions.
Not sure I`d bring Giambi back, however for those bashing him uderstand this.
His numbers this season Homers and RBI are very comparable to Arod. Arod has him in average, but Giambi has him in the clutch.
With what Giambi did today in two at bats, put him past what Arod has done in the 8th and 9th innings all season. Arod still has only 2 RBI in the 8th and 9th innings the entire year. That stat can stall an offense
did any one else hear pavano was on waviers??
Pavano to the Mets for Beltran?
wish it was that easy
smoothie
Interesting stat on A-Rod. What web site did you pick that up from?
Anyone else hear Pavano is our starting pitcher tomorrow night?
This Giambi thing is complicated. My sense is CC will be a higher priority than Teix. The Angels are going to make a big run for him, and could land him. (Remember Boras is close to Moreno and from the OC.)
So let’s say no Teix. And let’s say Abreu wants 3 years guaranteed, and gets it somewhere–like from Omar Minaya. Well now no Teix and no Abreu.
Getting the picture?
No mas on Jason. Nice contributions today and an exciting win, but this team isn’t going anywhere. They need to shed the old and declining. Giambi falls into that category.
The Angels would definitely seem to have the advantage with Teixeira, but I don’t put any stock into the Boras/Moreno relationship, simply because we heard for all of last year that ARod was definitely going to the Angels because Boras was in the owner’s box, etc. If he goes to the Angels, it will be because the Angels met his demands and he likes it there.
Yes, I heard Pavano is pitching tomorrow vs. Burnett.
I didn’t know our good luck charm Ronan showed up today. I think he needs to sing everyday.
Yankees Fan
“Well now no Teix and no Abreu” + CC going to west coast.
Burnett will probably opt out and go to Boston to join his friend Beckett, and know he’ll get 3-4 wins against us every year.
Even if all that happens I’d like this team to get younger,more athletic and better on defense- so no Giambi, no I-Rod, no Abreu, no Pettitte, obviously no Pavano, and yes to 1 year deal for Moose.
I’d rather go thru another lean year than watch the same old All Stars perform as pathetically as they have performed this year.
Save for a few sprinkled veterans with experience in winning, the Yankees are committed to getting younger and with roster flexability.
Old hangers on need not apply.
People keep saying CC said he wanted to go to the West coast and he said about New York was alright.
Remember Damon said he wouldn’t go to the Yankees in in 04 and 05 and also said that in he’s book.Damon was the poster child of the Idiots Era but he’s wearing pinstripes.
But when money and years on a contract are on board 99% of players will go anywhere.No matter what they say.
MoBoy, I sure hope you’re right and $$ = CC.
But I’m right about ‘he’s’ vs. ‘his’, you should listen to me!
I’m wondering….Published projections for the Yankees in the new Stadium are in excess of $660M in revenues – without taking YE$ into account. Currently, they make $300-something Million. So, that’s an increase of over $300M in revenue coming in. So, what do you think the Yanks will stop at to sign CC if they really want him? If they are shy over the years, maybe they make it up in annual salary – What would any of you say to $30M/year for 5? Could anyone else match that annual payout?
Love Spilborghs, trade for him or Seth Smith!
Dunn over Teixeira as he is more versatile. He can play rf, 1st and dh. Play him in rf.
Trade Cano for Kemp! Play Kemp in cf.
Keep Nady in lf.
Play Miranda for at least half a season at first, give a real commitment to him. Bat him 8th.
Move Jeter to 2nd base which is good for the singles hitter he has become.
SS see if you can make a deal for the Brewers AA SS Alcides Escobar which the Brewers will balk at so change target to JJ Hardy and make a good deal.
Arod at 3rd.
Catcher to start the season it’s Molina/Cervelli with hopefully Posada ready in mid May. No sense having Posada play in the cold weather.
Dh Spilborghs/Matsui If Posada can’t catch he’s an option and first base against Lefties.
backup Of Gardner/Spilborghs
util Inf Ramiro Pena
backup 1st Nady/Dunn
backup C Cervelli until Posada is ready then Molina
If Miranda bombs at 1st move Dunn/Nady and give Cf to Gardner or Ajack if he’s ready.
