Swisher: “2009 will be a special year”
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- November
- 18
Nick Swisher seems like a good guy based on his just-concluded conference call.
A few of the highlights: He made it very clear that he wants to play first base, saying it’s his best position and that he would like to see what he can do if he finally gets a chance to play one position instead of hopping around. … He didn’t go into detail about last season beyond saying hitting leadoff wasn’t a good fit and that he learned a lot and was humbled by it. … He has not yet spoken to his pal Mr. Sabathia. … A-Rod called and welcomed him to the team, as did hitting coach Kevin Long.
In general, he seems thrilled to be with the Yankees. Here, have a listen for yourself:
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Swish on WFAN now
He sounds genuinely thrilled to be here. Glad to have someone on the team who wants to be here.
tex please!
He’ll be just fine with the yankees. These are the type of role players the yankees so desperately need
Pete, are you and Swisher related?
Your pictures look similar.
Just listening to his interview with Francessa…. Swish is going to be great in the clubhouse. A high energy, upbeat guy.
Great Swish, welcome to the team!!
Now get on the phone and call your pal and tell him to join ya!! Both of you can be excited to be in pinstripes.
Raphy LOL
Good call, If you take off the hat, they do look almost identical.
Hopefully he’ll revert to the player he was in Oakland his last two seasons there. If he’s that guy I think Yankee fans will be very pleased with him on the team.
whats his jersey number?
That was nice of A-Rod to give Swisher a call.
Swisher’s one of those guys that says “man” a lot.
He sounds so excited to be here.
Now imagine if we trade him as part of a bigger package later in the winter? lol that would be so cruel
get him to recruit!!!
Only A-Rod called him to welcome him?
Why didn’t Jeter, Posada, Abreu, Giambi, Gardner etc. give him a call?
why WOULD Abreu or Giambi give him a call? i can see you questioning Jeter especially since he is the captain… but Abreu and Giambi are basically not part of the team anymore…
Yes Outlawz, I’m sure Swisher is crushed he didn’t get a call from the immortal Brett Gardner, or from the man whose spot he is going to take next year (Giambi).
Shelly Duncan and Swisher are going to have a blast together next year.
Forget Giambi, why the heck hasn’t Joe Torre called up Swisher yet??
no to Burnett 5 yrs…Why..The cubs gave Dempster 4 yrs and $13 mill. Do not tell me Burnett has better stuff which he does because my response would be so WHAT….
The guy is 32 and pitched 200 innings twice, both times on walk years…
Sabathia, wang, joba, hughes, and Pettitte(1 yr. $10 mill.) that is a good staff with aceves and others in reserve…..
Pass on Tex.
The yankee lineup will be just fine, they are going to be more athletic, and the starting rotation with CC will be better. This team can win as is……
Bob Watson and Buck Showalter didn’t call him either. Classless bastards.
Mickey Rivers, Dale Berra, Matt Nokes and Claudell Washington didn’t call him either for the record.
I heard that Scooter the Squirrel did give him a call however.
Celerino Sanchez, Jerry Kenney, Rich McKinney and Horace Clarke also didn’t call him.
What are the Yankees thinking?
In all honesty, why wouldn’t a player be thrilled to be a Yankee…at least once. It is the most storied franchise in sports history.
It seems to me that if you’ve made it to the bigs, and have any reverence for the sport, becoming a Yankee should carry some tremendous weight.
Scooter is a class act all the way. You should see his office in the new stadium. Sick!
Scooter + flatscreen + Cisco interactivity = one productive squirrel.
I wish CC had the same enthusiasm about being a Yankee that Swisher has.
Cool !! ”YEA MAN” lol You know when the Yankees used to play oakland I used to watch him closely and love they way he played the game. He’s one of favorites. Jeter, chavez, swisher, sizemore, and teixeira are guys I lOVE watching. Now im not saying the true homerun hitters aren’t fun to watch because their great but I favor the guys that do the little things to win.
Love the attitude that Swish has about playing with the Yankees. Can’t wait till he plays next year!
How do you know he doesn’t?
Why don’t you try this exercise.
Search the web and find one DIRECT quote from CC saying he doesn’t want to play in New York.
If you do, post it here.
I’ll save you the trouble. You won’t find it because one doesn’t exist.
Instead of complaining about things you know nothing about, why not let the process play out? You may be pleasantly surprised.
This just in, Brien Taylor and Gerit Cole both called Swish.
If Swisher hits atleast .240, his personality will make him an instant fan favorite.
Nick Swisher will make a good Yankee. He is positive and has a good attitude. He is going to be a good Yankee.
Nick,
LMAO.
Paul O’Neill did call him, but, it was to tell him not to wear #21.
I knew it was only a matter of time before somebody wondered why Jeter didn’t call him.
Just so you know, whenever the Yankees make a trade, Jeter sends the new player any two girls he wants from the Maxim 100 instead of a call. Most guys appreciate that.
Solid interview. Sounds like a player I’d want to succeed. If only he could call CC and start recruiting.
Look at how giddy Peter Gammons is on SportsCenter talking about Pedroia
lol ESPN radio guy is half retarded… swisher was like wtf, this was the first question
If/when CC signs, he will sound just as excited to be a Yankee as everybody else.
Swisher should take no. 21. He seems to have the type of personality to handle it, and even have fun with the “controversy”.
Kay said that he is going to have some people ‘close to CC’ come on his show sometime soon and explain what he may be thinking.
Hey, Derek, my birthday’s next month, what can you do for me?
AJYANKS,
That’s like when ESPN had Brett Farve’s kindergarten teacher say what he’s thinking…it means nothing.
Didn’t I-rod have the same kind of enthusiasm about being in pinstripes?? Unfortunately as we’ve all seen this doesn’t necessarily mean he’s going to have a huge positive impact on the team… just something to think about…. I’ll say it again… TEX PLEASE!
Good stuff as always Pete. Thanks!
this Lisa caller on the Fan sounds like one of the posters here. hmm…
Swisher is a great guy, always has been, always will be. That’s not the issue and should not be the focal point.
Was last year’s BA of .219 an aberration, or will he climb back to his .250 or so level of his three preceding big league years? And if so, will this be sufficient to warrant fulltime status at a batting reliant position?
Or, hopefully, he will break out and being in the prime of his career, close the gap to .300 with 25 to 30+ homers and 100+ ribbies. We shall see.
I would not be overly exuberant. Chicago was unimpressed, giving him up for a loaf of bread. I
Peter,
Isn’t Jeter the “team captain”?
Honesty, I don’t know why people cover for Jeters, he’s a terrible interview.
Mike you negative piece of crap go out side and get off the computer, your being absolutely pathetic, you people were always saying how we need pitching, we NEED CC and AJ more then Tex.. Come on, be real will ya.. This lady on Francesa knows more baseball then you, we gave up BETEMIT! You fans are never satisfied!!
PATHETIC!! You should be ashamed of all your selves.
YES….my question got in. My question was the jersey number.
Glad Swisher sounds excited – it’s a good way to start a new chapter in life, isn’t it?
I’m sure if CC signs here, he will be just as excited – it will have been his choice to do so, I would imagine he’d be happy.
If CC doesn’t sign here, he doesn’t sign here. It’s really okay and it doesn’t make him a villain.
And it’s no big deal that he’s taking his time, for whatever reason. If I were CC, I’d do the same. One week is not an eternity, even though when you’re waiting for an answer it does seem like one.
Maybe it’s not a good idea to bother the people who are “close” to CC, you know? Like, the more my kids pester me, the less likely it is I’m going to cave.
Rumor has it that Manny also called him.
Why didn’t CC and Burnett call Swisher to congratulate him?
Francesa keeps saying “they need a CF” and how he doesn’t like Gardner. Where does he expect to get one from? I guess he thinks Cashman should snap his fingers and boom here is the second coming of Mickey Mantle. SMH
Lots of you guys act a little crazy, like this article is the only real option:
http://www.theonion.com/content/node/27656
Somebody posted that on the Big Lead in response to all this nonsense of the Yankees HAVE to sign everybody. Get real.
Pete,
Have you seen Swish’s girl? He doesn’t need any help from Jeter.
http://lh3.ggpht.com/fisherwy/RuCgcnMYBgI/AAAAAAAAIDU/N7s4dCIW2l0/daniel+gamba%5B2%5D.jpg
It’s intriguing that everyone is enthused over a guy who hit .219 last year, but many are insisting that Cano who declined to .271, some .52 points higher, be traded.
Kenny Williams is no dummy, far sharper than Cashman.
Are you kidding me Aaron??? haha you’re the one who’s pathetic… im not being negative… I’m simply pointing out that to all of those who are getting excited for him to play simply based on an interview and what he had to say… OK ONE thing I’ll give you is he’s a classy guy, and classy guy’s belong playing for the yankees. For that I respect the man and welcome him to our team. HOWEVER I want whatever you’re smoking cause if you think we NEED AJ over TEX you have some issues… and maybe you should be the one going outside to deal with them… I on the other hand am required to be at a computer because it’s part of my job. Being the dedicated yankee fan I am, since I was old enough to comprehend baseball (something which you seem to still be struggling with), I like to follow and talk about baseball/yankees. There is no reason why we cant get CC and Tex… I’m sorry for going on this huge rant…. but Aaron…. let’s be serious…. you are just a grumpy person that has no idea what he’s talking about… you’re just tryin to piss on someone else parade… I’ll make sure to give you a shout out when Tex starts the season at 1B. It’s idiots like you that are never forgotten!
Seriously, I think we’re going to get CC and AJ. As for Tex, we’ll get him only if the market for him doesn’t pan out, due to the economy; we would then be able to get him at a lower price, as we would be bargaining from a position of strength, what with Swisher in the fold and the lack of other buyers for Boras. Swish could then be moved to LF or RF, or, even traded again.
I know Swish is exicted about being here, and this is very cold and calculating, but that’s the only way I could see Tex coming here – if the Steinbrenners want to part with that much money.
What # is Swisher going to wear?
Nick wore 33 in OAK and 30 in CHC.
Bruney is 33
Robertson is 30
Heard Swish on with Francesa…Sounds like quite a character.
Okay guys, what did you think Swish was going to say? That the Yankees suck, he hates NY and he wishes he was still with the White Sox?
I’m glad that he knows what to say in interviews and during press conferences, but I’m not going all ga-ga over him until he produces on the field. Show me the lumber, Swish!
The funny thing about that Onion article is that they ended up with 40% of the guys in that picture!
Thanks Laura, furthermore proving my point…
Let Bruney and Swisher compete in a 40 yard dash in Spring Training for the right to #33
Teix also called, telling him to bring only his outfielder’s glove.
It’s amazing how every other GM in the game is smarter than Cash.
How did the Yankees ever stay in the playoff hunt as long as they did with that piss-poor roster that he assembled.
Joe Girardi must be a miracle worker. Oh, I forgot, he’s awful, too.
Laura -
Actually, given the year he had last year, I would expect him to say he wishes he was still with Oakland!
(I hope it’s obvious I’m j/k)
Bronx Jeers,
if Mussina offically retires, then 35 could be an option. here’s the numbers that opened due to FA: 39, 46, 25, 47, 53, 34, 14, 17, and possibly 35.
17 could be opened if Duncan or Christian doesn’t come back. Rasner left for Japan, I believe Marte will take back 43 since he wore it through out his career, which leaving 34 open. 14 is open, well because Betemit is traded.
“Just so you know, whenever the Yankees make a trade, Jeter sends the new player any two girls he wants from the Maxim 100 instead of a call. Most guys appreciate that.”
Pete,
When you put it that way,hell who wouldnt be thrilled to play for the Yanks. I knew Jeter was taking it for the team in staying single. And here i thought i couldnt respect the guy more.
oh yeah, 12 is free now too.
Why doesn’t anyone say #6 is available?
Swisher said that 1st base is his best position. Defensively it will be a huge upgrade over Giambi.
“Actually, given the year he had last year, I would expect him to say he wishes he was still with Oakland!
(I hope it’s obvious I’m j/k)”
Good point!! Let’s hope he plays like he did when he was in OAK.
Swisher at 1st is more than acceptable if you get a good CF.
