A few late-night updates
-
- September
- 27
- It sounds like Derek Jeter is done as his left hand was bothering him during his two at-bats. Joe Girardi said Jeter would sit on Saturday. Asked whether he could play Sunday, Jeter didn’t seem optimistic. At this point, he might as well shut it down.
- Andy Pettitte said the MRI gave him some peace of mind. He also revealed that his shoulder injury was an inflamed rotator cuff. “I tried to pitch through it and it got worse,” he said. “But the doc said it would clear up once I rested.”
- Bobby Abreu was thrilled to get to 100 RBI. “It’s good, to do that for six straight years,” he said. “That’s what I wanted out of this game.” Abreu said he has enjoyed his time with the Yankees and hoped he could stay with the team.
ESPN’s Buster Olney believes the Yankees will offer Abreu arbitration. If he takes it, great. They get a productive player (even at a high salary) for one year. If he leaves, they get the draft pick. My guess: He signs a three-year deal with the Mets for $48 million.
- Girardi is pretty excited by what they’re seeing out of Brett Gardner. He’s keeping the ball out of the air, which is what they’ve been preaching to him,
- Daisuke Matsuzaka will pitch for Boston today against Ponson. Wakefield against Mussina on Sunday.
——————
Don Mattingly has a company that produces baseball equipment including an innovative bat. Skip Shaw, the President of Mattingly Baseball appeared on Blog Talk Radio to discuss the venture.Skip is a great baseball fan and a friend of this blog, so give a listen.
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on Saturday, September 27th, 2008 at 1:31 am by Peter Abraham.
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Peter Abraham
Pete,
I actually felt sorry for you tonight for having to sit through that long night of baseball.
I hope next season you and Girardi have a better year than 2008.
I’m all for retaining Bobby, but then I’m biased.
Was there rookie hazing tonight? If so what was the theme?
He signs a three-year deal with the Mets for $48 million.
why does it always seem that the Mets go out and sign/trade former Yankees? Rick LaDee was one of them last season.
Jennifer—it’s so late, maybe they’re saving it for tomorrow?
They made no mention on my9. And tomorrows game is fox. Oh great.
I’m still at a live baseball game.
Matt Garza on Sportscenter thanks the Yankees for taking care of the Sox tonight for them.
“Thank you Yankees.” ~Matt Garza
You’re welcome, Matt Garza.
Feels like graduation.
Jeter should sit out. Cody loves Fenway.
As for Gardner, I’m just glad he’s making contact. He seems to have a good eye at the plate. Maybe he can tutor Cano & Melky?
Wish that we could’ve seen Miranda for 100 ABs, too. But I think Gardner is the backup OF and Ransom is the super utility guy next season.
Too bad that Betemit had a rough season until the end. I think he ends up with the Dodgers.
Poor Scotty. His ERA’s above 6, I think we should call CPS.
You’re very welcome Matt Garza.
Too bad that Betemit had a rough season until the end. I think he ends up with the Dodgers.
seeing how Ransom pushed Betemit out the door. the Yanks might either DFA him or packaging him in some kind of a trade.
The Brewers have a unique way of celebrating walkoffs
pay attention to the belly
“The topper is that the game is being played under protest by SF and LA is now leading 5-4.”
GB7,
Is Nick protesting? Has he chained himself to Proctor?
again pay attention to the belly
Ugh, going to extras in SF. The replay delay left many here perlexed. No explanation was given to the paying customers, though some of us could figure it out. The Giants are playing the game under protest.
Ugh, going to extras in SF. The replay delay left many here perlexed. No explanation was given to the paying customers, though some of us could figure it out. The Giants are playing the game under protest.
hmm, so why they must pull out their tucked shirts after hitting a walk off homer? lol
So what does playing the game under protest mean?
Ed I think they like flashing thier belly buttons to thier fans
Ed I think they like flashing thier belly buttons to thier fans
LMAO…hahahas!
Nick,
I don´t know if it´s the Anchor Steam or the fact that you´re on a PDA but the quality of your posts are leaving me underwhelmed at the moment. COL!
COL = consternation out loud
Rebecca –
I think its because Molina wasn’t allowed to come back to finish round the bases after hitting his supposely “home run”.
What’s wrong with that? Braun has a six-pack and Fielder has a 6-quart…of jello.
Was Braun a basketball player? I saw a picture that looked like he was popping his jersey like ballers do.
Ed: I know that’s why they’re protesting, but I was wondering what playing a game under protest actually involves, if anything.
Blame it on the PDA and the IPA—post-Holbrook technology isn’t condusive to erudite posting.
mel
September 27th, 2008 at 1:57 am
“The topper is that the game is being played under protest by SF and LA is now leading 5-4.â€
GB7,
Is Nick protesting? Has he chained himself to Proctor?
_
Could be. I saw Proctor shaking his leg and trying to pry something loose from his leg.
By the way…Former Yankee Ass’t General Manager, Kim Ng is being considered for the GM job in Seattle.
Wasn’t Kim Ng with the Dodgers?
GB7,
She was with the Yankees, too? Last I saw she was in LA, right?
Rebecca, a team can play a game under protest if the manager of a team shows the umpires that they made a call that was a rules error. They can’t protest a play. George Brett’s pine tar game was a protested game.
The game is then restarted at the point of the rules error.
Rebecca –
think about the infamous pine tar game. I’m guessing the the Giants are protesting to have that inning reviewed and replay the game from that inning to the ending. something like an alternative ending?
