Press conference underway soon
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on Nov 11, 2008 
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OK, here we are at the Cisco/Yankees press conference on 33rd Street. You know it’s a big press conference when they give you a pass to get in the elevator and then another one to walk down the hallway. Good thing I wore a tie.
As to what is going on, the team and Cisco will be announcing how technology will help fans at the new Stadium. Based on the press release, there will be HD monitors throughout the ballpark that will have game action, stats, highlights and even traffic information after the game.
Get this: “The Stadium has the capability to allow fans to communicate with players before and after the game using interactive video-based technology.” That should be interesting.
The suites will have touch-screen phones to order good and merchandise.
If you want to check out the press conference yourself go to newsroom.cisco.com/yankees. It starts at 10 a.m.
Good stuff Pete.
Keep it coming.
” “The Stadium has the capability to allow fans to communicate with players before and after the game using interactive video-based technology.†”
Great! It gives the fans another option to BOO Alex….
Tom,
I wonder if they’ll filter the content of the messages before letting the players see them?
I think they’d have to because there would be a lot of ‘you suck’ directed at certain players.
Post-game video-interaction with fans….
I can imagine there would be some sort of moderator to filter questions. Otherwise there would be chaos.
That sounds great, but are the players actually going to communicate with the fans? It’s hard enough to get an autograph never mind having an actual a teleconferenced conversation with them.
“Now you have some who want Holliday next year when he’s a FA? We’re likely getting Sabathia which is going to be a big contract. Some want Texeira and some want Burnett which is going to be a somewhat big contract.
I don’t see the Yankees once again accumulating big contracts. If you sign all those players that’s what you would be doing. It’s no different then signing every name player that they did from 2000-2007. They’re trying to break away from that.
If there’s no Texeira this year and the Yankees go cheap at first then I can see Holliday next year. but if there is Texiera then there is no Holliday.”
Trevor:
many of the members on this board, don’t seem to understand/comprehend this. Exactly – you can’t sign everyone.
do i like Holliday over Texeria?? Yes. They are similar players. However, if one examines the OF position depth (on NYY and the minor league affiliates) over the next 3 years, the need for Holliday should be very apparent. Austin Jackson and Abe Almonte (A-ball/very raw) stand as the only 2 OF prospects in the system with projection.
Pete, I think you’re reading too much Parker. You’re definitely channeling Spenser:
“You know it’s a big press conference when they give you a pass to get in the elevator and then another one to walk down the hallway. Good thing I wore a tie.”
Good stuff.
“do i like Holliday over Texeria?? Yes. They are similar players. However, if one examines the OF position depth (on NYY and the minor league affiliates) over the next 3 years, the need for Holliday should be very apparent.”
actually, they arent really that similar to just lump them together. Teixeira, to me, is clearly a better overall player.
and the same argument you make for OFer depth in the system can be made for 1B depth.
the problem is that there really arent any positional prospects ready to go, minus hopefully AJackson, for the next couple seasons, as closely as one (especially here) can predict these types of things.
Seems like some of those HDTVs will be needed along the side walls of the restaurant in centerfield – it seems that many of the bleacher seats will have obstructed views of the opposite outfield. As long as the corporate types can dine in comfort looking out onto centerfield, I’m sure it’ll be fine.
“Get this: “The Stadium has the capability to allow fans to communicate with players before and after the game using interactive video-based technology.†That should be interesting.”
How many daily video messages do you this will include ‘strikes’ and ‘big nose’?
“do i like Holliday over Texeria?? Yes. They are similar players. However, if one examines the OF position depth (on NYY and the minor league affiliates) over the next 3 years, the need for Holliday should be very apparent.â€
There may be similarities with their offensive production (although I still see Tex being better when you account for home fields), but Tex is more premium because of the position he plays. It’s easier to find corner OF production at lower cost.
“actually, they arent really that similar to just lump them together. Teixeira, to me, is clearly a better overall player.
and the same argument you make for OFer depth in the system can be made for 1B depth”
actually, they are similar:
- both high batting average
- both high OBP
- both have power
- both ++ defensive players
- both 28 yrs old
Tex is a switch-hitter. While Holliday has speed and can swipe 30 bases/year. I’ll take Holliday. He plays greater position of need. And Tex is a station-to-station first basemen.
debate all you wish. It is easier to find (or convert a player in the system to first base), then it is to find a player who can play a very solid LF in Yankee Stadium. Fact.
