Greetings from Gate B10
-
- September
- 26
Here we are at Joe Carter International Airport in Toronto, waiting for the last flight of the Yankees season.
Boston is likely on its way to Anaheim early next week, so the last thing they want is a double dip on Sunday. There could be lots of waiting around at Fenway Park this weekend.
The players, most of them anyway, packed up their stuff in New York last week. Once the final game is played in Boston, they will scatter to their homes. Don’t expect the Yankees to work too many counts on that final day.
Meanwhile, yes, they will haze the rookies. Sources say that the youngsters will not enjoy their trip back to the team hotel tonight as part of it will be on foot wearing, um, interesting clothing.
I’ll check back later with the news from Boston and the lineup, if there’s a game.
This entry was posted
on Friday, September 26th, 2008 at 5:51 am by Peter Abraham.
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first
Second
I’ll have a fifth!
There’s really no reason to go bonkers to squeeze in these three games. I do hope they get two in so Aceves and Mussina get out there.
I would hope that on Sunday with Moose pitching they would work the countsd and would be surpised if they didnt. It means too much to both Moose and I think the team.
Make sure to take a lot of pictures of the hazing Pete!!!
They had better work the count on Sunday. The only good things from this season thus far have been Moe and Moose, just immagine how far back they would have been w/out Moose. It should be the full A squad on Sunday
i bet Girardi told the beat writers that it was supposed to be sunny in Boston, when he obviously knew itd be raining.
Lets go Brewers! And Angels, White Sox/Twins, Phillies, Dodgers, and Cubs!
ahh they are making it worse for them, they have to dress in Boston.
I have to say they better play their hardest to get Moose the win and not worry about going to Paris or Italy on vacation.
Black Friday. September 26, 2008
I’ll read about this final weekend series in newspapers but will not ever again watch a game being televised from Boston and enduring silly goofs in a tiny ballpark.
Started this custom in the mid 90’s. NYC is a whole different story.
brian go get him Mariners player reportedly threatened to ‘knock out’ Ichiro during season
who saw the movie knock out’ its a good one
Pete if Boston is anything like NY now, you might want to rent a boat not a car.
Pete, what’s you off season coverage going to be like?
what i really want to know: is it actually really called joe carter int’l airport?
pete will stand outside girardi’s home every day and ask him what lies he’s telling today!
George King of the Post did some notes on Giambi’s future.
Here’s what G says about a new contract:
“It depends on the length, I would like to play a long time. I would like to play into my 40s,”
I never thought I would be quoting Michael Kay but to Giambi I say “SEE YA”
I posted this in the last thread, didn’t see the new post…..
This Girardi nonsense is complete crap. If you listen to the audio of the postgame its absurd how many times the reporters ask Girardi basically the same question over and over again. I’d get annoyed too if I was asked the same question 25 times in a row.
Some basic facts:
1) Stop with the suggestions that Girardi overworked Mo. The team wasn’t eliminated yet and I doubt anyone knew of Mo’s shoulder or he wouldn’t have pitched. Girardi isn’t a mind reader. Plus, how many arms did Torre abuse in his years here? Give me a break.
2) Its painfully obvious that Mo didn’t want any news of his shoulder getting out. This fact was inexplicably overlooked by Pete, but reported by many of the other media outlets. If Mo tells Girardi his body is cranky then that’s what Girardi should say. Why alienate your closer to satisfy the freaking media? Maybe Mo wasn’t specific with Girardi but was with Cashman. Who kows for sure?
3) This is another instance of an injury being reported to be much more serious than it is. Even Cashman said Mo should be available this weekend unless something comes up on the test. So why is it such a big story? If they were still in the race, Mo wouldn’t have even had the test done. This is such petty garbage.
4) The reporters grilled Girardi right after the game when he most likely hadn’t talked to Cash yet. Is Girardi supposed to have a Blackberry in the dugout? Should he be texting Cashman between innings to get updates on players not even in uniform just so he has the right answer for the media? The guy just got off the field, the game just ended, and its like the media wants Girardi to pass out copies of the MRI and go over the results with them.
5) If you actually read the articles linked, you will find that the Girardi/Cashman conflicting information was merely a sidenote in most of the columns. Girardi and Cash reported different things. “Cranky bodyâ€. “Sore shoulder.†Only reporters with an axe to grind make it the centerpiece of their story. Christ, even ESPN didn’t make it an issue.
Joe it is actually called Pearson airport although rather than Joe Carter meorial they should call it Mitch Williams Memorial
I’ve got a dumb question about injuries in baseball (or any other sport) how are tey even allowed to report them? I’ve ben in HR for 13 years and it is a HUGE NO NO to report what is wrong with someone unless they sign a waiver allowing you to give medical information ot certain people of their choosing. How do professional sports get away with it? Is there something in the contracts or what? No trying to be stupid – just really curious.
Well said Miggs. I completely agree with you!
“Never pick a fight with someone who buys their paper by the boatload.”
I forget who said that, but the point is still valid now that we’re in the electronic age.
Joe should realize that he’s not going to win his battle with the media, and he should be smart enough to realize that everyone has a job to do, and strive for peaceful coexistence, if you will. I don’t know what his issue is, but it really doesn’t matter. He needs to do better, or it will negatively effect other aspects of his job, and too much time and mental energy will be wasted.
I can’t imagine that it is that difficult. Reasonable adults should be able to work in a mature, professional fashion with other reasonable adults. Countless people do it everyday in their lives.
Just like people had to “counsel” to Robbie, Cash and Co. need to counsel Joe G. on his effort here. Just like Robbie has a lot of talent, Joe is a very smart guy. And like Robbie, Joe just needs to “put it together.”
Just my opinion.
Ant928, so Girardi is just trying to be HIPAA compliant?
“I can’t imagine that it is that difficult. Reasonable adults should be able to work in a mature, professional fashion with other reasonable adults.”
Girarde doesn’t have a big problem with the media, try reading something other than this blog before. And, as countless people have pointed out before me, Pete is acting like a whiny little you-know-what here, and is NOT acting like a reasonable adult. See the post by Miggs and you really can’t disagree with it.
Reporters want to make themselves part of the story, they’ve been doing it forever and its stupid. Pete, give it a rest.
I understand Mo not wanting news of his health getting blown out of proportion and I understand Girardi being elusive just to “protect” Mo from the media firestorm that would come about after reports of him possibly needing surgery become public.
I also understand Pete’s frustration after a season of the same old web of mistrust is propagated but this time in regards to the Yankees MVP over the last 13 years. It is obvious to any regular on this blog that Pete is no Girardi fan so no one should be surprised when Pete makes a big deal about Giradi spinning the Mo situation.
Torre did the same thing only he was masterful in making it sound like he was really trying to be as frank as possible. Girardi evidently does not possess this skill but something tells me he going to try and pick it up for next season.
Mo most likely has a bone spur which is not too surprising given his age and is not at all serious.
I really don’t think there is a definitive right and wrong regarding the Girardi-Media battle. People will have different opinions, and thats fine. Unlike the Joba as a starter-reliever discussion which is even silly to discuss, lol STARTER!
radnom –
I actually read Newsday; the NY Times; online versions of NYDaily News; NY Post; and Newark Star-Ledger. This is not just Pete, but has been a story since April (unfortunately). Tyler Kepner had a sizable story about this latest incident in his online NYTimes story the other day.
