Nine Yankees for the WBC
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on Jan 19, 2009 
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The 45-man provisional rosters for the WBC came out tonight. The Yankees had nine players from their 40-man roster selected, six by the Dominican Republic.
The Dominican roster includes Melky Cabrera, Robinson Cano, Damaso Marte, Edwar Ramirez, Alex Rodriguez and Jose Veras.
Derek Jeter is the only Yankee on Team USA. Alfredo Aceves (Mexico) and Francisco Cervelli (Italy) also were also chosen along with four minor leaguers: lefty Kai Liu (China), first baseman Jahdiel Santamaria (Panama), infielder Jorge Vazquez (Mexico) and catcher Zhenwang Zhang (China).
Keep in mind these are provisional rosters. Players cannot be added but some will be cut. The final rosters, of 28 players, will be announced Feb. 24.
Because they ended the year on the disabled list or had surgery, Jorge Posada, Mariano Rivera, Hideki Matsui and Chien-Ming Wang were either ineligible or simply elected not to play.
What would be best for Cano, staying in camp with the Yankees or playing for the Dominicans? Cano has been a slow starter (.238/.283/.328 in April for his career), so maybe playing competitive games for his country on a star-studded roster will help him.
That is if he plays. Manager Felipe Alou could use Alfonso Soriano at second. Or Placido Polanco. Or one of his extra All-Star shortstops.
Jeter and Rodriguez have their routines down and the WBC won’t change much of anything for them. Cano showed last year he needs a kick in the pants from time to time and he’s implementing a new approach at the plate. You can make a case that staying in camp would be for the best.
But the Yankees have little choice but to let him play if that is what he wants. Either way, he needs a comeback season after what happened in 2008.
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Sal Fasano is on Italy’s roster. How great is that? And Sir Sidney signed up for the Netherlands.
UPDATE, 7:33 p.m.: The complete rosters are now available here.
I don’t know about Cano. He had a great spring last year and then the season started and nothin’. For quite awhile, nothin’.
I think it won’t have anything to do with what he does during the season. Just hope he doesn’t get hurt; same for Jeter and ARod.
Never thought I’d see Sal Fasano and Sidney Ponson in the same sentence, but hey, life’s full of surprises.
They have Melky Cabrera, Edwar Ramirez, and Damaso Marte for DR on top of Alex Rodriguez and Robinson Cano
I was watching this too, and Venezuela has one of the best rotations in the WBC. Johan, Felix, and Zambrano is just filthy. Granted, the US’ rotation is very good with Lackey, Oswalt, Kazmir, Peavy, and Verlander (preliminary), but Venezuela’s is dominating.
The Dominican roster is stacked. Reyes, A-Rod, Ortiz, Pujols, Hanley, Pena, Tejada, Cano, Aramis, Soriano, etc.
This would be the best possible scenario for the Yanks. Cano will need to get in game-shape earlier, and Jeter and Alex can do the ambassador thing. I wouldn’t be too happy about sending a pitcher like Marte to the WBC, or anyone else for that matter.
On a side note, I went to a WBC game in ’06. It was a lot of fun. I bought tickets for the game between the winners of pool A and B – which I thought would be US vs. Japan. Unfortunately, it turned out to be Mexico vs. Korea – which was still awesome (partially because both populations were well represented in Anaheim). As it turned out, I was actually happy that the US wasn’t there – it gave me a chance to see people rooting for their respective countries instead of for the players.
If you get the chance, definitely go.
I hate the WBC. If any of them gets injured I swear to God.
Teixeira’s not gonna get to know any of his infield mates…
How does the WBC tourney actually work?
It amazes me how unneccesary hitting is to be a MLB catcher,, or in fasanos case defense too.
Phil -
Hey, he’ll have about a week!
seriously…
sal fasano? why not Piazza?…
thank God i can watch the Yankees on YES
Joe from Long Island
January 19th, 2009 at 7:20 pm
GB 7 – I really enjoy your posts. I know it’s a bit late, but I hope you have a Happy New Year. I look forward to reading your comments this season.
The MLB Network really is great.
I really can’t wait until ST. Pitchers and Catchers on Feb. 14. A true sign of love.
Let’s Go Yankees!
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Thanks, Joe. This is a good place for getting info on the Yanks, and, really, my only input of value here is on Yankee history and the Charleston and Tampa teams.
My New Year’s Resolution this year, is to be less abrasive….Nahhhhhh!! Who would believe that from me?