Touch screen ordering? Fan-Team video conferencing? HD monitors over the urinals?
Keep all your gimmicks and gizmos and put together a team with a hunger for winning.
And put an end to the Kate Smith-Cotton Eyed Joe-YMCA era!
They will likely rotate players having fan communication before and after games.
The days of parking lot banter with fans are gone with the players now coming and leaving the new Stadium with an underground garage.
I have a hard time reconciling Holliday’s career splits. At home he’s a beast: .357 .423 .645 1.068. However, on the road he’s average: .280 .348 .455 .803.
I know he’s been more consistant in recent seasons but those career numbers are stark.
“It is easier to find (or convert a player in the system to first base), then it is to find a player who can play a very solid LF in Yankee Stadium.”
is that why the Yankees have had such great production and defense from 1B the past couple seasons?
just because you proclaim it fact doesnt make it so.
The best thing about the new stadium for fans will be the locker room. Things like that help draw players, I mean after their crazy contracts. Better players should equate to winning. The old stadium was a mess, but the winning in the 90′s brought in so many fans.
“just because you proclaim it fact doesnt make it so”
you know very well, Yankee Stadium practically requires a CF, to adequately play LF. At least, you should know this.
Between this nonsense, the steakhouse and Hard Rock, will there be any time or room for actual baseball to be played?
“you know very well, Yankee Stadium practically requires a CF, to adequately play LF. At least, you should know this.”
and can Matt Holliday play CF? no. so that actually throws your assessment out of the window.
yes, LF at the Stadium is expansive. but your original point was that the Yankees need a LF moreso than a 1B, because the Yankees dont have any OF prospects that are near MLB-ready in the next 3 years.
my point, is that the same can be said for the organization’s position regarding 1B prospects. there is just as much as need to fill 1B with a player outside the organization as there is in the OF.
i’m not arguing against Matt Holliday, because i like him as a palyer… just pointing out that the assumption that they need him more in LF than Teixeira at 1B is faulty.
I’m sure Holliday would be a fine LF for the Yankees, but if you had to choose between the two, I think you go with Tex. We’ve been able to aquire Bobby Abreu and X Nady in the last 3 years through trades (neither really broke the bank in giving up prospects). IMO it’s alway easier to find corner OF then 1B.
You know what is a fact? No player ex Rockie has been able to replicate his numbers outside of Coors Field.
Can we get Carlos Gonzalez from Colorado for Ian Kennedy now ?
I am certain the Yankee’s will enhance the rotation this year.. but I am really curious to see what they do with the offense. I know they looked great on paper last year and the year before they scored a lot of runs.. but I am hoping for something drastic personally.. a little less “I am going to hit a HR” and a little more “I can’t believe I am on the Yankees, gotta get on base!”.
I guess what I am saying is more of a diversified with younger players.. I don’t know what happened to Cano or Melky.. but I’d like to see the same energy that Melky has but not his horrible offensive numbers.
Pete-
Surprised that the Yankees didn’t obtain 6’5″ Scott Olsen, 24 yo lefty, pitched 200 innings, with .253 batting average against and .187 against lefties, perfect for Yankee stadium. Plus his ERA in Sept. and Oct. was 3.30.
Josh Willingham, 29 yo righty power bat who played left field with 7 assists and no errors, has played 1st base and caught , who supposedly is recovered from a bad back. Would have been great as a multidimensional player off the bench, or spun off in another deal.
Nationals gave up a .240 hitting 2nd baseman and two A league prospects, and Florida trades within own division.
Olsen better than FA lefty Oliver Perez and Erik Bedard.
Know Marlins had a run in with Olsen, and probably concerned about Willingham’s back as well as both arbitration eligible, but our scouting should have been able to tell us that both were essentially going to be given away!
Thoughts.
Bronx Jeers
November 11th, 2008 at 10:42 am
Touch screen ordering? Fan-Team video conferencing? HD monitors over the urinals?
Keep all your gimmicks and gizmos and put together a team with a hunger for winning.
And put an end to the Kate Smith-Cotton Eyed Joe-YMCA era!
____________________________________________________
You must be a real joy to be around. Have you ever posted something that wasn’t negative or a whining complaint about something?
Yankee Trader
November 11th, 2008 at 11:12 am
Pete-
Surprised that the Yankees didn’t obtain 6’5†Scott Olsen, 24 yo lefty, pitched 200 innings, with .253 batting average against and .187 against lefties, perfect for Yankee stadium. Plus his ERA in Sept. and Oct. was 3.30.
