Audio from Pettitte and Cashman
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- January
- 26
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Here’s the conference call audio from Andy Pettitte:
and Brian Cashman:
Andy was with his agent, Randy Hendricks. Cashman then got on and gave a series of extensive answers to questions about the book and Pettitte. Basically, it was a negotiation. They wanted more, the Yankees wanted to pay less. In the end, they made a deal.
Other news: Jorge Posada was in New York today to get his his shoulder checked. He did his throwing program at the Stadium and Cashman said he is progressing well. Mariano Rivera has not yet started his throwing program and will be brought along slowly in spring training. Hideki Matsui will be a rehab player as well. Cashman said he isn’t concerned with Godzilla.
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on Monday, January 26th, 2009 at 5:14 pm by Peter Abraham.
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Chad Jennings
Sam Borden
Josh Thomson
Was there ever any doubt?
Is there a chance Posada won’t be ready by opening day?
Pete – is there any contingency plan for who will close if Rivera is not ready to start the season?
Mike Francessa: Does resigning Andy mean they will put Joba back in the bullpen?
Heyman: No.
Mike Francessa: /Sigh
Cut to break.
Fran,
Joba.
Well, color me happy.
I had issues opening the Cashman file anyone else>>
Hal Steinbrenner on Francessa tomorrow at 1:05 PM
Hal, eh?
This Toree thing must have them pissed.
oops Torre
“Cashman then got on and gave a series of extensive answers…”
That made me laugh.
It’s ok, Tom, they’re pissed at Torii Hunter and Tori Spelling too, for obvious reasons.
Wow, Peter… I’m glad you didn’t decide to become an audio engineer.
well, good stuff i guess. i didn’t really are one way or another with pettitte but i guess i think the rotation is good. plus there is coke waiting.
hopefully hal will get mad enough about torre to sign manny. then this torre book could be the best thing to ever happen to the yankees.
search
“Hughes Headed Out?” Jan 26
“Hughes, Kennedy Headed For Scranton?” Dec 28
lvironpigs.wordpress.com
Agreed with Sean. Scritch, scratch, scritch, scratch.
Just kidding, Pete. Thanks for the audio. Did it really cut off Andy’s answer about Torre’s book?
The Yankees took advantage of the fact that Andy really wanted to pitch for the Yankees and at Yankee Stadium.
I’ll remember this episode when I write my tell-all book.
Some negotiation – more like a steal. Pettitte says i want 16 mil or i will leave. Cash says how about 10. Pettitte rejects the offer. The yanks sign tex. pettitte realizes he has no offers and no leverage and comes back to cash hat in hand. Cash offers him 5.5 with a lot of incentives. Pettitte accepts. GREAT job by randy hendricks and their little organization by the way. Payback for all the irritation the clients of that organization have given the yanks.
Andy knows he could have made a whole lot more money signing for another team? Really?
Pete thanks so much for putting the conference call up.
“Houston, we have a problem”
Where’s Cash? He sounds like he’s calling in from the space station.
Yankees Sign Andy Pettitte
By Tim Dierkes [January 26 at 3:11pm CST]
3:11pm: The Yankees announced today that they signed Pettitte to a one-year deal. The AP says Pettitte is guaranteed $5.5MM and could reach $12MM with incentives. The move should allow the Yanks to move Joba Chamberlain to the fifth starter role, with various other young pitchers ready to step in as needed.
***A note from the conference call: Brian Cashman says not to expect any more moves of significance***
————————————————————
Cashman’s code for “We ain’t finished, yet.”
Guys,
I cant imagine that coke would have ever actually started,That was some poorly planned little ploy that tried to scare pettitte into thinking the yanks would move on without him although i dont think it was very effective. One, why would coke actually start the season as a starter when we had aceves who can pitch over 200 innings if need be and joba. Why would coke start over those two?
Second, the season would have started with coke in the pen for sure and when a need arose for to replace an injury, coke likely would have been pitching only one or two innings for quite some time. I dont know how long pitchers can pitching out of the pen and then convert back to a starter immediately but i imagine his arm strength would have had to have been built back up. Where would he have done that?
Triple A while the yanks pitched with four starters. They prolly would just bring hUGHES up to replace whomever needing replacing. And coke will definitely not start now that we have aceves, hughes and kennedy as rotation depth and only joba on an innings limit.
I can see AJ going down with injury and joba having to be replaced at the same time as a bad scenario which is still covered by aceves and hughes with kennedy still serving as limited depth. Worst case scenario is that two pitchers are done with injury while joba reaches his limit and all of aceves, hughes and kennedy are pitching in the rotation. That doesnt sound all that bad to me and there shouldnt be much reason to use coke as a starter this year at all.
When Girardi writes his book in a few years he can reveal how Andy’s teammates laughed at the phantom offers from other teams but still called him to drive their kids home.
Hopefully Giardi’s book isn’t called “The Yankee Months”.
Bill Belichick should write a book about his time being head caoch of the Jets
Whomever stated that Andy would say he just left it to his agents to work it out, and he didn’t know what happened…called it right.
I like whichever Hendricks’ brother it was saying that he and the Yankees had “disagreements”. I guess he’s being polite. I also found it interesting that Andy said he could have gotten more $$$ if he really wanted to test the market.
But whatever gets you through the press conference/night.
By the way, I like Andy. I just think he’s been a little bit “misguided”.
Coke is still in the running for the fifth spot.
Also, was Posada throwing at the new stadium or old?
How does the 2009 Lineup compare to the 1996?
C Jorge Posada
C Jose Molina
1B Mark Texiera
2B Robinson Cano
SS Derek Jeter
3B Alex Rodriguez
U Cody Ranson
RF Xavier Nagy
CF Brett Gardner/Melky Cabrera
LF Johny Damon
OF Nick Swisher
DH Hideki Matsui
C Joe Girardi
1B *Tino Martinez
2B Mariano Duncan
3B *Wade Boggs
SS Derek Jeter
LF Gerald Williams
CF #Bernie Williams
RF *Paul O’Neill
DH #Ruben Sierra
Jim Leyritz
*Darryl Strawberry
#Tim Raines
Cecil Fielder
*Andy Fox
For those of you who refused to believe that Andy was hurting and that he took a bullet for the team, do yourselves a favor and listen to the 13:35 mark of Cashman’s audio.
Sounds like Pete was playing the bongo drums during that call.
Let’s hope Pettitte pulls a Mussina (’08) and has a great season. Maybe this will let Joba slide into that ‘5th starter’ slot so his innings don’t get too too high.
Does anybody living in Stat Happy Land have an idea how many innings the average major league ‘5th starter’ logged over the last few years?
With him being in the 5th slot, we’d often have Sabathia & Wang pitching the next two games after Joba pitches this year. That’s assuming Wang goes 2nd of course. That’s definitely good set-up.
Pete, were you playing the mouth harp in the back ground?
In the end, when pettitte realized he was not getting an offer that even matched the yanks from any other team or maybe even no other offers at all, he realized he wanted to come back to the yanks. I dont care as long as he came back but please, please do not get on stage and proceed to blatantly lie to our faces as i THINK he has done that enough to us over the past year. Just say it was a difficult off season but now its over and your happy your back. if they ask about the off season – you can say it was a private matter or i just didnt have my head on straight for a little bit or i was going through a rough time handling a pay cut. Nothing about in the end, i realized i wanted to be a yankee again and the paycut did not matter to me anymore – people will see right through that comment.
lol at pete saying “Oh god” when someone asked about joba starting.
One very good thing about Pettitte signing is that Kei Igawa is now one step further down on the totem pole than he already was.
Barring disaster (in the majors) or a miracle (from Igawa) he maybe won’t spend a day the majors unless its for another organization.
We know that Alex now has at least one friend on the team! Andy said that he is good friends with Alex and they have spoken several times this off season.
Rebecca,
Coke is going to get the fifth spot over Joba. Are you serious? And where is joba going? To the pen. the rotation out of ST can already be called with probably 99 percent accuracy at CC, Wang, AJ, Pettitte, Joba barring some unforeseen injury. And if there is an injury in ST, it wont be coke who jumps into the rotation unless aceves has a terrible spring.
Joba is definitely not a reliever.
It’s like saying Maddux or Clemens would have been more useful to their teams as relievers.
Would Maddux or Clemens have been good as relievers?
Yeah, but that’s not the point.
torre invited kay to be one of the host of a charity event. kay killed torre for the moves against the tigers in the 2006 playoffs and after the playoffs kay never got a call from torre’s people to tell him when adn where the event is taking place
SP *Andy Pettitte
SP *Jimmy Key
SP *Kenny Rogers
SP Dwight Gooden
SP David Cone
SP Ramiro Mendoza
SP Scott Kamieniecki
CL John Wetteland
RP Jeff Nelson
RP Mariano Rivera
RP Bob Wickman
RP *Dale Polley
Jim Mecir
*Steve Howe
or
SP1 LH CC Sabathia
SP2 AJ Burnett
SP3 Chien-Ming Wang
SP4 Andy Pettite
SP5 Joba Chamberlain
CL Mariano Rivera
SU Brian Bruney
RP1 LH Damasco Marte
RP2 LH Phil Coke
RP3 Jose Veras
RP4 Dan Giese
RP5 David Roberston
RP6 Alfredo Aceves
Ansky,
Yea great – 40 million dollars for a decent triple A starter. Thats 80 mil for pavano and igawa. I hope we get something for that money but i guess it will just be a bunch of heartache.
Andy’s back…all is right with the world. Spring training here we come!
LOL.
Beat Guy: So were you hurt by the book by Joe Torre?
Jason: I’ll defer that question to Brian Cashman.
Cashman: Sure, except I missed the question.
Jason: Okaaay. That concludes the questioning for the day. Thank you very much.
Thanks again, Pete.
m -
Thanks for the heads-up. I didn’t feel like listening to the entirety right now. But I did listen past the point when Cash was discussing the feelings about Alex from Mariano, Andy and Jorge last off-season. I do believe that this team has moved on from the initial “unease” with Alex. I mean, seriously, the guy’s been here 4 years now, right? I would hope they have. In any event there’s a lot of new faces in that clubhouse.
It has the potential to be a very exciting season. And I liked what Cash said about (in regard to the book) that this could pull the team together, to deal with as a family. I know, I know. Schmaltzy stuff, but I’m a sucker for it!
My guess is that Hal Steinbrenner will say that he hasn’t yet had a chance to read the book, will probably read it when he gets a chance, is really appreciative of everything Torre did for the Yankees and sincerely did want him back for an extra season, and has nothing more to say about the book or what is in it.
I dont understand the comments that this could bring joba back to the pen. What does this have to do with that? There are five, count em, five starter spots. CC, wang, AJ and pettitte is four pitchers. Why not put joba into the fifth and maximize his potential? IF he can start, he should start. But lets hold off on dubbing him our ace of the future until he pitches most of a full season huh? I know joba did well as a starter but that was over 12 starts and 100 innings and some of them were 2 -4 inning starts. We need to see if he can hold up as a starter for over 150 innings to really see what kind of starter he will be. If his health is a problem consistently he will probably move back to the pen. Although i dont think it will be.
IMO, moving Joba back & forth between the pen and the rotation (even if he starts the season in the pen and makes just one move to the rotation and doesn’t move back) is not as harmless for him as might be believed. The effect of the reduced number of days between days he throws hard (regardless of how many innings he throws for) isn’t being considered.
I really don’t think it’s a simple formula like 1 inning pitched = 1 day rest, 2 innings thrown = 2 days rest etc. If he’s going to be a starter the rest cycle has to be different. Relievers are different animals. Its rare that a guy lasts as long as MO or Trevor Hoffman in the ‘pen.
