Greetings from Gate D-16
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on Dec 13, 2008 
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Here we are at the Jerry Tarkanian International Airport in Las Vegas. There are approximately 30 people sitting here and 20 of them are wearing sunglasses.
Nobody looks happy. You either had a great time in Vegas and you wish you were staying or you lost a bunch of money and you want to bang your head against the wall.
Meanwhile, there’s a glass enclosed room in the middle of the concourse with quarter slots. People are in there smoking cigarettes and pumping money into the machines as fast as they can. If that’s not the depths of human existence, I’m not sure what is.
No new baseball news today. But Francisco Rodriguez proved what a good fit he’ll be with the Mets by declaring they’re the team to beat. Just what the cockiest team in the game needed, another cocky player. I’m sure the Phillies will be thrilled to see K-Rod point to sky and scream every time he gets three easy outs in a 7-4 game. Mariano Rivera should hold a deportment school for closers.
The Mets probably lose five games a year because the other teams in their division can’t stand them.
Meanwhile, these are the new “alternative” hats the Red Sox will wear at times next season. Kind of lame, no?
It’s impossible to imagine the Yankees going with an alternative to the interlocking N and Y. But the worst part is you know some people would run out and buy the hats if they did.
OK, time to hit the window seat and take a nap. I need to check to see if I have any quarters first.
I agree, those hats are extremely lame.
It almost looks like a Christmas themed hat, with stockings hanging on the mantle.
Full disclosure: Sox fan
We don’t really like the new hats either. 80% in a poll on boston.com said the changes, between the hat or the new road unis, stunk
I want to see Raul Ibanez hit a walkoff HR off K-Rod
I think you meant “hats” not “hate” the Red Sox… Interesting slip, Pete. Thanks for your comments, I’ve enjoyed reading your blog for the past year. Keep it real,
A
One can go nuts in Vegas even without losing money. The noise coming from the slot machines makes one mad.
And those hats look dumb.
Putz is going to be a bust. Did you see how terrible he was last season? It seems like people keep pretending like last year never happened and only talk about the great year he had in 2007.
The alternative for the interlocking NY would be that Yankee Doodle hat with the bat under it.
“Putz is going to be a bust. Did you see how terrible he was last season?”
Yep, I remember reading about Keith Law being concerned about his velocity dropping last year.
“Meanwhile, these are the new “alternative” hate the Red Sox will wear at times next season. Kind of lame, no?”
Freudian slip Pete? “alternative” hate…
Agreed that his is unbelievably weak on the part of the sox.
Though in their defense they didn’t raise ticket prices. Maybe this was part of how they planned on keeping ticket prices down?
“It’s impossible to imagine the Yankees going with an alternative to the interlocking N and Y. But the worst part is you know some people would run out and buy the hats if they did.”
They sure would. It could not be as bad as all the red, light blue, yellow, ect. Yankee hats people wear now.
Hey guys what are your thoughts on Ankiel? I really think he could be a good fit with the yanks. He has a great arm and his bat is only improving, plus he’s still relatively young at 29. I heard that it would possibly take Kennedy to trade for him. Is that too much, a steal, or about right? And would you do it?
As a joke, a friend gave me that hat with the same exact logo like 7 years ago. He got it at Fenway on Hat Day. I subsequently burned it.
I thought Papelbon provided the alternative hate and that’s Youk’s scrunchy scowl was the regular face of Sox hatred.
Those hats kinda suck. Though, there are Yank hats like those… http://www.lids.com/pid/20109471. I hope our guys never wear them.
“People are in there smoking cigarettes and pumping money into the machines as fast as they can. If that’s not the depths of human existence, I’m not sure what is.”
That’s a better time than i ever have at the airport.
if the depths of human existence occurs at the airport, it occurs sometime between the traffic to Long Island as you rush to get there 2 hours before the flight, when you wait in line fearing you’re going to be body-cavity-searched by some perv, and when you have to take your shoes off and expose yourself to germs on the floor.
The Sox should stick with the unis the Splinter wore.
that hat looks like it belongs in AAA or something, lame is the word
is there an opt out in aj’s contract like CC’s?
No Andy decision I thought Cash was giving a “take it or leave it”.
My opinion: I hate Vegas. Absolutely hate it. But glad you had a good time there.
Not really too down on the Sox cap, if only because I used to collect custom made recreations of old felt and woolen caps from a company in Cooperstown called the Cooperstown Cap Company.
I used to go in there with a book from the Hall of Fame featuring old uniforms. One cap I had them make was a Sox cap from way back in grey featuring a red sock, similar to this logo. It was a handsome cap, and I gave it to a friend from Connecticut who was a Sox fan, because, well you know, being a Yankee fan I knew my house would explode if an item like this should cross the threshold.
As much as I dread the Sox Nation – they should stick to the traditional uniforms like the Yanks…
On the other hand – it’s a way for Red Sox Inc to generate income and can’t fault them there…
Baseball is a business at the end of the day…
Sidewalk sociology – another reason I keep coming back here (lol)!
And, yes, Pete, you are right about 1)K-Rod fitting right in with the Mets, and 2)those new Red Sox hats are lame.
I hope the Yankees never change their uniforms or logo. It would be, I don’t know, sacriligious.
That sox hat looks lame.
So when will we be introduced to CC and AJ?
“So when will we be introduced to CC and AJ?”
hopefully next week, when we steal the Met’s thunder when they introduce K-Rod.
Hahaha
I wonder if K-Rod will do some new gyrations when he is introduced to the NY media.
Bottom line- new uniform designs are revenue generating.
The ugly retro light blue uniform may be one of the reasons AJ wanted out of Toronto.
Ahh, the slots at the Vegas Airport. How I miss thee. 4 months, and a long term ex girlfriend ago…
Vegas is my oasis. Dont even have to gamble to enjoy it
KRod has a clause in his contract that forces him to do a new dance after every save
AccuScore (whatever that is) says AJ adds 7 wins for a total of 97 and the AL East lead, with a rotation of CC, AJ, Wang, Joba and Aceves.
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/ne.....;type=lgns
Am I correct in saying that our Yanks are the only team left with just two traditional uniees (home and away)? And just think our uniees (other than the type of material–ugh-wool) are the exact same ones that Dah Babe wore!
K-Rod should be on Dancing with the Stars
“hopefully next week, when we steal the Met’s thunder when they introduce K-Rod.”
LMAO
If the Yanks introduce an Uncle Sam hat with bat logo hat, I’m cheering for the Mets.
“So when will we be introduced to CC and AJ?”
Supposedly next week at some point they will obviously be introduced together.
I always get a kick out of playing the airport slots on the way out, even had a few decent sized scores. It is hard core but so is going to Vegas in the first place.
Peter A.
Just wanted to complement you on your writing style.
Times are tough but your ability to communicate with the written word is really entertaining.
You capture the human condition in vivid descriptive manner that has just the right humorous edge…street smarts.
You should be writing books/novels dude…!
(Everyone left last thread while I was banging this out)
One problem with many of the stats people now invoke like gospel is they fail to capture the importance of speed when a single run is needed. Gardner can hit .250 but when a game is on the line and he is on first base he is far more likely to produce that run than some guy sporting a gaudy .860 OPS.
Of course, the question with Gardner is whether he’ll hurt you so much with his bat in lesser moments that his occasional value in producing a single must-needed run is overwhelmed.
But that’s why I’d like to see what Gardner can do playing at least semi-regularly. It may be that he is an overall minus as a full-time player. However, I have no doubt that his impact as just a part-time player would be huge. And I think we saw that last year when he stole I think 12 out of 13 and several of those steals helped to win games.
It’s also worth noting that speed was devalued in the steroids era. I believe it will become more obviously important as players (hopefully) return to more unadulterated normality of size and strength (I’m not talking about you, CC). I don’t mean to suggest power or walks or OBP are unimportant. But I take OPS with a huge grain of salt. I believe in all the elements of small ball.
