Today in the playoffs
-
- October
- 13
ALCS Game 3: Tampa Bay (Garza) at Boston (Lester), 4:37 p.m. on TBS
NLCS Game 4: Philadelphia (Blanton) at Los Angeles (Lowe), 8:22 p.m. on FOX
——————
From today’s Journal News, here is the story I did on Boston starter Jon Lester.
Not much news in Yankeeland these days. The organizational meetings are expected to be later this week or next week in Tampa and at that point we could get some clarity into a few situations. The biggest story to come out of the meetings could be whether there are any changes to the coaching staff. Bobby Meacham appears to be on thin ice.
I’ve been assigned to cover the game at Fenway Park today and I’ll blog on a few items here and there.
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on Monday, October 13th, 2008 at 12:52 pm by Peter Abraham.
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Peter Abraham
Pete, why are you at Fenway? is your paper making you go? that place smells!
Bobby Meacham on thin ice?
Good news! They need to him the door. Especially since he doesn’t seem to see well enough to find it by himself.
Doh, I meant to write “they need to show him the door”
Pete are you speculating on Bobby, or have you heard? I know fans want him gone, but what is the likelyhood?
looks like i hurt someone’s feelings…
just got caught up on a *weekend’s worth of posts. guess is should have read the entire post before commenting
Meacham sure does make a convenient scapegoat. Any of 15 players on this year’s Yankees were less effective in their job than Meacham was in his. Can’t fire the players though.
I cant wait till the playoffs are over. It kills me to see other teams schedules on a Yankee website. Something just doesnt seem right about it. Hopefully the Yanks will make sure we dont have to see that for at least another 14 years.
LONGHORNS!!COLTS!! Great weekend!!
I say we have Jeter be our third base coach. Being that hes the best baserunner we have. When hes up have another player by commitee take over. Little league style.
I don’t like Meacham and he does nee to go, but I don’t blame him for the 2008 season going into the toilet.
No one is blaming Meacham for the entire season. But he cost us plenty of games this year. He did an awful job. Yes some players did an awful job too this year but that doesnt mean we can replace them. There arent really a ton of players you can obtain to replace Robinson Cano or whoever else you want to blame. Especially without hurting your team in the process (prospects.)
Meacham was part of many problems this year and is replaceable. To not replace him is insanity. Maybe he goes somewhere else someday and does a decent job coaching in some aspect. But so far he failed here with us and does not deserve another chance to fail here. Good luck Good BYE
Meacham was not a good 3B coach but what was really scary was when it was said that Girardi preferred brainstorming with him to discussing things with Pena and other more experienced and successful MLB-hardened coaches.
For that alone they have to get him out of there and get Girardi consulting with people who can actually help him develop as a manager.
I was on a flight coming back to NYC yesterday and we flew over the 2 Yankee stadiums – the new one appears a good bit bigger.
sos, those new rankings are bogus! BOGUS!!
7-0 > 6-0
simple math!
The guy they need to put on thin ice is Kevin Long, he can’t afford to make excuses next season of not correcting a batter’s approach because he is a .314 career hitter, your the batting coach adjustments is your job and if you can’t tell them we’ll find someone that can. The BP coach and pitching coordinator get an B- from me they did an amazing not just good amazing job w/ the pitching staff
I say we have Hank as the new 3rd base coach. At least he might then show up to some of the games…
“But he cost us plenty of games this year.”
If plenty = less than 3, then you are correct. Poor play cost the Yankees about 15 times that.
Can somebody please tee off on Lester today? The Angels and Rays have made him look like Johan Santana…he isn’t that good, right?
So Fredo, should we just ignore Meacham’s failures because he wasn’t the biggest problem? He was a problem this year and if the Yankees decide there are coaches that help the team more than he does they should replace him.
saucy,
Now now. Its the final rankings that matter. Run the tables and im sure you will be playing in that final game. BTW the nittany lions are the only other team i root for. I couldnt completely dump them.
Longhorns have their handsfull the next 2 weeks. Missouri and Ok st. Tex tech is also no roll over.
Meachum didn’t cost the Yankees plenty of games. People give coaches far to much credit and far too much blame.
In the end the players play the games. The truth is Meachum got about 3 more runners thrown out than Bowa. So obviously Bowa cost the Dodgers plenty of games also, right?
As Fredo said the Yankees needed a scapegoat and Meachum fits the bill.
Brandon –
Tino Martinez for hitting coach? He could be like Don Mattingly, give hitting tip and give the 1B some lessons.
“The Angels and Rays have made him look like Johan Santana…he isn’t that good, right?”
Nope, he’s not. But he may well be at the tier just below the Santana, Halladay, etc. crowd. Hard thrower, great stuff. If he’s throwing strikes, something he was not doing early on in his career, he’s tough to hit.
Not sure if this is old news … .but …
The rumor on yesnetwork.com says a trade rumor is swirling around –
Carlos Beltran for Cano, Kennedy and possily Bruny.
Hmmmmm…..
“I say we have Hank as the new 3rd base coach.”
Can picture Hank standing at 3rd base coach area smoking a Marlboro and looking up at the stands while there are Yankee runners in scoring position:
“The rumor on yesnetwork.com says a trade rumor is swirling around – Carlos Beltran for Cano, Kennedy and possily Bruny.”
