Cubs could be choice to open Stadium
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on Oct 21, 2008 
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As you probably know, the Yankees will open new Yankee Stadium on April 16 against the Indians.
But there will be one or two exhibition games at the Stadium, a shakedown cruise of sorts. The Yankees are talking to the Cubs about being the opponent. The games would be sometimes around April 3 or 4. The Cubs open in Houston on April 6. The Yankees will be in Baltimore. Its almost certain the teams will take April 5 off.
As of yet, no schedule for spring training has been released.
Why would they want any exhibition games at the stadium before it opens? The obvious answer is money, but doesn’t that dilute from the first REAL game, for both the players and the fans?
I heard the Jays are playing one game.
I think the answer is to make sure things run smoothly.
Why not the Dodgers?
Dodgers.
It’s a good question why do exhibition games? The Mets are doing the same thing.
Just open it on April 16 like it’s scheduled.
Cubs?
Should be the Sox given all the history. Or maybe the Rays as a celebration for their success. Sort of welcome to the club.
I like it. The damn season should’ve opened at the new stadium around that time anyway. Seriously, MLB hates us. Ending ’08 on the road…starting ’09 on the road, ridiculous. I could care less who they play, I just want to see it and get this new chapter started already.
I like it. Two original teams opening up a new stadium.
Kevin
The Yankees already have a name for the April 5 game. “The Snow Bowl”.
The New York Yankees played one or two exhibition games vs. the San Francisco Baseball Giants at Pac Bell Park (now AT&T Park) right before the season in 2000. I think Jorge Posada had the actual first splash hit into McCovey Cove (since renamed the BalCove). Things worked out pretty well for everyone involved.
That sounds good to me
So the Yankees have to win 2 games now to open the stadium and not just 1?
Mickey Mantle hit the first HR in the Astro dome. I think
A unique opponent makes a lot more sense than someone from your own division. the Cubs are fine with me, Cardinals would have been better because the Yankees and Cardinals have a lot of history. Fiants or Dodgers also make sense, but one thing for sure, it WON’T be the Dodgers
Yes, the Mick did indeed
It is pretty normal to have a dry one when a new stadium opens. They did it in Washington this year as well. As a fan it would nice to see them have 52K people in there to see how things work so they can fix any issues before official opening day. The Cubs seems like a fine choice to me.
Balco-Cove?
How appropriate.
jennifer
October 21st, 2008 at 7:56 pm
I think the answer is to make sure things run smoothly.
_____________________________________________________
That would be a sound reason. They have the chance to iron out all the electrical, food concessions and plumbing issues along with ensuring the new field surface will hold up for a game and it gives them an additional two weeks to fix the problems.
Why exhibition games so close to the season opener? Obviously the Yanks B team would play I doubt CC is starting against Carlos Zambrano. I would rather wait til the real opener.
‘Fiants or Dodgers also make sense’
Fiants might be the greatest typo of all time on this blog. You inadvertently stumbled upon a way to to best express the type of team the SF Giants have become.
Fiants: n. 1. The dung of the fox, wolf, boar, or badger
I too question why they would do this. It takes the edge off an official open day for a game that goes in the books. I like the fact that the last thing that went down in old Yankee Stadium was a baseball game, even if they did not do the final ceremony as well as they could have (Jeter did save the occasion with a few classy words and the Goodbye Lap).
All that said, it only stands to reason that the first thing to happen in the new park is an official baseball game.
Thanks Yankee Stadium. Say hi to your mother for me.
Given how poor the Yankees played this year…and the fact that we can’t literally “buy” a world series…I think it would be wise for Cashman to be somewhat patient this year
As opposed to some of the posts on here that advocate trading Hughes, Kennedy, Cabrera, Cano etc
Putting a team back together takes time…Cashman started in 2005…and it may take another couple of years
a-brack (yes i said a-brack) pitching in hawaii in 20 minutes..romine dh;ing…sublett hasnt played in a week? injured?
“Given how poor the Yankees played this year…and the fact that we can’t literally “buy†a world series…I think it would be wise for Cashman to be somewhat patient this year
As opposed to some of the posts on here that advocate trading Hughes, Kennedy, Cabrera, Cano etc
Putting a team back together takes time…Cashman started in 2005…and it may take another couple of years”
I don’t buy your argument. Its a very defeated stance. The Yanks are one pitcher away from the playoffs this year. Having a rotation of Pettitte, Moose, Ponson, Rasner, and Aceves isn’t exactly great for playoff pushes. Losing Joba who was developing into an Ace before our eyes and Wang who was our Ace are devastating losses. Not even mentioning losing an all-star catcher, 100 RBI guy and having your former all-star 2B not show up til September. If this team gets a few quality FA’s they are well over 90 wins next year.
think they’re trying to pick a team that is neutral in regards to the yankees. no way would they pick boston, things could get ugly which would suck
The Yanks are one pitcher away from the playoffs this year.
_________________
Since when was making the playoffs the goal?…2003
My point is it will take another couple of years for their youngin’s to get with the program…
Even if Joba and Hughes start in 2009, and start well…they will have to be shut down for the playoffs…so how close can we really be if potentially 2/5th’s of our rotation is at their innings limit?