It is not just Pete who has been writing about it.
The way I see it, this is Peter’s blog and he’s allowed to state his opinion on it. Peter’s other gig, reporting, is a diferent thing all together. Pete is a very good reporter and the stories he writes are not partial to any side. Pete’s blog is where he voices his opinion. They are two seperate things.
the only thing better than a double header on sunday would be a triple header because it would cause all kinds of problems for the red sox in the first round of the playoffs.
i’m switching all my escapist energies( there is the biggest financial crisis since the depression occurring as we type) into the red sox being one and done after playing the angels in the first round.
cashman had better hope the red sox are eliminated because he won’t live down three red sox world championships on his watch. i don’t know how he survived two.
YEAH, what I want to know is,
1) What did the manager know?
2) And when did he know it?
Why did Girardi utter the word “cranky†more than five times during that interview? “Cranky†and “crook†share three letter in common.
Subtext: Girardi wanted us to know, “I’m not a crook.â€
Have you ever noticed Girardi bears a distinct resemblance to H.R. “Bob” Haldeman?
saucY:
Glad to see SOMEONE knows what I mean. lol I know he is not trying to be HIPAA compliant…I just want to know how professional sport teams get away with reporting injuries.
From the post –
*
Brian Bruney Brian Bruney visited with A.J. Burnett at the pitcher’s house Tuesday night. Though Bruney said he didn’t put a full-court press on Burnett to sign with the Yankees, it was clear Bruney said he believes Burnett can help the Yankees.
“Hopefully he is with us next year,” Bruney said of Burnett, who is expected to opt out of the final two years and $24 million on his contract and become a free agent. “He could fit in anywhere because he is a down to earth guy.”
ant928—I know in college we had to sign a waiver letting coaches and trainers talk to the newspapers or they wouldnt let us practice. I’m sure the pros waive their rights to privacy too.
Far all HIPAA questions, see the discussions covering Joba’s injury as it’s been discussed ad nauseam.
If you listen to Girardi’s postgame backwards, I swear you can hear a voice saying “Call me deep throat. Meet me in the basement”
Pete has moved on to another topic. So the continuing perseveration on the Girardi v. Media story comes from readers. If the people who insist that this is a non-story simply did not post about it, the topic would go away. Anything that gets hundreds of responses (with some people repeating themselves obsessively seven or eight time per thread) will get continuing coverage.
You may have noticed if you skimmed them that sensible people are seen very little on those threads.
where did Bruney and Burnett cross paths that they are hanging out together outside of the ballpark? interesting.
What a storm that was! Will Hurricane Mo-Pete weaken enough to die by the time it hits Boston?
The only question that needs to be asked is did Mo want it kept quiet for now?
And, really, who cares if Joe didn’t answer the way they wanted. You ask two times and get the same answer? That’s considered ‘asked and answered’ in my book. Of course, I didn’t study journalism, so please correct me if I’m wrong.
Next topic, please.
I agree that they should play all games but MLB doesn’t really care about the 162, they care about the revenue the Yankees generate. If they cared, they would force Baltimore and Oakland play their last game. But since they, together, probably don’t create half as much as the Yankees do, they’ll force the games in.
The last thing this club needs is to lose a player to injury and delay the start of next season. I hope they play the kids and keep everyone back until the Moose game.
Just one thought about Girardi “losing the clubhouse.”
It is said that JoeG had media problems in Florida.
It is also said that Joe G’s players in Florida loved him.
I’m not sure it’s a foregone conclusion that Joe G doesn’t have his players’ support in NY based on the fact that he doesn’t have the media’s support.
While I understand why the beat writers would be frustrated, I don’t understand the undertone of anger and the feeling that comes across that they wish Girardi wasn’t the manager.
Anyway, it also seems to me that those who are neutral or like Girardi are more or less saying, so what? While those who either didn’t want Girardi to be the manager or who are upset he didn’t bring the team to the playoffs are going to fall on the “Girardi’s a liar” side.
Frankly, if all the NY papers are going to insinuate that JoeGirardi is a liar, whether it’s true or not, then there is a problem that has to be addressed.
Girardi isin’t going to last much longer on the job, he will be gone by the middle of next year.
His temperament is not one that works in NY. Not only has he lost his clubhouse he also has completely embarrassed himself in front of the media.
So, if he doesn’t win and is a hot head, why even have him here? Cut your losses and move on. Another slow start and he’s done.
Bronx Jeers,
That was a, uh, fun and informative topic at the time, huh?
K. Who wins the central? KC plays the final set
the Twins. ClevelandDetroit.Going to go out on a limb here, Minnesota. Though it won’t be easy. The KC has been a royal pain in the you know what for the division leaders down the stretch in the last two years.
When players refuse to talk to the media, they are shutting out the fans. Without the fans,there is no money. There is no need for businesses to spend on advertising, hence no ad revenue. Without the fans’ interest, there is no need for mega million dollar television deals. Hence, no tv revenue. Without the fans’ interest, there are empty seats in the ballpark. Hence, no ticket revenue.
Ultimately, the fans are the boss. It’s in the team’s best interest for the players and manager to cooperate with the media and the fans.
The fans are understanding bosses that are (for the most part) intelligent enough to understand the need at times to grant personal privacy. The fans are also intelligent enough to no want the team to put itself at a competitive disadvantage by the untimely disclosing of information.
However, it’s an insult to the fans to either not talk to the media at all ( like Manny Ramirez in Boston, for example) or outright lie.
If Girardi was telling the truth, the media has no right to badger him. If Joe Girardi knew that Mariano had a shoulder problem and lied about it,he’s lost my respect.
I hope my beloved Yankees have to wait out rain delays all weekend. It would also be great for them to have to play a double header on Sunday. I am sure alot of these guys are just looking to hit the golf course, beach, Vegas and A-Rod will hit anything with a heartbeat.
Since they played like garbage for most of the year, let this be punishment for them. Have fun being cramped in that little Dugout up in Fenway waiting out the rain.
Dr. J,
Bruney doesn’t even have a contract with us for next year, lol. Of course he’ll be back.
But isn’t that kind of tampering, Brian? Shhh!!
This is Cashman’s way of getting back at Girardi for asking Pettitte to come back without his permission. You can tell that irked Cashman. He wanted to give a spot to Hughes and Girardi wanted no part of it and asked for Andy back without even talking to Brian.
Funny how the FO hated how candid Torre was with the media and the whole Joba rules thing and now Yankee officials are upset that Girardi is too discreet. This organization is a mess, they don’t know what they want. From the owner to the GM to the manager and everyone inbetween… ineptitude all around. This is why there needs to be a house cleaning.
Drive 4-5,
What if Mo asked Giradi, his boss and good friend, to keep it quiet as has been reported?
Should he not honor that? Friendship trumps respsonsibility in this case. I’d take a hit for a friend.
Mel I believe Bruney is arbitration eligible next year and will be iwth us unless he gets traded. I asked this a few weeks ago and that was the consensus I got.
Glad to see Bruney making recruitment pitches to AJ.
I, too am wondering how they crossed paths. Bruney played in Arizona, AJ played in Florida. AJ is from Arkansas and Bruney is from Oregon. AJ now lives in Maryland, Bruney now lives in Alabama. Strange. But glad Bruney is helping out.