That rumor is sooooo last week.
Pena needs to be bench coach and be in more decisions made. Someone outside of team marlins that Girardi brought with him that has input from a different prospective.
“So Fredo, should we just ignore Meacham’s failures because he wasn’t the biggest problem?”
Yeah, I think so. At best, problems such as being one of baseball’s worst defensive teams, being unable to hit in key spots, being unable to make prodcutive outs, and having no bench are the issues the Yankees should be thinking about. Firing coaches, especially one the manager is comfortable with, should be at the bottom of the list if it should be on the list at all.
Can picture Hank standing at 3rd base coach area smoking a Marlboro and looking up at the stands while there are Yankee runners in scoring position:
and at the same time he will be on the phone to a reporter giving an interview while standing there smoking.
Good lord, Francesa sounds..chipper
Id prefer Oneil over Tino as a hitting coach.
“Carlos Beltran for Cano, Kennedy and possily Bruny.”
I really hope that is NOT going to happen. If we’re going to trade Cano it better be for an under 30 stud.
“Yeah, I think so. At best, problems such as being one of baseball’s worst defensive teams, being unable to hit in key spots, being unable to make prodcutive outs, and having no bench are the issues the Yankees should be thinking about. Firing coaches, especially one the manager is comfortable with, should be at the bottom of the list if it should be on the list at all.”
Firing Meacham is the easiest decision to make. Thats what youre not getting.
Does anyone have any kind of facts as to how many times Meacham killed a game? Im willing to bet at least 5 close games he ruined in the first half alone.
“Id prefer Oneil over Tino as a hitting coach.”
Oneil back as hitting coach would be amazing. Lets just hope hes had enough time to get bored with his family and wants to come back soon.
could part of the problem be Girardi relying on Meachum too much? Him going might force Girardi to utilize the rest of his coaching staff in a more productive manner
Oneil back as hitting coach would be amazing. Lets just hope hes had enough time to get bored with his family and wants to come back soon.
do you know how many water coolers will be damaged if someone strikes out in a clutch situation or trying to win the game? lol
Yeah, I think so. At best, problems such as being one of baseball’s worst defensive teams, being unable to hit in key spots, being unable to make prodcutive outs, and having no bench are the issues the Yankees should be thinking about. Firing coaches, especially one the manager is comfortable with, should be at the bottom of the list if it should be on the list at all.
There are many problems that are more important than replacing Bobby Meacham but its not like the Yanks won’t address those issues just because they are looking at Meacham first.
You can’t deny that Meacham hurt the team, its an easy fix to go out and get a better 3rd base coach. I don’t see why you think the Yankees will neglect the rest of their problems just because they fix this one first. As Pete has mentioned several times, firing coaches is the first step most teams take in the offseason.
“Firing Meacham is the easiest decision to make. Thats what youre not getting.”
I do get that. What you don’t get is they could have GOD as the 3rd base coach and they’re still watching the playoffs on TV. They didn’t miss the postseason because of Meachum.
“Oneil back as hitting coach would be amazing. Lets just hope hes had enough time to get bored with his family and wants to come back soon.”
The only thing i would want him to do is choose another number and hand his OLD number to another player on the team. We need to move on from this. His number isnt getting retired and no one should get booed for wearing it. Maybe he should wear number 00. So that the next number wont be a problem either.
Didn’t Pete say that Girardi only talked to Meachum/Harky and ignored everyone else?
meanwhile, do you think Meachum caused us to score a run that Bowa wouldn’t have sent? i would guess there was probably the case once or twice, but nobody thought twice about it at the time…
Two points.
I don’t think Meachum was a great third base coach; but I also don’t think he made all that much a difference, either. As far as Girardi consulting him on baseball strategy, etc., does any of you actually know how knowledgeable he is? Just because he wasn’t a star as a player doesn’t mean he doesn’t know his stuff. All that being said, if the Yankees management feels it needs to do some shuffling around of coaches, it would appear that losing Meachum would be a neutral move at worst, a small improvement at best.
In a similar vein – just because Paul O’Neill was a star player for the Yankees, and a good hitter himself, as well as a driven player does not necessarily mean that would translate automatically into his having good coaching skills. Has he even ever been a spring training instructor for the Yankees? I would like to see him do that first.
that was probably
“I do get that. What you don’t get is they could have GOD as the 3rd base coach and they’re still watching the playoffs on TV.”
Fredo,
Your wrong. He would have gotten us over the hump. Even Molina would have been a threat on the bases. Can you say error throw to third or home.
Fredo –
Love your line about God himself coaching 3B wouldn’t have gotten this team to the playoffs!
Get Girardi a real bench coach like Baylor. A guy who can be our Zimmer. An experienced guy who can help Girardi out and knows the ins and outs of the league.
What credentials did Rob Thompson have? He was a pro scout all these years, the bench coach position was basically a liftime achievement award for him because he was with the organization for so long.
Meachum obviously needs to be gone. Bowa isin’t coming back but there needs to be someone better right? Get somebody fiery.
