Spring Game 7: Team USA at Yankees
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on Mar 03, 2009 
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YANKEES
Damon LF
Gardner CF
Teixeira 1B
Posada DH
Nady RF
Ransom 2B
Cash C
Berroa SS
Leone 3B
Pitching: Phil Hughes followed by Coke, Dunn, Veras, Hacker, Robertson, Texeira
TEAM USA
Pedroia 2B
Jeter SS
Jones DH
Wright 3B
Dunn RF
Youkilis 1B
Braun LF
McCann C
Granderson CF
Pitching: Roy Oswalt followed by Jon Broxton, Matt Lindstrom, Brad Ziegler, Matt Thornton and LaTroy Hawkins.
Notes: The game will be on YES. First pitch is set for 1:15 p.m. … Team USA has been in flux. Joe Nathan, Brian Fuentes and B.J. Ryan bailed out and were replaced by the likes of LaTroy Hawkins, Joel Hanrahan and Heath Bell. … Derek Jeter figures to get a big cheer from the crowd when he is introduced as Team USA’s shortstop. This is his second WBC with them.
Back with more later.
UPDATE, 9:33 a.m.: You know who’s not too happy? Brian Bruney. He very much wants to be on Team USA and had his agent, Gregg Clifton, make a call on his behalf. But when Davey Johnson and Bob Watson went looking for replacement relievers, they went with Heath Bell, John Grabow, Joel Hanrahan and LaTroy Hawkins instead.
Just more wood for the motivational fire. Bruney is already ticked that so many people think the Yankees need Joba Chamberlain in the bullpen.
UPDATE, 10:02 p.m.: Here is the Team USA pitching staff:
Starters: Roy Oswalt, Ted Lilly, Jeremy Guthrie, Jake Peavy
Relievers: Heath Bell, Jon Broxton, Brian Fuentes, John Grabow, Brad Ziegler, Scot Shields, J.J. Putz, Matt Thornton, Matt Lindstrom, J.P. Howell, LaTroy Hawkins, Joel Hanrahan.
The Yankees have a better rotation than that. But it’s a good bullpen. At any rate, I’m headed down to the field.
UPDATE, 10:44 p.m.: Here’s Jeter in his new hat. Looks weird, doesn’t it?
UPDATE, 11:07 a.m.: In case you’re wondering, Joba has not thrown anything at Youkilis. Not yet anyway.
UPDATE, 12:12 p.m.: Jeter and several of his Team USA teammates will do the Top 10 on the Letterman show on Thursday. Could there be some A-Rod jokes?
It’s sunny and 57 in Tampa, by the way. Not great but we’ve heard about all the snow in the Northeast.
UPDATE, 12:31 p.m.: I did not get a chance to see it as I was over with Team USA. But A.J. Burnett threw his simulated game today. He threw about 30 pitches, Dave Eiland said. “He was happy, so we were happy,” he said. “He was good, everything was fine.”
Burnett is scheduled to pitch on Sunday against Detroit in Lakeland.
Meanwhile, CMW felt “really good” after his two innings yesterday. The foot is officially no longer an issue.
UPDATE, 1:09 p.m.: This game is not sold out. Lots of empty seats down the lines. These games were added after the original schedule was announced. … Meanwhile, in case you were wondering, the games against Team USA and Team Canada will not count in the spring standings or in the stats. Not that it really matters.
UPDATE, 1:11 p.m.: Just a hunch, but I bet Phil Hughes pitches really well today.
UPDATE, 1:18 p.m.: Hughes gave up a bleeder single by Pedroia. Then he got the shortstop to ground into a double play. That guy stinks.
UPDATE, 1:26 p.m.: That gritty, gutty Brett Gardner singled, went to third on a single by Tex and scored on a single by Posada. Then Nady went 1-6-3 to end the inning. 1-0 Yankees.
UPDATE, 1:34 p.m.: Hey, look, it’s Phil Hughes. Fanned Wright looking with a cutter. Fanned Dunn looking at a filthy curve. Got Youkilis to fly to right.
25 pitches, 16 strikes. He could go back out there if they want. He’s got 10-15 more in him.
UPDATE, 1:39 p.m.: Great play by Pedroia ranging deep behind second and making a strong throw to get Cash. If Cano had half as much giddy-up, he’d be an All-Star. … Meanwhile, Hughes is back out there.
UPDATE, 1:45 p.m.: For the third time in three games, Hughes had hit a batter with an 0-1 pitch. He has been told to bust every hitter inside when he gets to that count. He barely brushed Granderson’s jesey.
It costs him as Jeter gets up and delivers a two-run single. 2-1 USA.
UPDATE, 1:54 p.m.: Hughes’ line: 2.2 3 2 2 0 2. 41 pitches / 25 strikes.
UPDATE, 1:59 p.m.: Gardner, another single and another SB. He’s 7 for 12 this spring with three SBs.
UPDATE, 2:08 p.m.: Coke just fanned Dunn and Braun swinging. Youkilis grounded out. Nice work by the Yankee pitchers today so far.
UPDATE, 2:15 p.m.: That rotten Youkilis didn’t scoop that throw from Jeter on purpose. … Meanwhile, what happened to the lumberjack beard?
UPDATE, 2:27 p.m.: Nice work by Phil Coke. 2.1 innings, 1 hit, 0 runs, 0 walks 2 strikeouts.
UPDATE, 2:29 p.m.: Could Brett Gardner be added to Team USA by the end of the afternoon? He just doubled, making him 3 for 3.
Gardner’s final 15 games last season were pretty good as he adjusted to the pitching. He seems to be picking up where he left off. At some point, it’s not a fluke.
Meanwhile, the idea that Melky is a better defensive player is simply incorrect. Melky has a better arm. Gardner takes better routes to the ball and is much faster. You take the better outfielder over the better arm every day. The odds are much higher that a CF will track down a few balls in the gap then to throw somebody out.
UPDATE, 2:42 p.m.: Eric Hacker is getting the game get loose, aided by an Angel Berroa error at shortstop. It’s 4-1 Team USA as Jeter singles and scores.
UPDATE, 2:44 p.m.: Make that 6-1 as Youkilis delivers a two-run single to right. Hard to ask a AA kid to face this lineup.
Man, I wish I didn’t have to work today. Thank God for DVR. Thumbs down to BJ Ryan and the other scrubs who pulled out at the last minute. Nice of them to have enough respect to give some notice.
scrubs? Joe Nathan is no scrub.
I HATE the WBC – that said, this will be an interesting game because of Phil pitching and Jeter playing against the Yanks. Whatever lineup Team USA fields, it’s going to be awfully good – an early test for Phil.
This will be a great test for Phil !..
p.s. i don’t mind the WBC . .its something to watch !
“Joe Nathan, Brian Fuentes and B.J. Ryan bailed out and were replaced by the likes of LaTroy Hawkins, Joel Hanrahan and Heath Bell”
there goes team USA’s advantage.
Japan will win the tournement.
Interesting tidbit from MLBTR about former Yankee top prospect Tabata:
MRI On Pirates Prospect Reveals Inflammation
By Ben Jones [March 2 at 6:59pm CST]
6:59pm: Apparently, the Pirates couldn’t wait until Tuesday. Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review found out from Huntington that Tabata had the MRI today and everything looks fine.
“He does have some mild rotator cuff inflammation, but is able to return to activities as (the pain is) tolerated.”
6:11pm: Highly-touted prospect Jose Tabata will have an MRI done on his right shoulder Tuesday after alerting the Pittsburgh Pirates’ medical staff to some recent soreness, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports.
General manager Neal Huntington told Langosch that the team’s medical staff does not believe there is reason for serious concern. The MRI should help identify to doctors what is causing the outfielder discomfort.
Tabata was the marquee piece in last summer’s trade that sent Xavier Nady and Damaso Marte to the New York Yankees. He quickly became one of the Pirates’ top prospects and has already drawn unsolicited praise from manager John Russell this spring.
Tabata, 20, is 0-for-3 with three walks this spring.
i cant understand why anyone would be interested in this phony baseball exhibition tournament.
*MRI On Pirates Prospect Reveals Inflammation*
its interesting that in the Yankees organization, he was almost considered floundering, and his shine almost gone when they traded him for MArte and Nady, and then he has some decent numbers in the second half of the season, and now he’s the “marquee piece” and “prized prospect.”
“i cant understand why anyone would be interested in this phony baseball exhibition tournament”
the only phony part is Team USA. The players are paid millions to play a child’s game, yet still cannot give the tournment 10 days of their time.
Just hope and pray that all our players come back healthy. I could care less if they win any games. Just get ready for the season and that games that count. Not some phony made up “classic”.
Mike March 3rd, 2009 at 8:28 am
“This will be a great test for Phil !..”
- – - – - – -
Remember, don’t put too much one way or the other into ANY pitcher’s performance this early in ST. Many are only throwing at 85 or 90% right now and probably not the whole arsenal.
The only thing that maybe can be learned from appearances this early is if there are any possible lingering injury issues that might still be a concern, small mechanics adjustments, etc.
It’s a LONG season, heck it’s even a long spring training these days. For pitchers, these first games are just for getting their feet wet again.
Pete – Who is the NaRy guy playing RF today.
Several pitchers to get geared up for today beginning with Phil x 2.
Latroy Hawkins, the other teams can hardly contain their excitement. What a waste of time the WBC is.
I have Nary a clue who that might be.
Sunny,
Tabata sent up red Flags when he was ready to quit last year. He’s only 20, but seems to have a myriad of issues. I wish him well, but glad he’s not our headache any longer.
Isn’t Nary the guy who was displaced by Swasher in Right Field, and then traded in the first half of the season?
I am happy to see my belief that the WBC is a waste of time is shared by many.
Are any of you like me in that you can watch 162 complete Yankee games per season without loss of excitement, but when you watch two other MLB teams play in season, you lose interest after a couple of innings?
I have intentionally excluded post season from this question because my interest level changes dramatically.
hope phil shines…..It’ll be cool to see him face jeter.
I got a feeling Nady will be the RF in 09 and be solid.
*the only phony part is Team USA. The players are paid millions to play a child’s game, yet still cannot give the tournment 10 days of their time.*
why should they? the games arent real, and dont mean anything.
Pete- Put up a poll asking if anyone cares about the “classic”.
Bunch of Ugly Americans on this blog. Major League games are the only “real” ones?
“Derek Jeter figures to get a big cheer from the crowd when he is introduced as Team USA’s shortstop.”
It would be more fun to see his and other peoples reaction if he got booed. It’s all about the Pinstripes and he isn’t wearing them today.
*Major League games are the only “real” ones?*
when you have a pitch count on your starting pitcher, its not a real game.
44 more days . . . .
http://nyyankeesrumors.com/new.....date-2209/
Able,
I can only watch the Yankees play. I tuned into the World Series last year, and watched a few innings here and there, out of curiosity. But Baseball is the opposite of Football in that regard. I can watch any two good Football teams play, and enjoy the game. I could care less what any of the other teams are doing outside of our division. Especially the West coast.
*Major League games are the only “real” ones?*
and beyond that, how can you build a tournament like the Olympics or World Cup based on nationality, and let a player like ARod play for the USA one year, and the DR the next?
its just stupid.
Brad – what a great set of photos.
Jennifer, I’m with you. I could care less about the classic. I just hope that everyone comes back healthy.
Yankee 2123
That about sums it up for me too
have to admit, when i heard Omar refer to the tournement as “the Classic”. It did sound phony.
still love the WBC, tho.
aardvark
Who signs Derek Jeter, Cano’s, Alex’s check? The Yankees. So yes they are the real games.
This is so stupid thing that Bud made up so he can get more money in his pocket. What would he do if a pitcher goes out and gets hurt pitching in the “classic”? And don’t give me the business that you can get hurt in ST. Ask Cash if he’d be as upset if a player got hurt in ST as he would be if they got hurt in the “classic”.
on that note, hope not many Mets fans will be headed to Port St Lucy, this week.
they will have a total of like 3 players, to watch.
Bottom line there’s only one Classic, and it’s played in October.
hope this one gets streamed today.