Trendy statistical analysis has also sullied the evaluation of pitchers. Last winter many on this board were ready to give up on Bruney because of his walks. I thought this was really foolish. The guy didn’t give up hits. And he didn’t give up the long ball. ANd contrary to what we keep hearing walks are simply NOT as damaging as hits. I offer the example of a single with a man on first as opposed to a wlk. THere is simply no comparison of first and second (none or one outs) and first and third. One of the problems the Yankees have had in recent years seems to be that they have lots of guys who don’t go first to third with regularity. That leaves them with first and second. And we all know what A=Rod does in those spots.
I am glad at least that they seem to see Gardner as more worth keeping than Melky. But I also think Melky is going to bust out of all the statistical formulas this year. Guys who can play in the big leasgues at 21 and 22 don’t often flame out totally before they reach 25. If he applies any sort of work ethic, he could still be a decent player. I would say .280-.300 with somewhere between 12 and 18 HRs.
Sorry for the tirade—guess i just got carried away.
No way am I wearing that hat!
Phillies (Hamels) vs. Mets (F-Rod)
I’m a lifelong dedicated Yankee Fan since 1967.
The Red Sox / Yanks rivalry is great but it’s now driven by the intensity of dislike between the fans rather than disdain of the players for the opposinng team.
The nastiness of the rapidly escalating rivalry between the Phillies / Mets rivalry…is driven by the fact that players on each squad hate the other team…next season…it should be fun to watch these 2 teams go at each other.
Hey Peter any news on Sabathia news?. Is a done deal???
over 1000 posts, in the past days and have yet to see this subject discussed. Credit to Brian Lestz http://mvn.com/thebronxblock/
1) CC Sabathia
2) Chien Ming Wang
3) AJ Burnett
4) Andy Pettitte/Ben Sheets/Derek Lowe
5) Joba Chamberlain
*******************************
I was working on the Michael Kay Show when the news broke yesterday that the Yankees had signed AJ Burnett. While signing Ben Sheets or Derek Lowe might be the best way to go for 2009, is it the best way to go for 2010? 2011? Beyond???
We’ve got CC Sabathia locked up for at least 3 years, AJ Burnett locked up for 5 years, and Chien Ming Wang isn’t a free agent till 2012. That leaves only 2 spots open in our rotation in the coming years. That’s only 2 rotation spots in the next 3 seasons, while our farm system continues to produce high-end young arms. For all of those who dreamed of a rotation of Joba, Hughes, Kennedy, Brackman, Betances/McAllister/Kontos – it will never happen. That’s not to say it was ever a realistic possibility, but the dream of MiLB nerds like myself that these young kids could infiltrate the system and take over the rotation is now dead.
That being said, if the Yankees sign someone to fill that 4th Starter spot for more than just 2009 (i.e. anyone other than Pettitte), that means the Yankees will not be able to fit even TWO young guns in their rotation in the next 3 seasons! Since Sheets and Lowe will command more than just one season, that would give the Yankees only one rotation spot that isn’t locked up long term. It’s one thing not to be able to have a dream rotation of all minor league studs, and it’s another not to be able to fit Joba and Phil Hughes!
This is why the Yankees will not…I repeat, WILL NOT sign anyone but Andy Pettitte to fill that 4th starter spot. If the Yankees are unable to come to terms with Pettitte, and have to reluctantly sign someone else, get ready for a big trade involving several young arms for a high-level bat.
While we were burned last season by relying on the young kids, we can’t go 180* in the opposite direction. That’s the type of knee-jerk reaction that never results in good talent decisions in any sports. It’s one thing to believe the old maxim – “You can never have enough pitching,” but it’s another to completely strangle any route our young pitchers have to the majors in the coming seasons.
“Hey Peter any news on Sabathia news?. Is a done deal???”
he changed his mind.
Just wondering if any partial season ticket holders have gotten any sort of update from the Yankees regarding the seat selection results. I’ve not heard a thing since responding to the re-location survey…about 2 months ago.
I wonder how much it will cost me to sit in the tier next season?
They have not finished the full season ticket holders. There is a good thread on this at nyyfans.com.
“That’s not to say it was ever a realistic possibility, but the dream of MiLB nerds like myself that these young kids could infiltrate the system and take over the rotation is now dead.”
Not really.
If Brackman or Betances take off in the minor leagues they will trade Wang for younger position players before he hits free agency.
They’ll get immense value back for Wang and won’t need to sign him to an expensive long term deal.
Or if Burnett is still throwing well they’ll trade him on his last two years and eat some of the money.
Or CC Sabbathia will opt out in three years they’ll let him leave.
Or one of the current starters will get hurt and they’ll need new arms (most likely).
This isn’t the end of developing and using younger pitchers.
They’ll just be using them in different ways.
jk – thanks..i’ll check it out
bk – the new stadium will have 4 levels…so what used to be the “Tier” is now called the Grandstand Level and its the topmost level. I think the single game seats are supposed to be the same as the Tier prices in 2008… $22.
Last try::
To rb15 and Trisha thanks for the words of wisdom.
Trisha—I have this habit of singing my favorite song “Alone in my principles” so I don’t think chasing my dream (despite the poor check) is going to bring anything but good for me and everyone else. For better or worse I think I have a calling and if I didn’t follow it I’d die a disappointed old man.
CB:
I like the way you think. Hopefully, yourself and the front-office, both on same page.
vinny,
What i think this does change is that it makes it very unlikely for any guy form the system who does not have an enormous ceiling to become a regular part of the rotation.
Kennedy is extremely unlikely to stay with the team given his age/ stuff unless they are decimated by injuries.
I don’t know if McCallister will pitch with the big club.
But honestly, other than hughes and kennedy and perhaps McCallister their pitching prospect are not that close.
Betances and Brackman are still huge, uncertain projects. Betances is still at least 3 years away.
Sure brackman could take off but if he was ready in 2 seasons i’d be happy.
Heredeia is way off. De La Rosa still has a lot of uncertainty.
Besides Joba and Hughes their younger starters are still a ways away.
CB:
yes, understand.
it does seem like McCallister may be the mystery at this time (we don’t really know what his ceiling is). Maybe he is moved to Oakland in a July, Matt Holliday trade. Who knows.
CB
exactly, the Yanks are gonna keep the elites and package the rest. We’ve seen them drafting pitchers for years but now they are doing and will continue doing the same thing with catchers. They’ll keep the elites and trade the rest and starters and quality catchers are golden trade chips. I think an eventual trade of Wang is very likely and it will be used to open up a spot for a Brackman or Betances. Some of the other great arms will be converted to the pen, but most of the good but not elite pitching prospects will get packaged.
CB,
So agree with your last point about using the younger pitchers in other ways. Obviously they rushed Hughes and Kennedy up last year when they clearly were not ready, but the team was desperate. Hopefully by adding CC, AJ and one other, they will be the rotation for the season allowing the younger pitchers to develop and be brought up when they are ready. Or they can be used as trade bait to fill a position player need.
56bomber- Thanks for the info. I might splurge and sit in a mid-level but I dunno.
How many Yankee fans are there? If there are 2 million, let’s all contribute $10 a year for the next 8 years for Tex. Maybe the team could even keep it off their salary tax books.
Speaking of hats…I just have to toss this out there. Anyone who wears this Yankees hat should be shot. Immediately. On site. I mean the Yankees are NOT the METS! Yuck. Yuck. Yuck. How can they even make these hats?
http://www.lids.com/pid/20123697
Disclaimer:
I don’t really think anyone should shoot or otherwise physically harm anyone for any reason…ever.
“Betances is still atleast 3 years years away”
That’s looking at it conservatively. I think he will be ready before that.
CB-
Enjoyed the projections comparing Damon, Swisher, and Gardner in CF.
Looking at Cameron it’s too bad that he struck out 32% of his AB’s last year with a .231 average against righties and a .282 average against lefties. If it weren’t for his power numbers, “statistically” Gardner had a better BA against righties @ .252 in a small sample of only 127 AB’s, striking out 24% of the time. Gardner had 5 outfield assists and no errors, while Cameron had 3 outfield assists with one error.
Projecting Gardner’s stolen bases out to the same number of AB’s [444] Cameron had would net around 46 SB’s.