Make Girardi communicate and involve his coaches more. Just because he didn’t get to pick his coaches doesn’t mean he should shun them. demand
3B is such a high visability coaching position. the 1B and Bench coaches could be spouting nonsense all day for all we know, but we would never know the difference from watching.
G-d’s probably more of a soccer fan, anyway.
O’Neil only works 20 games for YES, I doubt he is up for being a coach full-time. He seems to enjoy free time.
Are there even any good 3B coaches out there if we fire Meachum?
“I do get that. What you don’t get is they could have GOD as the 3rd base coach and they’re still watching the playoffs on TV. They didn’t miss the postseason because of Meachum.”
Are you related to him or something?
If he was the only reason we didnt make it to the post season forget firing him he should be shot!
Plenty of third base coaches arent gods yet they manage to know the arms they are sending their runners on. Meacham showed a complete lack of preparation. He was absolutely a burden for the first half of the season.
Aside from not wanting to hurt his feelings there is no reason to bring him back. Cano/Melky/Kennedy/injuries/clutch is no excuse for his failure. He doesnt deserve to come back.
Fredo you aren’t really understanding the argument here. Obviously a third base coach doesn’t make the difference in making the playoffs or not. However, he WAS a negative to the team (no matter how small). We shouldn’t ignore his failures just because they were small. The Yanks should strive to be the best in every way. If every small problem is ignored they will eventually build up into a big problem.
“O’Neil only works 20 games for YES, I doubt he is up for being a coach full-time. He seems to enjoy free time.”
Seems to me that in general, we are not going to see a lot of star players, such as a Paul O’Neill, end up in coaching gigs. Notice the guys who are in them are generally not star quality guys as players. Torre is a notable excpetion and I’m sure there are a few more. However, Torre and others like him never made the big money as a player. Coaching is 8-9 month grind just like playing is. I don’t envision guys of the 90’s-2000’s who have made millions in their playing careers getting very involved in coaching/managing. This seems even more true with so many cushy media gigs being made available.
Good News, I literally obtain hatred when I see Bobby M. as the third base coach.
There’s literally tons of better third base coaches then him, Hopefully he is fired.
SoS,
Dungy must be fired! Now we’re finding out in Week 6 that Peyton Manning had a second knee surgery? Did he not know or was he lying?
Tino Martinez for hitting coach? He could be like Don Mattingly, give hitting tip and give the 1B some lessons.
He’s bilingual and can help the minor league staff better. I got one that alot of us are forgetting about only if Long doesn’t pan out. How about Wade Boggs ?
“Are you related to him or something?”
Nope. Not related to Girardi either and Girardi was as ineffective as manager as Meachum was as 3B coach. I don’t think either guy should be fired at this point. To take it a step further, Cashman’s 2008 was worse than Girardi’s and I’m glad he’s back too. This was a unique year and the problems were tied almost exclusively to injuries, questionable personnel decisions, and less than stellar play from many players. I’m willing to let this pass as a transitional season and move on with the front office and coaching staff I have and see what Cashman puts together for ‘09.
Patrick,
If that were the case, half the roster would be gone. They all failed in some way.
I think it’s rather stupid, but if it makes the organization and team feel better then do it. 3B coaches change all the time, no big deal. Maybe the players can choose the next one. Then it’ll be all good.
Not related to Girardi either and Girardi was as ineffective as manager as Meachum was as 3B coach. I don’t think either guy should be fired at this point.
Okay thats a pretty fair argument. I still think Meacham should be replaced but I see what you mean. There is a ton of turnover among coaches in this league, there usually isn’t a grace period. Most guys are signed to 1 year deals. In fact, I don’t remember a year where the Yankees didn’t replace at least one guy on their coaching staff.
Romo out for 4 wks.
and Sage Steele, is soo fine.
How about Wade Boggs ?
The question is, would Boggs come back to coach though? Although, he will tell everyone to eat chicken before every game. lol
“Nope. Not related to Girardi either and Girardi was as ineffective as manager as Meachum was as 3B coach. I don’t think either guy should be fired at this point. To take it a step further, Cashman’s 2008 was worse than Girardi’s and I’m glad he’s back too. This was a unique year and the problems were tied almost exclusively to injuries, questionable personnel decisions, and less than stellar play from many players. I’m willing to let this pass as a transitional season and move on with the front office and coaching staff I have and see what Cashman puts together for ‘09.”
Dont tie this to ‘Girardi should be fired.’ Thats just another lame attempt to excuse Meachams poor performance as acceptable because others on the team did not perform.
As far as we saw Girardi did a good job with this team. His job is multifaceted and while he had some problems he also had alot of successes. The consensus on Girardi is he did a better job with this team then certain HOF managers could have.
Meacham had one job. And he sucked at it.
mel,
Players are paid a heck of a lot more money than coaches. Obviously a team can’t just cut half the team because they did badly one year. As harsh as it is, teams CAN (and will) do that with coaches.
Perhaps Meacham will improve as a third base coach. The one thing that troubles me is someone (was it Pete?) said that Girardi refused to confer with his other coaches and only spoke with Bobby Meacham. The Yanks should let him pick the entire coaching staff or none at all.
Vinny B –
yesterday you said you e-mailed Sherman about trading Blalock as a possible 1B canadiate. did he replied back?