Dominican roster is sick.
Joe from Long Island
January 19th, 2009 at 7:20 pm
GB 7 – I really enjoy your posts. I know it’s a bit late, but I hope you have a Happy New Year. I look forward to reading your comments this season.
The MLB Network really is great.
I really can’t wait until ST. Pitchers and Catchers on Feb. 14. A true sign of love.
Let’s Go Yankees!
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Thanks, Joe. This is a great place for getting info on the Yanks, and, really, my only input of value here is on Yankee history and the Charleston and Tampa teams.
My New Year’s Resolution this year, is to be less abrasive….Nahhhhhh!! Who would believe that from me?
Trying to get a post on here….disregard this one.
WBC players are gone 3 weeks if their team makes it to the finals. Still leaves 4 weeks for everyone to get to know each other.
Joe from Long Island
January 19th, 2009 at 7:20 pm
GB 7 – I really enjoy your posts. I know it’s a bit late, but I hope you have a Happy New Year. I look forward to reading your comments this season.
The MLB Network really is great.
I really can’t wait until ST. Pitchers and Catchers on Feb. 14. A true sign of love.
Let’s Go Yankees!
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Thanks, Joe. This is a good place for getting information on the Yanks, and, really, my only input of value here is on Yankee history and the Charleston and Tampa teams.
My New Year’s Resolution this year, is to be less abrasive….Nahhhhhh!!! Who would believe that from me?
Honestly? Why are they even bothering with the WBC anymore? It’s a complete waste of time. Does anyone really care? Most people I know, are more afraid of their players getting hurt than rooting for the American team. There’s no vested interest here for fans. They should just put this thing to bed and move on.
pat- I still don’t like it. To me the Yankees are more important. They are the ones giving you that insane contract. Both Alex, Jeter and Cano should be in Tampa getting to know their new teammates and preparing to help bring the WS back to the Yankees. Not to some made up tournament.
sunny- I am rooting against America.
Joe from Long Island
January 19th, 2009 at 7:20 pm
GB 7 – I really enjoy your posts. I know it’s a bit late, but I hope you have a Happy New Year. I look forward to reading your comments this season.
The MLB Network really is great.
I really can’t wait until ST. Pitchers and Catchers on Feb. 14. A true sign of love.
Let’s Go Yankees!
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Thanks, Joe. This is a good place for getting information on the Yanks, and, really, my only input of value here is on Yankee history and the Charleston and Tampa teams.
jennifer –
The WBC seems more like the Empire State Games than the Olympics.
My New Year’s Resolution this year is to be less abrasve.
Nahhhh!!!! Who would believe that from me?
The “Getting to know your teammate” sounds a bit irrational to me. All Tex needs to know is what kind of arm do each of his fellow infielders have, and that should take about 1/2 an hour to determine. Catchers getting to know pitchers would be a bigger issue to me, but still not as frightening as it first sounds. Don’t worry – just keep your fingers crossed that no Yanks get injured.
My New Year’s Resolution this year, is to be less abrasive.
Jennifer
MLB isn’t letting Jeter or A-Rod take a pass on the WBC. It’s their baby, they want to draw attention to it and those 2 have a way of attracting attention.
Position players (pitchers are a different story to me) are as likely to get hurt in ST as the WBC. Personally I’d rather have Robbie training and picking up tips from a group of all-stars even if it is in Puerto Rico and not Tampa for a few weeks.
Bob Grim should be on here in 1954.
México’s Team has Alfredo Aceves on its preliminary roster. Although I suppose Alfredo will turn down the invitation and will fly to Tampa to try to earn that 5th spot or, at least, the long reliever role. Anyway, he IS on the preliminary roster, so it’s not only Canó, Jeter and Alex.
México’s Team also has Jorge Vázquez. Jorge is a 1B that has signed a Minor League deal with the Yankees. I don’t have too much expectations on him, being sincere. He has some power, but I think he is far from an MLB caliber player.
Perhaps Cano playing is good. He normally graces to start his season around June. Getting him working earlier can’t hurt.
But Melky? So… how is he going to compete for CF? (Assuming they want him for the WBC, he’s not exactly a choice candidate)
Congratulations Brett Gardner on being the starting CF in 2009.
“Manager Felipe Alou could use Alfonso Soriano at second.”
Yeah… or he could use Wilkin Castillo at 2nd – and get the same type of defensive skills!