Gardner AND Swisher in the lineup will be awful.
“Why doesn’t anyone say #6 is available?”
Cashman could have gave #6 to anyone last season but didn’t. I think he’s waiting for the right time to retire it.
Pete and Swish were separated at birth!!
Please, please, Swish. Take #13.
45 is available!! Oh scratch that. They are burning that one.
I think he should be the first guy to have a 3 digit number. 270. Batting average we expect him to be at this year.
Indians beat writer on the Michael Kay show right now.
Says CC “doesn’t really like NY”.
“45 is available!! Oh scratch that. They are burning that one.”
LOL. I’m still waiting for that player to bring the history back in #45, like Cecil Fielder did. Pavano and Herdia put some shame to the legacy of #45. sigh!
“Swisher said that 1st base is his best position. Defensively it will be a huge upgrade over Giambi.”
Hell i would be an upgrade over Giambi fielding with a left handers glove. Keep in mind im a righty. Seriously i hope we never have to see a first baseman that cant throw a ball to the next base ever again.
Some guy from the Akron Journal is on with Kay… saying that he does not like New York. Said he is from the Bay Area near Nappa and grew up in a small town and isin’t used to city life. Said he will probably learn to adjust to it though.
Snort! Where was Gator from?
“Says CC “doesn’t really like NYâ€.”
Thats it!! Iv had it with this C.C. soap opera. Pull the money and spend less on AJ,Pettitte,Sheets,Penny.
Rotation
Wang
AJ
Penny(first half of the season. Best performance.)
Sheets(second half)
Pettitte
Joba
So all we would ask from Penny and Sheets is to pitch 100 innings each. #27 will already have our names on it.
Well if there’s no West Coast team offering a contract Sabathia has no choice but to except the Yankees offer. Or he could take 40 million less to play for the horrible Brewers.
Why hasn’t anyone signed? what is going on? Why haven’t any FAs even gotten offers?
Maybe instead of giving CC a tour of Yankee Stadium, someone can give him a tour of upstate New York.
Anyone else thing that lady who asks the questions sounds like a robot? I really thought it was like some Cisco call handling software until they started calling it by name
think*
Great, another person weighing in about CC who isn’t CC.
I’ll wait and listen to what CC has to say about NY instead of listening to someone speak for him who isn’t assigned to speak for him.
I know a lot of people who didn’t “like NY” but liked it a whole lot better once they made big money.
I also know a lot of people who didn’t like NY and liked it a lot better once they got shown around the city by people who were well connected in the city.
NYC is a very different place when you have big money and/or are able to be introduced into the city by folks who know it well. In other words, NYC is viewed quite differently from the “home dugout” instead of the “visitors dugout”. Issues such as transportation, housing, schools, etc, become non-issues.
Throughout all this “what will CC do” stuff, we haven’t heard a single negative thing from the lips of CC about how he feels about NY. Not one.
Yet, folks hang on every word uttered by others about “what CC thinks”.
My opinion? They don’t know any more than the rest of us.
These days, folks can’t just wait for something to happen. They have to inject themselves into the story with speculation that is unsourced.
If CC didn’t want to play in NY, he would have rejected the Yankees offer out of hand. He hasn’t so, let’s just sit back and wait to see what happens.
yeah, I heard that interview too. Kay interviewed an Indians and Brewers beat writer.
Neither were convinced that CC likes NY (the Indians guy came out and said he doesn’t like NY) but both expected him to eventually sign in NY though just because they feel the WC teams don’t have a high interest level in them and our offer will be the largest and might even be the only offer (along with the Brewers).
Bill Buckner was also from Vallejo.
Am I the only one disturbed by the fact that a beat writer from 2 beats ago went on a nationally syndicated show and said what he just said?
Whether it’s true or not, as a player, I wouldn’t appreciate that.
“Indians beat writer on the Michael Kay show right now.
Says CC “doesn’t really like NYâ€.”
It’s funny – I’m listening to this same interview Kay is doing with the beat reporter from Akron who knows CC well.
To listen to this interview and conclude that the main point this guy is making is that CC doesn’t like New York is amusing.
This whole CC “doesn’t like NY” is just reaching absurd proportions. All the reporter was saying was the CC is a northern california guy by disposition. If you’ve ever spent any time in the bay area and in NY you’d know they are very different.
That’s it. The reporter’s main point was that CC will be fine in NY. That’s what the main point he was making – it may take him some adjusting but no big deal.
The reporter also said what nearly everyone in baseball says about CC – he’s an absolutely great guy who cares a ton. He takes his responsibility as ace of the staff to heart – when he’s given the ball he feels responsible for winning that game – it’s not on his teammates. It’s on him.
What else do people want from this guy. Is it such a big deal to say it may take some adjustment for a Bay Area guy to get used to NY.
The bottom line is that Sabbathia pitched like a warrior for a brewer’s team that was clearly renting him and obviously abusing his arm. Despite that CC felt responsible for pitching that team into the playoffs.
I don’t think anyone of us has ever seen a pitcher in that situation shoulder that much of the burden with so little regard for himself and his financial future.
If that doesn’t show his true “character” I’m not sure what does.
He’s never said he doesn’t like NY. His main point seems to be that he’s from California and that’s his preference.
When any person is looking for a new job who doesn’t consider location in that decision?
“Seriously i hope we never have to see a first baseman that cant throw a ball to the next base ever again.”
So much for Mackey Sasser’s dreams of making a comeback and playing first base for the Yankees.
“LOL. I’m still waiting for that player to bring the history back in #45″
Al,
Would you dare try to give “THE CURSED” #45 to someone youv either paid big bucks to or a young stud from our system? Id pass. Burn it and move on. Once we run out of double digit numbers we’ll have to go to triple digits and leave that one out. Its equal to not having the 13th floor for Yankees from this point on.
I just got offered $140 million to work in Peru. I’m from NJ, so I don’t really love the fact that it’ll be so different.
See you in 6 years when I get back.
They should give #21 to Sabathia and we’ll see if any morons boo him.
swisher sounds like an awesome guy, and whether people like it or not he is our first baseman
Please. A-Rod was probably calling Swisher\’s mom for a date and just played it off when Nick answered unexpectedly.
CB,
Exactly. The whole “CC doesn’t like NY” stuff is so overplayed, its ridiculous.
If he “didn’t like NY” so much, he would already turned down the Yankees offer and moved on. He hasn’t.
To me, all this CC stuff reaches nonsensical proportions when I hear people not in his inner circle speaking for him.
Its just speculation and nothing more.
Hell, if you want to speculate, listen to what Lebron James has to say about the situation. He’s closer to CC than any beat writer.
In situations like this, folks gravitate toward the speculators who match their own desires.
“My opinion? They don’t know any more than the rest of us.”
Man wheres bobcat when you need him?
“If CC didn’t want to play in NY, he would have rejected the Yankees offer out of hand.”
I agree with most of what you said SJ accept for this line. Why would he reject them and have some other team know he doesnt want to play there. Which of coarse would mean they would offer less. He will wait it out and hope for someone to go higher on the bid.
Pete asked the most important question there at the end.
What # are you gonna wear!
CB,
The beat writer used the exact term “he doesn’t like New York”. That may not be the point of the conversation but that is noteworthy that he was so definitive.
Kay asked the same question to the Milwaukee writer and his response was “Well I heard he would like to play back home in California”. The Cleveland one flat out said “He doesn’t like New York”. Of course, both ended the convo saying they thought CC would sign here, so its all moot.
Right now as fans, we are grasping for straws for any information and to try and draw any conclusion we can. So as you would expect, that interview will spark up some interest. Until CC signs somewhere, this will be an on-going thing.
“I just got offered $140 million to work in Peru. I’m from NJ, so I don’t really love the fact that it’ll be so different.
See you in 6 years when I get back.”
LOL. At least it wasnt siberia. Very good point.
Why in the world would CC outright say he doesn’t want to come to NYC? That would kill all his leverage.
If his agent advised him to do that, he should be fired on the spot. NOBODY does that. Even if Peavy was on the market he wouldn’t rule out anyone.
Is it normal to go 5 days without hearing a word from CC’s camp?
Nothing from his agent, no anonymous quotes from ’sources close to CC’, nothing.
Why hasn’t the always sneaky and proactive NY media gotten some dirt yet? Even if it’s recycled news from Joel Sherman, there should be something by now.
SJ: playing devil’s advocate, but even if CC might or will turn down the NYY offer, isn’t it better as a negotiating tactic to keep it out there to get the most out of competing teams?
Trevor,
CC liked MIlwaukee and enjoyed his teammates most of whom (including Mike Cameron) are still there. They have some good young talent not only on team but also in the chain. The ballpark is great, the fans love the team and CC.
They are also not horrible, but will be competitive as they were this past year, especially if CC signs with them. My sense is that if CC does not accept our deal, there is a very good chance he remains a Brewer.
If Sabathia came out and said he didn’t want to go to the Yankees, he would be lucky to get $120 million as the highest bid. What team is going to pay him? The 2 West Coast teams have more interest in retaining their own FAs than they do CC.
I just got off the phone with CC’s, mothers, friends, uncle, who plays badminton with a guy who will remain nameless, who taught a 15 year old all there needs to know about badminton. He told me to expect Sabathia to turn down the Yankees and Brewers offer, retire from baseball, and move back to his old home in California. He is also purchasing a batting cage so he can learn how to hit so he can come back as a DH since he loves hitting more than pitching now
Looks like CC watch 2008 is making people antsy.
Patience?
SOS,
you made a mistake. He were referring to me, not Al. little typo.
SJ,
I don’t know if you had the chance to listen to the interview. But it was really harmless.
Do people seriously think Andy Pettite and his family were thrilled to come to NY before they did. Do people think that Andy didn’t have any concerns about culture shock coming to the city from Texas and being in Louisiana?
Andy loves NY now.
CC preferring to play in the state where he’s from is somehow morphing into CC hates NY.
It’s just nonsense. After the yankees passed on johan last year it was obvious they would go in full bore to get CC.
It only makes sense for CC to make geography something of an issue. It benefits his negotiating position.
That’s the right he’s earned – he’s a free agent.
But if people think that a guy who pitched the way CC did for the Brewers – a franchise he owed nothing to and was using him – wouldn’t make a full commitment to the yankees should he sign here is ridiculous.
It’s equally ridiculous to think he’s somehow just playing the yankees because he hates NY. There’s no evidence for that at all.
He’s just a Bay area guy. People from the Bay area often don’t even “like” Los Angeles becasue it’s so different.
This is just a ball player going through the same kind of concerns most people have when looking for a new employer. Everyone has a preference about where they would ideally like to work.
Everyone comes to some decision about how to balance such preferences with the opportunities they have in front of them.
SA,
Patience isn’t a virtue to those people. lol
Nick,
Not necessarily in this case because all of baseball expects him to sign with the Yankees.
In fact, at least in this case, the longer the Yankees offer is out there, the less teams will bid for him.
If he rejected the Yankees, there would actually be a bidding war for his services.
Right now, there isn’t any because every team in baseball feels they won’t be able to keep pace with any Yankee offer.
Its fascinating becuase this is one instance where if CC is trying to use as leverage, (which I don’t believe he is) is more of a negative than positive.
Am I the only person who thinks Dempster’s deal would’ve been higher if he had this kind of season a year ago? We all know about his history, but it wasn’t very long ago that teams were jumping at starters with questionable ability and longevity. Carlos Silva got a 4/48 deal after a very mediocre season. I also think Affledt could’ve gotten a longer deal in the past. My guess is the economy is really catching up with baseball.
“It’s intriguing that everyone is enthused over a guy who hit .219 last year, but many are insisting that Cano who declined to .271, some .52 points higher, be traded.
Kenny Williams is no dummy, far sharper than Cashman.”
It’s funny what one learns when one looks at something more than batting average.
