Cleaning up the place a little
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on Jan 21, 2009 
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With the able help of Jeff the tech guy, I reorganized the blog roll a little. I added a category for the three blogs over on the Yes Network site.
So now there are links to Pinstriped Bible along with Kaat’s Korner and The Max.
If anybody knows of other blogs that chronicle the organization’s minor league teams, I’d be happy to add those to that category. My next project is to go though the list of fan blogs and weed out those blogs that have gone to the big server in the sky.
As always, if you have a Yankees blog and want a link, all you need to do is e-mail. Well, and send $100. I could use the money.
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If you’re on Facebook, you can add this blog and get links to new posts there. So far nearly 1,200 people have signed up.
Oh, and Jeff the Tech Guy said our RSS feed has been fixed.
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If you have any good ideas for the blog, feel free to e-mail me at any time. I have a few new features I want to try out in 2009. Blogging is like baseball, if you screw up one day, you can always get it right tomorrow.
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Meanwhile as Rex Ryan was making a bunch of wild-eyed threats, these two coaching giants were scouting the Senior Bowl.
Hey, Pete =
Thanks for linking to Kaat. I seldom go to the YES website, because at one time it was very slow loading and I lost patience. But I just clicked your link and read Jim Kaat’s contributions. Love the guy, love his pragmatism and his forthrightness.
And, thanks again for the great job you do here.
I wonder what happened to Maureen, the Yankees Chick?
She hasn’t had any activity since November.
Thanks for the updated links Pete.
Pete, it’s been a while since you’ve posted a list of songs that your iPod played for you. those threads are always fun. and how else am i supposed to know which albums to buy?
Hurray. I wondered what happened to my RSS feed this morning.
Poor Yankee chick- nothing since November.
Well be of good cheer- Pitchers and catchers will be here before you know it.
saucY, you can always buy an Elvis album. He has one of the best voices I’ve heard.
Isn’t Maureen writing for AOL Fanhouse now?
Here is one of the better site, though, not a blog for the Charleston River Dogs. TOrre Tyson, manager, does hae a blog over on the left side.
http://www.riverdogs.com/
doreen,
i responded to your post on the last thread but i dont want to repost it so if you would like to read why i wrote “a gift” see the last thread. Of course, I still want to give pettitte more to come but i think the 10 mil offer is more than fair and i wrote why in the last post.
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/s.....t-done-yet
In the Ken Rosenthal article, there was a blurb about how the Yankees have been very encouraged about Melky in the winter leagues (gag me, please). Since they want defense in CF (which I agree with), it seems as if Melky has a big shot (gag me again)…….I can not believe how badly the Yankees are bungling CF. They are willing to go into 2009 with Melky/Gardner? Heaven help the Yankees, seriously.
How about a link to Kat O’Brian’s Yankees blog with Newsday? She seems to be missing from the “Other Beat Writers” section.
Or keep it as it is.
GB7-
Just checked out the site. Thanks.
We were (my husband and I) just talking about possibly taking another driving vacation this summer, possibly including a few ball games. We thought we’d make a stop at the Washington Nationals (since we’ve been to Baltimore a few times already and the idea is to see a different place) and then perhaps go down to Charleston to see the Riverdogs. This would be in August, so the link is helpful as far as the schedule goes.
Are there any other minor league teams on the I-95 route, or not far off the beaten path from I-95? And how far is Charleston from Savannah – a city which I’ve longed to see, but have not so far?
Any info would be greatly appreciated.
Pete it looks good, i will keep my eye out for any minor league blogs. Thanks for all your hard work.
They want defense in center so they are pushing melky? What about gardner? He is pretty solid defensively. To anyone who can answer: How does gardner stack up to melky defensively?? I would assume gardner has better range and speed but melky has the better arm but i could be wrong about the range… Gardner deserves a decent shot to start in center if we dont get anyone and with no centerfielders on the market and no trade imminent, I am going to go out on a limb and assume those two are the only options for center in at least the first half of 2009. i LIKE gardner mainly because of his speed – he has to get better at taking pitchers and stop looking scared at the plate but if he can put up a 330 obp and swipe 40 bags that may be good enough with the supporting cast. It should be a one year wait until ajax is ready for the bigs but who knows? Cameron would have been a nice pickup for melky and igawa but nothing more than that and i dont think he was worth the 10 mil. Melky should not be starting over gardner IMO unless he has a superb spring.
Apropos of nothing in particular on today’s thread, but just wondering: did anyone see this interview CC did with Yahoo! Sports last week in which he was quoted as saying how thrilled he was to have Joba and Mo closing for him? Even stranger: he says he’s already spoken to Joba about it. Here’s the quote:
Before Saturday night’s ceremony, (CC) said he’s looking forward to having Joba Chamberlain and Mariano Rivera there to close out games for him, and he’s already talked to Chamberlain about it. “To have that bullpen and have just the support of that team, that team is unbelievable,” Sabathia said.