Freddie Lynn and JimRice should be on this list, with Tony Oliva, Joe DiMaggio. Not sure how Ted williams won’t be, though.
Ugh… just when you think you’re done with Sir Sidney, he’s on your team again… tough to live in The Netherlands these days…
Surprised not to see Andruw Jones on our roster, though. He sucks for the big league level, I know, but we’re putting 75% amateur players out there.
Sox trade RHP Pauley to the O’s for RHP Bierd. Anyone know anything about Bierd?
Maybe yogi Berra will platoon w/ fasano
May end up as a good thing Arod on that team. Remember he was the one getting Cano and Melky into his workout group. He may push them ahead while on the team. I think this might be a good thing for them.
pat
January 19th, 2009 at 8:22 pm
Sox trade RHP Pauley to the O’s for RHP Bierd. Anyone know anything about Bierd?
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http://mlb.mlb.com/stats/playe.....esults.jsp
Pat, here’s the info on Bierd. I’ll post something more when I find it.
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/articl.....;fext=.jsp
I haven’t been on here for a couple days so maybe this has been already mentioned.
I found it very interesting that after Varitek met with John Henry, he said that when he declined arbitration he had no idea that any team signing him would have to potentially give up a first round draft pick?!!
Hello….I know I am inviting all kinds of possible comments but could Varitek be that dumb and Boras that negligent in not making sure Varitek was aware of that?
I have no problem with Cano playing in the WB. He can try out his new swing on pitcher’s he will probably see during the year.
ray (sox fan)
January 19th, 2009 at 8:34 pm
I haven’t been on here for a couple days so maybe this has been already mentioned.
I found it very interesting that after Varitek met with John Henry, he said that when he declined arbitration he had no idea that any team signing him would have to potentially give up a first round draft pick?!!
Hello….I know I am inviting all kinds of possible comments but could Varitek be that dumb and Boras that negligent in not making sure Varitek was aware of that?
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Evening, Ray. Hope all is well with you and the (sox fan) family.
It’s difficult to believe that any player wouldn’t know what his standing is and even more difficult to think that Boras wouldn’t know. That cost him a million ollars. Somebody is not being totally honest here. I gotta believe that they overplayed his value to the team.
ray
IMO, that’s on Boras not Varitek. Fans probably know more about those things than most players. They usually just want to play and they hire someone else to deal with the rest of that stuff.
Good Evening GB, thank you for your good wishes. You are a good guy, yankee fan notwithstanding
You expressed my sentiment exactly, very difficult to believe that Varitek was not aware of all the ramifications of his decision.
I am hearing figures like offering a one or two year contract at maybe 2 million a year. A far cry from the over 10 million he would have easily received in arbitration.
“could Varitek be that dumb…?”
No argument from me, Ray! But I suspect there is something else going on.
On the other hand, Donovan McNabb just said “Hey, I didn’t know that either!”
Tex has 2 years to get to know Jeter and 8 years to get to know Alex.
pat,
But, it’s not in *Boras’s* best interest to inform Varitek about the draft pick.
Varitek is a idiot..i hope he does re-up with the sox….he is one of the few automatic outs in the AL East
ray (sox fan)
January 19th, 2009 at 8:46 pm
Good Evening GB, thank you for your good wishes. You are a good guy, yankee fan notwithstanding
You expressed my sentiment exactly, very difficult to believe that Varitek was not aware of all the ramifications of his decision.
I am hearing figures like offering a one or two year contract at maybe 2 million a year. A far cry from the over 10 million he would have easily received in arbitration.
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Yeah, and, you know that Boras, who compiles a notebook of every clients numbers and standings, so, he may have advised Varitek to turn down arbitration, but, it’s doubtful that he didn’t know what his rankings were. It was on the wire services for a month and I’m sure that he gets that info from Elias, too. It was just a bad gamble. They both knew that Boston has no catchers ready to take over and none on the market.
We need to stop being friendly on here, though. Nobody will believe a Red Sox and Yankee fan can get along. They’ll start believing that we are the same person. Even I’m beginning to believe it.
“Tex has 2 years to get to know Jeter”
But Harold Reynolds says he won’t survive the NY media without Jeter being in ST with him.
FYI- I loved Reynolds on ESPN but he’s getting on my nerves on MLB Network.
I can’t wait to see videos of the great shortstop, Chico Esquella.
pat,
I liked Harold Reynolds, too, even though he sounds like he’s got cotton in his mouth. I don’t have MLB network, but from I’ve seen here, he’s been body snatched.