Yes, his BA was only .219, but his on base percentage was .333. By itself, a .333 OBP ain’t great, but when it’s over 100 points higher than your BA, that’s fantastic. Swisher walks a lot and sees a ton of pitches. He is a perfect fit for the Yankees lineup. Kenny Williams is most definitely not “far shaper than Cashman” for trading a solid player for a next-to-useless spare part in Betemit, an overrated prospect in Marquez, and a decent guy in Nunez, who is essentially equal to the MiL pitcher the Yankees got back in return. This is a wonderful trade for the Yankees and if I were a White Sox fan, I’d be plenty pissed about that.
Ed that the second time iv done that in a week. Sorry to you and Al. Im trying to advance from reading 1 letter to 2. Bare with me.
If CC turns down the Yankee offer, there is a 0% chance he signs with the Brewers.
That offer is out there to appease the Brewers season ticket holders.
Their owner and GM can say, “we tried”.
If he turns down the Yankees, he will end up in either SF, LA or Anaheim.
He’s not going back to Milwaukee.
“SJ,
I don’t know if you had the chance to listen to the interview. But it was really harmless.
Do people seriously think Andy Pettite and his family were thrilled to come to NY before they did. Do people think that Andy didn’t have any concerns about culture shock coming to the city from Texas and being in Louisiana?
Andy loves NY now.
CC preferring to play in the state where he’s from is somehow morphing into CC hates NY.
It’s just nonsense. After the yankees passed on johan last year it was obvious they would go in full bore to get CC.
It only makes sense for CC to make geography something of an issue. It benefits his negotiating position.
That’s the right he’s earned – he’s a free agent.
But if people think that a guy who pitched the way CC did for the Brewers – a franchise he owed nothing to and was using him – wouldn’t make a full commitment to the yankees should he sign here is ridiculous.
It’s equally ridiculous to think he’s somehow just playing the yankees because he hates NY. There’s no evidence for that at all.
He’s just a Bay area guy. People from the Bay area often don’t even “like†Los Angeles becasue it’s so different.
This is just a ball player going through the same kind of concerns most people have when looking for a new employer. Everyone has a preference about where they would ideally like to work.
Everyone comes to some decision about how to balance such preferences with the opportunities they have in front of them.”
And the logical post of the night award goes to…
“Patience isn’t a virtue to those people. lol”
LOL Ed. True True
“They are also not horrible, but will be competitive as they were this past year, especially if CC signs with them.”
No last year was the Brewers window of opportunity. That’s now closed.
In a year in which Ben Sheets was healthy enough to make 30 very good starts and with CC pitching the best he ever has the brewers barely made the playoffs as a wild card.
Now they have no closer and sheeets is unlikely to be back and is at high risk to get hurt even if he does. On top of that the Brewers have no bull pen whatsoever. None.
The Brewers are also rumored to be looking to trade Prince Fielder, Mike Cameron and JJ Hardy.
CC could opt for a that kind of chance to win. Or he could sign on to anchor a staff that has Wang, Chamberlain, Pettite and possibly Burnett on it and to pitch in front of what is shaping up to be a top 3 bull pen.
The brewers have very little to offer him.
A lot of big time Yankees were originally from Northern California.
I’m not completely convinced, but that’s an interesting take. It may be correct. I still lean towards the conventional wisdom that says that CC can get offers closer to the Yanks’ offer while it’s still on the table than he could if it’s off the table.
Either way, I do hope at least some team other than the Brewers makes CC some type of offer, just so that he doesn’t end up feeling like he only chose the Yanks because none of the west coast teams made a serious go at him.
But that’s just pop psychology, I really don’t care, I just want CC to choose the Yanks and I think that’s how it’s going to eventually go down.
I agree on your Brewers take, CB… I have no idea how they can replace Sheets and CC and expect to compete with the Cubs, and the Mets/Phils/DBacks/Dodgers for the WC.
The way the market is shaping up for CC, I could be his agent… no negotiating necessary (or possible when there is only 1 real offer).
“I agree on your Brewers take, CB… I have no idea how they can replace Sheets and CC and expect to compete with the Cubs, and the Mets/Phils/DBacks/Dodgers for the WC.”
Thirded.
“If he rejected the Yankees, there would actually be a bidding war for his services.”
Agreed. Right now the yankees initial offer has shaped the market at an equilibrium point that no other organization can compete with.
CC rejects that offer as is his right – then the equilibrium of the market is reset.
But that reset market is not going to approach the same level of dollars as were on the table before.
If that happens the yankees strategy was the right one – it gets this issue done with and allows them to move on.
CB,
If the offer is rejected outright, do you see the Yankees moving on?
I like Swisher sounds like a great guy. Theres no reason to believe in a comfortable situation here with the Yanks on a contending team he can’t put up some numbers. He hit 35 bombs a few years back in Oakland and with the short porch I think he could hit .250 with 35-40 HR’s and 90-95 RBI. That is certainly not a waste at first base, yes Tex would be nice but let the Angels have him so we can focus on CC.
“If the offer is rejected outright, do you see the Yankees moving on?”
Yes. If it’s an outright rejection and not simply part of negotiations for more money, etc. the yankees will have to move on.
I don’t think they’ll slam the door but they’ll just shift priorities.
There’s only so much an employer can do to recruit someone. The yankees have done just about as much as they possibly can.
They’ve essentially communicated in a very loud way – that they are going to be completely elastic on price – they are going to be the high bid no matter what.
If that kind of commitment doesn’t get it done it’s not meant to be.
On the whole this whole geography issue really gets blown out of proportion.
Today John Heyman said Tex would have “never” considered playing on the west coast if he hadn’t gotten traded to the angels and enjoyed the area.
Seriously? Who believes that Tex would have just dismissed any west coast offer if it was the highest bid due to his love of the east coast. Could anyone imagine a Boras guy doing that? ARod wound up in Texas on a horrible team.
But the story about tex and his love of the east coast makes a nice story, I guess. Can’t imagine a reporter just buying that but that’s exactly what Heyman said.
It’ll hurt if they lose CC but it’s not the end of the world.
I try not to listen to this nonsense about CC disliking NYC. I just hope he signs with the Yankees. He’s a professional and if he chooses to pitch for the Yanks he will pitch well.
Its up to CC to decide if he’d rather play in CA and get paid $120 million or play in NYC and get paid $150 million. I think most people would choose the money and I hope CC is one of those people.
CB
November 18th, 2008 at 7:17 pm
The Brewers are also rumored to be looking to trade Prince Fielder, Mike Cameron and JJ Hardy.
________________________________________________________
Billy Hall is another one they’d like to move.
Although he’s a right handed bat, I’d prefer that Milwaukee made Corey Hart available. He doesn’t walk a lot, but, he does other things well.
“I think he could hit .250 with 35-40 HR’s and 90-95 RBI. ”
Those numbers look earily similiar to a first baseman we just had. But the bonus is he comes with a glove and is $15 mil cheaper. Where do i sign up?
the fact that A-ROD called swisher just goes to show you the media is not always on point on their betryal of players, they show arod as someone who is self centered and on a island somewhere with madonna
only CC’s friends and family know what CC thinks, maybe even CC doesnt even know what to think at this point, its all up in the air, but soon enough we will find out.
“ARod wound up in Texas on a horrible team.”
CB,
I wonder if alot of superstars who sign with a bad team think they can put the team on their shoulders and make them a winner?
Can you see a situation ala Damon. Where we swoop in on the 12th hour and snatch Teix?
I never knew this about AJ’s contract with the Jays…
“Lots of players have free-plane-ticket perks written into their contracts, but some feel that air travel really lacks that fun we’re-going-to-the-prom feeling that you can only get from a long limo ride. When flamethrower A.J. Burnett signed with Toronto as a free agent in December 2005, he required that his wife receive eight round-trip limo rides from his home in Maryland to Toronto each season. That’s around nine hours in a limo each way, which is enough time to move the little divider between you and the driver up and down roughly 3,500 times.”
http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/10196
“Can you see a situation ala Damon. Where we swoop in on the 12th hour and snatch Teix?”
I think it completely depends on where the market is for Tex. If it’s moving into the 8yr/200M range I don’t think the yankees will be real active.
If it’s something more reasonable I think they’ll put their toe in the water and see.
The biggest difference between their approach to CC and Tex I think is their sensitivity to price. With CC they’re saying whatever it takes we’re committed to.
With Tex I think price will be a much larger factor.
Given the scarcity of #1 starters I think that makes sense.
“A lot of big time Yankees were originally from Northern California.”
Joe D made out ok here!
“Where we swoop in on the 12th hour and snatch Teix?”
I could see this happening should Moreno not offer an astronomical deal. Tex might want to come East and be a big star on the Yanks if the money is the same.
Has (team captain) Derek Jeter called CC?
Maybe Jeter et al. should make him feel at home.
We haven’t fired all of our bullets yet… the battle is just getting started.
Our first offer was the highest ever for a pitcher, there is plenty of more money where that came from. We can also throw in an extra year if it came to it.
And we still haven’t invited CC to NY to visit the new stadium, explore the city more in depth, see the suburbs etc. Nor have we sent out a full court press with Hal, Girardi, Jeter, A-Rod, Jorge, Damon, Mariano, Reggie, Yogi, etc. Hell, we may even find a way to get Jay-Z or one of his other idols to talk to him.
There is plenty of ammo left in the gun. If a team like the Dodgers try and get close, expect our next shot to be fired. It makes no sense to overwhelm him and throw 10 different things all at once, that would be a negative. We can systematically use each tool to lure him here.
Pete tell Nick I need some trees cut down.
I heard Nick’s interview on WFAN with Francessa.
Hopefully when he gets settled in he’ll lose the nervous laugh because he sounds like he could be a fun listen.
““Lots of players have free-plane-ticket perks written into their contracts, but some feel that air travel really lacks that fun we’re-going-to-the-prom feeling that you can only get from a long limo ride. When flamethrower A.J. Burnett signed with Toronto as a free agent in December 2005, he required that his wife receive eight round-trip limo rides from his home in Maryland to Toronto each season. That’s around nine hours in a limo each way, which is enough time to move the little divider between you and the driver up and down roughly 3,500 times.—
Well NY is only about 5 hours from Maryland Mrs. Burnett that Limo ride will be a lot less strenuous.
Can anyone see Damon going back to Boston after next year to play left field for a couple of years? Bay is a FA too.
“Has (team captain) Derek Jeter called CC?
Maybe Jeter et al. should make him feel at home.”
Apparently El Capitan has already contacted CC about his free agency. No need to have the same guy calling CC all the time have Girardi or Jorge call him up.
I hate to break it to you conspiracy theorists but Sabathia has NEVER ONCE said he didn’t want to play in New York. In fact, he said after the season that he would consider all teams. His agent said the same thing at the GM Meetings.
As for the idea of “swooping in” on Teixeira, as I have tried to tell you, the Angels have made him a priority. They also can afford him. This isn’t Johnny Damon unable to get a fourth year. This is a younger player.
The Yankees also didn’t acquire Swisher (and $22 million) to have him play off the bench or platoon.
Some of you are making these things way too complicated. It’s really not. 99 percent of the players who don’t return to their teams go where they can get the most money.
Al,
honestly I was the one that brought up the Swisher idea but everyone shot it down when a trade talks with Chicago opened up, and thought Damon was going to be traded. I then was like Damon for Swisher would make sense, and it was a damn good premutation for me.
Pete,
most people here arent saying that CC himself has said anything, thats the point, this topic was mainly brought up because what happened on michael kays radio show today
I think the Yankees have enough money to go all out and target C.C.’s phone with robocalls. Not sure whos voice it would be on it.
lol Ed, what else do you forsee in the Yankees future?
Al from BK( Jets alone in first!)
How slow do you drive that it is 5 hours? It is more like 3, or less if I drive.
Nick sounds like a cool dude. I really hope he does well.
“Can anyone see Damon going back to Boston after next year to play left field for a couple of years? Bay is a FA too.”
No, for a lot of reasons. Here’s 3 to list a few:
1. I think they re-sign Bay… he seems to be Theo’s kind of player.
2. I think it would be an unnecessary PR distraction.
3. Ellsbury is the lead-off man of the future for the team.
“Can anyone see Damon going back to Boston after next year to play left field for a couple of years? Bay is a FA too.”
I highly, highly doubt it. If they let him go when they did, they probably wouldn’t bring him back, especially if Bay continues his solid play.