Bud Selig is a disgrace to any commissioner in any sport. If he was a CEO, he would have been fired months, if not years, ago.
if anyone wishes to see something hilarious, scroll down half-way, and will see a picture of Kei Igawa with his sunglasses.
all NYY pictures courtesy of ‘MLB 09 The Show’ videogame.
http://www.operationsports.com.....os-10.html
Derek Jeter the New York Yankees SS. It’s been so long that the Captain has been at that position that it seems hard to imagine him playing some other position. But that day might not be so far. At least that’s what many reporters and fans think. If you believe that Jeter will not be with the Yankees after this contract is over, you might be right to think he’ll have to switch positions. But if everything stays the same, I’ll assume he’s going to sign another contract with the yankees. What position will Jeter have to switch over to if he remains with the Yankees? CF? No, that’ll be taken by either Brett Gardner or Austin Jackson. Outfield? No, one position will have either Brett or Austin and the other one will be Nick Swisher’s. 1st base? Teixeira. DH? Posada, Jesus Montero. The truth is Jeter has no other position to go to if he stays with the Yankees, so he’ll have to stay at SS. How many runs will it cost the Yankees? Only time will tell. You can look at the projections, but with Teixeira at 1st base, it might not be as bad. Or, maybe he’ll learn how not to miss those balls. Good Luck to him. Have a great day. (added by Mobile using Mippin)
mlb 2k9 comes out today .I may get the pc version
Love the Brian, but I hope he’s not grumbling out loud. That’s not how Yankees do things.
Aren’t spring training games meaningless exhibitions? I’ve never seen a blog filled with so many whiners in my life.
Honestly who cares about how many of you HATE the WBC
Get over yourselves. The players, who you know actually play the game, don’t seem all that upset about playing. Maybe some of you need to relax once in a while, life would be much more enjoyable for you I would think.
Harness that anger Brian, and use it as motivation to have a great season.
raymagnetic
Would you be saying the same thing if one of our players gets hurt an misses two months of the season? Which is more important to you? Winning the WS or the WBC?
personally i dont care what uniforms they are wearing while they play spring exhibition games. wbc, regular ST games, almost no difference to me.
thomas, im glad you’ve got jackson and gardner pegged as can’t move pieces of our OF in two years. but maybe before you make the decision where you are going to put jeter 3 seasons from now, you could wait and see if either gardner or jackson can actually play at the mlb level.
I think Jeter will go to second base. The team is down on Cano, and his value is down. So they want him to have a bounceback year, so he’s more appealing to trade. I think that’s the move to make. Left field could also be an option for Jete, since they might not bring back Damon. I think those are his postional options. He’s not really good for DH, except if he needs a rest from fielding. But to go out on a limb I don’t think Damon, Matsui, or Nady will be back next year. The team has to get younger, and more athletic.
Why would you put jeter at 2nd base, His arm isn’t his problem.It’s his range. And even at 2nd base his range would blow
can someone please prove that more injuries occur during wbc games than regular ST games?
if not just stop talking about what happens if guys get injured in wbc games.
Brian Bruney getting fired up! Love it! Ever since he called my son “Little Dude,” I will forever be in his corner. Unless he is convicted of homicide… that’s different.
Good for Bruney. Man, I’m starting to really like that guy. I loved his interview on the MLB network when he called out Harold Reynolds and the boys for all that Joba to the bullpen talk. Now, no love from team USA. Like Pete said, keep adding the wood to the motivational fire. I hope he has a huge year!!
“Would you be saying the same thing if one of our players gets hurt an misses two months of the season? Which is more important to you? Winning the WS or the WBC”
raymagnetic:
you are not gonna win this. I am with you. But the hate, is too much.
A-Roid in a Dominican Uniform is perfect. That’s where he got the roids and that’s where he belongs.
Before he lied to her about steroids, Alex Rodriguez turned to Katie Couric for career advice.
On last night’s “Late Show with David Letterman,” Couric said she was speaking to A-Rod frequently when he opted out of his contract with the Yankees in 2007, trying to convince him to do a “60 Minutes” interview.
At one point, Rodriguez called to ask her, “What team do you think I should play for?”
Letterman responded, “That should have told you he was on the juice, that he’s calling you.” .
Can we cut him, trade him, disown him. Anything to stop embarrassing the greatest franchise in the world. Than bring in Manny for 2 years. It would be not only the best financial move but the best move for the future of this organization.
Will,
Then it’s Left Field, I guess. I still think Cano can be had for the right deal though.
“Bud Selig is a disgrace to any commissioner in any sport. If he was a CEO, he would have been fired months, if not years, ago.”
Totally agree on the first part. The second part, however is false. Think of the owners as his shareholders in that scenario. Are they mad at him? Not at all. He’s managed to deflect all of the steroid blame onto the players themselves and gotten management off scot free while increasing the revenues leaps and bounds. They love him.
People were slamming Jimmy Fallon here last night. I think he’s a cutie, so he gets a pass for any nerves and glitches that may have occured on the first show.
I’m rarely up at that hour, but I’ll make an effort to watch the show more. Even if it’s just to catch the house band.
“Can we cut him, trade him, disown him. Anything to stop embarrassing the greatest franchise in the world. Than bring in Manny for 2 years. It would be not only the best financial move but the best move for the future of this organization.”
He’s not getting cut, and Manny isn’t coming here. But I do see him being traded before the contract is up. The steroids thing will blow over, and he’ll still hit 40 home runs, and drive in 125 each year. With the Yanks kicking in a hefty portion of his contract, another team will take him. I see the club moving away from the slugger, and going back to Pitching, Defense, and Speed.
TurnTwo
March 3rd, 2009 at 9:18 am
Major League games are the only “real” ones?
and beyond that, how can you build a tournament like the Olympics or World Cup based on nationality, and let a player like ARod play for the USA one year, and the DR the next?
Well, if Becky Hammon, from South Dakota can become a naturalized Russian citizen to play in the Olympics, I don’t see how that is any different than the WBC. To me they are both tournaments that have been infiltrated by professional athletes, thus taking the shine off it. Just saying.
Maybe if one of the relivers has a bad outing in the next few days and they end up “injured”. Bruney could get his shot then
“People were slamming Jimmy Fallon here last night.”
That’s because of two things, he’s not really that funny, and he was in that @#$!&*$#% movie Fever Pitch.
Oops. I just realized that I fell asleep after Robert DeNiro. While he may not have been the best first guest of a new show because he doesn’t say much, DeNiro still has great star power. Maybe Timberlake was a better guest because he’s a pretty quirky guy.
HaHa, Pete. Are there so many changes that we’re having up to the minute updates?
god fever pitch makes me wanna vomit, just typing it… makes me wanna kill myself. Friggin ex girlfriend frin waltham made me watch it.It was like sticking a needle in my penile hole.
A-Rod has a full no trade. He’s going nowhere unless he agrees to go somewhere and like all players, they aren’t doing it unless there is something in it for them.
pat,
What! I thought no NTC. Are you talking 5/10 rule?
didnt arod have a full ntc with texas?
didnt arod agree to take what the union thought was less to go to boston?
Bruney is better than several of the relievers on that staff. I hope he ends up being a lock down set-up man this year.
Ham Fighters:
yes. He did. Arod wanted a trade to NYY/Boston.
Hey everyone, shameless self promotion here, since I do that:
Because, you know, it’s never too early for arbitrary and biased power rankings…
http://www.puristbleedspinstri.....pring.html
Latroy Hawkis? I’d definitely rather have Bruney in a big inning
m
Yes. He has 5/10 proection so unless he approves a trade, he’s here so people should just stop howling at the moon unless you think another team is going to make him an offer he can’t refuse.
Rebecca: very nice work. I will go back and read the narrative, later in the day.
like the fact, Tampa Bay is receiving love (from you). Personally, i would rank: NYY #1, TB #2, Chicago #3
From Bryan Hoch’s Twitter:
Derek Jeter was in the Yankees clubhouse before today’s game. Isn’t there a rule against fraternization?
LETS GO GARDNER! Show Melky he doesn’t belong.
That Team USA line-up is STACKED. D is pretty brutal with Braun and Dunn in the OF corners and Jeter at SS, but you got late inning replacements in Victorino,DeRosa and Rollins.
Hey Rebecca… good read.
“That Team USA line-up is STACKED”
the team to beat, until their bullpen dropped out.
Rebecca, nice blog post. I disagree with some of your rankings but you are a very good writer!
Pete -
Did Fuentes bail or is he still on the team. You listed him as bailing, then listed him in the bullpen. Which is it?
Should also be a good test for guys like Coke, Veras, Robertson trying to make the pen, facing legit ML hitters.
Hey gang. Someone else will be sitting in my seat on the 3rd base line today!
So I sit in what my dad always called the best seat in the house – the one right in front of my television.
I admit to having ambivalence about the WBC. It intrigues me on one hand and bugs me on the other. The intrigue is having so many talented ballplayers meeting up on different teams – I think that’s pretty cool – the part about being bugged has to do with so many talented players leaving their own teams when the point of spring training is to work out the kinks and also get to play together as a team, especially when new players are joining up. And yes, as was pointed out, you don’t want any of your team’s players getting injured.
So anyway, I was definitely interested enough about watching Team USA vs. the Yanks in an exhibition game to have bought tickets for it, so I will definitely watch it today on television.
As always, there is room for everyone’s take on what the WBC means to her or him. There is not just one “right” take, naturally.
Rebecaa -
Just a heads up, you know 5 of the Orioles starting 9. Millar is no longer with them (now plays north of the border).
The USA bullpen is loaded… Shields, Broxton, Thorton, Putz, Lindstrom throwing in the upper 90s, blowing away everyone.
I wonder who closes though…
Pete, was Derek asleep when you took that picture? His eyes aren’t open.
*Rebecca*
My bad on the spelling!
OT
In the meantime, I shamelessly watch the trial du jour on Court TV. Just a shameless plug for real life trials!!!
Wouldn’t it be nice if Bernard Madoff was forced to give up his penthouse and $62 mil that is being contested? I hope nobody gets offended if I call him a pig and a top-notch slimebag. People have actually committed suicide because his scheming have left them literally penniless, and he still gets to strut around and sit with $62 million to his name.
(If the law is on his side, so be it. Just voicing an opinion rather than attempting to get into a discussion about the legalities of the situation.)
I remain puzzled that people think that we will be able to trade A-Rod under any circumstances. People, his contract is an unmovable object. The Yankees are not paying double digit millions to some guy who is playing for another team. There are only a handful of teams that can even afford him and that’s with us chipping in at least 10 mil.
A-Rod is a Yankee for the rest of his career. End of story.
Whatever Arod does is just Arod being Arod. I no longer get thrown by any of it, unless of course it deals with his using steroids beyond the 2003 date.
Arod is a very complex personality (yeah, I think…) who apparently lives under the rubric of “some attention is better than no attention”.
Well, after some research of my own, looks like Fuentes both bailed and is on the team. He’s skipping the first round, but will join the team if it advances.
http://tinyurl.com/bxxtj7
But as others have pointed out, we own him, he is ours, end of story. So I believe that we support him the way we support the pinstripes in general and hope that he plays well.
Billy Ball,
thanks everyone is now a little bit more dumb after reading your post.
Yes, Pete. Derek looks weirded out. Is he having an allergic reaction to the hat?
Jeter looks like a truck driver in that pix.
Man that is one crappy rotation other than Oswalt!! Doesn’t look like USA will be a real threat this year either.
Brian Bruney truly loves bring a Yankee and it shows. He dropped weight last year and rehabbed well to come back.
This year he’s lost even more weight and shows total commitment.
Bring in Manny?? You think THATS a smart financial/image move? The guy is a time bomb when he doesn’t get his way.
Is it just me or is the WBC one big name injury away from being banned? Imagine if Vlad or Peavy got hurt and were out for the season? I doubt any team would allow their marquee players to ever participate again.
putz would probably close in round 1
putz would probably close in round 1
Ted Lilly? Jeremy Guthrie?
They couldn’t find anyone else? And then they add LaTroy Hawkins, Heath Bell, and Jack Hanrahann to replace Nathan, Ryan, and Fuentes?
This alone should prove how ridiculous this competition is. The best players from each country are not even playing. They are adding fillers at this point.
If Youkallis gets hurt and decides to drop out of the competition, they will probably replace him with Kevin Millar or Doug Mientkiewicz.
Joba should throw a nerf basketball at Kevin’s head for fun.
Jennifer,
I don’t live life worrying about about what might happen. I amke the most out of every day.
But to answer your question I do not care if one of the players gets hurt in the WBC. Injuries happen regardless. Last year the Yankees lost their minor league catcher in a meaningless exhibition game.