Pitching sign Sabathia
CC
Wang
Mussina on a 1 year deal if he wants to return if not pick up Pavano’s option.
Chamberlain
Aceves/Hughes/Pavano
Pen
Mo
Marte
Melancon
Robertson
Eddie Ramirez
Albaladejo
long man
I dont think Girardi is a very good manager. He seems to have a hard time managing certain situations. In the ninth inning, Nady hits a single. He puts Gardner in to pinch run. Good move. The right move. Then his strategy becomes faulty. Instead of sending Gardner on the first pitch, he elects to bunt him over to second. What is the point of putting Gardner in to run if you are not going to have him steal? The guy is an automatic out. Instead of having a runner on 2nd with no outs, he decides to give up an out to get him there. Why make a player who clearly has no ability to put down a bunt do just that? Instead of having Gardner steal, you have Cano attempt to bunt, therefore putting him in an 0-2 hole. You could have had Cano just pull a ground ball to the right side to have a runner on 3rd with one out to have the chance to win the game on an out. Girardi lucked out to day, because if Giambi strikes out (which was statistically likely), the inning is over. Not a genius, just lucky.
Aceves reportedly not in NY to join the rotation, at least not yet.
Did he wear #91 in the minors?
He asked for it today because he grew up a Dennis Rodman fan.
Can’t wait to see him pitch.
Dan L in NJ
Liked your thoughts about the makeup of next years team, UNTIL you snuck Pavano’s name in there as a possible 5th starter!!
Nick in SF:
Thanks for the spelling lesson.Didn’t know teachers were on a sports blog correcting every little word.You must be a stud we the ladies telling them about pronouns and verbs:)
Anyways I think the biggest problem with CC is he might want to stay in the NL not for batting but he is killing the NL West and might be a better there then the AL East.
He’ll be backing up either Pavano or Rasner. He’ll probably take either Ponson or Rasner’s spot next time through.
MoBoy, I did teach english overseas once, it’s true. Not trying to pick on you, but I’ve seen you make the same mistake 50+ times, so I thought I’d help you out. I remember you said once that you were working on your english.
Pat, looks like he did wear 91 in SWB.
Interested Reader, maybe arrogant fools should keep there mouths shut! Criticize all you wish my ideas but don’t personally insult me as it’s uncalled for. Actually many people put forth fun ideas so why can’t I do the same without your mean spiritedness?
Respect.?
: Mediocre ballplayer who kept Jorge Posada out of the lineup, mediocre manager who’s keeping the Yankees out of the postseason. What’s not to like?
Nice. real nice.
Arod has only two rbi in 8th and 9th innings all season. That is a fact.
MoBoy, CC will never tip his hand as to where he wants to play. Anything “leaked out” is all designed to help up his price tag.
If the Yankees keep hearing that he pines for San Fran, it ups their initial offering.
The only time to believe a player wants to play somewhere is when they sign on the dotted line.
There is no freaking way I bring him back.. NONE WATSOEVER
Infact whoever is stupid enough not to relize he’s a health risk, an age risk and declining player needs to get thier head examined. I still can’t believe they haven’t put him on waivers WTF are they waiting for when his value drops back to nothing.
oh, and dont fall in love with Aceves yet. Hes like what we already have plenty of
a guy who throws high 80`s and has to “hit his spots” to be effective.
Unreal
Yankee Trader,
Pavano needs to be an option until you know if Mussina will come back. If you get CC you still have both he and Wang as your only experienced starters. Chamberlain will still be limited so who else is available?
Pavano will only cost 11 million on a 1 year deal as the other 2 million is already paid to buyout the option.
Now I should have wrote only if Pavano pitches well now through the end of the season.
If Jeter has issues moving to his left, how is moving him to second base going to help? You want another team to play their aa shortstop or NYY to play a aa shortstop. Makes sense. NOT. Give up on trading Cano. It’s not happening. The only thing he does better than Cano is steal bases.
Thanks Doreen.
It’s funny to me that a guy who says he grew up a Bulls fan would say his favorite player was Rodman and not MJ. But I guess it does make sense that a pitcher would be a big fan of guys who can play defense.
