Wrapping up the day in Tampa
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on Feb 20, 2009 
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· I went over to Field 2 today to watch Andrew Brackman and Mark Melancon pitch, so I missed Chien-Ming Wang facing Bernie Williams on Field 1. Here is Wang’s take on how it went:
“I left one sinker up high. He hit it far.”
Home run?
Wang looked at me like I was crazy. So apparently it stayed in the yard.
CMW said his foot feels no discomfort whatsoever and he’s throwing all of his pitches.
· A-Rod did not discuss any of the recent revelations. He did say that he is expects to meet with the MLB investigators in Tampa. He also said it would take “18-24 months” for this to blow over. How he came up with that figure, I have no idea. Maybe one of his consultants figured it out.
· Brackman was fun to watch, especially when he faced Jesus Montero. Now keep in mind that the hitters aren’t really doing much hitting in live BP. They’re tracking the ball and letting the pitchers work on whatever they’re trying to do. But Montero did take a couple of cuts and made solid contact a few times.
Brackman has a lot fewer moving parts in his delivery than I expected. He sort of brings the ball from behind his ear and has a nice downward plane to his delivery. But I can’t see him in the majors before the end of the 2010 season. The Yankees will keep him in Tampa and there’s a chance he sees Trenton this year. He has so little experience and probably knows next to nothing about holding runners, fielding his position and setting hitters up.
· I’m writing a piece on Nick Swisher for the paper tomorrow. He admitted to some disappointment when Mark Teixeira signed as he considers 1B his best position. But after a sour experience with the White Sox, he’s happy starting fresh here even if it’s in the outfield.
I suspect Xavier Nady will be the regular RF. But Swisher gets on base, hits for power and can play four positions. He’s going to get plenty of ABs.
· Ken Rosenthal of Fox reported today that Damon and Nady have their finances frozen because of the Stanford scandal. Here’s the story.
· Damaso Marte’s hamstrings are feeling better and he was out there running around.
Peter, How hard do you presume Brackman was throwing?
Pete, I’m looking forward to your article on Swish – he seems like a great guy. I can understand his disappointment…and now he’ll probably be a bench player anyway, poor guy. I don’t get it – 99% of Yankee fans think this guy is a better player than Nady yet the Yankees, who are the only ones who count, don’t? Moving this guy around from position to position is not going to help him any – I think it’s a bad idea. If I’m wrong, guys, please feel free to correct me!
How has Phil looked? I still have not read anything about him, anywhere……
I don’t see why Alex has to talk to anyone in MLB about this….
Betsy.. I know you’re a fan of Burnett. Here are a couple of nice articles about him
http://www.northjersey.com/spo.....ealth.html
and
http://www.nydailynews.com/spo.....strik.html
Swisher realizes that if you are honest and make admissions that humanize you people appreciate it.
90% of other sports figures don’t.
I felt bad for Swish once they signed Tex. I hope he gets plenty playing time.. it seems like he’s a cool dude.
About Alex.. I don’t know what it is [besides maybe the fact that it's Alex Rodriguez and every reporter in the country will be digging for dirt] but for some reason, I think this A-Rod thing isn’t going to blow over as soon as A-Rod or other people think.
Thanks for the Brackman scouting report.
I’m guessing Swish is a Mountain Dew guy.
Betsy
February 20th, 2009 at 3:31 pm
Pete, I’m looking forward to your article on Swish – he seems like a great guy. I can understand his disappointment…and now he’ll probably be a bench player anyway, poor guy. I don’t get it – 99% of Yankee fans think this guy is a better player than Nady yet the Yankees, who are the only ones who count, don’t? Moving this guy around from position to position is not going to help him any – I think it’s a bad idea. If I’m wrong, guys, please feel free to correct me!
How has Phil looked? I still have not read anything about him, anywhere……
I don’t see why Alex has to talk to anyone in MLB about this….
————————————————————
Maybe the Yanks are playing Nady early to build a better market for him. They still have a month and a half to decide. Injuries every team before the season starts are inevitable.
Too bad Swisher is going to be on the bench… he can be a very useful piece on the team.
But the Yankees can’t put Nady on the bench in his contract year, coming off a career season with Boras as his agent. That isin’t fair to him either.
That’s the price of depth when the 2 players are above average players in their prime.
Good news on Marte.
I bet the look on Wang’s face was priceless, Pete. And did he really say, “whatsoever”?
Brackman won’t see the light of day in the Bronx anytime soon because there are a lot of guys ahead of him. Time to complete the transition to a full time pitcher. I hope that organized basketball is banned in his contract.
Thanks for the daily updates Pete, this is fun. As for Swisher, he could be a key guy for the Yanks. Resting other hitters plus filling in if someone gets hurt. Between Matsui and Damon, he should get plenty of playing time.
I hope Swisher still keeps his upbeat personality even if he is on the bench… some players may feel they are not a big part of the team if they don’t start and play everyday and he may not feel comfortable being a leader or outgoing guy as a bench player. I hope Swish isin’t one of them.
Swisher is better than Nady. I hope they play the right guy.
you can say swisher or nady starts in RF, but matsui will sit some, so will damon, so swisher and nady should both start plenty if jorge can handle catching.
forcing a few guys to hit to keep thier ab’s is not a bad thing.
All Arod did was prove he doesnt read your blog. If he read it, the only timeline he would give you would center around your hospital stay when he was done with you.
Evil thought of the day:
Maybe their fianancial isues will push Damon and Nady even harder in their contract years.
anybody have any idea who is the better CF between damon and swisher?
if swish is on the bench, the yankees trail and need pop and gardner/melky are coming up, swish or damon had better be ready to play CF for a few innings.
i can see this coming up alot this year, especially if the CF struggles at the plate.
I suppose you could play Nady vs. lefties and Swisher vs. righties. However, considering 2\3rds of the league is righty pitching, that would make Nady the bench guy. Swish is also a switch-hitter, so that might not make too much sense.
Very curious to see how Joe manages this. Did Cashman tell him to play Nady to try and increase his value by the trade deadline?