BalCove….Very good Nick in SF…..The man with the best one-liners….I know there was some talk about Rocco earlier…..He was an outstanding talent…Someone mentioned a RH Freddie Lynn as a comparison, Perfect fit….Man he was good…Great # 3 hitter
Since when was making the playoffs the goal?…2003
My point is it will take another couple of years for their youngin’s to get with the program…
————————————————————
i agree.the idea is to sign the right free agents,trade the right prospects and keep the right prospects so you can compete now,build a team that will compete every year while having a respectable payroll.
trading all the good prospects is a bad idea,signing all the wrong free agents is also bad.
there has to be the right mix.
“Even if Joba and Hughes start in 2009, and start well…they will have to be shut down for the playoffs…so how close can we really be if potentially 2/5th’s of our rotation is at their innings limit?”
Yeah, because the Yanks would actually shut Joba down for the playoffs. Hughes needs to get traded for a stud position guy who is ready now. The Yanks need to get 2 FA starters to make up for the loss of Hughes and for Joba’s shortened innings limit. I think if the Yanks keep Joba in the 5 spot in the rotation they could keep his innings low enough where he wouldn’t need to be shut down in August.
oh, wow, i would love to see that game. I totally said i would be anxious for a game at the stadium when the season starts.
http://www.c2cbaseball.blogspot.com/
the right deal is always out there.it is knowing wich ones they are and getting lucky.
bru
What’s going to be really challenging is to get better (I mean significantly better to challenge for a WS) before Jeter, A-Rod, Rivera, and Posada are too old to produce…
As much as everyone would like for us to become the Rays with great drafting and young studs. It just isn’t going to happen right now, the Rays prior to this season were perennially the worst team in baseball. Their young talent took a long time to develop. You simply can’t try to copy this model when you have A-Rod, Jeter, Posada and Mariano on your team. You can’t run out future HOF’ers and say “be patient the kids are growing” they want to win now and the Yanks can by simply picking up a couple of young quality player. Picking up CC and/or Tex isn’t going against the model in fact its supporting it. Spending money on Manny Ramirez/Ben Sheets now that would be a mistake but signing 2 guys who are 28 and headed for their primes would be an investment.
Yeah, because the Yanks would actually shut Joba down for the playoffs.
___________________
They can choose not to…and then wonder why there stud pitcher (with a propensity for injury) throws like Mark Prior…
They can choose not to…and then wonder why there stud pitcher (with a propensity for injury) throws like Mark Prior…>
ahh..Mark Prior, a lost talent.
Al…I agree with you on premise…there is a conflict with the model
They resigned River and Posada (fan favorites-they had to), but they want to go young with hughes, joba, kennedy, cabrera…etc
Even with CC and Tex…we will still have large questions
How to use Joba and Hughes?
How competitive will our outfield be? (some people think it is the worst in baseball)?
Are Posada and Matsui healthy?
Thus, it will take time
They can choose not to…and then wonder why there stud pitcher (with a propensity for injury) throws like Mark Prior…>
ahh..Mark Prior, a lost talent.
NOBODY shuts players down for the playoffs. You don’t factor in playoff innings when formulating the cap. You just be cautious with them.
There is no way Hughes (if hes not traded for a position player) or Joba will be shut down if we are in the playoffs. You play to win.
please ignore my double post. keyboard malfunctioned.
PAT M
October 21st, 2008 at 8:50 pm
BalCove….Very good Nick in SF…..The man with the best one-liners….I know there was some talk about Rocco earlier…..He was an outstanding talent…Someone mentioned a RH Freddie Lynn as a comparison, Perfect fit….Man he was good…Great # 3 hitter
_______________________________________________________
Just think about how differently the AL landscape would have been had the Yanks signed Freddie Lynn in the 3rd round of the 1970 draft and had also convinced a guy named Elway in 1981 that he was a better baseball player than a football player.
2009 Exhibition Game Predictions:
Creepy Bob Sheppard sound-alike guy replaced by creepier Bob Sheppard sound alike – sound alike guy who actually sounds nothing like Bob Sheppard.
Yankees charging 2.50$ for 3 inning rental of in-seat cup holder.
National Anthem is played from an 8-track recording of a 1979 Kenny Loggins concert. A concerned restlessness spreads from the upper deck.
Ceremonail First pitch thrown out by 2004 ALCS “hero” Kevin Brown.
Ceremonial flyover with 2 new Yankee sponsor American Eagle ATR-72s setting the sky ablaze in all their turboprop glory.
Razzle Dazzle gets the start becasue of assorted hammy, groin, buttock injuries and because Joba’s early release is denied by suspect parole board member with N’or Easter accent.
Wilson Betimit leading off. Girardi/Cashman forced to flee to new “Yankee bunker” located under newly built “player only” spa and meditation dojo.
Arod steps to the plate in 1st at bat as a capella version of Madonna’s “Take A Bow” blares from loudspeakers.
YMCA – Cotten Eyed Joe – Kate Smith all remain.
See, with regard to events like this you have to think big.
I would say the Cubs are a good choice. But an even better choice would be a game against the Yankees of Japan, the Yomiuri Giants.
It would get international exposure, they are Hideki Matsui’s old team, and it would truly be an event fitting for the opening of baseball’s new cathedral. I have no idea if teh logisitics could be worked out but this is the type of marketing the Yankees should be doing. It is an out of the box move that is similar to the thinking that went into the Cowboys joint venture.
If we sign CC and Tex, the only questions will be if they can hit in the clutch in October. We will have stud pitching for the first time in a long time, a shut down BP, and a good offense that should see bounce back years from many guys
You people are acting like we’re the Pirates and we’re going to go through long seasons of futility and have to give chances to low talent like Melky, Gardner, Kennedy etc.
