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Spring Game 9: Team Canada vs. Yankees (including A-Rod injury updates)

Peter Abraham
March
5

YANKEES
Cabrera CF
Swisher LF
Teixeira 1B
Matsui DH
Nady RF
Ransom SS
Berroa 3B
Pena 2B
Cash C

Pitching: Joba Chamberlain followed by Christian Garcia, Brian Bruney, Jon Albaladejo, George Kontos ans Wilkin De La Rosa.

CANADA
Barnwell SS
Martin DH
Weglarz LF
Morneau 1B
Bay LF
Stairs RF
Teahen 3B
Carlin C
Orr 2B

Pitching: Scott Diamond.

Notes: Diamond is a 22-year A ball pitcher in the Braves organization. He was 15-3, 2.89 last season. … This is the first game for Matsui this spring. … Mariano Rivera will throw in the bullpen at 10:20 a.m. That will be his first such session of the spring as he recovers from shoulder surgery. … The Yankees have an hour-long meeting before they go on the field. MLB Security is giving the players their annual speech to avoid bad stuff.

UPDATE, 10:33 a.m.: Mariano Rivera just threw 30 pitches in the bullpen. Half were from halfway up the mound before he moved up top. He looked rusty but he threw with no apparent discomfort.

We’ll talk to him later.

UPDATE, 10:51 a.m.: ESPN Deportes, which swings and misses at times, is reporting Alex Rodriguez needs surgery and will miss 10 weeks. No comment yet from the Yankees.

If this is true, somebody screwed up. If he had this hip issue last year and it went untreated, that’s doesn’t make much sense.

Back later as we learn more.

UPDATE, 11:16 a.m.: Joe Girardi just claimed he didn’t know anything about Alex. That’s a sure sign of bad news.

The Yankees PR dept. is also in shutdown mode, another bad sign.

More as it becomes available.

UPDATE, 12:10 a.m.: Well, Mariano said his bullpen went well. He thinks he’ll ready for April 6.

Edwar Ramirez also threw in the pen for the first time since his shoulder injury. He said he felt good.

As for A-Rod the Yankees are still playing hide and seek. No good info yet, just rumors.

UPDATE, 1:01 p.m.: Just saw Brian Cashman, who said he had to make a call regarding Rodriguez. He will speak to reporters “later on.”

The Yankees are not denying the report. From what I have been able to gather, the ESPN Deportes report is essentially true.

So in a span of less than a year, Rodriguez tore a quad and now needs a hip operation. Can you draw a line from three years of steroids to these injuries? I have no idea, medical experts will have to determine that. But signing this guy to a 10-year contract looks like a decision that will haunt the franchise for years to come. They had a chance to be free of him and they let it pass.

UPDATE, 1:19 p.m.: There will not be a whole lot of live blogging on this game as I have to work on the A-Rod story. The game is not high on the priority list today.

Do do have to wonder if the Yankees would look to make a trade for somebody like Chone Figgins or whether they just grin and bear it with Cody Ransom until A-Rod comes back. Cashman has trade chips is he wants to use them. But do you use them for a one-month patch?

UPDATE, 1:35 p.m.: In other good news, Joba Chamberlain was taken out of the game before he got an out. Four walks, a hit and a wild pitch. It’s now 5-0 Canada.

UPDATE, 1:47 p.m.: Joba was not hurt as far as I know. He was just bad.

His line thus far this spring: 1 inning, 4 hits, 7 runs, 4 walks, 0 strikeouts. Yikes.

Good thing it’s March 5.

UPDATE, 2:45 p.m.: Yankees trail 6-0 and are getting no-hit in the fourth inning. … Meanwhile, vote in the poll for who you want at third base in A-Rod absence.

UPDATE, 3:06 p.m.: Just spoke to Joba. He said everything “is great” physically. His problem today was mechanical. In pitcher speak, he could not get over his front side and that was screwing up his control. He didn’t seem concerned in the slightest.

UPDATE, 3:12 p.m.: Cashman will be meeting with the media in 10 minutes. I’ll post the information as I get it.

This entry was posted on Thursday, March 5th, 2009 at 9:10 am by Peter Abraham.
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927 Responses to “Spring Game 9: Team Canada vs. Yankees (including A-Rod injury updates)”

  1. Joba the Great

    It wouldn’t be the worst thing for Matsui to open the year on the DL. You could put Posada at DH, thereby keeping him from throwing in the cold of April. They need a healthy Posada in the second half of the year, this may be a way of helping ensure that.

  2. Betsy

    From an earlier thread:

    I prefer Swish to Nady, but I love having both and I would not trade either one right now. Nady is still a guy that fits on a good team – he may not be a star, but he’s a solid player. Depth is good……I am surprised that Cash has not made a real move to strengthen his bench – I’m just not a fan of Cody Ransom.

    I agree that Brett Gardner has a lot to prove – a good start in ST is nice, but it doesn’t prove anything. That said, we already know what Melky can do – I’d like to see what Brett can do (I still think the Yankees should have traded Melky/Igawa for Cameron, though).

    SJ44, what do you think about the pen? I think Coke will make it, so with a long man (Geise/Aceves), it appears that one spot is up for grabs. Do you favor Alabadejo? Robertson? If so, why?

  3. Betsy

    It’s nice to see Matsui back in the lineup – it’s been too long. It’s also nice to see Mo back throwing – just crossing my fingers that all goes smoothly.

    Decent pitching lineup – Albaladejo has been out for a bit, so I wouldn’t expect him to be overly sharp.

    Any word on how Edwar is progressing?

  4. Steve B

    “Any word on how Edwar is progressing?”

    He’s up to 106 lbs after a week on the Sabathia Diet.

  5. SJ44

    Betsy,

    As far as the ‘pen goes, I think Mo, Bruney, Marte and Coke are locks for it. Giese and Aceves are toss ups for the long man role. That leaves two spots.

    Call me crazy but, I think Melancon makes the team out of ST. The guy is too good to keep in AAA. If that’s the case, I could see them trading Veras.

    If they are conservative and start Melancon in AAA, then Veras makes the team.

    That leaves the final spot to either Robertson or Albie. That’s a toss up to me right now.

    Nice to have good options and the Yankees have plenty of them in the ‘pen.

  6. JoeyA

    It wouldn’t be the worst thing for Matsui to open the year on the DL. You could put Posada at DH, thereby keeping him from throwing in the cold of April. They need a healthy Posada in the second half of the year, this may be a way of helping ensure that.
    _____________________________________________

    I think this is a great idea. Not only will it keep his shoulder fresher, but it keeps him from playing in the cold, when most injuries occur.

  7. John in Ohio

    Melky leading off, huh? No pressure there. Gulp.

  8. jennifer

    Pete can you confirm or deny the report from 1050 espn radio that Alex was diagnosed with osteoarthritis. My feeling is they got their “info” from an article in the Post since no one else is reporting anything.

  9. BD

    “The Yankees have an hour-long meeting before they go on the field. MLB Security is giving the players their annual speech to avoid bad stuff.”

    Pete, it must have taken all the willpower you could muster not to insert an ARod joke there.

  10. Peter Abraham

    Jennifer:

    There are 750 players in the majors, I bet 650 of them have some form of arthritis. I haven’t heard that report. But based the source, it’s based on that article or thin air.

  11. Kevin

    What, that he held off his hip treatment so that he could claim plausible deniability about not knowing to not do bad stuff? :P

    I’ve been relatively supportive of him, and I would have made that joke.

  12. KennyH123

    I also think Melancon has a shot at making the club this spring, if he gets any shot at all.

    But I don’t see how that translates into trading Veras. Veras is still young, throws 95+ and has an unhittable slider when he gets it over. Why would you trade that? Keep both of them and have depth.

  13. Clay Buchholz Loves Laptops - Latest Blog Entry: An Urgent Message For Author Jane Heller

    SJ44,

    I completely agree with you about Melancon. I believe he has a great shot to make the team out of Spring Training. I’ve never heard anything negative about him. It’s nothing but raves from everyone. As Chad Jennings said, “he’s a beast!”

  14. Patrick

    I don’t think Melancon will make the club out of ST but he’ll be on the team at some point this season. He doesn’t have anything left to prove in the minors but there are other guys ahead of him in the “pecking order” so to speak.

    I think the bullpen will be: Rivera, Bruney, Marte, Veras, Albaladejo, Coke, Giese

  15. BD

    I think Swisher may have a great comeback year, but I’m astounded how people around here are treating that possibility practically as a given. He still needs to prove that 2008 was a fluke.

    I also don’t get the issue people have with Edwar. This is a guy who struck out 63 batters in 55 innings. That’s pretty good, especially for a middle reliever.

  16. Patrick

    Here is an excellent article about the Yankees corner OF’s and specifically talking about Swisher vs Nady.

    http://www.drivelinemechanics......n-battle-y

    Basically the conclusion is that Swisher is projected to be a lot better than Nady and there shouldn’t even be a question about who is the starting RF. In fact, Swisher is projected to be better than Damon and Abreu.

    Great article with lots of analysis.

  17. trisha - As long as you're in pinstripes, Kei, I've got your back.

    Just because. GO DA MELK!!!

    I will always have a soft spot in my heart for da melk.

  18. JoeyA

    I can’t wait for the first day we have our RFer crash into the wall to make a catch.

  19. SJ44

    Under my example, you trade Veras because he can bring the most back in return.

    If Melancon makes the team, you have Bruney and Melancon as the power righties. Coke and Marte as the lefties. Either Aceves or Geise as the longman and Mo as the closer.

    That leaves Edwar, Albie and Robertson fighting it out for the last spot on the staff.

    If that scenario took place, I could see Veras having trade value for the Yankees.

  20. Joeshi!

    BD-
    I think the problem with Edwar is that he relies to much on his change-up to the point where you can guess when it’s coming almost every single time. And besides his change-up, his other pitches are below average.

  21. JoeyA

    SJ-
    Any merit to giving Posada half of April off? Maybe play every other day ’til the weather gets nicer?

  22. Patrick

    I agree with SJ, trading Veras should be a real possibility. Veras is good but I think Melancon will be better. The Yanks are stacked with relievers, especially righty power arms like Veras and Melancon.

    SJ, what do you think the Yanks could get for Veras? A fourth outfielder or utility infielder? Or would Cashman just try to get some useful prospects?

  23. Christina

    Hey Pete, do you know how early the gates open up for the ST games?

  24. BD

    Something else about Edwar: In terms of missing bats, he ranked 11th in 2008 among MLB relievers. Hitters only made contact 71.7% of the time when they swung at his pitches.

    Mo Rivera ranked 45th in this category. Papelbon was 56th.

  25. trisha - As long as you're in pinstripes, Kei, I've got your back.

    jen, if it IS osteoarthritis, you can bet that there are going to be a whole host of disappointed people!!! Can’t you already see the articles on Arod’s “CONTINUED STEROID USE” already written and ready to go???

    :D

    (That said, I am hoping that it isn’t anything at all where there could be a question of result from using steroids because you just know that even if it is just a question, it will become a done deal. In fact, I’m betting that if it is nothing but osteoarthritis, some “diligent” journalist will find some obscure way to try to link it to steroid use.)

  26. jennifer

    trisha – as Pete already pointed out many many players have some form of arthritis. But there will be some people or some over zealous writer looking to make a name for himself/herself that will try to make a direct correlation to steroids. But there isn’t any.

  27. SJ44

    I could see the Yankees limiting Posada’s catching in April. IMO, that’s am option worth exploring.

    That would keep Cash on the roster since they would carry 3 catchers.

    They also have to be careful with Matsui for the same precautionary reasons.

    What could they get for Veras? I keep looking at Milwaukee’s roster and wonder if there is a fit.

    They have a loaded farm system, Mike Cameron, and bullpen needs.

    Perhaps Veras and Cabrera for Cameron and one of the Brewers good SS prospects?

    Just a thought.

  28. Bronx Jeers

    “There are 750 players in the majors, I bet 650 of them have some form of arthritis”

    Peter, this is so very Girardi-2008ish. LOL.

  29. Deep to Left

    Great article Patrick. Thanks for the link.

  30. Patrick

    “Perhaps Veras and Cabrera for Cameron and one of the Brewers good SS prospects?

    Just a thought.”

    That’s a possibility but I think Girardi is pretty committed to Brett Gardner as the starting CF. Maybe this is the kind of trade that could go down mid-season?

  31. Tom

    Detroit, St. Louis, Texas, Cleveland, San Diego, San Fran., Milwaukee, and Arizona could all use an arm like Veras out of the ‘pen.

  32. duh

    “That would keep Cash on the roster since they would carry 3 catchers.”

    SJ, any chance it’s Cervelli over Cash?

    Cash is not on the 40 man, so someone needs to be DFA’ed to add him to the roster.

    if it’s going to be a short term thing, i’m not sure they’d want to do that.

  33. SJ44

    I don’t think Cervelli has a shot to make the team. He still needs more seasoning.

    There are some guys they can take off the 40 man and not miss them.

    I think Cash was brought in for 2 reasons. One, insurance in case Posada isn’t ready because he’s a good catch and throw guy. Two, to de-brief him on the Sox pitching staff. Patterns, tendencies, etc.

  34. trisha - As long as you're in pinstripes, Kei, I've got your back.

    OT

    And Jeffrey Toobin might be getting ready to be a daddy again. Only in NY. Well I guess it could really happen anywhere…

    :)

  35. Trevor

    What would a Nady Veras Cabrera package get the Yankees?

  36. Steve in MN

    While I believe you can never have too many arms, especially in the bullpen, if Veras does turn out to be a decent trade-chip, I think the Yanks really need to explore trading for a SS prospect. Jeter is the gorilla in the corner, how great would it be to get a decent young guy now they can work up through he system then have Jeter be a mentor to? I think Nady/Melky could serve the same purpose.

  37. pat

    Thanks for the update on Mo.

  38. Rishi

    UPDATE, 10:33 a.m.: Mariano Rivera just threw 30 pitches in the bullpen. Half were from halfway up the mound before he moved up top. He looked rusty but he threw with no apparent discomfort.

    We’ll talk to him later.

  39. Clay Buchholz Loves Laptops - Latest Blog Entry: An Urgent Message For Author Jane Heller

    10 weeks??!! I don’t suppose that was an early April Fools joke?

  40. Warrior21

    What?!?!?!! Please tell me this is a joke.

  41. J-Boogie

    XM is reporting, via ESPN Deportes that A-rod needs hip surgery and is out until May.

    http://espndeportes.espn.go.co.....type=story

    Alex Rodriguez only will not be lost to play with Dominican Republic in the World Classic of Baseball, but the first month of the season with the Yankees would be lost of new York after a medical exam revealed that should be operated immediately of a cyst in the hip, a brother of the ballplayer said to ESPNdeportes.com.

    AP

    To-Rod would be able to be inactive until May Joe Rodriguez reported that TO-Rod will be operated Monday in Red and would need near 10 weeks to be rehabilitated.

  42. YankeesLuv

    Will he be ready by seasons start? :(

  43. YankeesLuv

    Will he be ready by seasons start? :(

  44. Rishi

    Who is Joe Rodriguez? Never heard of him before?

  45. Jeff NJ

    10 weeks would take us to late May, so A Rod would miss at least the first six weeks of the season. Guess that means Ransom starts there which makes me less comfortable with the CF situation. Not good news, but I don’t really believe it would take 10 weeks to recover from a cyst removal.

  46. S.A.-Time to take a vow of silence Alex. For your own sanity

    10 weeks? oh frack

  47. trisha - As long as you're in pinstripes, Kei, I've got your back.

    Hey, so it gives some of the other guys a chance to strut their stuff. Unfortunate if it’s true, but the team should never be built on the back of one player.

  48. FrankieYankee

    If this was an issue last year, why did they wait until now to check it out? Something stinks here. Is Selig behind this? Funny how this condition arises after the meeting with MLB

  49. carl

    I want to cry :(

  50. Michael

    All the Arod bashing starting to look good… NOT

  51. Jeff NJ

    Oh it was ESPNDeportes? That’s good, that outfit is always wrong.

  52. S.A.-Time to take a vow of silence Alex. For your own sanity

    It’s on ESPN right now.

  53. AeroFANatic

    *IF* this A-Rod report is correct, what do the Yanks do? Package together a trade? Tex is not a 3B, and we dont want Ransom there for 10 weeks.

  54. James

    Injuries were the one thing that could derail the season and they are already starting. This time to our most important player.

  55. Mike from CT

    MUST CREDIT Enrique Rojas of ESPNdeportes.com

    Alex Rodriguez, hip injury is worse than originally thought.

    Joe Rodriguez, Alex’s brother, told Enrique Rojas of ESPNdeportes.com, that the Yankees 3rd baseman will have surgery to remove a cyst.

    Alex Rodriquez, who was scheduled to play for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic, flew to Vail, Colorado to see Dr. Mark Phillippon, a hip specialist, on Wednesday.

    Now he will have surgery that, according to his brother, is expected to keep him off the field for at least 10 weeks.

    “It’s a big blow for the whole family,” Joe Rodriquez said. “Alex is destroyed.

    “We were all very excited to see him play with the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic. “But the most important thing is to have a successful surgery so that Alex may continue his career.”

    Surgery is scheduled for Monday in Colorado.

    More to come….

  56. trisha - As long as you're in pinstripes, Kei, I've got your back.

    “If this was an issue last year, why did they wait until now to check it out?”

    Frankie let’s not get crazy. Many player have aches and pains every season. If it appeared to be something that needed looking into, the Yankees would have had him on the first plane out. If every player who had a pain got sent from an MRI there would be no players on the field.

    Perhaps Arod didn’t complain loudly about it and perhaps it was something that came and went.

    It is what it is. No point in bemoaning anything right now and turning it into a huge fritatta.

  57. Vince

    Let’s sign TO!

  58. Rishi

    What is with all this waiting? waiting on the dr’s appt, waiting on the surgery? I got my surgery scheduled faster than this…

  59. jdjr

    who plays 3rd?!
    yuchhhhh!

  60. Anthony

    Time to get on the horn with the Braves and see what they want for Chipper!

  61. Clay Buchholz Loves Laptops - Latest Blog Entry: An Urgent Message For Author Jane Heller

    Let’s all look on the bright side. Even if this is true, missing the first 10 weeks is much better than missing the last 10 weeks, right?

  62. Noreaster

    Pete, Anybody out there who can fill in for 10 weeks (or so)…

  63. Betsy

    wow – I’m sick about this. The Yankees had NO business waiting this long to take care of this – their season may be going down the tubes. Wow.

  64. pat

    If the doctor on ESPN is right and he’s been playing with necrosis, he has an incredibly high tolerance for pain.

  65. Yank1

    So there is a chance that our opening day lineup could feature Melky/Gardner, Ransom, AND Molina.

    Wow.

  66. trisha - As long as you're in pinstripes, Kei, I've got your back.

    *before you jump off bridges…*

    Do you all remember Jeter being taken out the first game of the season in Toronto in 2003? Do you remember the Yankees winning the division that year? Do you remember Eric Almonte coming up from the minors and everyone stepping it up several notches?

    Count on the same kind of thing happening here.

    Look I’m not thrilled if it is the case, but I’m also not going to commit hari kari.

  67. Benny Blanco

    Are the Arod haters happy now???!!!!!!! 10 weeks…….!!!!!

  68. Wander

    Well this is horrendous. A trade will have to be made now. We can’t stick Ransom in the line up for the first two months, in replace of A-Rod no less.

  69. Zolio

    Bad job by Cashman/medical department here not taking care of this sooner when it was bothering him last year

  70. carl

    Arod say it with me. HGH

  71. S.A.-Time to take a vow of silence Alex. For your own sanity

    Someone screwed up here(if everything is indeed true).

    Well this sucks

  72. wood is good

    This also means that when the Selena Roberts book comes out, A-Rod won’t be around the team and be an even larger distraction. Actually interesting timing when you think about it….

  73. Don

    Could the Mariners allow us to rent Adrian Beltre for a month then give him back? We’ll give them some of our excess relievers.

  74. Laura - Just because I'm losing doesn't mean I'm lost!

    This year just goes from bad to worse for Alex. There goes our shot of starting off the season red hot.

  75. trisha - As long as you're in pinstripes, Kei, I've got your back.

    Betsy, the Yankees probably moved as fast as any team based on what they knew. Anyway, if the season goes down the tubes becauswe of one player, the team isn’t a very good team.

  76. Jeet Skeet

    this had nothing to do with steroids they just said it on ESPN so relax

  77. Rockks

    Ugh, I don’t even care about the season anymore.

    Tex, CC, AJ… who cares? Injuries are starting to pile up again and a brutal 1st month of the season could finish us in this brutal division….

  78. trisha - As long as you're in pinstripes, Kei, I've got your back.

    “this had nothing to do with steroids they just said it on ESPN so relax”

    :)

  79. JOJO

    Better to miss the first month and a half than the last month & a half. Injuries are a part of the game. Red Sox lost Ortiz, Beckett & Lowell for much of the season last year. Rays had injuries too (Crawford, Longoria, Upton). If one guy sinks your whole season, what’s the purpose of having a $200 Mil payroll? Calm down. The sky is not falling.