GB7, you beat me by a minute to post that. lol
GB and Ed: Ah, okay. Thanks!
Yeah, Mel…she’s now the Dodger’s Assistant GM and was the second choice to Colletti.
So now that the Giants won, do they remove the protest?
Ozzie not happy with tonight’s effort. Called it the worst first 4, 5, 6 innings he’s seen.
That collapse couldn’t happen to a better guy. I could never be motivated by his methods.
Giants won the game, so, they’ll drop the protest.
Ed, i’ve been taking typing lessons from Mavis Beacon.
mel: What happens if you put Ozzie and the Mets pen in the same room??
Rebecca –
this is Kim Ng’s biography.
I’m actually glad that Mariners are considering her as a GM. She’s going to be the first Asian(chinese) and a woman GM. If she does get hired, you going to represent all Asian sports fan, and that would be awesome. (I’m Asian too)
You’re most welcome, Rebecca.
GB7, I could actually type fast but i just got interupted by instant messages. lol…
Wow, I had no idea she was from Ridgewood! That’s like ten minutes from my house!
There´s the Nick I´ve grown accustomed to!
Now I can sleep in peace knowing that our west coast brethren wasn´t lobotomized.
Next time you can just type in HLBRK and I´ll know you´re OK.
Rebecca, you’d be looking at some of the best adult television in history with Ozzie Guillen and the Mets bullpen.
funniest thing ever….arod left WITH the crowd tonight at fenway…i exited with the yankees’ families by accident, and he was on his way out….he just put his hood up and walked out next to a bunch of common sox and yankees fans…..no one had a CLUE it was him….pretty hilarious.
Watching a movie that I’d only heard about.
No…not that type of movie…
It’s called “Night Of The Lepus”...giant killer rabbits.
rob: That’s great.
I’m off, night all.
Ed, If you must make excuses for your typing, do one of two things….lie or blame it on drinking.
funniest thing ever….arod left WITH the crowd tonight at fenway…i exited with the yankees’ families by accident, and he was on his way out….he just put his hood up and walked out next to a bunch of common sox and yankees fans…..no one had a CLUE it was him….pretty hilarious.
LOL no way he makes it through a crowd in NY, he’s single now
All right the rabbit thing is weird. That’s my cue.
C-ya.
good night everyone whos online
mel
September 27th, 2008 at 2:28 am
All right the rabbit thing is weird. That’s my cue.
C-ya.
_
At first, I thought it was “Harvey Goes Postal”.
I really hope the Giants withdraw the protest now that they won, I don’t want to have to go back, my buddy was making me buy the beers even though he got the tix for free.
Now I’m waiting on a dangerous MUNI platform trying to avoid bitter Dodger fans. This could be the end for me. If so, I bequeath me last Moose Bar to Melky; he needs a pick-me-up.
GB 7 –
LOL, I could had blame it on drinking if I did went out to the bar tonight.
ok i’m out as well, night all…
Look I know this has been tough. It’s hard for us to picture the yanks out of it but we must make changes. It is time for Jeter to go. We need to deal him now while his value is still high. We can’t keep up this ‘old player’ mentality. If Hank is too stubborn to deal Jeter now for some young utility players then this team is lost.
sincerely,
fed up yankee loyalist
wow. what an absolute failure of a first season for girardi, in pretty much every aspect of the job.
here’s hoping mo’s shoulder heals quickly. he was great this year. pretty admirable what he, jeter and pettitte played through. hmmm, what else do those guys have in common?
Here’s a correction on the scoring from the SF/LA game. Bengie Molina gets credit for the 2 run homer, but, doesn’t get credit for the run scored because of the umpire screwup. They over ruled the single and called it a homer. Before the final ruling came down for the homer, SF sent in a pinch runner Burriss to run for Molina. Since Molina was lifted for a pinch runner, he wasn’t allowed back in the game, so the pinch runner finished the run around the bases and gets credited for the run scored. Molina gets credit for a home run and 2 RBI, but, no run scored. Elias should have fun trying to find out whether this has ever happened before. Should be fun.
kasey
September 27th, 2008 at 3:38 am
wow. what an absolute failure of a first season for girardi, in pretty much every aspect of the job.
here’s hoping mo’s shoulder heals quickly. he was great this year. pretty admirable what he, jeter and pettitte played through. hmmm, what else do those guys have in common?
_
They never had to read any of your posts?
last
anyone figure out how to get live audio or video of yanks on iPhone?
I just wanted to say, I could not stay away for last night’s game. (I had not slept the night before, battling some food poisoning – ugh.) I can’t wait to watch the encore this morning. I’m glad YES has the encore rights to MY9 games.
Joe Girardi had said that he would be watching guys closely to see how they played in the post-elimination games – meaning what effort they gave to the games. It seems to me that Robbie Cano and Brett Gardner, based on the in-game posts I just read, would be saying – see, Joe, I want to be here!
stay AWAKE for last night’s game. (!)
(Guess the caffeine hasn’t kicked in yet.)
Pete – Sounds like you had a rough 24 hours. Rest up.
Doreen – Sorry to hear/read about your food poisoning. Hope you’re better today.
Baseball analysis – I agree, I think IF Bobby accepts arbitration for a one year deal, he might be back. However, if he really wants that multiyear pact, then Hello, Mets. They are desperate for an corner OF, and he still put up good numbers this year. Although, we’ll see how good those numbers and OF play look when he’s 1-2 years older.