Did I miss an announcement? Is Joba back in the ‘pen? Assuming I didn’t, does anyone else find it weird that our new ace thinks Joba is still the set-up guy in the bullpen?
Here’s the article:
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/ne.....;type=lgns
Anybody? Pete?
Kevin-This might explain what happened:
http://riveraveblues.com/2009/.....tyle-7047/
dave -
I do usually go back to the prior post if I’ve responded to someone, but I got sidetracked. I will choose not to get my nose out of joint by the “too good” comment.
I read your response, and I see where you were going with your thoughts, about the Yankees’ offer to Pettitte being a gift.
My feeling is that of course $16 million would have been a gift. Although Pettitte may not have the “comparables” to a 4th starter, my opinion is that though he would be taking the 4th spot in the rotation, he is not your typical sub-par 4th starter. However, your comments about his being on the down-side of his career are well-taken. And he is an injury risk.
But I don’t think all of the $10 million offer was a gift – though I believe the Yankees felt a part of it ($2 million?) was just that, or a bonus, if you will, because in a “blind taste test” Pettitte would only be worth about $8 million on the open market.
At this point, I’m so tired of the Pettitte drama and I have nothing new to offer and it gives me a headache. I’m ALMOST ready to concede they should sign BS, but not quite.
Doreen
January 21st, 2009 at 7:01 pm
GB7-
Just checked out the site. Thanks.
We were (my husband and I) just talking about possibly taking another driving vacation this summer, possibly including a few ball games. We thought we’d make a stop at the Washington Nationals (since we’ve been to Baltimore a few times already and the idea is to see a different place) and then perhaps go down to Charleston to see the Riverdogs. This would be in August, so the link is helpful as far as the schedule goes.
Are there any other minor league teams on the I-95 route, or not far off the beaten path from I-95? And how far is Charleston from Savannah – a city which I’ve longed to see, but have not so far?
Any info would be greatly appreciated.
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You’re most welcome, Doreen. There are some along I-85, but my are along the east-west interstates…some like Charleston are 60-70 miles off of I-95. Lakewood, NY and Hagerstown, MD have SAL teams. Here’s a good link to the SAL. If you love old southen plantations and historical site and Civil War Battlefields, the entire route is covered with tem. You’ll love Charleston and Savannah with the museus and homes on tour. Take a night time carriage ride in Charleston..the two person carriages are the only ones to take.
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.....p?sid=l116
There are also AAA and AA teams up and down the coast but NYY has none playing there.
Correction: ***them*** You’ll love Charleston and Savannah with the ***museums*** and homes on tour
Thanks, GB7
Doesn’t have to be a Yankees affiliate – that’s a bonus, of course – just baseball.
I ‘ll take a look at the link, thanks!
Pete,
It would be appreciated greatly if Fred the tech guy fixed the mobile version of this site.
Melky Cabrera is a better defensive outfielder. Numbers are not generally available because Gardner’s time in center is very limited, but Cabrera’s range is better than Gardner’s. The key is not Gardner’s speed (Melky is slightly above average, Gardner very fast). Melky, however, is much better at reading the ball, and takes better routes to the ball. Gardner’s speed makes up some of Melky’s advantages, but Melky will not get in trouble the way Gardner does.
I know there is a lot of dislike for Melky, but I have yet to see a commentator say Gardner is a better option. Keith Law, Jim Callis, etc., all seem to agree: Melky may be a fourth outfielder, but Gardner is a fifth outfielder.
Doreen, Charleston is 100 miles north of savannah….driving miles. We usually go from Savannah to Charleston on a cruiser…about 30 miles up the Atlantic seaboard. Beware, though, August in Charleston and Savanah is smoking hot and humid. Gorgeous at night, though. Great seafood and any other kind of food you’d like.
Doreen,
The funny part about all this is that I feel like this drama has been going on so long that we all have two opinions on the matter. While i sit here and debate with you as to whether 10 mil is fair, a gift or too little and continual say that 10 mil is more than pettitte deserves, I also would be more than happy if the yanks offered him more – say 12 or even 13 or something like the performance bonuses they included in melky’s new contract where he would get 10 guaranteed and make an extra 3 mil for pitching over 200 innings or something else similar. But first step would obviously be actually getting back to the negotiation table which they dont seem to be at anymore.
Im not even going to get into BS with you. But i heard on the radio yesterday that he was looking for 2 years and 16 mil guaranteed from a mets fan – i have no idea how accurate that is but the 2 years is not a good idea. Even i will admit that. I am done talking about the guy though – i spent far too much time already on this guy.