  80. Tom

    Can Ray Durham, Damion Easley, or Mark Grudzielanek play 3b?

    They are the only infielders left on the FA market.

  81. Rishi

    Fingers crossed that it is not as bad as they are saying…or that he is in such good shape he’ll recover much more quickly than anticipated

  82. 7*7

    And A-Rod was one of our few notorious fast starters too

    Now it is imperative that guys like Damon, Cano, Teixeria, Posada etc. step up otherwise, we could be looking at a 10-16 month or something.

  83. trisha - As long as you're in pinstripes, Kei, I've got your back.

    Pete – two threads please! One a calm thread and one a panic thread…

    ;)

  84. KO

    If he didn’t have the cyst last year, you can’t remove something that wasn’t there. If it’s something other than the cyst, some underlying problem that has been there for a while, then that is a different story. In any case, everyone is going to panic because he’ll be out a month and proclaim the season over. Barring any other injuries to their lineup they still have way more than enough to get by until he gets back. Their starting pitching will carry them. You don’t have to score too many runs with the arms the Yankees have. It is very unfortunate and disappointing but it’s nowhere near the end of the world.

  85. miggs

    10 weeks hurts.

    Surgery Monday, that means 2nd week in May….

    First of all, no way do the Yankees make a trade for a 3rd baseman.

    Take your fingers off the panic button. What are they gonna do with the guy when A Rod comes back? He’s missing 5-6 weeks in the regular season, not the whole year. Get some perspective.

    Luckily the team is stacked so they should make it through. Tough way to start the year though.

  86. William Buckner

    “Do you all remember Jeter being taken out the first game of the season in Toronto in 2003? Do you remember the Yankees winning the division that year? Do you remember Eric Almonte coming up from the minors and everyone stepping it up several notches?”

    I thought the same thing. And it’s until May, so not much different then when he missed a year last year.

  87. William Buckner

    Missed a month last year.

  88. Barton

    Good lord. If anything this is a positive…

  89. NITRO

    Have to play Damon in CF now… you have no choice. You are losing way too much offense with Gardner, Ransom, and possibly even Molina in the lineup.

    You may even need to play Matsui in left field to give Damon a breather at DH.

  90. number 2 for prez

    “wow – I’m sick about this. The Yankees had NO business waiting this long to take care of this – their season may be going down the tubes. Wow.”

    thats a little overboard…I wouldn’t say down the tubes.. so lets not freak out yet! Even if he is out, we have enough fire power to still hang around the top of the east….He’s not even close to being the WHOLE team!

  91. Vince

    I wouldn’t mind Durham, not sure if he plays 3rd base though.

    Grudzielanek plays 3rd I believe. He wouldn’t be bad either. Too bad Nomar just got picked up by the A’s.

  92. Outlawz

    Better start getting Swisher/Damon some reps in CF now

  93. Don

    Who hits 3rd for us now? Cano? This has to make Teix the cleanup hitter.

  94. pat

    If 10 weeks is accurate, that’s Mid May- 4 more weeks of ST and 6 weeks into the season. He missed 3+ weeks last year with the quad and the Yanks cobbled it together. They’ll do it again and this year with better pitching.

  95. Brandon Witnessed Dwayne Wade pull an MJ

    Team Dominican Republic just took a big ounch :(

    Get well soon Alex. I HATE MY LIFE !

  96. saucY

    lets make a trade for Wilson Betemit

  97. Betsy

    Trish, you’re being awfully positive. Alex is THE cog in the lineup – they don’t have anyone to replace him (how could anyone replace him). They have MAJOR question marks in this lineup now and they are in a brutal division – it’s not out of the question that the Yankees could play themselves out of the race…or at least put themselves in a terrible hole.

  98. vinny-b

    if Arod is out, we will be finding out how good Texeria really is.

    Bernie Williams used to carry NYY, when the offense was down/players were injured. Ditto, for David Justice. Tex will be called on, to do the same.

  99. Matt

    Before the Yanks signed Teixeira everyone was all ready to go into battle with the lineup the way it was. Losing A-Rod is only a little more offense than not signing Teixeira and mind you this is only for the first 6-7 weeks of the season. So long as the pitching staff performs the Yanks should be fine. If they escape the weeks without A-Rod at .500 or better there is no reason for them not to surge as a notorious second half team and win the division.

  100. carl

    Tex to third. Swish to first. Nady in right.

  101. 86w183

    This is one of the reasons I advocated pursuing Wigginton or Blake as a multi-positional guy. There is no one on the roster who could be an adequate 3B for more than a day or two. Maybe they could sign Nomar before he inks up with Oakland? Wes Helms? Rich Aurilia? Kevin Millar? Garrett Atkins? He’d be really expensive

  102. A-List

    Even if Posada can’t throw, he needs to be behind the plate. Sub him out for Molina in the late innings, but he needs to play most of the game.

    You can’t have 3 automatic outs in the lineup with Brett or Melky, Ransom/Berroa, and Molina.

  103. Tom

    Texeria came up as a 3b man. Swisher can play first…

    Just sayin…

  104. Laura - Just because I'm losing doesn't mean I'm lost!

    “You may even need to play Matsui in left field to give Damon a breather at DH.”

    I don’t think so. I don’t think they want Matsui anywhere near the outfield.

  105. Betsy

    Ok, the season may not go down the tubes – the Yankees are still a good team. That said, this is a brutal division and the Yankees now have zero margin for error. I agree – Damon in CF, at least part time with Swish so that his legs don’t wear down. I have no clue as to who they are going to sign – I don’t think Tex is going to be moved to 3rd base.

  106. Laura - Just because I'm losing doesn't mean I'm lost!

    “lets make a trade for Wilson Betemit”

    LMAO! Good one, saucy!

  107. vinny-b

    Pete’s friends over at nom@s, have been calling for a Ray Duram signing (as a bench player).

    with Arod out, Ray Duram would be worth contacting. He used to kill me in MLB 2002 (PSX)

  108. Jay

    Damon CF
    Jeter SS
    Cano 2B
    Teixeria 1B
    Posada C
    Matsui DH
    Swisher RF
    Nady LF
    Ransom 3B

    Ugh, what a terrible lineup— offensively and defensively.

  109. SJ44

    Seaon is now “over” on March 5.

    I could see the posts will just go down from here the rest of the day.

    Panic in the streets!!!

    If the report is true, he’s back in Mid-May. Hardly catastrophic to the entire season.

    Just have to pitch well early and get contributions from the entire roster.

    Not impossible.

  110. Lori

    Talk about panic mode. You guys are nuts. FIRST, let’s wait for confirmation. THEN, I am sure there are back up options and we will get through this. 10 weeks from NOW is mid-May – with plenty of season left after that.

  111. Laura - Just because I'm losing doesn't mean I'm lost!

    The season hasn’t gone down the tubes. But just for once, it would have been nice for the Yankees not to have to make that late season push to get into the playoffs.

    As for who plays 3B, I’d almost be tempted to put Ransom there and just let the chips fall where they may. Making a trade doesn’t make sense – what do you do with the guy after Alex comes back?

  112. Matt

    Teixeira is a gold glove first baseman, no reason to move him to third base for a few weeks. I do agree with 86w183 that we should try to scoop up Nomar before the A’s do. Who would have thought A-Rod, Jeter and Nomar would ever be on the same team?

  113. vinny-b

    Tom:

    don’t see Tex as athletic enough, to play 3rd.

    it is likely he’s put on additional bulk, since then.

  114. joeman

    this has the feeling of a bad year for the Keys,they have a lot of question marks all over the field…MO,Arod,Jorge,CF,Matsui

  115. JOJO

    “Have to play Damon in CF now… you have no choice. You are losing way too much offense with Gardner, Ransom, and possibly even Molina in the lineup.”

    All the more reason to use a guy like Gardner now. With the Yankees scoring less runs with Arod out, how much more important will defense and speed be??? Catching a couple extra fly balls a game, taking an extra base, and being able to manufacture a run or two could be the difference between winning and losing.

  116. Jay

    The worst part, as someone else mentioned, is A-Rod was really the only fast starter on a team full of notorious slow starters.

  117. Tom

    I know Vinny-B. I was just throwing it out there…

  118. Bob(The Original)

    So, who plays 3rd until he is back?

  119. Rishi

    UPDATE, 11:16 a.m.: Joe Girardi just claimed he didn’t know anything about Alex. That’s a sure sign of bad news.

    The Yankees PR dept. is also in shutdown mode, another bad sign.

    More as it becomes available.

  120. vinny-b

    “Ugh, what a terrible lineup—- offensively and defensively”

    do me a favor, and check our starting rotation.

    the lineup as contructed (without Arod) is much better then most teams have to work with.

    this is why people hate yankee fans.

  121. Laura - Just because I'm losing doesn't mean I'm lost!

    “I do agree with 86w183 that we should try to scoop up Nomar before the A’s do.”

    He has already reported to A’s camp.

  122. Left Coast

    Teixeria is going to get NOTHING to hit with Matsui behind him (and he’s a slow starter anyway). And we don’t even have a #3 hitter now.

  123. SJ44

    The issue with a guy like Wiggington is, he isn’t going to sign with a team like the Yankees because he doesn’t see a path to 450 AB’s.

    That’s why it’s tough for the Yankees to fill that role on the roster.

    They have a surplus of bullpen arms. It may be time to use one to fill a need right now.

  124. saucY

    how important do you feel now if you went to see Dr Phillipon on Monday?

  125. Matt

    I’m pretty sure the Cardinals would trade Troy Glaus? Id ofer then a combo of our middle tier pitching or a position prospect maybe one of the catchers excluding Montero. What do you guys think?

  126. me

    And Arod looked so relaxed on Jay Leno last night. I guess he taped the show before he got the bad news.
    :(

  127. wood is good

    It’s not the end of the world, not the end of the season. Yeesh. Some of you people….

  128. vinny-b

    does motorcycle man, play first base?

    Jeff Kemp only a phone call away. :)

  129. Jeet Skeet

    well this sucks for the game i got tickets to may 2nd

  130. vinny-b

    third base

  131. Matt

    Is Eric Duncan our best 3b farm hand?

  132. Jeff D

    lol, funny how things work out

    Everyone was talking about how our new acquisitions could fly under the radar with A-Rod here. Well, now that A-Rod is out, all the pressure in the world now falls on the new guys.

    Teixeria has to carry this lineup and Sabathia/Burnett have to get off to a fast start and be able to pitch lights out and win low scoring games early on.

  133. SJ44

    The good news is, by the time Arod is back, the book furor will have died down.

    Now back to Panic Central for some of you.

  134. Laura - Just because I'm losing doesn't mean I'm lost!

    “Teixeria is going to get NOTHING to hit with Matsui behind him (and he’s a slow starter anyway). And we don’t even have a #3 hitter now.”

    I think you are selling Matsui a bit short here. He is still a threat at the plate.

  135. Laura - Just because I'm losing doesn't mean I'm lost!

    “The good news is, by the time Arod is back, the book furor will have died down.”

    Well, that will depend on what is in the book, won’t it?

  136. Bob(The Original)

    “Have to play Damon in CF now… you have no choice. You are losing way too much offense with Gardner, Ransom, and possibly even Molina in the lineup.”

    ———————–

    This is exactly why I’ve been arguing that not addressing the catching situation was an off season mistake. When someone goes down, and someone always does, if Molina is catching more than once a week it’s going to really hurt the Yanks. Probably cost them a few wins, and those could very well be the difference in this division this season.

  137. Rebecca-Optimist Prime...Staying to Write the Story

    Translated Article: Go easy, it’s a rush job

    ORLANDO – Alex Rodríguez no solamente se perderá jugar con República Dominicana en el Clásico Mundial de Béisbol, sino que se perdería el primer mes de la temporada con los Yanquis de Nueva York después que un examen médico revelara que debe ser operado inmediatamente de un quiste en la cadera, dijo un hermano del pelotero a ESPNdeportes.com.

    Alex Rodriguez will not only lose his ability to play with the Dominican Republic in the WBC, but he could miss the first month of the regular season with the New York Yankees after a medical examination revealed that he should have an immediate operation on a cyst on the hip, said a (teammate?) to ESPNdeportes.com

    A-Rod podría estar inactivo hasta mayo

    A-Rod could be inactive until May

    Joe Rodríguez informó que A-Rod será operado el lunes en Colorado y necesitaría cerca de 10 semanas para rehabilitarse.

    Joe Rodrígues told that A-Rod will have surgery this Monday in Colorado and will need about 10 weeks for rehab.

    “Para toda la familia es un golpe muy fuerte, Alex está destrozado”, dijo Joe Rodríguez. “Todos estábamos muy enstusiasmado de verlo jugando con Republica Dominicana en el Clásico Mundial”, agregó.

    “For the entire family, it’s a strong blow, Alex is devastated,” said Joe Rodríguez. “All of us were very enthusiastic to see him play with the Dominican Rebulic in the World Classic,” he (said?).

    “Pero lo más importante es que la operación sea exitosa para que Alex pueda continuar con su carrera”, dijo el hermano del pelotero.

    “But the most important thing is that the operation will be successful so that Alex can continue with his career,” said the (teammate)

    La noticia tomó fuera de base a Stan Javier, gerente general del equipo de República Dominicana. “Aún no ha recibido ninguna información de los resultados del chequeo médico que realizaron a A-Rod”, dijo Javier.

    The news took Stan Javier, GM for the Dominican team, (off base?) “we still have not recieved any information about the results of A-Rod’s medical exam,” said Javier.

    Los Yankees aún no han informado nada respecto a su estelar antesalista.

    The Yankees had not informed anyone in respect to their (departing?) star.

    Rodríguez, de 33 años, jugó con molestias en su cadera la temporada pasada, pero los Yankees nunca pensaron que el asunto fuera realmente serio hasta que un examen de resonancia magnética reveló el quiste el sábado.

    Rodríguez, 33 years old, played with pain in his hip the past season, but the Yankees never thought that the matter was in reality serious until an MRI revealed the cyst on Saturday

    Los Yankees enviaron al pelotero al especialista Marc Phillipon, de la clínica Steadman-Hawkins de Vail, Colorado. Los exámenes realizados por Phillipon determinaron que A-Rod debía ser operado inmediatamente.

    The Yankees sent the player to the specialist Marc Phillipon, of the Steadman-Hawkins clinic in Vail, Colorado. The exams from Phillips determined that A-Rod should have the operation immediately

    El 2009 no comenzó bien para Rodríguez, quien en febrero admitió que usó esteroides durante tres años mientras jugaba con los Rangers de Texas. Las Grandes Ligas interrogaron al pelotero por dos horas el domingo.

    2009 did not begin well for Rodríguez, who in February admitted that he used steroids during the three years while playing with the Texas Rangers. MLB questioned the player for two hours last Sunday.

    El lunes se integró a los entrenamientos de República Dominicana para el Clásico Mundial, en Jupiter, Florida, y el martes bateó un doble en tres turnos en una victoria 10-1 de los quisqueyanos ante los Marlins de Florida en un partido de exhibición.

    Monday he joined his teammates for the Dominican Team for the World Classic in Jupiter, Floriday, and Tuesday batted with a double in three tries in a 10-1 victory against the Florida Marlins in an exhibition game.

    “Un sueño hecho realidad poder usar la camiseta dominicana. Mi mamá debió sentirse muy emocionada”, dijo Rodríguez.

    “A dream had been realized to wear the Dominican uniform. My mother mother had been very emotional,” said Rodríguez.

    A-Rod ha ganado ha ganado tres premios de Jugador Más Valioso de la Liga Americana y ha pegado 553 jonrones en 15 temporadas en las Grandes Ligas. En el 2009 juugará la segunda temporada del contrato por 275 millones de dólares y 10 años que firmó con los Yankees hace dos inviernos.

    A-Rod has won three MVP awards in the American league and has hit 553 home runs in 15 seasons in the major leagues. In 2009, he will play the second seasons of his contract for $275 million and ten seasons that he signed with the Yankees two winters ago

  138. trisha - As long as you're in pinstripes, Kei, I've got your back.

    About Glaus – call me stupid, call me superstititous, call me a baby, but Glaus is another steroid user. I am all for good karma at this point. Can Swisher play third? Just askin’

  139. 86w183

    Durham is a great suggestion. He won’t cost a ton and can fill in at 2B, 3B, DH and is a switch hitter… go get him.

    Of course we’re just guessing/hoping he could play 3B.

    Tex played 15 games at 3B in 2003 but none since

  140. Ham Fighters

    well, if it’s true, the yankees have a challenge to rise to right from opening day. that should concentrate everybody’s focus. good teams overcome injuries and i think this is a good team.

    what i dont get is im watching espn and they’re not saying anything about it. its espn desportes!

    is this like, ‘hey thats our crazy spanish speaking cousins, we dont report what they say’ or something?

    how can espn desportes report alex is out 10 weeks and espn report nothing?

  141. trisha - As long as you're in pinstripes, Kei, I've got your back.

    “I think you are selling Matsui a bit short here. He is still a threat at the plate.”

    BIG time.

  142. Rebecca-Optimist Prime...Staying to Write the Story

    I’m not sure why it won’t post, but I translated the Spanish article

    http://www.puristbleedspinstri.....weeks.html

    Go easy, it’s a rush job.

  143. Brian M

    Pete is right when he says they messed up. If they had an inkling about this and didn’t make signing someone like Wigginton or even Crede a bigger priority then it has to be seen as a major mistake.

    I know Cashman showed some interest in Wigginton when he first became available, but I have to think that we could have signed him. He won’t get many more ABs in Baltimore and a 2 yr $6M deal is reasonable for a guy who just kills left handed pitching. Even with ARod healthy he’d be a great bat to have as a pinch hitting option off the bench.

    Oh well, Ransom for MVP?

  144. Steve B

    “I’m pretty sure the Cardinals would trade Troy Glaus?”

    I believe Glaus is out for awhile due to injury.

  145. CountryClub

    A lot of you need to calm down. The difference between this year and the last couple is that the Yanks have a dominant pitching staff. With the staff and bullpen that they have they’ll be able to withstand him missing 4 to 8 weeks of the actual season. The Yanks will be FINE.

  146. Matt

    Someone call Aaron Boone.

  147. Matt

    Swisher is a lefty making him a no go at 3b

  148. kill.schill(ing)

    Caballeros y Camareras,

    TRANQUILO!!!

    1) Unlike the 2005-8 teams, the Yankees’ pitching will anchor this team.

    2) The Rays won last year despite losing Pena, Longoria, and Upton for lengthy periods of time B/C Pitching anchored their team.

    3) Losing Alex, the Yankees best hitter for 10 weeks, is not nearly as detrimental as losing CC Sabathia, their best pitcher, for 10 weeks. (Burnett now has to stay healthy)

    4) The injury and surgery doesn’t sound nearly as serious as Utley’s.

    5) It’s all Cashman’s fault, always is, or maybe, Selena the SlimeCrawler. Had the steroid fiasco not distracted him…. (Just kidding, except about Selena.)

  149. Ben

    Durham, Grudzelanik etc. are just lying around and are better than Ransom.

    Sign one of them now.

  150. trisha - As long as you're in pinstripes, Kei, I've got your back.

    http://mlb.mlb.com/news/articl.....p;c_id=mlb

  151. Ham Fighters

    sorry apparently i have a problem typing in spanish…deportes, deportes, deportes.

  152. Bob(The Original)

    You guys realize Durham has never played a single game at 3rd base?

    Try thinking begore just throwing names out there because you’ve heard of them.

  153. joeman

    if Arod misses time a trade is a must…Zimmerman,Beltre,Glaus,Blalock,Cantu,how about Inge

  154. JOJO

    All you bandwagon, fair weather so-called Yankee fans…this is your stop…feel free to get off the train here. We’re moving on with or without you.

  155. frits

    who the hell screwed this one up? they need to lose their job. its indefensible that this wasn’t recognized and treated earlier, like in the…oh i don’t know…offseason?

    DAMN IT.

  156. Lori

    “how can espn desportes report alex is out 10 weeks and espn report nothing?”

    The story, citing espn desportes and AP, is on ESPN’s website.
    http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/.....id=3954457

  157. NITRO

    Is it too late to bring back Morgan Ensberg?

  158. vinny-b

    not panic (it is only baseball)

    show Wigginton the money. And assure him he will be accomodated (sent to a NL team before the trade deadline) if he is unhappy.

  159. kill.schill(ing)

    I forgot about Garret Atkins, actually, but the Rockies are notoriously difficult to deal with.

    All Alex all the Time Baby. Next to launch: The Alex Rodriguez Channel.

  160. Jay

    We have the worst medical/training staff in all of baseball. All these injuries and miscalculations are bewildering.

  161. E. R.

    Didn’t I predict A-Rod will be on the DL this season ?

  162. Jason

    Why did no one know about this problem until now? He should have had it checked out in October, if it was a problem last year. WTF!

  163. Baseball Fab

    Ok, lets be real, this is HUGE.

    Sure its only a month, but Arod IS Arod. 2 seasons ago he singlehandedly carried us thru April.

    Wish it was one day ago, bet we would have signed manny.