If the Cameron deal comes to fruition could you see a platoon in CF with Gardner against some righthanders?
Where would Cameron bat against lefties? righties?
I think their goal for sometime now has been to create a staff with 5 pitchers who are either #1 or #2 caliber guys.
They’ll be willing to do that through the draft, trades or free agency.
If Felix Hernandez makes it to free agency at age 25 (when he’ll be coming up) are they going to pass? I don’t see that.
But then what are the odds Hernandez doesn’t sign an extension?
Their goal should be to have 5 #1 caliber starters. The only feasible way to do that without having a 130M starting staff is to constantly have a mix of high priced guys and young arms making league minimum.
This is why I can see them trading Wang, perhaps at some point in the next 2-3 seasons.
But this is also why for the long term this intense focus this off season bodes well for the future – even if say AJ doesn’t work out.
Whether the outfield is Damon, Gardner, Nady or Damon, Cameron, Nady it’s very likely that in 2010 none of those guys will be around. The entire outfield will need to be replaced. The DH will need to be replaced.
That’s 4 new starters they’ll need at a minimum unless Damon sticks around on a one year deal (unlikely).
Those 4 players will be acquired through mixed ways. Several good outfielders on the market next year.
But there’s little doubt that they’ll need to trade some young pitching to get those 4 players.
CF will probably bat ninth all year.
Bubba-
“How many Yankee fans are there? If there are 2 million, let’s all contribute $10 a year for the next 8 years for Tex. Maybe the team could even keep it off their salary tax books.”
Better idea-Why doesn’t Sabathia pay for Cameron’s one year salary, or at the least defer some of his money, which of course would lessen the likelihood of his opting out?
Then A-Rod, if he wants to see better pitches can pay a portion of Teixeira’s salary.
NO????
Right now they have the luxury of being conservative with the kids in the minors.
“If Felix Hernandez makes it to free agency at age 25 (when he’ll be coming up) are they going to pass? I don’t see that.”
I would love Felix Hernandez. But the better question is he going to pass on the Yankees. When he was a IFA, the Yankees offered him the most money and he refused to take the money and sign with the Yankees.
He took less to sign with the Mariners. He’s on record in saying he “hates” the Yankees.
I know money talks but not in that case.
Outfielders available in 2010 * denotes club option
Rick Ankiel STL
Jason Bay BOS
Marlon Byrd TEX
Frank Catalanotto TEX
Endy Chavez SEA
Coco Crisp * KC
Carl Crawford * TB
Johnny Damon NYY
David Dellucci CLE
Jermaine Dye * CWS
Ryan Freel BAL
Brian Giles SD
Vladimir Guerrero LAA
Matt Holliday OAK
Geoff Jenkins * PHI
Reed Johnson CHC
Andruw Jones LAD
Austin Kearns * WAS
Hideki Matusi NYY
Jason Michaels CLE
Xavier Nady NYY
Magglio Ordonez * DET
Dave Roberts SF
Gary Sheffield DET
Jason Werth PHI
Randy Winn SF
What does it mean for Brackman that he is on a major league contract?
I don’t think they’ll do a strict platoon with Cameron and Gardner. Gardner will get to play frequently for either Damon or Cameron but not a strict platoon. That can be difficult for players used to playing everyday like cameron is.
Ultimately Gardner will play depending on how often he gets on base.
If he can get on base even 33-35% of the time he’ll play regularly even if he doesn’t hit for any power (which he won’t).
I don’t know if he can get on base that often however.
Jacoby Ellsbury – a much more talented hitter – had an OBP of only .336 last year. And that was while hitting .280.
Punch and judy hitters just don’t get walked in the big leauges. If the worst damage you can do if you make contact is a single then big league pitcher will just not throw pitches outside the zone. They’ll try to knock the bat out of your hands and make you hit your way on base.
That’s the bottom line. That’s why it’s extremely difficult to think of how Gardner’s going to succeed.
Gardner saw 3.9 pitches per plate appearance last season. That’s very good. He was clearly trying to draw walks. But he really didn’t wind up doing that. Pitchers threw him strikes and he wound up seeing a lot pitches and striking out a lot.
Tough challenge to make his skill set work at the big league level.
A couple of years back, when he was 1 year or so in the league, there was talk of Cano being moved to the OF as he filled out. Is that still a possibility?
“I would love Felix Hernandez. But the better question is he going to pass on the Yankees. When he was a IFA, the Yankees offered him the most money and he refused to take the money and sign with the Yankees.”
And CC Sabbathia was only going to play on the West Coast.
Mark Teixeira swore off the red sox when they jerked him around after they drafted him out of high school.
Money makes memories very short lived.
New reason to hate the Sox, their uglier uniforms.
“Punch and judy hitters just don’t get walked in the big leauges. If the worst damage you can do if you make contact is a single then big league pitcher will just not throw pitches outside the zone. They’ll try to knock the bat out of your hands and make you hit your way on base.”
Gone are the days of Brett Butler…
Can someone set up a pool for the date that Gardner will hit his first home run of the season (and I think of his ML career)?
Of course we’d have to figure out how to incorporate the possibilty that he won’t hit one at all.
Everybody who wants in pays 5 bucks. If Gardner doesn’t hit one out, the money goes to charity.
“Mark Teixeira swore off the red sox when they jerked him around after they drafted him out of high school.”
He wouldn’t sign for what the Red Sox offerred him, and then the Sox spread the word he was going to go to Georgia Tech, and not enter the draft, which ended up having him drafted in the 9th round.
Seriously, if the Yankees were in contention for his services, I believe he would choose us over the Red Sox, Orioles, Nationals and Angels, having the chance to play in the Northeast, on a contender and closer to home.
Price is Right rules? Closest to correct date without going over? Or just closest period?
And if the guy/gal who used to post with the brettisgog handle doesn’t pick Opening Day, I will be sorely disappointed.
Price is Right.
kennedy will get one year to prove himself.if he doesn’t find it in 09 he is probably gone.
hughes if he shows anything in 09 might be given more time.
they will be in a good but tough spot if kennedy,hughes,acevez all do well.
Brett Butler was a very good ball player – very under rated.
One of the few players in history (or at least post dead-ball era history) whose on base percentage was higher than their slugging percentage (.377 vs. .376).
Don’t know how he did it – had to be the crouch.
Butler’s career BB:K was 1.24. Last year ellsbury’s was 0.5 – which 2.5 times worse than Butler. Gardner’s was an unimaginably horrible 0.27. So his walk to strikeout ration last season (granted very small sample) was almost 5 times worse than Butler’s.
Butler was a far above a league average CF his whole career. He’s the absolute best case scenario for Gardner.
*brettisgod* that is. Stupid blackberry.
Does hitting a HR in batting practice count?
Pete should set it up…
The real question is, should an inside-the-park home run count? I think, in keeping with the spirit of the inspiration for this contest, not.
Probably inside the park variety
nope, has to go over the wall.
Nick,
brettisgog sounds better
Remember the little battle between brettisgod and melkyisgod.
Oh the memories
S.A.- CC you soon Mr. Sabathia
December 13th, 2008 at 7:53 pm
Remember the little battle between brettisgod and melkyisgod.
Oh the memories
No, but Roger Clemens will bang his fist!
Anybody think the Yanks should take a look at Saito as a vet pen arm? He would likely only cost around 3 million.
We don’t really need any more bullpen candidates.
“in July suffered a partially torn elbow ligament that usually requires Tommy John reconstruction. Instead, Saito opted for an experimental stem-cell injection”
No, his elbow is being held together by stem-cells.
ON THE WAY !!!
AGAIN
WHO IS BATTING 3RD!!!
Wow, I just found John Sterling calling the last out of the 1998 World Series.
“Yankees lead by three and are on the precipice. The stretch, and pitch, hit on the ground on a hop to Brosius fields, throws across, IN TIME. BALL GAME OVER, WORLD SERIES OVER, YANKEES WIN!”
I would think that Matsui would bat 3rd.
Tom- You’re right Saito is also 38, my bad. The pen is pretty sound.
But every time Saito got a K we could have a stem-cell-abration!