If it’s feasible, I’d like to see you do more video content. With these new HD hand held devices, you could do your interview and get feed right in the locker room. Also, the ability for the user to personalize would be kind of cool. In other words, a membership profile. Could help your marketing people and give a greater sense of involvement in the community. Just a suggestion.
dave
Funny – I am thinking exactly – exactly – the same way as you are with Pettitte.
Heard the same thing about BS.
GB7-
Ah, heat and humidity – p-shaw! Seafood – yay!
Now to do the research.
Thanks for your help
I already saw that Bull Durham plays Scranton WB, so now, to map it all out. And how is the Savannah team, the Sand Gnats??????????
Dave (in response to what you posted in the last thread),
It’s a shame we will never know if the HOF voting would have gone differently for McGwire had he been honest about his steroid use.
Same will hold true for Bonds and Clemens when they’re eligible.
It’s an insult to the fans of baseball and to the United States of America when you watch Clemens blatantly lying through his teeth under oath on national television.
Had Clemens fessed up and acted like a man, rather than lying like a coward, it is certain that he would have a much greater chance of making the HOF when he is eligible.
I second what ray brought up about the mobile version of the site.
Its very difficult to navigate on a Blackberry. Especially the comments area.
Doreen, you’re more than welcome. Almost every site for the teams have maps to the parks. Enjoy planning your trip.
We are working on the mobile version. Seems the software is not especially conducive to it But I’m told there’s hope it’ll be solved by Opening Day.
As for video content:
I will not carry around a video camera in the clubhouse. I’m a writer and I like talking to the players without that barrier. I could not do my job as well. Part of developing a relationship with the players is being able to just talk to them and that’s impossible when they think you could be recording.
Personalizing the comments section is a good idea and we’re also looking into that. I believe we can do avatars. My biggest issue is ensuring the site doesn’t crash or slow down, which used to be a major problem.
Trust me when I tell you, they were not anticipating 2 million page views a month.
Best sports blog, period.
Soreen,the Sand Gnats are a Mets team. They weren’t very good. Apity you won’t be here at the end of February. They’re havng a Chili Cookoff at Grayson Stadium. Good eatin….lots of water to put out the fires.
S.A. – Thank you! Whew!
GB7-
Seems to me a team would not want to have a “pesky” and annoying thing like sand gnats as their name – but it’s the Mets, so, well, it figures.
Sorry…tha last one was to Soreen’s sister ***Doreen***
I guess I need to take my socks off if I’m going to type with my toes.
Doreen
January 21st, 2009 at 7:42 pm
GB7-
Seems to me a team would not want to have a “pesky” and annoying thing like sand gnats as their name – but it’s the Mets, so, well, it figures.
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There have been a few games when the name was well earned. Couln’t tell which was bigger…the ones hitting flies or the flying ones that had Air Force markings on the wings.
Umm, I’m sorry, but have the Lace and Stiletto ladies lost some clothing lately?????
Can we get an in game boxscore with each new game thread?
Mike,
I cant imagine the writers are keeping mcgwire out of the hall because he never fessed up. The main reason being the writers never even had sufficient proof that mcgwire did use anything and are voting based on the laws of guilty until proven innocent.
I am almost positive, if mcgwire came out today and said he took stuff that his vote would be even lower next year rather than higher. No way does he admit to using PEDs and then, all of a sudden, get 75 percent of the vote or higher. He has not even made it passed 30 percent i dont think. You are taking a HUGE leap of faith to say that the writers are doing this because of dishonesty. It is much more reasonable to believe this is all about the assumption that Mcgwire took illegal substances to hit homeruns. Nevermind, that he brought baseball back into the forefront and even the commissioner of baseball would have promoted his PEDs use back then if it meant bringing baseball back to life. Fact is, baseball used mcgwire to achieve a new generation of glory and then, shoved him off to the curb. His thanks – never being among the greats even though he did more for the game than almost anyone else in that generation and was a great person. iT REALLY IS A SHAME that the BBWAA and full of voters who don’t deserve to vote for the ROY award nevermind the HOF.
Pete should write a book, Best of LoHud Yankees Blog. A Bob cat chapter, a Pettitte Chapter. It could be an ebook. There are enough viewers that the sales might be in the thousands. Rebecca could co-edit.
I would give a thumbs down on avatars. As you said it would slow down the site. Plus it just clogs it up with nonsense.
Doreen,
The link that betsy posted said that BS is looking for one year and 6 to 8 mil which is what i had originally thought. And they talk about cruz for 2 years and 10 mil which seems like a heck of a lot for a reliever with no interest but whom I also wanted the yanks to look into. That article seems like purely speculation without a single hard fact to back it up so if the yanks sign BS, they sign him and if they dont, they dont. I just hope they sign somebody else who can start before the season. That is all i want. Cruz would be nice but we dont need him and certainly not for 2 years and 10 mil.