I watched Sport Center this morning and I think I heard this right: “If closing down Yankee Stadium was like closing down the Taj Majal, then closing down Shea Stadium is like closing down the family pool.”
I saw there was discussion about Kim Ng last night. A la the six degrees of separation, her father-in-law and I work together and are good friends. He always keeps me posted on her progress.
“So what does playing the game under protest mean?”
you know, if cashman stays as the yankee gm for 2009, i’m watching 2009 under protest.
Doreen
Hope you are feeling better.
Watching the encore is cheating. You can’t get the full effect of the “Boston Marathon” everyone else endured.
“Baseball analysis – I agree, I think IF Bobby accepts arbitration for a one year deal, he might be back. However, if he really wants that multiyear pact, then Hello, Mets.”
Tough call for the Yankees because of his age, but it’s not a tough call for Abreu. This is his last shot at cashing in. He’s going to pass on arbitration. I think the best the Yankees can hope for is to retain him for two years guaranteed and a fairly easy to vest option year.
I hope Kim gets that job. She is one of the brightest people in the game and is ready to take the next step.
It would be a great hire for the Mariners.
Holy crap a women for a GM how rarely do you see that? I saw hire her if she has great baseball knowledge
I’m down with anything as long as Bobby comes back.
If Ng takes Seattle, does that necessarily mean the odds of Cashman returning go up a lot?
If Ng doesn’t get Seattle, would she be in the running for Yankee GM if Cash declines to return?
Joe from LI and Pat –
Thanks. Feeling better today, at least I slept! Pat – you’re right about feeling like I’m cheating with the encore.
Jeter needs to sit, partly because I want him to hit .300, but mostly because there’s no point to his playing.
Doreen, I hope you’re feeling better; food poisoning is nasty.
I like Bobby, but I agree with Pete
offer him arb, which he won’t accept (nor should he) and take the picks. He’s been a very good player for the Yankees and he’s a good guyI wish him the best of luck wherever he goes.I’m still not sure what to make of Brett Gardner; sure he’s showing improvement, but what’s going to happen when the pitchers adjust to him? I don’t have confidence that he’s going to even be a .250 hitter, but I do like his speed and his effort. He can be a real asset off the bench.
“I’m down with anything as long as Bobby comes back.”
I’m a little torn on it. Certainly some merit in keeping him. Consistency, great at bats, fits nicely in that 3 hole, etc. However, his defense isn’t very good anymore and he’s at that age where you have to be concerned about him falling off a bit, especailly in the testing era. He’ll require 3 years. Paying him $16M per at ages 36-38 represents a little risk.
If he did go, they would get a 1st rounder, quite likely the Mets 1st rounder. That would be some consolation.
“hmmm, what else do those guys have in common?”
They’re getting older and can’t hold up to the exertion of a 162 game season?
“If Ng takes Seattle, does that necessarily mean the odds of Cashman returning go up a lot?”
Baseball talking heads seem to believe that Cashman’s future with the Yankees will be determined by this time next week. I’d guess the M’s don’t make a move til they have a more complete sense of who’s available.
The other reason to sit Jeter for the last 2 games is that he is right at .300.
“The other reason to sit Jeter for the last 2 games is that he is right at .300.”
Jeter would eat his cleats before taking games off to preserve his batting average. He’s hurt. Let’s leave it at that.
Wow – where were all those sac flies all season?
(Watching the encore)
“That’s what I wanted out of this game.†MR. Abreu
Once again proving he is a “ME first” kinda guy. We have too many of those guys right now. ROD, Abreu, Giambi, and Damon are more concerned with their own stats than the team concept. Bringing Abreu back would be a BIG mistake, and would just delay the inevitable even longer. Cashman needs to get rid of all these guys except ROD, or else the attitude of this team will not change next year.
And Gardner looks very, very impressive. He’s one of those guys – it seems – who will work extremely hard to make the most of what he’s got. Feisty. Gritty. And apparently coachable. The Yankees could do worse than give him a shot.
In all fairness, what else is there, really, to play for at this point than some personal goals? Plus, if a guy can get 100 rbi, that’s going to help the team most times, isn’t it?
Plus, what’s he supposed to do? Shut it down because they’re out of the running?
Jeter shut down-good-finishes with .300 average.
Pettitte-pitching with inflamed rotator cuff-pitched 204 innings. I wouldn’t be in any rush to resign him. See what else is available to us in FA/trade market first, as he won’t play for anyone else. Was his pitching with a bad cuff gutsy or just plain stupid. When did the Yankees know this?
Abreu- Great year-best suited at DH-some very good 2010 FA’s for outfield-offer arbitration and be prepared for him to walk. Also Jackson might be ready by 2010.
Mussina- offer arbitration, possibly think of 2 year deal based on innings pitched to allow him chance at 300 wins.
Brett Gardner- excited about him too, especially hitting off Halladay, one of the best pitchers around. If he could hit .270 steal 50 bases, bunt and play excellent defense his first full season we have ourselves a starting outfielder, IMO. We need more contact hitters who can work the count. Will he measure up??
Lastly, if Willie Randolph doesn’t get a managing position bring him back along with Larry Bowa to be 3rd base/bench coach.
Good lord, when things don’t go right for his teams, Evan Roberts(on WFAN) voice rises to another level that is just painful.
Ponson versus Matsuzaka says sums up everything that is wrong.
(sorry for typo)
Ponson versus Matsuzaka sums up everything that is wrong.