Technically, if we are to believe the hearsay evidence from Doug Eyechart’s interview, CC did say “I ain’t going there [to play for the Yankees]” to which Minty claims to have replied: “You’ll love it there.”
You can look it up.
you gotta have faith,
i have no idea. i have a tiny feeling though, some kind of a trade will happen soon. lol
another reason why Swisher is a great pick up: he HATES Beckett.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgZi-zaOshQ (the first 10 seconds)
hating Beckett adds another cool points to my book. lol
There is no doubt in my mind that the fans and Swish will have a mutual love for one another… all he needs is the opportunity to play, which it seems like he will get.
“How slow do you drive that it is 5 hours? It is more like 3, or less if I drive.”
Jennifer,
I think a job as a lemo driver for the Yanks is in store for you.
Another Yankee advocating Burnett…
“I guess I could characterize (Burnett’s) stuff as electric,” said Swisher, who is 2-for-10 against Burnett in his career. “He’s one of those guys where it just feels every time you step in the box it’s an uncomfortable at-bat. The guy can run the ball up to 98, 99 mph, has a great curveball, commands the plate well, both sides, and would be a huge pickup if we can get him.”
http://www.nj.com/yankees/index.ssf/2008/11/nick_swisher_is_excited_about.html
Swisher hates Beckett? Swish now has a special place in my heart.
I’m gonna need to buy a Nick Swisher bobble head
“There is no doubt in my mind that the fans and Swish will have a mutual love for one another… ”
Until he strikes out twice in a game and they boo him.
Does any know if Josh Beckett can be a Free Agent after the 2009 season or after the 2010 season?
Sabathia, who grew up north of San Francisco in Vallejo, Calif., says he is looking to build a home in the Los Angeles area. He wants a place his family can call home. He and his pregnant wife, Amber, have a son and daughter that turn 5 and 3 this month, with another girl due Oct. 15.
“I told him, ‘How’s $250 million going to look in New York?’ ” says Pirates infielder Doug Mientkiewicz, who played for the Yankees in 2007. “He told me, ‘I’m not going to go there.’ I said, ‘Trust me, dude, you’ll love it there.’ He could handle pitching in New York. He could handle pitching on Mars.”
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/nl/brewers/2008-09-03-Sabathia_N.htm
Okay – you guys who said, CC never said “he doesn’t want to play in NYC”, what do you say now?
SA,
lol…you should definitely get that autographed when the season starts.
“Until he strikes out twice in a game and they boo him. ”
Well, if he’s gonna do that, then he deserves to get boo’d. He’s a bum… let’s trade him for Pujols!!!!1!! lol
If it pays well i’m there.
What is this Twilight movie many are going nuts over? Vampires?
“He’s a bum… let’s trade him for Pujols!!!!”
getting an early start for next season, eh? lol
Swish seems like a good guy and genuinely happy to be with the Yanks. This could turn out to be a very good move!
Jennifer-
I drive like a little old lady and I always hit traffic whenever I got to Camden Yards.
“If it pays well i’m there.”
It would have to pay good. Being that you would have to pay for speeding tickets and spilled alchohol on ball players suits from swirving through traffic.
“What is this Twilight movie many are going nuts over? Vampires?”
affirmative..my cousin, her friends, and my gf were all going crazy over that main actor. they even planned a “girl’s night out” movie just for that.
SA,
I also forgot to add, its a vampire love story.
“Okay – you guys who said, CC never said “he doesn’t want to play in NYCâ€, what do you say now?”
I’m one of the few people in here who knows about that quote thats why I’m a bit leery on CC coming here. Everyone else thinks its money in the bank I disagree. The question is would his family support his decision to leave 50 million on the table?
I got those quotes pretty close from memory!
It’s a ggod thing Doug M isn’t our GM, he’s offering $250 million.
““What is this Twilight movie many are going nuts over? Vampires?â€
affirmative..my cousin, her friends, and my gf were all going crazy over that main actor. they even planned a “girl’s night out†movie just for that.”
Don’t feel bad Ed, there is only really only one vampire movie. That is “Interview with the vampire”.
Once upon a time while in another uniform Johnny Damon said he’d never play for the Yankees.
“That is “Interview with the vampireâ€.”
Al, lol…that movie was like 15 years ago. wow!
i was only 9 at that time, which it freaked me out. lol
Well hopefully this “thrill” to be a Yankee will translate into monster numbers if he indeed gets a chance to play full-time.
“affirmative..my cousin, her friends, and my gf were all going crazy over that main actor. they even planned a “girl’s night out†movie just for that.
I also forgot to add, its a vampire love story.”
Oh I see. Vampire love stories are fun!
Al from BK
This summer when I drove down I hit a ton of traffic. Met up with other people who it actually took 5 hours, but because I left early enough it wasn’t as bad.
S.o.S
In all seriousness, I am a very safe driver, I go with the flow. I am certainly not one of these maniacs who weave in and out.
SA,
the only vampire love story for me is Buffy the Vampire Slayer, which includes action too. lol
if you don’t mind me asking, how old are you? you don’t have to give your exact age, just say you in your 20s or something.
Jennifer,
when I was drove down to Florida this past june, it took me like 6 hours to get to Baltimore even when I left really early. traffic was just really bad that day.
If it doesnt have vampires/warewolves/hybrids and day walkers. I cant see how it could be a good movie to watch.
Don’t fret Ed. I think you and I are around the same age. I was 6 when I was forced to watch Interview with the vampire, scared the bejeezus outta me. Now I can deal with it.
Al, I’m not fretting. lol, we should definitely blame Tom Cruise for his acting. he scared the both of us in the movie.
, that’s how I was when I was little. lol
someone please explain this to me.
http://www.stubhub.com/new-york-yankees-tickets/yankees-vs-cubs-4-3-2009-758752/
“if you don’t mind me asking, how old are you? you don’t have to give your exact age, just say you in your 20s or something”
I am in my late 20’s.
Pie,
Most logical fans will agree that it is 50/50 at best that CC signs here. He has not done one thing to show us that he has any love for NY or the Yankees. Burnett did, Teixeria did, and in previous years guys like Hunter, Zito, Santana, Beltran, etc did.
It’s bizarre that CC has shown no signs of his willingness to come to NY. People are just assuming that CC will get drawn in by money.
“Al, lol…that movie was like 15 years ago. wow! i was only 9 at that time, which it freaked me out. lol”
Maybe you guys should have been watching the other vampire movie at that time. LOVE BITES. It wasnt that scary.
jennifer,
that has to be fake. Pete said, tickets will be open for sale in coming months.
Little steep, eh Jennifer?
I have this bad feeling that CC and his agent are only using us to drive up the offers from Angels etc. If it weren’t for that I think we would have already been formally rejected.
I have this bad feeling that CC and his agent are only using us to drive up the offers from Angels etc. If it weren’t for that I think we would have already been formally rejected.
Ed- Lol about Tom Cruises acting. I actually liked him in “Minority report” for what its worth.
SA, oh okay. then you are around my age then, i’m 24.
SOS,
I was forced to watch that movie. My siblings were babysitting me, so they tied me up to a chair. they were that mean. lol
Pie –
The fans are in ‘wishful thinking’ mode and have their minds made up that CC will not walk away from money and other teams won’t put in a competitive bid at one time or another. They think the Yankees are the only team in baseball and everyone wants to play for us. It’s that arrogance that gives us our terrible reputation.
They scoff at the notion that CC doesn’t want to come here and wants to go West, despite the fact that every single sports and news publication in America has said the same thing. Papers from New York to Chicago to LA have all detailed his desire to go West and his blase mindset towards NY. So everybody in the media is making up CC’s desire to go West?
Al,
lol, I liked him in Top Gun and Mission Impossible.
“I actually liked him in “Minority report†for what its worth.”
——————————————————-
I think Minority Report was the last Tom Cruise movie I’ve seen.
Next thing ya know, he’s jumping around on Oprah’s couch
Where are you getting this it’s 50/50? How often have you seen an athlete turn down what is by far the most money being offered? It’s not 50/50.
Al,
CC and his agents are doing exactly that— using our bid to drive up the price for the teams from Cali. The exact quote from CC’s agent last Friday was that he would “shop the bid around” and get back to us. Thats exacrly what he is doing.
Now the question is, does a WC team match our bid or even gets close enough to where CC can consider taking a discount? ($120 mil). Thats the only thing in question— will a WC team give him what he is looking for?
“I think Minority Report was the last Tom Cruise movie I’ve seen.
Next thing ya know, he’s jumping around on Oprah’s couch”
Jumping on Oprah’s couch was the beginning of the end. Man its a low news day.
Just saw “Tropic Thunder.” Cruise was good in that.
**Wright mulled by cougars**
Mets hottie David Wright is a charitable guy, but at his annual fund-raiser the other night, he was the one in need of some help.
A spy at the Hard Rock Cafe in Times Square for his “Do the Wright Thing” event watched in shock as Wright was “mobbed by a swarm of trashy-looking cougars. Middle-age women with bad ’80s hair were practically pushing down little kids who were trying to get baseballs signed.”
Wright was overheard pleading, “Ladies, calm down! Please, relax.”
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,453869,00.html
————-
LOL, stinks to be David Wright.
For future reference… we should only deal with Boras clients. That way, we know that we will get the player we covet. They are only interested in money, not this drama that we’re experiencing with CC.
With Boras, it’s simple… just be the highest bidder. Don’t have to wine and dine anyone, don’t have to beg, don’t have to top an offer by $30 million dollars… all you need to do is bid 1 cent more than the next team and we will get any player.
I gained respect for Boras after seeing this CC negotiation unfold. Boras pulls no punches, he is upfront with his intention of getting the most money.
“Al,
CC and his agents are doing exactly that—- using our bid to drive up the price for the teams from Cali. The exact quote from CC’s agent last Friday was that he would “shop the bid around†and get back to us. Thats exacrly what he is doing.
Now the question is, does a WC team match our bid or even gets close enough to where CC can consider taking a discount? ($120 mil). Thats the only thing in question—- will a WC team give him what he is looking for?”
That is what troubles me “shopping around” means “thanks for the biggest deal ever offered now CC can use this to get the teams he really wants in on the proceedings”. Hopefully the Halos get Tex and the Dodgers get Manny thats all I’m saying.
Quick, no cheating. Who was the little girl in Interview with a Vampire?
kirsten dunst?
Mel,
lol..since i can’t cheat, I have no idea. so i fail. who was it?
I forget her name, but, she was in Spiderman.
Bronx Jeers got it.
They let her keep the fangs.
good job, Bronx Jeers.
ok be honest, did you cheat? lol j.k
Kirsten Dunst, my ultimate crush if I might add.
Ed,
I bet ARod is jealous of 45 year old women chasing after Wright.
Girl in E.T.?
Drew Barrymore.
Too easy!
Is this name the child stars who have gone through a drug addiction night?
this is one of the signs of how bored we all are since the hot stove isn’t heating up.
mel,
There are 20 year olds here!! Ya had to jump the gun.
we haven’t even got to Winona Ryder, LiLo, Paris and Britney
Athletes are trying to make as much money as they can. He signs on Thanksgiving.
The first child star of our times was Jodie Foster. She’s the only one who kept it together.
“Is this name the child stars who have gone through a drug addiction night? ”
Mcculough Calkin
marsha, marsha, marsha
Mel, you forgetting the Brady girls
SOS, I already knew that but Mel beat me to it. lol
Al, the Olsen twins is a perfect example. lol
The whole cast of Diff’rent Strokes.
mel,
That last movie that Jodie was in where she kills some gangsters for killing her fiance was good. But the movie that got her going was Silence of the lambs.
“SOS, I already knew that but Mel beat me to it. lol
Al, the Olsen twins is a perfect example. lol”
It was inevitable that at least one of those 2 would have a drug problem. They were multi-millionaires at age 10.
Kirsten Dunst before she married Spiderman
Pedroia is Gammons’ illegitimate son
“The whole cast of Diff’rent Strokes.”
The question wasnt who was cursed. If thats the case we have to put the cast of DARK KNIGHT.
here’s one…
girl in Poision Ivy 1 & 2?
hint. no different actors.
no cheating.