I’d be very surprised if the rotation is anything other than CC, Wang, AJ, Petittte then Joba. Coke, Hughes, Aceves or whoever else would fill the spot of whomever got hurt. And, someone always gets hurt. Someone will get their shot.
Just a hunch but of the pitchers waiting for a spot, I think Hughes would be the least likely to move into the bullpen then into the rotation. Same reason as I state above for Joba.
“And I liked what Cash said about (in regard to the book) that this could pull the team together, to deal with as a family. I know, I know. Schmaltzy stuff, but I’m a sucker for it!”
I adore Brian Cashman. Always have, always will.
Enough with Joba and the ‘pen. Unless his arm is an issue – and it doesn’t really seem to be – he’s a starter.
I’d rather discuss when Mark Melancon is going to be called up to stick.
Maybe we should have a fundraiser to get Cashman a new cellphone instead of the tin can and string that he uses now.
A-Rod sounds like a better teammate than everyone thinks. Talking to Pettitte in the offseason, telling Cashman to bring him back, calling Burnett and Sabathia…
Man, That 96 team had a tremendous bench…Might have been the strength of the club….09 bench is anemic in comparison…They have to keep both Nady and Swisher….
Joe – yes, Joba is definitely a starter and yes, I want to see Melancon get his shot as soon as he’s ready for it. If he’s good enough, maybe the ‘Joba to the bullpen’ tripe will stop.
Just for curiosity sake and I know there are not many but which is the biggest hole the yankees still have:
1. Suitable backup for Posada
2. Eighth inning bridge to Mo
3. Center fielder that can hit to league average
Dave … you feeling OK today?
That was only 5 lines.
Molina is the best backup catcher in the game.
They have numerous 8th inning options. That’s actually better than just having one guy in the role.
Also, with the starters being able to go longer (hopefully) in games, bullpen innings should be down in 2009.
CF? Play it out and see what happens.
You don’t need all stars at every position to win. Let’s see if somebody emerges that can fill the #9 spot in the order and play good defense. That’s not too high a bar to reach.
Ummm, again, what is with the coke to the rotation talk? No way will coke be in the rotation at all this year unless the yankee rotation has a total meltdown. Coke is needed as the only other lefty out of the pen outside of marte and marte is quite possibly our eighth inning guy for now giving us one left hander that can be used in certain situations. That is a crucial aspect of clubs in the AL – 2 lefties in the pen.
was it the same Dave? You know, the great one?
Ansky,
yea, I just types a ton though. Im getting tired.
Oh … IMO the biggest current hole is CF, Dave.
Hopefully either the Melkmeister or Gardner can make a leap if a move isn’t made before the season starts.
If neither does, I have to assume there will be a move before the trade deadline.
Mariano has always been allowed to have his own program of conditioning for the season and this year will be no exception.
No doubt after minor shoulder sugery he’ll hold back some until the 3rd week of March before entering the final phase of stretching his arm to prepare for the start of the season.
He’s still the best conditioned and best pure athlete on the team.
breathe, dave …
dave, the Yankees have the best backup catcher in baseball to back up Posada. The problem is that he’s not a suitable replacement for Posada. Hopefully Posada will be ok. If not, start dealing. Molina/Cash is a prescription for failure.
yeah, CF is the biggest hole on the team right now.
Jose molina is the best backup catcher in the game? He had a 263 obp in 268 at bats which is slightly below his career avg of 276. He bat 216 with 3 homers. I am sure there was a better backup catcher then that last year. I am a bit skeptical that he is the best in the game with those numbers …
I think the problems with arod were in 2004 and 2005, i think the last several years he has really become a part of the team. I think the fundamental issue that Torre addressed in his book was that ARod was acting stuck up and detached from the team, it’s not the most damning of crimes, but I can see how it would piss some teammates off. I’m glad he’s acclimated, and very happy Andy is back in the fold. Let’s go to war with these guys come April!!
I know molina is a great catcher but 216 276 in 268 plate appearances. Theres got to be a backup catcher with a better stick than that no?
Now that we signed a player that took offense of the pay cut the Yanks offered him. Does it mean we can sign another player who believes he worth much more than the market is willing to pay him? I mean Stealth did say that this was the last significant move he would make. We all know what that means. Manny to the bronx for a 2/30 mil deal.
Why do some have a problem with Manny playing for us while being under payed but not Andy? Just asking.
I couldn’t be happier.
Starting five–
(1) Sabathia
(2) Wang
(3) Burnett
(4) Pettitte
(5) Chamberlain (and Aceves in supporting role)
This is a rotation that eats innings, saves the bullpen and wins World Series trophies.
I would like to see Molina used to negate a pitch runner in a close game situation.
Dave I’m sure there was a better batting backup C out there somewhere, but defensively Molina’s at least as good as the starting catcher he backs up. No other team can say that about their backup catcher. That’s not a knock on Posada either.
Defense and game-calling skill, Dave. Jose can’t hit.
Hal will say, “We haven’t finished the book yet. Hank needs me to read parts of it twice sometimes.”
Just kidding.
Hal looks like one of the guys on The Dating Game. I’d rather watch a Hal reality show than one on TO. Yes, it’s true. TO in living color.
Ansky –
not a direct answer to your question, but over the last 6 years, only about 3 teams a year have had 5 starters pitch 150 or more innings. Last year, TB, Bos, and the Angels were the only 3. Only 1 has done it 2 years in a row – St. Louis a few years back. So the average IP of the 5th starter, if you rank them by IP, has to be well below 150.
Dave –
Coke could still be starting in AAA if the org still thinks he has a chance of contributing that way. He isn’t a lock for the NY pen. Marte could be the only lefty, even though he’s likely going to be a setup guy – or if you wish, the LOOGY that also pitches to righties. Using Coke as a specialist – he won’t get priority over Marte for setup work – would be premature. Plenty of other options. But he could be in there too, and I’m sure he’ll get some work in NY during the season.
RayVTNC –
Do you really see both Giese and Aceves in the pen? Why will we need 2 long guys? Not Edwar, Albaladejo, Coke, or Melancon? And Giese could conceivably be DFA’d to make AP’s spot. Seems to me it’s him or Chase Wright.
Wait, I see you’ve got 8 guys in the pen. But Robertson could be out for one of those 4 as well. Since he’s not on the 40 man, Melancon would be least likely.
Best backup catcher in any game. Baseball, football, Monopoly, you name it. Jose Molina is your best backup option. He’s signed. He’s the backup.
Riveraveblues talk about getting javy valentin
Line: .272-.334-.442 and a switch hitter. 41.9 percent of base stealers caught stealing. He would probably be an upgrade.
You are looking at offensive numbers Dave, which is the wrong way to look at a backup catcher.
Backup catchers #1 job is to handle a pitching staff and play solid defense.
Molina should have won the Gold Glove last year. He’s a great caller of games and his knowledge of the league, and hitters tendencies, is of great help to the pitching staff. Particularly the younger pitchers.
So yes, he is the best backup catcher in the game.
I think SJ was referring to his defense…In fact he may still be one of the best defensive backstops in the game still….
nyfan,
My point was that if marte is the bridge why not use coke as the LOOGY. Wouldnt that make sense? Most solid teams have two lefties in the pen esp if one of them is the bridge. I just seriously doubt coke will be in the rotation at any point next season. Why should he when we have aceves as a solid backup? And hughes later on.
Nick,
Who’re you going to target?
Martin? Torre doesn’t feel that bad about what he wrote?
Morales? Boston couldn’t get it done.
CF & Catchers. Not a lot of great ones out there.
Ouch!
SJ,
You are assuming posada will play all year at catcher and his defense will be perfectly fine. What if it isnt? Is molina a suitable backup that can also start for the season? I dunno… He didnt do too well last year in the lineup and is likely to repeat. i THINK with a 37 year old catcher coming off a major shoulder surgery, the team may think about getting another backup catcher that is a little more offensively oriented. Thas all im saying and nothing more.
Line from riveraveblues:
“As an added bonus Valentin’s a switch hitter, though he’s proven to be more dangerous from the left side of the plate. That actually works out perfectly, because in a nightmare scenario where Jorge Posada again misses significant time, Valentin can play primarily against righties (.258-.313-.424-.737) while Molina takes on the lefties (.263-.304-.400-.704). Obviously we aren’t talking about great production from that platoon, but it would represent a significant upgrade from the .230-.290-.335-.625 line Yankees’ catchers produced in 2008.”
dave,
Do you ever stop worrying?
I think you’ll worry more than your patients.
Thanks for the stat search, nyyfaninlaaland.
Joba at 150 innings would be a bit of a leap for him compared to ‘07 if you go by the standard formula, but depending on the work he did after the season maybe its not too extreme. So maybe pitching 5th in line is ideal for him this year. Once he gets more time in then 180, 200, maybe 220 innings would be great to get out of that arm in the years after. But at least we’ll have the best guy in the universe for the job this year if he pitches 5th in line.
I just really love the fact we’re debating the back-up catcher.
Next season should be good.
This would be both molina and someone else in the second and third backup spot. Think of another catcher signing on a minor league deal as competition for cash. iM NOT talking about anybody major and im not talking about getting rid of molina here.
sorry – I meant ‘08 not ‘07. ooops. Time sure flies don’t it?
I am tickled pink with our 2009 New York Yankees lineup and rotation.
THE WORLD SERIES IS OURS KIDS!
You can really bank on it.
dave, you probably shouldn’t tell SJ what he’s assuming, but then he can tell you that too. I doubt he’s assuming that, however, and I’m certainly not. But in your scenario we aren’t talking about a backup catcher, we’re talking about a replacement catcher.
Some good-natured-but-naive soul suggested that Molina/Cash will be the tandem if Posada can’t go. Those are the options now, yes, but given that the team wants to be more successful this year, one hopes they would look into other more servicable options as the season unwinds.
I saw the name Jose Molina. Most teams can only dream of having a back-up catcher like Molina.
We are very lucky kids, kids.
Mel,
ehh you know this is all just to have something to post. The backup catcher spot is not all that worrisome to me. Im just thinking of other ways that cash can improve the club with minor moves before spring training. tHERE are really only three areas we can improve and at least two of them, there are free agents still able to fill the hole on the market: backup catcher and more competition for the bridge to Mo. None of these are crucial, i realize that but cash said he wont make any more MAJOR moves. That means there are more minor moves to come Im sure and those moves will fill one of the only three holes we have left. Im just trying to predict what he is thinking and discussing it/
nyyfaninlaaland
Not really sure who will be the guy Robertson, Albaladejo, Coke, & Melancon will probably all be up one time or another.
I believe Coke will start in AAA as a starter. I think Albaladejo will be the closer in AAA given his being a closer in the winter leagues. Melancon will start out either in AAA or AA, and I think as the closer in AA until he is needed in the majors. A lot depends on how many options a player has, so I don’t know if Aceves & Geise will both start in majors or not. Aceves probably will start in AAA, but I don’t know.
Ya know what’s funny. When AJ Burnett goes down with an injury, I won’t even be worried.
Damon, Gardner, Nady, ARod, Jeter, Cano, Tex, Posada, Matsui
CC, Wang, AJ, Pettitte, Joba
Mo, Bruney, Marte, Coke, Melancon
Party, in, my, pants
Nick,
I Looked at the numbers molina put up for us as starting catcher last year and i DONT think anybody would say that was a great job replacing posada. SJ said molina is the best backup catcher in the game but i was talking about in case posada goes down as a replacement not for a day or two to rest which is when molina shines. I was pretty sure i knew what sj was talking about but if i was mistake than i apologize.