One pitcher and some kind of new addition to the offense (either Tex or trading Hughes for a young stud), and we’re right there. Are we where we want to be? No, but we will be a playoff team (not guaranteed, but will be in excellent position to do so) with a shut down rotation and pen. And thats all you can ask for.
Bomber99
Just making the argument that you can’t go full charge through a pennant race, playoffs, and a WS with 2/5 of your rotation pitching many more innings than they were ever intended to…
Thus, if Cashman is advocating a youth movement, and Girardi an innings limit, they are signaling: Don’t expect anything next year…see you in 2010..
If they have to have an exhibition game, how about bringing V-Tech up to the stadium? Also, they could start Kennedy so he would be pitching to hitters on his own level.
GB7,
If I am not mistaken, Elway never had any intention of playing baseball, he just played it up to force the trade from the Colts.
X-Mann
If you haven’t noticed…the division is a lot better than it used to be..so I hope we are too
Lou Piniella will be the first to kick dirt or throw a base in the new Stadium!
Yanks in 2010,
Damon, Gardner, and Nady might be considered a weak hitting OF, but the lineup would still be incredibly strong.
Name a lineup that’s better than Damon, Jeter, Cano, A-Rod, Tex, Posada, Matsui, Nady, Gardner.
Name a rotation that’s better than CC, Wang, Joba, Pettitte, Hughes
Name a bullpen that’s better than Rivera, Bruney, Melancon, Ramirez, Veras, Coke, Aceves
The Yankees have pitching depth in AAA to spell Hughes and Joba so that they can pitch in the playoffs. Every team deals with injury problems. Molina is one of the best backup catchers in the league and Montero could DH if Matsui was hurt. If the Yankees get CC and Tex they will be competing for a ring.
“Al…I agree with you on premise…there is a conflict with the model
They resigned River and Posada (fan favorites-they had to), but they want to go young with hughes, joba, kennedy, cabrera…etc
Even with CC and Tex…we will still have large questions
How to use Joba and Hughes?
How competitive will our outfield be? (some people think it is the worst in baseball)?
Are Posada and Matsui healthy?
Thus, it will take time”
To address the worst outfield in baseball idea, I would trade Hughes. Preferrably for Kemp, who in my opinion is headed for super-star status. An out field of Damon(who was actually a decent LF), Kemp and Nady is very solid. Getting Matt Kemp for Hughes would simply be a value for value trade. It would help 2 issues at once the Yanks lack of young hitters and the gaping hole in CF. Not only does Kemp have developing power he also swiped 35 bags last season just food for thought, hes also 24.
The key is giving chances to young players who have great potential (Hughes, Joba, Jackson) versus wasting time with non-talent like Kennedy, Cabrera, Gardner (fine as a 1 yr stopgap, nothing more), Miranda (platoon player at best), Aceves, Marquez, etc. We know what these guys are and their ceilings. They are not going to get multiple chances like a high-ceiling guy like Hughes will.
We don’t have much high ceiling talent at the upper minors aside from the guys we’ve already seen. It’s Hughes, Joba, and Jackson along with the guys in the pen. Rest of the talent is going to be in Low A next year. So we have to go to war with what we have now, because its not like we have these great prospects in the upper minors knocking on the door, the real bulk of our farm is years away.
We need to add the necessary pieces via free agency or trade.
I’d do Kemp for Hughes… don’t know if LAD would though. They might use Kemp to get Peavy instead.
Name a lineup that’s better than Damon, Jeter, Cano, A-Rod, Tex, Posada (How’s his shoulder?), Matsui (How’s his knee?), Nady, Gardner (How’s his eye)?.
Name a rotation that’s better than CC (How’s LA?), Wang (How’s his foot?), Joba (How’s his hangover?), Pettitte, Hughes (How’s his progression?)
HOW can you be so confident?
Just saying it may take longer than you think….
no 27,
Agree 100%. I would go to war with that team any day of the week. Outfield will be weak, but if we have Tex, we can live with it.
Yanks, if we need a bat at the trade deadline, we can always get one. Offense will not be a problem if we sign Tex.
Posasa offensively should be fine, its his throwing arm thats a concern.
Gardner is a libility, you are right. But unless you want to trade Hughes for Kemp (which I’d do BTW), then we have to live with it for a year and hope Jackson is ready by Sept.
And your rotation questions are nonsensical. Of course if we don’t get CC, things look bleak. So you assuming he goes to LA kind of defeats the whole purpose of the argument, no?
Wang’s foot will be fine. Joba’s hangover? Are you serious?
Mark in Tampa
October 21st, 2008 at 9:12 pm
If they have to have an exhibition game, how about bringing V-Tech up to the stadium? Also, they could start Kennedy so he would be pitching to hitters on his own level.
GB7,
If I am not mistaken, Elway never had any intention of playing baseball, he just played it up to force the trade from the Colts.
_______________________________________________________
It was said partly in jest, but, Elway played a very good right field and hit .318 for Oneonta
And where could I buy my ticket to go see that game?
romine hbp and left game due to an injured wrist :X
“YMCA – Cotten Eyed Joe – Kate Smith all remain”
God I hope you’re wrong. Enough with GB America every freakin 7th inning.
Maybe when Obama ends the war they’ll stop.
YMCA please get another grounds crew song.
Cotton Eyed Joe again get another song.
i’d trade matsui and make manny the DH
Why the Cubs? Why not the Dodgers or Sox? I think anyone there, despite his team, would show the greatest respect for being the first to play in that stadium.