Why anyone would want to bring Pavano back is beyond me. Pavano has pitched a total of 20 games in 4 years! He had a bogus injury in 2006 that no doctor could diagnose, he refused to pitch when Cashman went to him and asked him to try. Why in the world do you want to take any chance on him?
In a 10 year career he has pitched 1,000 innings!! JOKE!
beefeater… so? It is what it is. I think a lot of Yankees this year have poor numbers in RBIs throughout the various innings.
It seems to be the theme of the Yankee batters this year, not just A-Rod.
I didn’t realize this.
Winning record vs. every team but one – his team, the Yanks
Mussina.
Dan, do you enjoy seeing Yankee hitters striking out? Dunn, Kemp, Molina, Rodriguez, Jeter, Posada, (if he plays a full season) throw in 80-100 for Miranda as a part timer? That’s about 1200 strikeouts. Cervelli is a backup catcher type…he doesn’t hit much and never played above AA.
beefeater
I’ve never seen him pitch so I’ll have to wait and see but Moose seems to be doing okay throwing high 80′s and hitting spots.
I am looking forward to seeing Aceves pitch. Why not? I tend to doubt that the season will hinge on him and his pitching, but hey, you never know unless you try them.
jennifer, i dont like Pavano but I doubt he had a non-existent injury, The Yankees had insured Pavano They, the yanks, got money from the insurance company as long as Pavano was on the roster. No insurance company would pay for a non existent injury.I agree that Pavano is weak mentally, no guts but he was injured. To what degree, we dont know.
If he pitches well the rst of the year, The Yankees should sign him, take a risk. Then either he pitches next year or he is traded.
Nick in SF:
I know Nick.Just messing around I mean I wish I can take that energy toward rooting for the Yankees but thats rarely happens.
Is it “rarely” or “rarly”?I get so confused.
I don’t think Damon’s apprehension was about NY… he has played on the East Coast before and knows what it is like. He just said he wouldn’t want to play for the Yankees because obviously he didn’t want to cross over the other side of the rivalry.
Sabathia seems to just not want to be anywhere on the East Coast. Rosenthal had an article a couple of weeks ago quoting his ex-teammates where he said he would not play east of Cleveland. He seems to have Maddux-itis. Mark Teixiera has said numerous times this year he loves NY and even after he was traded to the Angels, he did an interview with SI stating Seattle, Anahiem, and NY are his favorite cities. Sabathia was asked once about NY in the Spring and he said it was “alright”.
I’m not saying he won’t come to NY, but we probably have to pay him significantly more than the Dodgers. If the Dodgers give him $110 million for 6 years, that may be enough to lure him to LA despite what we offer. But then the question becomes… if we have to pay that much to get him to decide to come here, do we really want him here? Because clearly, his heart wouldn’t be in NY and would be here only for money.
I swear the best pressure show on TV is
THE MOMENT OF TRUTH
To think you win 1 million dollars if you tell the truth through a series of questions infront of your loved ones. They just asked this woman if it is easy for a man to get you into bed
infront of the whole world 
dodgers getting blown out by the lowly nationals, 10-2 in the 8th
torre about to go 4 games under .500 and 1-9 in their last 10 and would be coming off an 0-7 road trip to philly and dc
And Christian Guzman has hit for the cycle against the Dodgers. He’s really made a pretty good comeback after years off injuries and bad seasons, hitting .303.
How do you lie on that question !
Dodgers started Kershaw and he was bombed again.
Milledge/Guzman/Dukes = Dodger Killers
Of-topic, if the Yankees dont face the Red Sox at the Stadium again, at least they beat Boston in the first and last game at the Stadium.
pavano as the 5th starter? smoke some more weed.let every free agent go except moose,sign him for a year at 11 million as the 4th or 5th starter,trade damon and matsui,dh posada,nady in right or left,bring ajax up to play center field,cervelli and molina catching until montero is ready,sign or trade for a first baseman and a corner outfielder,sign sabathia and sheets and the rotation will look like sabathia,wang,sheets,joba,moose/hughes with a ton of pitchers making noise in the minor leagues.i can’t wait to see brackman start pitching and for the love of g*d shut joba down for the rest of the year.with all that happened this year it really would hurt if joba wen’t down with a serious injury becaue they rushed him back for no good reason at all.can you imagine this headline ” JOBA OUT FOR THE ENTIRE 2009 SEASON”., ooooooooooch!!!!!!!!!!