Col 88,
Girardi did not speak out of turn. The Pettitte thing has been in play since last season. There was an understanding that Andy came back last season with the hope of pitching in New YS.
The fact that Girardi said anything at all tells you there has been more than serious discussions by the FO.
“Don’t expect the Yankees to work too many counts on that final day.”
Does that mean you do not think the team will put their best efforts into the last game for a 20th win for Mussina?
gayle,
Thanks. You forget how young Bruney is.
Maybe they crossed paths at the Tattoo parlor. AJ has a lot of ink for a quiet country boy. lol.
“If Girardi was telling the truth, the media has no right to badger him. If Joe Girardi knew that Mariano had a shoulder problem and lied about it,he’s lost my respect.”
i would guess that Girardi wouldnt lose too much sleep over this.
but even so, this is right from the Post:
“According to a person with knowledge of the situation, Rivera didn’t want the news to get out. ”
and from Girardi:
“Mo didn’t tell me anything specifically. I have not gotten the results. It’s not like I am hiding anything from you. I am going by what the player told me. That’s it. I am the manager and I answer questions. Mo told me his body was cranky. If I was concerned I wouldn’t hurt this guy.”
so everyone is getting bent out of shape over Girardi lying, when he said Mo didnt tell him that his shoulder was bother him specifically, and Mo is telling people he didnt want this news to get out in the first place.
this is really stupid.
That’s Cle @ CWS.
This has the makings of an exciting weekend. Weather could wreak havoc in the NL race. Interesting if The Mets get rainouts and Mil gets a couple of wins. Tampa better not choke!
I’m sort of in denial that the Yanks weekend means nothing. I want Minny over CWS. That organization up there is really something else.
The players want Burnett. There has been noise of this for months.
Cahsman better not ignore their plea like he did for Santana. Get the players Burnett!
agreed, turntwo. it’s blown out of proportion at this point. who knows who knew what and when? and who knows what who wanted whom to know and why?
it’s really seeming like another game of “gotcha” the media is playing with girardi.
if i were a reporter trying to find out info on an injury. maybe i’d ask the player of cashman first. unless my real goal was to catch girardi lying.
“Should he not honor that? Friendship trumps respsonsibility in this case.”
Yes, but saying nothing is better than lying.
Mornign all. I see we’re all on about Girardi again.
“Brotherhood of the Fist”
i’m just going to say one thing about this girardi media silliness.
no media person has ever been in the office of a manager after all media has left.
they should remember that if they ever wonder what a manager really thinks of them.
there’s not a writer alive that i care what their opinion is about the game of baseball. i’m interested in the facts. that’s it. to me that’s their job.
their opinion about things? doesn’t that get in the way of being a journalist?
Bronx Jeers,
Duh! Yes, Cleveland @ Chicago. The Yankees aren’t a mess. The Tigers are.
So which team are the experts going to claim are the class of the loaded Central next season?
They should play the Mets game @ the Trop.
I’ll hate if if we can’t get in the full 162. Not because of Mo, because that would put the final stamp of “Irrelevant” on our season.
Doreen,
Difference between the Yankee Clubhouse and the Marlins Clubhouse? One is full of veterans and one was full of kids. How you treat each is vastly different.
I’m not going to rehash what I said in the other thread. I stand by what I said and folks can get pissy if they want. Doesn’t change my position or what I know.
I think all of this stuff will be addressed in the off-season.
As with the team, improvement is needed in this area.
Its easy to make the media out to be the “bad guy”. Hell, we have a person running for President who does it on a daily basis.
That’s the easy play and many folks hop on that horse without even thinking. We live in America and we are fortunate to have those choices.
That said, while the media can be instrusive at times, this version of the Yankee beat media is pretty reasonable.
You want unreasonable beat writers? Go back in time and read Henry Hecht when he was with the Post and you will see why Billy Martin had a drinking problem.
You think Lupica is a nasty columnist? Go back and read Dick Young. Pound for pound the meanest human being who has ever been a member of the NY Media. He ruined careers, both of players and fellow writers. A miserable human being.
You think Joel Sherman has an edge about as a columnist? Go back and read him when he was a beat writer. He was MUCH worse.
There is always going to give and take between the media and its subjects. Again, the benefits of living in a free society.
I think all reasonable minds can agree that its always best to choose your battles wisely.
The difference between Joe Torre’s media skills and Joe Girardi’s is that simple distinction.
Torre was no angel. I was around the day he went postal on Michael Kay. Honest to God, I thought he was going hit him! lol
I have also seen him around ESPN guys after the Clemens-Piazza incident. I remember the day he took the microphone out of an ESPN reporters hand, placed it in his other hand, and told him in no uncertain terms, “you aren’t welcome here”.
Again, the stare he gave that guy (Bob Holtzman) melted him on the spot. He walked away as if somebody shot his dog and Torre went on with his media session as if nothing had happened.
Torre knew what battles to fight and what battles to let go. It comes with age and experience.
I think we all forget that this is only the second year Joe Girardi has been a manager at the major league level. At any level, for that matter.
Its different than being a bench coach and its a helluva lot different than managing a Marlins team that didn’t even realize they did not have to take care of their own luggage when they went on their first road trip of the regular season (true story, BTW).
Its a learning process and I am hopeful things will be better next season.
Right now, its probably best for all concerned to get this season over with ASAP.
A cooling down period is needed for all concerned.
Did anyone ever think that maybe MO told Girardi to keep it on the down-low?
If that’s the case, then isn’t this Cashman’s fault it exacerbated to this level? Instead of being non-committal, he basically made Girardi out to be a liar.
COL 88,
I’m beginning to come to the same conclusion. Only I wish Hank Steinbrenner could be part of the housecleaning.
Up until now I could rationalize some of the stuff that Hank has said. But his recent shots at Joe Torre and his rant about revenue sharing and divisional play put me firmly on the “Hank is an idiot” side.
I’m beginning to be really, really afraid that the Yankee’s organization is totally out of control. There is little indication that everyone is on the same page.
The amateur draft is a great example. Did Cashman not get the memo that Garrit Cole’s family strongly wanted him to attend college? Was the memo ever written?
Did Cashman and Girardi not discuss a meeting between them before either of them spoke to players about ‘09 plans?
From top to bottom the Yankees are becoming a circus. I’d like nothing more than to see the clowns take off their makeup and leave. Every one of them.
COL88, I have seen nothing in the papers that indicates at all that Brian was irked at Joe for revealing that he asked Andy to come back. Also, Hughes is not guaranteed a spot in the rotation next year – he’s going to have to earn it and that’s fine. That comes from the GM himself. I will say that I thought it was odd that Joe asked Andy to come back – that’s the purview of the GM.
To make this simple—
Joe needs to win next year, that is all. The rest is irrelevant. Of course, Cashman needs to be committed to putting a winner on the field too—and that is easier said than done.
If he wins, nobody cares how he handles the media and these ‘clubhouse’ issues will vanish.
edit:
I’ll hate if if we can’t get in the full 162. Not because of Mooose, because that would put the final stamp of “Irrelevant†on our season.
I would be curious to see what Mo has to say because no one seems to have interviewed him.
And SJ is right. Learning to deal with the media comes with experience.
mel,
“What if Mo asked Giradi, his boss and good friend, to keep it quiet as has been reported?
