An update on the ace
-
- September
- 18
The Yankees have one starter who is guaranteed a spot in the 2009 rotation at this point: Chien-Ming Wang.
CMW is feeling pretty good these days. He’s out of his boot and has tossed the crutches. For the last week or so, he has been playing catch and is hoping to go on the road trip.
“Everything feels good,” Wang said last night, looking down at his right foot. “No pain.”
The plan is for Wang to head down to Tampa for a few weeks when the season is over and work his way up to throwing a bullpen or two. Once he throws off the mound, he’ll return to Taiwan. He will train at a facility in Arizona in January and plans to arrive in spring training in great shape, ready to throw.
“This year was frustrating,” said Wang, who was 8-2 when he went down and probably headed for 20 wins. “Next year will be better.”
I kidded Wang about showing his face at Fenway Park next week. He threw that brilliant game up there in April, allowing one run on two hits over nine innings.
“The fans will say, ‘You suck,’ ” Wang said. “I will say, ‘See you next year.’ ”
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on Thursday, September 18th, 2008 at 12:41 pm by Peter Abraham.
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Peter Abraham
I miss CM. Happy he’s got the right attitude about all of this.
WE MISS YOU CM WANG! Yoy can’t come back soon enough!
Thanks so much for this update on Wang. I really love him and can’t wait to have him back.
That last comment is so great! He has such a great attitude.
Hey maybe Wang can coach third base and Bobby Meacham can be benched.
I miss Wang. Can’t wait to get him back.
Coke, X and Wang on the same team.
Oh dear.
Rebecca,
If you put that entry in your blog, you would get over a five thousands hits! lol Too funny.
Thanks for the update. Wang is one of my favorite players on this team.
Can’t wait to see him back next season.
Thanks for the update on CMW, Pete. Like most other Yankees fans, I missed him. Loved the quote! I like the quiet, yet funny, type.
Wang isn’t an Ace, he just pitches like one.
“Wang isn’t an Ace, he just pitches like one”
And we have come full circle!
By the way, I was one of the holdouts who needed to wait and see – and came to the ace side of the house.
All underachieving offense, poor defensive playing, miserable third base coaching, and injuries aside – it would have been interesting to see where this team is with a healthy Wang and Mussina both pitching on 20-win-season clips. If someone has the time to show statistically about where the Yankees would be without the Ponson’s, Pavano’s, and Rasner’s I would be very interested to see it.
Next year can’t come soon enough!
Without Wang, It’s been such a pain in Taiwan, a pain in the slumping stock market as well. Totally hopeless here.
CAN’T WAIT to have the wang-er back next year.
i hope in the offseason Hughes can teach Joba his curve and Joba can teach Hughes his 98 mph fastball in return.
Why does Joba need to learn how to hang every other breaking ball?
Wang should’ve used Ahhnold’s Terminator quote – “I’ll be back … ”
Anyone who thought Moose was done realizes how much the team really needed him this year, especially since he started to pitch more effectively with a less effective fastball. I’m definitely among them.
I wonder if all the folks who felt that if Wang wasn’t ace material then he was nothing … can now realize how much the team really needed him this year. He was 8-2 at even when he seemed like he hadn’t settled into a rhythym yet.
Raymagnetic – THAT was funny
LOL mark sad but true
I know that he is young, and has had a tough year and a half, but Hughes needs to figure out a way to miss some bats. His stuff normally seems good enough to keep from being centered up, but not good enough to blow people away. The result is foul ball after foul ball, early shower.
our rotation looked strong this year if not for injuries we would be in a much better postion and the rays appeared from no where too
Coke was really dealing last night. He should be arrested for throwin’ balls around like he was…
I’d like to start Coke and see how it goes.
“I’d like to start Coke and see how it goes.”
I guess it took losing him for the season for all Yankee fans to figure out that Wang is the most important player on the Yankees outside of Rivera.
Rebecca,
When I first read your entry, I couldn’t help but think you were into drugs…I mean Coke and X would just be one Wang night.
How’s the future Yankee Ben Sheets looking, Pete? Any updates?
The Ben Sheets injury really could impact the Yanks offseason plans even if they weren’t planning on going after him. Being on the market, he could have deflected interest away from Burnett, Perez, and even some trade possibilities. Now, many teams will shy away, and create more competition for the remaining blue-chips that might be available. Probably won’t affect CC though, that market is probably already established.
Having Wang back at 100% will be huge.
Also, from the other thread, anyone who has the chance to go on the Stadium tour it is well worth it. I went this year and they do a great job, certian areas they push you along, but to get to go into the clubhouse and sit in the dugout, makes it all worthwhile. One thing, if you plan on going is get in line early or buy your tickets in advance if possible.
Hughes’ stuff is very disappointing. Where is the 93-95 MPH fatsball with late life and the wicked freezer curveball? All I see is a low 90s straight FB that he can’t command, a loopy curve, and now he has some cutter that he just developed.
Where did his stuff go? Even when he had his moments at the ML level, he never possessed any of the pitches he was touted to have.
NITRO,
The problem is that he can’t miss any bats. Even Dan Giese misses more bats than he does.
Rebecca, Don’t forget JB Cox may be on the team next year
Mark that’s true. Though I would think Burnett would be next on the pecking order anyway for most teams after CC.
But it is irrelevant, the most important guy is CC. We must get him at all costs, then examine the secondary options if we need them. Of Course, we also need to not miscalculate the market and let some team like Boston steal Burnett from under us while we are hoping against hope that CC wants to come here, when all indications are that he doesn’t.
I’d prefer if the Yankees signed Jon Garland and CC personally. Jon Garland may be average but he always takes the ball and pitches 200 innings a year. CC, Wang, Garland and Pettitte or Mussina plus whoever else should be good enough to win alot of games.
I do not want to see Sheets or Burnett unless they’re visiting Yankee Stadium.
whoa there are so many innuendos with all the names on nicknames.
Oh MY!!
Hard to pass on Burnett. He seems to be over any of the injury issues that stunted his career. Difficult to pass on making a run at an arm like that. I have no interest in Garland.
So good to hear from the Wanger. CMW was always the must see pitcher for me. Wins count, not “Ace” titles. Thx, Pete.
Jennifer, if there’s somebody peeking inuendos, call the cops.
Possible 2009 Rotation?
Wang, Moose, Joba (he’s only a good reliever because he’s a good starter) plus two of the following: Sabathia (FA) Hughes, John Lackey (FA) … Humberto?
The only guy over 35 you sign is Moose.
Regarding the possibility of John Garland or AJ Burnett … Take out a couple good seasons for each guy, and they’re just average pitchers over their careers. Better than what we had this year, but … be careful. Someone like Kyle Lohse would also fall into this category. The team’s signed bunches of such guys in the past after only their 2nd or 3rd good season out of 10 seasons. Wright. Pavano.
Especially after his last shortened outing, I have two words regarding the possible acquisition of Ben Sheets:
Carl Pavano.
Lackey will not be a FA. The Angels will pick up the option.
… those bastards!
Yeah, he tossed 1 great game in April. What about the other ones?
Oh man. I didn’t even thing about Cox.
Wow.
SJ, that’s not a bad idea…lord knows I could use the hits!