Sorry, I have to aim low sometimes too.
Pete the slot machines in McCarron don’t take quarters.
CB,
Not sure what you meant by Red Sox ‘keeping ticket prices down’. IIRC, they have the highest average ticket price in baseball. If they’re not first they’re second.
it feels like this team is missing something.
maybe not tex or manny but a good,young,fast cf.
i wouldn’t mind going with this lineup but we can’t afford to be weak in cf.
a 20 hr/80 rbi cf would make me happy.
we should do a trade for one.
Would like to see Cashman trade for Ankeil or try get one of the Rangers CF’s Julio Borbon or Greg Golson
adding Salary with Cameron is madness
we dont need bullpen help…Saito would get killed in the AL
“i wouldn’t mind going with this lineup but we can’t afford to be weak in cf.
a 20 hr/80 rbi cf would make me happy.
we should do a trade for one.”
Not alot of those guys on the block but they are not cheap we would have to give up Hughes in any deal.
“i wouldn’t mind going with this lineup but we can’t afford to be weak in cf.
a 20 hr/80 rbi cf would make me happy.”
Mike Cameron Last season: 25HR 70RBI
’07: 21HR 78RBI
’06: 22HR 83RBI.
Crunch time on the Heisman. Good article about it by Allen Barra in today’s Wall Street Journal. Upshot: Tebow is clearly the best and should win easily but possibly/probably won’t for various reasons, including voters figuring he’ll win next year and not wanting to see him three-peat.
That’s probably correct. My own feeling is that I want the winner to be the one least likely to thank his personal Lord and Savior, which would be an un-Tebow, but that’s more an inkling than a preference. Tebow is probably the best.
I still want to know if O.J. voted.
The Red Sox wore hats like these (with only one sock, not two) in 1931.
“i wouldn’t mind going with this lineup but we can’t afford to be weak in cf.
a 20 hr/80 rbi cf would make me happy.
we should do a trade for one.”
First, most teams would hold onto that type of player. Secondly, we just acquired two of the best FAs for a ton of money and years, and you still another big guy?
What the heck are they thinking with those Sox hats? Looks like Fenway Laundry & Linen Service.
Grrr, Bradford let me down right at the beginning!
Will Tebow still spend the summer circumcising children?
who cares about the sox hats
Did I need to read that before I go to dinner? Probably not.
But I bet Tebow will be the favorite next year.
I say the Yanks package Cano, Damon, and Huges for Jake Peavey. CC tends to disappear come playoff time and Burnett is a 4th starter, nothing more. We’ll see….
I say the Yanks package Cano, Damon, and Hughes for Jake Peavey. CC tends to disappear come playoff time and Burnett is a 4th starter, nothing more. We’ll see….
good god almighty..
“Jake has a strong preference to stay in the National League. If Jake’s ever going to accept anything to the American League – and I don’t want this to be taken wrong – I can safely say that it’s going to be the Yankees or Red Sox or maybe the Angels. Those teams are going to be in contention and are going to spend money. If there were circumstances where he would be asked to go to the AL, kicking and screaming, those are the three places.”
Why would his agent even say this about a client?
So Peavy would kick and scream to go to 3 of the top organizations in baseball over the past decade?
Sounds like a great guy to have on a pennant contending team.
If Peavy’s agent is suggesting that he would be willing to go to Boston, then Theo will undoubtedly make a play for him. He is a typical Red Sox acquisition.
His agent is killing all his leverage. The Cubs have the Pads by the throat. That is the ONLY destination for him unless ATL jumps back in the mix.
He has told the world he wants no part of the AL and will be very unhappy going there and will only do so if he receives ridiculous compensation… so in other words, he isin’t going to the AL.
Towers would have taken Yunel Escobar and Gorky Hernandez and RAN. He screwed this up royally.
Someone tell Jake’s agent to shut up. He’ll come to us kicking and screaming for the right price. Jake the music is going to stop and you won’t have a seat.
Jay Allen whatever you’re having, make mine a double.
The dude is already owed 60 million and if he is traded he is going to want a huge extension. The Padres front office probably hates his guts right now. They are going to have no choice soon but to take a garbage deal in order to just get rid of him.
No one should pretend that the young guys wont get a chance to pitch if we sign pettite for 1 year or ben sheets for 2. One thing everyone should realize from watching baseball and especially NY baseball is that you can never. ever have enough pitching. We sign guys for a minimum of 5,3 and 2 year deals with wang and joba in the mix does that mean that hughes, IPK, Betances, Brackman and the rest wont get a shot? Absolutely not. Pitchers get injured – joba cant even pitch more than 150 innings next year and burnett has only made 30 starts twice in the last 10 seasons.
Further, sheets is a big injury risk and pettitte is getting up their in age so despite his solid injury history he may very well land on the dl as well. Point is, we sign another free agent be it sheets or pettitte we are definitely not blocking any of the young pitchers from getting to the majors. The only thing that will block them from the majors is themselves by underperforming. Just look at last season – we had ponson and rasner pitching twice every five days even with joba in the rotation. Because wang and pavano were hurt and hughes got hurt as well – and kennedy was horrendous. This can happen any season. I think the off season comes along and ppl forget about all the major injuries that we have every year – i heard why get dunn when we will have to get rid of matsui or damon? WHy get pettitte or sheets when we have Aceves/Coke and Hughes? Its called depth and we never have enough of it. The bench right now is pathetic – adding another bat puts someone very useful on the bench bolstering the lineup and the bench at the same time.
Adding a pitcher right now adds depth making it more and more likely that we wont fall into oblivion with a couple of significant injuries like we had last year with wang, matsui and posada. And then, there is regression – whos to say cano will be amazing next year? kEVIN Long will say it because he wants to keep his job – what is he going to say? We tried really hard but i cant get a former runner up to a batting title to hit the ball like a pro again – NO. And swisher is another big question mark – willl he put up an obp of 380 or an obp of 330? Only time will tell.
But in the end, everyone that deserves to play that season ends up playing unless they cant handle the role – we see it time and again. Except maybe britton – he definitely should have been given a better shot but situations like that happen once in a blue moon and he was still called up from scranton about a million times.
This whole thing is making peavy look like a joke. One of the best pitchers in baseball supposedly cant handle the big bad bats of the AL? PLEEEEASE! And his agent is making him look even worse – only going to the best teams in baseball if they drag the guy kicking and screaming. What team wants to do that? No GM is going to beg from peavy especialy if peavy feels like he cant handle the league switch. I dont know him and I dont think i want to. And his agent really has to stop talking – he is only making things so much worse for jake by saying stuff like this.
Peavy has a NTC. The Padre’s gave him one and he has every right to exercise it.
John
December 13th, 2008 at 9:16 pm
“If Peavy’s agent is suggesting that he would be willing to go to Boston, then Theo will undoubtedly make a play for him. He is a typical Red Sox acquisition.”
John, I am honestly curious as to how you would describe a typical Red Sox acquisition?
to be fair, the hanging sox logo has been around for a long time. it would be akin to the yankees having a novelty hat with the “uncle sam hat on the bat” logo
i think it’s blasphemous, don’t get me wrong, but it’s definitely not a new logo
“kicking and screaming” was the agent’s way of saying “you have to not just trade for him, but re-do his deal.”
Pete, you probably don’t hear this enough (especially on your blog), but THAT WAS SOME GOOD WRITING.
Translation:
“Get off my lawn!!!!!”
or maybe this time of year, “Bah Humbug!!!” is more appropriate.
Jay Allen
December 13th, 2008 at 9:06 pm
I say the Yanks package Cano, Damon, and Huges for Jake Peavey. CC tends to disappear come playoff time and Burnett is a 4th starter, nothing more. We’ll see….
————————————————————
Yeah, and that Jake Peavey guy is such a stud in the post season.
I say the Yanks package Cano, Damon, and Hughes for Jake Peavey.
——————————————————-
No
JackJ
December 13th, 2008 at 8:54 pm
“i wouldn’t mind going with this lineup but we can’t afford to be weak in cf.
a 20 hr/80 rbi cf would make me happy.
we should do a trade for one.”