“Dungy must be fired! Now we’re finding out in Week 6 that Peyton Manning had a second knee surgery? Did he not know or was he lying?”
Pete is that you? I havnt heard of that till you mentioned it. Mind into politics for now. That explains his slow start. They have a very tough remaining schedule. Hope they dont follow the Yanks this year and watch from home. Not used to having my teams fishing.
Is it time for the Pats to find another qb?
Yeh I want to know that to because if he’s available for cheap I do it. Hank Blalock is as hard nose and he reminds me of Tino very slick w/ the glove, versatile and can hit LHP.
Patrick,
Meachem did improve as a 3B coach. Everyone except Pena and Long were on a learning curve. Anyone that can’t see that’s just reserving hate for anything connected with Girardi. If he’s the problem, he goes. Got no problem there.
I know that players can’t be fired. But they can improve defensively either by rededicating themselves (i.e. “hustle”) or getting defensive players. Now that’s uplifting for a team.
“The consensus on Girardi is he did a better job with this team then certain HOF managers could have.”
Consensus??? Are you kidding?
Girardi gets a C at best. Next time he demonstrates being a very good manager will be the first.
The biggest story coming out of the organizational meetings may be changes to the coaching staff, but the biggest story going into the meetings should be getting Hank to Shut Up. I pity young NYY fans that are going to have to live the majority of their lives with Lil’ Stein.
Oh yeah, replacing Meacham with a new third base coach will turn us into instant contenders. This is another non-issue. Wake me up when there’s real news.
SoS,
Just have to grin and bear it.
Meacham should be gone. He was not very good at all. I don’t see Bowa leaving LA even with the ‘out’ in his contract and I also do not see Willie coming on as anything less than a bench coach and even that would be stretching it.
Somebody posted a link to an ESPN OTL article about Manny and Boras by Bill Simmons in the previous post. Great, great read. I would insert the hyperlink but I do not know how to.
“Yeh I want to know that to because if he’s available for cheap I do it.”
I see him being traded Brandon, but not cheaply. They’ll pick up his option for ‘09 for sure. My guess is that unless they are blown away by an offer in the offseason, they’ll let him play and try moving him before the trade deadline. Unless he can’t stay healthy, a legit possibility, he’s going to cost some.
“Ed – looking forward to 2009
October 13th, 2008 at 2:23 pm
yesterday you said you e-mailed Sherman about trading Blalock as a possible 1B canadiate. did he replied back?”
what-up, Ed.
no. He didn’t respond.
“Brandon (TEIX IS NOT WORTH IT, GET CC !)...”Don’t trade Robi !”
October 13th, 2008 at 2:28 pm
Yeh I want to know that to because if he’s available for cheap I do it. Hank Blalock is as hard nose and he reminds me of Tino very slick w/ the glove, versatile and can hit LHP”
yes. In addition he have always seemed to deliver key hits. Have liked him, from the time he had the game winning hit in the all-star game, a few years back.
Vinny –
sup. oh okay…
List of celebrities via Dodgers media relations: Vince Vaughn, Ellen Pompeo, Dennis Haysbert, Pierce Brosnan, Larry King, Paul Walker, James Denton, Isiah Thomas and Eric Balfour.
I didn’t watch the whole game so I must’ve missed their face time. The only celebrity I saw was Pat Sajak.
I wonder if Isiah thinks he’s still a GM and he went to the Dodger game to scout talent?
Eric Balfour is much better looking than his cousin…
mel –
Ryan Seacrest was there with some good-looking model/actress type. He was on his Blackberry the entire time and he looked like he’d rather be anyplace else.
Never mind. That was from another game.
Blaylock would be quite the get this offseason. When he’s healthy he rakes.
He’s one of the three bats I’d like to see the yankees try for this offseason. The other two are David DeJesus and Brad Hawpe.
Doreen,
Haha. How insignificant is Ryan Seacrest if I remember Pat Sajak, but forget him?
I did see it. She was very cute and he ignored her the whole time. Only confirms the rumors for me. Oh that was mean.
I saw an old Gladiator style show for kids and Seacrest was one of the “hosts”. His nose looked different. Definitely had some work done.
“It’s hard to imagine a 2009 lineup without Chris in it,” general manager Jon Daniels said before Tuesday’s game at Seattle.
While Blalock has not given up on returning to third base in the future, everybody associated with such a decision acknowledges it is no sure thing. Blalock said Tuesday that he hopes an off-season throwing program will allow him to strengthen his arm to the point he could play third again.
It is worth noting that it wasn’t Blalock’s arm, but rather his hamstring that sent him to the DL for the first time this season in April. The shoulder didn’t start hurting him until July.
“I can’t predict the future,” said Blalock, who turns 28 in November. “I don’t want to doubt myself. I feel like I’m still young, and I’m looking forward to a strong off-season program. If they want me back, they’ll pick up my option. If not, I’ll find somewhere else to play. Worrying about the future isn’t really my style.”