Rays beat Jays
GreenBeret7, I can live with Dunn’s K’s! He has never played on a winning team and has played for 6 different managers. Then I look at his production…including this season he is averaging 100 bb, 100 runs, 100 rbi and 40 home runs all from the left side the past 5 years which no one in the game is doing!
Kemp is going to give you the same production as Cano but is younger and has a better chance at improving his walk rate. He also has a good arm and can play Rf. Moving Cano gives Jeter a place to play off of SS.
Miranda could K quite a bit but who knows until he gets a chance. He hurt his shoulder diving for a ball earlier this season so I would think his power will be better next year. I want him to bat 8th so it’s not like I’m putting a ton of pressure on him.
I just thought how could I get the team younger with a balanced lineup. This is what I came up with.
JJ Hardy I think is possible because his cost to the Brewers will go up as he is having a good season and is still arbitration eligible. They have Escobar who is lighting up AA so do they pay more for Hardy or trade him?
Dellin Betances
6.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 4 K’s
GO/AO 8-6
Oh BTW The Pats still can’t score 17 points
THE MOMENT OF TRUTH is also the dumbest of the dumb (aka reality) shows. Please someone with the power, get that show and all dumb (aka reality) shows off the airwaves. I’m sick of these cr@p.
Brandon
Manningham looked good again tonight.
Brandon
Manningham looked good again tonight.
He was Supermanning them h…. Pats
NYY doesn’t need a hitter striking out 200 times like Dunn. What does the number of managers have to do with a batter’s number of strikeouts? If Jeter can’t play short, he certainly can’t play 2nd. The room to cover is the same. Cano isn’t going to be traded, and for good reeason. Finding a bat for the outfield is easier than finding a top of the line 2nd baseman that hits like Cano.
THE MOMENT OF TRUTH is also the dumbest of the dumb (aka reality) shows. Please someone with the power, get that show and all dumb (aka reality) shows off the airwaves. I’m sick of these cr@p.
You a female or Male ? Listen I’m not a fan of reality shows , but I like that show.
GreenBeret7, I would like Jeter off the team as much as you do but it’s not possible. He should be a better at 2nd then at SS hopefully? Dunn will not K 200 times. Yes he came close twice but I can live with 150 with his production. As for Cano he’s to erratic and is very unlikely to improve his OBP so if he’s not hitting for a high average he’s not helping the team.
Tell me just how many good young outfielders are available?
If the Yankees throw enough money at CC, there’s no way he turns it down.
And why should he? It’s not like he’s being asked to play for the Nationals. He’s being courted by the most successful sports franchise in the world. He’s being asked to play for an organization that wants to win each year and are willing to do whatever it takes to try and make that happen.
So we are offering CC money and the chance to win. What true baseball player would turn that down?
19-14… believe it and it will happen
CC would turn it down because he really wants to play on the west coast. I mean the guy has even said he’d play for the Giants. Nobody wants to play for the Giants!
“CC would turn it down because he really wants to play on the west coast. I mean the guy has even said he’d play for the Giants. Nobody wants to play for the Giants!”
That may well be true, but after what happened with their deal with Zito, I don’t see the Giants offering CC the kind of money that we will.
If CC signs with a West Coast team for significantly less money than what we are offering, he’s a better person than I am.
The Giants would be stupid to offer CC that kind of money, but I honestly see CC taking a lower salary and going out west to the Dodgers. And if that’s his perogative, good for him for not being all about the money because I’d take every penny and run to the bank.
Oh and for the fellow Giants fans we cut DJ Hall but we added Marcus Monk IMO this year’s version of the Dominek Hixon move.
Don’t you just heart Jerry Reese
If Beckett is looking at a serious injury with his elbow, we could have another bidder for CC.
Too many of these blow up the team posts.
When talking trades and such, you need to stop thinking as a fan of one team and come to grips with why the GM of the other team would want to do what you propose.
Why would the Kemp/ Cano trade make any sense for EITHER team? Just to give them both a change of city to live in? The same troubles we are seeing with Cano we would see with Kemp. It also leaves a hole that is tough to plug in the infield.