Well, Tom, an outfielder, a backup C (only a factor due to Q’s on Posada’s health) and bullpen details were basically the 3 points Dave brought up as possible holes. Even though there are other areas with some for improvement (eventual OF revamp) there’s not much else we really need to worry about short term or with significant urgency. Agreed, if we’re down to quibbling about that much then it’s sure looking better than how last year turned out.
So I went interviewing today for a job till economy picks up. It was a group interview and one guy said he played for the nfl for 2 years(83 and 84 dolphins). So it came my turn to talk about my background and so i said “i played little league, first pick in pony league, played linebacker in school,never played in the nfl but i did stay at a holiday inn”. The interviewer didnt get the joke. Why would someone brag about something he did 25 years ago that wasnt in sales?
And some forty-niner wants to go prospecting for fool’s gold.
Let’s snatch up Varitek and Pudge (back to MVP form!) while we’re at it.
I forgot to add that I’m very glad that we signed a pitcher who will be joining the team before June. And I hope that pitcher breaks the record for post-season wins. And if it weren’t for the locusts, he would’ve tied the record.
“Ya know what’s funny. When AJ Burnett goes down with an injury, I won’t even be worried.”
BITE YOUR TONGUE!!!
(Russell I’ve already guaranteed everyone that AJ won’t be going down with an injury. It was part of the deal to get him.)
I said that Molina was the best backup catcher in baseball, SJ44 said it, and the Pope made it church doctrine. So that’s that. He’s the best backup catcher in baseball.
He’s not, however, the best starting catcher in baseball. We found that out the hard way last season, in case there was any doubt.
“So it came my turn to talk about my background and so i said “i played little league, first pick in pony league, played linebacker in school,never played in the nfl but i did stay at a holiday inn”.”
Trisha,
Were you saying that at the end of last season? i THOUGHT we could have used a little more production out of the catcher spot. I know that is tough to get but not impossible. And in posada’s case we should have the best backups possible offensively as well.
Conclusive audio proof… Cashman IS Darth Vader.
“I said that Molina was the best backup catcher in baseball, SJ44 said it, *and the Pope made it church doctrine*.”
Hey Nick, thanks for the nod!
And for the record, I’m not saying Posadalessness won’t be a problem.
I’m asking for a better solution than what we have.
“Trisha,
Were you saying that at the end of last season?”
You betcha! One of my mantras last season was that Jose Molina was the best trade that Cashman ever made.
Nick,
You didnt think that the long playing time really revealed molina’s flaws primarily with his bat? I think we should have a third backup who can really hit the ball or at least hit the ball as well as backup catchers can. Then, we have a good mix of defensive and offensive oriented backups just in case. We shouldn’t have a throw away third backup catcher who never gets out of the minor leagues. What do you think?
Dave -
I just see using Coke as a LOOGY comparable to putting Joba in the pen. Why use an effective starter – who by the way is yet to make multiple starts in AAA, let alone the majors – as a LOOGY at his age? Plus his splits don’t indicate that he’s significantly better against lefties than righties. If you’ve got righties that get lefties out, plus Marte to pitch to key lefties AND righties in later innings, you don’t need 2 lefties.
Nothing wrong with letting Coke remain stretched out as a starter in AAA. If he continues to succeed, should we convert a potentially effective starter to relief? How many starters did we use last season? Not counting Bruney’s goofy start early in KC – the game Joe G thought IPK would get rained on; remember that fiasco? – we had 12 different guys make starts. I think we’re better off than that, but nothing wrong with 5 good starters in AAA, then see what happens as the year progresses.
Any questions as to whether the economy has and will have an affect on sports ?
Home Depot and Sprint are among several companies to have massive layoffs just today.
The sports dollar is being stretched thin and many cities will see a decline in attendance. Projections for baseball attendance will be down wherever the pinch is felt.
Bargains may be seen this year before the July 31st trading deadline for those teams that feel they need to slash payroll even further, like it or not.
Darkmoonfire … I just re-watched all 6 Star Wars movies in order over in the past few weeks. I definitely see the resemblance.
Hopefully Giardi’s book isn’t called “The Yankee Months”.
—————————————————————
Good stuff!
Trisha,
I dont know – i thought posada’s absence was one of the major reasons the team collapsed… It certainly exposed any and all of the flaws in the lineup when he went down.
In fact, I was sitting in the first row of the bleachers at the last game at the Stadium when Molina hit that gorgeous homer!
I absolutely love the guy.
mel,
I said signing javy valentin to a minor league deal as competition for kevin cash in spring training. Check out the splits between molina and valentin who is a switch hitter – a platoon of the two of them would dramatically boost the offensive production out of the backup catching squad of 2008. Nothing major of course but it could help.
dave, I am totally talking about Molina as playing back-up catcher. I’m not talking about him as our first-string catcher.
I think the team’s problem last year was that Posada’s health problems were among many others as well as some mental lapses, Dave.
Sure it hurt big time not having Posada’s presence in the lineup. But if most of the other problems (not even all of them) hadn’t been so extensive, Molina would have been enough help behind the plate.
By the way Trisha -
Somehow “You can really bank on it.” just doesn’t have the same ring of certainty to it anymore, does it.
Sure, dave, get another catcher. Two more, maybe. And a couple more shortstops and second basemen while you’re at it.
We don’t know what Posada will be able to do yet. Is this just something to stress out about until we do? Carry on, then.
“Somehow “You can really bank on it.” just doesn’t have the same ring of certainty to it anymore, does it.”
Probably not – but this one you can bank on, I promise!
dave,
That’s all good. But there are only 25 spots. We won’t be carrying 3 catchers, in any combination.
I suspect that if Jorge’s a no-go, then we will bite the bullet and sign a starter from another team that’s going nowhere. That would be disappointing as that catcher would have to start from scratch and put us behind the 8-ball, so to speak.
Molina backing up Molina? To bad Phillie wants to hold on to their catcher. He seemed to have a knack for getting on base.
nyyfan,
Maybe you are right. iF WE dont need him in the pen, then, he can start in triple A. I just think he would be pretty low down on the totem pole but definitely capable of being reached for the rotation. With the five starting in the rotation, aceves, hughes and kennedy we have what is IMO eight potentially good starters in the depth charts. A ninth doesnt hurt but if he would be more helpful to the pen, he might as well pitch in the pen. oF course, kennedy may not progress and then, coke becomes eighth and he is likely to receive a start at some point. I liked coke out of the pen but i guess he has value as a backup starter as well as long as he actually starts in the majors and doesnt spend his yankee career in triple A as that is not using his talent to our greatest advantage. Joba is not really the same scenario because he is a shoe-in to make the starting rotation while coke may not make it at all and spent his year in the minors starting instead of in the majors helping the yanks out of the pen. iT all depends but if we have the arms to fill the pen out of ST, yea i guess he should start the year in scranton as a starter.
Cash did the right thing and stuck to his guns with Andy taking the guaranteed salary hit. Imagine only earning 5.5 million dollars while the rest of the country experiences massive layoffs, diminished prospects, and four years of excessive new taxation and spending by our “friendly” govt? Andy should have taken the 10 million while he had a chance, but he has learned that greed isn’t always good.
If a backup catcher to a backup is a big problem Then I think we are in pretty good shape
Dave poses “Just for curiosity sake and I know there are not many but which is the biggest hole the yankees still have:
1. Suitable backup for Posada
2. Eighth inning bridge to Mo
3. Center fielder that can hit to league average.”
YankFanDvve replies, every team has holes but let’s give it a crack:
1. Molina is a more than adequate back up. Last year’s issue was that Molina was a starter not a back up. Assuming Jorge is healthy, no problem here.
2. I don’t get how this keeps coming up. The Yankees had the second most holds in the American League last year and had an effective bullpen. They have a bevy of young arms that have now gotten time on the big league level and have performed well when given the opportunity. Again, no problem here.
3. Definitely a problem here. Here is where the Yankees are like every other team in baseball, they have a weak spot. TB doesn’t have a closer, the Bosox don’t have a reliable SS and the Yankees are weak at CF. Pray that Melky gets it together or Brett can learn to bunt & hit. If Jorge and Matsui are healthy and produce as expected then the Yankees can live with good defense and little offense from CF. Keep your fingers crossed!
Mel,
i said to sign the catcher to a minor league deal so out of ST, he can go back to the minors and molina can fill in for posada when he needs rest. iF POSADA, ever hits the dl, then, we would bring up valentin out of triple A and he would serve in a platoon with molina using their splits to combine for the best possible average and obp.
Did you mean trade for a starting catcher if Posada went down because you said “sign a starter”? And what did you mean start from scratch? Are you saying essentially like the pudge trade we made last year?
Nick -
I’m not usually one to jump to Dave’s defense, but if Valentin could be signed on a minors deal for limited $$ to compete with Cash for the 3rd C, I think that would be great.
I’d rather him than Cash platooning with Jose too. We don’t have a knuckleballer last I checked, and Cash hits worse than Jose Mo! So as insurance for Posada, I think it’s a better policy.
By the way, somebody earlier went back to the Manny thing, with a 2/30MM suggestion.
The Dodgers will pay him more than that, need him more, have cleared plenty of payroll space and Manny possibly wouldn’t sign at that number even without another offer. Forget it! Better to hope he settles for a 1 year deal – then we can take a rip next year if it makes sense. Our DH and OF will have lots of holes then – not that I want Manny playing LF in Yankee Stadium! But DH would be fine by me.
dave,
Yes, trade for a starting catcher.
Yes, learning to work with the starters, relievers, and Mo. Yes, just like Pudge. It’s really unfair to expect anyone just to drop in that late in the season and get it done. But as a HOF (supposively), it shouldn’t been that painful. And really, he struggled on the offensive side of the ball.
And FWIW, if there’s a scenario where Edwar is in the bullpen and Coke isn’t, I don’t know what I’ll do.
Tantron I agree.
I think this is totally a win win. Andy was forced to get off his high horse, the Yankees got a potentially reliable starter for not much at all, and if he falls apart, the Yankees will not have spent a fortune.
Yes, I am sure he wishes he had taken the 10 mil. And since he always said money wasn’t an issue, well hell, he must be elated…
nICK,
Basically, yes. The reports that posada may not begin ST on time is a bit troubling and this could potentially be a spot where the yanks have to improve especially if posada is not starting the season on time. It basically converts a lineup with one minor hole in the ninth spot of the lineup playing center to two holes with center and the catcher. A long shot? Yes but there is not much else to improve with this club. Its either centerfield of which there is no suitable free agent replacements or backup catcher of which there are a few left to pick and choose and mix and match. I think cash tries to improve one of these two before ST starts. Mainly because he said we are done with all the majors moves and not we are done.
trisha – New York Yankees – 2009 World Series Champions
January 26th, 2009 at 6:43 pm
I am tickled pink with our 2009 New York Yankees lineup and rotation.
THE WORLD SERIES IS OURS KIDS!
You can really bank on it.
——–
Trish, you know I love you but we are still 1 big bat short.
I like Swish but 219 is 219. I think he will do better but what if…
Cano should do better but what if…
Posada should be healthy but if Molinas bat is in line up for extended period of time…
CF is…
Jeter will have a better start but what if…
Matsui will have a bounce back year bad knees and all but what if…
The rotation and bullpen is the best in baseball from top to bottom and our depth on the farm looks to be great as well. I’m not saying we can’t win it all with this team, I’m just saying I wouldn’t bet the house on it.
Tex and Arod is an awesome duo but you know who I want behind Arod giving this line up more support.
mel, by the way, congratulations on Andy coming back. I know you really were one of his biggest supporters so I am really happy for you!