Something to look forward to:
“The team (Rays) will raise its AL championship banner before the Apr. 13 home opener against the Yankees, then follow it up the next two evenings by giving replica AL championship rings to all fans at the Apr. 14 game and commemorative AL championship cowbells to all fans at the April 15 series finale against New York.” tbo.com
Banners, rings and cowbells!
A little inconsistancy there Dave. You keep yammering and hammering Pettitte over a two time use of HGH and then you turn around and want to promote McGwire for the HOF.
Anyone like Dellin Betances? Pretty good work up of him over on riveraveblues:
http://riveraveblues.com/2009/.....#more-6550
I always thought out of everyone (except Brackman) Betances is likely to be our next homegrown starter to join the rotation – i used to have the yanks future as Wang, Hughes, Chamberlain, Betances, Kennedy as he was right up there with raw stuff even though he is younger – he just needs to improve his control and he will be something special. His high school stats as a junior are like video game numbers: 6-0 in 41.2 innings with 100 strikeouts and 11 hits. He allowed one earned run, yes one earned run in 41.2 innings of work. And pitched a 3 hit shutout in the semifinals. They dont say how many walks but that is pretty incredible numbers…
pat
January 21st, 2009 at 7:54 pm
Something to look forward to:
“The team (Rays) will raise its AL championship banner before the Apr. 13 home opener against the Yankees, then follow it up the next two evenings by giving replica AL championship rings to all fans at the Apr. 14 game and commemorative AL championship cowbells to all fans at the April 15 series finale against New York.” tbo.com
Banners, rings and cowbells!
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Yes, Pat, but, you know it will be done in good taste.
Why are they dragging it out over 3 days? Geez! And someone tell Suzy and John to get the ear plugs!! Cow bells!! Jesus!
GreenBeret7
They will probably have the heckler raise the banner. heck is has been a fan the longest. Everyone else who goes there next year would have just jumped on the bandwagon.
Did you get the 300$ from YES? I’d be little shocked if that was true.
Jim Kaat has a blog for YES? Yo no entiendo. Still I’m sure it’s good stuff.
Love the Kaat..Love him.. Miss him tremendously. Reading his blog, I hear his voice.
Him and Singleton were great together.
Come back Kitty!
GreenBeret7
Talk about yammering, you do not know it was twice.
Petitte and McGwire both belong in the Hall of Falsehoods.
One of the plus sides (and there are negatives) of Pettitte not coming back will be an end to your repetitous, semi senile rants on the issue.
Dave,
No doubt about it that McGwire isn’t getting treated fairly. None of them are really getting treated fairly for that matter. They did something that was probably the norm for the entire league. They have nothing at all to apologize for, and the same goes for Pettitte. Pettitte just handled his problems a little bit smarter than Clemens by fessing up.
GB,
With good reason – Because it is a total double standard in this baseball community. Pettitte and Mcgwire essentially did the same thing. Pettitte admitted to it and mcgwire did not but that is because mcgwire had more to lose. Pettitte receives almost zero repercussions and barely any criticism around the baseball community – how has using PEDs really effected his life besides having to testify. Outside of that and a more negative view of him in the court of public opinion, pettitte’s life and career remain essentially unchanged because of his mistake.
On the other hand, mcgwire for the same mistake – is punished for life and the rest of history by not being allowed to enter the HOF and take his rightful place among the greats. So pettitte – hardly any repercussions, Mcgwire – punished for the rest of his life and beyond. That was my point GB. And i compared the two intentionally to show that baseball society has a very strange way of dealing with this issue. If you were one of the greats – banished from being a great but if you were not quite as good as the best of all time – nothing. Doesnt make much sense.
jennifer
January 21st, 2009 at 7:59 pm
GreenBeret7
They will probably have the heckler raise the banner. heck is has been a fan the longest. Everyone else who goes there next year would have just jumped on the bandwagon.
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I’ve had the misfortune of sitting directly behind that idiot. Luckily, my nephew “accidently” spilled his cheese nachos and coke on him in he 3rd inning and he left.
Good kid. Did you buy him something for doing that?
I would be so ticked if I sat behind one of these buffoons. Just like the couple who beats the drums. I think I’d plead temporary insanity.
And the other point is – there are plenty of people that will be up for a vote for the HOF and no one will even know whether they used or not. And what then? They just vote them in because they were more careful or less obvious in their dealings. Ummm, that doesnt seem all that fair to anyone.