Cano is having a down year as well. Maybe its part of a learning curve that he needs to go through. In any event it means his value is lower at this point in time. Never sell from weakness.
Trade Matsui and Damon? To who and for what? If the Yankees get a younger player for it that produces far less is that sucessful? Younger doesn’t always mean that they are going to be better.
There are moves the Yankees have to make to get things on the right track. Getting rid of you best run producers isn’t going to help.
They will probably let certain players go. Giambi being one main one. The big question is who they will replace him with. Teixeira? Possibly, but the Angels have him now and they are Boras’ team. The Angels also traded away their 1st baseman for him. That makes him a target for them to keep.
Winning teams have to have a mix of veteran players as well as youth. The biggest problem all GM’s have is coming up with the right mix.
Dan, I never said that I wanted jeter off of the team. He’s a Hell of a player, still, but, moving him just to move him, without a replacement or because you want Cano gone, make zero sense.
Dunn will never strike out less than 160-170 times over a full season, and for what he will cost, you may as well resign Giambi…you get the same production, and, just because Dunn can play the outfield or first base, doesn’t make him versitile. He’s bad at both positions.
You’re saying that Kemp can learn to be patient, but, Cano can’t? Neither one will walk more than 50 times a season. Kemps numbers aren’t even as good as Abreu’s except for steals. Why trade a run production off when that’s what is needed? As for Kemp being younger, he’s less than two years younger than Cano. Outfielders that hit and field can be gotten during FA, 2nd basemen can’t.
Redding— thats what I am afraid of.
CC doesn’t seem like he is going to chase every penny and would rather go to a place where he is happy.
Plenty of FAs have turned down the Yankees and gone to crappy teams before so they could be in a comfortable environment. Not to mention, he is going to have A-Rod like pressure on him. Coming off a non-playoff season he is going to be expected to carry the team and turn the franchise around. He knows this. He is likely going to sign the richest contract for a pitcher ever.
Maybe he doesn’t want to shave and adhere to Girardi’s ridiculous health nut rules? Maybe he doesn’t want to be hounded by the NY press and booed by the fickle fans, live in a Condo in the city instead of a mansion on the beach, and be away from his kids. Maybe his wife wants to go west and they have been waiting for free agency for their opportunity to do so. Objectively, this really isin’t an ideal situation for anyone to be in as a FA. Sure we can offer him the chance to win, but we don’t have the same aura we once did and it can be beyond stressful to play here. CC is a low-key guy, he doesn’t like the spotlight.
All the signs point to him going west. He can win with the Dodgers and the Giants spend money and will eventually be decent in that crappy division. They can’t offer him a chance to win every year and a committed ownership, but maybe winning is secondary for him. As long as he gets 9 digits, I’m sure he will take a discount go to West.
Cashman NEEDS to have a Plan B in the event that this very likely scenario occurs.
“….good for him for not being all about the money because I’d take every penny and run to the bank.”
You and me both. I wouldn’t even give it a second thought.
The West Coast, barring a huge earthquake, isn’t going anywhere. He could do a stint with the Yankees and then finish his career off out there. This time in his life is only going to come around once. I think he needs to seize the day and wait for LA. Okay, that was corny.
Take any talk about where players are “willing” to play when they have a big payday coming with a grain of salt.
Anything they say right now is all part of getting the bids to move up.
I agree that Beckett being injured will bring in the RS to the bidding for CC, but they were probably in the mix already anyway. They will at least look to up the price to whatever team wins the bidding wars for him.
Burnett is another one that will be sought after. So is Sheets.
This is going to be an intersting off season this year because so many teams have the same needs.
$13, any pitcher that’s still breathing (or at least, still warm) will be in demand this year….including Pavano, Ponson and Rasner. It’s only a question of how much. I’m betting that even Colon gets an offer, again.
“Burnett is another one that will be sought after. So is Sheets. ”
I would stay clear of these two. These guys are injuries just waiting to happen.
If CC were coming to the Yankees, he would also be part of a decent rotation. I don’t see him turning down the Yankees because of pressure. If the Yankees have Wang, Joba, Mussina, Hughes then CC doesn’t have quite as much pressure to perform.