Sure, no problem at all with competition for the minor league/#3 catcher. But the way the ‘problem’ was presented – “Suitable backup for Posada” – wrang false to me. Just the semantic difference between ‘backup’ and ‘replacement’.
trisha,
He completes us. Hey, any songwriters around?
Anyway, he didn’t behave any differently than the rest of us would have. It seems that there were quite a few people riding their high horses re: Andy.
And for those who brought up “it’s not about the money”, why in the world would you believe him and hold it against him?
He really, really wanted to pitch for the Yankees. He really, really wanted to pitch in the new stadium. That’s all.
Listening to what Andy said, it sounds like his agents jerked him around. Sounds like he should have pulled an A-Rod and went to Stein/Cash directly to get the deal done. He might have gotten more money.
Mel,
I am not the one that was advocating for coke to jump into a starters role in triple A. if the yanks are stacked with talent in the pen at the major league level and everyone is getting it done then, fine, we should have coke remain as a backup starter because we have less of those than we have bullpen options. But if someone in the pen is struggling like edwar or whoever and coke is dominating triple A talent, i expect coke to be on the next bus from scranton. Will someone in the pen struggle and be sent down? Sure. Will coke be one of the first ones up if he is not out of spring training? I would think so despite what the organization says about coke starting.
As for the catcher role, THAT IS fair. we can certainly do that. But if their is room for improvement now by replacing cash with someone better and signing them to a minor league deal so they dont take up space, why not? That is essentially the same as the freddy garcia deal that the yanks didnt do but everybody in this blog seemed to fall in love with at the same time. If we dont need him and posada is as strong as ever- great. If posada goes down, we actually have a catcher that can hit in the majors to platoon with molina and is a switch hitter. This move makes a lot of sense especially since cash is not done.
But Yankeeray – we got you Tex! I PROMISE you that we are going to take it all. But I am not adverse to bringing in another bat if it’s a good thing to do. (But if the Yanks go with what they have, seriously, not to worry. Our rotation and pen is going to be the difference maker this season.)
I can’t wait to see what we have in Melky and Robby. I just believe that you are going to see a model Robby. And as much as I am hoping that Melky finds his swing again, I am getting psyched about the thought of his arm in center.
Actually I’ll be curious to find out exactly what our outfield will be!
The worries/concerns/debates about the Yankee bullpen is unnecessary. It’s loaded…overloaded with 13 pitchers as a minimum, which will certainly lead to a trade or two.
Rivera, Bruney, Marte, Coke, Aceves, Geise, Melancon, Veras, Ramirez, Albaladejo, Robertson, and even Cox and Sanchez are in the picture.
You have three guys that can spot and pitch long relief. You have 3 guys that can close and three guys that can pitch the 7th or 8th innings or even close to rest Rivera. At least 2 of these 13 guys will need to be traded because most are running out of options.
If you can trade for value, you’ve got to do it or lose them as FAs. The most logical to move and still get value are Ramirez, Veras and Cox and possibly even Robertson. I guess would be Ramirez, Veras and Cox or Robertson.
And he really, really wanted to get paid. Like any of us would.
Anyway, water under the bridge and he’ll go out there and do his thing.
He’s not perfect, but he’s ours.
I realized i am saying cash referring to the backup catcher and to the GM – the first cash in my post was the backup catcher and the second was the GM. i Doubt that needed clarification but just in case.
I’m not saying I’m opposed to Coke in the pen.
I expect him to get action in NY this season, and I expect it to be in the pen. He looks like a good option.
But if he can show what he showed as a starter in AA at higher levels, why use him in relief (hence my Joba analogy)? Let’s let it play out.
And don’t always go for the “devil you don’t know”. Coke looked great in Sept., but in a full year’s action that would even out some. No guarantee he’d be better than Edwar or other pen options over a larger stretch of innings. Remember the lessons learned from kids in small samples of work – guys like IPK in ‘07, etc. There’ll be ups and downs. Nice to have him as an option though.
My guess is any catcher who can adequately replace a healthy Posada is starting somewhere else. Just a guess.
nyyfan,
tHE SAME thing you said for coke goes for aceves as well. He looked amazing but i dont know if it will last with more innings under his belt.
“Anyway, he didn’t behave any differently than the rest of us would have.”
Oh mel, that’s just not true. There have been players who have taken a home-town discount just for the joy of playing for their teams. There are players who have offered to take less than they were offered elsewhere to play for a team that want to play for. Please don’t go near that “he didn’t behave any differently” stuff. I really hate when people do that because to me they are basically saying that we are all liars, or we are all cheats, or we all lack integrity (or whatever the “everyone would have done it” issue is.) And I’m sorry that’s just not true. There are people who give their word on something and then stand behind it. There are many who do that. So sorry I’m just not buying the excuse-making for Andy. He got caught with his pants down and had to pick them up or stand there naked.
It’s fine that he’s back. I truly hope he has a great season. But please let’s call it what it was. Andy went back on his word. Not the biggest deal in the world – no he didn’t kill anybody or burn down someone’s house. But it is what it is.
“A-Rod sounds like a better teammate than everyone thinks. Talking to Pettitte in the offseason, telling Cashman to bring him back, calling Burnett and Sabathia…”
This is proof that Alex wants to win as much as anyone else.
PETE!!! MUST YOU drum next to the mic.
raver: my guess is you are absolutely correct.
Was anyone else distracted by Pete’s typing during the audio taping? LOL!
“Listening to what Andy said, it sounds like his agents jerked him around.”
Laura, funny that you said that because I was going to say that the Hendricks Brothers are not the most trustable agents either. I didn’t listen to what Andy said because frankly I don’t care to hear it. He’s coming back and I hope he pitches well. But beyond that I have no interested in listening to what he said or what Cashman said.
Rover,
Thats just stating the obvious but is there any options out there that are better than kevin cash? There are so the yanks should look into it. iT IS really that simple. Of course, it would have to be on a minor league deal but there are options out there that can be better than cash on a minor league deal or at least provide cash with adequate competition during ST. Just a minor move that could potentially play a major role.
As a Pettitte fan, I’m personally relieved that he’s in for ‘09 (finally) although I was resigned to his not being here. Here’s hoping that the segment of the NYY fan base that had had enough during the (ridiculously) protracted negotiation will get behind #46 now.
trisha,
I think most of us would hold out for the most money we could get.
Most players who take the hometown discount don’t play for the Yankees. Moose is the lone exception that I know of.
If Andy’s getting paid what he deserves, then all the other vets on the team are grossly overpaid.
If you’re listening to my audio hoping for pristine sound quality, forget it. I’m typing, writing, etc. I can’t just sit there.
Beyond that, I’m using a speaker phone and a voice recorder. It’s the best I can do. I think you can generally hear it. Hope so anyway.
Where is SJ44? Andy said that he is absolutely sure that he could have made more money playing somewhere else.
Your thoughts???
213 I can’t imagine any Yankee fan not getting behind Pettitte. We don’t have to love him or believe him or like who (we believe) he is – but if we want the Yankees to get to the top and stay there, we certainly will be rooting for Andy to win.
That’s how I feel about it anyway.
“Beyond that, I’m using a speaker phone and a voice recorder. It’s the best I can do. I think you can generally hear it. Hope so anyway.”
Don’t sweat it, Pete. I was just bustin’ your chops.
Right now, the number three catcher is between kevin Cash and Francisco Cervelli. The only possible two catchers on the market that teams may want to trade are John Buck of KC and Kenji Johjima of Seattle and neither one is cheap enough to stash away in the minor leagues (Yanks could never get Buck to pass through waivers anyway).
Posada starting against run-oriented Teams like Tampa Bay, LA Angels, and Boston will not be pretty to watch. Even in his better defensive years, Posada is average throwing out good baserunners.
I would start Molina in every 2 out of 3 games against these Teams.
Guys,
The agent works for the player. Not the other way around. Dont try to lay the blame on the Hendricks brothers shoulders completely because in the end, pettitte makes the final decision. Thats why pettitte is paying them and not the other way around. The hendricks brothers played this off season terrible on behalf of andy but andy could have accepted the 10 mil when he was offered it – there was no question about that but he said it himself – his pride was hurt by the low offer and he did not take it. If he was a little more realistic about the market, his age, the phase of his career he was currently in, etc., he would have realize 10 mil was actually more of a gift than a slap in the face or at the very least – it was fair. Or he could have realized that he only wanted to come back to NY and with that, didnt have any leverage and should take the 10. Andy didnt take it and andy got a little burned in the end. i KNEW people were going to try to blame the agents but you have to realize it was andy with the final say.
“If Andy’s getting paid what he deserves, then all the other vets on the team are grossly overpaid.”
mel, it’s hard to compare situations since Andy had been away from the Yankees for a while. And his contract was up. The other vets weren’t in the same situation.
I am very pleased that incentives were part of his contract. He didn’t knock the socks off people during the second half. You or nobody else have any guarantees that he is going to have a great season. So the Yankees ARE paying him what he is worth. If he has a mediocre season, he will receive a mediocre pay. If he has a great season, he will receive (it appears) a very nice pay. You can’t hate that!
You would think with the kind of $$$ Cashman makes that he could pony up some dough for a better cell phone.
I think you might be overthinking things a bit with Molina, Dave – lol. He was signed to be the backup catcher. Name one catcher out there who is available and is offensively better than Molina is? Because I guarantee you, they’ll be starting catchers, and won’t accept being a back-up, nor should they.
You don’t start something just to have something discuss on here. Most people don’t, lol – they just get in on whatever is currently being discussed.
GB –
what about javy valentin? He would take a cheap one year deal and most likely a minor league deal.
And is there anyone here who doesn’t believe that Andy would have been signed immediately if he had had a tremendous season last year? Because of his second half, he had lost his bargaining chips. Also, we’re talking about one-year contracts for a 37-year old who has contemplated retirement a few times.
Dave –
that is true of Aceves as well.
Plenty of backups could struggle. That’s perhaps another reason to keep Coke in the AAA rotation though, wouldn’t you agree?
“i KNEW people were going to try to blame the agents but you have to realize it was andy with the final say.”
dave, people are only questioning the agent’s behavior based on what Andy said. Just like people will be questioning Boras’ behavior if Manny doesn’t end up with anything close to what LAD originally offered.
Angel
Ive only said his name 5 times in this thread – javy valentin is a better offensive catcher than molina but not nearly as good defensively. tHEY would make a good platoon though and cash is not as good.
Nyyfan,
I would agree. You have changed my mind – i think coke should start the season starting in triple A based on the starting pitching depth compared to the bullpen depth. But if the pen needs him, coke should be sent back to relief in the majors where he is needed.
dave while I understand what you’re saying, agents want money. So it is to their benefit to play hard ball for their players. I think they try to sell their players to hold out for the big $$$$. And that might actually work in a good economy with name-brand players. It obviously doesn’t work so well in a recession (heading quickly toward a depression). There are some very pretty free agents who are still unsigned!
I am willing to believe (though I can’t prove it) that the Hendricks counseled Andy to hold out. But then again, Andy could have turned around and said that he had already publicly stated that he wasn’t going to hold out on the Yankees and that money was no longer and issue and taken the $10 mil. Or maybe they would have been REALLY smart to take the $10 mil and ask for incentives on top of that! Then he could have worked toward the $16 he so badly wanted.
Just throwing out ideas. I have no idea if that was ever put on the table of course.
Oh that is typing. I thought you were drumming!!
Angel,
I only bring it up because cash is not done – we have two “holes” on the team: Center and backup catcher if posada is not ready. There is no center fielder in sight. So i brought up the backup catcher because there is others that could actually help the team with minimal money and no roster spot. Centerfield would have to be a trade and we have discussed that at length. And i do bring stuff up in here just to bring them up – why not?