The only people we can “trust” are K-Law and Olney.
It’s curious how all these new faces won’t be able to handle the NY media. How do they decide who to pick on first? AJ, CC, Tex, Swish. Actually Swish is a small fish. Whomever’s the most talkative and apt to trip himself up will be the target. My money’s on A-rod.
I’m just waiting for the Sox to sign Tek to a 2 year deal. They would keep a reliable catcher (well, at least reliable in handling his pitchers) and their captain. Then Tek can retire at the end of ’10 (with his BA probably hovering somewhere around .200) and the Sox will throw every cent they have at Joe Mauer.
Let’s play a game. You’re appointed manager of the Dominican team. How do you set up your line-up?
Assuming there’s a DH, I do:
Jose Reyes SS
Robinson Cano 2B
Hanley Ramirez DH
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Albert Pujols 1B
Vladimir Guerrero RF
Miguel Olivo C
Melky Cabrera CF
Alfonso Soriano LF
You?
m
It was interesting to hear CC and Tex both say they knew they would be targets for their contracts anywhere but with the Yankees. I think some players like the idea of the A-Rod media protection plan.
It’s like they think they could get caught tap dancing naked in Central Park but the story the next day would be A-Rod jaywalked on Madison Avenue.
I don’t like that almost all of our relief core are on rosters. Makes me scared about unnecessary injuries. I mean I dig the WBC idea, but it should be after the season, not before.
Alfonso Soriano LF
Jose Reyes SS
Hanley Ramirez DH
Albert Pujols 1B
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Vladimir Guerrero RF
Robinson Cano 2B
Miguel Olivo C
Melky Cabrera CF
No, no, no, Rebecca. Now’s your chance to put Alex back in his rightful position.
Pete, why are you so surprised that Francisco Cervelli is of Italian descent? Is the surname not enough for you? I know you were joking because you know that there are a lot of people of European descent in South America.
I’d love for the Sox to resign Varitek. Two years of an automatic out who can’t throw out baserunners playing for our competition? What’s not to like?
I heard Ortiz, Pujols and Vlad may need their teams approval to play. That takes a little thump out of that line-up if their teams say no.
GB: I like the idea of Soriano and Reyes as a 1-2. Speed if there ever was any.
What’re Alfredo’s chances of starting for Mexico? I’d love to get a preview.
Sal Cipriano
January 19th, 2009 at 9:18 pm
I don’t like that almost all of our relief core are on rosters. Makes me scared about unnecessary injuries. I mean I dig the WBC idea, but it should be after the season, not before.
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That works well, because the youngsters like Melancon, Robertson, Albaladejo, Cox, Sanchez and Dunn will get some much needed experience. It could open the doors for them and make some wanted in trades or open trades for Ramirez and Veras.
Speaking of how awful Reynolds has been on the MLB Network, anyone get his terrific incite on how the Yankees/Red Sox rotations match up?
Rebecca–Optimist Prime–Staying to write the story
January 19th, 2009 at 9:23 pm
GB: I like the idea of Soriano and Reyes as a 1-2. Speed if there ever was any.
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Yeah and Hanley Ramirez following them. 30+ steals and possible 20-30+ homers from each of the top three, then another 20 steals from Rodriguez. If that team played in the majors, you’d be looking at 200 homers and 200 steals.
Anthony,
I heard a little about it here. His insight practically incited a riot here.
Someone else put up their opinions here and was thoroughly trashed.
I think we match up favorably across the board, but the games aren’t played on paper.
No Ortiz on the DR roster. Either his recovery isn’t as good as Boston says or he’s just taking it easy.
m
January 19th, 2009 at 9:23 pm
What’re Alfredo’s chances of starting for Mexico? I’d love to get a preview.
======================================================
It would be great for my country. But, as I said before, I think he’ll choose by flying to Tampa and try to earn a spot on the Opening Day Roster
I think the WBC is a good idea and hopefully the populrity in the States picks up. It’s great way for some younger players as well as international players to show just how good they are in some pretty big games.
I have no problem with any of the Yanks on the rosters, the more swings for the batters in spring the better, but if I were a Mets fan I sure wouldn’t want to see Santana amping it up for a championship game and pushing himself much further than he ever would in a normal sprig game.
hey pete, cervilli is an italian name, maybe he wanted to represent the country his family came from, like a-rod with the dominican republic.