Yeah I have been keeping an eye on Betances since he signed. One of the season ticket holders in my section was his HS coach. I really hope we hear from this guy in the next 2-3 years. This year i would watch for Horne,Brackman also and see if Melancon and Sanchez can make an impact, im betting that Melancon does, not so sure about Sanchez but we shall see. I will be posting a lot of minor league stuff also during the season on my blog. Thanks again Pete and keep up the good work. Maybe we can write in some questions and you can ask them in the postgame via the fans. Of course you would just pick a couple.
Avatars might slow things down. Just think we need registration.
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“The team (Rays) will raise its AL championship banner before the Apr. 13 home opener against the Yankees, then follow it up the next two evenings by giving replica AL championship rings to all fans at the Apr. 14 game and commemorative AL championship cowbells to all fans at the April 15 series finale against New York.”
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Cowbell hell
dave
January 21st, 2009 at 8:03 pm
GB,
With good reason – Because it is a total double standard in this baseball community. Pettitte and Mcgwire essentially did the same thing. Pettitte admitted to it and mcgwire did not but that is because mcgwire had more to lose. Pettitte receives almost zero repercussions and barely any criticism around the baseball community – how has using PEDs really effected his life besides having to testify. Outside of that and a more negative view of him in the court of public opinion, pettitte’s life and career remain essentially unchanged because of his mistake.
On the other hand, mcgwire for the same mistake – is punished for life and the rest of history by not being allowed to enter the HOF and take his rightful place among the greats. So pettitte – hardly any repercussions, Mcgwire – punished for the rest of his life and beyond. That was my point GB. And i compared the two intentionally to show that baseball society has a very strange way of dealing with this issue. If you were one of the greats – banished from being a great but if you were not quite as good as the best of all time – nothing. Doesnt make much sense.
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Is this a joke? How is HGH and steroids even close to the same thing? And, then, you excuse McGwire for not admitting it “because he had more to lose”? You’re an origional, I’ll give you that. Hopefully, they broke the mold.
Bronx Jeers January 21st, 2009 at 8:01 pm
Did you get the 300$ from YES? I’d be little shocked if that was true.
Jim Kaat has a blog for YES? Yo no entiendo. Still I’m sure it’s good stuff.
Love the Kaat..Love him.. Miss him tremendously. Reading his blog, I hear his voice.
Him and Singleton were great together.
Come back Kitty!
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Amen to that Bronx. Kitty, Kenny, and the late great Bobby Murcer were the absolute best in the booth.
jennifer
January 21st, 2009 at 8:06 pm
Good kid. Did you buy him something for doing that?
I would be so ticked if I sat behind one of these buffoons. Just like the couple who beats the drums. I think I’d plead temporary insanity.
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Yeah, he got a Derek Jeter foul ball and Jeter signed it for him after the game. Kid was taking Jeter’s picture while he was on deck just before he spilled his stuff. Great times had by all….BUT ONE.
sa- agreed, registration with the ability to ignore certain posters.
This blog’s been great, but we haven’t done any sort of blog meet up this year, and that’d be a nice thing to do, I think.
“Umm, I’m sorry, but have the Lace and Stiletto ladies lost some clothing lately?????”
The site improvements have already begun!
(no avatars, please)
jennifer
January 21st, 2009 at 8:13 pm
sa- agreed, registration with the ability to ignore certain posters.
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Oh, come on, Jennifer…I’ll behave. I promise.
GB,
Steroids and hgh are not the same thing but They both used performance enhancing drugs – both were illegal by law but not against the rules of baseball. In terms of baseball rules and the US legal system – it was a very similar mistake. How did you not understand that?? Pettitte admitted it because he was forced to with the idea of charges being brought against him. Mcgwire was never placed in such a scenario and would have nothing to gain from admitting use. Further, there is absolutely no proof that mcgwire ever used. What happens if he admits it? His vote will go from 20 to 10 percent. Yea, great idea. Why would mcgwire ever admit using?? Makes no sense – it would be incriminating himself for no apparent reason. iT MADE all the sense in the world for pettitte – so he is such a better person because he was forced to admit he was wrong and mcgwire was not?? Yea right!!! Thats a laugher. iF Pettitte just admitted his use at any point, i would say yes, he was a better person than all those that came before him but he did not admit it until his back was up against a wall. That makes him no better iMO.
Yeah I think we should all meet up at the new stadium, pick a date and also do a scranton or trenton trip and maybe Pete can introduce us to the minor league beat guys. What do you guys think?
Did Jeter give you an extra auto when you told him our nephew caused the heckler to leave?
A Trenton trip would be most convenient for me. I’d be up for that. I’d love to say I’d get to a SWB game, but that would take some doin.
GreenBeret7
Okay if you behave I won’t ignore you.
yeah the meet up sounds good.
“Umm, I’m sorry, but have the Lace and Stiletto ladies lost some clothing lately?????”