I don’t know how they’re going to play the next 2 games. The forecast is dismal for today AND tomorrow. Would they play a DH on Monday?
Um well it sure didn’t help us that much this season. Anyone could hit for 100 RBI in the #3 hole when you have a hall of famer in front and back of you. Its not like teams gameplan for Bobby Abreu. STATS mean jacksquat when the team is not winning games. Other than Abreu’s “ALLMIGHTY STATS” there is no other argument for keeping him, he is old, DOGS IT in the OF, and has a “ME FIRST” attitude. Some of you need to really think and not believe everything some writer tells you.
“Lastly, if Willie Randolph doesn’t get a managing position bring him back along with Larry Bowa to be 3rd base/bench coach.”
Don’t think we need to worry about Randolph getting a managing gig this year. Not sure why Bowa would leave the Torre and the Dodgers.
Paul Newman died.
R.I.P. Paul Newman
The LAST THING I have picked up with Abreu is a “me first” attitude. Maybe we’ve been watching two different players.
Anyway, there are two predictions I am willing to make and almost believe they are etched in stone. Okay three.
1. Cashman will be back
2. Abreu will be back
3. Cano is going nowhere but to the Bronx.
NOW – this isn’t meant to set off an emotional maelstrom. If any of this doesn’t happen, it doesn’t. So this isn’t necessary an invitation to debate who you love and who you don’t. I’m just giving you my gut feeling on what the Yanks will do.
I survive nicely no matter what they do. They decide, I root. An easy formula.
“That’s what I wanted out of this game.†Abreu said”
Didn’t take this as a “me first” statement as much as an acknowledgement that it was a meaningless game to the Yankees and you take what you can get.
In a hypothetical where they lost last night and that loss eliminated the Yankees from postseason contention, I don’t see Abreu making such a statement.
“Paul Newman died.”
Wow. That almost feels surrealistic. He’s been an icon and part of the American fabric for such a long time.
God bless you Paul and thank you for all you gave of yourself.
Good piece by Mark Kriegel of FoxSports.com re: Joe Torre. Pure class.
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/8609834/Out-west,-Torre-takes-the-high-road?CMP=OTC-K9B140813162&ATT=49
This is just a question and don’t “skewer” me for this!
Would any of us be interested in Ichiro, if he wanted out of Seattle? Closest to a “Pete Rose” type of player, efficient basestealer, would show more power in Yankee Stadium, stays in great shape, no signs of slowing down.
Stay with me now Let’s say Ng becomes Seattle GM, Ichiro wants out, a deal is worked with the Yankees involving Matsui, and others.
Would a lineup looking like this make us any better?
Damon LF
Jeter SS
Ichiro RF
A-Rod 3B
Dunn DH -don’t shoot me on this one, if he could cut down on strikeouts he’d hit 40-50 homers and could probably be had for a 3-4 year contract, less than Teixeira.
Nady 1B
Posada C
Cano 2B
Gardner CF
I still think our success next year starts with getting two quality starting pitchers.
Thoughts?
Trisha
Cashman will be back- for three years and Theo money.
Abreu might be back if he accepts arbitration.
Cano will not get traded, and this is a big UNLESS, the Yankees are overwhelmed with an offer that includes a terrific starting pitcher, should they be unable to sign CC/Burnett.
YT:
1) No on Ichiro. Would cost too much in prospects to get him.
2) Dunn?? Maybe. I don’t think he’ll be as inexpensive as you think.
3) Nady can’t play 1st. There’s no evidence that he’s as good as Giambi at that position. It’s no accident he’s an outfielder.
Sad news about Paul Newman. I met him a couple of times and for all his fame he had no celebrity attitude. Just a really nice guy.
Per MLBTR, the Jays are propsing adding 2 years to Burnett’s present deal at $15M per. This, in effect would be a 4 year/$54M deal. I’m guessing it may not be enough. I think they’re about $10M light.
pat –
My step-dad met him years ago in an airport bar, I think it was, and had the same reaction to him. I know he was old, 83, but it still takes me aback that he’s passed on.
*proposing
Sexon hasn’t played in what feels like months. He must really be in Girardi’s doghouse.
Trader…
Sign Abreu, he only cost money.
Sign Moose, he’s figured how to pitch with his stuff.
Sign at least one FA starting pitcher (hopefully CC).
Keep Melky as a backup to Gardner in case he doesn’t continue to improve.
Save any trades for in season pitching staff trades.
I have a strange feeling that AJ will take the extension with the Jays.
We need to recruit harder.
Clint, the Yanks DFAd him in August.
Re-sign Abreu and trade Matsui. Sign CC and Tex.
Sign Ben Sheets for 1B
Trade Edwar and Britton for Ryan Spilborghs
How wide of a grin do you think Willie Randolph has on now?
Wow, I knew Paul Newman was sick but I didn’t realize he was that sick.
2008 has been an awful year for actors and sci-fi writers…
Newman was a class act. He had a lot of charities that he gave time and money to. Cool Hand Luke.
He also had a very long marriage, something very unusual in Hollyweird.
Back to baseball, there is a lot more talk about Mussina retiring after this season ends. In some ways it makes sense for him to go out on a high note, but this year he showed that he is still able to pitch well enough to get the job done. Maybe its that he would need probably 3 seasons to get to 300 wins. I hope he will come back for another go, I think he would be a positive influence in the clubhouse.