Should he not honor that? Friendship trumps respsonsibility in this case. I’d take a hit for a friend.”
Absolutley. As I said, I can understand privacy issues. If Mo wanted his privacy, then Giradi did the right thing. The fans would find out in due time about Mo’s condition.
My problem would if that converstaion did not take place and Girardi purposely lied. There is becoming a body of evidence that Joe Giradi purposely lies to the media, and thus the fans.
Joe Girardi loves Mo, period. If Mo asked him to keep this “injury” or “cranky body” secret, then that’s what Joe’s going to do. Mo is no fool – he figured he could pitch through it and he did (hopefully without damaging his shouldelr). It seems like Cash and Joe aren’t on the same page, but we really don’t know the whole story.
Drive,
Just the fact that Hank is allowed to continue to talk an embrass the Yankees franchise shows that Hal doesn’t have the power he is rumored to have.
Why else would Hal allow his brother to not only bully Cashman but also discuss things in public, tamper by talking about players still under contract, take shots at Torre etc.
The organization comes off as bitter, classless, and petty everytime Hank opens his mouth and Hal just stands there and watches. So much for having ‘power’. And if he is afraid to tell his brother to shut up, then thats hows he lacks leadership too… do you really want someone like that who is a puppet leading our franchise?
SJ
You are like the Forrest Gump of Yankee baseball. You seem to have been present to personally witness many things that most others only read about.
It would really stink if Moose doesn’t get a shot at 20 because of the weather.
I don’t care if they don’t play tonight or tomorrow. Hopefully, they get Sunday’s game in.
If Tampa wins tonight, the division race is over. They control the tiebreaker against the Sox.
Best case scenario? Tampa wins tonight, they are able to get Sunday’s game in, and Moose gets the win.
S J44, I’m reposting this here in hopes that you would see this. When I originally posted this, the whole thread devolved into a Phil bash-fest and I was hoping to get an objective opinion from you. Thoughts?
Kyle (Brockport, NY): Does Phil Hughes’ performance last night show us what he is capable of? Were you impressed? He had a nasty curve last night.
http://assets.espn.go.com/i/sn2.gif Keith Law: (2:17 PM ET ) Spoke to a scout who was there – said Hughes showed good feel, no knockout pitch (he said he wouldn’t have graded any pitch over 55, which is one grade above average), solid velo. If Hughes can be what he was last night for a full season, staying healthy, that’s at least a strong #3.
CB or SJ44, are you concerned about Phil’s velocity last night? On another board I visit, several posters seem puzzled that he’s not even hitting 93-94 and they don’t think he can be a real top of the rotation starter hitting 90 MPH. They’re puzzled as to how Phil lost 3-4 MPH off his FB – isn’t that very unusual for a kid? Another poster mentioned that Phil was throwing mostly 2 seamers last night, which would account for the dip in velocity. Did you notice that? I was really impressed with Phil last night and I think perhaps his velocity will come back with consistent pitchin g; he just hasn’t been able to stay healthy long enough to get into a groove. I hope so, anyway. Thoughts?
On Mussina’s try for 20:
1) I believe he can tie the record for fewest innings thrown by a 20 game winner (I believe Pedro’s 199.33 is the standing record).
2) In a testament to the bullpen work this year, Moose stands to be the first ever 20 game winner who averaged under 6 full innings per start.
He’s no horse anymore, but he surely was effective this year.
If I’m a player and I saw what Joe went through for Mo last night, my respect goes up exponentially.
If you’re a pitcher, your shoulder and your elbow are more important than air itself. If you don’t know what’s going on, especially at Mo’s age, you sure as heck don’t want anyone else knowing anything about it.
“Best information beats first information”-Colin Cowherd
(Yes, I just quoted a shock jock from a promo)
Mel,
I figured you meant that. Hungover or just irrelevancy induced depression?
I do not believe this organization is in chaos at all. What’s Hal supposed to do, put a muzzle on his older brother? Even the mediots aren’t taking Hank seriously anymore; everyone knows that Hal is running the show.
Again, I think Joe took the hit for Mo; in no way do I think he’s lying.
i despise colin cowherd.
I don’t think SJ would have told me to write my BIG BAD LETTER OF DOOM to Hal without Hal having some power.
Unless there’s some more devious machination at work and I really am that delusional.
Which is actually very possible.
Drive 4-5,
As far as I know, he’s lied for players and their injuries. The big ones. Joba, Mo. Big players with big uncertainties.
If it was Britton or Pavano, he’d have the MRI images available and give the diagnosis/prognosis!
Certain players get special treatment. Nothing new.
I’ve been around this team for a very long time Pat. I used to be in the media, am still in the sports business, have friends on the team and in management throughout the game, and have been a season ticket holder for over 20 years.
You see and hear a lot in that time.
I interned at the Daily News when I was in college. I had a chance to see Dick Young in action. It wasn’t pretty.
I saw Henry Hecht stake out Billy Martin after games. Follow him from bar to bar, write about it, then attack him in his post-game sessions.
Made me decide to go in a different direction for a career in sports because I definitely didn’t want to be that kind of sportswriter.
Now, its different. By and large, the print media is pretty reasonable. You have a few SOB’s but, not nearly as many as there used to be.
The real bane in players, management and ownerships side now is talk radio. Basically, the Dick Young’s of the world have taken their act to talk radio.
If you talk to players, they will tell you they are much more bothered by talk radio, and what’s said on it, than just about anything that’s written in print.
That is, anything that’s written about their professional lives. They still (rightly) get ticked off when the media crosses over and writes about their personal lives.
Torre was no angel. I was around the day he went postal on Michael Kay. Honest to God, I thought he was going hit him! lol
Ahh so thats why Kay doesn’t like Torre, lol
SJ44, So was Joba really mad about that story that was written last week about his mother?
Girardi’s first obligation is to Mo, not the media. If Pete and the rest of them don’t like it, they can go cover another club.
Drive—- No doubt, this franchise is a mess.
From the awful draft, to the awful international signing period, to the Dominican scandal with Rios (one of our most trusted minor league coordinators), to all the injuries at the minors, to Hank continuing to talk with no regulation, to the players expressing disgruntlement via anonymous quotes, to Girardi’s awful handling of the media, to the lack of festivities to celebrate the Stadium, and now MO having an injury that nobody seems to know who is telling the truth, to the mis-communication between Cashman/Joe etc.
The organization comes off as cluttered and inept. Too many cooks in the kitchen. Hal may have sole authority, but there are too many people in the mix (Hal, Hank, Levine, Afterman, Cashman, Jennifer, Felix Lopez, Girardi, etc.) all trying to get their names in the mix. We whiffed on so many things this year that any smart, stable organization WILL have a house cleaning to rectify everything.
Standing O’Neill, IIRC they do a good job explaining what happened in the book Birth of a Dynasty
Michael Kay has never forgiven Torre for that episode either. To this day, he takes every opportunity to tell his audience about the gap between the real Joe Torre and his image as St. Joe and to sully Torre’s reputation.
The pettiness of people never ceases to amaze me.
The one time I saw Torre get really angry is during a post game interview on YES a reporter asked him why he put Mariano in the game when it was tied in the bottom of the 9th. Well, it was a home game so obviously after the bottom of the 9th there are no save situations. Torre unloaded on the guy, it was pretty hilarious.