Anybody know if Yu darvish is going to be posted this year? Stick is in Japan scouting him.
can we get him back for the playoffs?
Screw Yu, thats a mistake waiting to happen.
Good Riddens Bobby
Wow Trisha you are wrong on everything
hughes’ fastball is too straight
where is this mythical curveball?
and the cutter is going to cost himn a ton of pitches with how much it will be fouled off
the only part he seems to be emulating mark prior is DL time
Farnsworth as another one of those acquisitions who’d had good years in the past but also showed he doesn’t sustain it with any consistency.
I just can’t look forward to signing millions of bucks away to a guy who’s had 2-3 seasons with 15+ wins spread out over his career, but he also has 6 seasons where he lost about as many as he won.
Or a guy who’s had 4-5 mediocre seasons among a 10-12 good or even great seasons. That makes about 15 seasons. Yes, the guy’s got a track record but he’s too old and he’ll be WAY too old (but still under heavy contract) in a few years.
Besides, we already have a geezer of our own (Moose) and I think we should keep him with a short contract and an option year. One geezer is enough.
Please … sign no more ‘promining’ mediocrity or (as Al Leiter was once touted) ‘veterans who bring leadership’ such as Maddux, Moyer, Smoltz, Glavine, Livan, Hampton, Byrd, Garcia …
Burnett is very intruging. He owns Boston and has had success in the AL. He seems to be over his injury problems. Lots of options this winter, all predicated on what happens with CC.
With all the double entendre’s on the Yankees, I think they should sign this guy..
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/player/profile?playerId=148900
Rebecca … if you use THAT guy’s name the right way you could get thousands of hits an hour on your site. Many of them after midnight too, I bet.
Tom: I can do you one better.
Cincinnati had a pitcher in its system at the beginning of the year (dunno if he’s still with the Reds system) named Jonathan Countlangus.
jax,
If Joba can stay healthy, who needs Hughes? We would have our homegrown ace
Rebecca … I meant JB Cox. Not the one in Tom’s link. The one in Tom’s link brings in a different dimension altogether.
Use both? Hmmm … thousands upon thousands of hits per hour.
Loving the snide comments about Phil Hughe…….NOT. I’m almost tempted to say that Yankee fans deserve what they got this year, with an almost all veteran team. Phil is 22 and there is absolutely zero, zilch, nada, negative and any other word for “no” patience exhibited. So, I have to conclude that either it’s personal (Yankee fans are pissed off at Phil that Santana isn’t here) or it’s mere foolishness (expecting a 21, just turned 22, year old to be a 20 game winner). I’m sure there are those that are going to respond ” we didn’t expect a 20 game winner, but we expected Phil to be competitive” (or some semblance of that remark). Ok, so some of the greatest pitchers in history have struggled badly at the early stages of their careers and Phil has to be held to an even higher standard? No question that the kid has got to stay healthy, but I think it’s sad that snide comments about Phil are all too common these days. I hope these same fans, after Phil becomes a very successful pitcher, don’t post about how good he is and how they knew it all along. They kind of remind me of the lousy fans that booed the daylights out of A-Rod, cheered him last year and are back to booing him again. Ridiculous.
LOL at not missing bats. He had 4 K’s in 4 innings yesterday……
Maybe it would go something like
“I’d really like that tall first baseman we got from Seattle earlier in he year, JB something-or other, and the football player in Tom’s link who converts to baseball and plays catcher.
“On my team.”
OK sorry … stepping tooo close to the line there.
Betsy,
It isn’t that fans don’t want Phil to succeed, it is just that his arm and his stuff seem very ordinary, especially for a guy touted as the #1 pitching prospect in all of baseball. If Joba had struggled with command or injury, we still would have seen flashes of him dominating hitters with 98MPH and making them look foolish with the slider.
We just hope that we get the pitcher that we all thought he was last year. A great young prospect should be able to make at least a few hitters look really bad from time to time. If the consistency isn’t there, that’s youth; but we’re not seeing even flashes of the high-end potential. Hopefully it is there and there is a simple explanation for why it isn’t appearing in games.
The BP competition is going to be intense next year
Assuming Rivera and Marte are locks, you have
Bruney
Veras
Melancon
Sanchez
Robertson
Coke
Edwar
JB Cox
Aceves
Giese
etc. competing for 5 spots.
Calm down people. Hughes is 22, he’ll be fine. How many 22-23 year olds come up and dominate right away? dontrelle willis? Barry Zito? their careers have gone great!
Sabathia
Wang
Chamberlain
Mussina
Pettite
Coke, X, ARod, Cox, Ajack… I see a disturbing trend here
LOL at not missing bats. He had 4 K’s in 4 innings yesterday……
And about 50 foul balls with 2 strikes. That’s why he threw 4 innings. It is the same thing Kazmir goes through. He’ll get the strikeout, but only after the batter fouls off several pitches, consequently he is usually gone after five. Now the middle relief, the weakest part of any team, is picking up too many innings.
ANSKY, there’s definitely a really awful “who’s on first” type joke that can be done with all of these names.
Either that or a Joke who’s punch-line is “THE ARISTOCRATS!”
Personally, I think that some combinations of Ramirez, Geise, Rasner, Cox and possibly Robertson, Whelen and Claggett could and should be used in trades this year.
I can see the headline now.
Wang, Cox team up to lay down Angels.
CMW’s quality starts were sorely missed for the year. Pitching economically and deep into games will be a huge plus in 2009 and hopefully he and others will get the necessary run support.
I once saw this guy pitch with the New Jersey Cardinals(I believe?)
http://minors.baseball-reference.com/players.cgi?pid=15819
Mark – that is the most frustrating part. We’re not even seeing good stuff. His stuff looks very average. It isn’t even about velocity, that is irrelevant. He just screams “average”. And the thing is, he had knock-out stuff in 2006. It has disappeared, at least for now.
Look at a guy like Robertson, he got smacked around, but you saw the insane movement on his FB and a good curve. You see potential is there, he has still struck out 32 in 26 IP. Same thing with Ohlendorf before he was traded, he was flashing the mid 90s heat and the slider, but he lacked consistency. You see a guy like Veras, high 90s with the hammer, but he lacks consistency.
With Hughes and Kennedy, you don’t even see good stuff. You see inconsistency and mediocrity.
And on that same team was this guy…
http://minors.baseball-reference.com/teams.cgi?yid=2000&lid=NYP&tid=MHV
GB :
Add Britton to the list to clear space on the 40-man roster for up and comers like Zach McAllister.
Maybe Rebecca can be heroine who blogs about these names.
/shows self out……
raymagnetic: That would be the greatest day of my life.
Let’s not forget dirty Sanchez
Things will happen differently next year. They have to. Too much stuff went wrong this year. It can’t get any worse unless the team’s charter jet crashes somewhere between cities on a road trip.
Plenty of guys competing for a few spots will go a long way towards eliminating the feeling that the team can coast until May or June or whenever. Hopefully, this year’s result will go a long way towards eliminating that feeling too.
X-Man, A-Rod, Jeter, Mo, Wang, Moose (assuming they sign him) Joba … these guys are the only ones who should assume they have a spot. Everyone else in spring training should have to pay like they’re trying to earn a spot on the team, and they should play that way all year.
That’s 18 spots up for grabs. Maybe it’s 17 or 16 if there’s a free agent signing or two (Sabathia) in the off season.