__________________________________________________________
That career 4.60 ERA in a pitcher’s park in the NL is to die for, and a player with a chronically bad back is a real keeper.
Vinny B – Going in a different direction from the big bucks FA signings ’00-’08 is generally a good idea.
The problem with that FA era was that there was too much money and too many years committed to guys who’d had a great year or two in an otherwise pretty good career, guys who had a good year or two in an otherwise average career, guys who were injury prone, guys who have as many good years as bad years, steroid/PED inflated guys, guys who were at the end of their primes, or just guys whose best years were behind them.
I don’t think Tiexiera would fall into any of those categories. Probably a pretty good bet he has five or six really good years left, maybe a couple pretty good ones on top of that. Probably the best available first baseman over the next several years, there is little else out there (and we have nothing solid coming up in the system for at least a few.
CC is a pitcher so you commit less time to him and arrange the deal so performance/longevity incentives & options work for both the team and the player.
Lowe is decent but not special. Manny is special, but he’s … well, ‘SPECIAL’. You don’t go writing blank checks to guys like Lowe or Manny. You plan carefully, go aggressively after what you want and need, and don’t spend a ton of $$ on leftovers or what you don’t need.
Example: Jaret Wright, as much as I sympathized with all that he went through and how hard he worked to come back, would have been the same in the end no matter how much $ the Yanks gave him. Sure he had talent. But going into that signing his health had to be in question, and that he had erratic career stats due to a history of arm problems should have weighed more heavily.
Example 2: Big Unit … Of course he was an absolute terror when he played against NY for so many years, but how old was he when he finally signed to play in NY?
November 11th, 2008 at 11:09 am
“Can we get Carlos Gonzalez from Colorado for Ian Kennedy now ?”
Is Carlos Gonzalez the answer in center, Brandon?
Fact is the Yanks could use either Holliday OR Tex. I’m of the belief that if either LF or 1B is occupied by a stud, then the other position can be handled by a good glove man. We all know what happens to a team that has the all-star at every position philosphy.
Personally, I’d sign CC, Garland, and try to swing a deal for Adrian Gonzalez.
“Can we get Carlos Gonzalez from Colorado for Ian Kennedy now ?”
no.
Olsen is young, so he still might “put it together.” But, he does have a career road ERA of 5.35.
Plus righties pummel him to the tune of a .820 OPS for his career. Take him out of the weaker NL and into the AL East and he’d be a disaster.
Angels are opting to not make any offer to Tex during their exclusive negotiation time. They arent getting him. Its between us and the Sux.
“and try to swing a deal for Adrian Gonzalez.”
he isnt available, and wont be.
“Is Carlos Gonzalez the answer in center, Brandon?”
TurnTwo saids no, but just watch the man field.
http://mlb.mlb.com/media/video.....7223175224
http://mlb.mlb.com/media/video.....7193155006
“Is Carlos Gonzalez the answer in center, Brandon?”
TurnTwo saids no, but just watch the man field.
http://mlb.mlb.com/media/video.....7223175224
Let’s look at the glass “half empty”
No Sabathia-stays in NL.
No Burnett-goes to the Orioles or Braves.
No Lowe-stays in the NL. Phillies?
No Sheets-stays with Brewers?
No Garland-don’t want him
No Peavy-goes to the Braves or Cubs.
No Perez-stays with the Mets.
No Dempster-stays with the Cubs.
No Mussina-retires.
No Moyer, Johnson-too old and been there done that.
Rotation:
Wang
Pettitte
Joba-limited innings
?
?
?
No proven Aces, no difference in lack of starting pitching from last year, in the strongest division.
Pitching is our big concern. No pitching and Holliday, Teixeira, Manny won’t make a difference.
“That career 4.60 ERA in a pitcher’s park in the NL is to die for, and a player with a chronically bad back is a real keeper.”
GB, very true. The fact that it is Jim Bowden making the trade raises my eyebrows. He’s an awful GM.
This Veterans Day so let me say thanks.
I guess Cisco is still working on its help-the-Yankees-hit-with-RISP technology. So this came first.
Then there’s this even in a 9 – 1 game.
http://mlb.mlb.com/media/video.....6182952141
Brandon-
Ok I’m sold on his defense, but he’s a light hitter so far.