  164. trisha - As long as you're in pinstripes, Kei, I've got your back.

    Sorrier still will be the “fans” who want to kill the Yankee organization at this point.

    Show me the organization that stops the presses because a player reports feeling stiffness. Remember that Alex reported no pain in all of this!

    What you need to know is how many times Alex talked about it and how much he said it bothered him. My guess is not many and not much!

  165. Largo

    Prepare for Francesa to start waxing poetically about Brandon Inge again.

  166. Tom

    Wiggy signed with the O’s, Vinny.

  167. Mike

    Hate to break it to everyone in the Ty Wigginton fan club but your boy was signed by the Orioles months ago.

  168. trisha - As long as you're in pinstripes, Kei, I've got your back.

    “Ok, lets be real, this is HUGE.”

    It’s big. But it isn’t the end of the world, and it isn’t something that can’t be overcome!

  169. Ham Fighters

    tex ever play any 3rd base?

  170. Stephen

    Buster Olney on XM suggesting that the Yanks consider Cano to be a better third-baseman than second…they may consider moving him and finding a 2B.

  171. Jay

    Move Cano to 3rd and sign Durham for 2nd base. I don’t think Durham has ever played 3rd

  172. Rebecca-Optimist Prime...Staying to Write the Story

    Guess this is not A-Rod’s year, huh?

  173. trisha - As long as you're in pinstripes, Kei, I've got your back.

    Baseball Fab, I really don’t see how signing Manny would have made any sense under the circumstances. Manny can’t play third, and it isn’t as if we don’t have enough spare outfielders. I think it would have just complicated rather than helped things!

  174. tampayank

    Manny should have waited a few more days

  175. EricS

    why didn’t they do this last year – a $200 million payroll and charging the fans a ton to see them and they can’t do the logical thing and fix it in the offseason – S at the end of the word Yankees is for STUPID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  176. Benny Blanco

    Breaking News: Selena Reports to release book on A-rod on May 2nd.

  177. bottom line

    From earlier thread (before ARod news)

    “But this team probably needs an extra middle infielder more than an extra outfielder.”

    Thank you, Peter. I’ve been making this point for months. Absolutely insane and irresponsible that here is nobody of consequence to back up Cano A-Rod And Jeter. And as I’ve said many times, this should not be seen as “utility infielder” issue. They need a genuine major league back-up and bench contriubtor who can fill in for more than a day. For months, I have been dreading the prospect of seeing Berroa and Ransom playing together when two guys go down.

  178. Matt

    Does it really make sense to move a lax second basemen to third with 3 weeks left to learn the position? I don’t know about you but I don’t really trust Cano at 3rd.

  179. Ham Fighters

    kay on sportscenter

  180. CRAZY PERSON

    Maybe this is some sort of Michael Jordanesque suspension. Remeber how Jordan was rumored to be deep into illeagal gambling and “quit” basketball for a year and a half? Maybe, MLB is doing the same to Alex….

  181. Brian M

    Yikes, while I think Wigginton could have been persuaded to trade a few ABs for a few more bucks I think we have to get out of the Cashman should have signed 4 all-stars to sit on the bench mentality. The truth is that when everyone is healthy we have a truly frightening line-up. When one or two guys are out we have a very sollid line-up. Gardner is going to cause havoc. Having him on the bases will get Damon and Jeter hits.

    Molina isn’t great but he is a solid back-up and has a $2M deal. Even the Yanks aren’t going to eat that for no reason, and given that Pudge is available for a bag of chips and a 6 pack I don’t see too many teams lining up to trade for him. Cashman expects Posada to catch more than 100 games. You can’t sign an allstar to share the rest with Molina. So we have to suck it up and accept having Molina catch 60 games. Truth is half of those will be blowouts.

    We have possibly the best rotation in the league, we have a very good bullpen, we have real quality back-up options for both the rotation and the pen. If we pitch well then a line-up with Damon, Jeter, Tex, Matsui, Swisher, Cano, Nady, Gardner and others will win more than a few games.

  182. trisha - As long as you're in pinstripes, Kei, I've got your back.

    Don’t kill me just asking.

    Angel Berroa has played 2nd and 3rd, but so few times as almost not to be counted. Any possibility there even so?

  183. gmen21

    so this looks legit

  184. Betsy

    SJ, I think you can understand why Yankee fans are upset about this news. 10 weeks is still basically a guess and as you know, any surgery is risky. There is no guarantee that Alex will be back by mid-May or that he will be the same player.

  185. JOJO

    Cysts grow, people. Anyone who has ever had a cyst will tell you at first they thought it was nothing serious but as the cyst grew it created greater pain & discomfort. That’s when you get it checked out and by then the Dr is telling you it’s the size of a golf ball and it needs to be removed. Of course either Arod or the Yanks would have taken care of things sooner if they had reason to believe it was a serious injury. By the end of the year, most players have aches & pains over a good portion of their bodies. Most go away with the rest and relaxation of the off season.

  186. carl

    Thank god we have shut down pitching to help us get through this.

  187. Tom

    So much for the odd year thing with Alex.

  188. able 21

    Maybe we’ll be seeing Marcos Vechionacci play a little 3rd. I was real excited watching him last year.

    It sure beats Eric Duncan.

  189. jeetskeet

    so this looks legit. andrew marchand said on espn that he spoke with an executive who mentioned possibilities including bill hall and chad tracy.

  190. Brian M

    Remember last year we were close most of the way despite having some really terrible pitching for half of the year, injuries which kept Posada, ARod, Matsui and others out for long stretches. Also Melky was terrible and Jeter played hurt half the year. We’ll be fine.

    Honestly I am still looking at the season with the same thought – I can’t wait to see Gardner play, and watch this rotation mow down team after team.

  191. Joe Monte

    Tex came up as a 3B so he could shift to 3B and have Swisher at 1B.

  192. aronik

    give Chris Malec a shot

  193. Butch

    Ham Fighters – It would be great if we could put Teixeira at 3B and Swisher at 1B, but I don’t think that’s really an option. Teixeira played 15 games at 3B but that was in 2003.

  194. vinny-b

    joeman:

    you want to trade for Zimmerman, for 10 weeks service?

    by the way, is my hearthrob (Hank Blalock) still with Texas?

  195. jdjr

    how could bro report to espn BEFORE yanks knew?
    why does the org seem disorganized at time w/ a rod?

  196. trisha - As long as you're in pinstripes, Kei, I've got your back.

    “We have possibly the best rotation in the league, we have a very good bullpen, we have real quality back-up options for both the rotation and the pen.”

    And therein lies a team’s success.

    At this point I consider this an interesting watch. As someone pointed out earlier, CC or one of our starters going down is a lot more reason for worry.

  197. bottom line

    Absolutely inexcusable that Cashman did not line up a credible infield back-up. He has disrespected this role for years, opting for the likes of Betemit and Berroa.

  198. Ham Fighters

    then id be asking tex how he feels about it.

  199. Vito

    Didn’t this outfit announce we had signed Manny back in December?

  200. Doreen

    I really don’t see anything amiss regarding the Yankees “not doing anything about this” earlier. If all ARod reported was some stiffness at the end of last season, but no pain and no problem playing, then I would think that the first thing is to see what rest (no playing) does. So, now it would seem that it still bothers him and they ARE looking into it.

    Everything is not a vast conspiracy and the Yankees aren’t a screw-up, rag-tag organization. And right now, no one knows whether Alex reported over the winter that he was feeling better or whether he reported anything at all.

    The need to blame is out of control.

  201. joeman

    I said 3 weeks ago this will be the worst year of Arod’s career and was laugh at by the hot shots on this board

  202. Mike

    Ok just got this from rotoworld
    http://www.rotoworld.com/conte.....;hl=255539

    Seems like we won’t see Alex till May .maybe June. .
    +

    Our guys are going to have to step it up until he heals .

    I feel SICK . as much of a Pain in the butt Alex is. .he’s still the best player in the Game !

  203. Joe Monte

    2002 minors for Teixeira had him playing 86 games at 3B for his entire season.

  204. Matt

    Gotta go out there and trade for Gregg Dobbs!

  205. Brad Pitt's better-looking brother

    CRAZY PERSON March 5th, 2009 at 11:44 am

    “Maybe this is some sort of Michael Jordanesque suspension. Remeber how Jordan was rumored to be deep into illeagal gambling and “quit” basketball for a year and a half? Maybe, MLB is doing the same to Alex….”

    - – - – - – - – - – - –

    Yup, you’re certifiable. But from what I’m reading today you are in good company.

  206. vinny-b

    “Didn’t this outfit announce we had signed Manny back in December?”

    vito: no. That was a newspaper in the DR.

  207. Laura - Just because I'm losing doesn't mean I'm lost!

    “Guess this is not A-Rod’s year, huh?”

    Doesn’t seem like it. The guy has been cursed or something.

    I don’t like this idea of moving Cano to 3rd. Either let Ransom play 3B or sign some FA.

  208. joeman

    vinny-b
    March 5th, 2009 at 11:46 am
    joeman:

    you want to trade for Zimmerman, for 10 weeks service?

    by the way, is my hearthrob (Hank Blalock) still with Texas?

    this is the beginning of the end for Arod

  209. Dennis from the Bronx

    Just asking, but are cyst growths a side effect of steroid use?

  210. Steve B

    “Teixeira played 15 games at 3B but that was in 2003.”

    He made 7 errors and had an .811 fielding %age in those 15 games. In the minors he made 21 errors in 85 games with a fielding percentage of .917.

    Apparently, it’s no accident he’s now a first baseman.

  211. trisha - As long as you're in pinstripes, Kei, I've got your back.

    able21, you know I absolutely felt the same way about Vechionacci. I asked the minor league guy on our other for updates on him all the time last year.

    “Thank god we have shut down pitching to help us get through this.”

    BIG time!

    “So much for the odd year thing with Alex.”

    Actually Tom it is working out to be an odd year for Alex!

    ;)

  212. 4 x 4

    In the AL East, it’s going to come down to a game or two. And A-Rod would have won more than just by himself.

    This is bad news, the worst news we could have received next to Sabathia or Wang going down.

  213. gayle

    All I have to say is there not ONE member of the Rodriguez family who knows how to keep there mouth shut. Brother Joe who we have not heard from before all of the sudden decides he needs to announce to the world that Alex needs surgery.

  214. tampayank

    A-ROD/ the Yanks are a constant soap opera, April 6th needs to get here quick so I can just enjoy baseball everyday with or without A-ROD

  215. RalphieD

    this is still a better team that last year…pitching will carry us

  216. joeman

    if the cyst was on his butt I say yes

  217. m

    Good morning, everyone. Okay, I wish it were.

    First of all, terrible, terrible news about Alex. He’s not my favorite (lolz), but best wishes to him.

    Of course, our first concern is his health. The good news is that he’s not dying and the ailment he has is treatable. He doesn’t have cancer. Lou Gehrig’s.

    The second concern is who plays 3B on opening day? You say Ransom? I say they sign a FA 3B who hasn’t been signed yet. Candidates?

    Third, way to jump on the Yankees about this. They can’t see Alex’s ailment or feel his pain. I’m sure they would take any complaints seriously. It’s more likely that Alex downplayed the pain, if anything. Gasp! You mean players actually downplay stuff?

    It’ll be a very interesting April. Let’s see if the rest of the guys can get it done. Tread water until Alex comes back. All of a sudden pitching looks really important. Glad we signed CC and that “good for nothing” AJ Burnett.

    That 10th OF looks like a third priority now. I think that we need to take care of the extra catcher and an extra IF for now.

    Best wishes to Alex and speedy recovery!

  218. Brad Pitt's better-looking brother

    Steve B.

    An .811 fielding % ?
    Even that guy on the Lotto commercial who was playing 3rd base got that! lol.

  219. Laura - Just because I'm losing doesn't mean I'm lost!

    “All I have to say is there not ONE member of the Rodriguez family who knows how to keep there mouth shut. Brother Joe who we have not heard from before all of the sudden decides he needs to announce to the world that Alex needs surgery.”

    And where are all of these relatives coming from anyway? I didn’t even know that he had a brother.

  220. Jay

    Our defense is going to be awful.

    Ransom isin’t good defensively.
    Damon is a huge liability in center

    Yikes

  221. aronik

    Let Ransom do it he is our best bet at this point

  222. Ham Fighters

    i cant imagine the smoke coming out of cashman’s ears when he heard that alex’s brother announced this before the team was ready to.

    his eyeballs are probably about ready to pop out by now.

  223. Rishi

    it must be posted here about 5 times that this has nothing to do with steroids…scroll up before guessing

  224. MCB

    Can’t Swisher play third? They have 4 weeks of ST to get him used to the position.

    I agree with Pete though. How is this just being discovered/treated now when he complained about discomfort last year? Thats ridiculous.

  225. SJ44

    Betsy, sorry but the panic is just dumb.

    Players get hurt in every sport.

    It’s March 5 for God sakes. Just relax and see how it plays out.

    For the people who posted on here that the Yankees should just release Arod, now they get to see what it’s like if their dream came true.

    If the pitching stays healthy, they are better equipped to handle this than most teams.

    The good teams find a way and the Yankees are a good team.

    The panic on here, while entertaining, isn’t very logical.

  226. Matt

    Do you think the Phillies would trade Gregg Dobbs maybe for some pitching?

  227. able 21

    Trisha – glad you feel like I do about Marcos Vechionacci.

    Now would certainly be the time to take a look see.

  228. Ham Fighters

    what 3B does nady bring you back in a trade?

  229. O-Dawg

    Dang, what a loss for the Dominican team.

  230. trisha - As long as you're in pinstripes, Kei, I've got your back.

    *If all ARod reported was some stiffness at the end of last season, but no pain and no problem playing, then I would think that the first thing is to see what rest (no playing) does. So, now it would seem that it still bothers him and they ARE looking into it.

    Everything is not a vast conspiracy and the Yankees aren’t a screw-up, rag-tag organization. And right now, no one knows whether Alex reported over the winter that he was feeling better or whether he reported anything at all.

    The need to blame is out of control.*

    Thank you Doreen! I bolded the whole thing (or tried to) because I thought it was important for people to pay attention to your words. Right on target. Hopefully end of that story!

  231. Mike

    Does Anyone know the top available free agents for 3b or 2b ???

  232. Matt

    Swisher is a Lefty he cant play 3b

  233. vinny-b

    “This is bad news, the worst news we could have received next to Sabathia or Wang going down”

    much better news, then one of our main pitchers going down.

    if a tean cannot play ’small ball’ for 10 weeks, they are not worth anything.

  234. Tom K

    It’s hard to blame the Yankees for not finding a “quality backup infielder”. The main reason why they can’t find a quality backup is because the quality backups want to play…and with an infield of Tex/Cano/Jeter/A-Rod, a good backup infielder sees really little chance for significant playing time.

    It can be a crapshoot – when the Yankees had an emergency at second base in 2004, they stepped in something to get a league average season out of Cairo. They will need similar luck for a month or two or however long A-Rod will be out. Just hope someone can step in and not completely kill the team.

  235. Laura - Just because I'm losing doesn't mean I'm lost!

    “It’ll be a very interesting April. Let’s see if the rest of the guys can get it done.”

    This will be the first test of how good this team really is. If they can keep their heads afloat while Alex is gone, I will be very impressed.

  236. Brent

    Didn’t Girardi say this was “discomfort” and not pain? A-Rod’s making 27 million this year. Stick it out and play some baseball if it doesn’t hurt. If it ruins your career, you can retire early, Yankees will be rid of the monster contract, and people won’t complain when you pass Bonds.

    Win/win.

    (kidding!)

    But seriously..Like Pete said..if this pain was evident last year too, then what gives? The city pretty much shuts down with horror when players get colds or slightly pull a muscle. Where was the over-protective front office?

  237. rodg12

    If he’s out 10 weeks, like the reports say, it hurts but it’s not the end of the world. Like it has been pointed out, we have the pitching depth to withstand this and it has been done by the Yankees before. Jeter missed at least that much time to begin 2003 and we made do with Erick Almonte playing SS and still won the division. We can make do with Ransom or maybe make a trade for someone using our pitching depth.

  238. CountryClub

    The Yanks will be fine

  239. randy l

    i see no reason why the yankees should have been proactive and anticipated a possible problem with arods hip just because he had hip problems last summer. when you have 250 million invested in a player , i think it’s obvious you have spent as much a you need to spend. mri’s are very expensive you know.

    why do them when there is a possibility problems will just go away on their own?

    plus the beginning of the season is not important as the yankees have found it brings the team together much better when they have to scramble from a bad start.

    some of you people just don’t appreciate cashman’s genius. now there’s a man who knows the hidden value of bad starts.

  240. Bob(The Original)

    The Yanks aren’t gonna move Teixeira or Cano to third. Especially for something that’s 10 weeks. That’s just silly.

    They’re not gonna make some big blockbuster deal for a third baseman either.

    They’ll plug someone in there and wait for him to get back.

    If it turns out to be something season threatening though, then they may go out and make a deal, but not for a month and a half of the season they won’t.

  241. Noey

    Hank Blaylock from texas will be our opening day third basemen

    Cash is going to make that trade because he was on the trading block during the off season.

  242. joeman

    see the list of remaining FA’s that can play 3rd,not much there. Atrade is the better route to go

  243. Mike

    I’d be happy with Hank ! . . Hank the Tank !

  244. Vito

    Stick Ransom at 3B for 40 games.
    We survived Eric Almonte at SS for 40 games back in 2003 and we actually played better then when Jeter came back.

    With our lineup depth we can overcome this.

  245. Tony

    I am so happy ARod will be on the shelf. Now we can just play ball and not listen to all the crap that comes with him. I bet they play well without him.

  246. Calm Down

    Okay people calm down…Yes A-rod is important, very important..but if the Yankees miss the playoffs cause A-rod is out of the line-up for 10 weeks..while Tex, Posada, Matsui, Jeter, Cano, Damon, Nady/Swisher, and with a rotation of CC, Wang, Burnett, Andy, and Joba then the Yankees have to right to be in the playoffs

  247. O-Dawg

    Guys, if this team can’t survive the loss of a position player for 1 month… then we’re not going anywhere anyway.

    Good teams find ways to overcome this. They find ways to pick up eachother and pick up the slack.

    All this great ‘chemistry’ you guys keep talking about… well, we will see if its true or just a fabrication. How you handle adversity is when you see the true chemistry.

  248. Vince

    “Maybe they could sign Nomar before he inks up with Oakland? Wes Helms? Rich Aurilia? Kevin Millar? Garrett Atkins? He’d be really expensive”

    Nomar signed a few days ago to the A’s.

    And… Millar is on the Blue Jays.

  249. tampayank

    MLB network needs to work on live ‘breaking news’ coverage; they are showing a taped show from yesterday, if they want to get baseball fans to make the complete switch from ESPN to them they need to have the staff to pick up live breaking news immediately…make it more of a 24 hour network

  250. Nigel

    I wouldn’t be surprised if the team plays better without arod.

  251. vinny-b

    “I’d be happy with Hank ! . . Hank the Tank !”

    as would I. Texas can have Kennedy.

    don’t see it, tho. Not for 10 weeks. As Blalock is not a utility player and would have no place to play, when arod returns.

  252. Matt

    Greg Dobbs? Any Interest?

  253. joeman

    you know what it’s not just Arod,they have many more question marks on this team…Mo hasn’t even pitched yet,what stage is Jorge really at,all Matsui can do is DH & the CF thing will be a a revoling door all year

  254. Laura - Just because I'm losing doesn't mean I'm lost!

    “I am so happy ARod will be on the shelf.”

    I think you are on the wrong blog. This is a blog for Yankees fans.

  255. Aaron

    I bet we will trade for Bill Hall.

  256. Big Handsome

    The yankees should trade Cano for Pedroia

  257. saucY

    i too never really understood the disconnect between ESPN and ESPNdeportes. shouldn’t they just be essentially mirror images of each other? babelfished or whatever?

  258. Real World

    10 weeks, as of March 5th, means about 6 weeks or so, of the regular season. So you can forget a moving in on any big names, since there will be no place for said aquisition, when Arod returns. If the Yanks do anything out of house, it’ll likely be a lower tier JAG like a Morgan Ensberg type, that can easily be released, or designated for asignment once he’s no longer needed. That, or they may opt for a super sub type, like a Nomar, Aurulia, Grudselanik (sp?), etc that could be stashed on the bench for depth. Personally, I’d like to see them go in house, by moving Cano over, or better yet Tex (unlikely, but possible). It sucks, but it’s 6 weeks.

    My real concern is the slow start history, and new parts the Yankees have on their roster. Without Arod around to be battered by the media, as usual, it means more scrutiny, and added pressure on the likes of Tex, CC, & AJ. It also creates the temptation of rushing players like Matsui & Posada into the line-up, to compensate for Arod’s missing production. If the Yankees start slow, or certain players struggle, look out.