Swisher’s lucky he’s not gone. He was coveted by other teams, most notably Atlanta.
He should just bide his time. I don’t see Nady in any long-term plans.
Brackman will likely start at A Tampa to take advantage of the warmer weather than Charleston and get evaluated from there. He’ll also be on an innings limitation.
Great news about CMW. I hope Alex tells all he knows to the investigators, it’ll be much easier for him to do that. Can’t change the past, just get PEDs out of the sport once and for all.
Good stuff all around, well except for Damon & Nady.
Wang’s gonna have a big year.
Damon is NOT playing Center Field. Swish won’t either. Nady may start in RF but i believe before long, Swish will be out there almost everyday, because Nady’s Yankee numbers did not come close to his Pirate numbers last year.
One of Girardi’s problems last year was micro-managing and not staying with a set lineup. He used to be obsessed with lefty/righty and split stats and always used to tweak the lineup. Guys like Damon got ticked off at him for that.
He has to make moves based on who is hot, so the platoon with the 4 OFs might not work. I doubt Damon or Matsui want to rest every 4-5 days. And guys need to play everyday to establish a rhythm.
The only way for Joe to make this work is by establishing one of them the bench player and sticking to it. Rest guys periodically, but don’t feel pressure to play the guy on the bench if things are going well. Play it by ear.
Part of what they are hoping with Nady is that he has a Boras style walk year. Boras’ clients seem to turn it up in a contract year. Hoping Nady does the same, but still like Swish better. Nady isnt bad either though. I think they have a great team personality this year and i think that will get us back to first place.
*Guys like Damon got ticked off at him for that.*
======
The one guy who never moved in the lineup got ticked off?
Source.
Damon’s issue with Girardi came that weekend after we got off the DL. He played two games, was hot, then Girardi sat him. He was not happy with that, and felt he didnt need the rest after spending 3 weeks on the DL.
I think that was what they are referring to..
Girardi and Cash need to tell Swisher that next year he will definitely play everyday and they acquired him for the long term. Let him know he is very much in our plans and he will get plenty of ABs this year even if he doesn’t start, but next year he is guaranteed to start. Be honest with him and make him feel comfortable.
Ham -
I think there’s a decent possibility both Melky and Gardner make the team out of ST.
C – Posada
1B – Tex
2B – Cano
3B – ARod
SS – Jete
LF – Damon
CF – Gardner/Melky
RF – Nady/Swish
DH – Matsui
B – Molina
B – Nady/Swish
B – Ransom
B – Melky/Gardner
SP – CC
SP – Wang
SP – AJ
SP – Pettitte
SP – Joba
CL – Mo
RP – Bruney
RP – Marte
RP – Veras
RP – Edwar
RP – Aceves/Giese
RP – Robertson/Alby/Coke/etc.
Only thing that would throw a wrench in that would be if they have to take 3 catchers north because Posada isn’t fully healed yet. Maybe they could carry 11 pitchers in that scenario though because of off days at the beginning of the year?
i said this last year and ill say it again, he practically always batted the same guys in the same spots every time they played. damon always led, then jeter abreu, arod and giambi, after that who has the right to demand a set spot in the lineup?
the # of lineups was almost the exact same # as the rest of the league.
lots of very successful managers constantly fiddled with their lineup.
rodg, i was thinking that they may carry both melky and gardner, but still if im behind and i ph swisher for melky in the 6th inning, i want to go with him in CF if possible and keep gardner on the bench for when/if a critical late inning baserunning situation comes up and also to keep swish’s bat in the game.
It’d be a shame if Nady is the regular in RF. Swisher is a much better player.
My guess is they will split time out there.
Not that anybody cares but I think I’ll tell you anyway.
I just decided that I am going to take time out of work and do two things I have wanted to do for a while – combine a trip that takes me to spring training and to the Atlanta Zoo on the way back so I can see the pandas. I will probably drive from Tampa to Atlanta and fly all the rest of the way. Right now it’s just a thought in my head (I notice that the week of March 2nd – I’d really have to hustle to plan this out – there are exhibition games with Team USA and Team Canada and then a few regular games (I chuckled when some are with Atlanta, since that’s where I will leave to go.)
Anyway, I’m psyched – if I pull it off!
Good, this should keep those annoying “Cano to the Dodgers” discussions to bed for the season.
<>
Ooops, for got to include this:
The Dodgers and Orlando Hudson have reportedly come to terms on a deal.
for the love of %&* can they stop asking him questions. He is not going to answer them.
The problem came when Girardi rested guys who were hot, like Damon. He also used to turn over the lineup when we played lefties (like replacing Damon with Christian or Giambi with Betemit) and put out compromised lineups.
Luckily this year, our lineup is much more balanced. Teix and Swish are switch-hitters and Nady kills lefties.
Are we talking about the lineups again? Oh, boy. First of all, lots of managers do the lefty/righty thing and look at stats. Torre sat Abreu against tough lefties. Wasn’t a problem then. Damon was ticked because he wasn’t told about it until he was posted. Dealing with injuries also had Girardi rotating sub-par players.
Rodg12 – They are using Coke as a starter. He will not be a candidate for the pen out of spring training.
*Damon’s issue with Girardi came that weekend after we got off the DL. He played two games, was hot, then Girardi sat him. He was not happy with that, and felt he didnt need the rest after spending 3 weeks on the DL.
I think that was what they are referring to..*
========
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/articl.....Id=rss_nyy
Girardi explains:
“The thing is, players always want to get back as soon as possible,” Girardi said. “But you have to make sure a guy doesn’t come back for one day, and then it bothers him again, and then you’re without him for two weeks.
“I would rather be cautious, in a sense, maybe a day or two extra, as opposed to losing him for another two weeks.”
I loved those Burnett article… I’m so pumped up about him
“I loved those Burnett article… I’m so pumped up about him”
Me too
An ESPN reporter asked A-Rod if he was considering retirement to which he replied, “Are you thinking of retirement?”
i understand there were disagreements about which particular days he was sat, but if you are going to criticize gi joe for that then you also have to give him credit for coaxing a very solid year out of damon by resting him regularly. i thought he also got about everything the compromised matsui had to give last year.