Redding,
Agreed. Classless and petty is exactly how the Yankees look everytime Hank speaks.
They looked incompetent and feeble when they blew the draft.
Now, the fact that there’s even a discussion over Girardi’s media handling make for more embarassment.
I’m sick of the New York Yankees being fodder for joke material. Cashman and Girardi need to either get their act together or get the hell out. Unfortunately, we’re stuck with Hank because Hal is obviously a wimp.
”** This is where it is hard to take Law seriously at all. I mean, we know he dislikes Phil and has never thought highly of him, but what the heck was his scout watching? Phil had an absolutely devastating curve on Wednesday- Leiter was raving about it.”
Keith Law is just reporting what someone at the game told him, he’s not going out of his way to knock Phil here. And anyone who reads Law’s stuff over the past few years knows he’s always been high on Hughes. He’s said he has the potential to be a #2. But people get mad because he doesn’t think he’s an ace. Boo hoo, how spoiled are we. He said Joba’s got ace potential, but since when is a #2 not good? I’d sign up for Hughes as a solid #3 in a heartbeat.
SJ
Have you ever considered writing a book about your experiences around the game?
Rebecca I actually read that book but most have forgotten about that part. I own it so I think I’ll flip through to find that part again, thanks.
Betsy,
Law actually likes Hughes and has praised him, saying the Yankees ought to keep him, in other chats.
All he can do is report on what he is told.
If you talk to scouts at games, you get a bunch of different opinions. Some will like a guy, some won’t, and some won’t say anything.
Remember, if you are a scout for an opposing team, it really doesn’t help YOUR team to rave about Phil Hughes. By doing so, the price to acquire him goes up.
I wouldn’t get bent out of shape over what scouts said about his performance the other night. 8 innings, 2 runs, seem to tell the story of how well he pitched.
His velocity? Doesn’t bother me. Aside from Rios having a good pass on a fastball when he hit his SF in the first inning, the Jays really didn’t time his fastball that well at all. If you are throwing 90-92, which he was, and guys aren’t timing it well, which they weren’t, that’s what pitching is all about.
Its not about how hard you throw. Its about how effective you are. His curveball and his cutter kept them off his fastball the other night. That’s an improvement from his last start against the White Sox.
He just needs more time to develop and less time going over every pitch, frame by frame.
The talent is there. Folks just have to be patient and give him the time needed to refine it.
If Hal has this power he is reputed to have, then yes, he should put a ‘muzzle’ on Hank because he is embarrassing the franchise and can potentially ruin the off-season.
His mouth ruined the Santana trade. He was discussing private information in public and naming names in public. He was showing our hand in public. He listed Burnett and CC’s name last month even though they were under contract and we could have gotten in a lot of trouble if TOR or MIL decided to file charges. He also takes shots at Cashman and makes his job uncomfortable and makes him put out the brush fires. Now he makes those senseless comments about Torre—which makes him and his brother look bitter.
It’s simple to say ‘nobody takes him seriously’ but they always publish his quotes. They listen to him. Most fans and outside people don’t have a clue who Hal is—- so to them, Hank is the blowhard owner who represents the Yankee franchise.
SJ, this is from the previous thread. If indeed Joe is not popular with several of the players, why do you think this is so ? If it’s because he’s not Father Joe and they got used to being spoiled fat cats under him, then I really don’t care (even if it is the core group – too bad for them). They are being paid a lot of $$ – they don’t have to like him, they just have to play for him. If they don’t want to play for him, then the Yankees should dump them. It’s pathetic, IMO, that they are apparently whining because Girardi is not Torre. I’m not going to ask for specific details, but more info is wanted, please.
SJ44
Very fair point on vets vs. young team.
I need to clarify that there’s a third group of people who are just trying to fairly view the situation without bashing Pete/beat writers or Girardi.
I’d identify myself as someone who supports Girardi generally, but sees that there is obviously a problem that needs to be addressed, who realizes the media has a job to do, but wishes they didn’t seem so hell-bend on “getting” the guy.
There are a lot of perception is reality going on here, without knowing everything.
Wow I slept in today and am amazed at the media this morning. Joe lied, so the f what? He’s lied many times this year, get used to it. Oh and in case some of you don’t read your own articles, the season is over, so if Mo needs surgery, unless it’s TJ, which is really unlikely, Mo will be ready for spring training. This is the biggest non issue I have ever heard of. I saw the postgame, Joe did his best to maintain his cool as the media played gotcha. I guess Joe should have said he lied so they wouldn’t have to ask the same question over and over again. Non issue to me a as a Yankee fan. Where am I wrong?
standing o’neill: No problem
You know SJ44, I always figured you for either a former reporter or a sports agent.
By the by, I’m told from a source I trust that Suzyn Waldman has posted entries on this blog in the past.
(And no it isn’t Pete.)
I’d sign up for Phil to be any part of the rotation. I don’t think people realize how difficult it is to make it to the majors.
Adjustments have to be made because all the hitters are good, well the ones on the other 29 clubs.
“By the by, I’m told from a source I trust that Suzyn Waldman has posted entries on this blog in the past.”
Probably defending Clemens.
The Yankees had a lack of festivities to celebrate the Stadium? Wow, where was I last Sunday? I must have been watching something else. The Yankees are a mess because they had some injuries last year? The Yankees are a mess because Hank doesn’t shut up? Last I checked, the team was moving forward with Cash and Hal’s plan, NOT Hank’s. We haven’t heard one peep from Jennifer, Felipe Lopez, etc…, so to assume they have their hands in the cookie jar is silly, IMO. A complete housecleaning, off of one bad year, is not needed. An evaluation? Fine. A destruction? No way.
Kill Schill—I’d be curious to know under what name!
Porkchop Polly?
“i bet Girardi told the beat writers that it was supposed to be sunny in Boston, when he obviously knew itd be raining.”
HAHAHAHA
Standing O’ Neill, Law has never liked Hughes. Considering that Phil was predicted to be a stud, saying he’s got nothing more than #3 potential is not good…and he’s been saying this for a long time, even when Phil was coming back from rehabbing his leg/ankles last year (as if that’s a good time to thoroughly judge a 21 year old). That is Law’s scout, so the scout speaks for Law. That curve was NASTY and Leiter raved about it; it doesn’t say much for the scout that if he didn’t think that pitch was above average.
unless hughes gets his trenton stuff back, he won’t be an ace.
That’s ok though, I’d be fine with a #2-3. #3 starters are extremely hard to find, they make $15 million a year these days. if we can have our homegrown gil meche or scott baker, id be thrilled.
mel –
That was my guess!
Hughes was throwing 92-93 all through the minors this year. Lets see how he looks in April after he’s had some time to regain strength. His velocity is fine, especially with that ridiculous curve, good cutter, good changeup.
SJ, would you say Hughes best pitches would be rated above 55 the other night? i thought some looked great, but i’m far from a pitch rating expert….
A rotation of effective Wang, Joba and Hughes does not an unhappy optimist prime make.
Especially if you throw in the 2008 for size.
Hey, player’s use of PEDs has never bothered me. I use them every day. I couldn’t survive with caffeine, nicotine, sleeping pills, and well, I’ve used that blue pill a couple of times too.