As I said the playera WANT to play. Bruney is upset that he’s not playing. Why on earth would it bother me if players get hurt doing what they love to do?
“Aren’t spring training games meaningless exhibitions? I’ve never seen a blog filled with so many whiners in my life.”
AMEN.
the people here complain about EVERYTHING.
i can’t wait for when Pete posts later today about how the Yankees signed all of their pre-arb players, and everyone will be outraged that Melky makes 3 times what they gave Joba….you know it’s coming.
“Can we cut him, trade him, disown him. Anything to stop embarrassing the greatest franchise in the world. Than bring in Manny for 2 years. It would be not only the best financial move but the best move for the future of this organization.”
really, the best “financial move” would be to swallow $270M? REALLY?
i am dazzled by your wisdom.
unreal.
Yankee2123
A-Rod will not be traded and to think that is to assume that the yankees cannot and will not win a WS while he is here. If you really think that I feel sorry for you. Even though Alex can’t pitch he still brings both speed and defense. He had one year horribly defensively and two years were he was robbed of the gold glove.
Why would anyone take that statement seriously?
The time to “get rid of A-rod” was ’08. But hindsight is 20/20.
those new YS pics are amazing….I saw Letterman last night also, it kind of seemed that Couric didn’t want to talk bad about him, maybe she has a thing for him, fits the demographic he’s looking for
These positive tests are a year late and $270M short.
If we knew about these tests in ’03, would Alex have won his last 2 MVPs? Will he every win one again, even if his stats make him the favorite?
“Can we cut him”
Sure, if you don’t mind paying him everything he is owed under his $270+ million contract and having Mystery Player X take over at third.
“trade him”
I’d like to know who would be equivalent value for ARod. Unless you are suggesting that we deliberately take a gigantic hit in both player quality and sunk salary just because you want ARod off the team so bad.
“disown him.”
The team can make sure his number never gets retired or cancel his Yankeeography special. So what?
“Anything to stop embarrassing the greatest franchise in the world. Than bring in Manny for 2 years.”
Hilarious. Give away one of the best players in baseball and lose hundreds of millions of dollars for character-related reasons, and then bring in the player with the worst reputation for character in baseball.
Look, ARod fooled the Yankees into giving him an absurd contract. Much of that contract was based on a lie: that ARod would someday be the steroid-free HR king. The Yankees are probably furious at ARod for that, and deservingly so. We saw a hint of that anger when Cashman described ARod as an “asset.”
As Yankee fans, we deserve to be angry at ARod for cheating the team and the game.
That anger should not cause us to say idiotic things, like the Yankees should eat ARod’s contract and bid him farewell. Laura put it well, ARod is unmoveable. To get rid of him, the Yankees would have to give concessions that made the Rangers’ payment of his salary look like spare change.
Not only is the idea of moving him unrealistic, it’s nonsensical as strategy. The Yankees are a much better team with ARod than without him. For all this site obsesses over everything ARod does, when the season starts he will be playing far better than any other third baseman in the game. For that reason alone, it is still a good thing that he is on the Yankees.
Thanks guys =D Glad you enjoyed it!
The day the steroid news broke, Levine was already on the phone with the commissioner’s office to see if there was any way to void his deal (according to the NY Times).
So if there was any way to trade A-Rod, Cashman would do it in a heartbeat– he never wanted him here in the 1st place and has given him the cold shoulder throughout this whole thing so clearly he would get rid of him instantly if possible. But we’re stuck with him unfortunately.
Cashman must have gained a lot of respect in the orginization throughout this whole thing.
He never wanted A-Rod here in the 1st place because he wanted to build an actual team… not a zoo/circus led by this narcissistic diva.
From now on Hank, leave the baseball decisions to the baseball man. Cashman saw right through this phony and wanted no part of him for good reason. He was 100% right then and he looks even better now. And I love how he still refuses to give A-Rod 100% support and takes subtle jabs at him. Cashman is such a slick guy, it’s awesomme
m,
Maybe I’m being naive, but I think ARod still would have won his Yankee MVPs and can still win MVPs if he’s the clear favorite.
The HOF issue is one thing. You can at least make an argument that the character-related component of HOF voting disqualifies a player who used PEDs.
But there is no character criterion for the MVP. The best player wins, period.
If we start injecting (so to speak) PED use as a factor in MVP voting, the voters will have to start justifying some strange MVP selections. I don’t think anyone wants to turn the MVP into that sort of debate. Again, I think the consensus is to save it for the HOF.
Of course, if ARod is neck-and-neck with another MVP candidate who is considered clean, could antipathy toward ARod, over PEDs or anything else, cost him the MVP? Sure. But I can see voters relying on all sorts of reasons for making their MVP choices when it’s a close decision, not just PED use.
A-rod is going to have such a big year this year, the voters will have no choice but to give him the MVP. He is poised for a 2007 type year.
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/stealthshot
YOU ARE WELCOME
Jeremy,
I think you are naive.
I don’t think he would’ve won 2 more, I think the writers would hold it against him. Look at how they treat Barry Bonds.
But I do think that there’s a possibility he might win one in the next 9 years. Or not. Some writers may think that he’s already fraudently won 3. Fool me once shame on me, fool me three times, NO MORE MVP for you!
fyi i got the guy to put yes network on, and yankee game as well at 1
How can anyone truly know who was and was not clean during that whole “era” – we have suspicions of guilt and declarations of innosence. Now I’m comfortable saying Jeter is clean (and some others), but for the most part do not believe it is the 95% people keep talking about.
I never understood how you keep someone out of the hall of fame b/c someone decided to specifically out them (A-Rod v. the 103 others on that list). How can sit there and have the “XXX for HOF” and assume they are not one of the 103 or part of another list no one has seen yet.
“So if there was any way to trade A-Rod, Cashman would do it in a heartbeat—he never wanted him here in the 1st place”
I don’t think that’s true. Cashman acquired ARod from the Rangers in one of the best trades in Yankee history. I think Cashman makes that trade again even if he knows ARod used PEDs on the Rangers.
It’s the post opt-out deal that Cashman didn’t want to make, and that the Yankees would void if they could. That deal not only pays ARod more money when he’s farther past his prime, but pays ARod for reaching home run milestones, which is just a sad joke at this point.
I don’t think Cashman has any plans to trade ARod. It’s just not feasible – the Yankees aren’t going to take a bath because ARod’s image is shot.
as a very big fan of the u.s.a., i think that hat looks GREAT on jeter!
m,
You say to look at how the voters treat Bonds, but they awarded Bonds the MVP four straight times from 2001-2004. Was there no suspicion of his steroid use then?
I think even the most fossilized voters realize that turning the MVP into a character-dependent award would completely invalidate it.
I’m glad Bruney is not going to pitch in the WBC, but it does suck for him that he got bypassed. I don’t know that I buy the “motivation” theory – this isn’t football – but hey, I guess it’s always a good thing to want to prove yourself. I just hope Brian doesn’t try too hard….
A-Rod will probably NOT win another MVP, but who cares?
if he hits 60 HRs this year and doesn’t win the MVP, those 60 HRs will still count and they will still bring wins to the Yankees.
MVPs are nice, but they don’t change the results on the field.
As Hank said… hit the ball and hit it when it counts.
This notion that A-Rod may not be able to win the MVP again is a good one. If his stats are head and shoulders above everyone else and he doesn’t win, the voters are guilty of punishing him for something he did in the past. They are supposed to vote on what he does in 2009, not 2001-2003.
If such a snub occurred, would there be any backlash? And how would the winner of the award feel knowing that he truly didn’t deserve it? Very interesting to ponder. Here’s hoping Alex puts up the numbers to warrant the discussion.
Just how bad does Jeter wish the guy playing on his right was a permanent fixture?
Jeremy,
I was talking more about how the writers burn Barry Bonds at the stake for something that was never proven.
People who say, “poor Alex”. Pshaw. He’s getting off easy.
Laura,
Great points. If he puts up numbers and gets snubbed, then there will be a small vocal minority. But there will be one and maybe the cries will get louder and they may convince themselves that he’s HOF-worthy. Unfortunately, Alex is supposed to be entering the twilight of his career in a few years. It’ll be difficult for him to put up those “MVP” numbers for much longer.
Of course the proverbial “monkey wrench” is the Yankee backlash. I think there’s still an MVP in Jeter’s future. He’ll definitely get it if he and Alex are the frontrunners.
Texeira is pitching?
The writers are not voting a cheater for the MVP.
“UPDATE, 12:12 p.m.: Jeter and several of his Team USA teammates will do the Top 10 on the Letterman show on Thursday. Could there be some A-Rod jokes?”
I’m sure you’re crossing your fingers
Pete, i live in riverview which is about 20 miles east of tampa… windshield had to be scraped this a.m for my girl to goto work
“Texeira is pitching?”
Kanaoka Texeira not Mark TeIxeira.
Alex needs a World Series MVP.
yankeefan23, you are an idiot and most likely a Red Sox troll + an idiot.
Please disappear.
“The writers are not voting a cheater for the MVP.”
If he’s got 55 HRs/145RBIs and the next guy is at 32/120, I don’t see how they get past it, particularly if the Yankees go to the playoffs and the other guy’s team doesn’t.
I wonder how many hits Nary will have today
Bronx Jeers,
WE need Alex to win a WS MVP.
Zman,
I hope it’s not nary a hit.
Is the game on the radio today?
Thanks for replacing the picture, Pete.
Does anyone have a gameday link?
I don’t know, Laura, this one’s not much better. He still looks like Larry the Cable Guy.
Pete,
Thanks for the update on AJ & Wang. We all love the Wanger, but are hungry for AJ news. Eiland making him sound like a diva. “AJ was happy, so we’re happy”.
Any Sopcast link?
this is definitely gonna b weird seen jeter face uss
Video chat rooms at Ustream
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/stealthshot
yankees at 1
““Texeira is pitching?”
Kanaoka Texeira not Mark TeIxeira.”
I love the fact that we have two Teixieras on our team, even if they spell their names slightly differently.
Jeter is a traitor. I will never look at him again the same.
that is one large red hat.
“http://www.ustream.tv/channel/stealthshot
yankees at 1″
Will, do I just have to go to the link you provided at 1pm to see the Yankee game today or do I have to navigate that page to find it?
Thanks
isn;t the game on MLB TV on line?
the Mets want Pudge?
that is a little bit more tech work than I like, but I think this will get you the gameday:
http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday.....t_nyamlb_1
How long are the starters expected to go today? They got to get Oswalt up to close to 70 pitches so he should go for at least 3-4 right?
Ok time to whoop up on team USA.
It will be interesting as to how young master Phil does today….I think he’ll continue to impress all…He has such a great curve…
Haha rishi, DJ is on both lineups.
Cashman didn’t want A-Rod in the first place? If he didn’t want to make that trade, he’s not too smart. The Yankees got the best player in the game on a 7 year $112 million contract when you consider what the Rangers agreed to pay. That’s $16 million a year. Less than what Jeter or Giambi made last year. It was the biggest no brainer move ever.
I wonder how that happens! more stuff to blame on mlb
I cringe thinking about Shields, Putz, Broxton, Thorton, Lindstrom etc. throwing 100 MPH fastballs by our minor leaguers in the later innings. We may strikeout 25 times today.
thanks rishi
“Cashman didn’t want A-Rod in the first place? If he didn’t want to make that trade, he’s not too smart”
Cashman did want Arod (trade with Texas)
Cashman didn’t want Arod (following his opting out and to resign him for 10/275 million)
(nor would any GM or human being)
This game might be like the VA Tech one last year
So the Yankee game will be streaming.
“Man that is one crappy rotation other than Oswalt!! Doesn’t look like USA will be a real threat this year either”
isn’t new york yankee fan favorite, Jake Peavy in the rotation ?
If Phil does decently, I will be thrilled….
Anyone know if Sunday’s game is on YES? I would love to see AJ pitch….thanks!
WHERE IS THE YANKEE GAME STREAMING?
basehit by Pedroia
Strike him out Phil !
Curtis Granderson batting in the #9 hole.
daaaam.
Team USA could be a lot better but this thing isn’t taken very seriously anyway.
Come on PHIL !! . .
LOL he goes up and in in Jeter… Cash goes out to talk to him
i new it i new he was gonna hit into a douple play
Sorry if this has already been answered, but is Phil wearing contacts now? Didn’t he get glasses last year?