Girardi was concerned about playing Damon in a full series on turf (Minny?). His only mistake was not telling Damon before posting the lineup. And that’s because Damon’s a staaah. Scrub players wouldn’t get the heads up. You come in, look at the lineup, and get ready for the day.
I can see Swisher play about 125-130 games at 4 positions and DH….If he could manage to get between 450-500 AB’s that would be great….I could see .260 BA .370 OPB 25 HRS 75 RBI
lol pat
This circus isin’t going away anytime soon
Well, Pete, thanks so much for all the updates. They are much appreciated.
I just finished watching Field of Dreams. I’ve gone through 1/4 of a box of tissues.
Can’t wait to read your piece on Swisher.
Dodgers get Orlando Hudson.
Happy for Orlando. I love the guy.
Hey, is Manny still out there waiting for his 5-year deal?
Swisher was built for this lineup
Switch hitter with lefty pop (a plus at YS), power, high OBP, led the league in pitches per plate appearance, great personality, grinder, plus defender, plays his heart out.
Love the guy, hopefully he gets his ABs.
An ESPN reporter asked A-Rod if he was considering retirement to which he replied, “Are you thinking of retirement?”
————————————-
They actually asked if he was gonna retire???
Seriously guys, I think it’s time we arrange a boycott of ESPN. We have the MLB Network now, which is terrific and will be even better once the season starts. There’s no need for ESPN. Maybe if Yankee fans stopped watching their garbage, ESPN might get a clue.
Same goes for the Post and Daily News IMO. Enough is enough with those rags.
Is there anyone more negative then Joel Sherman? Listening to him on Kay. He is really obnoxious sounding, perfect for Kay.
Ham -
The cool thing is, if you take both Melky and Gardner north, you have that option. A guy like Swisher, who at least has the capability to play CF and can play a good Corner OF or 1B, gives you a lot of different options. Especially since he’s a switch hitter. He can be very valuable to us in a bench role and will get plenty of ABs when Damon/Matsui/Tex/Nady need days off. It’s probably better for the team in the long run if Damon and Matsui take a day off about once a week to recharge the batteries.
Have fun with the Pandas, trisha
I thought Coke was only working as a starter as a fall back in case Andy didn’t come back.
I liked Alex’s response to “are you considering retirement”? Are you?
That’s the ticket, answer a question with the same question. Do it all the time.
Jacob, thank you thank you thank you! I have a love affair with them and actually considered going to China (you can volunteer and hang out with the pandas for a week) but couldn’t take a flight that long.
I do like that answer to the retirement question…what are people thinking??
CaptainsCorner February 20th, 2009 at 4:10 pm
Is there anyone more negative then Joel Sherman? Listening to him on Kay. He is really obnoxious sounding, perfect for Kay.
==================================
Listening to him too-he is annoying me. Are they expecting Alex to have a mental breakdown or something during some point this season? Might be time for me to turn the radio off.
Is anyone going down to Yankee games in Baltimore the beginning of May?
Bob –
The boycott is officially in effect already for me. The only times I’ve watched ESPN since the MLB network came out was for the Gammons/ARod interview and a couple Lakers’ games. Other than that, I haven’t tuned in to watch anything this year and will continue to do so until forced to watch a Lakers’ game or a Yankees game there.
SA- they probably want to see him taken out of the Stadium in a straight jacket.
Swisher
http://www.daylife.com/photo/0.....rk_Yankees
Its almost as if Sherman is rooting for the guy to have a nervous breakdown!
I guess that what happens when you work in an industry that is going through tough times. You root for the worst story imaginable so you can get readership.
Trisha,
Given what went on this week with the CT woman and the chimp, I suggest you keep your “love affair” with the pandas a secret. lol
Joel Sherman is waxing poetic about Bruney
jennifer February 20th, 2009 at 4:15 pm
SA- they probably want to see him taken out of the Stadium in a straight jacket.
=========================================
Yup
From Pete
He also said it would take “18-24 months” for this to blow over. How he came up with that figure, I have no idea. Maybe one of his consultants figured it out.
From the Boston Globe
“He was also asked if he has to be careful outside the game and he said, “Sure, absolutely. You have to think about everything. Look, for the next 18-24 months you have to be really aware and really focused. For me it’s playing baseball and trying to be the best father I can.”
sa- that women is looking, like ewww.
Nick seems like a sweet heart.
Joel Sherman is waxing poetic about Bruney
======================================
That was actually nice to hear. Go Bruney!
rodg12:
Baseball is pretty much the only sport I really care about so it is much easier for me to avoid ESPN. Like you the only time I’ve turned it on in the past few months was for the A-Rod interview and occasionally ESPNews to check the ticker to see if anyone signed.
The MLB Network really is terrific. You actually get guys sitting there talking intelligent baseball instead of fools like John Kruk spouting inane nonsense, or Gammons babbling like a senile old man.
ESPN has turned into the TMZ of sports IMO.
pat
February 20th, 2009 at 4:05 pm
An ESPN reporter asked A-Rod if he was considering retirement to which he replied, “Are you thinking of retirement?”
————————————————————
Hard to believe that PA would ask such a question.
Sherman is waiting for a Knoblauch moment with Arod. Where Arod turns nuts and can’t throw to 1st. He also said there are going to be tons of reporters following him during the WBC. Especially because there won’t be anyone stopping them from follwing him. I don’t think he should be playing in the WBC he should be with the team.
S.A.-The 2009 MLB season is almost here
February 20th, 2009 at 4:19 pm
jennifer February 20th, 2009 at 4:15 pm
SA- they probably want to see him taken out of the Stadium in a straight jacket.
=====================================
Yup
————————————————————
I guess Sherman’s hoping for a Jimmy Piersall repeat.
Pete, how did Melancon do? Thanks, as usual.
Any news on Centerfield??