Doreen,
Oops. Wordpress didn’t like my comment. Basically it was 1)his ignoring his very cute date only confirms rumors for me (j/k) 2)He’s had a nose job
Jackson batting 3rd & Miranda batting 4th.
http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2008_10_13_perwin_pddwin_1
Hank pick up a 1B mitt, you were hitting above .300 at and had key clutch hits there, your slick enough to play there, maybe even more. Wait if we want Blalock do we root for him to pick up the 3rd base glove or the 1B glove ? whichever happens I’d want the end result him being at 1B.
Phil Hughes is pitching now.
I can’t get Gameday at work. Any kind person out there feel like updating us on how he’s doing?
Thanks!
Brandon –
let him bring both gloves, just in case A-Rod needs a day off/DH.
Clare,
Apparently Arizona’s in a weird kind of time zone. It says MST, but the games have been starting PST. Probably another 40 minutes.
Brandon,
No. You don’t want Blalock to p/u a 3B glove because that will screw up his shoulder. No sense picking up a guy that’s damaged.
Mel –
You are right. When he was called up to the majors, in 46 games, he made 6 errors at 3b. In 34 games playing 1B, he made 1 error. Maybe he’s a natural 1B and didnt know it?
No. You don’t want Blalock to p/u a 3B glove because that will screw up his shoulder. No sense picking up a guy that’s damaged.
What ? He’s going through rehab it’s not like he’s a pitcher mel
Arizona is MST I think but they dont participate in daylight savings time.
let him bring both gloves, just in case A-Rod needs a day off/DH.
Versatility at the corners, it’s like having a super Casey Blake or a legit answer to Kevin Youkilis, how can they resist ?
If Hank Blalock does in fact becomes a free agent, I hope A-Rod aggressively approach coming to the Yanks to play 1B since they were teammates during 2002-3..
approach him*
Thanks mel.
Brandon –
I rather perfer Blalock instead of Blake, since he’s younger.
In case you can’t get enough of him, Frank Caliendo is on with Mike Francesca % Joe B.
“Ed – looking forward to 2009
October 13th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
If Hank Blalock does in fact becomes a free agent, I hope A-Rod aggressively approach coming to the Yanks to play 1B since they were teammates during 2002-3”
that may work for or against us. In what have been reported, Arod wasn’t the most popular player in either Tx or Seattle.
didn’t realize Blalock was only 28. Cashman needs to make him a top target.
#9: thank you.
how long has Frank C, been on?
Does anyone know what channel is TBS on DirecTV, please answer, thanks in advance.
mel and harwood: Arizona is MST half the year and PST the other half.
“how long has Frank C, been on?”
Too long…
I think Tino has been doing some college coaching in Florida since he retired, as well as some consulting for Cashman this year. In the spring he came in to drill some of the makeshift 1B types like Duncan on their basic moves at the position. He seems to like teaching young players and getting into organizational stuff. He’s an intelligent guy and a college grad, well-spoken and never embarrasses himself or his team. Not to mention that he’s adored by the fanbase. Looks to me like someone NYY FO may want to bring in as a long-term resource.
love listening to his Bill Walton
: )
“love listening to his Bill Walton”
Have to admit, Frank’s Walton is very funny.
Vinny B –
though you might be right. weren’t Blalock, ARod, and the Teixeria were the power sources during 2003 season?
We always talk here about being wary of Colorado players, well the same should apply to guys who get to hit in the Texas heat and humidity. Blaylock has not only been hurt for the better part of two seasons (123 GP total), he’s a career .306 hitter in Texas, .244 everywhere else. His HR, RBI productivity is about 50 % better at home, too.
At his best he’s a good hitter and solid 3B, but who knows if he’s close to his best physically?
Here’s Mlbtrade rumors Yankees offseason outlook. It nothing new, just the same old stuff we’ve been talking about here.
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2008/10/offseason-out-7.html
I don’t know why but the concept of that site annoys me. The writer (Tim?) doesn’t do any thing. He just links to other peoples ideas and piggy backs them. But I read anyway….
“Ed – looking forward to 2009
October 13th, 2008 at 3:14 pm
though you might be right. weren’t Blalock, ARod, and the Teixeria were the power sources during 2003 season?”
yes. Core of the team.
Rebecca & harwood,
Thanks! Wiki says Arizona doesn’t observe DST. So half the year they would be 2 hours behind of EST or 3 hours behind of EST depending on if DST is in effect.
They’ll always be 3 hours ahead of me because we don’t do DST either.
err, ahead of EST.
that may work for or against us. In what have been reported, Arod wasn’t the most popular player in either Tx or Seattle.
Yup your kind of right but you got the wrong guy, infact it was Tex who took offense to Arod..a quote from Teixiera taking a stab at Arod was Mark Teixeira, without naming Rodriguez directly, joined the chorus condemning him for his comments about his 6 a.m. workouts, telling a Dallas-Fort Worth reporter, “Everybody works hard in this game.”
Mark Teixeira, Prince Fielder, Adam LaRoche, Mike Jacobs, and Hank Blalock
he was NOT on that list this morning. He must have been reading the post just now.
“weren’t Blalock, ARod, and the Teixeria were the power sources during 2003 season”
Don’t forget Teix (26 HR), Juan Gone (24 Hr) and Rafael Palmeiro (38 Hr).