Who gets these open roster spots? Whoever’s the hungriest for them, including anyone who gets traded onto the team in the off season. Especially high-fiving buddies Melky & Cadillac Cano.
“With Hughes and Kennedy, you don’t even see good stuff. You see inconsistency and mediocrity.”
Kennedy has only average stuff but his command is very good and his change is definitely above average.
I don’t see what you are talking about with regards to Hughes. He has a sick curve and very good fastball control @ 92-94 mph. His change is only average but he’s been working on that pitch and he has an average cutter. He has a ton of talent and if you don’t see that you are either biased or stupid.
The only problem with using relief pitchers in trades is they don’t bring much value in return.
Mark Melancon would bring back value. The Yankees (smartly) aren’t trading Melancon.
Guys like Cox, Whelen, Claggett, etc, only bring back something if another, higher end guy (Cano, Austin Jackson, etc) is attached to the deal.
Its why, like it or not, the Yankees are going to have to use free agency fairly liberally this off-season to fill holes.
In an ideal world, the Yankees should keep as many pitching assets as they can (because guys get hurt every year) and use free agency to fill most of their holes.
They have the money and its a lot easier to just spend money, as opposed to trading players and spending money, for the Yankees to fill their needs.
Especially since the new Stadium will add close to 100 million dollars in new money to the bottom line.
Bobby Parnell = K-Rod?
I am glad I am not the only one who has been very underwhelmed with Phil’s stuff…
An injured Wang isn’t good for anybody
Bobby Parnell = Eddie Kunz. Another overhyped Mets prospect.
Then again, we are in no position be talking about overhyped prospects lol
Neill, yep, missed Britton, but, only if they can move him before the Rule 5 draft, so as soon as the WS is over, I think you’ll see the Yanks involved in a flurry of trades, some large, some small, but mainly involving prospect type deals not needing protection. There are a lot of NL teams in need of relief pitchers, and that’s where the majority of the pitchers named are best suited.
I think a lot of our expectations were lifted to unreasonable heights when Giambi compared him to Clemens after a BP session in early ‘06 ST. The pitchers are so far ahead of the hitters then that everybody looks like they are throwing gas.
BTW since ‘03 every pitcher has looked like Clemens, Nolan Ryan, or Randy Johnson to Giambi. Shame on me for buying Giambi’s hype.
at this point phil coke is more untouchable than hughes in trades
Anybody who says Phil Hughes doesn’t have good stuff should just stop watching baseball and move onto the NFL because you are showing you don’t have the foggiest idea what you are talking about.
Honestly, what were some of you watching last night? He was throwing 91-94 (BTW, that’s all Joba has thrown velocity-wise since his return off the DL) showed off a cutter (needs work but, its an effective pitch for him) and threw some nice curveballs.
The game plan was for him to throw a lot of fastballs last night. If this was a more important game, he probably would have thrown more curveballs. Since it wasn’t, it was basically a AAA start (gameplan-wise) for him.
I know some of you are in a hissy fit because the Yankees aren’t going to the playoffs this year. Get over it. Whining about it daily, and railing on every player on the roster, isn’t going to change the results.
It happens to every team. Even happened to the Red Sox two years ago.
Phil Hughes is 22 years old. Its not his fault he’s not yet a finished product. Nor is it his fault the Yankees probably erred in giving him a rotation spot this year.
All he can do is continue to work on his craft, which he is doing, and look to get better.
He threw the ball freer and easier than he has since last September. The key for him is to get more innings in Arizona and continue to work on his game.
If he does, he will be just fine.
Giambi should be the last person we listen to. He also said Matt Desalvo had ‘filthy’ stuff.
Clearly, talent evaluation isn’t in his future.
I agree with whoever said it, but at 22 Hughes can only get better. Depending on how much talent you have, experience could be half of what makes a pitcher. If a pitcher has dominating stuff than experience may be less important, but when you combine the two, that pitcher starts to really come into his prime. Hughes’ experience was cut short in the minors, and he didn’t have the stuff to make up for it. Not that he doesn’t have good stuff, just not dominating stuff. I hope to see him pitch at some point later next season, but I really hope they give him innings in Scranton.
No, Phil Coke’s trade value is not higher than Phil Hughes.
It may be to you but, not to anybody who evaluates talent in the game for a living.
Just my feeling on the subject, but if the Yankees manage to sign CC I don’t think they sign Burnett or Sheets.
CC will cost over 20MM/year for 6-7 years. I cannot imagine them taking on another 5 year contract for at least 15MM/year that Burnett or Sheets will command.
That’s over 35MM/year for 5 years on 2 pitchers. Sorry to rain on your parade guys, but I don’t see that happening.
If they get CC, I think the rotation should be:
CC
Wang
Pettitte OR Moose (preferrably Moose but either on a ONE year deal)
The final 2 spots should be filled by Joba, Hughes, Aceves, and Coke. That’s 4 guys for 2 spots and makes sense with Joba and Hughes both being on innings limits.
Take it to spring training and let them battle it out. 2 out of 4 make the rotation with one guy in long relief and the other starting in AAA.
Plus you still have Kennedy, Rasner, and Igawa in AAA to add depth.
If they don’t get CC, then i think they are more inclined to sign 2 FA pitchers. For example, if they sign Burnett and Garland that’s probably only around 25-27MM/year for 4-5 years. Much more doable to sign 2 of them if one isn’t making over 20MM/year.
Then your potential rotation is:
Wang
Burnett
Garland
Pettitte or Moose (one year deal obviously)
Joba or Hughes
Aceves, Coke, Kennedy, Rasner, Igawa in AAA.
On the surface, the 2nd rotation seems deeper and more balanced.
Again, I just can’t see them tying up 35MM/ year over 5-6 years for 2 of these guys. Its wishful thinking on the fans part. Sign CC OR sign 2 of the other FA pitchers (hopefully Burnett and Garland). Hopefully they leave Sheets alone, I don’t trust that guy to stay healthy.
SJ, most of those named will be open to the Rule 5 draft, so trading them for good/decent minor leaguers would be the way to unload the excess, and, most (other than Robertson, Whelen and Claggett, who could be used in bigger deals) fit that mold. Milwaukee, San Diego and Arizona in particular should be possible locations for them.
It truely gives me a headache when people say things like that SJ.
With Sheets latest arm injury, he’s probably now on every teams “Be Extremely Cautious” list.
It isn’t that Phil doesn’t have good stuff, but I know that I thought that a guy ranked as the number 1 prospect should have dominant stuff. Like Lincecum or Verlander or Joba. That is what I think of when I hear him talked about as the number one prospect. Struggles will happen, but flashes of dominating ability should happen every so often. I have seen 2 times–Texas almost no-hitter and Cleveland in the playoffs.
The middle relief depth the yankees have in the system is their point of strength. I agree GreenBeret that the yankees will be involved in many moves this winter. And yes while middle relief prospects don’t bring back super-star players, roll players/fringe starters are sometimes just as useful. maybe a player like Bill Hall or Ryan Freel (if he’s healthy).
GB you Cashman is said to be extremely interested in Sheets
All I know is this…. if we don’t get Sabathia this off-season, the organization is going to look terrible for passing on Santana. What is the alternative? There is none.