  259. Real World

    10 weeks, as of March 5th, means about 6 weeks or so, of the regular season. So you can forget a moving in on any big names, since there will be no place for said aquisition, when Arod returns. If the Yanks do anything out of house, it’ll likely be a lower tier JAG like a Morgan Ensberg type, that can easily be released, or designated for asignment once he’s no longer needed. That, or they may opt for a super sub type, like a Nomar, Aurulia, Grudselanik (sp?), etc that could be stashed on the bench for depth. Personally, I’d like to see them go in house, by moving Cano over, or better yet Tex (unlikely, but possible). It sucks, but it’s 6 weeks.

    My real concern is the slow start history, and new parts the Yankees have on their roster. Without Arod around to be battered by the media, as usual, it means more scrutiny, and added pressure on the likes of Tex, CC, & AJ. It also creates the temptation of rushing players like Matsui & Posada into the line-up, to compensate for Arod’s missing production. If the Yankees start slow, or certain players struggle, look out.

  260. Laura - Just because I'm losing doesn't mean I'm lost!

    “I wouldn’t be surprised if the team plays better without arod.”

    Yeah, because they played so well last season when he was out.

  261. Brent

    “I wouldn’t be surprised if the team plays better without arod.”

    I would be VERY surprised. Distraction or not, he’s going to put up .310/35-40/120+. Even for 10 weeks, you’d have to have the other Yankees put up some biiig numbers to fill in admirably.

    There were enough question marks in the offensive production of Cano (bad year), Matsui (injury), Posada (injury), and Swisher (bad year). All of those guys need to be ready to play at close-to-100%, and the other players need to be at 100% to make up for A-Rod’s absence.

  262. Matt

    Cano for Pedroia? What does that help???

  263. Steve B

    “I bet we will trade for Bill Hall.”

    Brewers would love to move the contract.

  264. 7*7

    Maybe we can rekindle the Mike Cameron and Bill Hall trade. Kill 2 birds with 1 stone.

  265. rodg12

    Bill Hall would be interesting. I belive his calf injury will be healed in time for him to start the year. Maybe a Hall/Cameron combo trade now.

  266. ML

    Pete,

    You should be more careful with your medical evaluations. A cyst is not a “sore spot on the bone”, as you put it, but a sac of tissue that has filled with fluid.

    Looks like bad news for the Yanks, although it sounds like the kind of thing that wouldn’t linger like a hamstring injury often does.

    Having Teixeira should cushion the impact his absence would have on the lineup, but who’s going to play third? Can Swisher play there? I’m not sure Ransom can play every day for 10 weeks without killing us.

  267. Brent

    “The yankees should trade Cano for Pedroia”

    What? I just…wait..what??

  268. Big Handsome

    the yankes should trade jeter for lance berkman

  269. Phil

    Justin Leone has a lot of minor league HR’s and he can probably fill in for awhile – albeit, suboptimally – but with some homers.

  270. Chien - Ming Vase

    hall has a toxic contract

  271. Scott

    If we want to anything in October, we’ll do it with pitching and defense.

    So might as well get a good start on it in the first month. Small-ball and winning 3-2 games.

  272. joeman

    just hope they don’t have to go out looking for a closer too

  273. Big Handsome

    the yankees should trade cc back to milwaukee for braun and chris capuano

  274. CB

    Alex projects to be around 45 runs better than league average this season.

    If this report is true (who knows right now as its hearsay…) then let’s assume he comes back May 15th.

    The yankees play 35 games before May 15th. That’s 21% of their season.

    Over 35 games Alex would have produced 9.5 runs above a league average third baseman.

    So if the yankees can replace Alex with league average 3b production they’ll be around 10 runs worse than they would have been with Alex. That’s losing around one win.

    It’s unlikely that the yankees will be able to replace him with league average production. Say they go with Ransom. Ransom over 35 games will be worse than league average.

    So in replacing Alex with Ransom I’d guess the yankees will have lost 15 runs.

    That’s 1.5 wins. In a very tight AL East that’s significant but in no way earth shattering.

    The best way to counteract this loss of production might be to just have Damon play CF frequently over the first 35 games and then play Nady, Damon and Swisher in the OF. I don’t know if Damon is so fragile that he can’t handle 25 games or so in CF at the start of the season when he’ll be rested anyway coming off the off season. That would probably give back like 5-7 runs.

    Otherwise, the pitching will need to perform, Posada will need to catch, and the CF will need to be decent.

    Every team in baseball is going to lose key guys over the course of the season so it’s not as if Boston and Tampa aren’t going to have analogous losses of production at some point.

  275. Betsy

    Rodg, the division is brutal – it’s not like it was in 2003. We have no choice but to deal with it and either do the Yankees – they’ll have to step up. First thing, though – they have got to get someone to play 3rd. Tex should not be moved there under any circumstances.

  276. Ham Fighters

    hall is owed $15.2M this yr and next

  277. Russell NY

    Once pitchers realize Pedroia is a tiny little man his effect will diminish.

  278. Big Handsome

    I have a trade idea….Mariano Rivera, Cano and Hughes for Adam Wainwright and Albert Pujols

  279. Russell NY

    I remember what happened last year when ARod wen’t down for a month of the season. We didn’t hit!

    But last year we didn’t have Tex :)

  280. rb15

    just jumping in here, haven’t read the above comments. but, how about tex at third, swisher at first? tex came up as a third baseman, didn’t he (or at least a corner player)? and swisher, obviously, can play first. a pretty big adjustment for tex, but i have faith in the guy! if youkilis can do it, so can he!

  281. Russell NY

    I have a trade idea….Mariano Rivera, Cano and Hughes for Adam Wainwright and Albert Pujols

    Shut it.

  282. saucY

    “hall has a toxic contract”

    exactly. like a lot of these big names folks are throwing around, what do you do with them once A-Rod returns? trade them again? nobody’s going to offer the yankees anything for Bill Hall in June. Hall get paid even more in 2010.

  283. trisha - As long as you're in pinstripes, Kei, I've got your back.

    able21, I’m trying to find out where Vechionacci is right now. The kid absolutely blew my socks off the first time he was at the Yanks spring training. I know he had some groin injury last year. I also know that he was rated as one of the Yanks top defensive infielders. I don’t know that they’d do it but boy it would be a joy to watch him play third!

  284. joeman

    can’t trade damage goods

  285. Patrick

    The Yankees should trade Johnny Damon for Hanley Ramirez.

  286. Calm Down

    Yes, but you would of needed Cano to play well, Posada and Matsui to come back from injury with or without A-rod..its not like he’s missing the full season, all im saying is if A-rod missing 10 weeks is going to be the reason the Yankees miss the playoffs then we have much bigger problems.

  287. Coach6423

    JOBA to 3rd

  288. Brian M

    You know who I blame? Pete.

    Imagine making a projected line-up for opening day already. As clear a case of jinxing a team as I’ve ever seen. They’ll drop like flies all week.

    We’ll be lucky to have 5 guys from that list healthy by opening day.

  289. jashell2000

    It will be either Ransom or Berrora. We will be fine. Pitching and defense will be even more important starting out (like it wasn’t already). Back in May is not the end of the world. We will hang.

  290. Jorge (México)

    And what about Nettles? I’ll send an email to Cashman right now!!!!!!!

  291. able 21

    Marcos Vechionacci is on the Trenton Thunder AA roster.

    Listen up everyone MARCOS, MARCOS, MARCOS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  292. Russell NY

    I like that idea rb15.

  293. Big Handsome

    okay, okay…I know you guys will love this one…

    Joba for BJ Ryan

  294. joeman

    I’d be more worried about Mo than Arod at this point in time

  295. SoCalYankeeFan

    Nothing has been confirmed yet about A-Rod, but I also like the idea of Tex covering 3B and Swisher at 1B if and when A-Rod is out. Tex came up as a 3B and he is very athletic, so I don’t see it as a problem for him, if he is comfortable with it. Otherwise it’s Cody Ransom at 3B with Justin Leone getting a chance to stick until May/June.

    SoCalYankeeFan 8)

  296. rodg12

    Yeah, didn’t realize Hall’s contract was so bad. Scrap that idea.

    Excellent analysis from CB. Good to see you back here, been a while since I’ve seen a post from you.

  297. carl

    And we didn’t have pitching.

  298. able 21

    And don’t anyone get on my case. At least I am not calling for Ben Sheets

  299. trisha - As long as you're in pinstripes, Kei, I've got your back.

    If the Yanks start slow, with the rotation and bullpen we have we should still be at the top of the heap.

  300. Danny

    Ransom or Berroa don’t even play good defense. I’d rather play Vecchinonachi and get the solid glove.

  301. Patrick

    I think Girardi should shift Molina to third because he has a great arm. Then move Posada to second because he used to play there and its a shorter throw (which helps his shoulder). Then of course move Cano behind the plate. Good idea or great idea??

  302. m

    A CB sighting!

    Unfortunately it’s overshadowed by randy l taking a shot at Cashman. What a distraction. Diva. ;)

  303. Noey

    Hank Blaylock would make sense as a trade, he currently has no position in Texas, he is sharing time with Chris Davis

  304. Big Handsome

    Okay, surely we could get a tone for Mark Melancon….so I suggest the yankees package Melancon with Hughes and Austin Jackson for Lance Berkman, Hunter Pence and Mike Hampton

  305. Mike

    is Charlie Hayes still playing ?

  306. Wilson

    People forgot how bad our players are in April

    Damon came into camp out of shape and is a slow starter
    Teixeria is a career .259 hitter in April
    Cano is inept early in the season

  307. Calm Down

    oh yeah that would be great an aging outfielder like Damon for an upcoming superstar like Hanley Ramirez. Why wouldn’t the Marlins do that….oh while your at it lets trade Swisher for Grady Siezmore….People these days

  308. steve

    The Yanks were awful when a-rod was out last year.

  309. SJ44

    You don’t move Tex, a guy who hasn’t played third base for SIX years, because Arod is going to miss the first 4-6 weeks of the regular season.

    As CB (welcome back!) points out, there are ways to offset the loss without going into panic mode and doing something dumb.

    This team has suffered significant losses in the past and found ways to win.

    The Red Sox lost David Ortiz for two months last year, and was pretty much ineffective when he came back, and still made the playoffs.

    Good teams overcome injuries. The Yankees are a good team.

    While its a loss, the season is hardly “over”.

  310. joeman

    may need Melancon to close

  311. NJ in Tampa

    a-rod is out until may

  312. Patrick

    Clearly the season is doomed. The Yankees should trade Phil Hughes, Austin Jackson, Jesus Montero and Andrew Brackman to the Mets for David Wright.

  313. trisha - As long as you're in pinstripes, Kei, I've got your back.

    “I’d rather play Vecchinonachi and get the solid glove.”

    Damn media. They ask every ridiculous question under the sun and waste time asking Jeter about Arod’s innocuous comments. Now that we are looking for a 3B and Vecchionachi is a name that should be asked about, where are they?

    Hint hint Pete…

    :D

  314. Brent

    AJ Burnett for Chase Wright. (Just to add to the nonsense trade proposals :-) )

  315. Ham Fighters

    the only way you consider tex to 3B is if he basically asks girardi to let him. and then only if he convinces you he’d be decent. i dont see the yankees trying it.

  316. Ed - spring training can't start soon enough

    I guess now Cashman will go with inhouse options to replace A-Rod. This will certainly open up more abs for Swisher.

  317. m

    I don’t think we’re trading our starter, closer, and CF of the future for someone to cover 3B for a month.

    Oh, you were kidding? Never mind.

    Who was the first person Cashman called after he got the news? Who are our usual trade partners? Padres, Pirates?

  318. Mike

    TEX IS NOT PLAYING 3rd Base !!

  319. joeman

    Mo might be a bigger problem…..what a way to open up a new ballpark

  320. Big Handsome

    yankees should sign wade boggs, his hair is just like it was in his rookie season.

  321. Big Handsome

    yankees should sign wade boggs, his hair is just like it was in his rookie season.

  322. Patrick

    “oh yeah that would be great an aging outfielder like Damon for an upcoming superstar like Hanley Ramirez. Why wouldn’t the Marlins do that….oh while your at it lets trade Swisher for Grady Siezmore….People these days ”

    Ok fine, how about Shelley Duncan, Melky Cabrera and George Kontos for Hanley Ramirez? Thats 3 for 1, a great deal for the Marlins. They need a guy like Duncan because he’s strong enough to hit the ball out of the Marlin’s stadium. Hanley just isn’t strong enough because Florida’s stadium is too big.

  323. trisha - As long as you're in pinstripes, Kei, I've got your back.

    “Clearly the season is doomed. The Yankees should trade Phil Hughes, Austin Jackson, Jesus Montero and Andrew Brackman to the Mets for David Wright.”

    :lol:

    “The Yanks were awful when a-rod was out last year.”

    Steve, while the Yanks were awful when Arod was out last year, they weren’t playing behind a rotation of CC, AJ, Wang, Pettitte and Joba.

    WAHOO!!!!! We’ll survive nicely, thank you.

  324. John in Ohio

    They’ll be fine.

    Bring Eric Duncan up for a few weeks. Don’t mess with the rest of the defense.

  325. Mr. Burns

    Damon LF
    Jeter SS
    Teixeria 1B
    Matsui DH
    Posada (or Molina) C
    Nady RF
    Cano 2B
    Ransom 3B
    Gardner CF

    Not bad

  326. Steve B

    “Hank Blaylock would make sense as a trade, he currently has no position in Texas, he is sharing time with Chris Davis”

    I think Blalock is the DH heading into ‘09 with Davis at 1B. The Rangers do have a bit of a logjam in the OF and would probably part with Blalock in favor of the extra OF Dh’ing. He’s owed $6M for ‘09 (last year of his deal)and would probably have a little trade value at midseason. That said, I seem to recall there being some issue with his arm that was going to make playing 3B a problem for him.

  327. joeman

    next you’ll hear that Mo won’t be able to start the season on time,he’ll stay back in Tampa

  328. Patrick

    “Not bad ”

    Swisher is leagues better than Nady but other than that your lineup is ok.

  329. SJ44

    Patrick,

    I don’t like your idea. I think Joba would be a better third baseman because his arm is even better than Molina’s.

    I LOVE your idea of Posada to second. This way, they can save his arm and trade Cano for Albert Pujols and move Tex to DH. lol

    Thank God some of you are just fans and not GM’s.

    This is a team with a loaded starting pitching staff, solid bullpen, and good offensive players. They have to find a way to fill a hole for six weeks of the regular season.

    They have trade parts and there are some guys floating around who may be a fit.

    Or, perhaps a guy like Cody Ransom helps them for 75-100 AB’s.

    One thing you can’t do is panic.

    This injury could have been worse. Now, when Arod comes back, the book furor is in the past, he is fresh, healthy and ready to go.

    This team is not going to go in the tank because Arod is out. There is still a LOT of talent among this group.

    A lot more than the panicked section of the fan base gives credit for.

  330. Mike

    Mr Burns . .Ranson and Gardner scare me ! . Plus we don’t know the health of Posada and Matsui ! .

  331. yanksfanmc

    Well, looks like alot of you got your wish. Now you get to see what life without Alex will be like.

    If Yuri can score some more boli, can that speed up Alex’s recovery time, perhaps cut it in half.

    He better get Yuri in the horn

  332. yanksfanmc

    Well, looks like alot of you got your wish. Now you get to see what life without Alex will be like.

    If Yuri can score some more boli, can that speed up Alex’s recovery time, perhaps cut it in half.

    He better get Yuri in the horn

  333. saucY

    “yankees should sign wade boggs, his hair is just like it was in his rookie season.”

    that one actually made me lol a little…

  334. trisha - As long as you're in pinstripes, Kei, I've got your back.

    My unofficial and unscientific poll tells me that the majority of Yankee fans here are not panicking.

    Way to go Yankee fans!

  335. m

    Mr. Burns,

    Not bad at all. I’d like to find a way to get Swish into as many games as possible. And he’s a huge on-base guy that’ll lengthen the lineup.

    It helps that our pitching is primo quality. Look for the pitchers to have a huge April.

    BTW, this probably spells doom for the loser of the Melky/Gardner cage match. How about we try Melky at 3B? :)

  336. JohnC

    Ray Durham or Mark Grudzelanik make the most sense. You’re talking about 1, maybe 2 months of the season.

  337. Jay

    Per ESPN 105O – Chad Tracey is available….

  338. joeman

    nobody talking this Mo problem up yet…..get ready for some bad news about him

  339. able 21

    I am glad that no one has suggested we get Gary Sheffield to play third.

  340. vinny-b

    if NYY trades for anyone, it should be for Hank Blalock. Let Texas have Kennedy/Veras

    Blalock and Texeria used to mash in Texas.

    and Blalock is clutch.

  341. hardwired

    According to Heyman, it’s ‘6 to 8 weeks’.

    http://sportsillustrated.cnn.c.....index.html

    According to Peter Gammons, Rodriguez does not play for the Red Sox so he has no comment.

  342. YankeeFan4eva

    Will the game be on Yes today?

  343. Phil

    welcome back, CB!

  344. SJ44

    Trisha,

    Marcos Vechionnacci is a non-prospect. He isn’t an answer to anything.

    They aren’t going to go with a guy who can’t get out of AA to replace Arod.

    They will do what they always do. Check the market and also give Ransom/Berroa every chance to win the slot.

  345. Russell NY

    “If we want to anything in October, we’ll do it with pitching and defense.

    So might as well get a good start on it in the first month. Small-ball and winning 3-2 games.”

    In that case we’ll need Gardner in CF.

  346. John in Ohio

    Maybe it’s time to take a look at Kevin Russo or Justin Leone.

    There are options. Ransom, Russo, Leone, Duncan. Give ‘em a shot.

  347. Jeremy

    Wait a minute. I thought we were supposed to get rid of ARod, eating his contract if necessary, because he’s such a distraction. Now we face losing him for ten weeks and people are frightened that his absence will hurt the team. Imagine that – ARod actually is good to have on the team because he is a good baseball player!

    It’s a sad testament to the intelligence of Yankee fans that it takes an injury to ARod to make people realize he helps us win.

  348. Ham Fighters

    i think the doo doo is really going to hit the fan about how this news got out, who knew what when and generally why things went down the way they did. just watch, thats the next arod firestorm.

    we shall overcome!

  349. Patrick

    SJ,

    I’m glad you like my plan but if we trade Cano for Pujols and move Tex to DH who will be the catcher? Oh I forgot about Matsui. I guarantee you he has karate training so his legs are super flexible and will be able to withstand being the catcher for a month.

  350. Josiah from NC

    Buster Olney had some possible suggestions (trade possibilities) to fill the whole at third.

    He mentioned Andy Marte from the Indians, Bobby Crosby, and Garret Adkins.

  351. tampayank

    The Yanks shouldn’t trade any valuable young arms for a 2 month solution

  352. Jay

    Wait.. now it’s 6-8 weeks?

    I believe Heyman over ESPN Deportes.

  353. joeman

    who’s the Yankee closer

  354. Calm Down

    Dear Patrick,

    Lay off the drugs. Are u serious? Hanley Ramirez might be the best shortstop in baseball (no disrespect to my hero D.J) hes a .320 to .330 hitter with 30 to 35 homeruns a year.

  355. trisha - As long as you're in pinstripes, Kei, I've got your back.

    SJ44, when did Marcos become a nonprospect? The guy was great when he hit the minors and highly touted?

  356. Ham Fighters

    man, if only drew henson were still here….

  357. Patrick

    “who’s the Yankee closer ”

    We are trading for Kyra Sedgwick.

  358. me

    so now can we assume that the yanks will be 7 games behind the Sox by mid May —- once again?

  359. trisha - As long as you're in pinstripes, Kei, I've got your back.

    “The Yanks shouldn’t trade any valuable young arms for a 2 month solution”

    The Yanks should trade ANYONE for a two-month solution, nor should they go out looking for a two-month solution. That’s my feeling. Use what you have.

  360. SJ44

    Why do they need a closer? Unless of course, you don’t believe Rivera when he says he is “fine”.

    Heyman=talked to Boras and that’s what Boras is saying.

    The truth? Who knows.

    The Yankees are on information lockdown. Meaning, one of two things.

    Everybody is trying to get their stories straight and/or Arod is getting a second opinion.

    Either way, figure the first month of the season he will be out of the lineup.

    Bad but, not season-ending.

  361. Calm Down

    Wait another great one from the best GM is baseball. Patrick: “Cano for Puljos” hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah

  362. m

    Mo’s not going to be a problem. Jorge will more than likely be okay and he looks great offensively. Alex is a temporary problem.

    The main thing is our pitching (knock on wood) is fixed.

  363. trisha - As long as you're in pinstripes, Kei, I've got your back.

    SJ, I meant to say: The guy was great when he hit the minors and highly touted. That was a statement, not a question.

  364. Mike

    Heres an idea. .how about we win games by out pitching the other team .

    just a thought !

  365. Jeremy

    Those Olney suggestions made me queasy because they are all so terrible.

    Marte has been a total bust at the ML level.

    Crosby can’t hit at all and doesn’t even play 3B. He’s also owed $5.5 million this year.

    Atkins can’t hit either, and he plays in Colorado!

    Those guys are so awful that I see no reason the Yankees should give up anything to get them. Why not just use Ransom at 3B instead? He will be bad, but at least he won’t cost us anything.