Fun fun fun. So I tune in to YES and am blacked out. Thankfully I’m not blacked out of the MLB network – which is showing the YES broadcast. I call DirecTV and they told me the reason YES isn’t broadcasting it is because they didn’t sell enough tickets to the game so they’re blacking it out. Of course that makes no sense whatsoever.
Go figure.
I’m sure he didn’t mean to, he’s just nervous………poor Phil; he’s going to get killed by the Yankees after this game.
I’m sure he didn’t mean to, he’s just nervous………poor Phil; he’s going to get killed by the Yankees after this game.
I know its still very early in spring training, but Hughes command is really suspect, he’s really missing his spots. There are a lot of pitches that are ending up right down the center of the plate. Im not gonna get too worried over it, but it is something to pay attention too.
Cody Ransom can pick it.
agh jeter GIDP good work hughes!
Hughes needs to work on his command… still looks like 08
cano getting wally pipped?
Phil looked sharp
“Sorry if this has already been answered, but is Phil wearing contacts now? Didn’t he get glasses last year?”
He had Lasik surgery.
Wait… they black out Spring Training games?
Wow
shelley’s brother just hit a BOMB in the mets game
Thats my boy Phil!!!
Bets, I just looked at the schedule and the Sunday game isn’t being shown on YES.
Hughes wears contacts.
Meanwhile, anybody complaining about a pitcher’s control on March 3 is just being ridiculous.
Wang’s sinker was high yesterday. CC couldn’t control his cutter yesterday. These guys don’t just roll out of bed and hit spots. The last time Phil really pitched, in the IL playoffs, he was ridiculously good. Just stop with writing about his control after 8 pitches on a cold day in March.
9 Pitches….no swing
Jeez, the guy jams Pedroia and Jeter and people are still complaining?
Trish, thanks! Sorry to hear that, but I guess we’ll see him in action for real soon enough…
BRETT BRETT BRETT BRETT !!
atta boy Brett !
Gardner gets a single off Oswalt… impressive considering Oswalt is throwing at good velocity
BG
Pete, how long are the pitches supposed to go today, 3-4 innings?
Brett has been eating his wheaties.
Brett has been eating his wheaties.
I live in Florida but
3 straight hits, 1-0 Yanks
Good c’mon Yanks, knock Oswalt around. He is a punk for his comments about A-Rod.
Lets go yankees
From Puerto Rrrrrrrrricoooooooooooooooooooo ! HIP HIP !
I live in Florida but I have Direct TV and I get YES, but they black out all game replays and Yankeeography. I get everything else. It frustrates me!
i wish Arod was facing this punk !
Thanks for the stream. Very nice, very clear.
Never was so happy to see a GIDP from Jeter.
Lucky thing we didn’t get Freddie Kreuger.
I wish, wish Alex could be hear to face Oswalt.
Yeah for li’l G, Tex, Posada. Damon was robbed on strikes 1 & 2.
swisher would’ve kept the inning alive.
Jorge????? Wow
BG and Swish is the outfield we need.
Nady has shown nothing in ST so far to win the RF job, whereas Swisher has.
Haha, the blind Gardner and Swisher love on this board can get pretty outlandish sometimes.
Trish – Are you in Florida? YES is broadcasting the game up here in NJ.
this game is also on major league baseball network TV
Havoic, it makes no sense whatsoever. The only thing I can figure is that if the game is on MLB television, the game might only be shown in the Yankee market since the rest of us can get MLB television (in theory anyway).
So ya see, there’s something about pitching in the NL that well, just doesn’t seem to be on par with pitching in the AL.
GO YANKEES!!!
Wright Ks looking after a long AB
Wright jelly legged on high heat inside.
If Hughes doesn’t strike out Dunn he’s a bum.
I love how Phil is working the inner half of the plate.
was that a change?
How’s Phil’s velocity today?
I love when Michael Kay talks about texting. Hee hee.
nasty curve on Dunn.
low 90s.. 90-91, hit 92 once
nice yakker!
I just said to myself here comes the curve and sure enough- SIT DOWN
nasty pitch
its available on mlb.tv subscription, no blackout
Lori, I’m in RI (never made it to Florida because of the storm). I’m thinking that when MLB TV has a broadcast, all but the people in the particular market will be blacked out of the local channel. It’s the only thing that makes sense to me. There’s no other reason I should be blacked out of YES. I’ve seen the other YES televised ST games so far. But funny thing again is thast MLB TV has the YES broadcast today so it really doesn’t matter!
phil looks pretty damn good.
Can’t Stand Ya he topped out at 92 mph this inning so he’s 90-92 mph free and easy.
nice 2 innings for hughes
“I love when Michael Kay talks about texting. Hee hee”
why is that?
Good Job Phil . . Man this has to up his confidence !!
IMO, they should have made Hughes and Joba compete for the spot.
Steve m–yeah it’s called being fans.
92 is nice for March.
just saw the best quote
The only reason Youkilis is playing for Team USA is because Tex didnt want to do the WBC this year. Sad thing for Youkilis is that the only reason he is playing first for the Red Sox is also because Tex didnt want to.
I can’t stomach that little elf Pedroia.
Wow, his control is brutal. 25 pitches, 16 strikes. Three were 2-strike waste pitches.
Got to show love to dustins play.
LOL
Trisha — LOVE YOU… didn’t know it was on MLB network and I was watching it on the laptop. Excellent job posting that.
Phil Hughes had a pretty sweet two innings. I particularly liked the up and in 92mph fastball Wright watched fly by.
damn, pedroia and youk flashing the leather. 2 nice plays.
Boo to the gold glove defense by those carpetbaggers!
I hope Phil comes out for another inning.
where did you see that, will?
Prediction
Phil Hughes will be better than Joba and get back to being the best young pitching prospect from our system. Just throwing it out there. His velocity supposidly has increased, he’s healthy and his control is better. Keep in mind a few years ago Posada said that Phil had the best stuff in training camp, including veterans. This will be his comeback year.
It’s too bad Hughes couldn’t stay around last year to learn from the Moose. Their demeanors and pitching styles are quite alike.
Can anybody get the gameday audio for this game to work?
Will ..thanks for the stealth hook up…I can’t believe I am able to watch the game at work …
Go Yankees 2009!!!!
That change is still a work in progress though. Interesting that he picked up the cutter so fast and can’t seem to figure out the change. He should share a place with Edwar and throw change ups for breakfast lunch and dinner.
I have already predicted that Hughes will eventually be the face of our rotation. I stick by that prediction.
Meanwhile, I didn’t get the name of the player because it was going across the bottom of the broadcast too quickly but there is already a WBC casualty. Player in the Brewers game broke his leg sliding is likely out for the season.
And therein lies the MAJOR downside to the WBC.
“Phil Hughes will be better than Joba and get back to being the best young pitching prospect from our system”
S.O.S: let me know how much? And i’ll provide the envelope, for you to send the money.
He looks good, but again… he HAS to develop that change if he wants to be successful. Thats why take these ST numbers with a grain of salt… the AAA time will serve him well.
Hughes plunks Granderson (barely)
“Will ..thanks for the stealth hook up…I can’t believe I am able to watch the game at work …”
Is it on for free? Hook me up fellas.
“Interesting that he picked up the cutter so fast and can’t seem to figure out the change.”
it’s very difficult to throw both pitches b/c you turn your wrist in opposite directions.
Some sox injury news, nothing major- http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/.....id=3948764
will -
I can’t get the stealth to work. Do I have to have an account? Does it work on Firefox?
hughes is getting tired
no, you don’t need an account. and yeah im running it in firefox.
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/stealthshot
And of course Jeter comes through in the clutch.
Jeter drives in 2 runs off Hughes
“Meanwhile, I didn’t get the name of the player because it was going across the bottom of the broadcast too quickly but there is already a WBC casualty. Player in the Brewers game broke his leg sliding is likely out for the season.”
Guys slide in regular spring training games too.
What BS basehit.
I wonder what it would take to trade for Curtis Granderson? Probably start with Hughes but if it could be done another way I’d be interested to hear how.
Hughes shouldn’t feel bad, many a quality pitcher has been knocked out of the game by Derek Jeter
hey! can somebody please link me to gameday for this game?
Jeter knocks Hughes out of the game lol
If that would had been Melky in center, only one run scores. Gardner can produce some runs, but his defense will cost a whole lot as well.
8 or 9 hopper that should have been fielded.
I feel conflicted
Pete, when I said his control doesn’t look great, I didn’t mean he was throwing balls, I just meant he wasn’t throwing quality strikes, quite a few have been down the center of the plate. To me, its no big deal, its March 3, its not a great day for pitching. I was just making an observation, but its NOT a big deal at all for his second start in spring training. I actually thought his velocity has been pretty good for only his second start, getting up to 92 on a couple of pitches.
That Derek Jeter – what a pain!
I can’t tell if this is sarcasm. It probably is, and I’m probably dense:
If Cano had half as much giddy-up, he’d be an All-Star.
Cano was an All-Star.
http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday.....t_nyamlb_1
duh — But he has been trying to learn the changeup for a couple of years now. Is it just that the change somehow conflicts with his ordinary grip or motion or something? Not everybody can throw every pitch but I wonder what it is that makes it hard for him.
Rodg it appears that there is no gameday audio for today’s game. At least it isn’t showing on the scoreboard as being available.
TL – exactly.
Melky is a much better defensive player than Gardner is. Braun and Granderson don’t run on Melky like they did Gardner.
“I wonder what it would take to trade for Curtis Granderson?”
a message board. And one copy of MLB 2k9.
Wright kills LHP so this should be interesting
Coke gets David Wright to groundout
“S.O.S: let me know how much? And i’ll provide the envelope, for you to send the money.”
With tough economic times today. I cant afford the price of stamps. Can it be in the form of an I.O.U.?
What happened to all the Phil Franchise fans? Am i the only one left? Vinny, I hope they both perform to their capabilities. Who knows how long Phil was pitching with pain last season. I think he will help this team big time in 09. If I lose the bet it wont be because he sucked. It will be because Joba is also contributing. So its a win win for us.
Sheesh, talk about not knowing who to root for in that situation. Of course the captain came through though.
I’ll say, Hughes hitting 91 there on the gun, is promising if you consider it’s only March 3rd. He should add a few mph to that number come May. Could we finally see Hughes hitting 94 this year, as was always advertised? I’d feel even better about him if that ends up being the case.
Im high on coke
“Melky is a much better defensive player than Gardner is”
no he’s not. And unless you watch games in Charleston, Trenton, or Wilkes Barre, you wouldn’t know anyway.
‘Melky is a much better defensive player than Gardner is. Braun and Granderson don’t run on Melky like they did Gardner.’
Range wise Melky doesn’t get to that ball, arm wise he keeps them from stealing a base. You take the range over the arm any day of the week, Yankees had Bernie at CF how did that work out ?
Freddy Garcia is getting shelled again for the Mets…
Looks like the gritty innings eater Livan Hernandez will win the 5th spot.
Cano was an all-star in ’06.
Did Hughes hit Granderson solidly or was it a cheapy like the other two he had? In the first game he pitched, he BARELY grazed both batters.
bernie was significantly better offensively than either of these two options
Considering that neither Damon nor Swisher/Nady have strong arms to begin with… Melky may be needed in the OF. Teams are going to run at will on us.
Ted needs to speak up a little bit
Patrick – it just grazed him
“What happened to all the Phil Franchise fans? Am i the only one left?”
Hardly. I think someone saying Phil is going to be the future face of the rotation probably means they’re fans of Phil. I’m pretty sure you also have Betsy and Mel on board.
im still with phil! i think he takes over a spot in the rotation this year.
Nice outing for Hughes… that second pitch to Jeter was a strike.. oh well
Put me in the category of those who don’t give a rats rump about the WBC. It really is risky for pitchers much more so than position players. They just aren’t ready to go all out this early in the spring.
If they have to have this event in the spring, I propose all countries use pitchers who are under age 21. That way you can bring top minor leaguers into a special camp early enough to get ready.
The commissioner actually has done some incredibly good things in building MLB financially. Revenue sharing and luxury taxes, while hard on the Yankees has enhanced competitive balance. My biggest complaint with the “Commissioner for Life Baby Doc Selig” is his refusal to accept his share of the blame for the steroid era and his refusal/inability to take steps to end the demonization of players of this time in baseball.