“TurnTwo saids no, but just watch the man field.”
let me clarify. i have realtively no clue who this prospect is, really, and i’m not going to watch a single clip of video that is going to persuade me that we need him in our OF.
but what would make anyone think that this OF, who was just included by Billy Beane in this trade for Matt Holliday to be Holliday’s future replacement in LF for Colorado, would be available for Ian Kennedy?
Yankee Trader,
Scary isnt it? What’s even scarier is that the agents know the Yanks want to be competitive in the new Stadium and will desperate to make a deal. It will be interesting to see how badly they take advantage of the Yanks.
“Angels are opting to not make any offer to Tex during their exclusive negotiation time. They arent getting him. Its between us and the Sux.”
Where is this inside information coming from?
Are the Red Sox trading injured and expensive Mike Lowell, moving Youklis to third and making Teixeira their 1st baseman for the next 7+ years??
He can hit better than his rookie production even w/ that yr. 1 he had 27 XBH in 302 AB.
His milb numbers .286/.341/.472 (a better probably cheaper McClouth in the making)
“but what would make anyone think that this OF, who was just included by Billy Beane in this trade for Matt Holliday to be Holliday’s future replacement in LF for Colorado, would be available for Ian Kennedy?”
Because Colorado has been calling Cashman for Ian Kennedy since the past trade deadline and if you can get value a toolsy athletic CF who can hit .280 and cover the gaps it would be wise to investigate. It’s not like the Rockies are keeping him, they have Dexter Fowler who is thier Austin Jackson waiting in the wings.
“and if you can get value a toolsy athletic CF who can hit .280 and cover the gaps it would be wise to investigate.”
but you cant get him for Ian Kennedy. thats my point.
“It’s not like the Rockies are keeping him, they have Dexter Fowler who is thier Austin Jackson waiting in the wings.”
really? they cant have both “stud” young, and cheap, OFers on their roster?
“Scary isnt it? What’s even scarier is that the agents know the Yanks want to be competitive in the new Stadium and will desperate to make a deal. It will be interesting to see how badly they take advantage of the Yanks.”
Firm belief that it will take more than Jeter to talk to Sabathia. There should be a scheduled meeting for November 15th on the West coast with Sabathia and his agent, meeting with Cashman, Hal Steinbrenner, along with Jeter, the Captain, Rivera, his closer, and Posada his catcher, with a video of the new stadium.
With Sabathia it will not be all about “show me the money,”
but by the genuine interest and appreciation the team and fans will have for him!
Tom
November 11th, 2008 at 11:35 am
“That career 4.60 ERA in a pitcher’s park in the NL is to die for, and a player with a chronically bad back is a real keeper.â€
GB, very true. The fact that it is Jim Bowden making the trade raises my eyebrows. He’s an awful GM.
This Veterans Day so let me say thanks.
_______________________________________________________
Tom, to answer for all Vets and present military personnel, I would like to say, “Thank you”. for the kind words and thoughts. It was my pleasure to do something that I enjoyed and felt like I was accomplishing something worthwhile. That’s the best words we can hear and it’s the best reward we can get…appreciation.
Carlos Gonzalez was Oakland’s top prospect before this season. Before that he was the D-Backs top prospect. Scouts think this kid could be a star. Potential Stars do not get traded for the Ian Kennedy’s of the world.
“but you cant get him for Ian Kennedy. thats my point.”
What makes you think you can’t get a Carlos Gonzalez for Ian Kennedy ? I know your low on him but is it hard to believe he still has value ? TT I respect your opinion but on this it sounds like the same arguement people gave me for Josh Willingham meanwhile the Nats got him for what ? …
“Carlos Gonzalez was Oakland’s top prospect before this season. Before that he was the D-Backs top prospect. Scouts think this kid could be a star. Potential Stars do not get traded for the Ian Kennedy’s of the world.”
Oh so now he’s a potential star ? a few minutes ago according to some people here he was a light hitter…amazing, lets put it this way I bet if Ian Kennedy/JB Cox get put on the table Gonzalez goes to the Yankees.
“Because Colorado has been calling Cashman for Ian Kennedy since the past trade deadline”
They need a CF. Gonzalez is probably it. Besides in Smith they got a Kennedy-type talent. Cook, Francis, Smith, Jiminez and a #5 is probably what they go into the season with. Hawpe, Gonzalez and ? in the OF.
Josh Willingham is a average outfielder with a chronically bad back.
“TT I respect your opinion but on this it sounds like the same arguement people gave me for Josh Willingham meanwhile the Nats got him for what ?”