CaptainsCorner
February 20th, 2009 at 4:25 pm
Sherman is waiting for a Knoblauch moment with Arod. Where Arod turns nuts and can’t throw to 1st. He also said there are going to be tons of reporters following him during the WBC. Especially because there won’t be anyone stopping them from follwing him. I don’t think he should be playing in the WBC he should be with the team.
——————————
He can’t bail on it know. If he does, you know all the clowns will be screaming it’s because he doesn’t want to take the WBC drug tests.
I agree ESPN is awful, I love MLB network.
Brain surgeons I remember when I made numerouse posts months ago about the financial situation and how it will affect sports. I mentioned after the girls here panicked that Cashman did not do arbitration for ABreu that people would be taking a paycut but the children on the site were panci stricken that the Yanks were getting cheap………….
Hey are the Yankees still being to cheap?? How is that Abreu 1 yr $5 mill contract working out..
the only FA’s that were not affected by the terrible economy happen to be the 3 yankee signings and Derek Lowe. Even though only CC and Tex should have warranted that behavior.
Hey economists out there on this website I thought the economy could never affect baseball? How did it affect basketball yesterday??Young people if you think this is short blip on the US economic gravy train you will be sleeping in the streets in a few years..
Just wanted to share some happy news with you all.
The media idiot who asked ARod if he was considering retirement was just like a bully trying to get someone to say uncle. This has beed a discpicable display.
I think the best thing for him is to go to the WBC.
Get him out of camp for 2-3 weeks and let things return to normal in Tampa.
Let him get accustomed to the zoo that will follow him around this year away from Tampa.
This way, when he gets back, there will be less questions to his teammates about him. That, more than anything else, tends to tick guys off.
The next “bombshell” will be the book. That will be more “fun”.
By that time, the Yankees will have a better handle on handling the media and the crush around Arod.
Right now, him being away from camp for 2-3 weeks is probably best for everybody.
“Trisha,
Given what went on this week with the CT woman and the chimp, I suggest you keep your “love affair” with the pandas a secret. lol”
I don’t mean to laugh, and that was an awful thing – but I have to tell you that I felt the worst for the chimp. People who try to keep wild animals as pets are AHs as far as I’m concerned. That chimp didn’t deserve to die. He was only reacting the way a wild animal would react!
(I do wish I had my own panda, however. Tell me you couldn’t just die for this little face – http://www.zooatlanta.org/anim.....y08_18.htm )
Your description of Wang’s face must’ve been priceless in person….. considering how Wang rarely smiles, never shows emotion and is as subdued as plain yogurt at all times.
Thanks for the report, too bad we couldn’t get pics of Wang!!!!!
Weekend will be spent trying to find hotels, car rental, etc.
Later y’all.
trisha- I have an email of a new born panda to a little baby. It is just the cutest thing. I’ll email it to you later tonight, if I forget remind me.
As I have said before I know it is only spring training but I really do like what I am hearing from Joe Girardi. He seems to be a bit more open and realizing some of the mistakes he made last year and wanting to correct them.
http://bats.blogs.nytimes.com/.....no-better/
“Any news on Centerfield??”
i just checked on google earth; it’s still there
Mark Melancon will beat out either Edwar Ramirez or Jose Veras for a bullpen role when the 25-man roster is decided upon in late March.
Is there a PR person on the blog who knows how crisis management teams get paid? Per hour/month? Per crisis?
Captains Corner
A co-worker reads a DR newspaper and told me the Dominican foundation and Dominican people have been much more supportive of him than MLB and American fans.
They provided him with personal security when he went down to the DR to work out this winter. I’m guessing the media isn’t going to have the free for all they are expecting.
SJ
A few more weeks of ESPN Deportes, NY Daily News and others digging around, Roberts book may lose a little of it’s surprise factor. I can just picture her fuming everytime a new tidbit comes to light between now and April.
1050 espn radio reported on their news segment “AROD may be Suspended 25-50 games”
This was based on the OPINION of Andrew Marchand who made it clear that A LOT needed to Happen for a suspension.
But it was reported AS NEWS.
Max Kellerman admitted it was not kosher and laughed it off.
This IS BS.
Thank God there is an Alternative to them on TV.
Play Swisher at third. The truth behind the $30 million man’s situation is going to get uglier and uglier.
ZMAN7777,
He killed a prostitute, didn’t he? I knew it. Sure, play Swisher at third. Better yet, disband the team.
Okay, Jeremy. Let’s just wait and see.
Murray Chass:
“So will the outing of Alex Rodriguez as a steroids user have a severely negative impact on fans’ interest in baseball? Not very likely, not even in New York, where Yankees’ fans will shrug off his cheating, say he did that when he played for the Texas Rangers and hasn’t done it since he joined the Yankees five years ago. Even if they were tempted to shake their heads and say shame, they won’t.
They will root for the clean A-Rod to power the Yankees to the playoffs and this time produce in post-season games. That’s right. Yankees’ fans are more upset at Rodriguez’s post-season failures than his human failure.
Perhaps everyone should be like Yankees’ fans. What happened in the past happened in the past. Rodriguez and the other 103 players who tested positive in 2003 are part of the game’s steroids history, but do we have to know who those players were and wait for them all to retire before the game can be declared safe to watch again?
Must we shield children’s eyes when games are on television to prevent them from being struck dumb and blind by the tainted players they might see on the screens in their living rooms?”
http://www.murraychass.com/?p=526
Scout’s take: “I’m sorry, I just don’t see it: This is not a championship team. CC’s performance in big games has to be a concern; I don’t have much confidence in him in the big spot. You know Burnett’s going to make a couple trips to the DL. The defense behind the pitching is still a horror show. With all this stuff going on with A-Rod, getting Teixeira was even bigger for them, because a lot of their problems last year were actually with scoring runs. [Jorge] Posada is such an important part of what they do, they need him to somehow stay in the lineup. They’re going to struggle to get into the playoffs.”
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.c.....ml#NewYork
“The problem came when Girardi rested guys who were hot, like Damon. He also used to turn over the lineup when we played lefties (like replacing Damon with Christian or Giambi with Betemit) and put out compromised lineups.”