I just don’t understand how some people have those tickets! Like it was said, they haven’t even gone on sale. And they aren’t part of any ticket package.
two*
SoS,
Let’s put it this way. Jodie Foster’s never made a clunker. Well, maybe the one where they talk to aliens.
-Nell
-Summersby (?) with Richard Gere
-Panic Room
But I really enjoyed Flight Plan. Great movie front to back.
While we’re on the vampire trip, anyone remember “Lost Boys?”
I remember it being a kick-ass movie at the time.
Sara gilbert or Drew Barrymore or both.
The Two Coreys
“While we’re on the vampire trip, anyone remember “Lost Boys?â€
I remember it being a kick-ass movie at the time.”
My GF is fond of that movie. I’m not the biggest fan. Good movie I just have seen it too much I guess.
Mel,
the Lost Boys was a definte good movie. I have to collector’s edition dvd.
As for Flight Plan, I didn’t understood it one bit.
“Lost Boys” was awesome! You gotta love Keifer!
The “Coreys” — License to Drive! — Dream a Little Dream
Yankee Trader,
Barrymoore is correct. you are 1/2 right.
“Let’s put it this way. Jodie Foster’s never made a clunker. Well, maybe the one where they talk to aliens.
-Nell
-Summersby (?) with Richard Gere
-Panic Room”
Here is a fun fact. The little girl who played Jodie Foster’s daughter in “Panic Room” is now the star of “Twilight” obviously now a young woman but nonetheless.
mel,
I agree with all the Foster movies. Even Summersby. Was he or wasnt her husband and if not how the hell can you not know the difference. Men are just built different you see.
Amazing enough i just watched lost boys for the first time this year. Good.
Its the girl from my name is earl.
SoS,
It was a total leap of faith for the viewer. You just had to go with it.
Their feet were different sizes!
Jaimie presley
Kiefer Sutherland, at its best in the Lost Boys before Jack Bauer!
The Yankees still are preparing a formal offer for righthanded pitcher A.J. Burnett, a club official said yesterday, but the Red Sox have become serious competitors to land him.
The Red Sox’s pursuit of Burnett complicates the Yankees’ plans. A source close to Burnett said that a half-dozen teams are in contention for his services: the Yankees, Blue Jays, Red Sox, Braves, Phillies and Orioles. The Red Sox, the source said, have significantly increased their involvement in the pitcher in the past 36 hours and are now “fully engaged.”
http://www.newsday.com/sports/ny-spswisher1119,0,4818479.story
The Goonies. I forget which Corey was in that one. I think it was the more wacko one.
Feldman.
Lean on me?
jaime pressley
Nim’s Island — good Jodie movie as well. I have to disagree with “Silence” being the movie that put her on the map. I think that “The Accused” really made people realized how great an actress she was. Tough movie to deal with, but she played an amazing role!
No, Jamie Pressly isn’t the answer.
Goonies was Corey Feldman
i just listened to the swish interview with francessa…he sounds like a great guy, so jolly and happy
cheryl ladd
Let’s Try,
“ariel
November 18th, 2008 at 6:18 pm
It’s intriguing that everyone is enthused over a guy who hit .219 last year, but many are insisting that Cano who declined to .271, some .52 points higher, be traded.
Kenny Williams is no dummy, far sharper than Cashman.â€
Ariel- Cano is not white thats why. Sorry but you people make it to obvious that you guys are bias and dislike latin players.”
?????? Now tell me what in the above post, or any of my posts’, remotely suggests that I “don’t like Latin players”. To the contrary, the post is supportive of Cano, not because of his ethnicity, but because I like him. Check out my posts regarding Manny…extremely supportive of Manny coming to NY, his ethnicity having absolutely nothing to do with it.
Did you even bother to read the above post? I would assume not, given your absolutely incorrect and ludicrous comments.
Trader, nope.
Ed-
I know, I know- Nick Swisher’s girlfriend!
Seriously it was Sara Gilbert and Drew Barrymore in both.
Ok OK Alyssa Milano- and i hate to admit it but I had to cheat!
The whole CC doesn’t want to play in NYC is nonsense.. Did all of you forget the recent outrage that Derek Jeter failed to pay NY state tax.. It took more than a day to prove that Jeter actually lived in NYC long enough to pay taxes. These players are home during the season as much as they are on the road. How many nights a year do you think Arod is home in NYC? Money dictates where any major MLB chooses to live. Last time I checked $150 MM was more than enough to buy a private jet.. Enough with the he doesn’t want to play in NYC.. Half the team resides in Florida..
50-50 that CC sings with us??
I like those odds!
Who wants to bet??
Trader,
lol…I figured you would. yup, MLB’s very own fashion designer.
Ryan Dempster left money on the table to resign with the Cubs, just heard by Mike Farren on XM MLB radio. You’ve got to be kidding me! 13M X 4 years with a club option for 5th at 14 million?
“The whole CC doesn’t want to play in NYC is nonsense.. Did all of you forget the recent outrage that Derek Jeter failed to pay NY state tax.. It took more than a day to prove that Jeter actually lived in NYC long enough to pay taxes. These players are home during the season as much as they are on the road. How many nights a year do you think Arod is home in NYC? Money dictates where any major MLB chooses to live. Last time I checked $150 MM was more than enough to buy a private jet.. Enough with the he doesn’t want to play in NYC.. Half the team resides in Florida..”
Fair enough. However he did say that he didn’t want to come here. Its not as if he never said anything.
Taxi Driver got Jodie Foster ” going”
“However he did say that he didn’t want to come here. Its not as if he never said anything.”
————————————————————
When did CC state this?
Make that CC signs with us.
I don’t think he’ll sing with us either.
Bob,
Exactly. Bad News Bears didn’t hurt either.
Who’s the most “controversial” child star? (early role was controversial)
I am perhaps in the minority but it is my view neither Burnett nor Lowe should be pursued… It reminds me of the Wright/Pavano scenario of some four years ago. Since it will happen (or already has as to Burnett) I would hope Burnett turns it down for a safer haven, and Lowe either remains in the National League or goes back to Boston.
Al, bet me!
“When did CC state this?”
See the 8:34 post from “Pie” that has a link.
Perhaps Ricciardi will lengthen his proposal causing Burnett to remain north of the border. It then be one of the best deals Cashman didn’t make.
“Fair enough. However he did say that he didn’t want to come here. Its not as if he never said anything.”
Actually, Doug M. said that CC said that.
Nick- Not the betting man but I’d say there is 60% shot CC waits til the WC teams get involved and signs there instead.
“Who’s the most “controversial†child star? (early role was controversial)”
I’d go with either Foster for being a prostitute or perhaps Dunst with the kiss in IWV.
Maybe I’m too young to remember any controversial child stars.
/shrug
“Actually, Doug M. said that CC said that.”
What would inspire Mientkiewicz to lie about CC and fabricate an entire story to back it up.
Or maybe you could go w/Dakota Fanning recently since she had that movie w/the rape scene.
I don’t know. Hmmm, I haven’t seen it but I heard Ellen Page was pretty nasty in “Hard Candy.”
“What would inspire Mientkiewicz to lie about CC and fabricate an entire story to back it up.”
You mean the guy who made a big deal over the ball that was the last out of the 2004 world series. He likes attention.
hint: Calvin Kleins
Brooke Shields in Pretty Baby and Blue Lagoon was controversial.
Okay, I’m old. To tie this back to the Yankees (sort of), Brooke Shields is friends with Madonna.
Jodie Foster wasn’t in Bad News Bears, that was Tatum O’Neal.
CC will go where he and his family want to spend more than half their time during a five or six year period. It is as simple as that. CC will not follow the money. It should be apparent to one and all as to CC’s makeup. The comment from Lebron is somewhat silly…is this the same Lebron who was wearing a Yankee cap when CC was pitching against NY in the 06 ALDS?? A best friend??? Hardly. Lebron is promoting himself knowing full well that he will be a transplanted New Yorker in two years.
“Hardly. Lebron is promoting himself knowing full well that he will be a transplanted New Yorker in two years.”
QFT
Al from BK( Jets alone in first!)
November 18th, 2008 at 10:15 pm
“Nick- Not the betting man but I’d say there is 60% shot CC waits til the WC teams get involved and signs there instead.”
Could be in for a long wait.
Dodgers waiting on Ramirez to resign.
Angels waiting on Teixeira to resign.
Both Boras clients. If they sign Sabathia, it’s probably goodbye to Teixeira and Ramirez. Angels don’t need pitching and Dodgers need hitting as do Angels.
San Francisco would be the only other possibility, to be 2nd fiddle to Tim Lincecum. Then they will have the most expensive #4 pitcher in Zito.
Todays, I’m bored, prediction:
Yankees sign him to a 6 year contract with an opt out[player option] after 3 years, with a limited number of teams he’ll accept a trade to!
pat is right.
And my bad, Bad Scooter.
The O’neals. God took a big crap when he made that family.
Al from BK( Jets alone in first!) November 18th, 2008 at 10:13 pm
“When did CC state this?â€
See the 8:34 post from “Pie†that has a link.
———————————————————-
Yes I read that. I’m still waiting for a direct quote from CC himself stating he does not want to come here. Not from Doug Mientkiewicz on what he said.
Squints- Ellen Page in “Hard Candy” was pretty shocking. Not spoiling the movie for anyone but she does some pretty sadistic stuff.
True about “Taxi Driver” she was very good in that as well. But she won the Oscar for Best actress in “The Accused” which is why it kinda of legitmized her as an actress.
OPEN QUESTION:
What pitchers are out there that could be had via trade? Maybe those who’s value is down. Eric Bedard was being floated mid-season after a very subpar introductions to the AL West. With new leadership in Seattle could they be looking for a fresh start?
What about a Dontrelle Willis project? I’ve heard the Sox have an interest in him. He strikes me as someone who Eiland and his minor league staff could get back into form.
I’d love to see Cashman return to his late 90s roots of finding undervalued talent (O’Neil, Brosious, Tino, etc). I think Swisher could be along these lines, but would love to snag a pitcher who could round out the rotation nicely without breaking the bank or sacrificing the farm.
Thoughts??
“Squints- Ellen Page in “Hard Candy†was pretty shocking. Not spoiling the movie for anyone but she does some pretty sadistic stuff”
Yeah I’ve heard it’s pretty nuts. I’m home for a week for Thanksgiving next week so I’ll have to hijack my mom’s Netflix queue, haha.
A lot of folks have SF Giants as a sleeper team. However I can’t imagine CC going to a team with not one notable offensive player. Also I can’t see SF going near the range of the Zito deal so unless he REALLY wants to go to the bay area I can’t see it going down.
Contrary to what some of the self-proclaimed experts on this board state, it is just as likely that CC will end up in Milwaukee as in New York. The offer from Attanassio was most legitimate and not to appease the Milwaukee fans. The resident expert is confusing McCourt’s offer to Manny, which, plainly, was an offer in appeasement.
“What pitchers are out there that could be had via trade? Maybe those who’s value is down. Eric Bedard was being floated mid-season after a very subpar introductions to the AL West. With new leadership in Seattle could they be looking for a fresh start?
What about a Dontrelle Willis project? I’ve heard the Sox have an interest in him. He strikes me as someone who Eiland and his minor league staff could get back into form.”
Seattle gave up too much for Bedard to give up on him and with his injuries the past two years, I don’t think anyone wants him.
As for the D-Train…not so much. I don’t think anyone wants him at this point, even if it would only cost next to nothing.
Dempster-
He gets a $4 million signing bonus, $8 million next year, $12.5 million in 2010 and $13.5 million in 2011. Dempster has a 2012 option for $14 million.
What will Burnett’s contract offer by the Yanks be?
I worked in Maryland today and Sports Talk there says the O’s and Nats will be in for Burnett.
Phil Franchise- This team needs an ace not a “project” like D-train. Bedard has no desire to pitch and he has hip AND shoulder problems, PASS!
Mel: controversial, Calvin Klein? Gotta be Brooke Shields.