How nonesensical is it to look at your fantasy roster, asssume it will be your opening day roster, and make the claim we will be fine…
Of course if everything falls into place with FA’s, bounce back years, and injures we will be fine…but that takes luck
Andluck was not on our side…and we saw the result…
Romine’s hurt?
Yuck.
Yanks 2010– Why are you penciling in worst case sceniero? You can do what with the Rays too. What if Garza and Longoria go down for the year? What if Papelbon needs season ending surgery and Ortiz continues to decline? You can do this with every team.
And a lot of the things that went wrong this year were self inflicted. Thats why we need to do what we can this off-season to rectify our problems and make sure it doesn’t happen again. Relying on old players to produce (Matsui, Posada– which is why you need to sign Tex) or young pitchers, or guys with no track record (Gardner) is not a recipe for success.
Go out and get the big fish this winter and there will be minimal questions. Last year, there were nothing but questions in all areas– SP, BP, bench, and the lineup.
“How nonesensical is it to look at your fantasy roster, asssume it will be your opening day roster, and make the claim we will be fine…
Of course if everything falls into place with FA’s, bounce back years, and injures we will be fine…but that takes luck
Andluck was not on our side…and we saw the result…”
Kemp wont be used to get Peavy because Peavy has a no trade and he will more likely waive his clause to go to Atlanta or St. Louis. You really don’t sound like a Yankee fan to me if you really think the Yanks shouldn’t try to contend until 2010 then why are you even in here? To tell us to wait 2 years and then try to make some progress, what kind of logic is that. The goal of every baseball team should be to win. If the Yanks can bring in young stars entering their primes without hurting player development why should they not do this? I think getting a young position player for Hughes would be getting the most value for Hughes possible, due to the fact that he wont be a full time starter until 2011. I’d rather have a player who goes out every day and fills a serious need than a pitcher who goes out every 5 days and will be on a short leash the entire second half(innings wise).
I’m not saying the Yankees will be bad next year…just that it will be a transition year…between the influx of youth and potential free agents
And that in transitioning there will be bumps…so don’t expect it to work immediately
The best laid plans are the ones that take a few years to develop…ala Giants 2007-8
Yanks in 2010,
For such a pessimistic guy, I would think you could come up with better lineups, rotations, or bullpens. I’ll answer your questions anyway.
Lineup:
Matsui should be ready for spring training. He’ll be a full time DH, so I’m not worried about his knees. If he isn’t able to go the Yankees will have to do with Montero or go out and pick up a DH.
Posada’s arm will be a question, but I’d rather be going into the season with Posada and Molina than almost any other catching situation in baseball. If he can’t catch, then the Yankees have 2 DH’s with Matsui and Posada and maybe Matsui plays a little LH and Damon plays CF so both of their bats can be in the lineup at times.
Gardner is the 9 hitter, not really worried about his eye. How’s his glove and his legs?
Rotation:
You originally said that the Yankees would struggle even if they got CC and Tex, then you mention that CC might go to a team in Cali. I think he’ll sign with the Yankees based on the rumors that the Yankees are going to go way over any other offer he gets.
Not worried about Wang coming back. He’s always been great at coming back from injuries and this is an injury that has nothing to do with what we need him for, pitching.
How’s Joba’s hangover? Not sure. How’s his 100mph fastball? How’s his ridiculous slider?
How’s Hughes progression? Looks pretty good from the end of this season to the AFL.
Why don’t you answer my questions. What teams have a better lineup, rotation, or bullpen than that Yankee team?
Al
Did you just question my loyalty?
An exhibition game after the season starts? Ludicrous.
The only ‘bump’ there will be involves Hughes if he is in the rotation.
There is no transition in any other areas. In the lineup, you re-tool, not rebuild. We don’t have any young talent to transition with anyway.
“Al
Did you just question my loyalty?”
Yes, if you think 09 is over before it starts you are not a very good Yankee fan. Your handle is “Yankees in 2010″ not a very optimistic guy are ya?
The season is opening later this year.
“How nonesensical is it to look at your fantasy roster, asssume it will be your opening day roster, and make the claim we will be fine…
Of course if everything falls into place with FA’s, bounce back years, and injures we will be fine…but that takes luck
Andluck was not on our side…and we saw the result…”
uhh.. this is all based on you saying “Even with CC and Tex…we will still have large questions
How to use Joba and Hughes?
How competitive will our outfield be? (some people think it is the worst in baseball)?
Are Posada and Matsui healthy?
Thus, it will take time”
Let’s put it this way. Assume that Posada and Matsui are both out all year, worse case scenario, right? Damon, Jeter, Tex, A-Rod, and Cano are a better top 5 than any other lineup.
Assume that Hughes and Joba can’t pitch next year. CC, Wang, Pettitte, Rasner/Aceves/Kennedy/Coke is still much better than the rotation that they had for most of last year when they won 89 games.
If the offense is a problem, then just move Damon to CF and pick up somebody like Jose Guillen to play in right.
This year we were struggling with offense and right handed power so we got Nady. In 06, we lost both outfielders and picked up Abreu and took off from there and surged to the playoffs.
If Matsui and/or Posada break down, we’ll fix it. We’ve withstood worse over the years. Offense is the easiest position to fix.
BOTTOM LINE:
You add CC and Teixeira to an 89 win team and you’re competing for the WS. Posada, Matsui, and A-Rod were hurt this past year. Wang Joba, and Hughes were hurt this past year. Cano was terrible this year. Even if all those things happen again, the Yankees are an 89 win team plus whatever CC and Tex give you.