  366. joeman

    Mo is fine ???? hasn’t even thrown off the mound yet

  367. SJ44

    Trisha,

    He was never a highly rated prospect (in fact, he was one of the Yankees overrated signings) and really hasn’t hit in the minors.

    Two years ago, he hovered around the Mendoza Line in A Ball when the Yankees released him.

    He’s not the answer to filling the slot.

  368. trisha - As long as you're in pinstripes, Kei, I've got your back.

    “Heres an idea. .how about we win games by out pitching the other team .

    just a thought !”

    :D

  369. Patrick

    “Lay off the drugs. Are u serious? ”

    Fine fine I’ll expand my trade proposal even more. Hanley Ramirez for the following: Eric Duncan (better than Shelley), Brett Tomko (more experience than Kontos), Edwar Ramirez (so good i get light headed just thinking about him) and Angel Berroa (rookie of the year). I figure that Berroa was ROTY and so was Hanley so its an even trade.

  370. Uncle Ellsworth

    Chone Figgins?

  371. trisha - As long as you're in pinstripes, Kei, I've got your back.

    SJ, I want him for his defense not his offense. And he was one of the Yanks top-rated defensive infielders in the minors at one point. I would call that the equivalent of a highly rated prospect.

  372. Trevor

    LF Damon
    SS Jeter
    1B Teixeira
    DH Matsui
    C Posada
    2B Cano
    RF Swisher
    3B Ransom
    CF Gardner

    This line-up still should be able to score some runs.

  373. Mike

    Uncle Ellsworth :

    Figgins wouldn’t be a bad idea. . speed. good defense !. not a bad idea at all

  374. trisha - As long as you're in pinstripes, Kei, I've got your back.

    “Two years ago, he hovered around the Mendoza Line in A Ball when the Yankees released him.”

    The Yankees released him? I’m pretty sure he played for the Yankees last season!

    Now I will have to do more research. Drat. But my curiosity is right up there.

  375. carl

    If he can come back in six, that would be great.

  376. miggs

    Well this thread has deteriorated rather quickly as I expected….

    Tex isn’t playing 3rd and I doubt this injury will make the team inclined to move Damon to center full time.

    My guess is Ransom (if the injury is really only a 10 week thing) or some marginal FA still available.

    I just cannot imagine Cashman giving up something of substance for a player to play 3rd base for a month. It just makes no sense.

  377. SJ44

    Jeremy,

    This is the time in the game when everyone in the media just throws out names to sound “smart”.

    Bobby Crosby and Ray Durham? Neither guy has played an inning in the majors at third base.

    Marte? He’s available for one reason. He’s been a bust. Personally, I’d sign him to a minor league contract just to see if he has anything left. A six week solution to Arod? No way.

    What should they do? Well, that would depend on ACCURATE information about Arod, wouldn’t it?

    If its just a month long injury, you handle it better than you would if it was longer.

    If he’s only out for a month, I’d give Ransom the shot and see how he does.

    If its longer, then you may have to make a deal.

    Either way, I don’t see this team going into the tank because of this injury. If anything, it will sharpen everybody’s focus and make them realize the April games are going to be pretty important right now.

  378. Patrick

    “Wait another great one from the best GM is baseball. Patrick: “Cano for Puljos” hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah ”

    Hey come on man, that was SJ44’s idea. I was just agreeing that its an excellent deal for both teams. Cano hits for a better average and Pujols hits more HR and RBI. So how about this deal. Sign Richie Sexson and add him to the deal to make up for the Cardinals losing HR’s and RBI’s. Then the Cards have to add in Colby Rasmus (so-so prospect) to make up for the Yankees losing Cano’s batting average.

  379. Laura - Just because I'm losing doesn't mean I'm lost!

    ““who’s the Yankee closer ”

    *We are trading for Kyra Sedgwick.

    Okay, this one was actually funny.

  380. joeman

    if Figgins could also play SS(to rest Jeter once in a while)that would be a nice move

  381. Davis

    Pitching wins hampionships

  382. PAT M.

    Panic in LoHud land…..They have three weeks to sort it out…CB welecome back, but Spring Training started last week….Ranson has the inside track….At least it’s not someone in the rotation…..

  383. m

    I love the Chone, even though he looks like a street hustler. :)

    The Angels would absolutely fleece us, but he would be a keeper even after Alex comes back.

    Too bad Kennedy bombed at Angels stadium. :evil:

  384. trisha - As long as you're in pinstripes, Kei, I've got your back.

    Miggs, that is why I am so thankful that there is a Yankee organization that ends up making the decisions!

  385. Calm Down

    Ok Patrick since you have no idea how baseball works lets me explain it to you. When you want a superstar like Hanley you either have to give a Superstar with equal value back or you give back 2 or 3 high end prospects. Plus Hanley make very little money

  386. Matt

    If A-Rod is really going to be out for a month and a half, you can’t put Gardner AND Ransom in the lineup. As long as Matsui and Posada are healthy they should score runs, but you can’t run out there with 2 completely unproven hitters and expect to keep rallies alive. What happens if Swisher walks like he tends to in that lineup? GIDP? Strikeout? You can’t let that happen.

    You kept both Nady and Swisher for a reason. Now you can take advantage of your good depth. I’m thinking Melky’s Yankee career just ended unless he passes through waivers.

    Damon- CF
    Jeter- SS
    Teixeira- 1B
    Matsui- DH
    Posada- C
    Nady- RF
    Cano- 2B
    Swisher- LF
    Ransom- 3B

    That lineup is still pretty strong. If the pitching they have is really as good as advertised, they should still play .550-.600 ball while A-Rod is gone. It’s scary to think of how good they’ll be when he gets back.

  387. SJ44

    Trisha,

    He was signed as a SS, moved to third when he grew out of the SS position, and got stalled in A Ball.

    He then got DFA’ed, and when he was released again (I believe by either Detroit or Seattle) the Yankees re-signed him.

    He’s not a good player. He can’t hit and he isn’t that good defensively.

    Cody Ransom is a much better player than Marcos. If they are going to stay in house, he’s probably the guy.

  388. 24 Score

    Can Nady play 3rd?

  389. Patrick

    “Pitching wins hampionships”

    Only if those pitchers are David Wells, Sidney Ponson, Bobby Jenks and Bob Wickman.

  390. Mike

    yeah i agree . Figgins might be the way to go ! .

  391. carl

    Call Ponson to close until mo is ready. Or just tell mo to retire we have Ponson.

  392. joeman

    Figgins to the Yankees rumor has started

  393. miggs

    Patrick is obviously joking.

    Anyone who read the blog regularly can see that.

  394. vinny-b

    “Chone Figgins?”

    I love Figgins. In a hetero, kinda way.

  395. trisha - As long as you're in pinstripes, Kei, I've got your back.

    SJ, I really hope they stay in house only because to trade for a 3B at this point smacks to me of desperation, and the Yankees are hardly desperate.

    Just the way I feel about it. Just like we used Erik Almonte when Jeter went down, so should we stay inhouse on this one.

  396. SJ44

    Laura,

    You know what’s also funny? People actually debating Patrick and my fantasy trade posts as if they are actual possibilities! lol

    Calm down folks. Its better this happens on March 5 than June 5. There are lots of options to fill the slot in the short term.

    The key though is to find out how hurt Alex really is. As of right now, at least publicly, that’s an unknown.

  397. E-gawa

  398. Uncle Ellsworth

    Mike / Joeman
    I know a lot of people here Like him with good reason. I like the idea of Ranson too…but I did not know he was 33 not that that matters short term.

  399. m

    In fact, Chone is so super-utility he can even close games. ;)

  400. CB

    Thanks for the welcome back everyone! Appreciated.

    This off season the organization changed the model around which the team is built. It’s a pitching first team for the first time in a long time.

    CC can’t get off to a slow start now. And perhaps most importantly, AJ Burnett now really needs to step up.

    Losing Alex hurts and losing 1-2 wins in the AL East is difficult but now the focus turns to the pitching staff even more. The talent is there on the staff for them to turn up performance to make up for the loss of Alex.

    The team also has depth so they could shift Damon to CF and play Nady, Swisher and Damon all at once.

    There’s options. Better for it to not have happened obviously but it has and you live with it.

    This is also why the team signed Tex, quite honestly. Many people commented on this in the off season (wave your hat in particular…)

    But the problem with the yankee’s offense prior to signing Tex going into 2009 wasn’t that they lacked firepower so to speak it was that the team as constituted was brittle. There was no redundancy or fail safes (Posada had to be healthy, Cano had to bounce back, Swisher had to bounce back, etc…)

    They could have had a good offense but only IF everything went ok. And as we see once again everything never goes ok.

    Tex’s bat is what provided a safeguard level of production. Without Tex losing Alex is very painful. With Tex losing Alex (or Posada…) is bad but not nearly as bad as it would have been had Swisher been penciled in at 1b and no extra depth.

    In a nut shell they signed Tex because something like Alex being out for some period of time was bound to happen.

    JD Drew’s back is already acting up. He’s bound to miss time. It happens.

  401. Calm Down

    Puljos Stats last year
    BA HR RBI OBP SLG
    .357 37 116 .462 .653 I love Cano but please Cano for Puljos is Idiotic

  402. eLneneM360

    Adrian Beltre ???

  403. Brian M

    Odds are we don’t trade for or sign anyone if Alex is out for about 8 or 10 weeks. he Yanks spent all their money, and we always knew people would get hurt at some point. You don’t run out and spend millions to fill in for 30 games and then be stuck paying them to sit on the bench for the rest of the year.

    If Cashman really wants to get creative I say we sign back Pudge. He is available cheap, might give up some playing time for a chance to win a championship, and would give us cover against our other main injury worry in Posada. We can survive pretty well with one subpar hitter in the line-up, but subtract both ARod and Posada and while far from toothless, the lineup will loose some of it’s shine.

    Molina will play good D and hit his usual .220. Pudge will play good D and hit an absolute worst case scenario of .220, but will likely rebound a bit and hit .265 – .275. Not a frightening bat perhaps, but a solid option for the 8th spot in the line-up.

    Ransom can cover a few extra games. He has some pop in his bat, but even if he stinks, we will win a few games I am sure (we do still play in the same league as Baltimore and Toronto don’t we?).

  404. joeman

    Figgins at 3rd now and move him to CF when Arod comes back,now that would be a nice starting team come June 1st

  405. Patrick

    “Ok Patrick since you have no idea how baseball works lets me explain it to you. When you want a superstar like Hanley you either have to give a Superstar with equal value back or you give back 2 or 3 high end prospects. Plus Hanley make very little money ”

    Duh that’s why I included both Duncans, George Kontos and Melky, they are A+ prospects IMO. Also my first proposal was Damon who is the biggest super star around. Geez maybe you should learn some more about the trade market. Hanley is pretty mediocre and offering THREE OR FOUR players is more than enough.

  406. YankeeRay

    So no one is talking about our pitching. I said all along that we needed Manny because we weren’t going to score a lot of runs. So nothing changes in the fact that we still will not score a lot of runs.

    It now comes down to our pitching as it always did. If we pitch well we will be in some close low scoring national league type games that Girardi knows how to manage.
    We absolutely missed the boat on Manny.

    Can TO play 3rd?

  407. E-gawa

    This is not good. We have no middle order. It may look good on paper still but half of the lineup are traditionally slow starters…

  408. steve

    jon heyman says 6-8 weeks.

  409. joeman

    wish I was 33 and not ?

  410. Calm Down

    BA:.357 HR:37 RBI:116 OBP:.462 SLG:.653 I love Cano but Cano for Puljos Idiotic

  411. SJ44

    Trisha,

    I think in house will be the way they go unless they sign someone whose available like Gruzalanick (sp?), who won’t cost them anything in return.

    Nomar wouldn’t have been an option because he wants to stay on the West Coast with his wife. Ray Durham has never played third base.

    Grudz has played some third, even though second is his best position.

    It will be interesting to see what Cash does.

    I think if he makes a deal, it may be an indiction Arod’s injury is more serious than they will say publicly.

    I say that because for a month, Cody Ransom can do the job. Anything longer than that? That’s when it gets dicey.

    The Jeter-Almonte situation is a little different because the division is tougher. Think they can handle 20-30 games without Arod.

    If that number becomes 40-50, then they probably have to go outside the organization for help.

  412. vinny-b

    one point:

    why would the Angels trade Figgins?

  413. m

    In light of the power outage that’s about to occur, here’s a slightly old article I stumbled across last night. Apologies if it’s been posted previously, but it’s a great read on the size of players and the move towards small ball.

    http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02.....f=baseball

  414. Mike

    Right on Joeman . .Figgins for a month. . i’m sure he’ll give us Great defense. . a hit here and there . .a couple of stolen bases ! .. and when Arod Comes back . .you have a SUPER utility man like you said ..

    Its a great idea !

  415. Patrick

    Puljos Stats last year
    BAHRRBIOBPSLG
    .35737116.462.653

    Yeah well Cano’s BAHRRBIOBPSLG is 513,381..8780-99

  416. Mike

    Vinny Figgins is a free agent . .hasn’t been signed yet

  417. joeman

    no what would be alful is if Mo was left back in Tampa for a couple of weeks…sure would like to see him on the mound at some point in a week or sooner

  418. Calm Down

    Patrick: Go to ESPN and see hanley’s Stats and see what the experts are saying about him

  419. vinny-b

    SJ44:

    if Arod were to miss 1 month+, why not Hank Blalock?

  420. miggs

    I also find it extremely interesting that Heyman has the injury pegged at “possibly 6-8 weeks” instead of 10.

    I’m assuming this info is coming straight from camp Boras and should be accurate.

    Since there are about 5 weeks left before the season starts, 6-8 weeks on the shelf is much different from 10 weeks minimum like previously stated.

    If its really only 6-8 weeks, you play the handful of games without him and move on. It becomes a much smaller problem since you don’t have to fill a hole for a long period of time.

  421. vinny-b

    Mike: pretty sure Figgins is not a FA

  422. Patrick

    “Patrick: Go to ESPN and see hanley’s Stats and see what the experts are saying about him ”

    Com on man, ESPN hates the Yankees why should I listen to them!?

  423. Mike

    “Hanley is pretty mediocre and offering THREE OR FOUR players is more than enough.”

    You on crack Patrick? Hanley put up crazy numbers last year batting from the leadoff spot. This year hes dropping to 3rd in the lineup and is due to explode. Hes a pretty unique player and i don’t think you can find someone that combines his ability to hit for power and his speed elsewhere. It would take a lot more than prospects to get him.

  424. Calm Down

    Cano’s stats dnt compare to Puljo’s stats Puljo’s is a 2 time MVP

  425. E-gawa

    Chone figgins signed with the Angels in January.

  426. miggs

    Hank Blaylock? Really?

  427. miggs

    Patrick is playing you guys like a fiddle.

    Talk about pulling the string….

  428. dave

    matsui is playing a ST game today and may not be ready for opening day …

    To me, that doesnt make much sense. I mean he is a dh. What exactly would take him more than a month to work out? Maybe I am missing something.

    I am beginning to think that arod is missing some regular season time. Its sucks that they didnt take care of this in the off-season but we can also go the glass is half full route and say luckly they are deciding to do surgery in early march rather than early april.

  429. Patrick

    “Cano’s stats dnt compare to Puljo’s stats Puljo’s is a 2 time MVP ”

    Puljo’s plays in the NL Central which totally sucks while Caon’s plays in the AL East which wins everything every single year. Clearly I have won this argument.

  430. Calm Down

    I didnt know ESPN lied about baseball stats hahaha…seriously Patrick get some help you need it

  431. Mike

    Your right Vinny ! . Figgins isn’t a free agent .

  432. rb15

    obviously, putting tex at 3rd isn’t the only option. it’s also probably not the best defensive option. when i suggested tex at 3rd/swish at 1st, i was thinking more offensively – i’d rather have swish get 100 at bats, than ransom get 100 at bats. i don’t have their numbers in front of me (i have a job), so anyone can feel free to tell me about them. but my instinct is that the defensive issues of tex at 3rd could be balanced out by the better swisher offense over ransom.

    i am a fan of ransom’s 62″ vertical leap, though. did you guys see that?

  433. Vincent

    He’ll be back guys, its fine. Nothing has changed in regard to the fact that the pitching needs to perform.

  434. airandy41

    I heard A-fraud is out…

  435. brian

    Could this be a way for A-Rod to just get out of testing for the WBC obviously this is far fetched by theres gotta be people who will believe that. I’m not saying he is still doing steroids but possibly he isn’t fully comfortable getting tested.

  436. Calm Down

    Okay patrick you win pal…just stop with the drugs okay buddy lol

  437. joeman

    Angels have a nice team…..I guess if they were to trade Figging they would want pitching

  438. SJ44

    Ray,

    Manny can’t play third. They also had no desire to spend another 45 million bucks on a DH. Especially when they can’t move the guys they currently have as DH.

    It was always unworkable which is why the Yankees were never going to do the deal.

    You win games in plenty of ways. They don’t need to slug their way to wins.

    Guys also can’t put pressure on themselves to “start fast”. When you do that, you usually start slow.

    You just…..play. that’s it.

    Like Mariano Duncan said in 1996, “We play today, we win today”.

    When you keep it simple, which is the ENTIRE key to Derek Jeter’s successful career, you usually win a lot of games.

    Its when you impose pressure on yourself (”We have to start fast. We have to do more than we usually do”, etc) that’s when teams struggle.

    While this is clearly not good news, in a way, its good news. A Yogism! lol

    It gets the book off being a “story” for the early part of the year. By the time Arod gets back, the book will be history.

    It also stops the “circus” for awhile. Unless of course, ESPN wants Bob Holtzman to follow Arod around during his rehab.

    It also sharpens everyone’s focus. That’s a good thing.

    It allows Girardi to do some creative things with the lineup. This may be a way for Brett Gardner to steal a game or two with his speed early in the year.

    Teams, at least the good one’s, have a tendency to bond more when facing early adversity.

    I like the makeup of this team. I think they will find a way to deal with this and make it a positive.

    Who knows, by the time Arod returns, the team may really be ready to soar.

  439. The Gritty Gutty G. Love

    How long till Cashman signs the great Mike Lamb?

  440. vinny-b

    why can’t they televise additonal ST games. I want to see Christian Garcia pitch.

    whenver the games are televised, we get to see scrubs

  441. Rishi

    you don’t fake surgery to get out of a tournament/testing…you just don’t sign up in the first place

  442. Vincent

    Why would you put Tex at third when he is one of the best 1b in the league? The Yanks have needed a gold glove 1b forever. Put him on third and you take a hit on two positions (1st and 3rd). Swisher is NOT Tex.

  443. Calm Down

    Wait is it 6-8 weeks or 10 weeks….the yankees need to put some information out NOW!!

  444. Phil

    Nacci was never released by the Yankees. He did move to third, and has flashed O until getting hurt in each of the last two years. I wouldn’t call him a non-prospect. He’s just lost big chunks of two seasons because of injuries. Of course, minor league camp hasn’t officially opened yet.

  445. vinny-b

    and need to see Wilkins DeLaRosa pitch !!

  446. Mrs. Kekich

    “Puljo’s plays in the NL Central which totally sucks while Caon’s plays in the AL East which wins everything every single year. Clearly I have won this argument.”

    so you are saying Puljos wouldn’t put up similar numbers in the AL East? You are a joke! In fact, his numbers would be up because there’d be more people on base to drive in due to the DH.

  447. Patirkc

    “I didnt know ESPN lied about baseball stats hahaha…seriously Patrick get some help you need it ”

    yeah they do bro. i KNOW that jeter had AT LEAST 210 hits last season but tahts not what shows up. i saw so many hits you cant even count them but espn only shows 179. What hte heck is that?!

  448. tampayank

    brian if he’s still on anything, it would be hgh, the WBC doesn’t test for hgh even though they use a blood test which is weird

  449. CB

    Pat M,

    Yes I was a bit late on Spring Training.

    By the way, regarding Hughes, it was only 2 innings but I was very happy and impressed with his last start.

    Where did that curve ball come from? The tighter curveball he was throwing in his last start reminded me of John Lackeye’s curve ball quite a bit. Tight spin with a late, sharp break that falls off the table. Completely different from the way he’s thrown his breaking ball in the past. (As an aside, Lackey’s average fastball velocity was 91 last year… right around where Hughes sits. Amazing that Lackey is an “ace”…)

    Didn’t know Hughes had been working on that curve in Arizona. Again, it was only 2 innings but I was impressed. Very nice addition to his arsenal.
    He’s 22 and was hurt most of the past 2 years and still added what appears to be 2 quality pitches to his arsenal – the cut fastball and a tighter power curve.

    You can see it coming…

  450. brian

    arod would to save face…he is that type of person

  451. Bob(The Original)

    Saw this on Rotoworld. 2 weeks in the hospital? That doesn’t sound like something minor to me.

    According to his brother, Joe Dunand, Alex Rodriguez will undergo surgery Monday on the cyst on his right hip and could be sidelined until May.

    MLB.com reports that Rodriguez will likely “spend two weeks in the hospital recovering before he can return to the field” and has dropped out of the World Baseball Classic.