Doreen,
They are working on an “i agree on the terms and conditions and im over 18″ before entering this site. You will also need a credit card # when registering here. Cant wait!!!
Can someone tell me if the Rays still had more Yankee fans in their stadium than Rays this year, even though they finally had a better/winnng team?
# Garym(Yanks and More) January 21st, 2009 at 8:18 pm
Yeah I think we should all meet up at the new stadium, pick a date and also do a scranton or trenton trip and maybe Pete can introduce us to the minor league beat guys. What do you guys think?
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well maybe… but we’d have to figure out driving arrangements. No way i can drive all the way to scr/wb or trenton with Dave in the backseat.
jk dave!
“sa- agreed, registration with the ability to ignore certain posters.”
Im not at all for that. That would mean i would be talking to myself all day long. Even S.o.S. gets sick of S.o.S..
S.o.S.
January 21st, 2009 at 8:29 pm
“sa- agreed, registration with the ability to ignore certain posters.”
Im not at all for that. That would mean i would be talking to myself all day long. Even S.o.S. gets sick of S.o.S..
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*&^*%#$%$E#
“January 21st, 2009 at 8:07 pm
Yeah I have been keeping an eye on Betances since he signed. One of the season ticket holders in my section was his HS coach. I really hope we hear from this guy in the next 2-3 years. This year i would watch for Horne,Brackman also and see if Melancon and Sanchez can make an impact, im betting that Melancon does, not so sure about Sanchez but we shall see.”
Good post Garym. I agree with you that betances, brackman and horne are some of the pitchers to watch this year along with montero and AJax. i STRONGLY believe melancon will be up by mid season and i think he will provide some much needed innings. Particularly,in the eighth inning role which still seems unclear who will fill it. I think if he have no one solid at that point, melancon will make an excellent fit. As you said, i am not as confident about sanchez. The guy is still only 25 and has been at every level as a starter. That is the positives but he does not appear to have pitched all that much since the surgery and I have no idea how good he will be this year. The yanks will have to stick him back in triple A for a while to see what he has.He may be up in April, he may not be up at all – who knows? i THINK if he has a lights out spring he could easily make the bullpen right out of spring training though.
# Garym(Yanks and More) January 21st, 2009 at 8:18 pm
Yeah I think we should all meet up at the new stadium, pick a date and also do a scranton or trenton trip and maybe Pete can introduce us to the minor league beat guys. What do you guys think?
- – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – -
Well, if we do meet up we’ll have to figure out workable driving arrangements to Sc/WB and Trenton. No way can I drive all that way with Dave in the backseat.
j/k Dave!
I think Ken Rosenthal just read my mind and wrote it down in his column – he even has my exact price range that i was advocating for BS. It was like reading an article i wrote when i read ken rosenthal’s article. Except the 2 years and 10 mil to cruz – that seems a bit high. But i was saying 6 to 8 mil for one year with incentives up to 14 mil and a big club option – he took the words right out of my keyboard.
I think Pete should treat me and whoever else to lunch at the Oyster Bar the next time I visit NY.
“&^%#$%$E#”
Where do i search to decode that? Place of origin might help.
THANX BRAD!!
I dont talk as much as i type – i promise.
sos- so you’ll ignore all of us?
Rosenthal reporting the Yanks and Mets are intersted in Freddy Garcia on a minor league deal but he is holding out for a major league deal that would guarantee him some termination money if he was released in camp.
S.o.S.
January 21st, 2009 at 8:37 pm
”&^%#$%$E#”
Where do i search to decode that? Place of origin might help.
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LMAO. Read between the lines. I’m still trying to think of something nasty to say to you after that crack you made today about my age.
Yeah, i dont know how we will do it, if we all meet at the stadium or if Pete could get us a party bus or something. What do you say Pete?? What do you guys think, we should take a vote on trenton or scranton and then go with that. I think first we should just do a regular game at the new stadium.
“sos- so you’ll ignore all of us? ”
No worries jennifer. Even if i woke up in the wrong side of the bed and wanted to ignore someone, i wouldnt be able to find the ignore button. Unless of coarse the ignore button was linked some how with silletto. Then maybe.
How did posada go from wanting to play in the WBC to unsure about starting the spring on time in seemingly a week??
“LMAO. Read between the lines. I’m still trying to think of something nasty to say to you after that crack you made today about my age.”
GB7,
Im glad i didnt suggest that it was writing in the Mayens writing and you were the only one who could translate it.
You know your career is in trouble when you are looking for a deal that will guarantee you termination money for being released … Wow! That also does not speak too well of how Garcia is viewing his own skills right now.
OK, kiddies. Coming next week, you’l be able to trade anubody you want. MLB Billy Beane, Front Office Manager will be on sale. Makes you wonder how many of those games will have nervous breakdowns if some of the “Trade Everybody” kds get their hands on these games.