“With Sheets latest arm injury, he’s probably now on every teams “Be Extremely Cautious†list.”
I wonder if that’ll bring his value low enough. I mean they need someone to take Pavano’s spot on the DL don’t they?
No, Brandon, I never said that. Cashman certainly had interest, but, that was before last night’s in game injury. It’s doubtful that anybody will pay that asking price now.
“Good Riddens Bobby
Wow Trisha you are wrong on everything”
lol
kidding aside, the ‘bring back bobby’ debate is probably one of the more interesting Play-GM-@-Home topics discussed here… (others being possible 2009 rotation, and who plays 1B)
GB,
The problem is, other teams know those guys will be exposed to the Rule 5, which limits their trade market.
I definitely agree that in a perfect world, you trade them.
However, unless they are moving them for guys not yet eligible for the Rule 5, I don’t see a market for them to get back better players in return unless better prospects/players are included in the deal.
Brandon,
Its common in sports today for many fans to go “talk show host” on players. They want to be the first to say, “I told you so” about any player who doesn’t live up to early hype.
Clay Buchholz is going through that with Boston fans now. Homer Bailey in Cincinnati also has the same problem.
Now that everybody is on the Phil Coke bandwagon, here’s a little perspective.
Coke is 26 years old, 4 years older than Hughes. In April, he was thisclose to being sent to Tampa (A Ball) or outright released, because he was pitching so poorly.
I saw him pitch earlier in the year and he was throwing 88 MPH and was looking like a guy who was done.
He picked himself off the deck, made some mechanical adjustments, which added velocity, and he took off.
He almost went to Pittsburgh in the Nady trade. Now, to some fans at least, he’s the new “hope”.
That is of course, until he gets lit up one day, everybody does, and they will rail on Cashman for “not trading him to Pittsburgh”.
It takes a lot of time and a lot of years to develop pitchers. They aren’t all Joba Chamberlain, ready for the majors at 21. He’s the exception, not the rule.
The majority of them really aren’t major league ready, physically and mentally, until their Mid-20’s.
If folks don’t have the patience to wait out a guy with obvious talent like Hughes, than jump off the bandwagon and come back when he is better. Its how the Yankees got many of the fans who are whining about the team today after the 1996 season.
I understand being frustrated with the season. For numerous reasons, this has been a VERY frustrating season.
However, Phil Hughes is actually showing that he may have turned the corner. It may not be at the pace some want, and he may need a full season of AAA but, the talent is there.
He just needs to keep plugging away at it.
Since this is a Yankee Blog, I’m hoping someone here can fill me in:
I’m a transplanted New Yorker (and Yankee fan) and am bringing my family up from Maryland for the game tomorrow (Friday). I’m looking for some info regarding going to the stadium. The Yankee website seems to have some conflicting information on it. It says that the gates open 2 hours prior to the game (which would be 5:05 tomorrow). It also says that the Yankees batting practice starts at 4:40 and that the public is invited to watch. We want to get up to the stadium as early as possible to see as much as we can see (introduce my kids to the “House that Ruth Built”), but at the same time, I don’t want to get up there and not be able to get in. Does anyone know which of these statements are closer to the true situation? Is the batting practice really at 4:40? If so, are the gates open at that time? Or, do the gates open at 5:05, and maybe the Yankee’s batting practice starts later?
Also I will arrive by car. Are any of the parking lots better than others, especially with regard to leaving the stadium after the game?
I appreciate any information you can offer.
GO YANKS!
GB I was trying to say you know Cashman is said to be extremely interested in Ben Sheets. Not you.
Sheets getting hurt last night (a forearm injury, sometimes a precursor to TJ Surgery) definitely doens’t help him.
I believe strongly the Yankees will make huge offers to both Burnett and Sabathia. Whether they take them or not is another issue.
Those are the top two guys on the hit list.
Its going to be interesting to see what happens with Sheets.
Basically, he’s a 20-25 start a year guy. Great stuff, just can’t stay healthy.
How does that translate in the free agent market? Going to be interesting to see how it shakes out for him.
I love his stuff, hate his medicals. I’d be very nervous about committing big money to him.
Coke most likely wouldn’t have sniffed (sorry about that) had he not come up with that hard slider this year.
***sniffed the major leagues***
Ok, sorry Brandon…misread the intent of your post.
A couple of years back the Yankees has a Big Unit, a healthy Wang, and a young Cox in their system.
Charlie,
The gates open 2 hours prior to the game. That would be around 5 for tomorrow night.
The Yankees usually take BP around 4:30-4:40.
Honestly, if you can, get there early and get in the line to Monument Park. Its worth it more than BP, IMO.
You will have to get there even earlier for Monument Park because those lines are getting cut off earlier and earlier.
If you get there too early, just hang out across the street at the various Yankee Memorabilia shops. That’s always fun.
Charlie, I think that both of those times may be right. You will probably miss the first 25 minutes of Yankee BP, but see all of Baltimores.
If Yankees sign Sheets, I can see the Post’s headline already:
With the yankees offense slumbering Ben, Sheets the bed.
That is talking trash, Taiwan Style!
The biggest loser in the Sabathia/Burnett signings will probably gamble on Sheets if the need a big arm to fill a hole in the rotation….possibly Detroit? They’ve made those sorts of gambles many times, lately.
SJ, in one of the first posts I made about moving the excess bullpen, I mentioned the same thing a you, move those types for young good/decent non-draft eligibles.
Charlie-
here is the deal. Gates open 2 hours before game time which would mean 5:05 for you.When you get in the stadium Yankees batting practice is still going on. Best place to go is right field as that is where the players (pitchers earm up do their running etc).
I also go in the gate that is betwwen gate 4 and gate 5 it is a small entrance where the outside food area is and there is usually no line or a small lime that moves really quickly then it gives you quick access to the right field area to watch BP.
IF you want to go to monoment park you will have to forgo aall of this and go right to gate 2 entrance and go to monument park as it gets busy really quickly and they shut off the line pretty quickly as well.
So pretty much y ou have to make a decision between monument park and Yankee batting practice. The other team BP takes place right after the Yankees and goes I think til about 30-40 minutes before game time
Also I will arrive by car. Are any of the parking lots better than others, especially with regard to leaving the stadium after the game?
I can tell you I went to the game last night and got screwed really bad from being lazy. if you park like 12 blocks away from the stadium, its $17, if you park next to the stadium, its going to be $30 ($40 if the lot is pack).
To fill first base, I’d try dealing with Pittsburgh again and go after Adam laRoche for a year or two….power, decent average and a very good glove.
The funny thing will be Sunday when they open the gates at 1PM for an 8PM game.Dont have my regular seats for that game but have bleacher seats so the question is do i go like I planned at 4PM and run the risk of not getting a parking spot ot go for a 1PM gate time and twiddle my thumbs for 6 hours.
Not quite sure why they are opening so early and sure as heck hope (though knowing sports these days it wont be the case) they are not serving alcohol for 6 hours prior to a game. The crowd will already be frantic for the last game but a crowd of 52K plus beered up for 6 hours will not be a fun experience IMO
To fill first base, I’d try dealing with Pittsburgh again and go after Adam laRoche for a year or two….power, decent average and a very good glove.
….but Adam LaRoche doesn’t come out until after the All-Star break.