  452. Bronx Jeers

    ARod should just go on HGH and speed up the recovery!

    Hey it’s undetectable and he’s obviously got no qualms about cheating so…….

  453. trisha - As long as you're in pinstripes, Kei, I've got your back.

    “”I heard A-fraud is out…”

    Total rumor. He’ll be in the lineup for the DR next game.

  454. Mrs. Kekich

    “Could this be a way for A-Rod to just get out of testing for the WBC obviously this is far fetched by theres gotta be people who will believe that. I’m not saying he is still doing steroids but possibly he isn’t fully comfortable getting tested.”

    Not far-fetched at all.

  455. JohnC

    Forget Figgins. Angels love him and are not trading him, and if they do the price will be very high.

  456. tampayank

    two weeks in the hospital, that doesn’t sound right

  457. m

    rb15,

    I saw that! My lord! If you guys haven’t seen that video you gotta check it out at Kepner’s blog.

  458. joeman

    I say Mo dosen’t come north with the team,stays back in Tampa to get his shoulder in shape

  459. G. Love

    I would offer Melky and Veras for Bill Hall, put him at 3b until Arod returns and then have him as super sub for rest of the season.

  460. Betsy

    Well, I guess I’ve come to accept this now – it sucks, but the Yankees will have to make do. I don’t think we can just pretend that 8-10 weeks will pass, Alex will return and things will be fine. Any surgery is major….and hip surgery? Bonus points for that. It’s very possible that this problem is cleared up and that he still won’t be able to play the game….

  461. Uncle Ellsworth

    2 weeks in the Hospital? They are not replacing the hip.

  462. Espresso

    Chipper! He’s + on offense at third and can play the corner outfield spots too.
    In all seriousness this is kind of a big deal for the team and Arod. Trying to play it down is silly. It isn’t a sack of puss they need to cut out. If what I read yesterday is correct it is a BONE cyst. That means cutting out bone. Try it, see how it feels. I have a good friend who had bone cysts in his femur and it was “fixed” by cutting a chunk of his femur out. I would not speculate as to the severity of Arod’s condition, but it isn’t the same as your grannies arthritis.

    I’m no doctor, I just play one on T.V. I’m just relaying what I learned when my friend went through this. I think Arod probably caught this sooner, so hopefully it isn’t as bad. As to the folks yelling because he didn’t get it checked out earlier; have you ever had a nagging pain after several months of strenuous activity? Did it occur to you that your bones could be deteriorating? Cut him some slack. He probably thought he would get better over the off season. I would imagine that he experienced more pain when he returned to baseball related activity.

  463. jennifer

    The Yankees need to get a hold of his fool of a brother and tell him to shut his mouth! Who is he to release information?

    And two weeks in the hospital that is no way near a minor surgery, and I can’t see how it is just a cyst! Unless it is in a very bad spot.

  464. joeman

    they let you go home the next day after a heart transplant

  465. vinny-b

    “am a fan of ransom’s 62” vertical leap, though. did you guys see that”

    yes. Very helpful, on a baseball diamond. Instead of colliding with the catcher when sliding into home, he can just jump over him.

  466. SJ44

    Vinny,

    I can’t see Texas trading Blalock to the Yankees unless they got something back of significance in return.

    That would be one of those “holdup” deals. Especially with all the bad blood Tom Hicks has for Arod. Can’t see him looking to help the Yankees.

    AirAndy,

    How creative! Did you think of that all by yourself?

    Brian,

    Interesting thought. Dumb, but interesting.

    If Arod wanted “out” of the WBC, all he had to do was say so.

    He didn’t need to report to the DR Camp or play in their exhibition game.

    If he told the Yankees he wanted “out”, the Yankees would have gladly obliged since they don’t want ANY of their players to play in the WBC.

    Here’s a tip….players don’t have surgery to avoid drug testing.

    Since he has been tested over 20 times since 2003, including in the last WBC, and passed every one. He has no reason to fear a test. Certainly no reason to have surgery to avoid a test.

    Try again with something more logical.

  467. KennyH123

    Point one: Melancon, as much as I like him, is completely unproven. You don’t trade a dynamic young arm like Veras, who throws 95+, based on Melancon’s potential. In my mind, you do not trade him at all.

    Point two: Yanks will be fine without Alex for a couple months. He’ll be back in late May in all probability. The bright side is the media circus will finally leave the Yankees alone.

    Point three: he was all world in Texas and they finished last with him. After getting rid of him, they were light years better off and a much better team. Seattle also soared in the standings after dumping him. Sorry for all you clueless A-Rod lovers, but he’s totally overrated as a ballplayer and always was. He’s a stat compiler, and always has been.

  468. KennyH123

    Point one: Melancon, as much as I like him, is completely unproven. You don’t trade a dynamic young arm like Veras, who throws 95+, based on Melancon’s potential. In my mind, you do not trade him at all.

    Point two: Yanks will be fine without Alex for a couple months. He’ll be back in late May in all probability. The bright side is the media circus will finally leave the Yankees alone.

    Point three: he was all world in Texas and they finished last with him. After getting rid of him, they were light years better off and a much better team. Seattle also soared in the standings after dumping him. Sorry for all you clueless A-Rod lovers, but he’s totally overrated as a ballplayer and always was. He’s a stat compiler, and always has been.

  469. Calm Down

    Patrick stop..your making a mess lol

  470. Mrs. Kekich

    “The key though is to find out how hurt Alex really is. As of right now, at least publicly, that’s an unknown.”

    Right. You don’t fly a guy across the country to see the best specialist in the country unless you are worried. Hopefully he’ll do a betetr job on A-rod than he did on Rick DiPietro.

  471. NJ in Tampa

    What makes any of you think we can get Figgins, and that we would give up whats needed for him simply so he can play 3rd for a month.

  472. Brian M

    If the Yankees become desperate to make a trade then we have 4 choices –

    1 – Sign someone average
    2 – Get someone whose contract will make us wince
    3 – Give up Phil Hughes (everyone will ask for him)
    4 – Give up a true stud prospect, and then some decent ones. I mean Jackson or Montero or McAllister, with Melancon or Romine type quality.

    Since we have someone average and cheap in Ransom, and we really really don’t want to trade away Hughes or any of our top prospect right now, especially for someone who will lose their job in 10 weeks, why not just admit the job is going to Ransom.

    The question is who gets Ransom’s job?

  473. S.A.-Time to take a vow of silence Alex. For your own sanity

    Who needs a drink?

    http://www.ehrlichwines.com/im.....shot_1.jpg

  474. Patrick

    CB,

    Did you see this article? http://www.drivelinemechanics......n-battle-y

    It was linked on Replacement level blog. It gives an excellent argument in favor of Nick Swisher over Nady.

  475. vinny-b

    “Could this be a way for A-Rod to just get out of testing for the WBC obviously this is far fetched by theres gotta be people who will believe that. I’m not saying he is still doing steroids but possibly he isn’t fully comfortable getting tested”

    didn’t he already take the test?

  476. Ham Fighters

    i think its likely we will see damon in CF more in april when they have to play molina at C. if they dont think he’ll be back by may 10th, they have to get somebody to help out, even just as another bat on the bench.

  477. rb15

    vin, like i said, i’d rather see tex and swish in the same lineup, than tex and ransom. youkilis is good at third for the same reason he’s good at first – the skills and defensive fundamentals are very transferrable (if tex feels comfortable, which isn’t up to anybody on this board). and, when youk played third, mark kotsay played first. kotsay’s not exactly the second coming of lou gherig. obviously it’s not amazing, but it’s not like swisher playing first for 30 games would kill the season.

  478. Frederika M.

    Cysts like this are a common symptom of steroid use. Makes you wonder if he really quit back in 2003 as he claims. I suspect he was still using PED’s as recently as ‘06 or ‘07.

    AROD should just wait until the playoffs start to have the surgery. He never hits then, anyways.

  479. m

    2 weeks in the hospital? Rehab? Traction? Don’t think so. He’ll go home and have a harem of private nurses at his disposal.

    Is Alex’s brother John Dunand or John Rodriguez? I’ve seen both this morning.

    Doesn’t he have a half-brother who’s sort of the family spokesperson (I know, giggle.)? The army guy?

  480. vinny-b

    “The question is who gets Ransom’s job”

    Ray Durham

  481. E-gawa

    Drug Testing for the WBC was a week or two ago.

    That ends that conspiracy.

  482. rb15

    vinny – or, just put ransom in center. never another home run just over the fence again!

    i kid, i kid. but it’s nice to know that ransom could jump over me without much of a second thought (i’m a girl, 5′4″).

  483. Rosa

    Yankee pitching will step up. Yankees will win low scoring games.

    As long as Alex comes back in 12 weeks, Yankees will use Ransom or trade/sign someone to fill in. No way you can move a Gold Glove (Tex) to third base.

    Don’t panic.

  484. Calm Down

    I think the Yankees can survive 35 games without A-rod if they cant then they Dont deserve to make the playoffs. If this is the worst thing that happens to the yankees this year..THANK GOD!!!

  485. jennifer

    Frederika M.

    Yeah he injected a steroid into his hip. Okay. Can we please stop with these stupid conspiracy theories. Go work on the JFK assassination. maybe you’ll find the killer.

  486. m

    Why don’t they try Ransom in the OF? He’d bring back a lot of homeruns.

    BTW, no blood test for WBC. Pee test.

  487. Rishi

    Today’s gameday:

    http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday.....t_nyamlb_1

  488. joeman

    this will be a lost year for Arod…..get Mo on the mound so he can prove that he says he’s fine

  489. trisha - As long as you're in pinstripes, Kei, I've got your back.

    I have a very creative idea! Wait til you know the official news and then either spin out of control or be okay with it. But it’s a little crazy to see people spinning out on rumors.

    Whether it’s a day in the hospital or a month in the hospital, until we get official word (that would be a news release from the organization) how about we all chill and try to enjoy today’s game?

    Just a thought.

    :)

    “A club official said there would be an announcement about Rodriguez’s situation later Thursday.” From the New York Times

  490. Mark

    Anyone have a Gameday Link for today? Seems like we are blacked out of another one

  491. vinny-b

    “vinny – or, just put ransom in center. never another home run just over the fence again!
    i kid, i kid. but it’s nice to know that ransom could jump over me without much of a second thought (i’m a girl, 5’4”)”

    lol.

  492. trisha - As long as you're in pinstripes, Kei, I've got your back.

    “I think the Yankees can survive 35 games without A-rod if they cant then they Dont deserve to make the playoffs. If this is the worst thing that happens to the yankees this year..THANK GOD!!!”

    I’m withya!

  493. Al from BK

    “ESPN Deportes, which swings and misses at times, is reporting Alex Rodriguez needs surgery and will miss 10 weeks. No comment yet from the Yankees.”

    Okay any optimism I had about the season is gone. This is awful now getting Manny would have made sense.

  494. dennis-costanza(sox fan)

    Just an fyi but SI.com is reporting 6-8 weeks in stead of the 10 weeks that ESPN is stating.

    -dennis

  495. Rishi

    Mark – I posted gameday above…

  496. gnome

    thanks rishi!!

  497. dennis-costanza(sox fan)

    “instead”

  498. Brian M

    Oh man, no reaction to my sign Pudge suggestion. I kinda like that one too. Thinking outside the box. Maybe I just watched too many episode of ‘House’ this morning.

    I really do like the idea of saying ‘we cant significantly upgrade 3rd for 6 weeks in a cost effective way’, so lets give Ransom the job and get better cover for our other vulnerable position.

  499. vinny-b *play small ball, the first 10 weeks*

    .

  500. Rishi

    you want to know what is annoying – all the “yankees have not depth” emails/ims I got from red sox fan friends/family. I could so do without that…

  501. sara

    “The Yanks were awful when a-rod was out last year.”

    The Yanks were awful last year period.
    They will survive this injury..they have great pitching, everything will be fine.

  502. sara

    “The Yanks were awful when a-rod was out last year.”

    The Yanks were awful last year period.
    They will survive this injury..they have great pitching, everything will be fine.

  503. Thomas

    Here goes Peter with his negative comments about A-Rod….. YET AGAIN! HAHAHA…….. HOW PREDICTABLE!!!!

  504. Uncle Ellsworth

    ESPN quoted a steroid expert (Md.) that said that this type of cyst is NOT CONSISTANT with steroid use.

  505. Brandon Witnessed Dwayne Wade pull an MJ

    ‘Okay any optimism I had about the season is gone. This is awful now getting Manny would have made sense.’

    Not really we lost our big time 3B until May. We still have a strong SP staff and last time I checked that’s why Teixeira is here.

  506. Lori

    What, you mean there’s a baseball game today? Wow! ;)
    Thanks Rishi!

    I’ll hold my panic for the sky falling on our season until mid-season. Or at least until the ARod report is confirmed and there is real information going around.

  507. joeman

    as of right now the Yankees have no closer

  508. Christina

    so much for this injury not being serious.

  509. vinny-b __play small ball the first 10 weeks__

    “Okay any optimism I had about the season is gone. This is awful now getting Manny would have made sense”

    AL: check our rotation & bullpen

  510. Brandon Witnessed Dwayne Wade pull an MJ

    ‘as of right now the Yankees have no closer’

    Did Mo retire ?

  511. tampayank

    Uncle Ellsworth March 5th, 2009 at 1:12 pm

    ESPN quoted a steroid expert (Md.) that said that this type of cyst is NOT CONSISTANT with steroid use.

    Maybe Pete should use this news; probably won’t

  512. YankeeRay

    SJ, we have butted heads on this all along and thats ok. I know Manny can’t play 3rd but he would have softened the blow offensively. If posada can’t catch and Matsui is slow coming back we will feel the loss and thats why I wanted Manny in the first place. Enough about him because he’s gone for 1 yr and we will get him next year.

    I said everything you did in the fact that it will be about our pitching, small ball and defense.

    All of a sudden getting Cameron and Hall for Melky and a pitcher or two doesn’t sound so bad.

  513. Al from BK

    “Just an fyi but SI.com is reporting 6-8 weeks in stead of the 10 weeks that ESPN is stating.”

    Okay 6 weeks is better because A-Rod is a fast healer and a heck of an athlete. That puts him out until the home-opener which is alot better than mid May. I just hope we get confirmation soon.

  514. Frederika M.

    Hey Jennifer,

    Stick your head in the sand like all the other AROD apologists. You can read about the connections between cysyts and steroids here:

    http://njfrogman.blogspot.com/.....-cyst.html

    Do you really think he quit abousing PED’s 6 years ago ? Doubtful as everything he has said on the topic has been a lie.

  515. Lori

    “So in a span of less than a year, Rodriguez tore a quad and now needs a hip operation. Can you draw a line from three years of steroids to these injuries?”

    I have no idea either, but does this bring to mind the PSA on tv warning against steroids with the statue disintegrating?

  516. jennifer

    I guess Jeter’s signing also stinks. Lets see he dislocated his shoulder, he strained his hammy, he broke his hand a few times. Yep awful signing as well. I wonder if he used roids and caused his hand to break.

    ;)

  517. joeman

    ‘as of right now the Yankees have no closer’

    Did Mo retire ?

    ———————–

    no but he hasn’t thrown off the mound yet either…but he says he’s fine ??????

  518. Steve in MN

    I say Grudz. He wants to play for a winner…

  519. Uncle Ellsworth

    Michael Kay is talking like AROD needs a suicide watch.

  520. jennifer

    Frederika M.

    My head is not in the sand. The CYST is in his HIP!!! Not in his butt!

  521. Brian M

    MAybe we have Swisher play 1st and rotate the shuffle the rest of the infield to fill the gaps.

    So we get

    C – Tex
    1B – Swisher
    2B – Jeter
    3B Cano
    SS – Posada

    No, sorry guys. Got caught up in the hysteria for a moment. Jeter couldn’t play decent 2B. Don’t know what I was thinking.

  522. Jeet Skeet

    im starting to hate reading this blog posts because of the blatant hatred for arod from pete…atleast the comment parts are still fun to read

  523. Matty C

    yup only roiders have torn quads

    nice try Pete

  524. SJ44

    Pete,

    How can anyone draw the line from those two injuries to steroid use?

    If that’s the case, Carl Pavano must have been main lining the stuff! lol

    Seriously, injuries happen. Its a fact of sporting life.

    If you recall last year, Arod, Jeter and Bruney all suffered early leg/foot injuries because the Yankees spent most of the first 6 weeks of the season playing on cold, wet fields.

    The year before, the same thing happened to Johnny Damon.

    Hideki Matsui has broken down each of the last two years with knee injuries. Are we “drawing steroid lines” on those injuries?

    Stuff happens. Trying to “draw lines” re: steroid use and injuries can’t even be done by the professionals who study this everyday.

    Its not something I think the media should venture into unless they REALLY know what they are talking about on this issue. Even then, whatever conclusions they will draw won’t be on concert with most medical professionals who study PED use among athletes.

  525. Ryan

    I bet gameday is gonna get a speeding ticket today.

  526. Embarrassing

    He we go with…we knew the posts about this somehow being related to steroids were going to come. What do you possibly mean they had a chance to be rid of this head ache. Who in gods name is possibly available to play third base that wouldn’t A) cost the farm or B) would remotely replace what A-rod brings statistically.

  527. 24 Score

    Just have to play small=ball and win low scoring games. Teixeria must carry the offense.

    If CC and AJ get off to slow starts like last year… we are screwed.

    The pressure is all on our new guys. Welcome to NY!!!

  528. Frederika M.

    Jennifer:

    Were you injecting him (you wish LOL) ? How do you know it was in his butt ? Does he like taking it in the butt ?

  529. vinny-b __play small ball the first 10 weeks__

    “But signing this guy to a 10-year contract looks like a decision that will haunt the franchise for years to come”

    you’re a little late, Pete.

    this was the case when the contract was signed. Without the steroid implications.

  530. S.A.-Time to take a vow of silence Alex. For your own sanity

    Uncle Ellsworth March 5th, 2009 at 1:16 pm

    Michael Kay is talking like AROD needs a suicide watch.

    ================================================

    Yikes.
    We still have that book on him coming out. This has not been a good year for Alex :(

  531. Arod's Cyst

    TThe truth is cysts of the hip are rarely seen in humans except in osteoarthritic hips.

    The American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation’s March Issue has an article, “Pro Football Players Who Used Anabolic Steroids Suffer With Osteoarthritis…”

    So this ‘expert’ is completely wrong.

    http://njfrogman.blogspot.com/.....ue-to.html

  532. Kevin

    Blalock or Beltre are the name 3rd Basemen who would be available, but I think the Yanks best option would be to swap a couple of out of option players in sending Melky to FL (whose OF is Cameron Maybin, Cody Ross, Hermida, & Alfredo Amezega) for Dallas McPherson who was once a top prospect, mashed in AAA last year, & is stuck behind Cantu for playing time.

  533. Rishi

    a more medical opinion: http://sports.espn.go.com/espn.....a&dsds

    not the best news in terms of potential recovery, but she agrees that there is no real correlation to steroid use.

  534. Betsy

    SJ, that is an excellent post. I do think this is an excellent team – and perhaps more of a team than we have seen in recent years. I agree that this is a good chance for them to bond, in a deeper way than just going fishing together or playing pool. These guys have an opportunity to pick their teammates up – and I suspect they will. As you say, though, they can’t put extra pressure on themselves. They just have to go out and perform like they are capable of. Also, the poor guy who has to replace Alex has to remember that he can not replace Alex – he has to stay within his limitations (which doesn’t mean he can’t help the team).

    CB, welcome back!

  535. Betsy

    SJ, that is an excellent post. I do think this is an excellent team – and perhaps more of a team than we have seen in recent years. I agree that this is a good chance for them to bond, in a deeper way than just going fishing together or playing pool. These guys have an opportunity to pick their teammates up – and I suspect they will. As you say, though, they can’t put extra pressure on themselves. They just have to go out and perform like they are capable of. Also, the poor guy who has to replace Alex has to remember that he can not replace Alex – he has to stay within his limitations (which doesn’t mean he can’t help the team).

    CB, welcome back!

  536. Burnett After Reading

    SJ44 is by far my favorite poster,

    Thank you for being the sane, logical voice of reason when people start muttering idiotic nonsense.

  537. Jeff

    Remember how Teix said one of the best part of coming to the Yankees is that he won’t be the ‘main’ story and he can blend in with all the great hitters we have?

    well, that plan is out the door— all eyes on Teixeria now. Hope he can handle the pressure.

  538. jennifer

    Gameday says the game is at Tradition Field. :lol:

  539. S.A.-Time to take a vow of silence Alex. For your own sanity

    Did the game even start? My gameday is still stuck on “Warmup”

  540. Al from BK

    “So in a span of less than a year, Rodriguez tore a quad and now needs a hip operation. Can you draw a line from three years of steroids to these injuries? I have no idea, medical experts will have to determine that. But signing this guy to a 10-year contract looks like a decision that will haunt the franchise for years to come. They had a chance to be free of him and they let it pass.”