I also think when I was pulling the overnight shift in the P.D.’s office I must have written every brief on either no-dose or Dexedrine.
BTW, the U.S Army, in the Nam, used to distribute “greenies” like candy to its infantry units on search and destroy mission—the very same “greenies” that baseball has banned and that Giambi has tested positive for using once already.
Leiter was in the booth last night, right?
He’s quickly becoming one of my favorites.
Clear voice, rags on Kay, and very good at breaking down the hitters’ AB’s. What pitch was thrown, how the players made adjustments if they got a hit of a good pitch.
Very informative without being dry at all.
SJ, all great points – thanks. You know I agree with you on Phil, but the reason why I asked is because people are so concerned with his velocity. In general, will throwing 90-92 (not that I think this is his top range and he won’t throw harder, like he used to) prevent him from being an ace? That is what I’ve heard some people say. It’s not that Phil can’t be very effective throwing his FB at 90-92 if it moves, but many people are wondering what happened to the pitcher that threw 94-95 at Trenton and blew people away. Do you think it’s the injuries and subsequent mechanical issues? Phil is a big guy – he really does have a perfect pitcher’s build – so maybe he just needs extra time. I think pitching consistently (staying healthy) will also help.
Me, too, Rebecca, me, too. He wasn’t forthcoming with that information however.
Hey Rebecca, nice blog. I don’t spend a ton of time around here so I’m not up to speed on every posters personal life. I just checked out your blog and wanted to share my two cents on your letter to Hal. I understand your frustration in regards to affording tickets next year. I’m just a few years removed from college myself, and I’m trying to save up to buy a house. I used to have the Friday plan, but $1000 dollars for 13 games just became too much. Luckily I was able to meet someone who had bleacher seats, and he let me split his plan with him, which is obviously much more affordable.
Next year we’ll have to pay for a full season plan since we don’t want to loose our seats, so it won’t be cheap, bleachers or not.
What I’d propose to you is see if you can get a few people together and possibly split a plan, making the cost easier for everyone involved. Of course I realize this isn’t possible for everyone, as I dont’ know too many other yankee fans who still live in this area.
What I wish Hal or hank would do is find a way to make one section in the tier or wherever affordable, maybe make it a family section or college student section, idk. Sell those tickets on a per game basis that way everyone can get a shot at them. I doubt this will ever happen since the Yankees are a business, and making money is all they care about (rightfully so) but it would go a long way to improve the fan-organization relationship.
mel: It’s funny, I couldn’t stand Leiter at all in the booth last year (mostly because the Yankees had an awful record with him there, or something) but this year he’s grown on me, a lot.
I like it when Kay asks him questions that Kay thinks the answer is blindingly obvious and Leiter is like “uh, no”
Well it’s very rainy and windy here in Boston.
And about Phil, his velocity will be back. He’s only 22 remember. He’s still getting stronger.
Oh my, I’ve been outed!
OK I’ll admit it. I’m Waldman.
And by the way, Nick in SF is Sterling. That’s why he’s always screwing up those deep drives. He’s busy posting!
“Standing O’ Neill, Law has never liked Hughes. Considering that Phil was predicted to be a stud, saying he’s got nothing more than #3 potential is not good…and he’s been saying this for a long time, even when Phil was coming back from rehabbing his leg/ankles last year (as if that’s a good time to thoroughly judge a 21 year old). That is Law’s scout, so the scout speaks for Law. That curve was NASTY and Leiter raved about it; it doesn’t say much for the scout that if he didn’t think that pitch was above average.”
betsy, re-read what Law wrote. He said Hughes should be at least a #3, with a ceiling to be higher. That’s not an insult. Hughes was stud in the minors, but his control has slipped a little bit due to his mechanics being off after so many injuries.
Law still thinks he’ll be very good, and as SJ pointed out, he was just going by what a scout in attendance said, which may or may not be biased. To say Law HATES hughes is incorrect, and everytime a yankee fan complains about not getting respect when a scout says a young pitcher who hasn’t won 1 game this year will be above average, it makes all of us look dumb.
Standing O’Neill: Thanks much for the compliment!
Indeed, I’ve talked to a couple friends about possibly splitting a season package, as it’d be the most affordable option for all of us, and probably the only one that avoids the ire of my father who has told me that season tickets is not necessarily a wise investment.
I would love it if there was a college section or something!
Anyway, I need to shower (yay sleeping in till noon!) and then actually put the letter in the post
Doreen,
I think I read in Suzyn’s bio that “Porkchops” are her favorite dish. Hmmm…
Seriously, this definitely is a day and age of TMI.
And this blog is a great example. How many famous people come here to read? How many post? Does Schilling visit? I’m kind of embarrassed about what I say about people, but it’s so much wicked fun.
I mean, do famous people actually take time out of their busy lives to see what a bunch of nobodies (no offense, Pete!) say about them? I’d be afraid to read about myself.
HEY SJ44, what’s the deal with Abreu and next year?
Why is Cashman asking Giambi about his plans for next year instead of figuring out some way of spending his time trying to persuade Abreu to stay on a 2-year contract.
Where do the Yankees think they’re going to find another 3-hitter with a .370 OBA, 70+ BBs, an .850 OPS, and who sees 4.3 P/PA?
I think they should haze Girardi as well
bbgate,
Don’t worry, the beat writers did it last night.
“There are a lot of perception is reality going on here, without knowing everything.”
Doreen – That’s standard operating procedure for a lot of people who post here.
Yeah the writers have been taking to Girardi the last couple weeks.
It does sound like he’d be doing himself a faovr by not being so standoff-ish…
I wonder if he’ll change is tune any over the offseason.
“Wow I slept in today and am amazed at the media this morning. Joe lied, so the f what? He’s lied many times this year, get used to it. Oh and in case some of you don’t read your own articles, the season is over, so if Mo needs surgery, unless it’s TJ, which is really unlikely, Mo will be ready for spring training. This is the biggest non issue I have ever heard of. I saw the postgame, Joe did his best to maintain his cool as the media played gotcha. I guess Joe should have said he lied so they wouldn’t have to ask the same question over and over again. Non issue to me a as a Yankee fan. Where am I wrong?”
You’re not, unless you have an overinflated sense of your own importance and really think you’re a lot more ENTITLED in life than you are – and then you have the “right” to be screaming and crying and kicking and whining and calling Girardi every name in the book, and going on endlessly about how everyone hates him or should hate him or will hate him, and then you’ll talk about how he should be fired, or castrated, or perhaps killed, and then you’ll continue to whine about how he OWES information to the minor league players here who call themselves reporters but have really turned into an arm of the politburo, since they are ENTITLED to information – when they want it, where they want it, and HOW they want it. Girardi’s rights have been checked at the door, and now Squealer (you all remember him from Animal Farm?) is in charge of letting everyone know just how much Girardi “lies” and what a bad person Girardi really is.
Meanwhile, in real life, it appears that most of us are rejecting Squealer’s ongoing drama and interpretation.
YAWN!
Aceves vs. Dice-K?
Ponson vs. Beckett?
Mussina trying to go for 20?
The chance of rain, double headers, long delays, inturuptions several times during a game etc.
All the makings of a frustrating end to the worst season season since 1993.
Dman,
It was better lately. But Mo’s MRI has everyone concerned. That makes for a tense, stressful situation.