Parking lots there are two I always park and have no problem if you get there early. The big garage next to the stadium is $17 dollars. They changed the system mid year where you pay in advance and they give you a ticket that you use to get out.
Or I sometimes park at the valet lot off of river ave which is $30 but makes for easy in and out.
Or I sometimes park at the valet lot off of river ave which is $30 but makes for easy in and out.
that’s where i parked last night, on river ave. it wasn’t $30 when the lot is jam packed.
It’s sad to think of how many of Wang’s starts went to mediocrities like Rasner and Ponson. You think a healthy CM Wang gets you a few more wins?
It’s comforting that we have at least one almost-guaranteed bright spot for nezt season even before the CC sweepstakes.
LaRoche is still better than spending 20 mil a year for 6-7 years. If he’s good, then perfect, but, it buys the Yanks time to get Laird or Suttle ready in two years. He’s still only 29 years old.
Charlie – I’ve gone to a number of Yankee games, and I can echo what others have suggested, above. The only thing I can add is that if you’re driving, parking is at a premium. The parking lots actually open several hours before game time, so if you can swing it, it might be worthwhile to get there early to get a spot in the $17 lot a couple of blocks away; heck, the weather’s supposed to be nice, you can have a nice walk with the kids, and you can see the local entrepreneurs in action.
Instead of LaRoche why don’t the Yanks go after somebody like Chad Tracy. He’s the same sort of player. He’d come cheaper too.
I like LaRoche better than Tracy. Great glove, and his lefty power would translate well at the stadium.
He’s a slow starter but, his glove isn’t.
It would be nice to have a real first baseman, from a defensive standpoint, for a change.
Defintely worth taking a run at him and see how it goes.
Tracy isn’t as good on defense, he hasn’t been healthy in two years and the money is negligible…about 1.5 mil.
ed which one as there are a few I also do the one right across i think it is 158th and river never have a problem but then again i always get to the game when gates open
I agree GB there is no way Coke would have snorted the ML..oops I meant sniffed the ML if not for that hard slider he learned this year. No way would I put him over Hughes.
Inserting LaRoche behind Rodriguez would offer the protection that Giambi was supposed to be giving. I’ll agree that April isn’t usually good for him, but, he starts heating up in May and finishes strong.
Very True on Tracy’s D and health guys. By cheaper I meant give up less to get him. Didn’t LaRoche’s dad pitch for the Yanks?
I think the Indians would willing to trade Ryan Garko since the emergence of Kelly Shoppach and Victor Martinez moving to 1B.
Charlie,
I little more on the parking – if you’re there early, you can park in the Stadium lot for $17, however, getting out after the game takes forever. If you’re staying in the city, leave the car and take the subway. If you have to drive, be patient.
Or, you might want to park a little farther away, so you can get out easier. I’ve parked at a little lot on 151st Street ($30), and getting out was easy – 151st, right on Walton, right on 138th, and you’re at a Deegan entrance missing most of the gridlock.
ed which one as there are a few I also do the one right across i think it is 158th and river never have a problem but then again i always get to the game when gates open
i parked at the one right across from gate 6, the one with the wall paintings of ruth, gehrig, and other yankee greats.
I miss Wanger he doesn’t say much but hes a gamer hes headed for a big comeback next year.
Thanks so much for the information to:
SJ44, Saucy, Gayle & Ed
I do want to go to Monument Park. What time do you recommend I arrive for that line?
Thanks again,
Charlie
We shouldn’t overrate Coke based on a few relief appearances in Sept. Remember, Kennedy had a 1.89 ERA last Sept. We can hold high hopes for him that he will be a viable starter in the next year or two, but he cannot be a guy getting 20% of the starts to begin the season and must come through for the team to be contending. We tried that this year. Same goes for Aceves.
Charlie…
The garage parking lot right next to the Stadium is $17.00. It can be tough getting out after the game tho’. I go to many games during the season and always use this lot but I also know ways to get out fast because I do go often. One trick is in the 8th or 9th inning to move downstairs to a section in the 20’s and get ready to run once the last out is made. Usually there are open seats because the “real” fans leave in the 7th to avoid traffic. I guess I should be grateful they leave games but I’ll never understand it especially when it’s a close game. There are other parking lots right near the stadium but those can run anywhere up to $35.00 (maybe more ..I don’t know since I don’t use them). If you do want to go to Monument Park do as Gayle says and go to Gate 2 to enter (no matter what gate your ticket says) and get right on the line outside the Stadium but make sure you are there at least 2 hours early and once inside jump on the line for MP as it is right there when you enter. My friend went the other night and just made the cutoff and she was there 2 hours before the Stadium opened.
Good luck and I hope you get a Yankee win !! I’ll be there Sunday with the biggest tissue anyone ever saw…it’s going to be one emotional ride for me …
Go Yankees !!!
Green Beret-
I’m not convinced Burnett is over his issues. Look at his career stats. Every year he’s reached 200 IP the next has seen injury issues, which have carried over to the following season as well. This year he’s setting a personal best in IP.
Plus I’ve quoted an article about the impact of hitting the 3500 pitch mark and the very high correlation to injury or diminished effectiveness within 2 seasons. He’s about to hit that mark for the 1st time in his career.
Sheets too. While he was rather durable early in his career, with 3 consecutive seasons over 200 IP, 2 of those over 3500 pitches, the next 3 following have seen significant injury issues. His workload has increased significantly with health again this season, nearly 200 IP, 40 more than any of the prior 3 seasons, and 3000 pitches, 700 more than any of the prior 3. And now problems again.
By the way, Sabathia topped the 300 pitch level for the first time in 2007, about to do it again in 2008.
Remember, often the effect takes 2 seasons to show. so you could say he’s due in 2009. But it’s not a given. By the way, very few – typically less than 10 per season – deliver 3500 pitches in a season in recent baseball history. And some have avoided the impact – Livan Hernandez and Zito took longer for the correlation to appear. Carlos Zambrano has topped the mark for the 3 prior seasons – he won’t this year. Some have argued he’s slipping – perhaps big bodied guys like him, Hernandez (who topped or was close to that pitch level every season from 1999 – 2006), and Sabathia are more able to handle this. How to explain Zito, who topped it from 2001 – 2006? An anomaly?
It’s a good cautionary tale, and makes intuitve sense. High workload, better explained by total pitches than IP since some pitchers are more pitch efficient than others, correlates to injury or diminished effectiveness.
Only 6 pitchers are above 3300 pitches to date in 2008. In descending pitch order: Burnett, Cain, Meche, Lincecum, Halladay, Verlander. Only Meche has topped the mark lately, in 2007. Is he due for a fall? Lincecum seems at risk – also up 60 IP this year. Halladay hasn’t topped it since ‘02 and ‘03 – he then missed significant time in ‘04 and ‘05. Next on the list this year are Santana – who’s never hit 3500 pitches (but close) despite 5 straight 200 IP seasons, then Arroyo, who topped it in 2006, was close in 2007, and seems less effective to everyone but Francessa. Santana and Halladay have taken efficiency to heart.