“But it is what it is.”
Am I the only one who after the Mitchell hearings really hates hearing that term? lol
I didnt mean cashman is not done – i meant he implied he is not done. For all intensive purposed, he is done.
Can’t believe Andy was not insulted by the incentives!
He should skipped town, signed with a west coast team, led them to the playoffs and then wrote a book claiming that many of the Yankee palyers did not think Jose Molina was the best back-up catcher in baseball.
Their name for him: Jose Fraudina
(this is replying to a post way up there)
Dave: I never said Coke would get the fifth spot; merely that he would compete for it. It’s unlikely that anyone but Joba will get that spot, but there is always, g-d forbid, the possibility that Joba gets hurt or his legal woes from his DUI impact his ability to pitch.
I wasn’t aware backup catcher was a hole though, lol.
Torre can do commercials for Traitor Joe’s…..
Laura,
My thoughts? It’s BS.
Don’t believe it for a minute.
If he could have done much better, he wouldn’t have signed a deal for over 40% less guaranteed money than he would have gotten in December.
Let’s not be naive. The Hendricks Brothers are very good agents. If they could have done better money-wise they would have been able to get more guaranteed money from the Yankees.
“For all intensive purposed, he is done.”
What???
For the record, we now have two pitchers signed to the rotation after Cashman flew to see them. John Henry home visits? Not as effective.
“Most players who take the hometown discount don’t play for the Yankees. Moose is the lone exception that I know of.”
Actually there were two other players who played for the Yankees in the past 10 years who did the same thing. I am thinking that some in the following group were in that situation: Allen Watson, Sterling Hitchcock or Steve Karsay. Whether the Yankees accepted, I don’t remember. I’m pretty sure Hitchcock offered to take less to play.
In terms of players from other teams who offered to take less to play for the Yanks were Pedro Martinez and Carlos Beltran.
Trisha,
Yea, all sorts of things will be thrown around but i dont think the honus should be taken off pettitte so quickly for saying it wasnt about the money and making it about the money. Pettitte gets off for everything he does – leaving for the stros, HGH use and then, waiting years to tell he yanks and after a new contract. I thought this time, fans would realize even after the fact that pettitte is not always the honest, moral, church-going, can do no-wrong citizen he makes himself out to appear. Not saying, he was waay out of line or anything but the “i DONT care about the money anymore and i just want to play in NY” was a lie. That is clear now i think to most people – pettite deserves the blame becaue he said that statement and did not follow through with it in the least and of course, he ends up getting burned for it. iM really HAPPY that he is back but i am also happy that he was burned for his actions. He deserves a lower salary and not just because of his season last year.
At 62 I barely remember last year, I don’t ever remember the yankees structuring an incentivized player contract befor.. Am I misrembering here. Anyone?
signing pettitte gives us a very deep rotation & bullpen.
it is about time we have a good rotation 1-5,it’s been a long time.
this allows hughes,acevez,kennedy & the others to be used to rest joba & the other pitchers with less pressure.
it is nice to see us sign a player for a reasonable price also,cashman played it nice.
now we have a good balanced team & we kept all of our prospects.we are heading in the right direction for sure.
what’s up next? trade nady or swisher & try to get a cf,lower payroll or get an 8th inning guy??
“Most players who take the hometown discount don’t play for the Yankees. Moose is the lone exception that I know of.”
Actually there were two other players who played for the Yankees in the past 10 years who did the same thing. I am thinking that some in the following group were in that situation: Allen Watson, Sterling Hitchc*ck or Steve Karsay. Whether the Yankees accepted, I don’t remember. I’m pretty sure Hitchcock offered to take less to play.
In terms of players from other teams who offered to take less to play for the Yanks were Pedro Martinez and Carlos Beltran.
“Most players who take the hometown discount don’t play for the Yankees. Moose is the lone exception that I know of.”
Actually there were two other players who played for the Yankees in the past 10 years who did the same thing. I am thinking that some in the following group were in that situation: Allen Watson, Sterling Hitchc*ck or Steve Karsay. Whether the Yankees accepted, I don’t remember. I’m pretty sure Hitchc*ck offered to take less to play.
In terms of players from other teams who offered to take less to play for the Yanks were Pedro Martinez and Carlos Beltran.
Nick,
WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT? I mean for all intensive purposes cash is done with the off -season deals, not done as a GM or whatever you took it is.
“My thoughts? It’s BS.”
How did I know you were going to say that? I must be psychic.
bru – thank you. Someone besides me mentioned the eighth inning – i got hammered for that comment.
“what’s up next? trade nady or swisher & try to get a cf,lower payroll or get an 8th inning guy??”
Who are we trading Nady or Swisher to? There are still a lot of premium OF guys out there on the market. Right about now, they are pretty desperate and will probably settle for less $$ than they ever imagined. Why trade with the Yankees when you can just scoop up one of those guys?
“Nick,
WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT? I mean for all intensive purposes cash is done with the off -season deals, not done as a GM or whatever you took it is.”
LOL – I see where this is going.
MLB’s Hot Stove just had Jim Kaat on. Great to see him on there. Would love to see him doing reports from Florida for MLB. Didn’t have much to say about Torre other than to express his admiration for him. He had no comments on the book because he hasn’t read it.
rover,
I was dismissed earlier this off season by bringing up the idea of signing pettitte to an incentive laden deal being told that the yanks dont do that. But this off-season, Melky was also signed to something of an incentive laden deal but it was termed differently. i DONT know if that matters. It makes sense to do incentive based deals – i dunno why the yanks would wait this long. Usually, i would think the team would benefit from it especially this team that has signed many older players in the past. Maybe incentives would have worked out for certain guys.
“Am I the only one who after the Mitchell hearings really hates hearing that term? lol”
angel, actually one of my brothers and I have used that phrase very freely in the course of our lives! So hearing it was part of the Mitchell hearings just served to reinforce that it is what it is!!!
“iM really HAPPY that he is back but i am also happy that he was burned for his actions. He deserves a lower salary and not just because of his season last year.”
dave, I have to say that I pretty much agree with this sentiment!
dave January 26th, 2009 at 7:54 pm
Nick,
WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT? I mean for all intensive purposes cash is done with the off -season deals, not done as a GM or whatever you took it is.
______________________________________________________________
One of my pet peeves!!!
“For all intensive purposes”
Nonsense, it means nothing. Its what people say when they really mean to say “for all intents and purposes”.
1. For all intents and purposes = Correct
2. To all intents and purposes = Correct
3. For all intensive purposes = WRONG! You should have paid attention in English class!
“Let’s not be naive. The Hendricks Brothers are very good agents. If they could have done better money-wise they would have been able to get more guaranteed money from the Yankees.”
Not a question.
“MLB’s Hot Stove just had Jim Kaat on”?
But … but … but … butbutbutbutbutbut … Sponge Bob is already on another channel!
“Am I misrembering here. Anyone?”
there’s only 1 guy that speaks like that!
Rover is Roger!
Seriously, I don’t remember either.
Michelle,
You know i always thought it sounded funny when i used it. Now, i know why. i actually dont think we ever covered that in english class that i can remember but thanks for the tip. I have never in my life heard anyone say for all intents and purposes though. That sounds weird too and foreign.
michelle – dave has to be forgiven because he is going to be a doctor. Not to totally generalize but I have a brother who’s a doctor and his spelling is atrocious. (so is his handwriting). I think it’s somehow part of the profession. Or you know, the left-brained scientific part vs. the right-brained communicative part.
Anyway, as long as you went there, I will also say that it isn’t “honus”. It’s “oweness”.
michelle-
Still haven’t received your East Bay reccommendations.
Michelle B.
Thank you, Grammar Police! The other one that bugs the snot out of me is:
“you/he/they should OF done this or that”
Everyone who finished junior high should know it’s:
“you/he/they should HAVE done this or that”
Todd January 26th, 2009 at 7:49 pm
Torre can do commercials for Traitor Joe’s…
———————
Dave
I was dismissed earlier this off season by bringing up the idea of signing pettitte to an incentive laden deal being told that the yanks dont do that. But this off-season, Melky was also signed to something of an incentive laden deal but it was termed differently. i DONT know if that matters. It makes sense to do incentive based deals – i dunno why the yanks would wait this long. Usually, i would think the team would benefit from it especially this team that has signed many older players in the past. Maybe incentives would have worked out for certain guys.
I know the yanks don’t like the idea of incentives, just imagine if Joe G did not start andy for some reason good bad justified or not. suppose missing said start cost andy a million bucks. with frontline players it can cause problems or the perception thereof. Bench guys not so much. Same with platoonees i would think. I don’t remember a frontline guy getting an icentivized contract. Could be wrong though.
Laura – Welcome back, Andy!
January 26th, 2009 at 7:56 pm
“what’s up next? trade nady or swisher & try to get a cf,lower payroll or get an 8th inning guy??”
Who are we trading Nady or Swisher to? There are still a lot of premium OF guys out there on the market. Right about now, they are pretty desperate and will probably settle for less $$ than they ever imagined. Why trade with the Yankees when you can just scoop up one of those guys?
———
Because you don’t have to give up a draft pick and you can get them for 1 year only. If a team wanted one of those FA’s for long term they would have signed them by now.
No one wants Abreu, Griffey, Dunn for big bucks and long term and give up a draft pick to boot.
Laura,
Why would you take that comment as true?
Who takes 40% less than what was on the table a month ago if he could do better elsewhere?
If for no other reason than to increase the Yankees offer?
It’s a nice line and some fans eat it up, but it’s BS.
He’s gone from 16 million guaranteed to 5.5 million.
No matter how you spin it, that’s a big hit financially.
I’m busted!!
dave
January 26th, 2009 at 7:54 pm
Nick,
WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT? I mean for all intensive purposes cash is done with the off -season deals, not done as a GM or whatever you took it is.
————————————————————
For all intensive purposes….the phrase is ***intents and purposes***
Hilarious points of the Cashman press conference:
Pete sighing with incredulity after Kevin Kernan asked about Joba to the pen with Francesca-like interest
Jason Zillo’s shut down of some nobody from NY1 asking yet again about Torre after Cash had addressed ad nauseum
“Brian Cashman thinks the Yankees should rally around Alex Rodriguez following a book in which former manager Joe Torre portrayed A-Rod as a divisive figure in the New York clubhouse.”
Don’t anyone tell Jeter. He doesn’t believe in publicly supporting A-Rod….um, I mean other players.
michelle: Thanks for that about intents and purposes! I used to get that wrong all the time, and now it bothers me almost as much as irregardless!
“For all intents and purposes = Correct”
AMEN!!!! This is a case of people writing/typing like they speak. I once had a classmate try to convince me that “supposively” is correct, and “supposedly” is not. I almost lost my mind trying to do a peer review of his paper.
Another annoying trend I’ve notice the last decade or so is people saying “heighth.” Man, does that drive me crazy. It will only be a matter of time before they lose all connection with knowing how it is supposed to sound, and they start typing “heighth.” Oh yeah, “acrosst” is another one.
I’ll stop here before I start sounding like Andy Rooney.
“He’s gone from 16 million guaranteed to 5.5 million.
No matter how you spin it, that’s a big hit financially.”
Mama mia yes!!!
Any moves people are suggesting in the bullpen are moves to be made for moves sake. Our bullpen was one of the highlights of last season, and, to my knowledge, we have improved it.
IF there are any holes, it’s offensive production from CFer and/or Posada, but being that every other team in the AL, aside from the Twins, deals with uncertainty surrounding their catcher and offense, I think we can make due.