Another single for Brett off Oswalt
Lilly seems impressed by Brett.
ted lilly likes brett gardner… does anyone else see the irony there?
lol, This Ted Lilly interview is brutal
Give bg the job now
Haha, Ted loves Brett Gardner
“With tough economic times today. I cant afford the price of stamps. Can it be in the form of an I.O.U.?
What happened to all the Phil Franchise fans? Am i the only one left”
lol, SoS
btw, my support for Phil Hughes remains intact.
There goes Gardner. Come on Tex.
give da job to gardnerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
I think Ted Lilly is going back to bed after that interview.
See you later Melky.
2-2 and a SB.
Hughes looked good. The three guys he hit this spring were by a combined 1/8 inch of cotton. Really good to brush them back. The perfected control will come.
brett the man
They never had a chance.
Ted Lilly endorses Gardner as he steals a base
That’s good enough for me. See ya Melk man.
Gardner has that kind of speed that if he runs you know he’s not getting caught.
brett showing quality signs
a message board. And one copy of MLB 2k9.
——
Yeah, I guess nobody trades a stud CF that hit 20 homers a year and is in his age 28 team. If the Tigers tank again this season might he become available though?
Oswalt not liking that 1-1 pitch being called a ball.
Whoohoo, SB by Gardner. Gardner has a better eye and won’t kill you on the basepaths like Melky will. I would like to keep both guys. There’s room for both after Damon and Nady move on.
Ted Lilly passing Brett Gardner props. : )
never should have traded Lilly.
I’m certainly not down on Gardner but I am someone who absolutely loves a strong arm in the outfield.
The killer is that Brett is so great on the bases, plus he can hit.
Tough decision.
Tell you what though. Take personalities out of this, I’d take a strong arm in the outfield 7 days a week. As much as I love Damon (and loved Bernie) I cringe when I see runners automatically run on our outfiedlers.
The Brett v Melky is going to be a huge decision. Happy I don’t have to make it.
He can easily steal 50 bases. If he has a good year he could be Damon’s replacement next year.
a healthy whiff by posada.
dammit I wanted to se if a single could score Brett
Melky is a better hitter than Gardner and has a stronger arm
It’s not even close at this point.
“Yeah, I guess nobody trades a stud CF that hit 20 homers a year and is in his age 28 team. If the Tigers tank again this season might he become available though”
I don’t expect he would be. Dave Dambrowski is the GM.
Gardner could be an interesting end game pick for me in my fantasy league if he wins the job. Cheap steals.
Vinny-b,,,I’m with you as I have never waivered from my belief that Pfil Hughes is going to be a star pitcher..No doubt about it…He lost a full sesaon when you combine the freak injuries over the past 2 seasons….There are not many of us Vinny-b that have stayed on board with him
I can totally see Gardner winning the CF job and Melky staying on the roster as a late inning defensive replacement for either Damon or Nady (whoever is further away in the batting order).
Where have the Hughes fans gone you ask?
I for one am in agreement, Phil is our Phuture.
Don’t get so hyped up about Gardner. He is on a little hot streak right now but don’t expect him to hit all that well this season. He is a career 4th outfielder.
Coke strikes out Dunn
I feel high on Coke.
What happened to Youkallis’ beard?
Coke just throws strike after strike and works quick. He looks so poised doing it too.
I have to think that we’re going to see a healthy amount of Coke coming out of the bullpen this season. There’s no way the Yankees head north come April without Coke IMO.
Coke is dealing.
One of the most exciting things for me last season was watching Coke pitch in the last game at the Stadium. Sitting in the bleachers I got to watch him warm up and then I got to watch him pitch. I was absolutely flippin transfixed/excited beyond belief watching him pitch.
I’m just glad the CF debate has replaced the Joba Bullpen debate. If Gardner can get on base at the ML level he’ll have the job. The arm is prettttty bad though.
Coke strikes out Bruan. Wow, nice.
Melky is a better hitter than Gardner and has a stronger arm
It’s not even close at this point.
well thats better than melky. melky can’t hit nor bunt, cn’t steal a bag. avg range in cf. brett better
“the blind Gardner and Swisher love on this board can get pretty outlandish sometimes”
have been following Brett Gardner, since the day NYY drafted him in the 3rd Round, from University of Charleston.
to see Gardner perform like this (despite it bein spring training) is what baseball is all about. And not Texeria making 8/180 million.
Coke works so fast, very unlilke though old El Duque days with like 4 hours games.
Im high on coke still
Not hyped up, just excited. The possibility of a true stolen base threat is wonderful to think about.
Coaches love guys like Gardner. They actually listen and are coachable.
Brett’s done well at every level. No reason to hope it can happen at the ML level. He’s already opened up some eyes. If he keeps it up, it’ll be a good thing for the Yankees.
he’s 90 – 92 mph today… in a few months that’s going to be 90 – 94 topping out at 96.
Phil coke Baby!!!! Damaso was stupid for leaving.
Phil coke Baby!!!! Damaso was stupid for leaving.
They are both going to make the team.
ManI hope Brett Gardner can manage a .350 or better OBP, with a .270 or so average. He will be a weapon if he can at least do that. I like how the OF is shaping up, with a fivesome of Damon, Swisher, Nady, Melky, and Garnder. Melky can play all 3 spots, and act as a late inning defensive replacement to take advantage of his arm. I think this could work out really well if Gardner can hold his own at the plate. He could steal 50 bases if he can get on base consistently.
“They are both going to make the team.”
And, we’ll be better for it. Two lefties out of the pen is NICE!!
Stupid work-So the Phils doing pretty good today?
I have to say… I didn’t anoint Coke last yr like a lot of people did because I wanted to see more.
But Wow, this guy is legit. Great stuff, throws strikes, looks poised. No hesitation at all in his game. He’s the real deal IMO.
Nice knowin ya’ Melky….
“I’m with you as I have never waivered from my belief that Pfil Hughes is going to be a star pitcher..No doubt about it…He lost a full sesaon when you combine the freak injuries over the past 2 seasons….There are not many of us Vinny-b that have stayed on board with him”
Pat: have to admit, i no longer view Phil as a #1 pitcher. However, he is stillnPhil Hughes. The first prospect NYY fans were able to get excited about since…well before i were a yankee fan. I definitely support him.
Can someone give me the link again? For some reason the cards mets game is on.
Oh come on that’s not an easy hop
Tex would of had it
No range my azz.
Same here vin – Don’t think Hughes is still a #1 starter, but he will be a good pitcher.
anyone else lose video on YES?
“Phil coke Baby!!!! Damaso was stupid for leaving.”
yeah, his guaranteed 3 year contract probably keeps him up at night worrying about his roster spot.
yes is buggy!
Bottom line is Gardner wins you those close games. Melky doesn’t. Melky hits into a double play with the bases loaded, 1 out, in the bottom of the 9th, down by 2.
I did deja, its back now though
“to see Gardner perform like this (despite it bein spring training) is what baseball is all about. And not Texeria making 8/180 million”
edit/meant to type: to me, is what baseball is all about.
it is a happy day, to be a yankee fan.
“to see Gardner perform like this (despite it bein spring training) is what baseball is all about. And not Texeria making 8/180 million.”
this makes zero sense.
it great that Gardner is doing well.
it’s also great that the Yankees have a franchise 1Bman.
What do you mean Marte left?
Yes went out in brooklyn.
WBC
For people that think Hughes can catch up to and pass Joba, what are you expecting from both players? I would think Joba would need to really fall off and Hughes would need to go nuts.
I think that when Joba is done developing he will be able to consistently have seasons with ERAs at or even under 3.5 with 200 innings while being one of the best strikeout pitchers in the league.
Do you guys think that’s too much to expect or do you think Hughes will be able to do better than that?
I heard Phil looked pretty darn good today – true? I read that he threw a filthy curve to Dunn and actually threw a couple of sliders. I guess he got tired in the 3rd, but that’s to be expected. What did Kay and co. think about him? Thanks!
Why not play Gardner and then take him out in the late innings and use Melky as a defensive replacement?
marte is with the dominican team thats what he means by left
thanks Rishi. Didn’t think any pitchers from the Yanks were in the WBC.
now yes is back
Jeter to the Yankee hitters, “Don’t believe those scouting reports and BP is a piece of ****”
Boy, Gardner covers a lot of ground in the OF.
Marte has 3 years guaranteed on his contract… he isin’t going anywhere regardless of how he does in the Spring.
‘I heard Phil looked pretty darn good today – true? I read that he threw a filthy curve to Dunn and actually threw a couple of sliders.’
Yeh he did but which Phil are you talking about
“Melky is a better hitter than Gardner and has a stronger arm
It’s not even close at this point.”
That’s the funniest thing I’ve heard all day. Thanks for that, seriously.
“Why not play Gardner and then take him out in the late innings and use Melky as a defensive replacement?”
I was thinking the same thing… works for me. So long as Gardner gets more AB’s. If you are tied or up by a run you put Melkman in. If you are down by 1+ runs you leave Gardner in.
Betsy – Phil Coke right? He looked nasty.
“duh
March 3rd, 2009 at 2:19 pm
this makes zero sense”
we have disagreed in the past. No need for us to start (agreeing) now.
anyway, i like the team we have.
I rather have Gardner win he covers more ground then Melky due to his speed. And if you’ve seen the NYS outfield which is suppose to be the same size as RYS, it’s a big outfield. With Gardner’s range he should really help Damon in LF.
Coke with another nice inning. He’s going to be good for us. He can pitch multiple innings without wearing down.
“to see Gardner perform like this (despite it bein spring training) is what baseball is all about. And not Texeria making 8/180 million.”
this makes zero sense.
============================
It actually makes a lot of sense. IMO I’d prefer watching Gardner develop into an exciting everyday CF than watch Tex pile up his numbers. No slight on Tex who could be great as a Yankee, but to me it’s all about developing a baseball team and following guys from the time they’re drafted as high school/college kids until they’re wearing the big club’s jersey.
“Why not play Gardner and then take him out in the late innings and use Melky as a defensive replacement?”
Because Gardner is more apt to flag down the gapper that could be the tying run.
I think it’s premature to say Phil is no longer a #1 type pitcher anymore, given that we’d be basing it off of last year and last year was basically lost for him. I won’t go on any further because it’s all been said before. If he’s healthy, I think Phil will be terrific – we’ll have to wait and see if he can stay healthy. Going to AAA to work on his change, etc…will be the best thing for the kid. He’s got an aptitude for pitching – I believe he will conquer the change eventually.
Coke looks very good against righties too.
Brandon, need you ask? LOL
That said, it’s apparent that Coke is looking good as well – win or lose, what an encouraging day for the Yankee youngsters.
Is it still 2-1?
Meanwhile the Domenican Team is one-hitting the Marlins…and losing.
So then if that player you follow from high school up becomes an allstar and puts up Tex-like numbers, you lose interest and then start rooting for the next high school could-be? You guys watch baseball for a completely different reason than I do then.
Coka-Mania has swept the nation!!!
“It actually makes a lot of sense. IMO I’d prefer watching Gardner develop into an exciting everyday CF than watch Tex pile up his numbers. No slight on Tex who could be great as a Yankee, but to me it’s all about developing a baseball team and following guys from the time they’re drafted as high school/college kids until they’re wearing the big club’s jersey”
thank you, Rob
“It costs him as Jeter gets up and delivers a two-run single. 2-1 USA.”
Can the Yankees fine him for this?
question: (not that i am worrying), but when was the last time Damon had a hit?
Garnder putting on a clinic.
wow he’s like turning into a great player
gardner is now 3-3 double down the left field line
man is gardner of fir or wat
And, Gardner continues his hot streak with a double.
Brett is telling Melky to pack his sh.// stuff.
Gritty and Grutty
ALRIGHT Gardner has won CF and the 2009 AL MVP
Damn, Gardner! don’t use up all your hits in Spring Training!! Save some for the season…
“Why not play Gardner and then take him out in the late innings and use Melky as a defensive replacement?”
Because all that gets you is a stronger throw. Gardner will probably take a better route to the ball and might not even have to make the throw.
Gardner succeeding in the Bronx is better than Tex manning 1B. Barely. Pretty close actually.
Great, great AB by Li’l G. Hope he grows up enough to become Big G.
“So then if that player you follow from high school up becomes an allstar and puts up Tex-like numbers, you lose interest and then start rooting for the next high school could-be”
a few of you, really lack common sense.
no need to spell it out.