Kill Schill –
I’ve not been favorably impressed by Abreu’s skills in RF this year. Is this a sign of his declining skills? The only way I would entertain his coming back would be on a short term basis, and as the DH if they traded Matsui. Short of that, I’d be worried about his getting worse, including at-bat.
I know his numbers are good, but I think I’d rather explore other options.
Betsy,
Its like having a new boss at work. Things go on and it can lead to a bit of unrest if not handled properly.
Reality is, the new boss is different from the old boss.
All I can tell you is around Mid-June, it was pretty ugly around the players with Girardi. A lot rolled eyes when you asked some guys about him and just a general uneasiness about the way he was running the team.
They weren’t using that as an excuse for their poor play. To a man, the guys I talked to put all of that on themselves. I didn’t hear any player, even the guys I know who aren’t Girardi fans, blame Girardi for their poor play.
Mo, Jeter, and Posada make sure that stuff has a lid on it. Rarely does that stuff go public. But, it was pretty tense for awhile.
It will be interesting to me to see if any of the guys who won’t be back this year talk on the record about Girardi. Not saying anything will be juicy or anything like that. I’m just interested to see if anybody puts their thoughts out there on the record.
JMO but, I think that’s the reason Jeter began to join the pow wow sessions between Hal, Girardi and Cashman. I could be mistaken but, I got the feeling it was Jeter who kind of took control of the situation and was interested in doing some shuttle diplomacy to ease the tensions.
Just my observation on the matter. I could be wrong.
When I was around last weekend, after not being around for awhile, that stuff seemed to be in the past. Most of the guys made their peace with him and things seemed ok to me. A LOT better than it was earlier in the year.
That’s why I wrote earlier that I thought the “bad stuff period” had passed.
As far as this thing and Mo is concerned, Mo really likes Girardi and wants him to do well. I KNOW, Mo has been hurting for awhile and was not going to refuse the ball when asked. Its not in his DNA.
I think Joe panicked a bit yesterday when this stuff came up with Mo and reverted back to the “Old Joe”. He is a smart guy. He knows Mariano is THE most important player on the team and I think he knew things could potentially get a bit crazy with this news about his condition. It was just awkward situation that probably could have been handled better. It happens.
As I said in other posts, I think a lot of this stuff will get addressed in the off-season and I’m hopeful things will be better.
The reality is, Joe a different kind of cat and he is replacing a legend. That’s not easy. Whatever one’s feeling are about Torre, one thing is clear. There aren’t too many players in that clubhouse, at least the one’s who matter, that didn’t LOVE Joe Torre. Some still talk to him often.
While it may tick off some people with the Yankees (cough, cough….Randy Levine) about players talking to Torre, Joe is VERY supportive of Joe Girardi. He wants Girardi to be successful in the gig.
I think all of us, myself HIGH on the list, underestimated just how big a transition going from Torre to Girardi would be.
“Where do the Yankees think they’re going to find another 3-hitter with a .370 OBA, 70+ BBs, an .850 OPS, and who sees 4.3 P/PA?”
ARod.
I am totally speculating here and could be 100% wrong, but after reading SJ’s post the first guy I thought about was Mike Mussina. Not that Mussina is a complainer, but he seemed to be a tad bit annoyed that Girardi was taking things out of the clubhouse, which he as a long time veteran had the right to enjoy.
Also Mussina seems to be in good spirits these days from the interviews hes done. Hes had a great season and is close to calling it a career.
Again just speculating which I can do on a blog.
Tex
Scouts opinions of players change week to week, let alone year to year. Just because scouts like Hughes in 06, doesn’t mean they have to like him now.
2 years, 2 injuries, new mechanics, less velocity, new pitches, and stagnant development of his changeup and innings… nobody in the world would be the same pitcher after those occurrences. Even Cashman has backtracked on Hughes trying to take pressure off of him because he realizes he is not what he was in 2006 and people need to temper their expectations.
Nobody should be ‘disappointed’ if he turns into a #3. Whatever number he is, he will be a solid MLB pitcher for a long time.
Joe from LI, I concede Abreu’s not a great RF, but apart from Teixiera, there’s no free-agent available who can duplicate his offensive numbers. Trading for a three-hitter will cost the Yankees prospects. And third of all, Xavier Nady has hardly proven to be Carl Crawford out there.
HEY SJ44, what’s the inside dope about the likelihood of Abreu and the Yankees working something out for next year?
“While it may tick off some people with the Yankees (cough, cough….Randy Levine)”
I have zero ties to the yankees, but boy everytime I read something or hear someone talk about Randy Levine, they aren’t too kind. He must be a real…well you know what.
KS,
I think the Abreu stuff is pretty cut and dry. I believe the Yankees will offer him arbitration and I believe he will reject it and go on the open market.
At that time, the Yankees have to make a decision to offer him a multi-year deal (highly unlikely, IMO) or take the draft picks when he moves on.
I don’t get the feeling they want to sign him to a 3 year deal and I believe he will get 3 year offers.
I think Cash will do due diligence on everybody. It just so happens the Giambi stuff hit the notes column of the papers today. I’m sure he’s had the same conversation with Abreu. It just hasn’t been reported.
As I said yesterday, Bobby is a tough case. He can still play but, at 35, when you need to get younger and more athletic, do you give him a 3 year deal? Will he be willing to leave money/years on the table and forgo his last big payday to stay in NY?
Tough questions to answer right now.
My gut tells me he will move on. However, if they remake the team in other ways, perhaps they work something out with him. You never know how things shake out when free agency starts.
I’d rather see the Yankees sign Abreu for 2-3 years than sign Teixiera for 7-10 years.
Don’t forget Damon, Matsui, and Nady are all free-agents after 2009. Someone has to play in the outfield in 2010 beside Austin Jackson.
“I’d rather see the Yankees sign Abreu for 2-3 years than sign Teixiera for 7-10 years.”
Yep.
Girardi came in with the militaristic attitude… boot camp spring training, no candy in he clubhouse etc. to add to the already corporate nature of the Yankees. Torre was laid back, he let the players do what they want.
Torre = Grandfather
Girardi = Strict teacher
Not hard to see why the players prefer Torre. This team didn’t need ‘more fire’ and ‘more spark’, they needed more pitching and clutch hitting. Cashman never gave them that. It is never the manager. Look at the Mets. Willie got all the grief and manual is on the verge of doing the same thing.
It’s the players and the GM.
Trisha, thanks for the response. I take it from your post you agree the Girardi stuff is a non issue too. I don’t want to reread all the late night posts, but I’m thinking most fans do not care about this issue.
Peter, could you post a poll that asks your blog readers how important this issue is? I think you’d be surprised at the results, I could be wrong.
“HEY SJ44, what’s the inside dope about the likelihood of Abreu and the Yankees working something out for next year?”
unless he decides to leave millions on the table, or the yankees trade Nady, Abreu isnt coming back.
they’ll offer arbitration, he’ll decline, and sign a multi-year deal somewhere else.
I’d rather trade Matsui or Damon (both will be gone after 09 regardless) and sign Abreu and Tex.
I’m okay with Abreu leaving, especially if we get two first round draft picks for him.