    Maybe you should consider covering another team Pete. A-Rod is here to stay for better or worse your constant jabs are not going to make Alex disappear. When the Yankees signed him they had no idea about his steroid use and also the fact that he is/was the best player in the game had something to do with the signing. I can’t recall many teams who would pass up on a guy who hits .300 every year with 40 bombs and 100+ RBI, sorry that you can’t get over it but you really should.

  541. Clare

    Peter,

    Are you so upset that the Yankees “missed their chance” to get rid of ARod because you embarrassed yourself with your aliens in Central Park prediction?

  542. Steve B

    “Michael Kay is talking like AROD needs a suicide watch.”

    Well, given the way the last month or so has gone for him, you’d have to think this is a monumentally disappointing result for Arod.

  543. Benny Blanco

    Get ready bloggers: 10 MORE WEEKS OF AROD TALK!!!! News papers, internet, and radio( and pete too). I dont think I will be able to handle it. I’am now placing myself on suicide watch.

  544. Davis

    A-Rod’s contract is going to be the greatest blunder in Sports history. Injuries, tainted records, PR disasters, drama, no clutch hitting etc.

    Hank/Hal know nothing about baseball. Next time, listen to your GM.

  545. Brandon Witnessed Dwayne Wade pull an MJ

    ‘My head is not in the sand. The CYST is in his HIP!!! Not in his butt!’

    What’s funny is that even the experts say it’s not steroid related infact it’s a very small possibility of it since it’s rare to have this type of injury related w/ that.

    Another thing I’m no super genius but seeing that I played competitive amateur baseball in DR and in NY, when athletes take a roid shot or a complejo b shot, it’s usually in 2 spots 1. the ab muscle 2. the buttcheek since those spots absorb the shot quicker and doesn’t hurt as much.

    Never have I seen anyone take a enhancing shot to the hip bone.

  546. yawnie

    yawn

    game time = ?

  547. Rishi

    1:15 start time and they might be doing the 1/2 inning updates

  548. trisha - As long as you're in pinstripes, Kei, I've got your back.

    jen, do yourself a favor. Ignore it. We expected there to be postings of that ilk today no matter what the diagnosis.

  549. Calm Down

    A-ROD is out why even play the season. No way the Yankees make the playoffs now. Maybe we can trade all of our minor league players for a stopgap 3rd basemen while A-Rod misses the whole season…….

    Oh wait hes only out for 10 weeks…..PEOPLE CALM DOWN!!!

  550. joeman

    this is the beginning of the end for Arod….

  551. Caps

    We’ll see how great this chemistry is. People like to make a big deal from going fishing and to NBA games in Spring training, yet now is the time where chemistry brings teams together and they rally around eachother.

    These new guys have no idea the pressure thats now bestowed upon them. Hope they can handle it.

  552. Rishi

    I don’t remember who agreed to do it, but just reminding some of you about

    CRICKETS

  553. jennifer

    You are right trisha, why should I stoop to their level. It is like talking to a brick wall, not worth it.

  554. Brian M

    Truth is ARod is built for power. He takes thousands of massively aggressive swings every season, and spends the offseason training like a man possessed. It is that hard work and strength which makes him the player he is. It is also what will make him more and more of an injury risk as he gets older.

    The wear and tear on his body has to be twice that of Jeter. (I don’t count bedding cheerleaders as overly strenuous exercise, unless it is a whole squad)

  555. m

    Pete,

    Alex has been incredibly healthy. Torn quad? I’m pretty sure cavemen used to get those when chasing the wooly mammoths.

    The hip thing? I’m not an expert, so I can’t say. But the next 9 years will probably have injuries, too. Hard to say they’ll be anything but age related.

    So, I’m with you because I was not in favor of bringing back. Hindsight is brutal. I don’t like it! The length of the contract and the steroids revelation are bothersome, but whatcha gonna do? Can’t do anything but put Humpty Dumpty together again. STAT!

  556. James 3D

    As CB said… Sabathia and Burnett absolutely cannot get off to a slow start now, either can Teixeria.

  557. trisha - As long as you're in pinstripes, Kei, I've got your back.

    Rishi – thanks for the reminder!

    CRICKETS

  558. jennifer

    calm down- It won’t even be 10 weeks. The season didn’t start yet.

  559. YabkFanDave

    Getting away from the easy thing to do regarding ARod’s injury, which is to dump on ARod, this exposes Cashman’s Achilles’ Heel — not getting a bench and depth. Since being given broad control, Cashman has consistently left the Yankees with a short bench while the competition, such as the Bosox and Rays, have given themselves a deep and experienced bench. Even the As will have a deeper and better bench than the Yanks. There were a number of FA options that could have provided depth in the infield this off season (better than Berroa) and they were had cheap. Players get hurt and GMs are supposed to plan for the worse. Cashman seems to plan for the best but stops there too often.

  560. Steve B

    “But signing this guy to a 10-year contract looks like a decision that will haunt the franchise for years to come.”

    Ten years was a bad idea if he was perfectly healthy. Can’t undo that, but it’s little unfair to point to an injury a year and a half after the contract is signed as the reason for it being bad.

  561. randy l

    ‘That’s 1.5 wins. In a very tight AL East that’s significant but in no way earth shattering.”

    cb-

    did you use that formula on the cover of the latest wired magazine to figure that out? you know, the ubiquitous one the financial world used to rate risk when deciding that there was no problem in the financial world now that risk could be quantified.

    i’m just teasing you ,but like in the financial world where some common sense is needed to see through the smoke and mirrors that some use to distort reality, i think it’s pretty safe to say losing arod for a significant amount of time is a big hit.

    to say otherwise is like saying there’s no problem with those credit default swaps as long as house prices keep going up. there’s the assumption other teams will have a problem as big as the yankees losing arod. they won’t necessarily.

    it was very important for the yankees to get off to a good start this year. losing arod i exactly what they didn’t need. i said earlier in the winter that i expected this to be cashman’s last year here because he would figure out a way to screw things up.

    there does seem to be a black cloud over cashman’s head. that’s not very rational thinking on my part, but black clouds aren’t very rational either.

    good to see you’re still out there by the way.

  562. Trevor

    I thought April wasn’t that important? That’s what everyone says when teams get off to slow starts: “It’s only April”. Now that Arod out until May the season is now over.:roll:

  563. Brandon Witnessed Dwayne Wade pull an MJ

    LOL Evan and Joe, the Yankees need to make a trade. It’s only 10 weeks at most. Nady for Tatis :lol:

  564. Brandon Witnessed Dwayne Wade pull an MJ

    LOL Evan and Joe, the Yankees need to make a trade. It’s only 10 weeks at most. Nady for Tatis :lol:

  565. Sea Net

    Our schedule is brutal to start the year through May

    3 @ Tampa
    4 vs. Cleveland (hot pick for the AL central)
    3 vs. Oakland (hot pick for the AL West)
    3 @ Boston
    4 vs. LA Angels
    2 vs. Boston
    2 vs. Tampa
    4 vs. Minnesota
    3 vs. Philadelphia
    3 @ Cleveland

    Ouch.

  566. tampayank

    trade for Longoria;) ?

  567. Peter Abraham

    SJ44:

    I didn’t say there was a line. I have no idea. I wondered if there was one.

    The guy used steroids for (at least) three years. Did he add too much muscle for his body to handle and now it’s coming back to haunt him? We also have no idea whether he has been using undetectable designer steroids, either. If he was willing to have his cousin inject him, who knows what he is capable of?

    There are a lot unanswered questions about all this, that is all I am saying. In the last 11 months, a once reliable player has had two injuries. What is next?

    The Yankees used to be known for getting in the World Series. Now they’re known for this guy and all the drama that surrounds him. It’s too bad.

  568. Steph

    It never ceases to amaze me how a sport can turn grown people into whinning children. A-Rod is out for a while– it sucks but it happens. I hope it is nothing that could be a matter of life and death and some are sitting here talking about what a horrible person he is. A cyst can be anything… I hope for the best for A-Rod… and pray it isn’t masking anything more serious

  569. SJ44

    Look, its not great news.

    However, when it happens on March 5, you can find solutions.

    That’s all I’m saying.

    Re: the nonsense spewed by folks who know nothing about PED use, I just ignore it.

    There is no real data ANYWHERE that supports his injury is from PED use.

    Again, no real data ANYWHERE.

    Even people in the media that HATE Arod can’t come up with a credible source that backs that contention.

    People get hurt folks. That’s how it is in professional sports.

    You deal with it and move on.

    Somebody is going to play third base to start the season and the team is going to have to overcome this.

    If they can’t, then it wasn’t a good team to begin with.

    I happen to think they are better equipped to overcome this kind of injury than in years past. That’s because of the pitching.

    If the pitching holds up, they will be in the race all season.

  570. Al from BK

    Pete and others who are crying about this contract will be in hiding when A-Rod is putting up huge numbers this year.

  571. Brian M

    Truth is we have an amazing rotation and a lineup which begins Damon, Jeter, Teixeira. And I think Gardner will be amazing (everyone is so blinded by his speed they ignore the fact that he really has a great eye and draws a lot of walks, of course then he steals 2nd).

    Even if ARod is out until the all star break I still say we win the division.

  572. Jeff

    The papers are gonna go crazy with this, dudes.

    Cashman, why did you bring him back

  573. Frederika M.

    LOL Jennifer. Pwned !

  574. Joey Vegas

    Any chance this gets Shelley Duncan a roster spot? At least he’s got a bigger bat than Ransom/Gardner/Melky. Especially if it pushes Swisher or Damon to CF.

  575. jack

    I’d do Nady for Tatis in a heartbeat.

    Tatis could be a great guy off the bench and then Swisher could start everyday.

  576. S.A.-Time to take a vow of silence Alex. For your own sanity

    Now gameday updates and this does not look pretty for Joba

  577. carl

    Jobas out of the game already lol

  578. jennifer

    What the heck happened to Joba. 4 walks 1 hit and he is already out of the game. Didn’t record an out.

  579. S.A.-Time to take a vow of silence Alex. For your own sanity

    Joba didn’t even make it out of the 1st, Albaladejo in

  580. Todd R.

    What would the Angels want for Figgins?

    Brackman for Figgins maybe?

  581. trisha - As long as you're in pinstripes, Kei, I've got your back.

    “Truth is we have an amazing rotation and a lineup which begins Damon, Jeter, Teixeira. And I think Gardner will be amazing (everyone is so blinded by his speed they ignore the fact that he really has a great eye and draws a lot of walks, of course then he steals 2nd).

    Even if ARod is out until the all star break I still say we win the division.”

    Brian, I am actually fond of Cano and Matsui too!

    Yes to what you said, and I have already marked this year for WS win #27.

  582. jennifer

    todd- that is a crazy trade.

  583. EricS

    Remember Albert Belle and his hip problem – he retired – are the Yanks insured re A-Rod’s contract?

  584. Yanks 172

    Great– we have another Jason Giambi on our hands, a guy who started to break down and became a shell of himself.

  585. bartonbickle

    he’s not even really hurt so don’t worry about it

    this is a one month hidden suspension by mlb. kind of like when michael jordan “retired” for a few years to save face over his gambling issues.

    don’t worry guys, they’ll tread water until may and then take off with a-rod :)

  586. tampayank

    ESPN says the surgery is Monday, the Yankees don’t have enough pull to have this surgery today or Friday? Everyday counts, throw the doc a nice tip

  587. YankeeDiva

    So in a span of less than a year, Rodriguez tore a quad and now needs a hip operation. Can you draw a line from three years of steroids to these injuries? I have no idea, medical experts will have to determine that.
    _ _ _ _ _ _

    Dude this is where you loose all crediblity….make suggestions on things you know nothing about. ARod took steriods 6 years ago and during the time he stopped he was relatively healthy. Perhaps the cysts is from the quad injury not healing properly and him adjusting his batting stance. Many doctors have already come out and said that the cyst is not likely from using steriods…but thanks for letting us know your angle in advance. Not to mention what are the odds of his injuries occuring right when we find out about the usage to begin with.

  588. m

    Pete,

    What the hell is happening? Gameday is showing a single with a whole bunch of BB’s? Is there a physical issue?

  589. Lori

    Um Pete – Understand about the ARod story, but since we are pinning our hopes for the season on our starting pitchers (slight sarcasm here), can you let us know what’s up with Joba – 4 walks? Couldn’t get an out in the 1st? That so doesn’t sound good.

  590. Mark21

    Looks like Joba really wants to give Hughes a rotation spot lol

  591. Brian M

    Before the Joba hysteria starts just remember that he is still building his arm strength and that he might not even be using more than 1 or 2 pitches at the moment. Besides, guys being rusty in March is why there is a spring training.

    So no Joba hysteria please.

    OK, now back to the ARod hysteria.

  592. Al from BK

    “The Yankees used to be known for getting in the World Series. Now they’re known for this guy and all the drama that surrounds him. It’s too bad.”

    I wonder if Pete would ever say this to A-Rods face, probably not. Media types throw mud in the papers/blogs but then make nice in person.

  593. Phil

    Joba walked a bunch of guys and gave up a hit and was lifted for Alby in the first without getting single out!

  594. gayle

    Gotta love those that think they are doctors and can diagnose injuries, what causes them etc just based on reading an article on the internet. Sometimes people really are unbelieveable.

    Please tell me the next time you have a problem you want a diagnoses from the internet rather than actually seeing a doctor who is trained.

  595. JD

    Joba is wild today.

  596. Uncle Ellsworth

    So there is not one thirdbasman in the minors that is even worth mentioning? kinda sad.

  597. Oddessy

    Joba looks worse than Freddy Garcia.

    May not want to send Hughes to the minors just yet…

  598. tampayank

    YankeeDiva March 5th, 2009 at 1:37 pm

    So in a span of less than a year, Rodriguez tore a quad and now needs a hip operation. Can you draw a line from three years of steroids to these injuries? I have no idea, medical experts will have to determine that.
    _ _ _ _ _ _

    Dude this is where you loose all crediblity….make suggestions on things you know nothing about. ARod took steriods 6 years ago and during the time he stopped he was relatively healthy. Perhaps the cysts is from the quad injury not healing properly and him adjusting his batting stance. Many doctors have already come out and said that the cyst is not likely from using steriods…but thanks for letting us know your angle in advance. Not to mention what are the odds of his injuries occuring right when we find out about the usage to begin with.

    If it’s the same leg as the quad he could have been compensating for the quad not healing completely. I had this issue w/ running where new injuries surfaced on the same leg from coming back too soon

  599. Burnett After Reading

    This day makes me very very sad. So does the yankees utter lack for a position player that even slightly resembles a prospect…good god.

  600. JB

    Joba’s first game his mechanics were awful and he obviously wasn’t throwing hard. Must be a carry over. There is a lot of time to work it out and he will be skipped a bit being the fifth starter to start the year anyway. Hope it’s all mechanical and not physical. Anybody have a clue if he was throwing harder than last time?

  601. Mike in SF

    Get Swish a 3B glove!

  602. tampayank

    alright joba no more public appearances at sporting events…time to get focused

  603. Bill

    No way you trade “top” chips for a 1 or 2 month patch. Teams will be looking to rob the NYY. Play Ransom @ 3B in ST, give him a few weeks to see how he looks. Keep an eye open for veterans sent packing by other teams. The NYY will be OK until ARod gets back. Now is not the time to panic. If a trade has to be made, deal from the many bullpen arms the team has.

  604. Mrs. Kekich

    There is no official announcement yet. What if he is out only six weeks? Three and a half of them are in March. So he might miss a couple weeks in April, big deal?

  605. jack

    Cody Ransom hit .302 last year with good power. Give him a shot.

  606. Trevor

    He (Joba) being on a pitches limit probably threw about 40 pitches while walking all those hitters. So they took him out.

  607. you gotta have faith (bronx zoo 2009)

    the red sox survived last year without ortiz for a good chunk and after they traded away manny

    this is a TEAM, other players need to step up, if we cant even play .500 ball with out him then we are just not that good.

    other teams are going to have cash in a choke hold if he wants a trade to happen bc they know he has no choice, i dont think we should trade somone like phil for just a rental. solve the problem from the inside or we will loose someone really good bc of it.

  608. Mike

    Tampa Yank .. we don’t know when Arod stopped using roids . what kind he took .or if this injury is related to roids. .

    We are not Arod

  609. Calm Down

    Damon
    Jeter
    Cano
    Tex
    Posada
    Matsui
    Nady/swish
    Ram
    Gadner

    If the yankees cant live with that for 35 games…with a starting staff of CC, Wang, AJ, Andy, and Joba and a really really good bulpin then we dont deserve to make the playoffs. Its baseball things go wrong. With A-Rod the Yankees line up is insanely good..without A-Rod its very good.

    And there is reason we spent all that money on starting pitching……..,

  610. S.A.-Time to take a vow of silence Alex. For your own sanity

    I wanna go back to sleep. What a crappy Yankees day

  611. trisha - As long as you're in pinstripes, Kei, I've got your back.

    “Before the Joba hysteria starts just remember that he is still building his arm strength and that he might not even be using more than 1 or 2 pitches at the moment. Besides, guys being rusty in March is why there is a spring training.

    So no Joba hysteria please.

    OK, now back to the ARod hysteria.”

    :lol:

  612. you gotta have faith (bronx zoo 2009)

    Bill,

    exactly.

  613. jdjr

    why cant mlb.com play video and audio for EVERY game?!
    i guess 100$some $s not enough?!

  614. Peter Abraham

    Please try and actually read what I write before ripping it. I wrote that I have no idea whether A-Rod’s use of steroids helped lead to these injuries.

    I did not write that they did.

    I don’t know the answer to that and neither do any of you. Let’s face, we have no idea what he really was or wasn’t doing to his body. What we do know is that he’s had two fairly big injuries in less than a year and having him signed for nine more years is hardly an ideal situation.

  615. Calm Down

    Role players are good

  616. Danny

    The key isin’t the lineup… its the pitching. We will be able to score enough runs.

    Can CC and AJ acclimate quickly and avoid an April swoon like they had last year? Can the bullpen close out every close game we win?

  617. hardwired

    Ever the optimist, I can think of at least one upside to this A-Rod situation (apart from the two month respite from the perpetual melodrama): the Yanks will now be forced to address their most-glaring need, a stronger bench. When Rodriguez returns, they can shift his replacement to the end of the bench (adiós, Angel Berroa).

    It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish. When the season ends, the Yanks will likely have an upgraded bench thanks to this…

  618. SJ44

    Pete,

    Why are the Yankees only “known” for Arod? Because some of your brethren in the media can’t let it go.

    The guy is covered like nobody in sports (since Farve is retired) these days.

    If we are going to discuss accuracy of information, at least what we know, Alex took steroids while a member of the Texas Rangers.

    At least as of yet, we have no proof he EVER took steroids as a member of the Yankees. So, why are the Yankees painted with that brush?

    Jason Giambi, Gary Sheffield and Andy Pettitte have also been members of the Yankees who have been found to have used PED’s.

    Why aren’t they “identified” with the Yankees. They used as members of the Yankees.

    You know how I feel about this.

    Alex is a diva. So was Reggie Jackson. In many ways, Reggie was more diva-like than Alex. The only difference between the two…..Reggie hit in the post-season and Alex has not. At least not yet.

    PED use? Reggie, like every guy in that era, took greenies to hold up over the season. Its not steroids but, its a PED so, I don’t exonerate any of these guys from the 70’s from PED use like say, Bill Madden does.

    A “once reliable” player has now gotten two injuries. Perhaps, all the years of playing nearly everyday has caught up with him.

    At some point, every player who plays as much as Arod will suffer some kind of injury.

    Look at the two injuries. He tore a quad on a wet field.

    This injury? Could be years of generating torque from his swing.

    Those theories are just as viable as possible post-2003 PED use.

    If you look at his body development over the years, its not really out of proportion, as it was with Bonds.

    All I’m saying is, unless we can see a viable link to PED useage and his injuries, I don’t think anybody should venture into that territory.

    In this era of blogs, talk radio, etc, I think accuracy of information is important. When you put these theories out there, they take on a life of their own and that’s unfair to the participants, IMO.

  619. will fl

    Hughes needs to be #5 starter.Something is up with jOba. i dont care how early it is

  620. Phil

    Now we’re down 6-0 with not one out in the first.

  621. Betsy

    I don’t understand why Alex needs immediate surgery if he was ok to play through this stuff…..

    After today’s news, who cares about the game? I’m sure Joba is fine – he had a lousy ST last year – and remember that Albaladejo has missed time due to his bruised calf

  622. Brian M

    ‘So there is not one thirdbasman in the minors that is even worth mentioning? kinda sad.’

    We have a few decent guys in the system (like Suttle or Laird) but they are in A ball and need a couple of year to see if hey can turn into major league players or not.

    It is probably one of our weaker positions, but it isn’t a cause of massive concern since we have a guy with a 10 yr contract. In two months it’ll be back to impossible for 3B prospects to break into the team.

  623. Al from BK

    A-Rod missing 2 months, Joba can’t record an out, We hav no back-up 3B and now Tex has to step-up big time. What a bad day for the Yankees.

  624. Y26

    Mariano and his pen mates better be perfect too. Mariano except last year, has always struggled in April.

    We have to win every game in which we have a lead late.