Wow… Gardner is hitting good pitching today too
Steve M — No, if Gardner becomes the player at the peak of his ability and is an all star you root for him harder than you do for Tex because you’ve followed him for every step of his career. In short you’re not a bandwagon fan. You follow every facet of the organization and prefer players from the organization to ones you purchase for high dollar amounts.
Rob and Vinny, you guys sound like you would rather watch a AA game than an MLB game, is this accurate?
Brett is making a believer out of me for real. I really am nervous that he is wasting this hotstreak too early on
I agree 100%– would rather see Gardner develop and succede than watch Teixeria play 1B
You never know if one of them ends up in right field is nady sucks
Let’s not get too crazy over Gardner just yet. If memory serves, he played well in ST last season as well, but didn’t have those same results when the regular season started.
It will be interesting to see what happens with the bullpen in 2010 if Coke pitches anywhere close to what he did in the minors and majors in 2008 and so far. Dunn and De La Rosa should be about where Coke was in August 2008. If the progress, Marte will become a value piece for a trade by mid season. He’ll have a year and a half left and 6 mil in contracts.
“we have disagreed in the past. No need for us to start (agreeing) now.”
to be fair, i posted that before you clarified that you meant this is what baseball is all about “TO ME”.
ok, i’m fine with that.
UPDATE: For everyone watching the game on YES/Laptop/Radio/Other…MLB Network just ran a commercial that the 30 clubs/30 days series will focus on the Yankees following today’s game at 4pm EST. I’m not sure if this is new or a repeat but I’ve been trying to see the NYY edition and it’s never on.
It’s not like he’s hitting crappy pitching, this is team USA’s best out there that he is hitting.
2 off Oswalt
1 off Ziegler a swind winder
Isn’t it more important to have your corner outfielders have good throwing arms then the CF?
Nady’s arm is good Damon’s accurate but below average.
And Gardner’s arm isn’t that bad. He had a few assist last year.
Signing Marte was a short-sighted move… should have just picked up his option for 1 year
Is anyone interested in 2 tickets for Thurday:
I might have Monday available too.
Seats: 1&2, Row DD, sec. 105
$40.00 each.
P.S. These are front row on yankees dugout.
Uh – can the Yankees do this, please!
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/.....id=3948824
yes laura – lets just bemoan every hit gardner gets – and cry over the stolen bases. why have any fun, right?
somewhere melkyisgod is shedding a few tears
haha Swisher chatting with DJ on 1st
Really questioning Jeter’s heart. Haven’t seen him play like this for us in a long time.
Can’t Stand You – It’s a repeat, it’s good, but they spend half the episode arguing Joba to the bullpen, so be fore-warned.
Meanwhile the Domenican Team is one-hitting the Marlins…and losing
……………………………………………………
not no more 2-1
I just saw that
How impposible is it that the yankees would carry melky and Brett?
If we don’t carry a 3rd atcher, then both Melky AND Brett will make the team.
I’m not sold on Gardner either to be honest but I’d rather see him reach the highest type ceiling than see Tex hit 45 homers. That doesn’t mean I’d rather watch Gardner suck than Tex play like an all star. I wouldn’t rather watch AA games because most of those players aren’t good enough to be major leaguers. I prefer Yankee developed all stars to purchased ones is all. So put another way Bernie Williams > Johnny Damon as far as who I’d rather see play.
rishi are u watching this game or are u on the boxscore like me
“How impposible is it that the yankees would carry melky and Brett?”
not impossible at all. could happen at least for the first part of the season.
depends on Posada, i think.
Thanks Steve for the warning. I’d rather hear about Giambi’s Leopard Thong than Joba in the Bullpen.
i wouldn’t put too much stock into Gardners hot start . .BUT he’s doing this off some darn good pitching !.
“yes laura – lets just bemoan every hit gardner gets – and cry over the stolen bases. why have any fun, right? ”
She didn’t say that at all. She is only saying to temper your enthusiasm for Gardner.
I said similar earlier in the thread because I see people saying he is going to replace Damon or Nady. Come on guys, Gardner looks good now but lets be realistic.
Hacker looks a lot like Ian Kennedy
boxscore…you can probably get a gameday, too…let me see
Gameday for the Domenican game:
http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday.....t_flomlb_1
ARghhh ! Beroa again
Dunn actually made contact?
“I’m not sold on Gardner either to be honest but I’d rather see him reach the highest type ceiling than see Tex hit 45 homers.”
i’d rather see the team win the World Series. if they do that with all homegrown players, that would be wonderful.
if they do that with a mix of homegrown players and some imported key veterans, that would also be great, b/c WE WON THE WORLD SERIES.
right now, Teixeira is going to get the team closer to a World Series than Gardner ever will.
that’s my take on it.
doesn’t mean i’m not rooting for Brett, or that i disagree that it’s extra special to see homegrown guys succeed, b/c i don’t.
but Teixeira is awesome and is going to be an awesome Yankee.
kindof like Tino, O’Neill, Cone, Wells, Key, etc. were all awesome Yankees despite coming over from other teams.
“Let’s not get too crazy over Gardner just yet. If memory serves, he played well in ST last season as well, but didn’t have those same results when the regular season started.”
Laura – I think we are more crazy about the prospect of speed more than anything. His speed is legit and without question.
I think his minor league track record where he improved the 2nd year of every trip in the minors is also something hopeful.
Obviously we won’t follow him off the bridge just yet but its hard not to get excited about FINALLY some stolen bases.
This guy is a Hack. Pun intended.
“Rob and Vinny, you guys sound like you would rather watch a AA game than an MLB game, is this accurate?”
Steve: no. It’s not.
would prefer to watch a NYY team, which features a core of players developed from our system. Provided, the minor league system remains very talent-rich. And the players who win their respective positions are more then capable/skilled. It worked from 1995-2001.
It is so tiresome to hear every ST about the guy who is going to change the clubhouse culture; I cant believe that Pete buys into the Nick Swisher/ clubhouse changer hype.
Hacker is a mess
Well that sucks.
so…had Hacker had enough practice today? Is he working on walks?
thankz rishii
“Gardner’s final 15 games last season were pretty good as he adjusted to the pitching. He seems to be picking up where he left off. At some point, it’s not a fluke.”
That point would be when the games are real. Last 15 games of last year were little more than a September spring training. Let’s see where he’s at the 2nd half of March into April. I think that where we learn what we need to about what we can expect.
Hacker’s not doing so hot.
It’s our AA guys vs. Team USA backups who are ML players.
wow now we are on a roll team dr
‘This guy is a Hack. Pun intended.’
Give the kid a break he’s not suppose to be pitching vs AllStars usually by the 6 inning in ST reserves are on the field.
It’s only spring training. These games don’t count.
hacker not so good take him out joe
What the hell does Gardner playing well have to do with Tex making 8-years $180 million?
The logic here is so flawed sometimes. So Tex is a bad guy fo getting the most money he can? Right.
He’s one of the top five first basemen in the game. Not up for debate. The Yankees had no one in the system set to fill the position, and signed a premium player to shore up a glaring hole.
It’s amazing how some people take a stance against a free agent signing, then when the player is signed, spend all season seemingly root against him to fail.
Hey, I wasn’t for the A.J. Burnett signing, thought there was too much risk involved. However, what sense does it make to root against him now? Hell, I hope he wins the Cy Young.
“It’s our AA guys vs. Team USA backups who are ML all-stars.”
Fixed that for ya.
Why is it that when a guy starts off on a hot streak like Gardner is doing everyone says “lets not get crazy over this guy yet”, but those same people are so quick to label a guy a bum or a bust if he gets off to a slow start? Can’t have it both ways.
Hacker was disasterous today. Is he a high rated prospect or just a filler?
at some point he is going to have to record an out
We played some teams in September who were playing for homefield advantage. It’s not like we played Seattle every game.
duh — I don’t disahree with you. I want to see the team I follow win a championship. Just a matter of preference. Not saying I’d rather see a last place team with all farm hands. Obviously we didn’t have a better first base option that was home grown so Tex is the guy to get. Just saying I prefer watching players who i’ve followed for a few years and seen develop. They’re Yankees not just mercenaries. Said differently a world series won with 25 free agents wouldn’t mean the same as the 96 series to me. Maybe it would to you. Maybe it’s a difference between rooting for the colors and rooting for the people.
I will absolutely be sick to my stomach for at least 6 straight months if the Yankees go into the season with three weak arms in the outfield. I can’t think of a much more depressing thought. My own feeling of embarrassment as a fan is watching a Yankee outfielder with a weak arm allow a run to score while the broadcaster in the background talks about how runners automatically run on “X’s” arm. I thought I died and went to heaven for the period of time that Melky was playing center and Abreu was playing right, in the 2007 season.
Again, no matter what else you think about their playing, think arm strength.
I always envy teams that have outfielders with strong throwing arms.
“She didn’t say that at all. She is only saying to temper your enthusiasm for Gardner.”
Thank you, Patrick.
Hey, I like Gardner as much as the next Brett fan. I would LOVE, LOVE, LOVE for him to succeed. That being said, I’m not setting myself up for disappointment by getting to wrapped up in his early ST performance. The same goes for the pitchers. They could stink now and be lights out come regular season. We have to wait and see.
Nice job Dunn.
thanks to whomever posted the link on ustream. will this be available for games during the season?
Kay makes a good point about Cervelli going to the WBC instead of perhaps trying to win the 3 string catcher job.
5 – 1 Team Republica Dominicana !
Dunn K’s the bat boy
Michael Kay: (on Pedroia) “He’s a gritty grinder kind of player. Swiing and a miss Pedroia goes down on strikes.”
brandon actually
Brandon, it’s 6-1
6-1
A-Rod is 1 for 3 with a double and a run scored.
i think cervelli played in the wbc b/c he was afraid of getting hurt in a non-wbc game like last year.
No one’s cheering against Tex. It’s a philosophical discussion.
I want to see Gardner succeed because anyone who’s anyone has said he can’t make it. I say, show ‘em how it’s done.
As for Tex. He said he always wanted to play for the Yankees, just not at $160M which was our initial offer. I’m glad we got him and really impressed at how Cashman swooped in at the 11th hour, but he is what he is. A mercenary. Same with Alex and all the other guys who come from outside the system.
That’s why some of us pull for the farmhands. Plus, we’re tired of hearing how bad our farm system is.
Cervelli will be the first catcher called up unless somebody goes on the 60 day DL or a multi-player trade, because they aren’t going to cut a better player for Kevin Cash. Cash is only slightly above mediocre defensively and can’t hit a lick.
Ummm, the 96 team was chock full of free agents. Tino, O’Neill, Boggs, Duncan, Girardi, Ruben Sierra, Strawberry, Tim Raines, Cecil Fielder, Jimmy Key, David Cone, Kenny Rogers, Dwight Gooden, John Wetteland, Jeff Nelson, etc etc etc.
In fact, the only homegrown players on the team were Jeter, Pettitte, Mo (in the setup role), Bernie & Gerald Williams I believe.
I think what you meant to say was that there was no big salaries on the team.
I’m also rooting really hard for X-man too. We could use as many first round picks as we can get our hands on next season with the number of picks we gave away this year.
‘Brandon, it’s 6-1′
Overall, the biggest offensive threats for the Red Sox are Youk and Pedroia. Overall from this game, I’m not too scared.
nobody wants tix for thursdays game?
Last try:
Is anyone interested in 2 tickets for Thurday:
I might have Monday available too.
Seats: 1&2, Row DD, sec. 105
$40.00 each.
P.S. These are front row on yankees dugout.
“Said differently a world series won with 25 free agents wouldn’t mean the same as the 96 series to me. Maybe it would to you. Maybe it’s a difference between rooting for the colors and rooting for the people.”
i’m confused.
there are MORE homegrown players on the 2009 Yankees than there were on the 1996 Yankees.
the 1996 Yankees only had about SIX homegrown players on the postseason roster.
Trisha,
I know you are an Abreu fan. However, by any measure, he was a horrible defensive outfielder last year. Along with the bad economy, it’s partly why the market for him was so bad this offseason.
Gardner can cover more ground in centerfield than Cabrera simply get to more balls. That’s always the most important defensive asset for any centerfielder.
What good does it do to have a better arm – and the difference between Garnder and Cabrera is not that great – if you can’t make all the necessary plays?