I think the issue for Moose is that he’d have to likely pitch three more seasons to get to 300 and I’m not sure he wants to come back for another three years.
An if he does pitch well tomorrow, there’s o better way to go out than while on top.
I don’t think anybody can label Abreu as a ‘me first’ player. He did what was best for the team plenty of times during the season, moving runners with a ground ball to right, situational hitting, wearing out the opposing pitcher with long at-bats, etc. Much has been said about him being a bad outfielder: look at his fielding percentage this year (his personal best). The truth is that given the Yankees outlook in the outfield (Damon and Matsui can no longer patrol the field consistenly), they would be wise to re-sign Abreu for 2 years with an option for the 3rd, while trying to trade Matsui. Abreu adds consistency to the lineup.
Manny Ramirez
WPA:7.02
Alex Rodriguez
WPA:0.32
Yankees need Manny Yankees need Manny
Yankees need Manny Yankees need Manny
Yankees need Manny Yankees need Manny
Doreen: I know this is late, but I hope you are feeling better!
Thanks, Rebecca.
I’m better, but I’m also finding out this morning that 4 cups of coffee after not having eaten much in the past 24-plus hours is not a good idea!
Eeep! No, that’s not the greatest idea ever…
(I can’t even drink one cup of coffee without an awful reaction, so…)
Rebecca –
It makes me light-headed that much caffeine without food. But that’s my normal morning- 4 cups of coffee (6 oz cups, so the equivalent of 2 large).
So, ya think Britton’s gonna be back next season?????
Ooops, well, if Melky makes the catch, the game’s over, but I guess the weather had something to do with that.
Still, ya think Britton’s back??????
Doreen: I think things would have to go very, very wrong for Britton to be back.
VERY wrong!
Doreen – glad that you are feeling better.
Rebecca – I can’t see Moose pitching beyond next year. I don’t think he would get more than a one year at a time contract anyway. By the way I sent a letter too.
Cut bait now with Moose, Pavano and Pettitte – save $40MM in salary and sign AJ Burnett and CC – Cost about $40MM for those 2!
Wow – I just looked at the radar map – Fenway is right on the border of the rain right now. It’s clear right over Fenway and to the east. To the west is mess.
Fran: Yeah, I don’t think Moose would want to pitch beyond next year, either.
Anyone else think Pete’s overslept a little?
“Cut bait now with Moose, Pavano and Pettitte – save $40MM in salary and sign AJ Burnett and CC – Cost about $40MM for those 2!”
Does anybody realize that AJ Burnett can beat the Yankees just fine, but is awful against the rest of baseball? Why would we want to sign a mediocre pitcher, who has a long history of being injury prone and can’t throw strikes consistently? Didn’t we already have Jaret Wright?
More I think about it Cashman should go.
I do not balme him for not trading for Santana.
But, when Wang went down and later Joba went down, he did nothing to replace them. Instead he leaned on Rasner and Ponson. The fact is Ownership was willing to spend but Cash went cheap.
It is like he gave up on the season mid year.
With a good replacement for Wang, we would have won the Wildcard.
I would like to see Showalter as GM and Stick as his advisor (and to Hank too
)
I would love…LOVE..if they let Abreu go and have an outfield of Damon, Gardner, and Ransom. Thats a fourth place outfield right there.
“It is like he gave up on the season mid year.
With a good replacement for Wang, we would have won the Wildcard.”
Cashman wasn’t going to mortgage the future, just to “win the wildcard” Fact of the matter is, even WITH Ponson and Rasner pitching, if our offense did what they were ‘supposed’ to do, we would’ve made the playoffs. Throwing Ponson and Rasner out there wasn’t the problem (obviously it didn’t really help), but when you score 3 runs or fewer 40% of the time, pitching isn’t the reason you don’t make the playoffs.
Dave Robertson has pitched 3.2 scoreless innings, lowering his ERA to 5.52 on the season.
BBFan, I don’t consider trading for Nady/Marte/Pudge to be giving up, even if the Pudge deal didn’t exactly work out.
We don’t know if there were any extenuating circumstances, and Joba was doing just fine filling in for Wang. By the time he got hurt, the trade deadline had passed so Cashman was very limited in options.
They should have done a better job preparing for Phil and Ian not to be effective, but I don’t think anyone expected them to fail as quickly and totally as they did.
“Cashman wasn’t going to mortgage the future”
Then why did he trade for Nady giving up some good prospects?
See, if you get hung up with the prospects you will not win as frequently as yankees are expected to win.
I also do not like mortgaging the future. But when you have surplus in some areas you need to use them to fill the gaps to win. Getting a decent starting pitcher would not have robbed our minors. Now we have to expose many of them to rule V any way.
I’d still make it CC, Wang, Burnett, Joba and Hughes with same payroll on starting staff as they have now!
Hughes—if Cashman lets Abreu walk and doesn’t have a tanible replacement for him, then we know he is working for the Red Sox.
First not trading for Santana, now letting our best clutch hitter walk and replacing him with Bubba Crosby-light.
The main problem I see is that this team’s age and construction (built for the 3 run homer) finally caught up to it this year. Missing two of our big boppers (Jorge and Hideki) really shortened the lineup plus Cano’s decision to fall off the face of the earth. Look at the team’s that are going to be in the playoffs and you dont see many teams as old as our Yankees. Add to that the fact that 60% of our rotation was injured and/or ineffective by June and you had a recipe for disaster. The only hope I have is this 3rd place finish tosses a shock to the system like it did for Boston in ‘06 and the front office shakes things up this off season. I say find a trade for a nice 20 something first baseman who can handle the lumber like a professional sign some big time pitchers and focus on the little things again.