Today in class someone brought up the possibility of the Yankees going after Gregg Zaun.
Thoughts?
Today in class someone brought up the possibility of the Yankees going after Gregg Zaun.
Rebecca -
no thank you. Molina is better than Zaun defensively.
wow brackman had 1st and 3rd 1 out..guy tried to steal home and the other guy tried to steal second..not sure how it happened but both ended up out (the description is confusing)
I don’t think we should have a line-up that depends on Matsui and Posada both coming back and having career years. Molina will step up offensively, but a new catcher is probably also needed. Plus sign Manny and rotate Matsui/Gardner or Christian or Melky/Posada/Manny/CC at DH and OF as needed.
I think getting Zaun was one of Bill Madden’s ideas…
I think getting Zaun was one of Bill Madden’s ideas…
yep it was…
“Gregg Zaun”
What is wrong with Jose Molina? The guy was a beast behind the plate and had a few big hits including the final HR at the stadium.
wow brackman had 1st and 3rd 1 out..guy tried to steal home and the other guy tried to steal second..not sure how it happened but both ended up out (the description is confusing)
It’s obvius he threw the fastball hit the runner from third , the catcher picked up the WP threw to 2B tagged the guy out and then tagged the KO’d runner between 3rd and home.
k i s s
The catcher probably tagged the runner at the plate and then threw to 2nd
It’s not like the old Devil Rays or Royals choose to suck— they had no other choice but to focus on development. They had minuscule payrolls.
We on the other hand, have $88 million available to spend on free agency and had an 89 win team as is. CC and Tex and we are sitting pretty.
“wow brackman had 1st and 3rd 1 out..guy tried to steal home and the other guy tried to steal second..not sure how it happened but both ended up out (the description is confusing)
It’s obvius he threw the fastball hit the runner from third , the catcher picked up the WP threw to 2B tagged the guy out and then tagged the KO’d runner between 3rd and home.”
Brackman is a stud in the making.
Gregg Zaun for 1st base?
Brackman throws 99 he is a stud (99 from a 6’11 angle too)
Al -
please use my catch phrase against me. lol
here’s my ideal lineup:
(if Teixiera wasn’t signed and a traded 1B)
Damon LF
Jeter SS
Matsui DH
Rodriguez 3B
Posada C
Cano 2B
Nady RF
Garko 1B
Gardner CF
(if Teixiera was signed)
Damon LF
Jeter SS
Teixiera 1B
Rodriguez 3B
Matsui DH
Posada C
Cano 2B
Nady RF
Gardner CF
Bench:
Ransom
Molina
Miranda
Baldelli (yes i decided to chose him)
Rotation:
Sabathia
Wang
Burnett
Pettitte
Chamberlain
Bullpen:
Rivera
Melancon (had to create him lol)
Cox (same as Melancon lol)
Aceves
Coke
Marte
Burney
Lowell is a good fit for the Mets. They can move David Wright to 2nd.
The guy is gritty, a gamer, and has 2 rings. He can be a leader of that team.
That way the Sox can move Youkallis to 3rd and sign Teixeria.
Yes, if you think 09 is over before it starts you are not a very good Yankee fan. Your handle is “Yankees in 2010″ not a very optimistic guy are ya?
______________________
Not really pessimistic…more so realistic that it will take a combination of progress from our youth and FA’s along the way in 2009…to create a formidable team in 2010
Looks good, Ed.
But if CC doesn’t come here, then whats plan B?
E-Rod,
in my wild baseball fantasy dreams which my PS3 could make my dreams come true, trade for Cole Hamels. LOL
“Yes, if you think 09 is over before it starts you are not a very good Yankee fan. Your handle is “Yankees in 2010″ not a very optimistic guy are ya?
______________________
Not really pessimistic…more so realistic that it will take a combination of progress from our youth and FA’s along the way in 2009…to create a formidable team in 2010″
Fair enough. I can understand your argument but I at least think the Yanks will be competitive next year.
Ed- Put down the controller. No but seriously your line-up looks feesible.
Waste of time.
It’s not like Lou will bring Zombrano, Harden, Lee, Ramirez, Soto, Fukudome, Wood, Marmol etc. to NY, he will probably send them to Houston to get ready for the season opener.
He’ll probably bring all his ST guys and maybe some B-level starters to appease Selig like Fukudome, Fontono, Theriot, Sean Marshall, Sadmarjiza, Edmonds etc.
And whats going to change in 2010?
It’s not like the Charleston/Tampa guys will be up here by then and thats where our real talent is. The players would have to absolutely dominate the FSL/SAL for them to even consider moving them through the ranks in under a year. Betances and Brackman are not going to be rushed. Garcia/De La Rosa are really the only ones.
Ed- Put down the controller. No but seriously your line-up looks feesible.
lol, thanks dude…working my fantasy lineup where realistcly it isn’t happening. lol
how about this for one last measure:
Damon LF
Jeter SS
Matsui DH
Rodriguez 3B
Posada C
Cano 2B
Garko 1B
Sweeney RF (Ryan)
Gardner CF
find a way to get nelfi feliz on the team.
give them hughes, kennedy, coke, karstens, tabata, jackson, kontos, melancon, ohlendorf, robertson, miranda, cervelli, aceves etc. give them anything
Jeff
2009
The hope would be that Joba and Hughes could stay healthy, stretch out their arms, and gain experience…so that they produce consistently at the level we think they could
That Gardner or Cabrera could emerge as a viable CF option…
That our minor league players would progress enough that we would be able to have serious trade discussions with a team like SD for Peavy
2010
stronger, younger, more flexible team
Even more payroll would come off the books in Damon and Matsui
“Damon LF
Jeter SS
Matsui DH
Rodriguez 3B
Posada C
Cano 2B
Garko 1B
Sweeney RF (Ryan)
Gardner CF”
I dunno of Sweeney has enough power for a corner OF position. What did you do with Nady?