Yeah Damon was very unhappy with his manager. Here’s the article about Damon’s unhappiness.
http://tinyurl.com/bmrew2
I should mention that the manager Damon wasn’t happy with is Joe Torre, who sat Damon against a left-hander.
Joel Sherman is an oaf.
I get a kick out of Marchand’s report.
“Arod could be suspended by MLB if his involvement with an alleged steroid dealer is not what he represents”.
File this under, “No @#@$ Sherlock”.
Let’s see…..
There is NO PROOF from ANYBODY this trainer is a steroids dealer. For the record, he vehemently denies ever giving anybody steroids.
MLB credentialed the guy to work for the DR in the last WBC. Despite the fact he isn’t allowed in ML clubhouses.
MLB credentialed a “known” steroid dealer? Say it ain’t so Bud Selig!!
Lots of people who aren’t allowed in ML clubhouses still work with players. That isn’t “news”.
Marchand is right. IF the guy sold Arod steroids, Arod COULD be suspended.
What Marchand DIDN’T say was…. if the only thing that comes of this is Arod worked with the guy, knows him, tells MLB of his involvement with him and nothing else, he CAN’T be suspended.
In other words, he could be suspended if he did something bad with the guy or can’t be suspended if he didn’t.
That’s the “breaking news” he had today. Amazing.
Did this “Scout” read about CC’s 2008 when he singlehandedly put the Brewers into the playoffs, and each of his starts was a must-win?
ESPN got “scooped” by SI on the Arod story. Now, they’re trying to find a story/angle they can break.
“I do wish I had my own panda, however. Tell me you couldn’t just die for this little face”
Yeah. They ARE cute, but you might JUST die for that face. Panda’s are bears after all – and behave just like bears should. Just ask that guy in China (I think) who wandered into a cage because it looked cute.
I’m still on my silent protest of all things SI so I don’t have to read that nonsense
It just doesn’t stop…
Son of Yankees VP trafficked steroids in 2002
http://www.newsday.com/sports/.....6381.story
Wow a unnamed scout says he just does not see it..
man why play the season???If the Yanks just have reasonable amount of injuries this year they will win 93 games, they stay healthy they are goung 3 digits on the win scale.
I hear about the 8th inning and that is why they need to put Joba in the pen, I laugh…any combo of these guys may get a chance to be the 8th inning guy or guys; marte, bruney, veras, ramirez, melancon,robertson, coke(probably not), and others..WHo knows if any of them will succeed all I know not a lot of junk ballers in that crowd…
Scout=Steve Phillips.
CC Sabathia is not a big game pitcher? I guess that “scout” missed the fact he took a team to the playoffs for the first time in 26 years. Yeah, that doesn’t count.
2 bad post-season starts=not a big game pitcher.
AJ Burnett will be on the DL “twice” this year? You mean, like last year?
The defense behind the pitching is a “horror show”? Really.
Tex is a Gold Glove first baseman. Cano, Jeter and Arod are more than good enough defensively.
Damon? Above average defensively in LF. Melky and Gardner are solid defensive CF’s and Nady and Swisher are huge upgrades defensively over Abreu.
“Horror Show”?
I can see why that scout is unnamed. Who would want to put their name onto a scouting report that bad?
CC will be a lot fresher when the Yanks hit the playoffs than he was in either of the past two seasons. They’ll keep his innings down closer to 200. And the Yanks have the pitching depth and pitching culture to absorb a few missed starts by Burnett or whoever and still win 100 games.
Felix Lopez didn’t work for the Yankees until 2005. He didn’t marry George’s daughter until 2004. Whatever happened with his son in 2002 has nothing to do with the Yankees since he wasn’t even involved with the team at the time.
c’mon SJ, now you’re just being picky
well, i alreay bocott espn, kinda, but im not giving up pti, which i like alot.
“It just doesn’t stop…
Son of Yankees VP trafficked steroids in 2002″
Didn’t you notice everyone is looking for their own “angle”.
What that about? Penance for all the years they failed to report on anything?
I’m still shocked that the media doesn’t say “Former Yankee Jose Canseco…”
is*
SJ44
I Agree with all of what you said but what really got me is that Marchand’s OPINION/SPECULATION was reported as A LEAD STORY on the NEWS segment.
It was ridiculous.
Those guys can BS ’til the cows come home but Don’t try to pass it off as news.
This whole thing is getting really old but I think the worst is yet to come – DIRT SELLS
But I can’t even spell my SN so…….
I hear ya.
To me, the only “news” from this day forward is if there is proof he used Post-2003.
The rest of this stuff is just noise.
Not innuendo, not “I think he used”. Not, “I know a guy who knows a guy”, but REAL evidence that he used.
If that happens, he’s done as a baseball player. Contract or no contract, he’s finished.
For his sake, I hope he didn’t use after 2003.
With the number of news media out there checking everything, and a world full of rats, one would think if he did use after 2003, proof would be out there and somebody will find it.
Uncle Ellsworth
February 20th, 2009 at 5:15 pm
But I can’t even spell my SN so…….
————————————————————
I didn’t even notice. I’ve always called my mother’s and father’s “Unclae”. I never knew.
whats with all the mlb divorces?
http://fanzak.com/fzrants/The_.....n_Divorces
Not Yankee related, but, why don’t the mets go after one of the three LH relief pitchers left on the market-Reyes, Ohman, or Beimel?
You’d think one of them would be useful against the Phils middle of the lineup of Utley, Howard, and Ibanez?
Yep
Blood in the water……..
The A-Rod “scandal” broke about 2 weeks ago and I still find it amazing that no one in the media is taking into account that “cheating” in baseball has gone on since the days of Teddy Roosevelt occupied the White House.
Spit balls, scuffed balls, corked bats, stealing signs … these arent ways of “cheating the game” … If the sanctify of baseball needs to be protected and Bud Selig thinks that the likes of Alex Rodriguez have smeared the game, then why hasnt Gaylord Perry’s Hall of Fame admission been revoked yet?
There is such a double standard going on and it is ridiculous how sanctimonius and hypocrtical people are acting when they can crucify Alex Rodriguez for how he cheated, yet turn a blind eye to the other ways cheating has gone on during the history of the game.