Jorge,
You’re the perfect person to answer my question!
It’ll be interesting to see these rosters shrink. The managers might not have to make many tough decisions. In fact, they may have to beg guys to come back on board if the final rosters aren’t full.
“No Ortiz on the DR roster. Either his recovery isn’t as good as Boston says or he’s just taking it easy.”
He showed up to start working out the DR team today and told AP he got the okay from his personal doctor. Maybe the Sox are making him pass or there’s a loophole to add him later?
GB: If that team was a major league roster, they’d whoop everyone.
Rebecca–Optimist Prime–Staying to write the story
January 19th, 2009 at 9:48 pm
GB: If that team was a major league roster, they’d whoop everyone.
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Yeah, they would. The only issue would be getting a full pitching staff together.
Cervelli says it was his great grandmother’s dream for him to play for the Italians in the WBC.
Thanks, m.
I think México’s rotation would not be that bad, if all these pitchers can play during the WBC:
1- Matt Garza
2- Oliver Pérez
3- Alfredo Aceves
4- Yovanni Gallardo
5- Jorge Campillo
Then you have Dennys Reyes, Eddie Guardado, Luis Ignacio Ayala and Ricardo Rincón in the bulpen, with Joakim Soria as the closer.
It’s a shame Dan Haren turned down the invitation. His mother is from a littel town just 15 miles from my home and birth place (Mérida, Yucatán)
Everyday Eddie is from Mexico? You learn something new everyday.
My feeling about Cano is that the adjustments he made in his mechanics with Kevin Long will carry over. As long as he doesn’t fall out of those adjustments I don’t think he’s going to have any issues this time out. That said, I would prefer it if he didn’t play in the WBC, but I could say that about all the Yankees players currently on the provisional rosters. I think the WBC is a great way for certain unknown players, in the minors, in other independent leagues and overseas, etc., to showcase their talents on a bigger stage, but I just don’t like Major Leaguers participating. Some of these guys are MLB’s biggest stars and are nowhere near in shape for that level of competition, whereas other teams have already been preparing for this tourney since November! The idea that some players treat this like a series of exhibitions while others treat it like the most important competition ever would scare me as someone who is concerned about having his players injured before the season.
Jorge,
That roster would look better than most. I wouldn’t have guessed Dan Haren was half. But now that you mention it, he does have a look similar to Jeff Karstens.
Yucatan? I have a favorite fish story. When I was younger (10 or 11?), I went to Cozumel and tried scuba for the first time. The person I was with pointed behind me, so of course I spin around. I’m about a foot away from the mouth of a huge (HUGE) grouper. I was probably freaking out inside, and to this day I don’t know how I stayed still. And that’s my fishing tale.
Eddie can pitch everyday, Rob, but sometimes the saves are mañana.
I think Harold Reynolds has sucked on MLB.
Tonight he was saying how much it would hurt the Yankees chemistry with Jeter and Arod playing in the WBC. He said that not being around his new teammates would be a negative.
Then he immediately goes on to say that he definitely thinks that Manny should commit to play in the WBC especially since he doesn’t have a team yet.
Well doesn’t he think that Manny will sign before spring training?
It will be ok for Manny to sign with a new team even if it’s the Dodgers and not be there to be that teams leader during spring training?
Very inconsistent in my opinion.
He talks too much and interrupts way too much for my liking.
Reynolds is a programmed shill on mlb. He does; however, have a rare talent for sounding and looking serious when he is saying some of the stupidest things that have ever come out of sportscaster’s mouth, and that’s damn impressive.
‘México’s Team also has Jorge Vázquez. Jorge is a 1B that has signed a Minor League deal with the Yankees. I don’t have too much expectations on him, being sincere. He has some power, but I think he is far from an MLB caliber player.’
Watch that Vasquez guy, we have him the Yankees could make him a RF or move him back to catcher, he’s Mexico’s Pujol according to alot of people. I’ll be curious to see what he does for Mexico.
BTW didn’t I say Robi would make it
DR is going to whoop a… !!
m
January 19th, 2009 at 10:04 pm
Jorge,
That roster would look better than most. I wouldn’t have guessed Dan Haren was half. But now that you mention it, he does have a look similar to Jeff Karstens.
Yucatan? I have a favorite fish story. When I was younger (10 or 11?), I went to Cozumel and tried scuba for the first time. The person I was with pointed behind me, so of course I spin around. I’m about a foot away from the mouth of a huge (HUGE) grouper. I was probably freaking out inside, and to this day I don’t know how I stayed still. And that’s my fishing tale.