Brandon, I made the mistake of comparing Coke to Guidry for learning the slider late in baseball life (both age 26) and got skewered for comparing the two. A 94-96 MPH fastball and hard slider from a left hander would look good in the rotation, if Pettitte retires/leaves and if NYY is unable to reel in Sabathia, because they need a lefty. I’d like to see a changeup added, though. I on’t think he could go long innings as a starter with just those two pitches.
***I don’t think he could go long***
I really hope they move Arod to the third spot in the order next year.
I don’t think they are going to be able to deal Matsui. If that’s the case, I’d put him in the cleanup spot behind Arod and ahead of Nady in the order.
I’m thinking of a batting order of Damon, Jeter, Arod, Matsui, Nady, Posada, with the last 3 spots to be determined depending on who is on the team.
If they got LaRoche, or a comparable LH bat, they can put him behind Nady and ahead of Posada in the order.
I think Arod is better suited for the third spot in the order because he can use his overall game. Especially his ability to run.
Also, perhaps that would relax him enough to get back to being the center/right center hitter he really is.
Seems to me, he spent too many AB’s this year trying to jack everything and that got him away from his strengths.
Perhaps a move up one spot in the order alleviates that issue.
Charlie I would say you need to be towards the front of the gate 2 line at least 2.5-3 hours before game time or 45minutes before gates open. If you go to Gate 2 you should be good if you get there at that time. Once you get in the stadium momument park entrance is to the right and getting there is very easy.
Like others have said the key is getting to the gate and in line to enter the stadium early
So if the 3500 pitch effect sometimes shows right away, sometimes takes 2 or three years to show up, and sometimes has no effect, what is the point?
You’re correct, Tom, Dave LaRoche was a relief pitcher for the Yanks in the early 80s. He unveiled “The LaLob” when he was with NYY.
I couldn’t understand why the broadcast trio was so down on Hughes. I thought he looked great, all things considered. In the first inning he gave up a leadoff double, and escaped without giving up a run. He was pitching with runners on all day, but only gave up one run (which probably could have been prevented if ARod had thrown home). There were very few hard-hit balls off him. There was one broken bat pop-up that Jeter almost got to, and there was that slap grounder down the line, plus IIRC a couple of singles. Not at all bad.
Remember when Joba was first transitioning back to a starter, he had pitch count issues. It’s obviously something Phil has to work on, but I think it’s more a function of lack of experience than any deficiency in his stuff.
Also, the biggest change I saw was the mental toughness. He didn’t get rattled with RISP. Early in the year, he would have gotten shelled, but last night he made the pitches when he had to. Overall, I thought it was a very promising outing. Clearly, there’s room for improvement, but I truly don’t understand all the negativity about him.
Thanks also to
Joe from Long Island (I’m from Plainview LI)
Clare &
Yanksgal07
Great information!
In above – Sabathia topped 3500 (not 300) pitches in 2007. He leads the majors in 2008 with 3479 to date (Burnett #2 at 3412).
I mistakenly left him out of the 2008 total pitches list because his numbers cross leagues so he didn’t show at the top of this stat in MLB’s sortable stats tables.
“Hey Wang! Whats with the pictures? It’s a parking lot. Cmon Will Ya!!”
Thanks again Gayle, I will take your advice.
Charlie
Have fun Charlie ..Good Luck !!!
Go Yankees !!!
Rebecca, if your out there here’s who the Yankees should hire as their next 3b coach:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/k/kuntzru01.shtml
Mark, unless there’s a starter issue with the Yanks next year, I think that Aceves would most likely fill the Ramiro Mendoza role.
Mark –
the effect shows up either in 1 or 2 years in a high percentage of cases. I focused on the ones that seemed to avoid or delay it to suggest a possible rationale why Sabathia could do the same. The correlation is quite strong though. Statistics show correlations, not causes.
http://kobayashibaseball.blogspot.com/2008/02/3500-club.html
Isn’t all this about pitch counts and innings limits mostly about CYA? Pitchers get hurt regardless, but if their pitch counts are monitored and their innings limited, then, it wasn’t my fault, he got hurt even though we protected him.
I hate to sound like Jim Kaat, but Nolan Ryan, Clemens, Maddux, Seaver, and others weren’t limited, and their arms didn’t fall off. They may have had some injuries, but mostly minor things, and nothing more serious than the injuries pitchers have today on strict limits. And I know about Clemens and the PEDs, but I think most will agree he didn’t use them until he got to Toronto more than halfway through his career.
PS Most important Charlie if you have bleacher tickets you will NOT be able to go to monument park forsome reason they dont tell you that and there have been many times when people with bleacher tickets are in line only to be told they cant come in the gate and only can enter the bleacher area
Mark, unless there’s a starter issue with the Yanks next year, I think that Aceves would most likely fill the Ramiro Mendoza role.
Perfect, I just don’t want everybody thinking he is the next coming based on a few very nice appearances this year.
Mark-
There is a very high correlation of effect within 1 or 2 seasons. I discussed the exceptions to suggest a possible explanation for how CC could avoid or delay it. Stats measure correlation, not cause. It’s a red flag, notr a guaranteed problem. But if you see a statistical correlation of over 80%, it’s something to take note of.
http://kobayashibaseball.blogspot.com/2008/02/3500-club.com
Jim Kaat, on pitchers throwing: “The arm will rust out before it wears out.”
Gayle, I didn’t realize the gates opened at one on Sunday. So if I am there for one, going to Monument Park should be a breeze, yes?
(I think we are probably going to drive to Stanford and then take the train into the City. I’d prefer to take Amtrak from and to Providence but there won’t be any trains going back to Providence after the game is over.)
I can’t imagine what we’ll do for seven hours, but I’m willing to hang out and just have a good ole time on Sunday.
Clare
I haven’t been to the Bronx since the 70’s, but how is it walking to your car after the game, if you park blocks away (in your 151st St lot, family safety wise)
Gayle,
We’re not in bleachers, I think I have pretty decent seats (sec 270). I appreciate the heads up.
Thanks again,
Charlie
“Good Riddens Bobby
Wow Trisha you are wrong on everything”
Everything Johnny Boy? Every single thing in life? Because you don’t want Abreu back that makes me wrong? I don’t think that argument holds a lot of water Johnny Boy. But there’s one thing I know I am right about – the spelling of riddance.
There is no such phrase as “Good Riddens” that is recognized in the English language, other than perhaps in your home. So if you can’t even get the spelling correct, how can I trust that you know what you’re doing when it comes to Bobby Abreu? I’m afraid I’m going to have to ignore your opinion.
Now, good riddance!
trisha-
yes they announced this Am that they were opening gates at 1. With 7 hours to see the park it should be a breeze lol.
Charlie it is totally safe IMO after the game plenty of people but like anywhere even walking in midtown in brpoad daylight just use common sense
Charlie,
If you don’t have to hurry home after the game, a Yankee day game is not complete without a trip to Dominick’s on Arthur Ave.
Its great, neighborhood, Italian food. Just as if you were sitting at an Italian grandmother’s house.
Its a short drive to Arthur Ave. from the stadium and the place will be full of Yankee fans after the game.
Its a real experience. If you get a chance, give it a shot.
“Hey Wang! Whats with the pictures? It’s a parking lot. Cmon Will Ya!!â€
Hilarious laughing out loud.
If a Mark Teixeira signing doesn’t happen, Adam LaRoche would be a good fit until Laird or Montero emerge.