First, most teams would hold onto that type of player. Secondly, we just acquired two of the best FAs for a ton of money and years, and you still another big guy?
————————————————————
it is one thing if we had a decent cf on paper & gardner/melky might be one but a 300 obp cf will not cut it.
i am not talking about cameron for 10 million or another big contract i am talking about using our pitching surpluss in a trade.
maybe kennedy,a bullpen arm,etc for someone.i don;t know who but cashman needs to call around and try.
a cf with a decent nobp & numbers.
if cameron is it so be it but we need 3 outfielders next year and who we signed up to this point has nothing to do with me wanting another big bat.
gardner & melky are 4th outfielders not starters.
“If that’s not the depths of human existence, I’m not sure what is.”
That’s easy, Pete. Once they start selling you could probably look under any one of those “hanging sox” caps you showed us a picture of.
Jay Allen
December 13th, 2008 at 9:08 pm
I say the Yanks package Cano, Damon, and Hughes for Jake Peavey. CC tends to disappear come playoff time and Burnett is a 4th starter, nothing more. We’ll see….
————————————————————
who will replace damon,cano???
the offense would be terrible & hughes will be good.
we saw what he can do when he is on.
too much too give up for a 4.0 era pitcher if you’re lucky.
we should of traded cano for kemp & got a new 2nd baseman.
maybe traded damon & matsui & signed tex or manny.
if we traded damon,matsui & cano for kemp,payroll would be at 171 million with cc,burnett,tex,kemp & all we would have to worry about is 2nd base,another starter & dh.pettitte at 12 million will have us at 183 million.
cano for kemp,not all three.
damon & matsui sepparate.
“I say the Yanks package Cano, Damon, and Hughes for Jake Peavey. CC tends to disappear come playoff time and Burnett is a 4th starter, nothing more. We’ll see”
please don’t post here anymore.
“Yeah, and that Jake Peavey guy is such a stud in the post season.”
GB, I am a little surprised because typically you resist the temptation to make observations based on small sample sizes.
Peavy has very limited post season experience and CC does not have a great deal.
If we are going to use small sample sizes then CC has been “unstud” like in the post season too.
His post season ERA this last year was 12.27
The year before his ERA against boston in the post season was 10.45 and 5.40 against the yankees in the post season.
Peavy’s postseason record is not the issue. The issue is that the guy is afraid to pitch in the AL and will probably be lit up. Why would we want such a player on the Yankees? I wouldn’t go near this guy with a ten foot pole.
We need a big bat, when are we going to get one?
We have no #3 or #5 hitter
ray (sox fan)
December 13th, 2008 at 10:22 pm
“Yeah, and that Jake Peavey guy is such a stud in the post season.”
GB, I am a little surprised because typically you resist the temptation to make observations based on small sample sizes.
Peavy has very limited post season experience and CC does not have a great deal.
If we are going to use small sample sizes then CC has been “unstud” like in the post season too.
His post season ERA this last year was 12.27
The year before his ERA against boston in the post season was 10.45 and 5.40 against the yankees in the post season.
————————————————————
Sorry, Ray. I got caught up in the heat of the battle.
Actually, I was trying to point out the Sabathia is bad in the Post Season crap, and probably failed. It’s probable that clown is a a hit and run poster. I’d not mind Peavey, but, like with Santana, not at the cost of talent and money. Of course the idiotic amount of talent going out for a pitcher that NYY doesn’t need. With the questions about the Yankees offense, I’m certainly not sending a bat like Cano in that deal.
I’ll take Peavy. But only if Adrian Gonzalez comes with him and that ain’t gonna happen.
This “He’s afraid to pitch in the AL…for the NYY” crap is just that. People need to think up something original or at least a little more intelligent.
Honestly, It’s hard to kill Peavy.
Maddux has obviously poisoned his mind with fear of the East Coast/NL. They became very close with Maddux played for the Padres.
No coincident that Atlanta and the Cubs were his top choices along with the Dodgers– Those were the teams Maddux played for.
I wonder when Petitte will decide.
Knicks are dominating tonight
“Sorry, Ray. I got caught up in the heat of the battle.”
Hey GB, we are usually on different sides of the “battlefield” but you certainly don’t need to say your sorry. I enjoy reading your posts.
I agree with you this time. Since Peavy does not really want to pitch in the AL and probably even less in the tough AL east it is obvious that your Yankees and my Sox would have to pay dearly both in players and money to get Peavy.
I don’t want to see the Sox give up people like Bucholtz, Masterson, etc. for Peavy, and if I was a Yankee fan I wouldn’t want to see a package offered for Peavy that included Cano and others.
“Here we are at the Jerry Tarkanian International Airport in Las Vegas.”
Are they still handing out the free towels?
lol.
I don’t want Peavey but I think it’s simplistic to pretend that anybody who doesn’t want to come here is simply afraid. Front of the rotation guys are used to being in demand and having choices. Their choices are probably just as complicated as yours or mine. I never made a career decision based only on money and I never made one based only on fear that I couldn’t compete, and you probably didn’t either. So why think theirs are that simple?
If Peavy’s going to come to the Bronx kicking and screaming, then I don’t want him – shows that he’s not a big game pitcher, can’t handle New York. This guy will have a worse attitude than Randy Johnson.
Peavy’s ERA outside of PETCO is not worth what it would cost to get him anyway.
Sabathia
Wang
Peavy
Burnett
Chamberlain
Cancel the season, just hand us the Lombardi Trophy
ray (sox fan)
December 13th, 2008 at 10:40 pm
“Sorry, Ray. I got caught up in the heat of the battle.”
Hey GB, we are usually on different sides of the “battlefield” but you certainly don’t need to say your sorry. I enjoy reading your posts.
I agree with you this time. Since Peavy does not really want to pitch in the AL and probably even less in the tough AL east it is obvious that your Yankees and my Sox would have to pay dearly both in players and money to get Peavy.
I don’t want to see the Sox give up people like Bucholtz, Masterson, etc. for Peavy, and if I was a Yankee fan I wouldn’t want to see a package offered for Peavy that included Cano and others.
————————————————————
I think that we would both agree that there are a lot of pitchers that crossing leagues would make no or little difference. Some would be outstanding, regardless of what league it was. Webb is one, and, I think Peavy and Oswalt could be two others, but, unless they do that right now, in their primes, there’s no way to know. It’s highly unlikely that Boston would send Masterson or Buchholz along with Pedroia and let’s say JD Drew (because of age similarities to Damon only) for Peavy, then pay for the privilege besides. This, I believe were Boston’s and NYY reasons for not going further to get Santana.
Finals week is killing me…
Ok file this under leaving no stone unturned. Whats up with Andruw Jones? Is he done? I am sure the Dodgers would love to dump him for next to nothing. Is he a possble reclamation project. The old Andruw would be a nice fit behind Arod.
For those interested, here’s a time lapsed video of the new Yankee Stadium being built.
http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com.....8;c_id=nyy
Tarheelyank
December 13th, 2008 at 11:10 pm
Ok file this under leaving no stone unturned. Whats up with Andruw Jones? Is he done? I am sure the Dodgers would love to dump him for next to nothing. Is he a possble reclamation project. The old Andruw would be a nice fit behind Arod.
————————————————————
“The Old Andruw Jones” might have been a help, but, “An old Andruw Jones” is of no use.
Cor Shep: When’s your last one?
“The Old Andruw Jones” might have been a help, but, “An old Andruw Jones” is of no use
Very nice. But he is only 31. Cameron is 35. I am just wondering why he went down so fast? Is it roids? Or is it possible to fix? The cost in players and dollars would be less then Cameron. Just wondering if we have seen the last of Mr. Jones.
I got Stat on Monday, Abstract Algebra on Tues, and Differential Equations on Wed. All fricking cumulative which is absurd.
Cor Shep,
what school you in? i just only got 1 final. LOL.
GB,
what you got a shot at Jones, thinking he could be fixed? although he’s now fat, and isn’t much a CFer now.
wow that sucks. you’re obviously a math major then, right?