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It could have been worse, Mel. It might have been a huge groper.
Funny story, m (is it Mel, like GB7 said?
Cozumel is a scuba diving paradise. I’m fortunate to live in this beautiful piece of Earth, near from Cozumel, cancún, Isla Mujeres and Playa del Carmen. They are all on the East side of the Yucatán Peninsula. Mérida, my home place is on the North West.
The Pride and Perserverance show tonight on MLB was outstanding. I had no idea that MLB had a sort of mock draft where each team picked a Negro League player……..cool idea and it made the players so happy
And with that the NJ Devils now are in first place in the Atlantic!
How much time is there left in ST after the WBC? If it’s a few weeks, things should be ok. Besides, A-Rod and Tex already know each other.
I know people were pining for summer earlier but just got back from taking the dog for a long walk and the snow on the trees looks gorgeous tonight.
what are ya talking about ortiz is in the roster for team dominicana
Burn Bernie Burn
Why is no one else excited about the prospect of seeing Bernie Williams in the batter’s box?
team dominicana only posted 44 players supposedly on wikipidea i guess they left out ortiz but in the world baseball classic page hes in the roster
“The Yankees are not going to have a heavy presence, which is a break given their need to get off to a good start.”
This sounds like a pretty heavy presence to me. I like how you say that the yanks need to get off to a good start so it is good that they dont have a lot of players playing. Then, when you post cano is playing, you say it may be a positive because he usually gets off to a slow start. Talk about a contradiction. Pete, make up your mind. Is it good if cano doesnt play or if he does to get off to a better regular season start?
Personally, i think cano should stay in camp. I cant imagine that playing in the WBC will help him get off to a better start. He needs to be in camp with Long working on whatever they worked on during the winter. Its good that all players that ended the year on the dl are banned but i think every one who is coming off career worst seasons should also be allowed to be banned by their own team. Cano should not play or be allowed to play. No way will this work to his advantage.
Meanwhile, there is about three weeks until pitchers and catchers report and we still have no legitimate fourth starter. There is only so long cashman can wait. This is getting ridiculous. Cash is about to make the exact same mistake he made last year by relying on kids without any full year of major league experience to take up two out of five starting spots and fill in for any injuries. Once again Mr cashman, you are making a horrible decision and you continue to show that you do not learn from your own mistakes. The yanks should just swallow their price and get pettitte back here. Whats another 2 million? And why have incentives not been mentioned a single time in these negotiations? Wouldnt incentives help this deal get done? And why is there not even any negotiations going on right now? The yanks need pettitte and pettitte needs the yanks – this is all about pride and that is absolutely ridiculous. They should stop acting like babies and get back to the negotiation table.
pat
January 19th, 2009 at 10:44 pm
I know people were pining for summer earlier but just got back from taking the dog for a long walk and the snow on the trees looks gorgeous tonight.
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I’ll bet your dog was more in love with the trees, Doreen.
dave,
Chill. Cashman knows what he’s doing. Regardless of what you think, he knows, or else he wouldn’t have had this job for 10 years.
There’s an argument to be made that letting Cano play in the WBC might get him in game shape earlier and help him avoid the slow starts that are his trademark.
And it really isn’t a heavy presence for the Yankees–half of those guys are minor leaguers. Only thing to be worried about is the number of bullpen arms.
Who said Tex has two years to get to know Jeter?
Jeter will be a Yankee much more than 2 years. There will be a new contract waiting for him theday after his current one expires.
OOOPs…That last post was for pat. Sorry about that, pat. I was busy laughing at Ol’ Dave’s ranting on about Pettitte acting like a baby.
Dave, please don’t hector Brian Cashman, he has work to do.
Cano’s going to get more playing time in those games than playing for two or three innings every other day during the first 3 weeks of ST.
I have to concur with some of the comments on here about Harold Reynolds on the MLBnetwork. I’m a big fan of the network, and I love love love their original programming (Prime 9, History of the Negro Leagues, Season reviews, etc) but man their Hot Stove show is beyond terrible.
I understand he’s a former player and all, but can he say anything negative about a current MLB player? I can’t believed I listed to him and Barry Larkin talk for 5 minutes today about how valuable Mike Jacobs will be this year in KC. Seriously Harold?!? You’re talking about a player who can’t field a lick and had a .300 OBP this year! I think he even gave Jose Guillen a compliment.