I can’t believe no one else got that, that either makes me feel young or old depending on the ages of everyone else here. haha.
also are we really re-living 80s pop culture on the 2nd business day of the FA negotiation period? I guess it has come to that with the lack of action. Hurry up and sign CC! Re-upping with Marte is no longer a satisfactory appetizer!
oh nevermind, someone did get the Brooke Shields! Now I feel less out of touch with humanity. or something.
I’m only saying this once. NO WAY does CC go to Milwaukee. Not only is it not the West Coast it is for far less money than we are offering.
Not the betting man?!??!?!? Weak. Won’t you at least stake a few Whoppers? It’s not a risk with your corporate discount.
The CC quote as reported by Doug M. is not “I don’t want to play in NY”, it’s that he’s not going there. He might have been grinning when he said it, or fingering a hundred dollar bill. Who knows?
The important thing about that exchange, as reported by Doug M., is that Doug’s response was “you’ll love it there.” That’s how seriously Doug took CC’s statement.
I know I’m the one who cited that story, but it’s really pretty weak evidence to use as proof that CC doesn’t want to come to NY.
Bet me, Al!
“also are we really re-living 80s pop culture on the 2nd business day of the FA negotiation period? I guess it has come to that with the lack of action. Hurry up and sign CC! Re-upping with Marte is no longer a satisfactory appetizer!”
You want re-living 80s pop culture? I’ll tell you re-living 80s pop culture.
I made reference to Huey Lewis in a Medieval English Literature class. Me, ftw and btp (bringing the pwn).
Phil,
It’s great to go outside the box, but you’ve fallen off the edge of the earth. j/k
The concensus is that Bedard’s a head case with a bad hip and Dontrelle’s mechanics are so bad that you can’t fix him.
I would prefer Hughes, Aceves, possibly Coke before going 2nd tier or lower.
I predict our offer for Burnett: 4 years team option for 5th. price per 5 years around 76 mil.
Nick- You’re on I’ll give you a BK pass. 5 free whoppers
if the yanks sign burnett to that contract cashman should be fired!
“it is just as likely that CC will end up in Milwaukee as in New York”
So you’re saying that it’s just as likely he’ll walk away from $40MM as it is that he won’t? I’m not one of the people who thinks CC will definitely sign here, but that rationale just doesn’t seem logical. I think if the offer was close, within $10MM, and it was a contender on the West Coast, he’d thumb his nose at us to go there. But Milwaukee is none of the above – won’t come within 10 of us, not on West Coast, not a contender. So Im not too worried about them.
If there’s any team we’d really have to watch out for that meets all the qualifications reputed to interest CC, it’s the Dodgers. But I read over the summer that they were having cash flow problems? Anyone know if thats true?
Hughes will surprise a lot of people next year. Likewise as to Coke and Aceves.
i just went to swisher.net and he updated his page he loks great in a yankee uniform
Phil Franchise
November 18th, 2008 at 10:29 pm
OPEN QUESTION:
What about a Dontrelle Willis project? I’ve heard the Sox have an interest in him. He strikes me as someone who Eiland and his minor league staff could get back into form.
___________________________________________________________
I’d rather see Bruce Willis pitching for the Yanks before Dontelle Willis.
Squints – you lost me at ‘bringing the pwn’, lol. spammit (is it still cool to say that? Wait, it probably never was), just when I thought I’d caught up with all the internet lingo o’today, too! foiled again.
knudsen
November 18th, 2008 at 10:39 pm
“Hughes will surprise a lot of people next year.”
He already was a surprise this last year.
“Hughes will surprise a lot of people next year. Likewise as to Coke and Aceves.”
As long as Phil is healthy I will pump my fist with delight.
correction: ***before Dontrelle Willis***
“Squints – you lost me at ‘bringing the pwn’, lol. spammit (is it still cool to say that? Wait, it probably never was), just when I thought I’d caught up with all the internet lingo o’today, too! foiled again.”
Am I too young (21) to get spammit? ‘Cause I’m relatively certain I’ve never heard that, haha.
Awesome, those Whoppers are going to go down well while I watch CC pitch!
Keep that flame broiler fired up!
yankeefan91
Thanks, the site is actually nickswisher.net
I just sent him a message, I told him we’ll give him a few more strike outs before we boo him
“btp (bringing the pwn).”
Bringing the pwn, oh boy I’m behind on my lingo.
Very cool! From NY Times:
YANKEE-THEMED FILM A successful series of Yankees-themed children’s books by the author Ray Negron, an adviser to George Steinbrenner, is being made into a full-length film that will feature Bernie Williams and Darryl Strawberry. The movie, titled “Keeper of the Pinstripes,†combines elements from Negron’s three books and chronicles the story of a young cancer patient and his friend and their encounters with Yankees legends.
“Mostly, it’s about love and family,†Negron said Tuesday night before a news conference announcing details of the film.
Directed by Robby Benson, the movie will star the actor Josh Lucas, who will play Thurman Munson. Strawberry will play a cancer patient, and Williams will serve as a street musician. His original music will appear in the soundtrack.
Most of the footage will be shot in and around both Yankee Stadiums through the end of the 2009 season. The movie, which is in its preproduction phase, is expected to be released between Christmas 2009 and April 2010.
It never ceases to amaze me how quickly Dontrelle Willis’s career has come crashing down. He was the NL Cy Young runner-up in ‘05 and was touted as the next great lefty. What a difference three years can make.
Tatum O’Neal is a name that I haven’t heard in awhile. She and her ex John McEnroe were made for each other. Two volatile personalities.
“i just went to swisher.net and he updated his page he loks great in a yankee uniform”
its been photoshopped,and a good one too.
I really can not see any of the WC teams coming close to the Yanks offer. Lets say that the Yanks are willing to go to about $160m, then a WC team would have to offer probably $140+. I don’t see it. Giants need hitting, Dodgers need hitting and are too cheap, same with the Angels. CC is going to wait and wait to see if those teams get Manny and Tex. I can see the Angels getting involved ONLY if Tex signs else where and then they will look into it. But I don’t see them offering so much $$. He would have to leave alot on the table and maybe if he does want to stay on the WC he will. This is going to take awhile…A good month from now with the way that Bora$ works.
ya guys have ya seen the new photos from sliding into home blog of the new yankee stadium i kant wait to go im very excited
I love the banner on Swishers page. “Work hard, play hard” this guy is like a Giambi clone. Great success Cashman two thumbs way up
Yank91- Yeah Greg keeps a great blog over there those pics are exclusive its nice that we get to see the progress.
Al,
funny to say that I was the one who brought up the Swisher idea, when Heyman mentioned that a White Sox trade could occur. It was about Damon, then I mentioned that Damon for Swisher could be possible. It you and other people that shot it down. it was a damn good premutation!
“Al,
funny to say that I was the one who brought up the Swisher idea, when Heyman mentioned that a White Sox trade could occur. It was about Damon, then I mentioned that Damon for Swisher could be possible. It you and other people that shot it down. it was a damn good premutation!”
I hated it at first because I still pined for Tex. However seeing how nice a guy Nick is I wish him the best of luck. I think he can put up some numbers especially playing a consistent position.
Al,
did you know Swisher hates Beckett?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgZi-zaOshQ (watch the first 10 secs)
I posted it earlier, so don’t know if you seen it or not.
I love watching that video, kinda cool that Swish was so honest.
Ed- Lol. I always saw Beckett as a dude who was unliked by some. I’m sure Papel-bum is viewed in the same light. Swish is an honest guy, I like that.
Al, lol…Papel-Bum and Beckett are in the same light. both hated by Yankee fans. now Swisher is part of the Yankee family, he will make Beckett work till his arm fall off. He’s going to make the rivalary fun this coming season.
Ed- The only thing that sucks about being brutally honest is what if you wind up on the same team as the guy your dissing. I can only imagine Paps trying to fight Swish and Tito Francona jumping in to squash it.
Gardner’s numbers after his 2nd callup were sick
.308 average
.348 OBP
4 doubles, 3 triples, 9 RBIs, 8 steals, 10 runs scored
He is going to be a force next year
“he will make Beckett work till his arm fall off. He’s going to make the rivalary fun this coming season.”
We are really, really afraid of that .219 average he had last year!!!
We heard all the same things about LeTroy Hawkins…how he was a great addition last year.
“he will make Beckett work till his arm fall off. He’s going to make the rivalary fun this coming season.”
We are really, really afraid of that .219 average he had last year!!!
We heard all the same things about LeTroy Hawkins…how he was a great addition last year.
WHAT?! Hawkins?!
He was great…
for Houston.
Hawkins? You kiddin?
Youk-iddin?
I guess when the trade first happened I was mad because I wanted the Yankees to go after Teixeira instead of signing Lowe or Burnett. He’s definitely a talented player and the Yankees didn’t give too much up for him, so it was a good move by Cashman. I still think the Yankees should sign Teixeira over the available pitchers and go with an outfield of Swisher, Damon, and Nady, but I guess that’s not likely.
CF Damon (L)
SS Jeter (R)
1B Teixeira (S)
3B A-Rod (R)
LF Swisher (S)
DH Matsui (L)
C Posada (S)
2B Cano (L)
RF Nady (R)
With CC, Wang, Pettitte, Hughes, Joba, in the rotation. They could still keep the payroll under $190 mil with $40 mil or so freed up next year. I guess I’m a lot more confident in Hughes and Joba having good years (compared to other 4th and 5th starters) than most people.
The official announcement is expected to come tomorrow, but congratulations to Don Wakamatsu for becoming the first Asian-American manager in the majors.
Jeter, A-Rod, and Nady have been copyrighted. lol
Jeter should have copyrighted his jump-twist-and-throw move, now everyone is trying it.
If CC responded to the Yankee question by saying “I’m not going there” couldn’t that just mean he didn’t want to talk about it at all? Not necessarily that he wouldn’t want to play in NY? Or did I miss where somebody else said that?
The Swish’s interview was a real good listen, thanks Pete.
On another side note (just heard Pete’s last question, and since Youk brought up everybody’s favorite Latroy Hawkins) Swisher should wear 21 next year. Just putting it out there.
Rob, you make a good point, so I went back to the source material and I learned that the precise quote read:
“Don’t go there, Doug-friend!”
Hmmm, so the mystery has been solved.
I’d like to go on record as being on the bandwagons for both Gardner and Swisher. The first half of last year, the people hyping Gardner made me so sick of him I was practically rooting against him by the time they called him up. But he showed me something … I don’t know what it is, energy maybe. But I think he and Swisher, while not putting up numbers as fancy as Abreu and Juice-ambi, will be welcome additions and suttle yet important improvements.
*checkthat – subtle
Gammons looks like a proud grandfather when he talks about the MVP. Maybe he’s Papa Smurf.
‘i’m not going to go there.’
‘i am not a crook.’
‘i did not use steroids. period.’
‘i’m never drinking again.’
just words.
by the by.. is cash really thinking of signing burnett for 5 years? so when burnett is 36 making rehab starts, doing puff pieces for yankees on deck, they’re gonna be on the hook for 15 mill? this is the new and improved cashman regime?
lastly, is there something to francesa’s crush on mclouth?? he also keeps saying the yankees are down on hughes… i’m thinking francesa is down on hughes cause he wants to see a trade, so he and mclouth can finally get an apartment together.
Gammons gushes over Yankee players too. He always has.
i gush over miguel cairo.
hey, with betemit gone, can we bring back miguel cairo?
If Ryan Dempster can sign a 4-year deal for $52M with the Cubs, then the Yankees should be able to get A.J. Burnett for 4-years @ $60M.
if we get miguel— there would be no need for cody
keep the cash and keep cody
if dempster got 4 years— aj is going to want 5
sweet lou wrote:
“For future reference… we should only deal with Boras clients. That way, we know that we will get the player we covet. They are only interested in money, not this drama that we’re experiencing with CC.
no drama? were you not on this planet last october/november?
CC
Burnett
Wang
Joba
Moose
Hughes
Coke
Marte
Bruney
Sanchez
Veras
Ramirez
Rivera
Sounds pretty darned good to me.
(PLEASE COME BACK MOOSE…)
Something will be decided with C.C. Sabathia and possibly A.J. Burnett by the end of the week. That’s when Scott Boras matches on to make a case for his clients and takes center stage.