That’s not exactly true. I never called my mother’s and father’s that. Just thier brothers. Never could quite deal with calling their sisters “Awunt”, though. That’s for Maineiacs like Randy I and MaineYankee.
Don’t forget speed (greenies), disco stu. They are PEDs too.
You are right Tom … greenies have been ingested like jelly beans by these guys over the years … another example of cheating.
which will be the bigger story on opening day, the new stadium or the fans reaction to arod?
fans reaction to A-Rod
we should get some fan insight during the exhibition games early april, too
i guess im hoping that the biggest story will be that after being bood mercilessly for 9 innings, arod hit the game winning homer out of the new stadium!
The sad thing is ARod is being vetted more than the people who run our country. ARod gets slammed for his association with people and that makes him guilty, yet President Obama’s association with American Terrorist Bill Ayers gets brushed aside as nothing. For one person association is everything and for the other it means nothing. Why the double standard?
Why is there such a rampage over a sports figure and a politician in terms of coverage when sports figures are more entertainment than anything else?
I don’t mean this to bring in a political debate, its really to point out how screwed up priorities are in the media.
For ARod there is no goal post that is set. Its worse because he plays for the Yankees, so the sports media in general are after him for both being himself and being a Yankee.
When the story broke they all said he had to come clean and admit it. Then he does and its not enough. This is hate driven. Its passion driven rage against the Yankees and ARod.
No matter how they do, this story will be spun to be anti-Yankees and anti-ARod.
Of course there is no way to know for certain, but I am sure that if he played for Seattle or the Nationals, this would have gotten as much coverage as Tejada did this year. Where is the outrage from the media that Tejada didn’t come clean? Isn’t that the mark these guys are supposed to hit?
Objective reporting just doesn’t seem to happen anymore.
It’s the french pronunciation enclae
Anyone doing an Oscar pool? I offer free advice.
Actually you can create a group on the NYTimes website and all compete (those who care to) – but that sounds like work
im so sorry for you that nobody gives a crap about bill ayers. you keep coming in here complaining about it and obviously nobody here gives a crap
the media is trying to make money. endlessly writing about something that nobody gives a crap about doesnt sell papers.
they tried selling the ayers story for months and nobody cared.
if there is a crime to be investigated, thats what we have police and the fbi for. the media, especially the sports media is trying to attract your eyeballs to make money.
I have a feeling that A-Rod will hit an 11th inning HR on opening day in Baltimore in the rain to give us a lead and MO will close it out.
A-Rod said this thing will die down in 18-24 months? So we have to deal with this for that long? Ouch.
The Arod storm will subside when the monomaniacal press corps has another hare to chase.
Even Pete can’t stick to his own “All Natural” rules, but keeps returning like a crack addict to the issue.
Spring Training started off well with the new guys meshing and everything… but now it’s just become depressing. I thought it would get better as time goes by, but its gotten worse. So much negativity surrounding the team and the coverage as well…
maybe arod meant that in 18-24 months everybody in america will hate his guts and he’ll just be able to shoot up in the dugout and nobody will care anymore.
if thats the plan..so far its working perfectly!
That SI article about us struggling to make the playoffs is very pessimistic but it does present some valid points if the worst case scenario occurs (i.e Burnett getting injured, CC not living up to the hype, Posada’s injury, bad defense etc.)
EC D34
Did Ms Roberts write it?
That was a curious answer by A-Rod… instead of saying “I hope this goes away soon so we can all concentrate on baseball and this wonderful team we have”, he says it could take 1.5 to 2 years for this to go away lol
Only A-Rod……..
Probably LOL
ARod meant that in 18-24 months there would be no more newspapers and therefore far fewer reporters.
ARod was only being honest…
This story has dozens of testicles. This isin’t going anywhere soon. Couple that with the Selena Roberts book that will leak by opening day, this is only the beginning.
ARod can “no comment” everyday if he wants, but that isin’t going to stop the media from digging and keeping this story alive in the mainstream. And it doesn’t appear to be particularly hard, they are finding new information rather easily every day.
*tentacles
“he says it could take 1.5 to 2 years for this to go away”
Great!! I am glad to know that us fans have to wait atleast another 2 more years to win a championship. When the nut is back to being himself.
“But the Yankees can’t put Nady on the bench in his contract year, coming off a career season with Boras as his agent. That isin’t fair to him either.”
I really doubt the Yankees are taking this into consideration. They have a $200 million roster and winning should be the only thing that matters.
I am hoping that they give Swisher a chance in center field. I don’t think he will or should play there everyday, but in the 40-60 games that Molina catches, the lineup is a lot better with 1 bad hitter instead of 2.
If Swisher can get 50 games in RF, 40 games in CF, 15 games in LF, and 5 games at 1B that’s 120 games and he should be happy.
Last season this time I was freaking out because I knew how stupid it was to go into the season with 2 rookie pitchers with innings limits and a completely shot (back then) Moose as 3/5ths of the rotation. I was right to be freaking about the rotation, but wrong on Moose like most of are.
This season, I don’t have much trepidation about the roster. I feel like Cashman did a great job putting this team together after the mess it was this time last season.
The good thing about the team this year is there is flexibility. Especially in the OF and at the DH spot.
The defense in the infield will be improved with Tex who can handle the wild throws from Jeter and Arod much better than Giambi ever could, not to mention Tex can actually throw someone out in a run down.
OF defense is better w/o Abreu in my opinion.
Am I concerned about Jorge and the fact that we have no legit backup SS for Jeter? Sure. But I’m not as panicked as I was last season with Hughes and Kennedy being handed rotation spots.
I felt uneasy last season from the get go. This year I feel that this team has enough and also has a few tradeable assets if people underperform or an injury happens.
If Cano doesn’t perform this year, I know this team will find another 2b. Same with the situation in CF. Same thing if Jorge can’t catch anymore. We have assets to find replacements.
Other teams will be selling players for pennies on the dollar this year once they are out of it so any holes will have a good chance to be plugged.