I hope Melky and Gardner both play really well this spring. I’m not rooting for one to do well and another to fail. They are both Yankees and I will root for them.
Same goes for Swisher and Nady.
That pitching performance from Hacker was the worst I have ever seen.
Thorton is nasty… throwing 95+ this early
Just throw him a breaking ball, Dominicans are always prepped for the heater.
“Just saying I prefer watching players who i’ve followed for a few years and seen develop. They’re Yankees not just mercenaries. Said differently a world series won with 25 free agents wouldn’t mean the same as the 96 series to me”
exactly. 100%
“That pitching performance from Hacker was the worst I have ever seen. ”
I beg to differ. The worst pitching performance I have ever seen was probably every time Felix Heredia took the mound.
‘That pitching performance from Hacker was the worst I have ever seen.’
Get out of here now, you know that’s a lie ! you know it, there is a certain someone w/ sunglasses that did worse.
SWISH !
Hey Lost in Tex-is
I might be interested in those tickets
Swisher with a ground-rule double
SWISH!!
They should put in Scott Shields or Broxton
Nice job Swishy
Big knock Swish, big knock.
Com’on Colin !
duh — I don’t think anybody is saying they have a problem with the makeup of the team. Just that we are bigger fans of the homegrown guys than the mercenaries. I prefer the core guys like Joba Cano and Wang to Tex A-Rod and Damon. Not saying we don’t need Tex A-Rod or Damon or that we don’t root for them, just that we like the other guys better.
Lost in Tex-is let me know if youre still there
So who’s singing The National Anthem on opening day?
“i’m confused.
there are MORE homegrown players on the 2009 Yankees than there were on the 1996 Yankees.
the 1996 Yankees only had about SIX homegrown players on the postseason roster”
we are talking young/impact players, from our system. Jeter, Williams, Rivera, Pettitte, etc were all on that team. Young, impact players.
at any rate, i don’t hear anyone complaining of the 2009 NYY team
‘‘That pitching performance from Hacker was the worst I have ever seen.’
Get out of here now, you know that’s a lie ! you know it, there is a certain someone w/ sunglasses that did worse.’
Not to mention that one time somebody gave up 4 consecutive jacks to that somebody’s team’s biggest rival. On national TV no less.
Can Dunn make the team out of ST?
Just to make something clear. I am not really disappointed with Arod’s actions, because I never really cared for him, and really don’t expect much from athletes today. With that said , I know many people on the board are disgusted with Arod ,and would like to see him traded, or cut by the team (eating his contract). First the team is never going to eat 270M. They wouldn’t eat Giambi’s contract, they won’t eat Arod’s. Second, Arod is untradable, at this moment. There is a possibility that he could go somewhere else, since anything is possible in the future. I realize that too is highly unlikely. The thing that dissappoints me, and should all Yankee fans, is that this person, who that Yankees chose to do business with is a liar and a cheater. He will go on to break records in baseball, if he stays healthy, and will put up HOF numbers. He will probably win a World Series or two with the Yankees before his career is done. He will play well for us. But he will always carry the stigma of a steroid user to the end, because of the caliber of player that he is. What should upset Yankee fans, whether you support him or not, is that this dishonest person, who lied and cheated, could eventually surpass great Yankees in the record books, or be right up there with them. So that when we see Ruth, Mantle, Gehrig, Mattingly, Jeter, there will be Arod, right up there with them. It may be wishful thinking, but I would like to see him go before that happens. I just don’t feel he is worthy company for those enshrined in Monument Park. I know many feel the way I do.
Vinny/Rob…how could you possibly mean that? Is Tino a mercenary, rather than a Yankee? How about Paul O’Neill? Mike Mussina? Scott Brosius? First of all, like we said, there are more homegrown players now than in ’96 so I don’t understand that argument.
I am in agreement with you guys that I would prefer the players who appreciate the pinstripes, rather than the bit pieces that we bought (i.e. Randy Johnson, Kevin Brown), but let’s just root for the ends (World Series), not the means (the end to free agency).
“In fact, the only homegrown players on the team were Jeter, Pettitte, Mo (in the setup role), Bernie & Gerald Williams I believe”
Steve: the ’96 team had young/impact players, developed from our system. This is what we’re referring to.
“J.D. Drew flew to Boston to get an injection in his sore lower back Monday.
Drew and the Red Sox downplayed the injury last month, but it’s obviously a concern. Manager Terry Francona called the injection “precautionary” and noted that Drew is scheduled to take batting practice Thursday before rejoining the lineup Friday.”
Of course, none of the Sox will get injured (Drew, Papi, Lowell, Smoltz, Saito, etc).
Steve:
Tino, Brosius, ONeil, Chuck, all arrived via trade.
not exactly high-price Free Agents (mercenaries)
David Wright kills lefties… nice K by Dunn
rconn, it truly has nothing to do with my love for Bobby. It has everything to do with my love of a strong throwing arm. I don’t agree that Bobby was a horrible defense outfielder, by the way, but let’s not even get into that.
I can tell you that I was in heaven when Sheffield played right. I have loved having Melky in the outfield.
Fans can value different things in their players. I have always valued strong arms in the outfield. I was truly unhappy when the Yankees got Damon because I was relieved to finally have Bernie’s weak arm out of the outfield. When I thought of it being replaced by Damon’s noodle arm I was pretty much inconsolable. NOW, I have really grown to appreciate everything about Damon as a player. But watching him throw from the outfield is painful to me.
I would die for three cannons in the outfield. Again, my greatest envy when I watch other teams is watching players throw strikes to home plate from the outfield. But that’s just me. Other people thrill to homeruns that go into outerspace. I can take or leave those. Give me someone who the minute the ball hits his glove freezes a runner on base, well that’s my idea of going to heaven.
“Steve: the ‘96 team had young/impact players, developed from our system. This is what we’re referring to.”
So now we have gone from preferring homegrown Yankees, to YOUNG homegrown Yankees, considering Jeter, Pettitte and Mo are still on this team. This makes no sense. I don’t even care anymore.
“at any rate, i don’t hear anyone complaining of the 2009 NYY team”
we’re not really disagreeing. i actually AGREE that it is more satisfying to watch a homegrown player develop.
where i initially disagreed was with your original wording, which you later clarified. had i read your clarified statement, i wouldn’t have opened my big mouth.
my subsequent posts weren’t really arguing, just making some additional points.
i just think we have to be careful to set the standard for homegrown talent as the 1996-1998 Yankees. the Jeter/Rivera/Bernie/Posada/Pettitte core is something that will probably NEVER be duplicated by anyone. those are 2 first ballot Hall of Famers, 2 borderline Hall of Famers, and a starter that is probably one of the top 30 left handers of all time.
i don’t think we should consider it a failure to have to go outside the organization to get a Mark Teixeira.
and tying it all together, every Gardner, Hughes, or AJax we DO develop, allows us to afford a Teixeira.
i couldn’t agree more that the farm system is crucial to being successful.
i’m just saying that sometimes it’s ok to splurge on a big time Free Agent as well. especially one who is as good a fit as Teixeira.
that’s all i’m sayin’…..
Mets and Boston are getting DESTROYED
When guys like Gardner get hits in spring training we translate it to playing great all season.
When our pitchers do well, we project them to do well in the regular season. When a pitcher gets hit hard, they are awful.
You can’t have it both ways.
This is (early) spring training. The best pitchers in baseball often struggle. The best hitters in baseball as well.
It means almost nothing. Let’s not hang Eric Hacker or anoint Gardner an all-star already.
The ONLY real goal right now for the players is to get in playing shape and avoid injury. The results of the game are not that important.
Some of the analysis of these players based on the games so far in spring training is ridiculous.
Why didn’t Girardi let Dunn face Dunn?
Lost in Tex
Please contact me when you can via e-mail. ChazsEmail@hotmail.com – thanks talk to you soon
“rconn, it truly has nothing to do with my love for Bobby. It has everything to do with my love of a strong throwing arm. I don’t agree that Bobby was a horrible defense outfielder, by the way, but let’s not even get into that.
I can tell you that I was in heaven when Sheffield played right. I have loved having Melky in the outfield.”
Sheffield and Abreu were both terrible defensive OFers.
this entire post is beyond insane. sorry to be rude, not trying to be, but this logic is just wacky.
“I just think we have to be careful to set the standard for homegrown talent as the 1996-1998 Yankees. the Jeter/Rivera/Bernie/Posada/Pettitte core is something that will probably NEVER be duplicated by anyone. those are 2 first ballot Hall of Famers, 2 borderline Hall of Famers, and a starter that is probably one of the top 30 left handers of all time.
i don’t think we should consider it a failure to have to go outside the organization to get a Mark Teixeira.
and tying it all together, every Gardner, Hughes, or AJax we DO develop, allows us to afford a Teixeira.
i couldn’t agree more that the farm system is crucial to being successful”
duh: agreed on all points : )
We need to lay off Hacker – this is a tough lineup for a major league veteran to face, nevermind a poor kid from AA.
I missed the whole discussion, but I don’t know why any player who, as a free agent, leaves their original team, is called a mercenary. Unless all of us stay our entire lives at one job, then we’re all mercenaries. The players earn the right after a certain amount of time to control their destinies – I say good for them. They didn’t ASK to be picked by that team, they didn’t necessarily want to play in that city, it was just the luck of the draw (re: the draft). It’s great if they are happy enough with their situation to stay with one team, but I find the word “mercenary” to be a negative term.
I still believe that the organization doesn’t want Melky on the roster when they leave camp.
I just don’t think they want to take the chance with him and Cano being together again affecting Cano. Cano’s the better player and if anyone in the front office thinks Melky and Cano buddying up had a detrimental effect on Cano last year, they won’t risk it again.
Although, I don’t know who is going to take Melky and his 1.4 million off the Yankees hands.
7*7, actually, I was asking specifically about Phil Hughes…..
‘Why didn’t Girardi let Dunn face Dunn?’
Because it wouldn’t be a fair battle.
duh, it’s only insane if you attempt to change the topic of discussion, which is exactly what you did.
The topic of discussion that I introduced was not the best defensive outfielders. But if that is something you have interest in, perhaps others here might want to entertain you.
No offense taken.
That pitch to strikeout melky was nasty but it just looks terrible when gardner goes 3 for 3 with a SB and melky Ks in the first at bat he has this game whether the pitch to strike him out was solid or not.
Any strikeouts of Adam Dunn should not count
Heath Bell has insane movement on his pitches… Can’t believe the Mets gave him up.
Nice over the shoulder catch!
Pete, 57 degrees would be a dream right now. Its probably around 15 here the last few days – That low in march = horrendous.
Let’s not forget that Melky is just 24! years old.
It’s not unreasonable (in fact it’s likely) that Melky’s best seasons won’t come for a few years.
While I believe Gardner will win the CF spot, let’s not write off the Melkman. He may never be an all-star player but that doesn’t mean he can’t be a solid player.
If we judged every player by what they’d done through age 23, we’d lose out on plenty of hall of famers and all-pro guys.
“Heath Bell has insane movement on his pitches… Can’t believe the Mets gave him up.”
Heath Bell isn’t Latino, why would they keep him?
There is a flip side to all you just said Dave.
“Heath Bell isn’t Latino, why would they keep him?”
Eduardo Nunez(single A player) against Jonathan Broxton?
This will not end well.
Wow, Guess it will
‘Heath Bell isn’t Latino, why would they keep him?’
Yes he is, his middle name is Taco. They messed up.
Is Jeter still in the game? If so why? This is another reason I dislike these games.
This Melky vs. Gardner debate is going to be a touchy subject all year, I can tell.
The bottom line is, if you are truly a fan of this team, you should root for them both to have breakout years. If they do, managers would envious of the decision Girardi has to make and it would only serve to make the Yankees a better and deeper team.
Also, it would increase the trade value of either player, making it more likely that Cashman could use one of them to acquire a needed piece at the trade deadline.
So no more rooting against either Cabrera or Gardner. Let’s hope for a robust competition.