As it’s been said before on this blog, if Gardner can learn to bunt/get on base and develop good base instincts, thats all we can want from a guy like that. no power, little slugging, just relentless chaos on the basepaths.
dave,
sorry, im sure i dont follow all the right rules for typing on a blog, but the intensive purposes thing just kills me. LOL I don’t think i learned it in english class either, but i did learn it when i took a technical report writing class. Oh well…..
Nick,
The wed night game are tickets from a friend. I will also have two extra seats from my ticket package for that game too!
I’m happy to see pettitte back, i heard a rumor about it yesterday, and i would have posted it, but i got lambasted when i posted another rumor a few weeks ago. I have a pretty good “source” but i he’s not always right. He does however hear a lot of things and has to filter very quickly. At any rate, i do hope that Andy returns to 1st half of 2008 form. even if he doesnt 7 – 10 wins from your # 4-5 aint bad. And, its better than trotting out dan giese or sydney ponson.
“I have never in my life heard anyone say for all intents and purposes though”
Is this the same Dave of the 1,000 word posts?
No offense but one of two things is true.
1. Everyone you have ever heard saying that has said it wrong.
or
2. They said it right and you just thought they were saying intensive instead of intents and.
“No one wants Abreu, Griffey, Dunn for big bucks and long term and give up a draft pick to boot.”
You are missing my point. Pitchers and catchers report in less than 20 days. They don’t have to pony up big bucks for those guys now. You gotta figure they are getting way desperate and will sign for much less.
Laura,
i AGREE. i think we are pretty much stuck on the CF front even if we wanted to trade nady/swisher for a CF. There is just too many corner OF still on the market desperate for a job at this point. We might as well wait and make a midseason trade then, give up far too much to get a CF now. Plus, there are no reasonably priced CFs that are going to be traded right now and we are pushing the payroll of 2008 with the incentives kicking in next year. I think we are going into the season with gardner or melky. I would like to see gardner get a more of a shot than 120 ABs when melky got almost 1500 but i guess whoever is hotter during ST may get the job. No way do they start damon in center and i seriously doubt swisher is starting in center any time soon. Damon is more likely but neither is going to happen. We are fine as long as posada stays healthy. If not, then, we have two potential blackholes in the lineup but thats still a big if about posada and also, concerning how good offensively melky/gardner is. They may produce yet.
I like ‘honus’ – an homage to the great Honus Wagner.
Once a gf’s little brother texted me and used that ‘intensive purposes’ phrase and I corrected him and I later found out it set off a flurry of phone calls between various siblings to try to collectively decide whether or not I was right. It still makes me laugh.
michelle: I left you a response back in that other thread. And Buddy really wants your East Bay dining recommendations. He can’t go to Nations and Top Dog for every meal!
If Posada is healthy we won’t lose because Jose Molina is the back-up catcher. Whether he’s the best back-up catcher in the majors, I don’t know, but he’s fine every fifth day.
If there’s any doubt about Posada, though, Molina ought to be a no go, IMHO. His bat is too weak to be in there every day. It killed us last year, and in a close race could be a difference maker on the down side. Cashman would obviously know Posada’s status better than we would.
If Posada is iffy and John Buck were available for a reasonable deal, I think GB7 is onto something.
It’s not an impossibility that Cashman will do a deal in late March if the need is there and the deal is right.
The Yankees have at least three pitchers not named Chamberlain that can pitch the 8th inning, and they don’t need Javier Valentin at this time. He would be about 15th on the list of priorities.
“Why would you take that comment as true?”
Who said that I did? I asked for your opinion (already knowing what you were going to say) because we have had at least 3 million conversations about it. I was trying to be funny. I apparently failed. Much to my dismay, I will not be challenging Nick in the funniest poster contest as I will clearly lose.
Okay since we are going with our pet peeves:
irregardless
“NUCULAR” – actually pronounced that way by many broadcasters!!! WHAT????? It doesn’t even look that way!
vin, you hit my others: heighth and acrosst.
Drives me crazy!
Jeter should break his mold and speak out on Arod to bring the team closer together.
If he doesn’t does that mean he is just staying vanilla or does it mean he believes what was said?
All he would need to say is that Arod is a good teammate and that the team supports him. That would go a long way.
bronxjeers,
Maybe you are right – every single comment sounded like for all “intensive purposes” and i always wondered why that was the way it was said. “Intents and purposes” makes so much more sense.
Vin,
“heighth.” “acrosst.” i Hate those too… But the one that really gets me is instead of Asked – people say “axed”. He axed me a question”.
Ughhhh
Buddy i sent it like three times – look in your spam box sometimes aol is not liked.
Nick-
Thnaks! Everytime michelle asks me what I thought, I tell her the same thing & then poof she’s gone.
“I like ‘honus’ – an homage to the great Honus Wagner.”
Laura, I think you’re pretty damned funny and I got it!
dave
The phrase is “for all intents and purposes” not “intensive purposes.” Just FYI
michelle-
I don’t have an aol email addy.
And how about the guy who EXSCAPED from prison!
My grandmother thought “Yellow Submarine” was “Jealous of Marie”
Nick,
I think a ton of people say intensive – I am pretty sure most people i have met in my life. My bad with “honus” but it least was baseball related. Im batting 1.000 today huh?
Trisha,
Irregardless is an actual word – i looked it up in Websters. iT SAID it was widely unaccepted but a word nonetheless.
HWHAT! When people pronounce an ‘H’ in from of words like whip, what, where, etc.
trisha,
“nucular” is southern for nuclear. Don’t ask me why.
I always thought the Queen song was “another one rides the bus”
“And how about the guy who EXSCAPED from prison!”
or someone drinking an EXPRESSO.
Remember when Bush got criticized for saying “Nucular” – now it seems like 1/2 the people in this country pronounce it that way. Funny how these things work.
Irregardless is bad… but my friends and I will say “Irregardlessly” because it’s just so over the top.
Let me see if I can get this straight. We have arguably the best back-up catcher in the game but everyone is worried.
On the other hand, we have absolutely NOBODY of ability or consequence backing up three infield positions. And yet nobody mentions it.
The chances of one of three infielders going down are obviously three times as great as the chance of one catcher going down (though that catcher, I concede, is vulnerable). Still, it seems pretty clear to me at some point this season the Yankees are going to be desperately hunting for reasonable back-up to A-Rod, Jeter or Cano. And this, by the way, is a position where we are weak in the high minors. I’m not looking forward to the mid-july DP combo of Angel Berroa and Ramiro Pena.
trisha – New York Yankees – 2009 World Series Champions
January 26th, 2009 at 8:17 pm
And how about the guy who EXSCAPED from prison!
——-
Or were you estatic over the signing?
nice to see the Yanks’ 5 straight titles being an unbreakable record.
Wave,
I agree completely. hOPEFULLY, cash knows posada’s real status ASAP and not just his “what will tomorrow bring me?” status. Not like there are many catching options left but at least we could try to prepare for it. I for one, doubt posada will make it through the season intact but that is just me and the vibe i get.
“I always thought the Queen song was “another one rides the bus” ”
I’m certain that was a Weird Al song.
dave: Please. Don’t. Use. Irregardless. EVERY grammar book I’ve ever read (and as a fiction writer, there have been a lot of them) has said that using this is a big, fat NO!
I hear ‘intensive purposes’ all the time, but that doesn’t make it correct.
Obviously, I skipped to the bottom without reading the corrections.
That phrase and “supposively” drive me crazy. As do “irregardless” and “I could care less.”
Anyway, sorry, for piling on.
“All he would need to say is that Arod is a good teammate and that the team supports him. That would go a long way.”
The only time I saw Jeter *mildly* stand up for A-Rod was during the playoffs against DET. A reporter kept saying that A-Rod had to perform well and Jeter constantly corrected him saying that they all had to play well and that it wasn’t solely A-Rod’s responsibility.
I’ve said this before; I think Jeter wins the MVP in 2006 over Morneau if he had stood up for A-Rod during those rough times.
“Laura, I think you’re pretty damned funny and I got it!”
Thanks. Apparently, I have a singular wit.
Forget Torre’s book.
When the day comes, Cashman’s is going to be the must read.
And you can all count on it happening.
“My grandmother thought “Yellow Submarine” was “Jealous of Marie””
Okay my confessions: Les Bicyclettes de Belsize was “Lady Sinclair de Versaille”
Good King Wenceslas – “when the snow lay all about, deep and crisp and even” I always thought that was “deep in crispbaneven” I guess I thought crispbaneven was an historical place!
Nick in SF
January 26th, 2009 at 8:11 pm
I like ‘honus’ – an homage to the great Honus Wagner.
————————————————————
Sorry, but, it’s “Oweness Wagner”.
“I always thought the Queen song was “another one rides the bus” ”
LMAO!!! That is pretty funny.
There is actually a website where they list the most misheard lyrics of all time. Can’t remember the URL, but it’s pretty funny.
Now that Pettitte signed, have we heard the last of Ben Sheets?
vin January 26th, 2009 at 8:21 pm
“I always thought the Queen song was “another one rides the bus” ”
I’m certain that was a Weird Al song.
————————————————-
You’re right. I thought that as a kid though, before the song came out. I should get writing credit for that one.
“Or were you estatic over the signing?”
Hey about irregardless. I don’t see how the word can make sense since regardless is the correct word and the prefix “ir” would cause it to be a double negative!
“That phrase and “supposively” drive me crazy. As do “irregardless” and “I could care less.””
The “I could care less” completely drives me nuts. That’s just illogical based on the context in which it is being used, but no one cares to think about it. I’ve heard MANY people – some broadcaster/public speaker types even – use this incorrectly.
Pete, when one of the writers asks Cashman if Joba is going to start in the rotation, did I correctly hear you say “thank god”?
Because I thought you did, and laughed at what I perceived to be your sigh of relief.
Why does everyone in the midwest call it Warshington?
Bottom line –
Is it all that surprising? Posada is 37 and coming off major shoulder surgery and catchers use their shoulders quite often. Arod, jeter and cano are not coming off any major injury and have a solid track record of health. i KNOW 3 is greater than 1 but look at the risk of that one going down compared to those three – MUCH HIGHER. yOU HAVE to take that into account. And jose molina was not an adequate every day player whatsoever – i know few backup catchers are but if there is one out there with a 37 year old coming off major shoulder surgery, we should sign them. Cash is not needed and can be provided a lot of competition in ST for the other backup job. Jose is the best DEFENSIVE backup in the league but far from the best offensive backup – an obp over 300 would be nice.
buddy,
I do have aol and sometimes it goes to people’s spam boxes.
______________________________________________________________
As much as i like Derek Jeter, i cant believe he never swallowed his pride and just stood up for Alex. Although, we wont ever know what he says or does in the locker room. I just think that if you are the captain of the NY Yankees, you need to come out in public, as much as you might hate it, and stick up for you teammates.
I could careless what clueless Joe says in a book. He is like a spurned lover. Always has to get the “revenge”. The best “revenge” would have been winning the world series with the dodgers. Not writing a tell all piece of crap, for money.
PS I couldnt care more about caring less.
With all intensive regards, I would also like to see these East Bay dining recommendations, so please forward them care of my flickr account (the flickr name is also used as a yahoo account. I can even forward it to Buddy if you crazy East Bay denizens can’t get your intertube wires hooked up.
“Still, it seems pretty clear to me at some point this season the Yankees are going to be desperately hunting for reasonable back-up to A-Rod, Jeter or Cano. ”
The Ty Wiggington’s and Alex Cora’s of the world would much more happily sign with a team that doesn’t have the highest paid/highest profile infield in the game. Anybody who backs up this infield isn’t seeing more than 10-15 games (barring any major injuries, in which case an everyday guy must be found), being that Swisher can back up Teixeira. Why go to the Yankees, who aren’t going to pay you anymore than any other team, when you can go for another team with the possibility of starting, or, at the least, putting in serious time.
michelle-
Do you have my email as a gmail address?