I only have one more left but I have to go through about 600 slides, 10 research papers,20 articles, and 400 pages. i hate the professor.
would you***
GreenBeret7 December 13th, 2008 at 11:16 pm
For those interested, here’s a time lapsed video of the new Yankee Stadium being built.
http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com.....8;c_id=nyy
—————————————————-
Thanks for the link GreenBeret. Very cool.
Can’t wait for next season.
SA,
what you doing home on a saturday night?
Tarheelyank
December 13th, 2008 at 11:26 pm
“The Old Andruw Jones” might have been a help, but, “An old Andruw Jones” is of no use
Very nice. But he is only 31. Cameron is 35. I am just wondering why he went down so fast? Is it roids? Or is it possible to fix? The cost in players and dollars would be less then Cameron. Just wondering if we have seen the last of Mr. Jones.
————————————————————
Jones is slow, extremely overweight and has been brutally bad in the last two years. Swisher and Cameron both have been better than Jones in the last two years….not to mention being considerably less expensive.
Ed – I goto the University of Delaware baby! How about Joe Biden! I’m taking 5 classes, how in the world do you just have 1 final – u part time?
Blimpie – yea it blows, I’m never gonna need to remember or use this stuff when I teach in high school it’s pointless. The major is mad hard but I still manage to have a lot of fun haha. Where you go?
GB,
never mind..you answered my question. hahas
S.A.- CC you soon Mr. Sabathia
December 13th, 2008 at 11:31 pm
Thanks for the link GreenBeret. Very cool.
Can’t wait for next season.
————————————————————
My pleasure, S.A.
GB7,
Just curious and I apologize if this is too personal, but what do you do with your life? I feel like you post here 24/7.
Ed – CC and Wang, the Dynamite Duo!
December 13th, 2008 at 11:35 pm
GB,
never mind..you answered my question. hahas
————————————————————
Evening, Ed. Glad to help.
Ed-sadly trying to do some work. Blah!
Cor Shep,
nope. my professors just got lazy, some either want a report/presentation about something, or a tiny quiz, or just none at all.
Cash Man
December 13th, 2008 at 11:36 pm
GB7,
Just curious and I apologize if this is too personal, but what do you do with your life? I feel like you post here 24/7.
————————————————————
I post whenever I get the urge. I’m retired military and independently poor.
Ed-what is going on with your crazy cowboys? T.O. is crying and is jealous of Witten? Jerry Jones thinks Barber isn’t tough? Of course everything is hunky dory with Wade!
SA,
oh, want to get it done before the holidays, eh?
GB,
I think that 51 homers from 2005, and the 41 homers from 2006 had took a toll on him which caused him to stink the next following seasons. its a possibilty?
ed – i wish haha your lucky – where you go?
“source familiar with the bidding said the Angels and Nationals are believed to have offered Teixeira eight years and about $180 million; the Red Sox’s offer is estimated at eight years and $160 millon.”
http://www.newsday.com/sports/.....6455.story
Cool. Well I do enjoy your contributions to the blog =)
SA,
all i gotta say is they better put up their A game tomorrow, and put their fight aside. If they want to make it to the playoffs, they all need to man up and wait till the season finishes to deal with their problems.
GB7
Your’e probably right. I just find it curious that a player with his skills went down so fast. But I guess we’re going to find out for sure soon.
“Jones, who hit .158 with 76 strikeouts in a 2008 season limited by injury to 75 games, is expected to begin playing winter ball in the Dominican Republic this week, something the Dodgers hope will serve as an audition for prospective suitors.”
http://latimesblogs.latimes.co.....ntere.html
Cor Shep,
I’m in College of Technology, New York City University.
if we traded damon,matsui.then traded cano for kemp.
for 208 million dollars we could of had a lineup of:
trading matsui,damon,cano will get payroll down to 111 million then add
furcal(10 million)
jeter
tex(20 million)
arod
dunn(15 million)
posada
nady
swisher
kemp(.5 million)
rotation of
cc(23 million)
wang
burnett(16.5 million)
pettitte(12 million)
joba
right now payroll is about 184 million & we wan’t to add pettitte & cameron wich will have it close to 208 million anyways.
“source familiar with the bidding said the Angels and Nationals are believed to have offered Teixeira eight years and about $180 million; the Red Sox’s offer is estimated at eight years and $160 millon.”
the Nats and Angels need to put more pressure on the Sox to prevent them from signing Teixeira.
Ed – CC and Wang, the Dynamite Duo!
December 13th, 2008 at 11:40 pm
SA,
oh, want to get it done before the holidays, eh?
GB,
I think that 51 homers from 2005, and the 41 homers from 2006 had took a toll on him which caused him to stink the next following seasons. its a possibilty?
————————————————————
I don’t know what happened with Jones, but, he just caved in. I have my suspicions, but, no way to prove it. Let’s just say that he used to be a big weight room guy to help him build size and strength. He made his money and just quit with his conditioning programs. Take from that what you will. He’s just allowed himself to gain 40 pounds or so and quit. He weighs close to 260 pounds now.
“if we traded damon,matsui.then traded cano for kemp.”
Heck NO!
” Sabathia
Wang
Peavy
Burnett
Chamberlain
Cancel the season, just hand us the Lombardi Trophy.”
Umm, you have the wrong sport.
LOL
I think tomorrow will be a good game overall(hope the Giants win!), but I cannot lie. What I really wanna see tomorrow is some sort of fist fight on the cowboys sidelines.
Any of these combos will work:
Jerry Jones vs. Wade Phillips
T.O vs. Romo
T.O vs. Witten
T.O vs. T.O.
T.O vs. Wade Phillips (though I think Wade would cry)
Gb,
wanna know what’s surpising? its him being close to 400 home runs, and he’s just only 31 years old. it’s a shame if he quits just like that.
Cash Man
December 13th, 2008 at 11:42 pm
Cool. Well I do enjoy your contributions to the blog =)
————————————————————
Thanks, Cash. Much appreciated.
“Knicks are dominating tonight”
They are playing the Kings … aka the Sacremento Monarchs,West 4th would beat them.
Cor:
Wharton. doing finance and graduating this year, so screwed.
Are you in grad school? Where do you plan on teaching?
“if we traded damon,matsui.then traded cano for kemp.”
Are you on drugs ?
SA,
it will take just **1** misplay for them to fight on the sidelines. One of them will think they did it on purpose. I’m absolutely sure TO and Jones will be gone this offseason.
Ed – CC and Wang, the Dynamite Duo!
December 13th, 2008 at 11:48 pm
Gb,
wanna know what’s surpising? its him being close to 400 home runs, and he’s just only 31 years old. it’s a shame if he quits just like that.
————————————————————
Yep. He’d be chasing 500 homers by the end of 2010. Younger than Mantle was.
“Are you on drugs ?”
i think he is.
GB,
if he doesn’t clean up his act, then it will take him longer than 2010 to get to 500 homers.
Ed – I would have gone their but I don’t got that kind of money. I’m from Huntington, LI.
Will some of you people stop coming up with these fantasy trades – this isn’t MLB 09… Sign Pettitte and trade for Cameron and call it quits, maybe sign a bat for the bench but thats it.
Blimpie – no I’m a undergrad junior, and will teach somewhere on Long Island as I grew up there and it’s the only place a teacher can make some decent money
Brandon (SHOW SHEETS THE MONEEEEEY !, CC & AJ are Yankees!)…”Don’t trade Robi !”
December 13th, 2008 at 11:50 pm
“if we traded damon,matsui.then traded cano for kemp.”
Are you on drugs ?
————————————————————
it would never happen,signing all of them wich by the way are all available but you replace damon,matsui,cano with tex,dunn,kemp,furcal
who would beat us with a lineup of
furcal
jeter
tex
arod
dunn
posada
nady
swisher
kemp & a rotation of
cc
wang
burnett
pettitte
joba ???
we would have the best lineup & rotation in baseball.
“this isn’t MLB 09″
my dreams have just been crushed. lol
Cor Shep,
if you think NYU, it’s not. It’s more like a city college, which is less expensive than NYU.