“find a way to get nelfi feliz on the team.
give them hughes, kennedy, coke, karstens, tabata, jackson, kontos, melancon, ohlendorf, robertson, miranda, cervelli, aceves etc. give them anything”
Half of those guys are no longer with the Yanks. So we are selling the farm for one prospect?
Al -
Nady traded, I was thinking either of Sweeney, Blanco or Anderson. Sweeny impressed me when the A’s was facing the Yanks. Blanco is like another Gardner. Anderson is decent for the Braves. I was just impressed more with Sweeney.
find a way to get nelfi feliz on the team.
give them hughes, kennedy, coke, karstens, tabata, jackson, kontos, melancon, ohlendorf, robertson, miranda, cervelli, aceves etc. give them anything
His name is Neftali, Hughes alone gets it done and no he’s not ML ready.
Ed who wouldn’t want Ryan Sweeney.
Ed who wouldn’t want Ryan Sweeney.
add Javier Herrera to the waiting list too.
Did anyone see Jose Canseco’s heart felt apology ?
What the hell was that.
“Al -
Nady traded, I was thinking either of Sweeney, Blanco or Anderson. Sweeny impressed me when the A’s was facing the Yanks. Blanco is like another Gardner. Anderson is decent for the Braves. I was just impressed more with Sweeney.”
I’d prefer Nady in the short term. I am really obsessing over Matt Kemp lately. His speed/power combination really appeals to me. He would look great in pinstripes.
Hey, did you all see this?
Rodney Harrison career may be over
Did anyone see Jose Canseco’s heart felt apology ?
Brandon -
some act he’s pulling? lol
I’d prefer Nady in the short term. I am really obsessing over Matt Kemp lately. His speed/power combination really appeals to me. He would look great in pinstripes.
we all been having obsessions for who we want in the Yanks lineup.
I found it funny how after his apology they let the public know about his next fight vs Donny Bonaducci.
I’m afraid I agree with YANKS IN 2010 that 2009 will be a transition year. At the moment, the Yanks are a team that finished in 3rd place and lost Mussina, Petitte, Abreu, and Giambi. It’s not clear that the replacements for these four players in 2009 will be as good as they were in 2008. If the Yanks sign CC, another top free-agent pitcher, and Teixera, then they would likely be strong enough to compete with Tampa and Boston, But, that’s hoping for a lot.
Rebecca that was the most dirtiest hitter in the game.
Thank You Rodney
“I’d prefer Nady in the short term. I am really obsessing over Matt Kemp lately. His speed/power combination really appeals to me. He would look great in pinstripes.
we all been having obsessions for who we want in the Yanks lineup.”
At first I was put off by Kemp with the high K numbers but then I started paying attention to the other stuff. His 18 HR’s in a very non friendly hitters park and also his 35 steals really made me think about the different feel he would give to an aging line-up.
Brandon -
I still found it hard to believe that he regrets naming the names in his book.
2008 was the transition year. If the Yankees get CC and Teixeira I’m goin to have to chance my name to no.28.
guys, we’re not signing manny, and dodgers will not accept hughes for kemp, and the chances of signing BOTH tex and CC are pretty small. You gotta remember there are 29 other teams that would love either of them.
im real nervous about this offseason :/
Kemp is a great young player. He’s big for a centerfielder, but if he can stay in CF he’s going to be one of the best at that position for a while along with Beltran, Sizemore, Upton, Crawford, and Granderson.
“guys, we’re not signing manny, and dodgers will not accept hughes for kemp, and the chances of signing BOTH tex and CC are pretty small. You gotta remember there are 29 other teams that would love either of them.
im real nervous about this offseason :/”
Very wrong. Hughes would be ample for Kemp, LA doesn’t like his attitude and they have a ton of good OF. In other words he is expendable. Yes there are 29 other teams but NOT all of them want/need CC/Tex and less than a handful can afford to pay them.
…The Rays are listed as the favorites?
Oh man. I’ve gotta go start searching for some horsemen…
“Today in class someone brought up the possibility of the Yankees going after Gregg Zaun.
Thoughts?”
Fordham is wack!
give me one dodger source that says they would accept a hughes for kemp deal? no chance that an unproven and injury prone yet high prospect lands you a proven 5-tool player thats had a couple of great years. Cano couldn’t even get Kemp no way Hughes would. I’m just being honest – each team overrates their own prospects and I’m looking at it from both sides
i’d love tex and cc but i don’t think we can land both of them – hah hopefully i’m wrong that’d be awesome.
I don’t see what we can’t land both Tex and CC is that becomes the plan. I mean, I think Tex will follow the years and the money, he would be happy to take more to play for the Yanks. CC, not so sure about, but is he going to say no to the Yanks because he doesn’t want to share the newby love with Tex? I think not.