Who did A-rod offend when he said that he was working out instead taking the kids to school?
If the Yankees indeed want to keep payroll at 180 million, and that was reported before the market meltdown, some of these signings might not happen-like signing Sabathia and Lowe/Burnett and Teixeira, plus exercising Marte’s 6M option, on top of bringing back Mussina. What is Abreu accepts arbitration?
Offseason Outlook: New York Yankees
By Tim Dierkes [October 13 at 11:16am CST]
Next up in our Offseason Outlook series, the Yankees. Their likely 2009 commitments:
C – Jorge Posada – $13.1MM
C – Jose Molina – $2MM
1B –
2B – Robinson Cano – $6MM
SS – Derek Jeter – $20MM
3B – Alex Rodriguez – $32MM
IF – Wilson Betemit – $1.165MM+
IF – Cody Ransom – $400K
LF – Johnny Damon – $13MM
CF – Brett Gardner – $400K
RF – Xavier Nady – $3.35MM+
OF – Melky Cabrera – $462K
DH – Hideki Matsui – $13MM
SP – Chien-Ming Wang – $4MM+
SP – Joba Chamberlain – $400K
SP – Phil Hughes – $407K
SP – Ian Kennedy – $400K
SP – Alfredo Aceves – $400K
RP – Mariano Rivera – $15MM
RP – Damaso Marte – $6MM club option ($250K buyout)
RP – Brian Bruney – $725K+
RP – Jose Veras – $400K
RP – Edwar Ramirez – $400K
RP – Phil Coke – $400K
RP – Mark Melancon – $400K
Buyouts: Jason Giambi – $5MM, Carl Pavano – $1.95MM
Other commitments: Andrew Brackman – $1.1375MM, Juan Miranda – $400K
The Yankees are a bit over $140MM before arbitration raises to Betemit, Nady, Wang, and Bruney. Maybe after those they’re near $150MM for current players (if Marte’s option is exercised). Will the Yankees really slash payroll all the way to the $180MM range? Brian Cashman would still be able to add $30MM in ‘09 salaries, but it wouldn’t surprise anyone if he has more than that.
Jon Heyman says the Yankees want to sign two free agent starters out of C.C. Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, and Derek Lowe. If they land their top target, Sabathia, then Lowe seems more likely than Burnett. It’d be an ‘09 rotation with Hughes, Kennedy, and others battling for one spot. If Mike Mussina or Andy Pettitte can be re-signed, Joba can slot in fifth and get extra days off. Depth would be excellent, but signing three starters, each for $12MM or more, could eat up most of the spending money.
The two other much-discussed holes are first base and center field. Cashman has spoken about wanting a regular first baseman as opposed to shuttling in Posada, Damon, and Matsui. Possibly available regulars at first base: Mark Teixeira, Prince Fielder, Adam LaRoche, Mike Jacobs, and Hank Blalock. The list could expand in coming months. I do not see the Yanks trading Hughes for Fielder, if some permutation of that deal is available.
If the Yankees somehow sign Sabathia, Teixeira, and another starter, they’ll be looking fantastic for 2009. It could be done if payroll is in the $200-210MM range again. Sure, Cano should be better, Matsui and Posada hopefully healthy. But Abreu could be replaced with Nady and Giambi seems gone. Tex would add stability, though he has to be seen as a luxury.
The market for center fielders, whether via free agency or trade, is poor. It makes sense to see if one of the internal options emerges as a tolerable regular (Gardner, Cabrera, Austin Jackson). As alluded to earlier, Abreu will probably be offered arbitration, decline, and sign elsewhere (leaving Nady as the right fielder).
The pen doesn’t seem like a major need; Marte on the equivalent of a one-year, $5.75MM deal is reasonable. Joe at River Ave. Blues tells me Melancon is likely to snag a spot.
Bottom line: it looks like most of the money will be spent on starting pitching, but Teixeira would sure look nice in pinstripes.
————————————————————————————————————————
Tom –
read my comment again. i did include Tex.
I would make a crack about mel showing me hawaii but then someone would make a reference to gilligan’s island Iwon’t understand.
Ed, sorry.
Ed, for some reason I always mis-read your posts…
Tom –
its okay… lol
Rebecca,
I would also crack you about your busted laptap because it’s affecting your typing, but I’m missing a letter off mine, too!
Vinnie B—- Interesting thought about ARod to 1B. Moving a 3B to 1B makes a lot more sense than thinking an OF or C can do it.
I like it, but not for Blaylock whose health is a big concern. Seattle is going to clean out some big contracts and I could certainly talked into a deal for Adrian Beltre. He’s only 30 (in April), is an excellent defender and a consistent, productive RH bat.
My two cents on Meacham… I thought he madeas many if not more mistakes holding runners than sending them. He would hold guys who could run and send guys who couldn’t. I’m not sure he “cost” the Yankees any games, but I certainly felt he was not very good at that part of his job.
I’d be fine with rotating Meacham to 1B, Thompson to 3B and Pena to Bench. Gives Girardi needed experience on the bench, and a scouting background is ideal for a 3B coach.
I weep inside everytime I see that $32M figure…
Francesca explaining the show, “Inside The Actors Studio” to Beningo = hilarious!