Apples and oranges. Willingham and Olsen were salry dumps. Why would the Rocks need to move Gonzalez? Certainly no salary factors apply.
Fredo did you forget Fowler ? Spilsborough ?
“Josh Willingham is a average outfielder with a chronically bad back.”
And trade deadline everyone was telling me he was a key blu chipper for the Marlins and you’d need to trade your 2nd best and 3rd best prospect for him. Yadda yadda…
” You must be a real joy to be around. Have you ever posted something that wasn’t negative or a whining complaint about something?”
Of course I have but only when it’s properly warranted.
Actually I recall a recent post about how I thought it sounded like so much fun to take a boat to a baseball game.
I guess the positive stuff doesn’t leave the lasting impression one would hope for.
Today’s post was a my personal commentary on how the modern stadium experience has evolved to include more and more distractions as the game itself diminishes. IMO the Yankee organization seems to be acting as a trailblazer in this regard and as one of their customers it is my right to express my disdain. My opinion is nothing new or earth shattering but it is perfectly in-line given Pete’s original post.
rumor has it that we’ll be able to throw virtual batteries into the visitors clubhouse…
Forget about Carlos Gonzalez….the Rox plan on him for CF this year with Seth Smith now in LF. Dexter Fowler, like Ajax, is “at least” a year away so CF is a position for Gonzalez to lose..he certainly won’t lose it based upon his defense…it remains to be seen whether his hitting develops.
Willie Taveras is now definitely available for a loaf of bread…
saucy what about virtual reggie bars?
“Fredo did you forget Fowler ? Spilsborough ?”
Nope. Fowler could be the 3rd OF. Spilsborgh’s is a 4th OF.
“And trade deadline everyone was telling me he was a key blu chipper for the Marlins and you’d need to trade your 2nd best and 3rd best prospect for him. Yadda yadda…”
I wasn’t one of those people. The facts are these-Willingham does have a bad back. Back injuries reacure and quite often need surgery to fix them. Few baseball players with bad backs ever get back to their pre-injury level.
I find it funny that you can be really disrepectful and dismissive opinions. Meanwhile, half the time (at least) it seems that you have know idea what you are talking about…
The Rox have Seth Smith, Dexter Fowler, Ryan Spilsborough the notion that Carlos is playing CF over Spilsborough or Fowler is laughable. Fowler is the more talented CF, Spilsborough is the better all around. It is quite possible for an arm they might trade Gonzalez.
Willingham is a pretty nice bat, but he’s 30, has had some back difficulties and does not offer anything close to high end production for a corner outfielder when he’s healthy. Upgrade for the Nats, but would not be an upgrade for most clubs.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to Cisco Yankee Stadium.”
who cares? Id rather they spend the money on cc and tex to win then get this garbage.
“Nope. Fowler could be the 3rd OF. Spilsborgh’s is a 4th OF.”
Ryan Spilborghs is a 4th OF ? news to me.
“Ryan Spilborghs is a 4th OF ? news to me”
Shouldn’t be. He’s 29 years old and has never seen as many as 300 AB’s in a major league season. You can’t scream 4TH OUTFIELDER any louder than that.
New Post
Brandon,
It is most unlikely that the Rox acquired Gonzalez to trade him. Spilborghs, though he has filled in in CF is really a corner outfielder; he will either alternate with Seth Smith in LF, beat him out, spell Hawpe against lefties in right, and/or fill in for Gonzalez. Hurdle likes Ryan as his man off the bench since he is the consummate clutch hitter. Obviously, if Gonzalez does not demonstrate he can hit, it may be a different story. O’Dowd prefers that Fowler gets a full year in AAA. That’s the story from the great city of Denver.
“saucy what about virtual reggie bars?”
that will be included in service pack 2
““TT I respect your opinion but on this it sounds like the same arguement people gave me for Josh Willingham meanwhile the Nats got him for what ?—
Fredo and crew have it right.
there is no incentive for the Rockies to trade Gonzalez, because he’s got a high ceiling, and he isnt getting paid anything.
Spillbourghs is definitely a 4th OF. Fowler is at least another year away.
there is room for Gonzalez to play everyday, and the fact that he was the only OF the Rockies got in the trade tells you they want him to be the replacement for Holliday for the near future, hoping he can put together his tools at the MLB level.
and you are giving IPK too much credit.. he just doesnt have the prospect value anymore to be the centerpiece in any deal right now.