And thank god he doesn’t have a vote for the HOF, because otherwise there would be 10 players inducted every year. Jeez I know he’s there to promote the game and its players, but please give us some real insight for a change.
Beefy
“Why is no one else excited about the prospect of seeing Bernie Williams in the batter’s box?”
I think Bernie has a quad injury and may not be able to play.
Jacobs is giving KC something they haven’t had in years…a power hitter in the middle of the lineup, so, yeah, he’s going to be imporant. Gordon hasn’t really hit for power, yet, and the guy they thought would be their big basher still hasn’t it.
Jacobs is the worst first baseman in baseball. Include the bad defense and he cost his team more runs than he creates. So yeah, he’s not important.
GB,
I cannot even talk to you because you are so obnoxious. How about you start acting like an adult and not a five year old who gets pleasure out of taking cheap shots at others. Pettitte is the one acting like a baby here as 10 mil doesnt appear to be good enough for the guy coming off a career worst season and in his late 30s but dont bother making a point. Just start making derogatory comments and pretending im the one that makes dumb posts.
Rebecca,
i Would not be soo worried if this was the first time, the yanks are pulling this stunt. But this is far, far too similar to last year’s mistakes. Cash should be learning for them and not repeating them. Did we not leave the last two spots open for joba and hughes last year? Did that not completely blow up in our face? If not, I must be thinking of some other team but im pretty sure that was us not even a year ago. Why do the exact same stupid move for a second year in a row? And why do it instead of solidifying the rotation by signing pettitte for an extra 2 mil or so or even adding on some incentives. The annoying part is they dont even seem to be negotiating when they are so close to eachothers asking price.
And pitchers start reporting to spring training pretty soon to not have our starters all signed on. I know the top three are better than Wang, Moose and pettitte and the young guys are a year older but after spending over 400 million on revamping the team, it seems silly to not drop another 2 mil or so to ensure a rotation capable of pitching close to 1000 innings. Check out all the playoff teams last year and how many innings their top five or six starters pitched – most were very close to 1000. Thas no coincidence IMO.
As for cano, you may be right. My opinion was staying with Long might be a better idea because of all the work the two put in this winter. And playing in competition without coaches that know him may be a mistake. But then again, you may be right – playing with competition can get him to a faster start.
And guys – cashman is no hero in case you have not noticed. He DOES make bad decisions. Look at where we have been since he took over – world series to no playoffs and finishing in third place. Each season we have finished worse – the pitching has went from best in the league to middle of the league. Im not saying he has not done well this off season – he has but some of you give him far too much credit and leeway for no reason. Cash should not have a lot of room for error at this point among fans. I dont know why he does around here. I mean almost double the next teams payroll and we finish third and dont make the playoffs about three years after cash gains full control of the team … I dont understand why he gets so much slack like he has won the world series for us?
StandingO’Neil
January 19th, 2009 at 11:43 pm
Jacobs is the worst first baseman in baseball. Include the bad defense and he cost his team more runs than he creates. So yeah, he’s not important.
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I didn’t say a thing about Jacobs being a good fielder. I said that he gave KC something they hadn’t had in years….power. They don’t have enough pitching or enough speed to be a strictly singles and doubles team, nor do they walk much. They needed the power.
“Look at where we have been since he took over – world series to no playoffs and finishing in third place.”
Wow Dave your skipping over a lot of years there don’t you think? If you don’t want to give him credit for 1998-2001, then fine. I don’t feel like having that argument today. But then really its not fair to criticize him completely for 2002 through 2005, where George was basically pulling the strings.
Cashman would be the first one to tell you he’s made some mistakes, but he’s also done some good things. Even if they don’t win while he’s GM, he’s got the organization going in the right direction for the first time since the early 90s. They are still spending money, but he has has the organization focused on drafting and developing talent.
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GB- yes he does give them more power, but at what cost? He does more harm than good having him in the lineup everyday.
dave: you’re really going to write Phil and Joba off after just one season?
And Joba actually did quite well till he got hurt.
Okay, I was positively glowing from a good ol’ butt-whoopin’ of the Cavs. And I walk in and find this?
GB7, ya gotta be patient with the young guys. They haven’t lived long enough to achieve your level of wisdom.
Hey maybe the DR can trade Cano for Matt Kemp?? what do you guys think??? haha