S.o.S.
January 21st, 2009 at 8:48 pm
“LMAO. Read between the lines. I’m still trying to think of something nasty to say to you after that crack you made today about my age.”
GB7,
Im glad i didnt suggest that it was writing in the Mayens writing and you were the only one who could translate it.
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It’s the only thing I could say that would get past the censors.
pat January 21st, 2009 at 8:40 pm
Rosenthal reporting the Yanks and Mets are intersted in Freddy Garcia on a minor league deal but he is holding out for a major league deal that would guarantee him some termination money if he was released in camp.
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Freddie Garcia’s golden parachute?
I read some journeyman reliever would rather retire than take 2 million.
what a jerk! He should only know how the real world lives and it would take most people 40 years to earn that much scratch.
dave- Posada never said it. His father was quoted in a Dominican (?) paper as saying it. When was the last time a Dominican paper broke baseball news?
Pete
What is lohud’s take on registration? I know they want to keep the traffic as high as possible, but I think it’s pretty well known at this point that this is the place to be for any Yankee news and the #1 Yankee blog. I would be surprised if traffic took a hit because of registration…
Thanks
Nick-Lost tonight-holy crap.
Dave: Posada wanted to play but he can’t because he ended last season on the dl.
Anyone else got any spanish articles they need translated?
I don’t feel like doing my actual coursework…
Brian Cashman is Watching
January 21st, 2009 at 7:24 pm
Melky Cabrera is a better defensive outfielder. Numbers are not generally available because Gardner’s time in center is very limited, but Cabrera’s range is better than Gardner’s. The key is not Gardner’s speed (Melky is slightly above average, Gardner very fast). Melky, however, is much better at reading the ball, and takes better routes to the ball. Gardner’s speed makes up some of Melky’s advantages, but Melky will not get in trouble the way Gardner does.
I know there is a lot of dislike for Melky, but I have yet to see a commentator say Gardner is a better option. Keith Law, Jim Callis, etc., all seem to agree: Melky may be a fourth outfielder, but Gardner is a fifth outfielder.
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Agreed, atlthough I would say Cabrera’s speed is better than above average, it just doesn’t translate into base-stealing, it does translate, however, into tremendous range. Anyone who thinks that’s overstated just needs to go to some games and witness how much ground the kid covers. Gardner has some ability defensively, primarily because of his superior speed, but he is not as good as instinctively good a CF as Cabrera.
Nice to see someone else trying to debunk the fallacy that Cabrera takes bad routes to the baseball.
My wife is addicted to “Lost”, a TV show I’ve never understood the fascination about. So, I’ve been amusing myself my watching MLB Network, checking out the blog, and scanning MLB Traderumors.com.
For what it’s worth, Ken Rosenthal at FOX is reporting that the Yanks and the Mets are the prime contenders for Freddy Garcia. If true, it seems like they are moving past Andy. Between Alfredo Aceves, Phil, Jason Johnson, IPK, and now Garcia if he signs, it seems the Yankees are trying to develop a competition for that spot – someone who can be a league average 4 or 5 starting pitcher.
I don’t know what’s going on in Andy Pettitte’s world, but, if he has any hope to pitch for the Yankees in 2009, it’s now or never.
Maybe we could all meet at Tropicana field on cowbell giveaway day or whatever it is and hold a massive cowbell toss away a la the Reggie Bars.
We would just have to make sure the rays are on the field when that happened.
Thats funny but we should meet up at Yankee Stadium early in the year if possible. Someone email Pete and ask him his opinion since he hasn’t been appearing in the comments here. If you are reading this Pete, what do you think about organizing a get together??
Rosenthal reports that the Yanks and Mets lead in the pursuit of Freddy Garcia. He also adds that this does not mean the Yanks’ interest in signing Pettitte has waned and that it could still happen even if the Yankees sign Garcia.
story link:
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/s.....g-P-Garcia
The site that shall not be mentioned has been removed from the blog roll, the latest salvo in the blog wars have been fired.
I like michael kay but he was going on and on today about how great rex ryan is going to be. They had to step in and tell him it was just a speech. Dont media folk realize that just because a coach is a great orator or does great at interviews does not always mean it will translate to success on the field. A coach in NY has to know the game and know how to handle the media – if they can do those two and they have a good team that translate into success. Neither one of those have much to do with speeches or interviews IMO. A lot of people can make a great game plan for how they want a season to go but not too many can carry that out flawlessly and with charisma. I think Girardi did well in game managing and only has to work with the media a little better. I definitely think Girardi knew how to manage a game better than torre in his waning years in stripes.
And i also think working up a team by a pregame speech is a bit over-rated – it is more how you handle players one on one that counts. Im sure those pregame speeches have a lot bigger place in football though then in baseball where a speech may work one day but you certainly cant make 162 speeches and expect the players to respond every time.