I’d imagine Tex would take a discount to go to Boston.
Why in the world would anyone want to go to the Nationals?
Ed – CC and Wang, the Dynamite Duo!
December 13th, 2008 at 11:52 pm
GB,
if he doesn’t clean up his act, then it will take him longer than 2010 to get to 500 homers.
————————————————————
I really don’t think that he’ll ever get there. If he doesn’t get in shape, he won’t make 400. If he gets another contract, it’ll be a 1-2 million dollar deal with incentives. He’s making 18 mil now.
“joba ???”
whats this suppose to mean?? bullpen?
*it would never happen*,signing all of them wich by the way are all available but you replace damon,matsui,cano with tex,dunn,kemp,furcal
bru just stop man. Just stop !
Just in reading posts and trying to catch up… I got to a post that said something about C.C. choking in the playoffs and AJ being a 4th starter.. FIRST OFF, let’s just say you were right about C.C. (which you aren’t) but lets try to be nice and give you a little bit of credibility… AJ BURNETT HAS ARGUABLY THE BEST RAW STUFF IN THE LEAGUE! A FOUR STARTER? ARE YOU SERIOUS? AND THEN YOUR SOLUTION TO THAT IS TO SIGN PEAVEY BY TRADING CANO, DAMON AND MATSUI? REALLY? please, for the sake of people who take this blog seriously.. do your homework next time.. maybe go look at AJ’s player page and watch some of the MANY video highlights of him making us look FOOLISH…
furcal – not going to happen, and we have a 2B name Cano
jeter
tex – sure but not what the other teams are offering
arod
dunn – at a reasonble price, Yes.
posada
nady
swisher
kemp – he isn’t a CFer, more of a LFer
Guys I think we should trade IPK for Pujols – I mean he’s not that good he’s only in the NL!1!11! LOL
y the hell are people in love with kempp
“tex – sure but not what the other teams are offering”
yeah true that… it would have to be about.. 10/200
“y the hell are people in love with kempp”
He has a lot of upside… a lot of potential power.. he is quick, not super fast but pretty fast, a possible gold glover.. he seems like a good guy.. I don’t know if he is worth a power hitting 2nd baseman.. but you never know..
omg was that really jerome james out there on the floor for the knicks he hasnt played in ages
“omg was that really jerome james out there on the floor for the knicks he hasnt played in ages”
Last time he played Jesus was about to walk on water.
Wait, Pete. How come you left Vegas two days after the GMs? Something tells me its good there is not a ML team in Vegas. My advice: keep your ass out of Atlantic City & stay in Westchester where you belong.
Knicks destroyed the Kings tonight but hey thats what they always do kill the bad teams and get blown out by the Cavs, Celts etc.
brandon that was preety funny hahaha
“Knicks destroyed the Kings tonight but hey thats what they always do kill the bad teams and get blown out by the Cavs, Celts etc.”
if only Carter didn’t had a bad game last night, otherwise the Raps wouldn’t had blown the Nets away. it’s like Carter wasn’t even trying.
Kobe and his Lakers must have been extremely drunk losing to the Kings last time.
sooo…have Starbury been released yet?
““Knicks destroyed the Kings tonight but hey thats what they always do kill the bad teams and get blown out by the Cavs, Celts etc.”
if only Carter didn’t had a bad game last night, otherwise the Raps wouldn’t had blown the Nets away. it’s like Carter wasn’t even trying.”
Ed- I consider both of us lucky the Knicks and Nets are both playing around .500. I bet Pringles has the team amped up for Phoenix on Monday, it would be ironic for the Knicks to beat the Suns at their own game.
No wives required this time. Johnny and Alex did the recruiting for AJ.
http://www.nydailynews.com/spo....._in_a.html
Knicks play hard every night- win or lose.
Fun team to watch. Love Big AL
Starbury. lol
“sooo…have Starbury been released yet?”
Ownership is being cheap and trying to keep Steph around til the trading deadline. The team is actually playing like a team without him so IMO he should be cut already that was an experiment that failed.
Jerome James made 500 grand w/ those 3 – 4 minutes not bad for a mop up man.
Al,
of course, we lucky. it will just take 1 or 2 tweaks for our respective teams to make a run at the playoffs.
“No wives required this time. Johnny and Alex did the recruiting for AJ.”
I wonder what they offered to pursude him? hmm…
Phoenix badly missed D’Antoni… the players even admitted it. They have been complaining for weeks about the slowed down pace. Diaw and Bell took plenty of parting shots when they got traded to the Bobcats.
Shaq will get 38 and 15 against our frontline.
Matt Kemp for Melancon, Betances and Miranda or Romine or bullpen arm.
Ed- Its obvious the Nets with Harris and Carter and the Knicks with the 3 point barrage can both make a play-off run its been a long time since you could say that about the local NBA teams
“Matt Kemp for Melancon, Betances and Miranda or Romine or bullpen arm.”
Go to bed.
“Shaq will get 38 and 15 against our frontline.”
I smell a game of hack a Shaq. Seriously I expect them to let Shaq run amok and just try to contain Nash/Richardson.
Melancon and Betances hurt, but Kemp could be a future allstar. Loney could also work instead. And if they feel like throwing in Russell Martin, we’ll throw in Kei Igawa and we’ll get this deal done. Point is, we need offense, and not 10yrs/ 200 mil worth of offense.
Al- hey hey hey..the Nets been to the playoffs everytime besides last year. different story. LOL
It’s fascinating how outspoken the players were about getting Burnett. The lust for Burnett from the team far exceeded that of CC, atleast publicly.
Damon, A-Rod, Bruney, Joba, Posada, Swisher all went on record advocating him, Damon and Bruney during the season.
Seems like a great clubhouse guy who wanted to come here and the popular choice of the players.
“Melancon and Betances hurt, but Kemp could be a future allstar. Loney could also work instead. And if they feel like throwing in Russell Martin, we’ll throw in Kei Igawa and we’ll get this deal done. Point is, we need offense, and not 10yrs/ 200 mil worth of offense.”
Go to bed.
““Matt Kemp for Melancon, Betances and Miranda or Romine or bullpen arm.”
Go to bed.”
I agree. Melancon is our future closer and Betances is a stud in the making.
“Al- hey hey hey..the Nets been to the playoffs everytime besides last year. different story. LOL
”
Hey man as a Knicks fan the last playoff memory I have is getting destroyed by your guys in 4. Can you at least let me dream?
MLB 09 The Show With our starting rotation its pretty dam close. But your right sign Pettit,treade for Cameron Add Dunn as a bat. Probaly one of the best off seasons i can think of.
I’d rather trade Hughes straight up for Kemp rather than Melancon AND Romine AND Betances AND another BP arm.
“Matt Kemp for Melancon, Betances and Miranda or Romine or bullpen arm.”
video game trades doesn’t equal reality.
All we need is a Giants win (or Jets if you are a NYJ fan) tomorrow and it will cap off a perfect week of sports.
Al, fine fine, dream for a bit.
Prospects are prospects, not sure things. Wasn’t J.B. Cox projected to be our future closer a few years ago? How has that worked out? I agree with Betances. Perhaps another pitcher. But my point is you need young offensive players of Kemp and Loney’s strengths. Trading for established older stars doesn’t work. Problem is, you need to pay up. The rotation is set for the next few years. If you need to sacrifice a high pitching prospect to fit an offensive need, so be it. Who is our catcher for 2011?
add IPK in place of Betances.
“video game trades doesn’t equal reality.”
You heard of drinking and driving well this is the new version drinking and typing, also dangerous.
This was such a great hot stove year. For the past few years, it was nothing but disappointment (Dice-K, Santana etc.), but we hit the jackpot this year.
“I agree. Melancon is our future closer and Betances is a stud in the making.”
What good is having a stud in the making if there will never be a rotation spot open for him?!?
BTW, how many years away is Betances?
“BTW, how many years away is Betances?”
Anywhere from 1 – 3. The kid ain’t that far off.
I think Dunn would come cheap especially in this market and he has allegedly received no offers and not even any speculation. maybe 3 years 36 million? He does hit 40+ HR’s a year with 100+ walks the FO should at least give it a look.