I yawn at the Red Sox attempt to raise the price of Burnett. Bring it on Red Sox!
“Gardner’s numbers after his 2nd callup were sick
.308 average
.348 OBP
4 doubles, 3 triples, 9 RBIs, 8 steals, 10 runs scored
He is going to be a force next year”
Careful, no optimism in here. I got bashed for suggesting Gardner could be an asset.
“Careful, no optimism in here. I got bashed for suggesting Gardner could be an asset.”
I’m optimistic about Gardner, too, but to suggest he’s going to be a “force” is a little much. I’m sure his defense will be great and as long as he can walk and steal, he’ll be fine but let’s not use the word “force” here when the guy’s career high in slugging is only .422.
That said, if all goes really well, I could see Brett Gardner being like a Willie Randolph type hitter–slappish, with a decent average, not much power, but a good eye (hopefully a tad better than Willie) at the plate, who can steal you some bases.
There’s no reason not to be optimistic about Gardner. Even in his first call-up, he got one (or was it two?) game-winning rbi. He didn’t seem to be a shrinking violet at the plate, and while he needed (needs) time to adjust to ML pitching, he wasn’t really what I’d call intimidated.
Anyway, he might be all we’ve got, so we might as well support him.
And who knows, perhaps Melky can turn it around. Ya never know.
Brett Gardner’s game reminds me a lot of Brett Butler’s game…if ya’ll remember him from the Giants, Dodgers, Mets
Here are his stats
http://www.baseball-reference.com/b/butlebr01.shtml
I think we all would be very happy if he develops into that type of player…
Gardner and Melky might not be the Yankees only options for CF…… j/k
“Musician Bernie Williams said last night he has a new CD coming out in April called “Moving Forward.”
“Just in case any GMs like Brian Cashman are interested, Williams also said he has not shut the door on his baseball career. Williams, 40, is not totally ready to move forward away from baseball. Playing in the new Yankee Stadium would be a dream come true for the legendary Yankee center fielder, always a fan favorite.”
http://www.nypost.com/seven/11192008/sports/yankees/bernie__im_not_done_yet_139479.htm
YANKS IN 2010,
I agree with your Brett Butler comparison. I also think that in this post-PED era(supposedly), that the kind of speed game that we saw in 80’s may make somewhat of a comeback. That would make a player like Gardner that much more valuable, provided he can learn how to get on base against ML pitching.
Maybe Bernie can play first base! j/k
brett gardner
i was able to watch most of gardner’s AB’s last season, throughout his adaption to ML pitching.
he was constantly having good AB’s, working the count, not chasing pitches out of the zone, generating a lot of contact. obviously he has a lot to learn, but his approach was very good.
i can remember maybe 2 really bad AB’s of his, which is half of what cano had per game…
next season, if he breaks the line-up, he’s going to hit #9, and that’s a sweet deal for the yanks. by the end of 2009, when damon’s contract is over, we’ll have a much better idea as to where he fits, if at all.
I suspect that Brett Gardner will be a special project of Kevin Long during spring training.
He’ll never be a power hitter but can be a good spray hitter. If he hits a ball in either gap it’s a sure double or triple with his speed.
Let’s not get carried away. He had more than 2 bad AB’s. If you don’t think so, you weren’t watching the games objectively.
Still strikes out too much and hits too many balls in the air for a smaller player with no power.
That said, he has some tools that can help the team.
He won’t be a “force” next year. But, he can be a useful contributor.
Long term? With guys like Carl Crawford and Matt Holliday free agents after the ‘09 season, Austin Jackson in the pipeline, and Damon and Matsui coming off the books, I’m not sure he has a long term future in NY.
Hopefully he will but, he is going to have to show much more than he did last year for him to be in their long range plans.
“Brett Gardner’s game reminds me a lot of Brett Butler’s game…if ya’ll remember him from the Giants, Dodgers, Mets”
Don’t see Gardner’s bat being as good as Butler’s. I’d put him more in the Dave Roberts category both with the bat and with the legs. Butler was a shyte basestealer. Got caught way too much. Almost 1/3 of his attmepts went bad. Gardner won’t be getting caught 1/3 of the time.
“With guys like Carl Crawford and Matt Holliday free agents after the ‘09 season”
Think we may have to wait another year on Crawford. I see the Rays picking up the 2010 option at pretty reasonable money ($10M). Of course, if the Rays go the way of the 2007 Tribe (read: southward in the standings), Crawford is a pretty appetizing trade piece at midseason. One way or another, I don’t think he hits free agency til after the 2010 season.
I have a feeling there will be a signing today or Peavy will be finally dealt
Day 19 of November
Austin Jackson is still here, Phil Hughes is still here, Cano is still here, Betances is still here, Jesus is still here, De La Rosa & Dunn are still here, Zach McCallister is still here. I can breathe but not too much as evil has a name that lurks from San Diego as I drink this coffee I pray that evil stays in the NL.
Gil L
November 19th, 2008 at 9:23 am
brett gardner
i was able to watch most of gardner’s AB’s last season, throughout his adaption to ML pitching.
he was constantly having good AB’s, working the count, not chasing pitches out of the zone, generating a lot of contact. obviously he has a lot to learn, but his approach was very good.
i can remember maybe 2 really bad AB’s of his, which is half of what cano had per game…
next season, if he breaks the line-up, he’s going to hit #9, and that’s a sweet deal for the yanks. by the end of 2009, when damon’s contract is over, we’ll have a much better idea as to where he fits, if at all.
__________________________________________________________
Gardner struck out 30 times and about 2/3rds of them were looking at at least 2 strikes. If you think that’s showing a good approach, it shows that you know zero about baseball.
Peter Abraham
November 18th, 2008 at 6:04 pm
I knew it was only a matter of time before somebody wondered why Jeter didn’t call him.
Just so you know, whenever the Yankees make a trade, Jeter sends the new player any two girls he wants from the Maxim 100 instead of a call. Most guys appreciate that.
————————————————————
is that true?????
Just so you know, whenever the Yankees make a trade, Jeter sends the new player any two girls he wants from the Maxim 100 instead of a call. Most guys appreciate that.
————————————————————
is that true?
signing burnett isn’t the problem.5 years is.
the yankees should not go over 3 years.when are they going to learn?
“the yankees should not go over 3 years.when are they going to learn?”
Can’t go three when four year deals are already out there. Sounds like noted fiction writer George King may have had the 5/$80M wrong. He’s consistent that way.
Covelli Crisp to the Royals for Ramon Ramirez is a done deal apparently. Seems about right for both sides.
Sometimes when you’re assembling a team you really have to focus more on the downside than the potential upside of the players you can use/acquire (what the yankees are doing with their staff this year)
The downside to Brett Gardner is very bad. Sure he could suddenly show that he can get on base at a .350 clip as people keep suggesting he’s capable (which only 8 CF in baseball had a .350 OBP or higher last year).
There’s also a very good probability that gardner hits .220 and puts up a .300 OBP. In fact, the probability of Gardner havinga .300 OBP is considerably higher than the probability of him having a .350 OBP.
People keep talking about how much the team needs Tex. Right now Tex projects to be about 30 runs better than Swisher would be at 1b. That’s a considerably upgrade.
But right now Gardner projects to be 20 runs worse than a league average CF. 20 runs worse. Compared to a slightly above average CF (like Mike Cameron), Gardner projects to be around 30 runs worse.
The upgrade from Swisher to Tex might not be anymore valuable to the team than the upgrade from Gardner to Cameron (via trade).
But signing Tex would be a lot more money.
Now you can say they should do both – upgrade CF and sign Tex. So be it.
But my point is that right now Gardner could very well perform at replacement level.
If you’re allocating resources and worried about offense, the most efficient bang for your buck is to focus on the position that projects to perform at replacement level.
Even if the yankee got a league average CF – they could pick up 20 runs compared to Gardner. That’s 2 wins.
gardner is known for struggling initially when he get’s promoted to a new level and then figures it out and becomes a decent player.
let’s hope ha can do the same in the majors.only time will tell.
he is exactly the type of player the yankees need.young,cheap,athletic & fast.
“Can’t go three when four year deal are already out there”
True but no one offered Burnett any of those four year deals. If I’m the Yankees I offer 3 years to start it off and see does another team do that. If you hand him 5 yrs to start you will probably never know that you could of had him for less years.
But since it was the Post reported this suppose 5yr deal it’s probably not true anyway.
San will come to the Yankees soon. Cash will have to be strong. A gut feeling the the rotation will look like this
CC
Peavy
Wang
Burnett
Joba
I am pretty certain that our pitching needs will be met this year.. but we are putting a lot of faith in a risky situation with our offense..
Questions:
Will Posada and Mastsui Be healthy?
Will Cano be the Cano we all expect him to be?
How will we replace Abrea & Giambi?
Are the yankees seriously considering only pitching and there big offensive upgrade is Nick Swisher?
Even if we went large with Tex, we have Damon and Matsui coming of the books in 2010, no? So why not go full steam at Tex.. I don’t claim him to be the offensive *cure all* but I am sure he would do his part and then some..
Honestly, I just don’t get it. Cashman said last year that he was concerned about his offense before the season even started, yet this year he is not concerned and he is less Abreau and Giambi..
Someone please tell me what is going on here!
Gardner has little value when the pitchers don’t miss the strike zone as much as they do in the minors. The pitchers spent too much time knocking the bat out of his hands or struck him out trying to work a walk. If he had bunted at least once a game, his value would have been much more than it was, but, he had trouble getting bunts down when he tried.
if the yankees give burnett 4 or 5 years the contract should be incentive based for at least the last 2 years.
they will need some protection on this disaster waiting to happen.
sabathia,mussina,santanna.pitchers like this are very rarely on the dl.
burnett,sheets,carpenter,etc… are always on the dl.
a contract or opt out year and he does well.sounds like a pavano to me.
from Rosenthal:
“The Padres told the Yankees a Jake Peavy deal is possible even without Phil Hughes. They’ve scouted Hughes anyway, but he’s off-limits.”
thats music to my ears. there is still hope.
If we land Peavy and Burnett/Lowe..
I would be more than happy to see:
Peavy
Wang
Pet/Moose
Joba
Burnett/Lowe
and put the CC money towards Tex.
Someone mentioned the idea of Dontrelle Willis if he could be had for next to nothing. If that was the price maybe it might be worth it. The guy was once really good, and that wasn’t all that long ago. But, honestly, I’m not familiar with why his performance dropped off so dramatically.
If the team pays the bare minimum to get a good look at guys like Milton, Zambrano, and a slew of Tommy John cases, what’d be wrong with striking a minor league deal with D-Train, get him in shape again, and see how he does? Offer him a big league deal & money only if he makes it & sustains it of course. I’m not even aware of his status … is he available to be signed or traded for? If by trade, give little up for him.
How about trading Igawa, a mid-level pitching prospect projected for a 3 year career in the bullpen, and a beer vendor?
A few years ago we took on the older version of Al Leiter and put him in the rotation at a full big league salary. Then there’s the Igawa debacle … ’nuff said ’bout that one already. By comparison it’d be OK with me to see if D-Train can regain his stuff in the minors on the cheap. If you catch lightning in a bottle, it looks like a smart move.
From Rosenthal:
-The Yankees’ farm system is strong enough to match up with the Padres if the teams revive their discussions on right-hander Jake Peavy. The Padres, according to one major-league source, told the Yankees that a deal would be possible even if the Yankees declined to offer right-hander Phil Hughes.
The Padres scouted Hughes in a recent Arizona Fall League game, but the Yankees have zero intention of trading him …
-While the Yankees are correct to focus on starting pitching, they scored only 789 runs last season, their lowest 162-game total since 1992.
The team expects to lose first baseman Jason Giambi and right fielder Bobby Abreu as free agents, and to this point, has added only infielder/outfielder Nick Swisher.
General manager Brian Cashman, however, does not sound especially concerned about the Yankees’ offense.”You take a step back, and we lost Alex (Rodriguez) for (three weeks) last year. Robbie Cano got out of whack,” Cashman said.