Wouldn’t irregardless be the opposite of regardless? Hard to wrap my mind around irregardless but so many use it. shameful.
Nuclar: anyone who has tried to eat my chili understands that word wings to.
trisha – New York Yankees – 2009 World Series Champions
January 26th, 2009 at 8:27 pm
“Or were you estatic over the signing?”
——
My bad, the way some people pronounce it the spelling should be astatic
Pronouncing often as “off-ten” rather than “off-en” also doesn’t sit well with me. And vin, you’re so right – broadcasters are the absolutely worst. I can take it okay from regular people, but people whose job it is to speak the language should get it right.
Sword as “sword” instead of “sord.”
Actually when I was younger, we were taught to pronounce the H before the W in what, where and when, but oddly enough, not in who. Interesting. I don’t pronounce them that way, though. I sounds affected.
For all intents and purposes, I will not use the term “irregardless” regardless of how many other people tell me not to use these terms any more tonight.
“nucular” is southern for nuclear. Don’t ask me why.
THAT explains it!
“Let me see if I can get this straight. We have arguably the best back-up catcher in the game but everyone is worried.”
Uh, no.
This is a true little vignette. I worked with a guy who never wanted to confront situations because he said he didn’t want to spoil the apricot…
ARGH! “the absolute worst,” not the absolutely worst. And doesn’t it stink to go on a diatriabe about mispronounced, misused or misspelled words and then find one of your own?!
Wave Your Hat
January 26th, 2009 at 8:11 pm
If Posada is healthy we won’t lose because Jose Molina is the back-up catcher. Whether he’s the best back-up catcher in the majors, I don’t know, but he’s fine every fifth day.
If there’s any doubt about Posada, though, Molina ought to be a no go, IMHO. His bat is too weak to be in there every day. It killed us last year, and in a close race could be a difference maker on the down side. Cashman would obviously know Posada’s status better than we would.
If Posada is iffy and John Buck were available for a reasonable deal, I think GB7 is onto something.
————————————————————
I can see that deal being done but only if Posada is finished as a catcher, or can only catch half of the games. Molina would then have to be traded if Posada can catch half. The Yanks can’t carry that bat for 100-120 games a year. NYY could move a relief pitcher like Veras along with Cervelli for Buck, I would think. The only issue is that both hit right handed for low average….however Buck has very good power.
ARgh, again! Diatribe, not diatriabe.
Bad typing tonight, Sorry.
I haven’t listened to the audio yet – will do so later – but did Cash really say that he thinks that this book could pull his team together? If so, I completely agree. I think the Yankees at this point are beyond Torre. Jeter and A-Rod, as SJ44 detailed in a previous thread, are perfectly fine. Who wants to live in the past? Who wants to dredge up old hurts? No one. My guess is that the Yankee players are all doing a collective eye roll. They have new guys joining the team and a new season soon to begin – is there anything more exciting than that?
I was glad to hear that ARod and Andy are friends and that they’ve spoken.
**Am I missing something or is Michael Kay’s podcast from today not up yet?
“Wouldn’t irregardless be the opposite of regardless?”
YES!
“My bad, the way some people pronounce it the spelling should be astatic”
Actually you had it right the other way also! People also say “estatic”!
michelle-
Please send it over to Nick. I am getting hungry.
Thnx!
Derek Jeter is #7 as the greatest SS in the game.
Wikipedia:
“Irregardless is a term meaning in spite of or anyway, that has caused controversy since it first appeared in the early twentieth century. It is generally listed in dictionaries as ‘incorrect’ or ‘nonstandard’.”
Apparently, we are not the first to discuss the word but it does not make much sense.
Michelle B., I thought the same exact thing. I felt Jeter should of stuck up for A-Rod because A-Rod is a Yankee. I’m not A-Rod’s biggest fan but Jeter still should of stuck up for him.
Pet Peeves?
Should OF instead of Should HAVE…….
I’m taping Prime 9 now to watch shortly. Was Cy Young’s 511 wins the top unbreakable record? If not, that’s a joke.
And the same guy who didn’t want to spoil the apricot one day told me that I had nice cleverage.
I swear to God that happened.
Obviously he was a dope (not with respect to my “cleverage” but with respect to his ability speak correctly!)
I could go on all night (but I won’t) – especially in the realm of spelling. My lovely wife still can’t wrap her (very smart doctor) brain around the whole lose/loose thing. It drives me insane!
Sean and Betsy, now that was a riot! And you both posted at 8:39.
“I just think that if you are the captain of the NY Yankees, you need to come out in public, as much as you might hate it, and stick up for you teammates.”
Especially since he made comments in support of the Big G, who is a cheater. A-Rod is socially awkward, but as far as we know, he hasn’t cheat in baseball. All he’s done is show his jealousy over Jeter with some stupid comments in a magazine.
Yay -I thought Jeter would make it, but I wasn’t sure.
Betsy,
Yes, Cy Young is #1.
GreenBeret7
January 26th, 2009 at 8:36 pm
Wave Your Hat
January 26th, 2009 at 8:11 pm
If Posada is healthy we won’t lose because Jose Molina is the back-up catcher. Whether he’s the best back-up catcher in the majors, I don’t know, but he’s fine every fifth day.
If there’s any doubt about Posada, though, Molina ought to be a no go, IMHO. His bat is too weak to be in there every day. It killed us last year, and in a close race could be a difference maker on the down side. Cashman would obviously know Posada’s status better than we would.
If Posada is iffy and John Buck were available for a reasonable deal, I think GB7 is onto something.
——————————————————————————————
I can see that deal being done but only if Posada is finished as a catcher, or can only catch half of the games. Molina would then have to be traded if Posada can catch half. The Yanks can’t carry that bat for 100-120 games a year. NYY could move a relief pitcher like Veras along with Cervelli for Buck, I would think. The only issue is that both hit right handed for low average….however Buck has very good power.
——-
Why Manny makes sense. We can carry Molina and CF for a longer period of time.
Thanks for the audio Pete.
Also nice blog on the Torre situation, well thought out and well written.
I’m glad no one asked Andy what he and Bernie’s kid talked about on that late night ride home from the stadium.
If Mo is the ultimate closer – Andy the ultimate chauffeur.
*Yankees in 2009 – no child left behind*
Here in Seattle, a group of American Indians went on hunger strike to protest bad food at ballgames. They were the diet-tribe against the Seattle Marinaters.
Buddy, I’ll let you know if I get those recommendations, but I’m on the way out now, so don’t go hungry tonight!
I’ve been getting emails everyday for a week from ShamWow. Is that a sign the season is almost here?
Dave Seattle, Now that is funny, or I’m loosing it.
Laura – Welcome back, Andy!
January 26th, 2009 at 8:41 pm
“I just think that if you are the captain of the NY Yankees, you need to come out in public, as much as you might hate it, and stick up for you teammates.”
Especially since he made comments in support of the Big G, who is a cheater. A-Rod is socially awkward, but as far as we know, he hasn’t cheat in baseball. All he’s done is show his jealousy over Jeter with some stupid comments in a magazine.
——
Jeter needs to step up and earn his captain stripes. You can’t just lead by example anymore especially when we haven’t won in nine years.
Trish, lol!
I love words, I can’t help it, and bad grammar (overdoing it with the commas, misuse of colons or semi-colons, etc….) just annoys me. I consider myself a very good speller, but I can not spell pretzel. I usually spell it “pretzle”………ugh.
There is also “Aks” instead of “ask”…….
Listening to something that is badly written is just painful. When writing, I keep in mind (a) to be concise; it is always better to say something with as few words as possible and (b) no repeating “I” over and over again.
What can I say? I’m an English major, lol
David (In Seattle) -
Very funny!
“I’m glad no one asked Andy what he and Bernie’s kid talked about on that late night ride home from the stadium.”
yankeeray,
How does it make sense to trade matsui and either pay off his contract or get back a bag of balls? And of course, there is that whole no-trade clause thing in which he may want an extension for his troubles. That is why manny, even if the FO did want him which they don’t, would be a problem. And girardi was so good at managing egos last year, do you really think he can handle manny’s? (I dont use sarcasm unless i point it out so the comment that girardi was so good at managing egos was sarcasm).
“And the same guy who didn’t want to spoil the apricot one day told me that I had nice cleverage.”
Is it still considered sexual harassment if the word is mispronounced?
A-Rod is #2 as the greatest SS in the game. what?
lol
My “cleverage” post got ousted. Only I spelled it correctly.
I guess you can only use that word when referencing LoHud sponsors.
Have we really descended to the level of the pun?
If Mo is the ultimate closer – Andy the ultimate chauffeur.
Yankees in 2009 – no child left behind
====================================
LOL!
Ed, where?
we will dominate this year
Tom,
MLB tv’s Prime 9.
Who in god’s name is #1?
“Is it still considered sexual harassment if the word is mispronounced?”
Well first off, it should be ” Ms. Pronounced”, not miss pronounced or even Mrs. Pronounced. As to weather it’s herassment, depends on just how pronounced her features are and if you stare at them for more than 5 seconds.
Living in politically correct Seattle has warfed my mind.
Go Yankees.
David (in Seattle – where we have lousy starting pitchers are half price during happy hour)
Molina is a great backup catcher but not a starting catcher. If Posada is not ready, shouldn’t this team go get a co-starting catcher as a just in case instead of waiting for the worst to happen and be on the short end of the stick and behind the eight ball if dealing for another starting catcher.
Guess no one figured in the “intangibles” for a shortstop.
“Who in god’s name is #1?”
Honus Wagner
“Guess no one figured in the “intangibles” for a shortstop.”
They actually did mention intangibles for Jeter.
dave
January 26th, 2009 at 8:50 pm
yankeeray,
How does it make sense to trade matsui and either pay off his contract or get back a bag of balls? And of course, there is that whole no-trade clause thing in which he may want an extension for his troubles. That is why manny, even if the FO did want him which they don’t, would be a problem. And girardi was so good at managing egos last year, do you really think he can handle manny’s? (I dont use sarcasm unless i point it out so the comment that girardi was so good at managing egos was sarcasm).
——-
Dave, I neve said it would be easy but I think its worth the try. I think that Matsui is a proud man and I have read where he would accept a trade if he was aksed. He wouldn’t want to stay where he wasn’t wanted. It wouldn’t be like sticking a sord in his back.
I think he is outta here (US) after next year irregardless so I don’t think he would be looking for an extension.
I think any team would be estatic to get him if he has one good year left.
I couldn’t care less if we traded him.
Manny would be like having another nucular weapon in our line up.
Well I suppose 7 all time is not to shabby. Honus must have been some kind of player. Don’t know much about him, lol one of the few before my time I guess.
Trish, my last post was for you
“Is it still considered sexual harassment if the word is mispronounced?”
“Well first off, it should be ” Ms. Pronounced”, not miss pronounced or even Mrs. Pronounced. As to weather it’s herassment, depends on just how pronounced her features are and if you stare at them for more than 5 seconds.
Living in politically correct Seattle has warfed my mind.
Go Yankees.
David (in Seattle – where we have lousy starting pitchers are half price during happy hour)”
Now that was brilliant!!!
“Trish, my last post was for you
”
CRYING!!!!!
Let there be no question about why you are the love of my life, YankeeRay!!!!!