LaRoche will be a FA after 2009 and works in the time frame needed.
A good glove and a tailor made swing for the Stadium. Send Kennedy and Miranda and call it a deal.
SJ–
How right you are although i love domink’s we could debate for hours the other fine fare on Arthur Avenue lol.
Anyone know how the 09 ticket situation gonna go? Due to the high ticket demand it will probably be a raffle type sale
here’s my plan for 2009
short and sweet
sign sabatha
sign texiera
sign burnett
trade for david dejesus
win a championship
Al they just finished the relocation questionairre with season ticket holder this week. Not sure when we will find out about where the seats are etc
Once that is done I woudl imagine they will then do the lottery for those that didnt like the seats they were assigned (a complicated process).
Then perhaps general on sale for general public.
It seems to me that it is not an easy process at all the relocation guide made it seem very difficult and basically I made the decision go for the best seats i can with the plan I have and if I am not happy take the ticket anyway and just try to upgrade every year lol.
went to a game (finally!) on Monday and was surprised to have no problem finding parking. $20 about 2 blocks away, down river ave, about 6ish. got onto the deagan after the game in no time.
it was almost as nice as finding free parking on the street, which i’ve had some luck with in recent years…
“I hate to sound like Jim Kaat, but Nolan Ryan, Clemens, Maddux, Seaver, and others weren’t limited, and their arms didn’t fall off.”
Yeah but what about the pitchers nobody ever hears about because they blew out their arm as a 22 yr old? In the past the media coverage wasn’t as nonstop as it is nowadays. Now we hear about guys like Kerry Wood and Mark Prior who were abused and now can’t start. Teams have done studies that prove the danger in overworking a young pitcher’s arm.
Gayle,
No question. Mario’s is also very good, as are a few of the other places on the Avenue.
Dominicks is as much for the local flavor after a Yankee game than for the food. They have a funny cast of characters in there after Yankee games that always gives the place an added jolt.
Just get a real 1st baseman please… stop using it as the 2nd DH or a ‘all glove, no bat’ position (Phillips, Minky, etc.)
Patrick,
The other part of it is that players today have been on pitch counts since little league. Its just something that’s ingrained in everybody today.
“Back in the Day”, that wasn’t the case.
Wang is not the ace of this staff. Joba is the ace, imo.
2009 Rotation:
Chamberlain
Wang
Sabathia
Pettitte
Hughes
SJ,
It may be a day game for you, but I anticipate Friday’s game ending at 10pm, and for me that’s a NIGHT GAME!…..lol. I appreciate the info about Dominick’s, but we will be traveling to Shoreham LI to stay with my sister. Probably roll in there about midnight.
Thanks again,
Charlie
Until you’re allowed to throw 200ish innings and prove you can do it, you’re not the ace. Most talented, maybe. Future ace, hopefully. Ace, no.
“Just as if you were sitting at an Italian grandmother’s house.”
does the cook use a lot of foul language? will i hear my cousins fighting each other outside?
Early this year I was really wishing that the Yanks would sign Tex at the end of this year, but now I am both convinced that it won’t happen and not too broken up about it.
We are going to need to find a lot of offense this off-season to make up for the losses of Abreu and Big G, but locking into a HUGE contract for 8 plus years is not worth it imo.
The reporting around that situation seems to suggest that Tex loves LA, Boras wants him there, and Arte Moreno understands that Vlad needs protection in that line-up. The Halos have a lot of pitching in the pipeline so CC is not as big a need for them as he is for us.
With the Halos going for Tex and the Dodgers smitten with ManRam, the big market teams are clearing the path for CC to the Bronx.
SJ,
How do you see the Yankees outfield next year?
Also, is LaRoache a FA or would the Yanks have to aquire him via trade?
Just called my ex, who has decided that he wants to drive right to the Stadium. I feel like crying already. However, I think we will go to that Dominick’s for lunch (the Italian in me is psyched about good home cooking) and then head over to the Stadium. So if it’s within a short drive from the Stadium, having a car is probably not a bad thing. I’m just dreading what we will hit after the game. We have a 3 and 1/2 hour drive home when there is clear sailing. I cannot imagine how long we’ll sit in traffic to get to the point of clear sailing! But he did agree to leave 9 Sunday morning, so we will have plenty of time at the Stadium!
“2009 Rotation:
Chamberlain
Wang
Sabathia
Pettitte
Hughes”
So CC is the 3 and your bringing back Andy over Moose?
“Yeah but what about the pitchers nobody ever hears about because they blew out their arm as a 22 yr old?”
Great Point. There have probably been scores of pitchers who have blown out their arms before TJ surgery–Rivera had it in ‘92.
“I hate to sound like Jim Kaat, but Nolan Ryan, Clemens, Maddux, Seaver, and others weren’t limited, and their arms didn’t fall off.â€
Anyone ever read about racehorses back in the early 1900’s? They ran non-stop and all sorts of crazy formats – now they break down if they race all 3 races in the Triple Crown. Other than Winstrol it is hard to figure what is going on with that.
Pettitte should be brought back next year . . . to participate in the stadium-opening festivities in April.
I see the Yankees OF in 2009, with Damon in left, Austin Jackson or a one year FA stopgap (Kotsay, or someone of that elk) in CF, and Nady in RF.
They probably want Jackson to spend a full year in AAA. However, if he comes to spring training ready to go and can win the job (or at least push for it) he may have a shot.
I don’t see Gardner or Melky as the fulltime CF next year. I also don’t see Damon as a fulltime CF at this point in his career.
If you are going to rebuild your pitching staff, you also have to upgrade the defense. They make talk like Damon could play CF next year but, after all is said and done, I don’t see that happening.
A lot of it though depends on how they rebuild the pitching staff. If the pitching staff gets rebuilt in a way they believe will make them competitive next year, aside from not bringing back Giambi and Abreu, I see guys like Matsui and Damon staying.
If they fall short on their pitching acquisitions, they will probably have to trade someone to acquire pitching help.
LaRoche is not a FA. If the Yankees were to get him, it would have to be through trade.
Despite the fact that I am wrong about everything, according to “Johnny Boy” who saw fit to only post one thing under the pseudonym du jour, I still will go on record as wanting Moose back, and if that meant leaving Andy behind that is exactly what I would advocate having happen.
Just catching up, you guys have a lot of good stuff going.
-love the X jokes by Rebecca & Brandon
-Wang’s an ace, but why can’t we have more than one?
-for Doreen & trisha. We’re all getting a little emotional as the end approaches, and all the players have had nothing but nice things to say about the Cathedral. Except one person. Junior. The Times has an article about how he’s not sad to see it go, has not connection to the place. By all accounts he’s a private guy, great with his family and teammates, but he sounds like one cold SOB. Part of the stadium thing links back to getting yelled at by Billy Martin for playing too loudly in the tunnel.
- We may’ve been a wee disappointed (some very) with Phil’s performance last night. I think it would’ve “looked” better if he went 5 innings. But the fact is that Phil gave up only 1 run on 4 hits. One could’ve been caught by Jeter. And that first double by OC should’ve been a single. Anyway. It was pretty impressive how Hughes battled. Lots of fouled off pitches, but to me that meant they had a tough time putting the ball into play.