Look for the purse strings to be tightened this off season given the economy. Hal, who apparently is calling the shots, should well know this. Perhaps one lucrative contract to CC if he’s a taker, and that’s it. The arbitration findings should also be lower. If any of the free agents do come back it’s for considerably reduced numbers….other than Moose and possibly Andy (for nostalgia and a positive clubhouse presence mainly) it’s doubtful anyone else will return.
As to Bobby, his closing comment (statistics, man) says it all. If Pete is correct and he does sign with the Mets, it’s a good fit…Beltran can provide cover for some of Bobby’s deficiencies. If Omar goes for the numbers Pete mentioned, he is out of touch with the financial world as we know it today and tomorrow.
Who is Rule V eligible this year that isn’t going to be protected by the 40 man roster?
BBFan, the only top level prospect we dealt in that trade was Tabata.
Tabata might become excellent and end up biting us in the bum, but he might not. The fact is, at this time, Austin Jackson has developed more and seems to have a higher ceiling than Tabata, so the latter was dealt.
I don’t really consider it mortgaging the future.
They need to bring Abreu back….the Yankees have the money.
No way that Abreu is a “me first” ballplayer that is just silly, he has never played that way.
I can’t believe that people actually say nonsense such as “anybody can hit 100 rbi’s in the number 3 spot”...Oh really than why don’t they? Also Abreu has hit 100 rbi’s for 6 straight seasons (a feat accomplished by only 2 other players in baseball) and 100 rbi’s in 7 of his last 8 seasons, 85 rbi’s in the one year he didn’t reach 100 which is not too shabby.
Let’s also mention his 20 home runs (only exceeded by Arod Giambi) 39 doubles (most on the team), 4 triples, 71 walks, 21 stolen bases, 10 assists, BA right at .300…Abreu has played his butt off for the Yankees for the last 2 and a half years.
The Yankees need to do whatever it takes to keep him…I think a one-year arbitration based deal would be an insult to the man. Offer him a good 3 year deal or at least a 2 year deal with an option for a third.
If not Bobby should take the big money multi year deal from the Mets, hell if he does I’ll probably start watching a lot of Mets games (I really don’t follow any NL teams currently and Bobby is a great player to watch)
“BBFan, I don’t consider trading for Nady/Marte/Pudge to be giving up, even if the Pudge deal didn’t exactly work out.”
I did not mean that. I gave it as an example that Cash did trade bluechips for Nady and Mortgaging the future is not the issue.
My point was Cash did not see the need to trade for a decent SP when Wang went down. Because of the success we had with Small and Chacon, Cash thought we could get away with the same approach again. Unfortunately, we failed in the last season of the Yankee Stadium.
ERic Duncun is not gonna be protected he’s eligible I think?
Cashman says he wants to get younger, faster, and more athletic in the OF, then he trades our crown jewel 5-tool prospect Tabata for Nady…. a role player who is slow, plays average defense, and is a free agent after next year.
Cashman is contradicting his own plan. What has Hughes done to gain untouchable stats yet Tabata who is the youngest player in AA and our best position prospect who struggled for a couple of months is reduced to being traded for a role player?
And the funny part is we didn’t even need Marte OR Nady. Our BP was lights out and we didn’t need another OF. What we really needed was a starting pitcher and Cashman balked on that.
BBFan: We didn’t trade for a starter after Wang went down because Joba filled his shoes quite nicely.
He ended up our number one and then all we needed was a #5. At the time, the cost of trading for someone like CC would have been beyond prohibitive.
Rebecca, I am not the one who wrote that we mortgaged future with Nady trade. In fact, I liked that trade. All I am saying is that when Wang went down, if we traded for a decent SP, we might have made the playoffs.
Anybody who thinks that Jackson has a higher ceiling than Tabata just doesn’t understand baseball.
Y26: I disagree about Nady-
I think we could have gotten by without Marte, though it was a question of time before Farnsworth blew up-but we really did need the RH bat.We lost Tabata, but we’ve got a whole slew of other young guys such as Jackson, and Nady isn’t exactly old himself.
“He ended up our number one and then all we needed was a #5. At the time, the cost of trading for someone like CC would have been beyond prohibitive.”
We did not need a CC type. We needed someone better than Rasner or Ponson.
The “sleeper” choice for first base is, IMO, Chris Davis of Texas. Package some young pitching potential for Nolan Ryan and it’s a distinct possibility. Davis has been playing out of position at third recently to accomodate a move of Blaylock to first. The Rangers have alternatives at third; if the deal is sweet enough, Nolan could well go for it. We have the potential arms to do the deal; keys from the Yankee vantage point are (i) CC, and (ii) Mo..if he is not sound, Joba stays in the bullpen.
Yeah but nobody wants Eric Duncan MoBoy. And can we please get over the Santana fetish around here. What was it 7 years 137m and at least two major prospects with others of various skill? No thanks.
I like Ransom, he should be apart of our bench next year
Trading for a decent starting pitcher wasn’t going to get us into the playoffs. Rasner and Ponson aren’t the reason we didn’t make the playoffs. The inconsistent offense and the fact that everybody disappeared with RISP is the reason. You don’t make the playoffs when you can’t score more than 3 runs a game. That has 0 to do with losing Wang, that’s on the starting lineup 1 – 9.