If he is looking for a big paycheck, he will look toward whatever team looks like it will give it to him.
Ignore the preferences for what coast he wants to be on. They are only at home half the games they play during the season, they can go where ever they want during the off season. A big paycheck makes that easier.
The only real question will be if he wants to remain in the NL.
Laura, if CC is signed elsewhere, that changes the risk factor. Yes there is injury risk, but its even more risky to not sign a starter pitcher who is proven and going through another year like this one with the rotation woes.
I’d almost offer to let Sabathia DH once a week, if it makes him happy.
Burnett scares and intrigues me at the same time. The injury potential is there but so is the talent.
Here’s an interesting clause in his contract:
deal includes 8 round-trip limousine trips per season between Toronto & Burnett’s Maryland home for his wife
Guessing Mrs. B is not a fan of air travel
MD to Toronto- 9 hours
MD to NYC- 3 hours
Also, because so many teams have money to spend.
GB that might be an interesting twist to give CC…
A-Rod:
4 RBI after the 6th inning this season
2 RBI in the 8th and 9th innings this season
Boy that is just brutal. I guess the divorce is really destroying his mind moreso than normal. THat is like a 1000% percent decline.
Doreen, that isn’t quite as new this year, but it is a factor. The Yankees still have an advantage that way, but the question is will they want to keep the payroll high.
From Hank’s comments it sounds as if they are willing to make a splash, but we don’t know what Hal and whoever the GM will be (Cash or someone else) will want to do.
A lot will also depend on how long some of them stay on the market. Some teams will look elsewhere if it drags on.
GreenBeret7, Dunn beyond the 2 seasons he K’d 190+ times averages around 165 including this season. Don’t you think a more motivated Dunn would K less? A more experienced Dunn K less going forward? Teixeira who so many want averages 126 K’s. Tex also hits into more gdp’s.
Kemp has walked 37 times so far this season which is his first full season. Cano has 24 this year. Yes I do believe that Kemp has a better chance to have a more consistent Obp going forward.
You didn’t answer who are the great young outfielders available as free agents?
Jeter is a lousy defensive SS so maybe he can be a better 2b? I don’t know but he has to be better there? Is it easier to play 2b then SS?
Balboni Curse, it may be as simple as him trying too hard to produce and not having protection. He is pressing at most of his ABs this year.
$13, he couldn’t do worse than some the Yanks have run out there. I can’t see it being any more of a risk than him pitching. Wang hurt his foot running the bases, but, Bruney had the same injury covering first base. Sabathia’s a big guy, but, he’s not fat, and keeps himself in shape, though, I’m sure he has to work at it. He’s not exactly David Wells fat. Everybody worries about the number of pitches, but, he never seems to tire. I think that he has that David wells rubber arm thing going for him.
$13…Macadamia -
That’s true, it’s not a new phenomenon. It’s just good to keep in mind. But you’re point is a good one that it will depend on what the Yankees are thinking about spending. I’m sure there is a “budget” if you will, or at least an amount above which they won’t go.
Personally, I’d be impressed if there was a good combination of creativity in acquisitions and spending whatever is necessary to acquire “that” player – the “it” player, whoever that may be.
Balboni, Rodriguez has 15 RBI in the 7th inning. Your numbers are wrong.
Dan, you never asked about available outfielders, young, great or otherwise. I’d be hestitant to call any young player “great” with less than 2 years in the majors. Kemp hasn’t even produced Cano’s 2nd year numbers, yet.
Doreen, I think the Yankees will make more than one move this off season. Be it through trades or FA signings they have needs. CF, 1st Base, SP(s). That is three or four “it” players they will have to figure out.
Abreu is a big question mark, but can they fill his spot with someone better?
Macadamia -
They sure need to make more than one move. I guess what I’m saying is do they need three or four “it” players, or one “IT” player and two or three really good players.
Abreu is a huge question mark – agreed.
GreenBeret7, You said earlier that it’s easier to get a good outfielder.
I realize that every trade or acquisition has risk. I still think going forward that Kemp will be the better player so if you can get him I would trade Cano.
Dunn or Teixeira? Everyone thinks the Yankees will get a bat. I like Dunn better.
What do you think the Yankees will do?