Overall though, I feel very excited about the rotation and some of the addition and the additions by subtraction that went on this off season.
All I hope is that Arod keeps it together. If he used in his Yankee years and it comes out, he’s done as a Yankee and that will be a big void to fill…but it also could be a rallying point for the rest of the guys I guess.
I just hope he told the truth and there’s no other proof out there to show otherwise.
It’s a shame that Swisher may be a bench player
I also don’t think they are comfortable trading Nady because they don’t know what they are going to get from Matsui, Jorge, or Gardner/Melky so they want that depth if they need some punch in the lineup.
Hopefully Swish gets his ABs though.
How did Melancon look?
CC – LOL, I was just thinking that as well. What a strange answer. Not a good sign when the guy himself admits it may take 2 years for this to subside.
ARod can “no comment” everyday if he wants, but that isin’t going to stop the media from digging and keeping this story alive in the mainstream. And it doesn’t appear to be particularly hard, they are finding new information rather easily every day.
————-
The story will resurrect from time to time (especially when the tabloid book comes out) – but A-Rod and the Yanks are done talking about this issue.
The public is also getting very tired of this issue.
A stray cat will eventually go away if you stop feeding it.
Nice read on Burnett
As an AL scout said Thursday, “If you have money to burn, there’s no issue. He’s the kind of guy who can win you a championship because he can dominate the best lineups in the game if you get to the playoffs. But that’s if he’s not on the disabled list at the time.”
“I just got over being stubborn,” he said Thursday. “I threw every pitch at max effort for eight years when I was on the mound, but I’ve changed a lot. It’s really an understanding of how to get hitters out, as opposed to just mano a mano – see if you can hit it.”
“The funny thing is,” he said, “last year I stopped trying to strike guys out so much and I wound up always in position to get strikeouts. That’s what throwing more strikes and getting ahead in the count does for you. I’m more of a pitcher now.”
http://www.nydailynews.com/spo.....strik.html
RE: 18-24 months
I posted this earlier but The Boston Globe’s take puts the 18-24 months in a different context. They say it was in response to off the field focus.
Here’s the quote from the Globe:
“He was also asked if he has to be careful outside the game and he said, “Sure, absolutely. You have to think about everything. Look, for the next 18-24 months you have to be really aware and really focused. For me it’s playing baseball and trying to be the best father I can.”
“Yeah. They ARE cute, but you might JUST die for that face. Panda’s are bears after all – and behave just like bears should. Just ask that guy in China (I think) who wandered into a cage because it looked cute.”
True, but they are not carnivores to begin with, and the Woolong Reserve in China (the largest panda reserve in the world) allows people to volunteer there for weeks at a time and the volunteers work with the pandas, including feeding the babies their bottles! I don’t remember anyone walking into a panda’s cage, but someone might have walked into a polar bear’s cage.
Anyway, I am really talking wanting a baby panda for a pet. I would have to be like a foster mother and give them back after a while because I believe the babies are somewhere around 45 pounds by the time they are one!
Good read from Alex Belth.
http://www.bronxbanterblog.com.....rodriguez/
yes, for me, burnett is just huge. im really psyched about cc, but there is something about burnett’s game that i really wanted on the yankees. and the yankees obviously saw it too b/c the guys on the bench wanted him on the team too.
aj and cc are the marquis names and they deserve that, but i already cant wait to watch burnett. his stuff is just sick.
Front Row February 20th, 2009 at 6:05 pm
“ARod was only being honest…
This story has dozens of testicles. This isin’t going anywhere soon. Couple that with the Selena Roberts book that will leak by opening day, this is only the beginning.”
- – - – - –
Front Row…
maybe all those testicles explains where ARod’s high testosterone levels came from.
T-Rock, thanks!! I’m going to read those stories later, after I’ve caught up on the day’s postings….I just have such a good feeling about Burnett, ever since press conference day. I asked Pete via email about AJ and he said that he’s been pretty quiet, trying to soak this all in. I don’t blame a guy from OK who has played in Toronto and Miami for being a bit stunned by all this. Pete told him that it wasn’t like this all the time and AJ seemed a bit relieved, lol. Pete also said that AJ appears to be accountable, as is Tex – that is a quality that will stand the new guys (I know CC is the same) in good stead in NY.
As to Alex, I only care about the big picture (his admission) – I’m not sweating the small stuff (don’t care about details). If he’s telling the truth about the years he used, then he’ll be “ok”. If he didn’t, then he’s my candidate for stupidest person ever, especially with the book coming out. Call me naive, but I think Alex is telling the truth – my brain can’t wrap around the illogic of him spilling his guts (about 01-03 use, when all that was at question was a2003) and hiding this. People have noticed that Alex appears to have had a great burden lifted from him. That wouldn’t be the case if he still had stuff to hide.
You can’t make this up…right now the MLB netework is replaying the 2004 homerun derby with known Steriod users Tejada and Palmiro.
The funnier thing is listening to Berman and Morgan talk about them as great players.
“But the Yankees can’t put Nady on the bench in his contract year, coming off a career season with Boras as his agent. That isin’t fair to him either”
bullsh*t. This is Xavier Nady, not Carlos Beltran.
agents work for players. And players work for teams. Where would Scott Boras be in this market, without a team like the Yankees. The tail doesn’t wag the dog.
Very excited about Brackman
Since arod has arrived in nY, I have been one of his biggest supporters. I defend him at every corner. I think he is an amazing player and I think the team is a heck of a lot better wit him than without him. Furthermore, I would like to finally say even I have to draw the line at some point. if arod lied about multiple statements in his so called apology including facts that are easily investigated, he is absolutely hopeless and I have lost a ton of respect for him. He cheated and he lied and I did not care that much b/c half of baseball has likely done that but then, he went on tv, made a public apology and lied again during the apology for lying. If thas the case,
I have to say I am washing my hands of this guy. Those actions are not only idiotic but disrespectful and downright disgusting to do and in front of his teammates and his fans this time (almost the only people in the world that actually still care about him.) And if arod has pushed the line so far that I have jumped ship, he really must be sinking fast. And frankly, at this point, i think he is in the verge of negatively impacting his season and I also think if all this is true, this will NEVER end and he is now not only being destructive to himself but to the team. And the day that this team loses because arod is an idiot and would rather lie then try to end this with the truth is the same day that arod doesnt have a supporter left in NY.