Even though, Gardner is the superior player:) (Just kidding, but only a little.)
i just got a yankee alert and they said tom studivant has dies r.i.p
Outside of who has the better arm, when every manager in the league realizes that melky can throw which they probably have already, not many guys will take that extra base. So his arm becomes less of a weapon. I think gardner has a lot more potential in this lineup than melky. He provides sooo much speed which is something this team needs more of. Plus, his speed will make up for melkys arm and then some as pete said.
lol Girardi looks ticked off that Jeter is still in this game
Lol at mlbtv with the dvr on
“Yes he is, his middle name is Taco. They messed up”
lol. Except taco bell food, is not latino.
don’t need to tell you this : )
Veras strikes out Jeter
I think it depends on the matchup… if you play a team that likes to run and be aggressive like the Angels or Rays… then you play Melky because his arm will be a factor
If you’re playing a station to station team like Toronto or the White Sox… then Gardner is fine.
Play to their strengths
Boston dave,
That is easier said then done. Melky is running out of options and some other team will likely pick him up off waivers. So before you start talking about giving melky a few more years, just remember in a few more years he likely wont be a yankee any more unless he just stays in triple A that entire time which is unlikely considering the lack of depth in center.
DeRosa strikes out.
Nice inning by Veras.
Veras is looking good
wouldnt be a fair battle??? We have double A hitters facing major league closers like Broxton. What about that is fair? None of this has anything to do with fair. Im sure it was a joke or at least I hope that was.
Melky is a switch-hitter, which is something that the Yankees value. That should give him a definite edge.
Lindstrom throwing 98 already wow
Who is the coach for team USA?
Hey look… another flame throwing reliever that the Mets gave away
There you go Colin !
Patrick – Davey Johnson
Joe – excellent point about playing to the individual strengths. Of course that makes nothing but sense.
jen, I have a feeling that this is a damned if you do, damned if you domn’t situation. The Team USA manager is probably thinking that if Jeter comes out of the games, Yankee fans at Legends scream.
Just a thought.
Joe – excellent point about playing to the individual strengths. Of course that makes nothing but sense.
jen, I have a feeling that this is a damned if you do, damned if you domn’t situation. The Team USA manager is probably thinking that if Jeter comes out of the games, Yankee fans at Legends scream.
Just a thought.
The lineup is already very balanced in terms of righty and lefty. I dont think melkys ability to switch hit will win him the job unless its a really close decision.
veras and coke looked good today
wow this guy is throwing 98,99 with ease
This is why the mets pen was so terrible last year – they have made every mistake in the book regarding their pen until this off season. Even with add Krod and putz in one off season, the pen still is not going to be the best in baseball IMO.
rconn I totally agree. We should want them both to excel. It’s nothing but good for both players to be on the top of their games!
That was a great atbat
You know something Melky you never did that last yr. please continue it.
How many GIDPs has nady had so far? It seems like he has one almost every game.
So with that said, I feel the need to say
DA MELK!
So with that said, I feel the need to say
DA MELK!
Team Melky!
“Patrick – Davey Johnson ”
Thanks Joe.
Johnson is a lot better pick than Buck Martinez for manager.
Sorry for the double posts. The baseball gods must feel that I am extremely profound today because I am not trying to post twice!
What an AB by the Melk man… fouled off like 10 pitches at 97-99 MPH from Lindstrom
Why are they Red Sox and Rays fans in our stadium when they are not even playing?
The melkman steals 2nd!!!
The melkman steals 2nd!!!
The melkman steals 2nd!!!
Watch it Brett!
Sounds like Melky isn’t going to give up the CF job easily.
I don’t really expect big things from either Gardner or Cabrera (though I DO prefer Gardner), I think the competition between the two should be interesting.
Tell me Micheal Kay did not diss Victorino’s arm
Did you guys here/talk about what darryl strawberry said today about taking roids if they were around when he played? I have to love that kind of brutal honesty.
shelly go deeppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppp
all curveballs right here
Not that he comes close to approximating Gardner’s speed (who does) but Melky isn’t chopped liver running the bases either.
10 – 1 Team Republica Dominicana !
Outlawz- It’s spring training, in Tampa Bay, and Team USA is playing. Three reasons why TB and BOS fans are in our stadium.
Melky is like David DeJesus
Didn’t DeJesus hit like 280-290 last year?
team dr wins 10-1 against da marlins
Victorino has a good enough arm to play right for sure.
melky wishes he put up the stats dejesus put up last season – if he did, there would be no competition for center.
That was a fun game to watch… we got to see actual ML players past the 6th inning. Nice to see our guys compete so well with the all-stars.
Funny I’m watching MLB 30 Teams in 30 Days and they just asked the question about which pitcher had to be successful for the Yankees to be successful (paraphrase) and I immediately thought Wang. Two of the MLB commentators went with CC, and then one of them agreed it was CM.
Victorino is Gardner-light, a hustle energy player with good speed and defense.
Francessa went home sick… so we get to watch Centerstage on YES.
They all seem to want Joba in the pen.
How can you not understand it, even if you disagree with it!
Anyway, I am thankful for Marte and Bruney, and Coke, and Veras. I think we will have it knocked going to Mo.
Jose Molina is such a great catcher. He is a pleasure to watch
DR won? A-Rod/Cano do anything?
i hope the melk man and gardner both do well…this was mentioned before but you have to consider the possibilities once Damon goes (perhaps next season). if melky can get back to being the melky from 2 seasons ago and gardner plays well why not have the melk man’s gun in center and gardner in left? or gardner’s range in center and melky’s gun in right?
Its funny how the Joba in the pen folks will run and hide when Joba throws 7 shutout innings with 10 K’s in April. Its just ridiculous, these idiots think complaining about it will make the Yanks change their minds.
A-Rod – 1-3, double
Cano – 2-4, walk
Cody Ransom = less-juiced Randy Velarde.
Rodriguez was 1-3, 1 run scored, 1 double, 1 strikeout
Cano was 2-4, 1 run scored, 1 walk
“if melky can get back to being the melky from 2 seasons ago and gardner plays well why not have the melk man’s gun in center and gardner in left? or gardner’s range in center and melky’s gun in right?”
I can definitely get down with that.
MLB TV now talking about Melky v Gardner.
One vote for Melky.
*By the way, Dan Plesac just gave big props to Bobby Abreu, mentioning his play in the field.*
Not everyone considered Bobby a defensive disaster…
So there.
Al – your right. They will.
Cabrera in ’06-’07 did put up eJesus type numbers. If DeJesus could play center as well as Cabrera or Gardner, he’d still be the center fielder for KC.
Now discussion about Joba in the pen. Talking to Girardi.
If you haven’t seen this, you really should turn it on.
MLB TV.
Cabrera would be better in left than right field for the Yankees. Nady can’t cover that big left field in Yankee Stadium. Swisher’s a better fielder/better arm than Nady at any position.
Gardner and Melky starting in 2010? No way.
That is an extremely weak offensive outfield. Also, Jackson will be ready in 2010 and should be our starting CF.
“Now discussion about Joba in the pen. Talking to Girardi.
If you haven’t seen this, you really should turn it on.
MLB TV.”
As a former catcher Girardi knows that a pitcher like Joba is better suited throwing 6-7 innings as opposed to 1-2. So much more value and thats what GI Joe has been preaching since he moved to the rotation.
Al, Joe said as much. The thing that kind of takes the day is that Joba has 4 pitches. Do you really want to waste that in the pen? Sure it would be a luxury, but how much more valuable to have your starter with 4 pitches!
Girardi should be ticked off that Jeter’s in the game….someone on Team USA is going to get a talking to. I’m sure Jetes begged to stay in, but the USA staff is going to have to tune him out – he ALWAYS wants to play, even if it’s not good for him.
Ok guys, it sounds like it was a fun game. For those of us at work, I would love a summary of the positives (and, boo!, the negatives) of the game….It sounds like our young pitching did ok. Thanks a lot!
“Al, Joe said as much. The thing that kind of takes the day is that Joba has 4 pitches. Do you really want to waste that in the pen? Sure it would be a luxury, but how much more valuable to have your starter with 4 pitches!”
Couldn’t agree more Trisha. If he was a 2 pitch-pitcher then you could argue hes better suited for short-relief. However a guy who is 23 possesses a blistering high 90′s fastball, a filthy slider a decent curve and a developing change you just can’t stick them in the pen. It would be a crime IMO.
IMHO, Joba’s health will decide if he is a starter or not. If he stays healthy, he’s a starter, if he cannot remain healthy enough to make 25 to 30 starts, he’s Mo!
Bets, MLB TV will have a replay of the game later tonight in case you want to watch/tape it!
I think Hughes was great, and Coke was out of sight! The game was really lost by our pitcher Hacker, but I can’t fault an AA pitcher giving up runs to Team USA! Dunn, Robertson, and Veras also pitched beautifully.
Brett Gardner and Cody Ransom both were sweet at the plate. Gardner, Ransom and Da Melk also stole bases.
Coke is icing down a spot in the bullpen.
Most of the other players played the whole game… why should Jeter be the exception?
Another reason why Joba needs to be in the rotation is the David Price arguement … he saved Tampa Bay from complete collapse in the ALCS by pitching in relief and was such a major weapon coming out of the pen.
Do the Rays now scrap the long range plan of making him their ace of the future because of how well he pitched in relief? Of course not … same logic applies to Joba. He has been groomed to be a starter, but because of necessity, became a force out of the bullpen … not just because he is better suited for the bullpen instead of the rotation, but because he is tremendously talented and can get hitters out no matter how he is used … just like David Price.
There are only 2 Shortstops on the team. Jeter gets tomorrow off and Rollins plays the whole day.
When you participate in this, thats the risk you put yourself at. Look at how far guys like Oswalt extended themselves and the relievers were all throwing their mid-season velocities. You have to play it as if it is mid-season.
Coke looked phenomenal
Veras looked good too.. struck out Jeter actually.
Pitchers in general looked good except Hacker.
Big flippin surprise. Baseball Prospectus has the Red Sox taking the AL East.
Mitch Williams has the Yankees taking the division. Brilliant guy that Williams.
This is not a Spring Training game for the USA team. It is preparation for the WBC in the coming days. He has to play the whole game to get ready and get as many ABs as possible.
Its a good thing that Jetes got taken out. Do you really want him playing 9 innings every game in the WBC. IMO the only team that matters is the one with the interlocking NY this is a tournament.
John Hart-Yankees will tie for 2nd.
“Big flippin surprise. Baseball Prospectus has the Red Sox taking the AL East.
Mitch Williams has the Yankees taking the division. Brilliant guy that Williams.”
Trisha- Everyone is still drinking the Sux Kool-Aid. Its our job to take back their swagger this year, they have been champions twice since we last were its time to change that.
“John Hart-Yankees will tie for 2nd.”
Tie for 2nd? Geez a lot of credit being given to the Rays after their first winning season in what, 13 years?
What the heck does Hart know? Heck he signed the Declaration of Independence so really isn’t into the changes that have happened since!
“Trisha- Everyone is still drinking the Sux Kool-Aid. Its our job to take back their swagger this year, they have been champions twice since we last were its time to change that.”
Al, interestingly enough not everyone is drinking that kool aid! I always think it’s a hoot that Vegas gives the Yankees the hands-on odds despite what may have happened the season before.
By and large, people are always willing to buy into the Yankees.
Notice that the MLB broadcasters who have the Yanks 2nd also mentioned that if Joba went to the pen, that would push it over the top for them. So you have to question their motivation here!
And the love affair with Brett Garner continues. I am convinced he is paying you
This division is going to come down to 2 things
1. Injuries
2. Who gets off to the best start
These are 2 things that we have struggled with a lot in recent years… injuries and lethargic starts. We must stay healthy and come out firing. These guys cannot use the cold weather excuses or whatever for their historic slow starts. We must come out of the gate strong.
“Notice that the MLB broadcasters who have the Yanks 2nd also mentioned that if Joba went to the pen, that would push it over the top for them. So you have to question their motivation here!”
Absolutely. I still can’t believe that these alleged “experts” think a guy with stuff like his should be a set-up man. Anybody with a true eye for value knows he should start.
I’m so happy about Brett. I just hope he can keep this up. I mean, of course he’ll slow down once he has to face good starting pitching, but I’m very optimistic about him.
a Coke and a smile
Phil Coke, in my humble estimation, is a far superior pitcher to old guard Andy Pettitte. I’m not saying Andy should have been kicked to the curb, but Coke has the type of easy velocity that doesn’t come from a syringe.
Also, Gardner has a good arm. It’s not quite Melky’s but it’s above average.
i’m pretty sure i’ve read (probably here) that Melky runs better routes than Gardner, there for has better range, despite not being as fast. from what i’ve seen, i’ll agree. i don’t think the differences is huge, regardless…
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