No, I’ve got to take Tex there. I like the higher batting average on top of the power numbers.
BTW, did anyone else catch Cora jumping up and down after Giambi got the base hit calling for the ball to be thrown to him? I thought that was pretty funny. Almost as funny as when Ellsbery tried jumping up the wall for Giambi’s monster HR.
I thought Ellsbury was going to twist his ankle on the move. Or maybe just hoping…
Oakland just sent Carlos Gonzales to the minors and told him that a September callup wasn’t guaranteed if he doesn’t start hitting.
http://www.newsday.com/sports/.....618.column
Getting back to the Santana deal, Phil Hughes hasn’t rewarded Cashman’s faith for refusing to deal him to Minnesota. The young righthander, who picked up the only Yankees victory of the 2007 postseason, went 0-4 with a 9.00 ERA before suffering a fractured rib, and he’s pitching so poorly at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barres that the Yankees don’t intend to recall him Sept. 1.
“Certainly, he’s stubbed his toe with the injury,” Cashman said. “But when we held on to a guy like that, you don’t do it and say, ‘OK, in the next four months, he’s got to do X.’ He’s got five years, whatever it is, to show why you bet on someone like that.”
**
I’m not a fan of Davidoff’s comment about Phil above – however, I loved Cash’s quote though. It perfectly sums up how I feel about Phil…..and young players in general.
Dan, if NYY doesn’t get Teixeira, and there’s only a 25% chance of that happening, I doubt that Dunn will be their next choice. He’s a worse first baseman than Giambi and Ryan Howard. He’s also a lousy outfielder. Personally, I’d have Damon, Matsui and Nady come to camp early for about two months of lessons at first base.
even the moron that always says “hit” with 2 face cards already showing will sometimes draw an ace…..doesn’t make them any closer to “genius” than Clueless Joe is even AFTER today’s game.
Oakland just sent Carlos Gonzales to the minors and told him that a September callup wasn’t guaranteed if he doesn’t start hitting.
Kennedy for him right now
“Personally, I’d have Damon, Matsui and Nady come to camp early for about two months of lessons at first base.”
I like your thought there, but we need to keep Nady in the outfield. Matsui or Damon on first would be ok by me, although Damon is a little short to play that position isn’t he?
I don’t want Texeria or any other huge cost free agent (other than CC). Let’s make some smart trades and spend the money on building up our scouting and farm system. Boston and Tampa Bay have gotten a pretty big lead on us in that department.
Bean won’t trade Gonzales until he gets expensive, hurt or proves that he’s a lost cause.
Pepitone, I only added Nady to give them the extra option. Let Tino Martinez decide who has the best chance of being the better 1st baseman. My money would be on Damon. He has good hands and is much more agile than the other two. His arm wouldn’t be a liability, either. His arm isn’t strong, but, he’s accurate and he reacts quickly to baseball situations.
Pepitone, Damon is 6 foot 2 inches (surprising, huh?)…so is Matsui, as was Martinez. Nady is 6 foot.
Hey GB7, yeah, that is surprising. I never realized the guy was that tall.
Damon at first with Matsui doing the DHing makes sense to me.
I’d bring Pavano back before Giambi. At least he has a new elbow and might contribute something. Giambi, with a new deal in hand, will cycle off and do nothing.
Regarding Sabathia and liking the West Coast … remember that Johnny Damon said he’d never play for the Yankees – until he saw the money.
Pepitone, putting Damon on first base should keep him a lot healthier. One problem that he doesn’t seem to have is hamstring issues. Most of his leg issues seem to be from the running into the walls and diving. I think that, combined with the beating his legs take from running and stealing bases.
giambi to the giants? why not?
I can almost guarantee that Billy Beane will be welcoming JG back into the fold, come April.
Damon’s ok in left, but as an occasional 1B, he also makes sense. Nady in right, Matsui at DH. If DeJesus can be had from KC, I’d make that deal. Maybe a journeyman OF wouldn’t be bad if we’ve lost faith in Cabrera as the fourth. Probably will need some pop Posada can play first and catch a couple of times a week like V-Mart if his arm is up to it.
If you don’t land CC, you’ve got to roll the dice with Sheets or maybe relieve the Mariners of Bedard.