-SJ, about Phil’s straight fastball. Was it always that straight? I recall hitters saying that his fastball was deceptive. Like it was hard to hit.
This is going to be an odd question. Has anyone ever gone to the Bronx on gameday and NOT gone to the game? Like, you couldn’t get tickets or whatever. What did you do?
Trisha,
Dominick’s opens at 1 on Sunday. Its on 2335 Arthur Ave.
Oh, and another odd question, maybe not so add, and maybe it’s two questions:
Why can’t people with bleacher seats visit monument park? That seems almost cruel.
And, will they be changing that policy in the new stadium?
Doreen,
Before I had season tickets, if I couldn’t get tickets to a game, I’d just wind up on Arthur Ave and have something to eat.
As you can see, eating is a big part of the equation when I go to games!
mel,
Its not a question of his fastball being “straight”, when its effective, it has late movement. Almost as if it “jumps” as it gets closer to the strikezone.
Joba’s fastball is also “straight” but, it has that kind of jump as it gets closer to the plate.
I actually thought his fastball has good life last night. Guys just fouled off pitches. It happens.
Its the difference between major league and AAA hitters.
That’s why I caution people not to get caught up in AAA stats when evaluating players. Especially pitchers.
Many can get away with certain pitches they can’t get away with at the big league level.
Aside from not going deeper in the game, Hughes showed more than he did in April. He’s just not ready yet to assume a steady role in the rotation. That will come with time and more refinement of his pitches.
SJ thanks! Once you go into the Stadium, can you leave as long as you have your ticket? I guess I should feel okay about getting there 7 hours early and getting to see Monument Park, huh? If the Stadium and Dominick’s both open at 1, I certainly can’t be harming myself to go to Dominick’s first!
You don’t add guys to the 40 man until they force you to bring them to the majors or you want to protect them from Rule 5. McAllister is not close to either, though he looks real good. Same for Melancon – hopefully he’ll force his way on in ‘09.
GB, I agree with you on the RP glut issue. I’m concerned we’ll lose some decent guys in AA and below in the minors phases where you can’t get them back. I’m sure some will be added to the 40 and some will move to AAA so they’re only majors phase eligible, but (& I could be wrong on a few here) C. Garcia, J. Jones, Hacker, Dunn, Claggett, Whelan, DeLaRosa, E.Nunez, L. Nunez, R.Corona, Vechionacci all sit there now, with Steve Jackson, Cox, Kroenke, Pena, and O. Perez eligible at AAA for the majors phase. Sure we can afford to lose a good number of them, but giving them away for chump change seems a waste.
I already announced “above” that I won’t be around for tonight’s game. I have a work event that goes from 7 – 10. Oh joy.
GO YANKEES! PLEASE WIN MOOSE!!! (for you as much as for the team.)
SJ44 & GB7-
Adding Garrett Atkins, converted 1st baseman to the mix as Colorado might deal him with Ian Stewart coming up to play 3rd and stuck with Helton at 1st. Any thoughts on another Rockie,Ryan Spilborghs for CF?
Who do you anticipate playing 1st in 2-3 years-Laird? Montero?
If Cano traded, Polanco Roberts and DeRosa are FA’s in 2010.
trisha, once you leave the stadium, you cannot re-enter. unless they have different rules this sunday…
mel -
I loaned the book to my mom, so I can’t cite the exact words, but Bobby Murcer’s kids had good memories not only of being at the Stadium as kids, but specifically of Ken Griffey, Jr., having a great time (apparently) there, as well. They talked about Griffey Jr. amazing everyone with his gymnastic skills. Bobby Murcer specifically wrote how Billy Martin loved having the kids around. Now, could he have had a bad day every now and again, and could a kid have encounted that bad day? I guess so. I don’t know what Junior’s problem is. Oh, well.
NYFan, I don’t see anyway that NYY allows dunnm garcia and in particular, De La Rosa being allowed to be exposed to the draft. That’s why I mentioned unloading those “tweeners like Ramirez, Britton, Albaladejo, etc to NL teams for the younger, lower minor league prospects to teams that need bullpen help. They can’t keep them all, but, no sense in just letting them go. Same with some of the younger minor league starters, like Igawa, Jones, Hacker, Wright and Kontos and those types. I’d probably try and add Pilittere to a deal or even Cervelli (one or the other). Unless a deal hinged on Kennedy or Marquez, I’d hold on to them for a little longer.
***Dunn, Garcia and in particular De La Rosa***
I thought this was going to be about CC Sabathia when I saw the title.
Trader, I haven’t any inside info on anything, but my bet at first base would be laird, especially if Montero stops growing and loses maybe 10-15 pounds. He’s not fat…just big. I’d think that Suttle will probably end up playing some first base, because his third base defense isn’t that impressive. If Angelini’s defense doesn’t improve, I’d think that he’d move to a corner outfield. Snyder is strictly a Randy Velarde type. He can hit, but, doesn’t play infield defense very well at any position. NYY has a closer in Charleston that’s impressive as Hell…Jonathan Ortiz. On the small side, but, he can pitch.
Trader, I’d rather NYY try and deal for Skip Schumaker from St. Louis to hold down center field for a couple of years.
GB – completely agree on Garcia, De La Rosa. Not sure Dunn makes the cut though – depends on available roster space and other decisions. But I completely agree on clering room by making minors deals from our depth to build our weak areas of need. In my view, OF and 1B. Laird is far from a given since he’s only at low A. OF is pretty empty, A Jax hopefully filling a slot, but NY has 3 guys – Abreu this, Damon and Matsui next, and 4 if Nady (arb 3 in ‘09) can’t be extended – gone by end of next season. Regardless of Brandon wanting to reward Curtis for 7 good games vs. a season hitting under .260.
I don’t think it makes sense for the Yankees to keep Bobby Abreu. Johnny Damon, Xavier Nady, and Hideki Matsui are all corner outfielders. Posada will need time at DH, so Matsui will need to play in the field. Nady is a better defender and is younger and has more power. For the same money, the Yankees can put Teixeira in the 3 spot and significantly improve the infield defense.
CF Damon (LF)
SS Jeter
1B Teixeira
3B Rodriguez
LF Matsui (DH)
RF Nady
C Posada (DH)
2B Cano
DH Gardner/Molina (Depending on whether Posada or Matsui DH’s
Wang, CC (or Burnett), Moose, Coke, Joba (or Hughes)
X-Damon-Matsui
sounds good to me.
For what its worth, and though its unlikely, I think we should keep Abreu and Giambi as well.
Do we even have the $$ to sign CC, another No. 1 type and Tex without mortgaging the future?
I dont know why you guys think signing CC AND Tex is mortgaging the Yankees future….Pavano made $11 mill this year, Pettitte $16 mill, Giambi $23 mill, Mussina $14 mill, Abreu $16 mill……and theyre well into their 30’s……Those guys are in their prime / going into their prime. Thats $80 million dollars / Year becoming FA this year…..would a 20 mill and a 25 mill guy really be that detrimental considering theyre going to fill such huge gaping holes the Yankees have? Signing the 2 of them for those kinds of contracts would still put their payroll $35 mill cheaper than it was this season.
Pete,
Thanks much the update on Chien-Ming.
Hope both Moose and Andy will be brought back next year. Especially moose, he is really a good mentor for Chien-Ming.