I went to ESPN.com to check out their NFL picks and the first thing I see is a video of Stephen A. Smith trying to analyze about the Cowboys….
I immediately exited. Why does ESPN continue to try and have this guy multi-task? He needs to stick to the NBA and nothing else.
““I agree. Melancon is our future closer and Betances is a stud in the making.”
What good is having a stud in the making if there will never be a rotation spot open for him?!?”
CC does have that opt-out and Wang will eventually hit the market. You don’t include a guy like Betances as a throw in he could be MLB ready by 2010 if he gets his control together.
“You heard of drinking and driving well this is the new version drinking and typing, also dangerous.”
lol
true that.
Dunn will be the steal of the off-season
His numbers in Yankee Stadium would be orgasmic
My untouchables: Joba, Hughes, Montero, A-Rod, Jeter. Everybody else could be had in the right deal. I mean young stud hitters and pitchers, better than even DeJesus or Ankiel.
Al,
once Teixeira is signed, the market will begin to shape up for Dunn.
“What good is having a stud in the making if there will never be a rotation spot open for him?!?”
You know your not going to be allowed to use that screen name for long right ? Anyway dude you have AJ Burnett in a rotation (not a guarantee in durability) also Wang’s contract only goes to 2008 no telling what he commands and if the Yankees cut bait w/ him after 08′. Right now your longterm options are CC, AJ, Joba…..after that there is no guarantee and saying AJ is a stretch.
guys like LaPorta, Wieters, Cain, Andrew McCutchen.
It also makes sense keeping Gardner on the bench- with his speed- he can pinch run and score the key run whereas nobody knows how well he might hit.
I forgot Mo Rivera.
Gardener is better than Mike Cameron. Younger, faster, better defender, higher OBP etc. Only thing he doesn’t do is hit for power like Cameron but has more intanngibles.
some of the swings Brett took last year were atrocious.
“Dunn will be the steal of the off-season
His numbers in Yankee Stadium would be orgasmic”
I agree. He hit 40 HR’s a year in Great American ballpark which is 325 down the RF line while YS is 314 down the RF line. Also Great American is 385 in the RF gap while YS is only 370. Dunn would hit 50+ HR’s with 100+ RBI for a bargain price because of the bad economy.
Brandon: Wang’s contract only goes through 2008? Yankees might cut bait with him after 2008? Wha?
I think he gets arbitration for 2009 and beyond, doesn’t hit the market until 2011 or 2012 or so.
Why don’t you like him? He’s from a country that’s an island surrounded by water!
Nick in SF
December 14th, 2008 at 1:05 am
Brandon: Wang’s contract only goes through 2008? Yankees might cut bait with him after 2008? Wha?
I think he gets arbitration for 2009 and beyond, doesn’t hit the market until 2011 or 2012 or so.
Why don’t you like him? He’s from a country that’s an island surrounded by water!
————————————————————
And sharks.
GB7: I didn’t want to categorize the Red Chinese that way, but I don’t necessarily disagree either.
“Why don’t you like him? He’s from a country that’s an island surrounded by water!”
LOL
“Why don’t you like him? He’s from a country that’s an island surrounded by water!
——————————————————————————————
And sharks.”
Hey hey hey, I resent that. LOL
“The Mets probably lose five games a year because the other teams in their division can’t stand them.”
Pete, I love the blog and all the work you put into it. But this statement is pretty absurd. It sounds like you were listening to some random ESPN baseball “analayst” like John Kruk who says that the only reason the Marlins beat the Mets to end the season for two consecutive years is because the Mets are hated by them, and so the Marlins up their game accordingly. But give this thing some critical thinking for a moment.
Here was the Mets 2008 record against divisional foes:
Mets were 10-8 against Florida.
Mets were 11-7 against Philadelphia.
Mets were 12-6 against the Nationals.
Mets were 7-11 against the Braves.
The Phillies and Braves always play the Mets hard, regardless of whather the Mets are filled with a bunch of overconfident dudes on the team, right? If you are familiar with the Mets history then I doubt you will dispute this. That leaves the Nationals and Marlins. The Mets were 12-6 against the Nats this year, which is very good. And the Mets were 10-8 against the Marlins. The Marlins were an 84-77 team in 2008, so that is an adequate performance by the Mets versus that team. In case you don’t know, the Marlins were 10-8 against the Phillies this year, and 8-10 against the Braves this year. So no team in the NL East had more wins in 2008 against the Marlins than the Mets did. It is unfair to criticize the Mets for not dominating them like thee did to the Nationals, because the Marlins are actually a good team.
The bottom line is that the Mets played very well against the two teams that you are probably assuming gets those 5 magical extra wins against them, the Nats and Marlins. The Mets also did very very well against the Phillies. And the Braves always beat the Mets. Only once in the last 11 seasons have the Mets posted a winning record against Atlanta. Surely, you can’t attribute their 2008 struggles against Atlanta as some newfound hatred that the Brave players have for guys like Jose Reyes. The Braves and Mets have been fierce rivals for the last decade.
Also, the Mets divisional record was 40-32. THis is right in line with divisional records posted by other solid ballclubs like the Yankees and Phillies and Dodgers. And it is a better divisonal record than Boston. The point is, they did pretty well against their own division. If you turn 5 of those losses into wins, you get a record of 45-27. This is pretty crazy unless you are a completely dominating team or play in a super-weak division. And the Mets don’t fit either of those categories. They play in the toughest division in the NL, and they had major issues with their pitching staff all year long that prevented them from being a dominating team like in 2006. A record of 45-27 would have been 2nd best in baseball by a wide margin, and only worse than the Angels by a very slight amount. And gues what: the Angels were probably the best AL team and played in the weakest division in the AL. It is just unrealistic to expect the Mets to have 5 extra divisional losses due to bad additudes, when in fact, their divisional performance was strong.
So you are completely wrong about this point.
Gardner is not better than Cameron. Gardner OPS+ was around 53 last season, Cameron was 110. that’s a huge difference.
Furthermore, Pete ignores how many extra games the Mets win because of Mr. Met’s *good* attitude:
http://tinyurl.com/5vhher
Nick- Did you see Mr. Met at the Shea stadium closing ceremonies I think thats the most depressed mascot I had ever seen.
That’s because it was his idea to have the closing ceremonies right after the Mets lost an elimination game.
“That’s because it was his idea to have the closing ceremonies right after the Mets lost an elimination game.”
“That’s because it was his idea to have the closing ceremonies right after the Mets lost an elimination game.”
geesh, that was smart. who was the genius that thought of it?
Sure Adam Dunn has some power numbers, however where does he fit in? He’s a LF…does that mean we slot him in LF, live with Damon in CF, and X in RF? That could work if the Cameron deal falls thru. Plus, Dunn most likely will get around 12 mil a year or so…only 2 more than Cameron.
It could work…as it allows Dunn to stay in LF next year, or move to RF if we don’t resign X.
Dunn may indeed be worth 2-3 years at 25-38 million.
His power numbers are pretty consistent (40 HR’s exactly, 4 years in a row….right at 100 RBIs.) However, his BA sucks. He’d be lucky to hit .250 for us.
So essentially it comes down to….can we live with Damon in CF, and Dunn in LF with Matsui DH? Or are we better served wth Damon in LF, Cameron in CF, and Matsui DH?
My guess is if Matsui is truly pain free he will return to normalcly and be a vauluable commodity. Dhing has a mindset to it that not every player can learn. Matsui seems to be able to do that.
Jorge on the other hand. I worry everybit as much about bat speed actually more, than I do about his throwing. If he just doesn’t return to snuff throwing it is very likely his offensive numbers will also go into decline. I just see him as a huge ?. Matsui not so much.
Pete,
You must have been dillusional from all the time at the slot machines in Vegas. #1 it is McCarren International Airport and #2 it is illegal to smoke in the airport anywhere as of about 2 years ago. The enclosures were put up prior to that but there is no smoking what so ever in McCarren. As far as AJ Breakdown and can not preform in the post season Sabbathia, could not happen to a better fan base