“I expect Alex for the full six months next year — and look at the production he had (35 homers, 103 RBIs) missing one month. Cano is fine now. He’s going to be a .300 hitter.
“I do believe we’ll miss Abreu and Giambi and their selectivity. But the addition of Swisher will help.”
And if Hideki Matsui and Jorge Posada make successful recoveries from their respective knee and shoulder surgeries?
“That probably answers the questions right there,” Cashman said.
Still, the Yankees are always looking to improve and can not be ruled out of the free-agent pursuits for Mark Teixeria and even Ramirez.
If the Yankees added Teixeira, Swisher could turn out to be their version of Coco Crisp, offering protection against injury.
The Yankees consider Swisher to be above-average defensively in both outfield corners and at first base.
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/8816036/Sources:-Red-Sox-interested-in-Burnett
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Even if the yankee got a league average CF – they could pick up 20 runs compared to Gardner. That’s 2 wins.
____________
How about instead of comparing his numbers to fellow CF’s, we compare his numbers to fellow 9th place hitters….
We can afford to have a “below average” CF if we have an above average SS, 2B, and C..which are traditionally the ninth place hitters
2010 Yankees
Crawford
Jeter
Arod
Posada
Cano
Nady
DH
Swisher/Montero (might not be ready at the start but a mid-season call-up)
Jackson
Sabathia
Wang
Burnett
Joba
Hughes/McAllister/Betances
D-Train was the face of the Marlins.
His personal life as well as his mechanics changed drastically.. the whole DUI debacle and out-late partying..
and if you look at his mechanics he is totally out of whack compared to when he was an Ace for the Marlins.
Next to nothing for him? Absolutely.. but it appears he needs a complete overhaul from outside baseball to on the mound.
Can it be done? I hope so. He was a lot of fun to watch pitch.
“Even if the yankee got a league average CF – they could pick up 20 runs compared to Gardner. That’s 2 wins.”
What is the asking price for Cameron? Last I saw, it was pretty high. Are there any other CFs available? The FA crop isn’t that great.
I feel like if Gardner can do replacement level offense and plus defense, he’d be alright. We’ll have to see, though.
“Gardner has little value when the pitchers don’t miss the strike zone as much as they do in the minors. The pitchers spent too much time knocking the bat out of his hands or struck him out trying to work a walk. If he had bunted at least once a game, his value would have been much more than it was, but, he had trouble getting bunts down when he tried.”
Bunting would not have made his value go up at all.
“Peavy
Wang
Pet/Moose
Joba
Burnett/Lowe
and put the CC money towards Tex.”
no, no, no. Peavy comes instead of Burnett or Lowe. the target on Sabathia is only removed if/when he signs elsewhere. otherwise, he’s the one guaranteed target, no matter what the cost, for 2009.
“We can afford to have a “below average†CF if we have an above average SS, 2B, and C..which are traditionally the ninth place hitters”
Simply not true. What you’re forgetting is that a league average CF to begin with is pretty bad at the plate compared to what’s average at every other position on the diamond.
So yes the yankees could afford to carry a player in CF who is generally pretty bad as along as that player isn’t grossly below average.
But once you go below average you are giving runs away to your competition over the course of a season.
Coco Crisp has been traded to the Royals for Ramon Ramirez.
bru-
Yes it is true. Did you also hear that I spoted CC in Macys buying I love NY t-shirts. And someone else spotted him in front of the 40/40 club with Jay Z and Arod.
“Montero (might not be ready at the start but a mid-season call-up)”
Ya think??? He’s had zero at bats above the Sallie League level. 2010 is the earliest we see him and that’s only if they give up on him as a catcher.
Royals may have 1 or 2 spare CFers they may want to part with if they picked up Coco.
So the Peavy talks are still on and they don’t need Hughes? Sign me up.
All I have to know about Gardner’s impact on the team…is that when he was called up they went on an 8 game winning streak in July when he was hitting less than .200
Then they sent him back down…and they dropped out of the race
When they called him back up in September, he improved at the plate….and the Yanks finished strong
Now, obviously, it can just be a coincidence…and can be atrributed to other factors…but he looks, plays, and acts like a winning player
I dont care what the sabermetrics say about him…I want to see more
“Someone mentioned the idea of Dontrelle Willis if he could be had for next to nothing.”
There’s been some scuttlebut about Boston and Detroit exchanging bad contracts with Lugo (2 more years at $9M each) going to Motown and Willis (2 years, $11M each) going to Boston.
Squints
November 19th, 2008 at 10:13 am
“Even if the yankee got a league average CF – they could pick up 20 runs compared to Gardner. That’s 2 wins.â€
What is the asking price for Cameron? Last I saw, it was pretty high. Are there any other CFs available? The FA crop isn’t that great.
I feel like if Gardner can do replacement level offense and plus defense, he’d be alright. We’ll have to see, though.
“Gardner has little value when the pitchers don’t miss the strike zone as much as they do in the minors. The pitchers spent too much time knocking the bat out of his hands or struck him out trying to work a walk. If he had bunted at least once a game, his value would have been much more than it was, but, he had trouble getting bunts down when he tried.â€
Bunting would not have made his value go up at all.
_________________________________________________________
You don’t figure his value wouldgo up by bunting once agame and getting a hit in 33% of the at bats wouldn’t help theteam? He gets on base, steals bases, scores runs, disrupts the pitcher and moves runners wouldn’t help his value and the team? Sorry, but his game is speed and any way he can use it, helps.
“Ya think??? He’s had zero at bats above the Sallie League level”
Yeah. He’s an advanced hitter right now for his age. It’s always been said his bat will get him to the majors quickly. He’ll start at Tampa 09 but I think he finishes the year in Trenton. And yes I do think he ends up at first.
Dontrelle has filled from when he was dominant… that is why his mechanics are totally out of whack. If he is going to regain his old form, he needs to be built back up from scratch at this point.
“So yes the yankees could afford to carry a player in CF who is generally pretty bad as along as that player isn’t grossly below average.”
SG over at RLYW has Gardner at exactly replacement level offensively for the year, if that holds any water.
“So the Peavy talks are still on and they don’t need Hughes? Sign me up.”
I still don’t want to do it. Trading for Peavy will most likely mean giving up Jackson–among others–and I’m not ready to do that when there are viable options out there on the free agent market. I’d rather give up a draft pick (that will probably come back to us when Abreu/Pudge sign on somehwere) than give up players.
On Burnett…a friend of mine crunched some numbers and came up with this for AJ
Since 2005:
113 ERA+, 3.80 ERA, 731.2 IP, 723 K, 270 BB, 2.37 K:BB ratio, 112 starts in that span, which breaks down to 28 starts a year.
The K/BB isn’t great, but a 3.80 ERA/113+ are good. 723 Ks in 731.2 IP is wonderful. I’d much rather sign that than trade away prospects.
Also, MLBTR has Crisp going to KC for Ramon Ramirez.
“So the Peavy talks are still on and they don’t need Hughes? Sign me up.”
i would figure the trade would center around AJackson, maybe a catcher or a Brad Suttle-type, two high upside arms (think two of Betances, McAllister, Brackman, etc) and maybe a bullpen guy who can step in and maybe close for them going forward?
they have the weapons to do it…
but then if you’re Cashman, would you rather have the upside of Hughes now and for the next couple years as he develops, or give up Hughes and take a gamble on one of the other lower minor league arms who have a much higher overall ceiling than Hughes (like Brackman or Betances) but come with more risk for success, and may not be ready for 2-3-4 years yet.
“You don’t figure his value wouldgo up by bunting once agame and getting a hit in 33% of the at bats wouldn’t help theteam? He gets on base, steals bases, scores runs, disrupts the pitcher and moves runners wouldn’t help his value and the team? Sorry, but his game is speed and any way he can use it, helps.”
You really think he’d get a bunt single 33% of the time? After the first few times he tried that, teams would no doubt start playing up on him. Gardner’s a guy with a good eye who can get on base and do all those things from walking, a much surer way of getting on base than a bunt single.
Trevor
November 19th, 2008 at 10:25 am
“Ya think??? He’s had zero at bats above the Sallie League levelâ€
Yeah. He’s an advanced hitter right now for his age. It’s always been said his bat will get him to the majors quickly. He’ll start at Tampa 09 but I think he finishes the year in Trenton. And yes I do think he ends up at first.
_________________________________________________________
Sorry, but Montero is not that advanced. Not only that, but, he’s not going to learn the other part of his job in the Majors…defense.
Yeah I highly, highly doubt Montero is in the Majors by 2010. Maybe a cup of coffee in September. Maybe.
Yankees aren’t trading for Peavy. They have to give up the farm for someone who really doesn’t want to come here. I’m not making that trade and I don’t think Cashman is either.
“Yankees aren’t trading for Peavy. They have to give up the farm for someone who really doesn’t want to come here. I’m not making that trade and I don’t think Cashman is either.”
Agreed.
Squints
November 19th, 2008 at 10:29 am
You really think he’d get a bunt single 33% of the time? After the first few times he tried that, teams would no doubt start playing up on him. Gardner’s a guy with a good eye who can get on base and do all those things from walking, a much surer way of getting on base than a bunt single.
____________________________________________________________
He wasn’t walking, and, if he doesn’t swing the bat any more than he did, he’ll end doing just what he was doing…looking at three straight strikes. A good part of his game has to be bunting for hits. Brett Butler, Matty Alou, Maury Wills and Willie Wilson made a great career out of bunting for his. They all had long careers htting .285-.300, using bunts as a major weapon.
“Sorry, but Montero is not that advanced.”
Not that advanced? Yeah okay whatever you say….
“He wasn’t walking, and, if he doesn’t swing the bat any more than he did, he’ll end doing just what he was doing…looking at three straight strikes. A good part of his game has to be bunting for hits. Brett Butler, Matty Alou, Maury Wills and Willie Wilson made a great career out of bunting for his. They all had long careers htting .285-.300, using bunts as a major weapon.”
His OBP was 55 points higher than his BA; that’s a pretty good differential, IMO. He was walking enough, the hits just weren’t falling, so of course his numbers look shoddy. Just because he didn’t come out swinging like an All-Star in his first Major League stint doesn’t mean he should abandon his patient approach (.389 OBP in the minors) and start trying to get bunt singles. He’s got only 127 ABs under his belt in the Majors. Let’s see where he’s at after 300 ABs this year.
“Not that advanced? Yeah okay whatever you say….”
.326/.376/.491 is great but I wouldn’t call that “advanced,” even if he is a catcher. Let’s see him have a full AA season before we start calling him “advanced.” He’s a great prospect but that hitting line isn’t “advanced” quite yet, IMO.
I said his hitting is advance not for a catcher but for a player his age. Which is 18. Not too many 18 y/o put up those kinds of numbers. He also had a lot of doubles.
That’s true, but it’s A ball. I want to see how he can do at AA, where the best prospects reside.
Someone tell me I’m wrong, but I feel horribly concerned that the organization has a total lack of good position player prospects.
“Yankees aren’t trading for Peavy.”
Well I guess all the hot stove guys and the Padre’s should stop talking about it then.
Trevor
November 19th, 2008 at 10:37 am
“Sorry, but Montero is not that advanced.â€
Not that advanced? Yeah okay whatever you say….
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Montero is going to be just fine….in about two years. He also needs to learn his position…in the Minors. Have you ever seen him, or any other minor leaguer in the system play?
Squints
November 19th, 2008 at 10:53 am
That’s true, but it’s A ball. I want to see how he can do at AA, where the best prospects reside.
Someone tell me I’m wrong, but I feel horribly concerned that the organization has a total lack of good position player prospects.
_________________________________________________________
You’re wrong, but,they’re all in low A ball, except for a couple of them…Jackson and possibly Russo.
“You’re wrong, but,they’re all in low A ball, except for a couple of them…Jackson and possibly Russo.”
Maybe I should amend that statement to say “possibly major league ready” prospects at the positions.
That was nice of Alex to call him.
Swisher seems like a cool guy, will be good in the clubhouse. I just hope he doesn’t lose his personality like so many do when they come to the Yankees. Stay true to who you are and you should be good.