Just to stop the Cano to the Padres rumors:
Matt Antonelli is their top speedy leadoff hitter 2B. He’s their Chuck Knocblauch. Antonelli is a little-known but quality athlete who could have a bright future at almost any fielding position in San Diego.
As for Edgar, we all seen what he could do during the Yanks vs Padres series. Luis Rodriguez is just a bench player.
86w: you may have misread. I don’t wish to move Arod to first base. IMO, Arod’s defense at 3rd base is his #1 redeeming quality.
Blalock = first base
Francesca now listing all actors that appeared on “Inside The Actors Studio†to Beningo, who is doing his best to appear interested…
Wade Boggs it too big of a star to become a coach.
Tino might agree to b e a coach because he has managing aspirations.
Tino for hitting coach
Baylor for bench coach
Sojo for 3rd base coach
Re-do the staff, add some personality and guys who the players will connect with.
Hughes will be traded before Cano, if we decide to go that direction this winter.
It makes NO sense to trade a young budding 2B like Cano. Our lineup is ancient as it is, with no position players in the minors. Trading our only under 30 position player with star potential is foolish.
“My two cents on Meacham… I thought he madeas many if not more mistakes holding runners than sending them. He would hold guys who could run and send guys who couldn’t. I’m not sure he “cost†the Yankees any games, but I certainly felt he was not very good at that part of his job. ”
i noticed this too. seemed like he started off more aggresive. and posibly after some criticizms he heard of this, may have made him more conservative in his approach toward the end…
Send em’ home Sojo?
You can tell this Francessa-Beningo combo doesn’t have staying power. In small doses, it can be very good. But these guys will but heads so many times and it will make it an uncomfortable listen.
Who is more difficult to work with? Francessa or Hank?
tank: francessa being permanently removed from WFAN, would have staying power.
Forget about Sabathia, we should trade Hughes and prospects for Peavy and sign Tex and Lowe. Stay away from Burnett. Resign Pettitte.
Rotation of Wang, Peavy, Pettite, Lowe, and Chamberlain would put the yanks back on top.
Offense is a question.
I don’t think Nady matches Abreu’s numbers, so another quality outfielder is needed for center. I also think Matsui and Posada are big question marks. Yanks offense could be just as bad in 2009. That’s why Tex is a must. Blalock don’t cut it.
update.
Ajack with another strikeout in his first AB.
He needs ATLEAST full year in AAA if not a year and 1\2. Too many holes in his swing, can’t hit breaking balls.
Don’t rush him at all. Go find a stop gap CF this winter or trade for a young one who we can move to left when Ajack is ready.
Austin Jackson, K’s swinging for the third out.
Hughes pitching now.
Are the people who want to ditch Cano-for having one bad year out of four-the same people who want to sign Burnett for having one healthy year out of three?
“Who did A-rod offend when he said that he was working out instead taking the kids to school?”
Wasnt it that muscle bound that was on the red sox? The same one who jumped sturtz i believe. right fielder that went to japan for a year.
Mr. Ed
Peavy, Lowe, Teixeira, Pettitte, and a top flight c’fer would be nice, but doubt the payroll will go to 215-220 million. See 3:22 PM post.
Hughes line so far:
1.0 1 0 0 1 1 – 17 pitches/10 strikes
On the Yankees, Meacham is more than a 3B Coach. He’s also the infield coach. That means he was the guy who should have been on Cano’s case and in that area, he dropped the ball more than he did with sending and holding runners.
Moving A-Rod to 1B now is insane. He’s got a gun for an arm that would be wasted at 1st.
Tom—- Burnett’s been mostly healthy for four years, making 112 starts (28/yr) in that time. Still he’s a risk, no argument about that. The thing is, who is NOT a risk as a FA? I like Burnett’s potential to dominate over Lowe’s consistency year in and year out… but it aint my money!
“Who did A-rod offend when he said that he was working out instead taking the kids to school?â€
I think it was Trot Nixon.
For some reason I get the impression that nobody is on Betemit’s bandwagon.
It must be that there’s far superior utility players that can be had in a fair deal.
I say get on with it as soon as a deal can be made. This will be one of the key points in 2009 success.
Torre lover, I will answer you despite your screenname!
TBS on DirectTv is 247.
Rebecca saw you post in the earlier thread on Beckett. I absolutely agree with you but it seems that a lot of pitchers have egos bigger than life and/or are fiercely competetive. Hell, they glower when they are taken out of tight games when they’ve loaded the bases! They feel they should be able to try to get out of it. What??? So it wouldn’t surprise me a bit if Beckett is hurt and lying about it. He wants to pitch in the postseason. If he admit he’s hurt, he’ll be pulled.
Re: trade tumors – I think we’ve all been around long enough to know that about 99.9% of the trade rumors we read about are pure bull. I think reporters make most of them up to stimulate interest!