Did anyone buy tickets to Yanks v Baltimore? tickets are already on sale. Got a steal of a room only 100 bucks for a shearton.
jen – when is that game?
Honus Wagner has some sick stats.
My favorite is 327 K’s in 10,400 AB’s with 3,415 hits. whoa!
1,732 RBI with only 101 HR’s is wild as well.
Career .327 with 391 .OBP
Career OPS+ 150
The first May series. I’m just reading some of the reviews of the hotel, I think I’ll be taking a cab back at night for sure. Although I usually do anyway since I don’t go down to the harbor. It is way to young. Found that Federal hill is a nice area to hang out in.
Yeah, I have to agree thats more than great resume or rezoom not sure.
yankeeray,
iF YOU are asking me if i would rather have manny’s bat for one year than matsui’s my answer is yes. i THINK a lot of yankee fans would say yes but for all intensive purposes, it just does not seem doable. Irregardless of whether or not we can pay off matsui’s contract and trade him for something worthwhile, we still have to consider the meshing of personalities right? Its not the absolutely worst idea in the world as manny in a lineup that already contains arod and tex is dynamite but we cannot loose our heads and assume that we can just shell out another 20 mil per year on top of our current payroll. Off-ten, we dont consider money as a factor but now we hafta. Supposively, cash is done with his big moves anyway so i dont think we should even get our hopes up or down (depending on who you are).
I really want to try to get tickets to Opening Day at the new Stadium.
Are tickets on sale yet for Stadium games?
“Got a steal of a room only 100 bucks for a shearton.”
I’m not surprised it was a steal. You might be sharing it with sheep judging by the name of it.
Just kidding, Jennifer.
Thanks Trisha
And thanks to All you Lohud blog posters and fellow Yankee fans, for all the dialouge. It’s almost like being home.
Angel – LMAO!!!!!
This has been a wonderful night on the blog. I guess getting to join in a group-share of trashing Torre and then finding out that Pettitte had signed (and for little dinero!) could be considered the mix for a pretty great day!
A bunch of New Yorkers talking grammer?
fugetaboutit!!!
Angel- Most of the reviews are quite positive. ANd from the pictures the rooms look great. I just hope it is.
Bed time Nitol yall.
This is the hotel
http://www.starwoodhotels.com/.....rtyID=1765
dave
January 26th, 2009 at 9:28 pm
yankeeray,
iF YOU are asking me if i would rather have manny’s bat for one year than matsui’s my answer is yes. i THINK a lot of yankee fans would say yes but for all intensive purposes, it just does not seem doable. Irregardless of whether or not we can pay off matsui’s contract and trade him for something worthwhile, we still have to consider the meshing of personalities right? Its not the absolutely worst idea in the world as manny in a lineup that already contains arod and tex is dynamite but we cannot loose our heads and assume that we can just shell out another 20 mil per year on top of our current payroll. Off-ten, we dont consider money as a factor but now we hafta. Supposively, cash is done with his big moves anyway so i dont think we should even get our hopes up or down (depending on who you are).
——
Tooshay
Many are correct in pointing to the infield back up as a major weakness. Cashman cuts cost in this areas more than any other. He turned coal into diamomds in the rough in years past: Clay Bellinger playing all over the place; Luis Sojo and Enrique Wilson as dependable replacements; and, minor leaguers such as Alfonso Soriano and Mike Lowell coming up to contribute. However, this strategy has not produced lately. He seems intent on staying the course so we can expect Cody Ransom to be sub #1 in the infield. Berrora is clearly a shot in the dark, always no field and now no hit. Cash is the man but he does have his faults.
jen, I think it looks very nice!
Hey with the economy going the way it is, we will probably be able to get really good deals in the City too.
Well I think you all for an awesome evening. I think I’ll go and watch a little telly!
It seems Alex and Honus Wagner have much in common:
“For some time after “Hans” Wagner’s poor showing in the world’s series of 1903… it was reported that he was “yellow” (poor in the clutch).”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honus_Wagner
Guys! I just bought my first Yankee tickets of the new season!
Rebecca, for Baltimore too?
What an interesting day on this blog…
First, Pete writes the best entry I have ever read from him (it really should be in the paper).
Then, Pettitte signs.
Finally, a really interesting comparison between Alex and Honus Wagner. History always seems to repeat itself, and they really do seem very alike. Maybe someone should tell Alex to read a bio of Honus Wagner if he hasn’t already.
jennifer: Nah, for 4/18!
How did you buy that already?
IMHO, the most important reason why Molina is essential as the back-up to Jorge is his ability to call the game against ALE batters. He knows them and their strengths and weaknesses.
The NYYs have just spent a real fortune to give us the best starting rotation in recent memory. The RSN is actually diminishing the CC acquisition because they believe the RS batters can get to him. I think that CC, working with Jose, will put that dream to rest very quickly.
The ability of the catcher to match the SP’s abilities on a given day against the opposition is key. For that reason, the NYY are lucky to have Molina exactly where he is. Combined with his ability to cut down attempted base stealers, Molina is far more important than another player with a 50 point better BA (1 more hit every 20 at bats?).
It is also an important factor in the RS’s prospects if they do not sign ‘Tek.’ He maneuvered Dice-K through some very tight spots last season. A new catcher w/o serious ALE experience will cost them several games.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01.....ref=sports
I just looked at the book written about Mike Mussina and Tom Glavine. The book was written based on interviews of Mike and Tom. But the book shows it was written by John Feinstein.
here are some excerpts from the Torre book –
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.c.....ml?eref=T1
I had to laugh at this – (notice the Torre quote marks)
“The money doesn’t matter. I mean, as long as it’s not just something ridiculous. It’s not about the money. It’s the second year.”
If I had a quarter for every time I have heard “it’s not about the money”….. I’d be richer than Bernie Williams kid’s chauffeur.
The wosrst sin out there is – “EXACT SAME”. First introduced by the worthy Doof Mcmahon on the Carson Show. For God’s sake it’s “exactly the same” except in this case it isn’t.
Rebecca,
How did you get tix??? We STILL have yet to hear a word from the Yanks about our season tix!
wait what? Rebecca got her tix already? huh.
Maybe this has been covered, I’m too tired to read all the posts, so forgive me if I’m repeating something. There’s a n excerpt from Torre’s book on SI.com.
The part about the lineups based on stats just struck me as funny. As if he couldn’t beleive you would use stats when putting a lineup together. Explains alot.
<<<>>>
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.c.....index.html
Bob, that also explains Torre’s ‘pen theory.
Wow fox just showed what was left of Shea Stadium. Just the skeleton of the third base side is left. Otherwise it is completely gone!
You want Yankee tickets? They are on both Ebay and stubhub!
How I hate this process! I spend hours between the two sites trying to get good seats at a good price.
“Wow fox just showed what was left of Shea Stadium. Just the skeleton of the third base side is left. Otherwise it is completely gone!”
So they’ve really improved it, huh?
Another one? “Most certainly!” That drives me crazy.
Some of the females I work with use that. I think it sounds so, well, stupid.
I just read the SI link Bob posted.
Wow. Torre really looks bad.
He sounds like sara palin — the whole, “I’m a victim” routine (”Cash betrayed me!”).
Nick-
Yep!!!!
BTW i bought two moose bars!
Wow fox just showed what was left of Shea Stadium. Just the skeleton of the third base side is left. Otherwise it is completely gone!
———————————–
Could you see all the rats waiting in line to get into the new place?
Yep they were carrying sticks with bandanna’s attached.
Guys asking:
I bought from Stubhub. So I imagine this is simply someone with those seats selling them.
I’m not supposed to get the actual tickets till 4/14, so we’ll see what happens.
But I got two tickets for Terrace 312 row 2 for a fairly reasonable price (IMO)
they’re on stubhub
Rebecca-
for which game?
If you go here http://www.stubhub.com/new-yor.....09-720462/
and hit the “price” link so that the highest-priced tickets show first, you’ll see that you can some seats for Opening Day for $99,999 each! (I totally don’t understand that price.)
Because of my problems with heights I am definitely going to be screwed unless I sit in the bleachers (and don’t sit too high). The tickets are very pricey for lower level seats.
Phooey!
Phil: 4/18. 4/16 is too expensive and I can’t make 4/17.
I bet its really nice, Jennifer. Most Sheraton’s are – so that is a good price.
I was just teasing you in a nice way for your “Shearton” typo. It made me giggle – its the kind of typo I make.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01.....orts/quote
Hmm. Seems to me that Torre got something of a big head, presuming upon his personal relationship with Cashman to insist on his own choice of pitching coach. Let’s see, in just this excerpt, we see Torre confronting and accusing Cashman – this is not papa Joe, not in any form. I don’t know how Cash bit his tongue – most GMs wouldn’t put up with this **** from their manager, no matter how friendly they were. Cash is no dummy, no fool – I’m sure he sensed some kind of power trip on Joe’s part. No wonder the relationship changed.
I was going to announce it this past weekend, (upstaged again) but I have written a compelling tome called *The DT weeks*.
Amazon describes it as “a griping tale of a new poster who saved the LoHUD Blog”.
Before you make any comment – let me say you should BUY the book first. (Amazon 29.95)
You might have read a few of the scandalous excerpts already on the Post.
SJ – the esteemed poster is really Stanley Javier the former Yankee one hit wonder! (once traded to the Yankees along with Bobby Meacham. Now we know where he gets all his info!)
Nick in SF – is really the love child of Robin Williams and Rita Rudner. (now we know where the comedy gene comes from!)
Before you make assumptions on these excerpts, (which could be taken out of context) you really should BUY the book first. (Amazon 29.95)
To be fair, it should be stated that the book is written third party. Pete A. was also involved. (an incentive laden contract with promises of Red Bull, Diet Coke and back-stage Springsteen passes)
Pete A. is an elegant writer and a terrific reporter. The book will be compelling and 20 percent true. Don’t assume any comments that refer to nitwits and sheep came from me unless they are surrounded by quotes.
Again, before you form your opinions I strongly urge you to BUY the book. (Amazon 29.95)
Don’t be a nitwit and wait for the library copy. Only losers sit at B+N all day and read books. BUY your own copy.
(Amazon 29.95 or two copies for $70)
Amazon describes it as “a griping tale of a new poster who saved the LoHUD Blog”.
There’s already enough griping here to read for free but 2/$70 is a bargain.
Here are some more quotes as well:
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/.....id=3862616
I particularly enjoyed the following:
“I think we’ve gone through so much of the Alex stuff that, you know, if anything, maybe this brings people closer together,” Cashman said Monday during a conference call to announce Andy Pettitte was returning to the team in 2009.
“I have never one time heard of the term ‘A-Fraud’ until I saw that rolling on the TV, I guess this morning or whenever they started reporting it,” said Pettitte, who rejoined the Yankees for the 2007 season. “If it did go on, it went on before I was there.”
“There’s always going to be some controversy that surrounds this club,” Cashman said. “The best way to try to deal with it is, I guess, rally around each other the best you can if there’s real feelings there.”
Cashman said that when Rodriguez became a free agent after the 2007 season, Mariano Rivera, Jorge Posada and Pettitte all urged him to re-sign A-Rod.
“That was real,” Cashman said. “It was offered up.”
DT: I’m not in it? What a shame
Rebecca–Optimist Prime–Staying to write the story
January 26th, 2009 at 11:45 pm
DT: I’m not in it? What a shame
Of course you are. But you need to BUY the book to read the chapter on the Cuse years. Hungry Charlie’s, Marshall Street, the Dome – it’s all there.
Again, you need to BUY a copy. I have ex-girlfriends, model airplanes, and time shares in Hawaii to support.
!!
I get the feeling you want us to buy some sort of book DT.
testing