Here is the photo of A-Rd not tipping his cap-
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/teams/nyy/photos;_ylt=AozbYxK8C4g3f9tZgHAlDIIi0bYF#photoViewer=urn%3Anewsml%3Asports.yahoo%2Cgetty%3A20050301%3Amlb%2Cphoto%2Ccf53d05645d3ee5d76316f2fd74dd313-getty-80322904mh086_baltimore_ori%3A1
Him and Juan Miranda (i think) are the only ones in the photo who are not.
BBFan: My apologies.
It seems like the battle lines are really drawn on this board as to Bobby. If you look at the cold numbers you are with him, if you are more subjective, you say let him go, though he is really a nice, sensitive man.
“I like Ransom, he should be apart of our bench next year”
I agree.
But it is not a given.
I doubt Yanks will waste a spot on 40 for him.
If no one claims then Yanks will bring him back on minor league contract and play the roster in spring training to get him on the Big Club.
Yeah no thank you to Bobby Abreu for 3 years. We need to let A-Rod bat 3rd next year to take the pressure off of him and (if we sign Tex let him clean up) let maybe Matsui clean up since the man is mister consistent. Plus I wont be subjected to Abreu’s subpar right field play. (Although admittedly he is usually better than the adventure Melky had with the fog last night lol)
Tabata has something Jackson doesn’t have—- an advanced understanding of the strike zone and excellent plate discipline. And he is 2 years younger than Jackson. He also has shown he is a high average hitter. Both have comparable speed… 25 SB guys.
I would rather have those traits from my player than a .275 hitter with some power (13-14 HRs) who strikes out 120 times like Jackson. Not saying Jackson is a bad player, but Tabata is clearly better.
I don’t think there is anyway you can take the pressure of Alex. He will always be the most scrutinized member of the Yankees, even if he hits 50 home runs and a .330 BA.
The Yankees are 9 – 5 in games started by Sidney Ponson this year. That’s a .642 winning percentage. On the flip side, the Yankees are 8 – 12 in games started by Darrell Rasner this season, which is .400 winning percentage. But, that number is a little bit skewed, because there were 3 starts this season where he went 6 innings, giving up 1 run; 8 innings giving up 2 runs and 5 innings giving up 2 runs….He lost all those games. Our record in his games could easily have been 11 – 9, whic still isn’t great, but for a 5th starter, is more than capable.
Cobra: Jackson has also only recently decided to become a baseball player, as opposed to a pure athlete.
We’ll see how he does at AAA ball.
Oh, and Ryan Howard only hits something like .250, but I’ll take that when you give me 48 home runs and some crazy number of RBI.
Chris: Agreed. The Yankees aren’t missing the playoffs because of Rasner and Ponson.
Bobby plays for Bobby. He always has and he always will. He never has been, and never will be a winner. His comments of last evening tell it like it is. Though not intended as such, he is a negative influence on Cano who, as we know, is most impressionable. He is the “Anti-Jeter”.
He will not be re-signed, and you can take that to the bank.
Wilson, there was a picture on ESPN that showed A-Rod with his hat off along with all the other players. This is just BS stuff about him not tipping his hat.
Go to the below address and then tell me that A-Rod didn’t tip his hat, unlike everyone else.
http://assets.espn.go.com/photo/2008/0923/mlb_g_yankees_600.jpg
lol That crazy number of RBI would be 146 currently Rebecca. Yowza.
Just finished playing the back nine at my local course in the heavy fog that has engulfed Southern Cal…..As I read todays postings there is one that catches my eye…..Y26, the Nady /Marte trade was actually a fine deal as it was designed not only for this season’s playoff push but to strenghten the team for next season as well..It provided the team with a very needed RH bat plus an outstanding LH releiver….Many applauded the move, sadly Joba went down a week later in Texas and that roadtrip in early August basically sank the playoff aspirations that we all had…
Did anybody realize that Wily Taveras of the Rockies has 68 stolen bases, but only 120 hits and around a .250 batting average? If he was a more capable hitter, say around .270 and got 175 hits in the season, he’d more than likely be right around 95 – 100 steals?
the way to “take the pressure off Arod” is to give him the support Big Papi had until 7/31, and I don’t think the Yankees will do that. Certainly not if the membership of this board were to cast the determining ballots.
Therefore, he is “Our Guy” warts and all, for the next NINE years. Though it need not be said, he is untradeable even if the Club were so inclined.
Wilson
If you don’t like M Nuts picture, here’s another one for you. They all tipped their caps to the fans. Time to look for another windmill to tilt at.
http://search.espn.go.com/results?searchString=yankee%20stadium&start=45&dims=8%2019
My two cents…the Nady trade was a very good trade and it
will prove to be even better next year. Nady is a very solid player, a grinder who is there day in and day and plays for the team, a guy who would have fit very well into team of 96 – 01.
Good morning, guys.
Doreen, good to see you bounce back. Nothing can keep you down.
While I enjoy thrashing the Sox last night. And while I was none too pleased to see a 3-spot last night, it was freaky to see the final score.
Let’s hope last night’s game closes the book on one of the darkest chapters in current Yankee history.
The kiddies get to play, Moose goes for his 20th with a little help from his friends. Some of whom are headed for greener pastures. Or just the pasture.
Giambi will find a home. I mean if Thomas, Thome, and Stairs are employable. I hope it’s Oakland rather than Tampa. Abreu will get a 3 year deal with someone, guaranteed. If not, maybe he comes back for a two-year deal. Cody increased his stock value. Hope he’s not picked up, if what someone said about the 40-man is true.