Anyway, there are trade rumors that make absolutely no sense whatsoever, and those are the ones that I pay the least heed. It hasn’t bitten me yet (though I’m not saying it will never happen.) One of them is the Carlos Beltran rumor. Reading the organization tealeaves, on top of trusting my own eyes, there is no way the Yankees are trading Cano. No ifs ands or buts. It doesn’t matter that some of us (well not me in this case) think it sounds great. Logic tells you that the organization loves what Robby has to offer – AS WELL THEY SHOULD. He is gold glove calibre at second, and he hits for power. And he is young. Add to it that Cashman has already stated publicly that he wants to have Sui as his DH and Damon in center. Even if you want to think that he may end up with a platoon situation with Damon, you have to know that it won’t be platooning with a top-notch center who actually would be every-day play worthy – such as Beltran.
Until I hear otherwise from the mouth of the Yankee organization, Cano is a safe bet to stay in the Bronx. Again, there is no reason on God’s green earth to trade him, because you would then have to try to find someone of his calibre to replace him, with youth to boot – and that won’t come cheap. You don’t trade a valuable piece that you will only have to replace by giving more value away for it! That is like a dog chasing its tail.
That’s my story and I’m sticking to it!
GO RAYS!
GO PHILS!
Pat—insane?! Now that’s a bit strong. It’s a possible solution to 1B if no acceptable alternative is found BUT there are options at 3B.
Let’s remember the Yankees filled their 3B need with a SS a few years ago…. there is precedent
Yankee trader,
Yeah I suppose. But I don’t buy the $180 million payroll either. Could make it Pettitte or Lowe. But I don’t see counting on Posada and Matsui to have full productive seasons, and Nady’s numbers don’t approach Abreu. They’ve got to address the offense somehow.
pat,
My bad. I think your right. Trot Nixon is the one who had beef with Alex.
There are about 200 free agents available for 2009, maybe more if some club options not picked up. Here are twnty IMO that might get 8 million/year or substantially more:
Teixeira
Hudson
Furcal
Dunn
Ramirez
Abreu
Bradley
?Ibanez
Burnett
Dempster
Garland
Lowe
Sabathia
O.Perez
Mussina
Pettitte
Sheets
Fuentes
Wood
K-Rod
The rest will be lucky to get a few million and many will get minor league contracts if lucky, or just plain be out of baseball.
86w183
Moving a SS to 3rd still utilizes the same skill set. I would bet the Yankees will have a new player at SS before they have a new player at 3rd.
What if we trade Cano for Kemp. Sign Furcal for ss. Move Jeter to 2nd base. Use Hughes and some other prospects for Peavy and Gonzalez? Sign Lowe.
1b Gonzalez
2b Jeter
SS Furcal
3b Arod
Rf Nady
Cf Kemp
Lf Damon
dh Matsui/Posada
C Molina/Posada
Wang
Peavy
Lowe
Pettitte
Chamberlain
I beg to differ—-
Actually 1B is alot more like 3B than shortstop… except for the throwing obviously. You ar ecloser to the hitter, hands are more important than range. That’s why you see more good players like Casey Blake that play 1B/3B… Jeff Conine is a similar guy. You don’t see many who bounce form SS to 3B.
P.S. No way in hell the Yanks will cut payroll to $ 180 M. I can see payroll being flat or a slight cut, but not a dramatic one. I’m still hoping for CC and Tex, plus either Pettite or Mussina and an investment in an improved bench.
miranda should play for the diamondbacks lol..he really loves arizona…7 for 10..4doubles 2 triples…
the funny thing is that if the yankees were good enough they can win a world series with meachum as the 3rd base coach.he plays too small of a role.
does he need to go? probably but the people who built this team are more to blame.
you have to start with pitching,not end with it.
a 209 million dollar team this bad,there are no excuses.
a great pitching staff 1-5 would of been my first thing,solid at catcher,shortstop,centerfield would be second,fill in the gaps would be third.
the yankees did the exact opposite.
they gave big contracts to all the position players and cried about money when it came time for pitching.
hughes looks like he is settling down and becoming a good pitcher.
i think he is going to be good.
those are the kinds of trades that hurt the yankees.trading cano who will put up similar numbers,years younger and to top it off bruney who solidifies the bullpen,is young and kennedy.terrible idea.
cano if traded has to bring in a much younger player or a good,young pitcher.
the yankees need pitchers.an ace and one or two more,solid ones.i can see trading cano for adrian gonzalez,signing a few pitchers,keep hughes,sign a second baseman,see if they can trade for a centerfielder using kennedy,betances,ajax and others without giving up joba,hughes.i think it can be done.
call pittsburgh and see if they will take kennedy,ajax,2 other prospects for mclouth or kemp from the dodgers,then call the padres and see if they will take cano and a few prospects for gonzalez,sign sabathia and one or two more pitchers.you fix first base,centerfield,pitching and the lineup will be
damon
jeter
gonzalez
arod
matsui
mclouth
posada
nady
second baseman
hughes 5 innings,4 hits,one run,one walk,3 strikeouts.very nice.
Oddessy
October 13th, 2008 at 3:38 pm
Hughes will be traded before Cano, if we decide to go that direction this winter.
It makes NO sense to trade a young budding 2B like Cano. Our lineup is ancient as it is, with no position players in the minors. Trading our only under 30 position player with star potential is foolish.
i wouldn’t be so sure of that.pitching is much more important than a second baseman.anybody can play second base.
good young cheap pitching is what every team want’s and is the hardest to find.