Abreu is still a very productive hitter, but lets not beat around the bush he is 34 years old. His slow starts are lasting longer and longer each year and his defense in right is well below average. Also his OBP continues to drop each year (although his late surge has it at the same number as last year .369). At one year I can accept, but in two years I really don’t see him being more than another DH, which is what this team needs to get away from.
If they bring in a full-time DH, get Dunn, or just let Posada, Matsui and Damon rotate there. Losing Abreu will hurt them if they can’t get a replacement this offseason, and it could result in another sub-par year in 2009 if the pitching doesn’t develop. But I think they’ll benefit in the long run by having 2 first round picks (counting the Cole pick and assuming we lose another by signing a Type A FA). Its a tough call, but Cashman is paid well to make that decision.
I see no reason however to bring Giambi back, I believe he’s a Type B (anyone know for sure), so take that and wish him well in Oakland (or wherever).
I’d rather see the Yankees sign Abreu for 2-3 years than sign Teixiera for 7-10 years
Me too
““I’d rather see the Yankees sign Abreu for 2-3 years than sign Teixiera for 7-10 years.â€
not me.
Abreu = decline.
Teixeira = prime.
if you went ARod/Teixeira in the 3/4 spot for the next 5-7 years, you’d score an awful lot of runs.
THanks, SJ44. I still cherish the hope that Abreu would agree to a 2-yr deal with a third-year vesting option akin to Delgado’s deal that’s triggered based on his production.
Another virtue militating in Bobby’s favor, he plays every day. Of Damon, Matsui, and Abreu, he’s the healthiest and has played 150+ games every year for the past 8 or so.
I don’t know much about Peter Greenberg, Abreu’s agent, but he seems like a reasonable guy, who unlike Boras defers to his client’s preference rather than advancing his own agenda.
I’m still having difficulty accepting that after Sunday, I won’t be able to watch my beloved Yankees play for 6 months.
I might have to binge this last weekend to tide me over for the winter.
Gotta go to Court. Later all, catch you during the Sux games.
“I’m still having difficulty accepting that after Sunday, I won’t be able to watch my beloved Yankees play for 6 months.”
agreed. seems like the season just started, right?
StandingO’Neill, didn’t you ever hear the saying that speculating makes a speck out of you and me? Oh sorry, I meant assuming and all that ass stuff and such!
But I guess that the only thing a blog is good for is speculating and assuming, right? Because the only thing that reveals the truth is time.
Boston is still in the division hunt, so the games count. The Yanks should play tough so that Boston has to fly out to LA as the wildcard team.
If the yankees are looking for draft picks, they can decline Damaso Marte’s option and let him go.
Draft picks alone shouldn’t decide whether to retain Abreu.
BTW, Standing O’Neil. Abreu’s walks less now because pitchers throw him strikes. Any hitter in front of A-Rod will garner the same treatment.
What’s important is that Abreu’s P/PA number has NOT regressed 4.3 P/PA. He’s still the same hitter he was. The lower OBP reflect the evolution in pitchers’ approach to him.
He’s not as fleet in the OF, however, I concede.
Marte will receive TYPE A classification, from what I last read.
Gotta run. Catch you all later.
Agree Turntwo, I remember the rain on opening day like it was yesterday.
Teixeira another one of those big money players that will not fit unless the team is gutted first. Just look at Minnesota how they won last night, who here can hit and go 1st to 3rd, or bunt the guy over ? or hit the ball where it’s pitched, it’s time to stop giving the players control of the game it hasn’t been working for awhile.
Very true Trisha. But hey its a slow day at work and at least we aren’t talking about Girardi anymore, lol
Kill Schill – I agree with you on Tex.
Whether Damon or Matsui stick with the team will depend on whether the Yanks get reasonably good offers for them. The attractive thing about them is that they are veteran gamers, who only have one year left on contracts. For the right team, they may fit.
I would still be leary of giving 35-yo Bobby a three year deal. The Yanks need to get younger and more athletic, not turn into a home for aging sluggers.
This weekend should be fun. But what are we going to do allllllll winter with no baseball. I hate winter sports. Nba is a joke and football is once a week.
“Trisha, thanks for the response. I take it from your post you agree the Girardi stuff is a non issue too. I don’t want to reread all the late night posts, but I’m thinking most fans do not care about this issue.
Peter, could you post a poll that asks your blog readers how important this issue is? I think you’d be surprised at the results, I could be wrong.”
Jeff, absolutely a non issue. I think it is safe to say that the majority of responses thought that Pete was over the top with this stuff once again. There were some on the other side, but clearly the majority sided with Girardi.
‘Boston is still in the division hunt, so the games count. The Yanks should play tough so that Boston has to fly out to LA as the wildcard team.”
Boston is no more alive for the division now than the Yankees were for a playoff spot the past month…which is to say they aren’t alive at all. Boston knows this and will be coming with a lot of the junior varsity this weekend.
“BTW, Standing O’Neil. Abreu’s walks less now because pitchers throw him strikes. Any hitter in front of A-Rod will garner the same treatment. ”
schill I understand your point on the draft picks, but to a GM whose looking to build a young team, they are very important.
However I don’t buy the argument that he’s getting more strikes now. He had a pretty good lineup built around him in Philly when he was there, no?
Abreu’s OBP could be dropping because he’s not fouling off the tough pitches anymore, perhaps his swing speed as decreased. If he was 28 I’d take the drop as a fluke, but he’s 34, bit of a difference.
Signing Tex is the key to competing in the near future, IMO. He’s still relatively young, a switch hitter and a decent fielding 1B. There are no free agents out there who can give you his level of production, and I can’t think of anyone the Yanks could get in a trade that could replicate him either. We can’t lose Giambi’s production without replacing it if we hope to make the playoffs next year. Bunting guys over is not going to get it done, IMO.
Tex gives you more than Abreu, so if it’s one or the other, no contest in my mind. And personally I don’t want to see a 37 year old Abreu in RF.
Losing Damon and Matsui will free up a lot of money in 2010, so the Yanks will have some flexibility then.
The Yanks need to be successful next year in the new Stadium. They may not get him, but I can’t see them not going all out to try to sign Tex.
Abreu is a sort of a tough call. He’s going to turn 35 at the start of spring training, so he’s past his prime, but not ancient. I don’t think there will be a decline next year, and off of this season, he should be looking for a three year deal to finish his career. He’s healthy and can hit, and can play RF adequately. The trouble for the Yankees is that there are too many starting players on this team that are either in their mid-to late thirties, or approaching it. They need to get younger in the outfield next year, and with Damon, Matsui, Nady, and Gardner, Abreu is looking like the odd man out.
Peter Greenberg is one of the better agents in the business.
He’s definitely not Boras and the Yankees have a good relationship with him.
With this economy, I don’t see 7-10 year offers out there for anybody this off-season.
One of my largest clients is in business with the NFL. I’m one the road throughout the season at various NFL venues.
All I can say is, I’ve seen more empty seats in NFL Stadiums this year than I have in years.
I did the double dip last weekend. Giants Stadium in the day, the final game at Yankee Stadium at night. Giants Stadium was the emptiest (in the upper deck) I have ever remember seeing it.
Some folks will say that was because everybody was at Yankee Stadium. I think that’s spin.
By my untrained eyes, that stadium was 80% full.
If the NFL is feeling the effects of a bad economy, baseball certainly will.
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