Since arod has arrived in nY, I have been one of his biggest supporters.
I have lost a ton of respect for him.
I have to say I am washing my hands of this guy.
Oh, I agree Dave
just when i thought i could just forget about 2001-2003 and get ready for this year, it starts looking like he used in 2007!
i just cant take it. but thats all im gonna say for now, nothings is proven but its looking really, really bad.
I always brought up the arod has not hurt anybody but himself defense for arod because there are alot of people in this world that hurt others and dont get nearly as much criticism and sometimes even get commended …selene ahem. But arod is now walking the very thin line by lying to somehow try to protect his image. One, that doesnt work when 200 reporters are in the room taking notes. And two, this is the type of situation in which it goes from not really being all arods fault because the media is totally blowing it out of proportion to all arods faults because he is being a moron and not even helping himself. At this point, I cant help but wonder what happened to those 40 advisors that arod supposedly had coaching him – either he lied to them as well or they should all find new jobs.
One thing I think is not arod but the media still trying to make this situation even worse than it is if that is possible is that trainer guy. Arod may get suspended for hanging out with some guy? And that same guy was the personal trainer for the DR team in the WBC 3 years ago. Just another sign that the media loves to pour it on even when arod is already doing a great job destroying himself Selig might as well just find a very short rope and a very unsturdy stool right now if this is from his mouth again.
SO was just looking at thew new stadium update on SLIding Into Home (As always great photos Greg) But in lookin at it anyone else think that the seats almost field level in right and left field are just waiting for a ton of Jeffrey Meir moments?
Oohh, btw, NCAA baseball starts in my town tonight. It’ll definitely be a nice break from the drama surrounding the third baseman.
Pete, please, please, pretty please, can you ask Girardi what the plans for Coke are?
cricket cricket
cricket cricket
lol i wish i saw the look on Wang’s face, everyone seems to think wang is shy and doesnt talk alot but i remember reading somewhere that the reason joba gets along with wang so well is bc they are both very outgoing.
swish seems like such an awesome guy, i cant wait to see him play!
gayle,
thats okay as long as they only do it to the other team haha but u have to admit sitting in those seats would be great
Those seats totally look great I agree but hope we dont have to waste time after time looking at instant replay for fan interferance.
very lame that mlb is replaying old stuff on hot stove, you’d think with 30 teams in camp, they could come up with an hour of new material.
on the other hand, it is rickey henderson…
Chien-Ming Vase
There is nothing to suggest Arod used in 07.
Do you make this stuff up?
chein-ming vase,
I dont know where you are getting your information but that is realistically impossible. There are no records and no positive tests for arod any time on the yanks when everything was already public so either, he didnt use anything or he used hgh or highly undetectable steroids and didnt get caught. Either way, there is just no way anyone can ever say he used in 2007.
If you are talking about him and the trainer who was banned from baseball clubhouses and allegedly caught with a bad of roids, just take a gander at the article. He also spent significant time with many other big name players over the years after he was banned, no charges were ever filed against him for any crime and he was hired as the trainer for the domincan republic team in 2006 for the WBC. Oh and im pretty sure the mlb has control of stuff like that.
Pete,
Who’s pinch-hitting tonight? We miss you. BTW, wanted to say you’re a good guy for not kicking A-rod when he’s down.
gayle,
I just got home from work and opened my mail.Guess what I just received? The bill for my seats in the House that Greed Built! LOL
I cant tell them quick enough where they can stick it. I’m doing it in a nice way though. The kid who has always handled my account has always been very helpful. But I did send him a message to pass on to his superiors.
Drive 4-5
I am sure they will be crushed. At least that saga is over.
someones pinch hitting tonight?
Drive mine arrived in the mail as well today. Do have to say the little row layout to show you were your seat is is nice.
Nah, dave.
Just teasing Pete. He’s been MIA. Guess he’s tired of taking photos.
Those pinch-hit threads look pretty good right now after the week we had. I think I’ll take a look later. I’m almost sure that one or two were about how this would become Alex’s team or mentioned that the new stadium would be ‘The House that Alex Built’.
vrsce,
It’s enough of a concern for Pete to post as a topic yesterday.
And why do you comment on topics you know nothing about? It would be like me commenting on the vowel deprived.
gayle,
I’m glad to hear things worked out.
vrsce
February 20th, 2009 at 7:38 pm
Chien-Ming Vase
There is nothing to suggest Arod used in 07.
Do you make this stuff up?
vrsce,
do you troll the internet only to add negative comments?
that “18-24 months” comment made me laugh. also, if Swisher was truly unhappy when we signed Tex then he doesn’t care about winning. He should quit being selfish and just be content he got the hell off the white sox
Drive 4-5
Actually deprived is a noun. A E I O U and sometimes Y are vowels.
Blog posts invite comments, if you do not wish your posts to be comment upon, then do not post.
I agree that you were treated badly by the Yankees, who have become arrogant as their financial empire grows. On the other hand you have consistently wished financial misfortune upon them, just because they no longer want your type of business and in fact can not afford to accommodate you as it would wreck their financial model. Too bad, it happens. perhaps the recession will hurt the Yankees badly and they can change their marketing back to your demographic and financial capability.
Drive 4-5
I think that Chien’s allegation that Arod used in 07 is very negative and unfounded. Just because the Yankees world does not turn around your meager business, there is no need to lash out.
HAHAHAHAHAHA vrsce
deprived is an adjective….you funny
Indeed! Who could argue with such expert analysis!!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Brackman has a lot fewer moving parts in his delivery than I expected. He sort of brings the ball from behind his ear and has a nice downward plane to his delivery. But I can’t see him in the majors before the end of the 2010 season.
LOL ya seriously beat writer or Yankees talent evaluator??? Who knows??????