FWIW Pete, I also vote nay on avatars. One of the things I like about this place is the lack of such childish and useless nonsense. It’s a sports blog, not junior high.
Keep up the great work.
A poem…
When I think of this place, I think
Have I stumbled on to Yankee heaven?
Enthusiastically, I check every post,
Read every work, process every argument.
Each day I become a smarter Yankees fan.
If I can only read one blog, this is it.
Some blogs are good, but this is the best
Never though, would I ignore the other
Opinions out there. I just think that these
Matter the most. The Yankees will rise
Again someday. That day, a loud roar will
Arise from the Yankee faithful. We will all
Surely thank this great blog on that day.
I dont think that Garcia saying he “would prefer a major-league contract, which would guarantee him termination pay if he were released in March,” is really the way one would want to come across to an interested team who is thinking about taking a flyer on you. Its fine if he wants a major league contract – he may not get one but it makes sense to want one. However, by saying he would like termination pay guaranteed is almost admitting that he doesnt believe he will make any club out of spring training no? Is that really the way he wants to portray his mindset at this point coming off almost a two year absence?
If i were him, i would take anything i can get just to prove that i can be healthy and effective again. Take the minor league deal – pitch your way onto the club in the spring and then, earn yourself a nice, new contract next season. Fact is, he is only 33 and prior to the injury, was pitching effectively. Asking for guaranteed termination pay is basically telling the team you have to pay me even if i suck during the spring because im pretty sure I am going to do terribly – you dont want the team knowing that. Garcia needs to have a long talk with his agent and make a plan because he clearly does not have one.
Depending on Jon Garland’s cost – this is why i still have faith in him as I do in garcia. Garland is coming off a terrible year rather than an injury plagued one but he is even younger than garcia at 29. That is still his prime. I dont understand why someone would begin a decline at 29 – i could only think that his bad numbers last year were due to injury, bad mechanics or a rough patch in his life. All of these could be fixed or gotten over. Garland is not the best pitcher in the world even outside of last year but his terrible season and the horrible market would both indicate that he would come cheap next year. I would not take a flyer on him for any more than 4 mil for one year but that would certainly be worth 200 innings (career avg is 207) out of the fourth starter spot with his career avg 4.47 era and 15 wins (2 more than his career avg with a potent yankee offense).
I would take a flyer on both of them – give garcia a mil and sign him to a minor league deal and give garland 4 mil and stick him in the fourth starter spot. One of them will surely work out and give us 200 solid innings out of the four spot.
yes it is the best blog. Pete when do you think we should have a group meet at Yankee Stadium?
let me give a shout out for my first blog
http://bleedingpinstripes.mlblogs.com/
the guy nails it on a regular bases but unfortunately he has a life and only posts on weekdays and hopefully pitchers and catchers will awaken his creative genius
I started out a casual fan and now I’m reading every post and comment in frigging January!
Thak you all for giving me a place to while away hours a day
good stuff dale!
Garcia would be a great move on a minor league deal but a major league deal? I don’t know about that. It had better be a minimum contract then. Otherwise not bring Sheets in? I’d like to add Garcia to the mix but it has to be at a smart price. I’m glad to hear it will be with the Mets or Yanks though.
“I dont think that Garcia saying he “would prefer a major-league contract, which would guarantee him termination pay if he were released in March,” is really the way one would want to come across to an interested team who is thinking about taking a flyer on you.”
Dave: I was thinking the same thing; what employer wants to hire an employee who is already planning for his pink slip?
On the other hand though, to give Garcia the benefit of the doubt, maybe he just wants a shot to pitch for a good team first (a reasonable assumption since only the Yanks and Mets were mentioned and nothin about any team like the Rangers, who would obviously take any pitcher) but wants to protect himself with the “severance pay” in case the competition proves too much and he then has to embark upon the process of joining a bad team in, which could take a month or 2 since you have to figure even the worst teams will give even their worst arms 5-10 starts to prove themselves before cutting them and opening up a spot.
It’s still kind of weird and his agent probably isnt that good at his job to disclose such info., but maybe this is just his way of trying to hook on with a good team.
At any rate, I’d pretty much rather have him than Garland. I don’t think Garland is a guy you really can take a flier on, because as bad as he can be, he can still get a full time job somewhere. Seems to me like he’s one we’d be stuck having in the rotation, no matter how bad he sucks. And he’ll never get hurt so that’s one less young arm to get a chance.
Besides, he would cost a draft pick. Even though it’s only a 4th rounder (?) I’d rather use that on someone like Juan Cruz. If we are gonna take a flier on a 2nd SP besides Garcia, I’d go with Mulder.