“give me one dodger source that says they would accept a hughes for kemp deal? no chance that an unproven and injury prone yet high prospect lands you a proven 5-tool player thats had a couple of great years. Cano couldn’t even get Kemp no way Hughes would. I’m just being honest – each team overrates their own prospects and I’m looking at it from both sides
i’d love tex and cc but i don’t think we can land both of them – hah hopefully i’m wrong that’d be awesome.”
Obviously I’m not friends with McCourt and I couldn’t tell you that he told me hes trading Kemp. However the Dodgers had inquired about Hughes in the past(as most every team has) so there is interest. Also LA’s relationship with Kemp is a love/hate as they feel he is an undisciplined player and if they could get a pitching prospect like Phil for him I’m sure they’d consider. Phil in the NL West would be a number 2 easily.
Al I didn’t mean from the GM – I simply mean Dodgers writers, rumors. I spend a lot of time on mlbtraderumors – where yankee fans can talk trades with dodger fans. And they are not trading kemp for hughes or kemp or cano trust me. We know our players and prospects, they know their prospects and players. Kemp is a great asset to that team – homeruns, avg, speed, so what he might have an attitude?? Ya know who else does? Robby Cano – so lets trade him for an unproven injury prone prospect – as a yanks fan would you like to do that? Didn’t think so
I think we can get Kemp for Igawa if we can convince Ned Colletti that it’s scientifically possible for Phil Hughes to do this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQyClNEfncg
I just think its a possibility that we can get Kemp for Hughes. Maybe we need to throw in another player but it can
be done IMO. Even though I’m waxing poetic about Kemp CC/Tex are the true needs this offseason.
With the economy, the fact that the Yankees will spend Luxury tax at 40% over payroll of 162 million, and likely to be the only team over 162 million, with a reported wish to have team payroll around 180 million, don’t expect the Yankees to sign all the free agents you all are “obsessing” about.
It’s true very few teams will have both the wherewithall and/or the go ahead by their owners, to go out and get more than one top free agent. There might be 20, at most, good free agents this offseason out of the close to 200.
With this being said, my guess is;
Sabathia signs with a NL team. We get Burnett, resign Pettitte for one year, instead of Lowe, and have a rotation of Burnett, Wang, Joba, Pettitte and Hughes, or another pitcher obtained thru trade, like a Scott Olsen. The Marlins have a load of arbitration eligible players they won’t resign.
We’ll kick the tires on Teixeira, but don’t expect we’ll get a discount, unless like Beltran, he tells Boras he wants to be a Yankee, which I don’t see happening. Teixeira will follow the money, but will still want to sign with a contender, and therefore the Angels will be the biggest player, with cash coming of the books.
Manny will not be a Yankee, or even want to play in NY.If the Phillies lose the WS, and Burrell does nothing, Manny might replace him.
Abreu, Mussina will be offered arbitration, and possibly I-Rod, who I think has been tagged a Type A. I-Rod will end up with the Red Sox to replace Varitek??
Marte’s 6 million option will not be picked up. He’ll be offered arbitration and is a Type A, and in this economic environment might accept.
These are my guesses so far, as we’ll have a better feel 15 days after the Rays beat the Phillies in the WS!!
Trader -
We are subtracting $88 million from the payroll. We could sign CC, Tex, Manny, and Burnett if we wanted to and still have a lower payroll than last year. That $180 figure was just pulled out of the air from Olney– just like he said we would be offering 40% more than the 2nd highest bidder for CC, which makes no sense. They won’t carry $220 million, but they can certainly afford anyone they want to this offseason and stuill have a manageable payroll.
Nobody in the media knows anything about the payroll… only Hal does. They know the revenue from the new stadium and the YES Network and which is a liquid asset and which is not.
• Some baseball people say the crashing U.S. economy could give the Yankees an even greater advantage in this free-agent season. Some other teams may be affected by baseball’s debt rule that limits spending for teams with significant debt, and some owners may be affected by plummeting stock prices and hurting businesses. Meanwhile, the Yankees’ revenues are expected to jump by a few hundred million from an already sport-high $400 million.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.c.....day/1.html
Jeff-
I agree with you, but with the economy in the tank, big companies bankrupt or near bankrupt, I suspect some of the Yankee skyboxes might go unsold, as companies might have to back out of their deals, except maybe AIG!!
Hal might not have a good feel for the expected Yankee revenues for a while, to even make an educated guess, where payroll will be at come 2009. Sabathia at 25M/year, which translates to 35M/year for the Yankees, is a little steep, don’t you think?
Guard-
All owners have been affected by plummeting stock prices, unless they were hording gold bullion!!
Steve Phillips thinks the Rays could be a big factor in the CC Sabathia sweepstakes this winter
Late to the party, but Jorge hit the very first homerun at the new San Francisco park, no?
Nick, Fordham might be whack, but we’ve got swords and we know how to use them!
Does Steve Phillips do Mad Libs in production meetings? WTF is he talking about? CC would command more than their whole payroll.
Everyone’s a player until it’s time to ante up. What a joke.
*Everyone’s a player in the CC Sweepstakes until it’s time to ante up.
I’m all for the Dodgers be the Yankees guests for the exhibition games. We played them more than any other team in the World Series. The Cubs are an ok choice with Piniella and all but the Dodgers are more appropriate.
steve phillips knows nothing
tom verducci told me that the pirates are the favorites to sign him, i’ll believe him over phillips anyday.
MLB must have something against Dodgers-Yankees matchups.
They are the only team to have not played at Yankee Stadium in interleague play. We’ve played the Pirates and the Padres 10 different times since our last meeting with the Dodgers.
We never even met them in ST when they were still in Florida.