Just for fun, the question of the day is: Where does Pavano end up?
Personally, I think he’d be a great fit for the Mets. Pedro’s done, right? Right?
Rob NY:
Of course nobody wants Eric.But the question someone asked was who is eligible and won’t get protected and we all know Duncan sadly hasn’tlived up to first round status.
I am not too keen on Cashman but his 7/31 deals have been good. It’s his free agency signings that are suspect.
“But the question someone asked was who is eligible and won’t get protected”
I asked the question but I meant someone the Yankees would fear losing.
There is no way Abreu isn’t coming back. He has expressed interest that he wants to continue playing in NY. And I’m pretty sure the Yanks want him back since he has been so good. The only guys who won’t be returning next year are Pavano, Giambi, Pudge, and Melky.
Mel –
I also thinks Pavano will end up with the Mets. Remember during the waiver deadline, the Mets had shown interest in Pavano? As for Cody Ransom, sadly he’s going to be a FA this offseason. I think Girardi should have the final say on who he wants on the team. The whole front office should realize by now the Ransom is better than Betemit defensively and offensively.
Bobby will get a deal. Some losing team with a GM who does not look behind the numbers will sign him to a multi-year contract.
There is a deal for almost everyone who looks good on paper (other than Bonds); that’s why some teams win and some have to lose. Look at Jose Guillen. Given his track record for discordant conduct would you sign him especially for a tranquil city such as Kansas City? No, but they did. Not that Booby is a Jose….to the contrary, he’s a nice guy…and that will count in some quarters.
You guys are judging Ransom based on his limited appearances in the majors. That’s not fair. Betemit isn’t amazing, but the guy has been clutch and is a veteran.
On the ARod tipping hat issue, I saw him do it when I was there last Sunday. He didn’t keep it up like other players, he put it back on his head and started clapping. If you are going for the negative ARod issue, you should have gone with the body language during Jeter’s speech (arms crossed). Honestly, IMO he was fine that night. It was not the All-Star game part 2. He said near the dugout and signed balls etc. for a long time that night. If you wanted to go near the dugout, you had a good chance of getting something signed.
Cashman has learned by now that his love affair with Betamit has wilted. He will not be back. If he is, then Cashman shouldn’t.
Pat –
Go to this site:
http://mvn.com/milb-yankees/2008/09/24/checking-in-on-the-40-man/
Betemit’s status on the team is very irrelevant. The main offseason issues will be starting pitching, acquiring a free agent, 1st base, the outfield, the bullpen.
Expanding on Chris’ point:
1) The initial starting rotation of Wang, Mussina, Pettitte , Hughes and IPK started 99 games this year. The Yankees record in those games was 54-45, a .545 winning percentage
2) In the 61 games started by anyone else, the Yankees have gone 34-27, a .557 winning percentage.
3) Let’s say, for the sake of argument, Wang’s 18 missed starts went to Rasner. Yankees went 8-12 in Rasner’s starts, so we’ll use 7-11 to cover 18 missed Wang starts. The Yankees have won 69.5% of the games started by Wang over his career. 18 missed starts times .695 = 13. That is a difference of 6 games, which happens to be the deficit today.
4) However, if you assume Wang’s starts went to Rasner, you must also assume the 45 starts missed by IPK and Hughes went to everyone else. In those 45 starts by the replacements for the #4 and #5 starters, the Yankees went 11 games over .500, which is exceptional for the low end of the rotation. There’s not much reason to believe off of what we saw this year that IPK and Phil would have conspired to carry the Yankees to 11 games over .500 over those 45 starts. In fact, there’s nothing we saw that suggested they’d carry them to .500 in those games.
In the end, the Yankees still need a horse in the rotation, but being on the outside looking in this year has been as much about the offense and below average defense as it has been anything.
I hold out that the season’s outcome / fate wasn’t directly a result of pitching….When a club cores 3 or less runs in approx 45 % of their games it takes it’s toll…..Yes losing Wang / Chamberlain, the failure of Hughes and Kennedy to stay healthy and be make the leap to the next level hurt…But when the final numbers are in , it was the lack of productive hitting that doomed the 2008 NY Yankees….
Pat M,
You are absolutely correct. No consistency means no productive hitting. Most of what might appear to some to be laudable stats, were the result of “pile on” or “cherry on top” or “icing on the cake” at bats…...the Yankees of the 2004 to 2008 “run’ are famous for that…. 16-3, 10-2, 0-2, 1-3, 1-2, etc. One needs to look behind the numbers; When and under what circumstances was the hitting done. Conventional stats do not tell the story. RISP, for example: does it tell you whether the score was 1-2 in the 8th inning, or 10-2? No.
Unless and until the team is “remade” with guys who know how to hit when it counts, pay little attention to stats, play to win and not for the numbers, this team will continue to wallow in its own mess, Jeter notwithstanding.
Bring in the grinders, not the softees who “play for statistics”!!!! We need the Pedroia type, in the mold of O’Neil, Brosius, Tino, Bernie, DJ, not the present day composition. Pedroia has 1/2 the talent of our present incumbent, but who would you rather have? Gardner may well be a good starting point. He has shown a willingless to learn and adapt to a given roll. Kudos to Girardi et al for recognizing the potential and working with what is given.
Why does my vag smell? I am feeling…mmm…not so fresh.