I guess we just have to meet them in October next year.
mel — Have you tried the Volcano Taco from your residence yet? (kind of appropriate because your from Hawaii
)
t-rock,
No, it looks nasty!
Yes, I’m sure the fans are dying at the thought of watching Jim Edmonds hit a HR off of Dan Giese in a game in which most of the star players won’t even show up. Not like we’re seeing Burnett vs. Harden here.
Just another way to squeeze money out of our pockets.
It is odd that the Yanks and Dodgers haven’t played in 10 years of inter-league play. What is this about CC to the Pirates dumbest idea I have heard yet.
Al from Burger King and Mel from Taco Bell posting at the same time.
My night is complete now. I can go to bed.
Al – Steve Phillips apparently suggested that the Rays will be big players for CC.
I spit out by vodka when I read that earlier.
“Al – Steve Phillips apparently suggested that the Rays will be big players for CC.
I spit out by vodka when I read that earlier.”
The Rays are a model of not buying free agents. Obviously Steve Phillips would say anything to rile the Yanks and their fans.
As usual, Steve Philips only had the partial story. The truth is that the Rays, the Pirates, the Royals, and the Padres are going to make an unprecedented 4-team offer to CC (the Brewers have inexplicably said no to this deal).
He would split his time roughly evenly between the 4 teams with the stipulation that his time with the AL teams is weighted towards interleague games in NL parks; CC really wants to bat as much as possible.
“As usual, Steve Philips only had the partial story. The truth is that the Rays, the Pirates, the Royals, and the Padres are going to make an unprecedented 4-team offer to CC (the Brewers have inexplicably said no to this deal).
He would split his time roughly evenly between the 4 teams with the stipulation that his time with the AL teams is weighted towards interleague games in NL parks; CC really wants to bat as much as possible.”
Lol.
Aren’t the Dodgers also a candidate for CC’s services? He’s building a house in SoCal and he wants to be in the NL.
And why the hell would four teams share a player? This “small market” baseball team whining has to stop. Like here in Northern CA when the Yankees play the A’s, I get to hear the Oakland A’s announcers talk ad nauseum about how high the Yankees payroll is and how the A’s pay most of their players the league minimum. Maybe Ray Fosse brings that up over and over again because Pete Rose hit him too hard and he can’t think of anything else. But not much appreciation comes when its the Yankees that fill up places like the McAffe Coliseum (formerly known as the Oakland Coliseum) and the Trop. The Oakland A’s only seem to get fans at the Coliseum when its the Yankees, Red Sox, Giants, or something like Travis Buck Bobblehead Day.
Not to mention the nice revenue sharing checks that the Yankees write to the other teams. I recall the owner of the Brewers says that the needs more revenue sharing. Maybe he should focus on building a team instead of having people dressed up like sausages running around the ballpark.
Yanks will pocket most of that revenue sharing money for several years because facility expenses are dedudctible. Nice to know the Rays, Pirates, Royals and other financial parasites will have their welfare checks reduced.
CC postponed his contruction plans pending resolution of his FA status. Hard for me to see Frank McCourt shelling out huge $$$ for him, but I could be surprised.
The thing about the economy and the debt ratio rules affecting the FA market is true. Many owners had to borrow significant $$ to buy their teams and that debt service limits their payroll. The market tumble could dramatically affect some clubs’ ability to make payments on their debt and thus keep payroll down. The Yankees have no debt on the “team”, so while luxury suite and seat sales may slow down, it wouldn’t affect their ability to pay what they want to pay.
Season opens later next season due to the World Baseball Classic. As for 1B, if they can’t land Texiera, what about Mark Kotsay? He wants to start, so he is most likely not going to resign with the Red Sox, and he played a pretty good 1B in the playoffs. He is a very good hitter too, though he doesn’t have Texiera’s power.
Kotsay is a very good hitter? By what definition?
In the last three years he’s hit 14 HR in 11-hundred AB. That’s bad for a middle infielder and pitiful for an OF or 1B. He has never hit 20 HR, never had 90 RBI, never scored 90 R, never had 20 SB and only once has he hit .300. His career OPS is .751
He is an average MLB player and would be a good guy to have n the bench. But 1B? NFW
Hank Blalock
This is horses maneuer (ma plus newer)!!!!! I’m hoping to get the 41 game package, which includes opening day. If not, I’ll pay an arm and a leg for the first ever opening day, just like I did for the last ever game at the Stadium this year.
BUT that not being the first actual game ever played there is BS. Sure, it’ll still be the first opening day, but it won’t be the first game ever played and that sucks. I’m getting married April 4, so the chances I’ll be able to make the 3rd or 4th are slim to none (well, none for the 4th, slim for the 3rd, MAKE IT A 1PM GAME AND I’M THERE).
NONSENSE.
horse*
I don’t think the Yankees need to go the, “let’s turn somebody into a first baseman” route in order to fill the slot.
In fact, I think they should avoid that at all costs.
Its not difficult to find a guy who is a solid player and also a good defensive first baseman.
In fact, if they shore up their starting pitching through free agency, they can use the young pitching inventory they have to acquire that kind of player via the trade route.
Assuming of course, Tex isn’t signed by the Yankees.
Sign Mark Prior to an incentive driven contract. Maybe we will get lucky and he wont get hurt. Almost got through that without laughing.
We should be playing the Red Sox in our home opener in the new stadium and Jeter should get the first hit, run scored and curtain call. A-Rod the first homer. Yankees the first of many wins and many championships.