  625. tampayank

    I’m not too worried about Joba yet, in 2 weeks if he’s still getting rocked then it’s time to worry but Hughes looked great against team USA so maybe he could end up being a challenger for that 5th spot

  626. randy l

    joba is conditioning his arm. he’s not competing for a spot in the rotation. if he gets bombed when the season starts, then it’s something to take notice of. for now he’s just preparing for the season.

  627. Eric

    This could be a good thing. Joba belongs in the bullpen. Hughes is totally capable of being a 5th starter. I hope the Yankees take these two horrible outings into consideration.

  628. Vincent

    Pitching pitching pitching. They will win with pitching with or without ARod

  629. Sevrx

    Robertson has always been the favorite for the final pen spot. Even in Pete’s preview he had him making the pen. Albaladejo has not looked good at all this Spring, and the pen competition is going to be tight, so he has no excuses.

  630. Al from BK

    “What we do know is that he’s had two fairly big injuries in less than a year and having him signed for nine more years is hardly an ideal situation.”

    Hindsight is 20/20 Pete. This guy will still average .300 and hit 40 homers every years knocking in 100 if I have to deal with a little drama its worth it this guy is the best hitter in the American League I’d like to cut him a bit of slack.

  631. Burnett After Reading

    Did anyone else realize that Joba failed to record a single strike today. 5 walks on 4 balls and the one hit was on the first pitch. That is an amazing level of suck needed to accomplish such feats. Obviously a fluke but even still today there are no excuses for his epic fail.

  632. Steve B

    Ugh!

    The strike zone > Joba

  633. Rick

    Albaladejo not helping himself at all to get a pen spot.

  634. Uncle Ellsworth

    Pete do you really need to stir the pot with inflamatory comments right now? Why don’t you wait until later when the crickets come out?
    Yes, you did not say there was a connection but the question itself is inflamatory – you knew that.

  635. 7*7

    You work on things in a bullpen session. I don’t think Girardi expected him to give up 5 runs without recording an out and showing no command.

  636. Al from BK

    I would guess Joba is terrible because A) its early March and B) he is not throwing any off-speed pitches thus hes getting hit.

  637. trisha - As long as you're in pinstripes, Kei, I've got your back.

    A good thing happened! Yanks made it out of the first inning.

    :)

  638. K-Zone

    Who cares about the game? Albladejo isin’t making the team most likely and Joba is just working on things.

  639. Eric

    not necessary to say that okay.

  640. SJ44

    Don’t talk logic today Randy. This is Panic Day on LoHud!

    Next, we will have “Trade Joba” posts to get a third baseman.

    Its March 5, people. Joba Chamberlain is not going to lose his spot in the rotation.

    Exhale, go outside and play, and learn a little about baseball before posting panic post after panic post.

    If Joba is still pitching poorly on March 28, THEN you can panic/worry.

    Right now, its not a big deal.

  641. Yankee U

    “I didn’t say there was a line. I have no idea. I wondered if there was one.”

    That’s really weak.

  642. Brian

    Scott Diamond is a Binghamton Univ graduate. Hes got good stuff, wouldnt be surprised to see him make it some day

  643. m

    Gameday showing “–” for Joba’s ERA. Did it hit triple digits?

    Did the guy that’s babysitting Cano follow him to the WBC? Maybe he needs to clamp down on Joba.

  644. Upton

    The inability to get his pitch count down is the reason Joba will be eventually returned to the bullpen.

  645. Calm Down

    I’m a little worried about Joba

  646. mike

    I know we are all suffering from A-Rod atrophy.

    This could be just the thing the Yankees need.

    Leave A-Rod in FLA recovering and start the season with that major distraction on the sidelines.

    Let the pitching come to the forefront and carry this team for the first two months

  647. Real World

    Did someone say they’d trade Nady for Tatis? Um…

    So now it’s 6-8 weeks, which means inside of April. Hopefully people can relax a little bit now.

  648. Trevor

    “Exhale, go outside and play…..”

    Easy for you to say SJ you’re in Florida and most of us are in New York where it’s cold and snow is on the ground.

  649. LadyJay114

    “So in a span of less than a year, Rodriguez tore a quad and now needs a hip operation. Can you draw a line from three years of steroids to these injuries? I have no idea, medical experts will have to determine that.”
    –I don’t think the problem is steroids; the issue is his ridiculous workout schedule. His exercise intensity is obviously too high – its to the point where he’s getting hurt.

    “But signing this guy to a 10-year contract looks like a decision that will haunt the franchise for years to come. They had a chance to be free of him and they let it pass.”
    –AMEN TO THAT!! I’m still mad at the Yanks for punking out on their word that if he opted out they won’t resign him. But as I’ve always said: The Yankees and A-Rod deserve each other.

  650. This Year

    Building arm strength is one thing. Exhibiting symptoms of Steve Blass/Rick Ankiel disease is another. I would not be worried if he was just throwing fastballs which were getting rocked. But not to be able to find the plate is somewhat worrisome. Know it is not going to happen, but Tex came up as a 3rd baseman when Blaylock was at 1st. Swisher at 1st and Tex at 3rd? No, i won’t happen. You don’t move the best fielding 1st baseman across the diamond. But I bet it could work. Eric Duncan should have been ready at this point. But this year he never even made it across the street.

  651. Dassit

    ughhh when the last time we finished 4th? Reading various websites, the Orioles seem have new baby jesus Matthew Wieters to save them.

  652. E-gawa

    The Joba with 2 pitches seems to be much more dominant than the Joba with 4 pitches.

    It’s still early though…

  653. Tex's New Best Friend

    There is a month before the season.

    Can Nick Swisher learn 3rd base? Cant be too different than 1st.

  654. Steve B

    “Gameday showing ”—” for Joba’s ERA. Did it hit triple digits?”

    They aren’t counting the “exhibtion” game stats in the overall spring training numbers. If they did, his ERA would be a cool 63.00.

    Anyone know what he was on the gun??

  655. jennifer

    You know what is so funny. People were yelling and screaming to be rid of Alex. Now we are, for a few weeks anyway. And it is panic city. Geez you can’t win.

  656. Steve B

    exhibItion

  657. Tom

    Last season Wang’s ST era was over 8. lets calm down a bit.

  658. vinny-b __play small ball the first 10 weeks__

    “Pete and others who are crying about this contract will be in hiding when A-Rod is putting up huge numbers this year”

    yeah right. And the following 9 years??

  659. LadyJay114

    Umm.. ok.. my last post wasn’t supposed to be crossed out like that.

  660. S.A.-Time to take a vow of silence Alex. For your own sanity

    Trying to listen to Kay’s show online. I think I’ve heard more commercials than his show actually. What the heck?

  661. jack

    ESPN’s Stephania Bell suggests ten weeks could be a light estimate, if Rodriguez has a labral tear.

  662. Al from BK

    I need a Xanax. Hopefully CC performs like an Ace.

  663. PAT M.

    Man I just wonder what some of the people here put on their Corn Flakes in the morning…Just insane…It’s March 5th not July 5th….Ransom will fill in just fine for April…

  664. SJ44

    Now Joba has signs of Steve Blass Disease? lol

    This thread is getting funnier by the post.

    Can’t wait to see the next, great panic post today! lol

    Have some of you ever followed ST before?

    Really, the posts are funny as heck and I enjoy reading the foolish panic on here. However, you do realize its March 5 don’t you?

    None of the games or performances count. Its a matter of guys building themselves up for the season.

    There will be good days, bad days, and in between days.

    To post such nonsense on March 5 is why the world hates Yankee fans.

    Its comical but, its sad that some of you really don’t understand anything about baseball.

  665. Hughes The Savior

    Ummmm Tex’s New best Friend …. Swisher is a left buddy.

  666. JV

    oh my god can we please put Joba in the ‘pen now where he belongs; don’t you now see that he’s not cut out for a starting role?!?!…..just kidding :) (that was fun)

  667. Hughes The Savior

    * lefty …. and yes, third base is very different from first base

  668. bobmac

    Too many gasoline soaked subways for Mr. Warmth.

  669. Rishi

    espnradio online is horrific

  670. Tom

    Beware the ides of March…

  671. Al from BK

    ““Pete and others who are crying about this contract will be in hiding when A-Rod is putting up huge numbers this year”

    yeah right. And the following 9 years??”

    He will continue his dominance. What you think one injury is going to derail him for the rest of his career?

  672. ZMan

    Albaladejo with 3 hits, 2 walks and a WP in 2 innings. Allowed all 3 of Joba’s runners to score too.

  673. SJ44

    Nick Swisher throws left handed. He can’t play third base.

    You don’t have to be a Mensa candidate to post here. It would nice though if you at least had a clue about the team. That’s not asking too much.

    Pat M,

    If this keeps up, Pete may have to institute drug testing in order to post on here! lol

  674. S.A.-Time to take a vow of silence Alex. For your own sanity

    espnradio online is horrific

    =========================

    It really is! I’ll be in the middle of listening to something and then BAM..commercials for 10 minutes. :|

  675. CaptainsCorner

    I’m waiting for the headline Joba to see the doctor. Maybe he should concentrate more on his pitching and not selling himself off the field for a little while. Hopefully Hughes continues to pitch well in spring training..it would give them more options.

  676. Brian

    I know its only the 2nd week of sopring training, but the Yankees are really starting to piss me off.

    No one can buy a hit except Gardner and other than Melancon and a few others the pitching looks even worse than the hitting. Hopefully order will be restored once CC, Burnett and Pettitte start up. Is something seriously wrong with Joba? I am starting to think expectations for Joba have gotten a little out of touch with reality and that he is going to be a bit disappointment (this year as a starter).

    Again, I know its week 2 of spring training, but this team better wake up before August 15th this year. Do they really have to get pounded in spring training be every other team on the face of the earth? It has to get a little frustrating.

  677. 7*7

    Swisher walked in his 1st AB and stole a base

  678. Al from BK

    I really just heard this on Sporting News Radio-”Joba is struggling in Spring Training how about Joba to Tampa for Longoria and the Yanks just cut A-Rod.”

  679. you gotta have faith (bronx zoo 2009)

    relax everyone, if we cant survive with out him for 35 games then we are no better than the rays or red sox.

    kay is making sense on his show. take a chill pill and listen.

  680. Mrs. Kekich

    “At least as of yet, we have no proof he EVER took steroids as a member of the Yankees. So, why are the Yankees painted with that brush?”

    we also know that he has lied about PEDs before, so why should anyone believe him when he says he only took it from ‘01-03? AFTER he landed the big money contract.

  681. Tom

    “If this keeps up, Pete may have to institute drug testing in order to post on here! lol”

    Yes, but only those who fail get to post.

    This blog is becoming more like AM radio by the day. T this rate, I’m waiting for somebody to demand to see Alex’s birth certificate…

  682. Uncle Ellsworth

    Nady played 3b in college.

  683. Don

    As Kay said… we’re worse today than we were yesterday and this isin’t a good thing at all. However, we don’t need to panic. The Yankees like Ransom and they just need the team to be adequate… like 20-15 without ARod.

  684. you gotta have faith (bronx zoo 2009)

    oh btw, if posada cant catch, then you can go ahead and panic. but lets wait a couple more weeks to push the panic button.

  685. Rishi

    SA – I actually went and got a radio for my home office so I don’t have to listen online…then I took a Michael Kay break; he’s a little nutso

  686. Mrs. Kekich

    “You know what is so funny. People were yelling and screaming to be rid of Alex. Now we are, for a few weeks anyway. And it is panic city. Geez you can’t win.”

    well, the point being if they had let him walk, they’d have the money to spend on other players. Like Manny. Once they hitched their wagon to him, well, that’s what we got.

  687. Doris from Rego Park

    True Story- Michael Kay doesn’t like condiments. Never uses ketchup, mustard, mayo, etc.

  688. R-Tek

    Why not bring back Bernie and let him be the 3rd baseman?

  689. Steve B

    “At least as of yet, we have no proof he EVER took steroids as a member of the Yankees. So, why are the Yankees painted with that brush?”

    They aren’t. Brush is only painting Arod. The fact that’s he’s under contract to the Yankees creates something of a pain in the rump for the organization, but NOBODY has ever referred to PEDs as a Yankees issue. It’s a baseball issue.

  690. Tex's New Best Friend

    Good point, forgot he was a lefty.

    Did Shelley ever play third?

  691. SJ44

    Brian,

    Deep breath. Keep telling yourself its March 5.

    Do you even remember what the Yankees did on March 5 of last year.

    Its not about wins and losses, stats or any other nonsense this early in the spring.

    Its about guys getting ready to start the season. That’s it.

    Last spring, Wang was getting pounded, prompting mass panic on here, and Shelley Duncan led the team in RBI. How did it play out when the season started?

    Just look at the games for what they are…..exhibitions.

    Whatever they do today will have no bearing on what they will do this season unless they get hurt.

    All that’s important right now is getting ready for the season.

    For power guys like Joba, that takes time. He will be fine.

  692. jennifer

    Hey look on the bright side. Alex won’t be around when Selena’s book comes out. :lol:

  693. randy l

    sj-

    i’m not worried about joba as long as he’s healthy , but i am concerned about losing arod.

    to use a stock market term, over the winter i’ve become bearish on the yankees for 2009 for what even i admit are not logical reasons. while joba having control problems in an early spring training game does not matter, i do expect the yankees to lose a starter for at least fifteen games for 2009. that’s going to matter.

    i expect this based on a gut feeling from looking at the make up of the staff. i’m convinced that the hank/hal/cashman troika is a toxic management mix that just will always have bad luck seem to come their way because basically they just aren’t collectively very good at what they do.

    hank and hal aren’t going anywhere soon so that leaves one move to break up the “bad luck”. losing arod alone won’t take the team down , but they are in a position now where they can’t take another hit.

    my projection is that if one more star goes down, the cashman watch starts in earnest. he won’t survive a losing april with all the money he spent over the winter.

  694. Clint

    This doesn’t kill us, but if Posada can’t catch either…. THEN we are really screwed

    Imagine a bottom of the order of Molina-Ransom-Gardner?

  695. rodg12

    *CRICKETS*

    See you all in the next post! :)

  696. Doris from Rego Park

    BTW- keep in mind that everything Kay says is influenced by Yankee management. He has been their mouthpiece for years.

  697. Doris from Rego Park

    BTW- keep in mind that everything Kay says is influenced by Yankee management. He has been their mouthpiece for years.

  698. S.A.-Time to take a vow of silence Alex. For your own sanity

    Rishi-LOL! Kay is a little nutty.

    Maybe I should really look into satellite radio. :P

    Though from the non-commercial parts of Kay’s show that I have heard so far, he has been spot on.

  699. ZMan

    Ransom walked in his 1st AB today

  700. Danny

    Doris – Thats why people are surprised when Kay went off on A-Rod on his show… he did it with the blessings of Yankees management.

  701. jennifer

    sj Now why’d you have to go an ruin the fun and make sense? ;)

  702. Pel

    Hey, Michael Kay…THE YANKEES did not spend $425M THIS YEAR!!!

    Schmuck.

  703. SJ44

    SteveB,

    Not true. Every photo of Arod, both on TV and in print, since this scandal started, has him in a Yankee uniform.

    That puts the Yankees right smack in the middle of it. Even though, to date, there is no evidence he used while a member of the Yankees.

    That’s what I mean when I say the Yankees are getting painted with that brush.

    You see a photo of Arod and you see the word “steroids” and he is wearing Yankee pinstripes.

    If I’m the Yankees, that’s not making me happy.

  704. S.A.-Time to take a vow of silence Alex. For your own sanity

    Igawa time people. :lol:

  705. TL1125

    I really think A-Rod is older than his posted 33 years old. I think A-Rod is in the 36 to 38 year old range. It is essential for A-Rod’s credibility that he resolves this PR issue by showing the public his birth certificate or some sort of document that can prove his age.

    I mean, that would explaine the reason why A-Rod is so prone to injuries. He is a player who is closer to his forties and is breaking down as a result.

    Because of this, I’m sujjesting that the Yankees trade him, either for Longoria, Hanley, or David Wright.

    Go YAnkees!!!

  706. Rishi

    Doris from Rego Park
    March 5th, 2009 at 2:12 pm
    BTW- keep in mind that everything Kay says is influenced by Yankee management. He has been their mouthpiece for years.

    __________________________________________________

    Not true – we went over this in the beginning of the Steroids fiasco. He is a servant to his current master: when he is on ESPN he is their mouthpiece…when he is on YES he is theirs. He makes it very clear that the Michael Kay SHow is his opinions/thoughts. People actually call in and call him on inconsistencies between his ESPN and YES coverage.

  707. Brandon Witnessed Dwayne Wade pull an MJ

    ‘I’m a little worried about Joba’

    I’m not.

  708. Scott

    jennifer – Even worse, now his teammates have to answer for A-Rod on the Selena Roberts book.

  709. Clare

    This sentence from Alex’s brother worries me:

    “But the most important thing is that the operation is successful so that Alex can continue with his career.”

    Ummm, yeah.

  710. tampayank

    trade for Aaron bleepin Boone? :)

  711. Jeremy

    SJ44,

    The answer is simple. We just make that ARod for Wright deal Pete mentioned. Then we trade Gardner for Pujols (for insurance).

  712. Danny

    TL, thats a good point.

    A-Rod may not really be his birth age… like Angel Berroa or Livan Hernandez.

  713. Uncle Ellsworth

    They are not rushing Posada to catch because of ARODs injury- or at least they shouldn’t. They plan was never to have him catch a lot of games in April.

  714. Al from BK

    If A-Rod is only until mid-April what is the big deal? He missed over a month last year and we survived with a far weaker team and pitching.

  715. Calm Down

    You would think A-Rod is on Suicide watch if you are listening to Micheal Kay…..The world is coming to an end….if CC, AJ, and Wang pitch well (lets say 7 innings with 2 runs) We dont need A-rod

  716. YankeeRay

    I am a Joba in the pen guy but I am ok with a good look at him as a starter.
    Hughes is the fill in option if someone goes down or if Joba is not effective.
    Its way too early as Joba is building arm strength but if Joba doesn’t pitch well early on, then Hughes is a nice option to have.
    We would still need another fill in option for an injury if that scenario played out.

  717. 7*7

    There seems to be a lot of confusion and disconnect in the Yankees FO over this.

    Girardi didn’t know about it but his brother did? I hope that A-Rod didn’t make the decision without asking the Yankees.

  718. G. Love

    How long till Arod cuts off the Kaballah bracelet and starts wearing a crucifix around his neck?

  719. vinny-b __play small ball the first 10 weeks__

    “He will continue his dominance. What you think one injury is going to derail him for the rest of his career”

    it doesn’t have anything to do with this injury. It is a very very long contract to sign someone at 25 million per. Check back, in years 4,5,6,7,8,9 etc

  720. Rishi

    Are people really questioning A-rod’s age? wasn’t he born in NY, it’s a lot harder to fake an NY birth certificate than you think…

  721. CaptainsCorner

    The only reason I would be alittle bit concerned about Joba so far is because he didn’t end last season good health wise. In Mussina’s 20th win he came in and gave up a walk and double and didn’t retire a batter, was then taken out. After the game he said he couldn’t get lose and his arm was alittle sore. Hopefully it is just a spring training thing and he will be fine but he needs to prove that he can stay healthy.

  722. Brock

    Maybe it’s just me, but I am a lot more worried about Joba’s poor pitching so far than I am A-Rod’s 10 weeks out of the lineup.

  723. I want Michael Kay's job

    SJ,
    I agree with the pure hilarity that has ensued on this blog the past few weeks. However, I feel like Bill Murray in Groundhog day whenever I come on this blog each year during spring training. You cannot make up some of these posts if you tried. I should save some of these posts as collteral in case I ever claim insanity. RELAX PEOPLE.. TAKE DEEP BREATHES

  724. Yankee U

    After reading TL1125’s post I think that it is too late for drug testing.

  725. Rebecca-Optimist Prime...Staying to Write the Story

    Holy…

    …I can’t believe some of the comments I’m reading. I refuse to believe them.

    Need I remind you Robbie Canó hit .440 in ST last year?

    How did that work out for the Yankees?

    A-Rod’s injury = legitimate concern.

    Joba’s struggles on March 5th = not the biggest problem in the world. For all we know, he was just trying to work on a pitch.

  726. jennifer

    sj- I recall seeing pictures of Pudge in an article about roids. Pudge was here for a cup of coffee. Yet they show him in a Yankee uniform. It is lazyness and a way to get back at the Yankees.

  727. SJ44

    Randy,

    The more I think about it, I’d look into signing Grudzalnick (sp?).

    Solid RH bat, and he can play third. It won’t cost him any players, only some money.

    My concern is the following…..

    They rush Posada back because they need him to catch with Arod out. Or, more accurately, Posada rushes himself back because he knows, without his bat in the lineup, they suffer.

    If they sign Grudz, they have a decent bat in the lineup and they don’t have to rush Posada back if April’s weather isn’t friendly.

    They can survive the Arod injury as long as it doesn’t trickle down to making mistakes with other players on the team.

    Rushing Posada back would be a mistake, IMO.

    Bill Hall? Bad contract, perpetual whiner? Not sure that’s a fit.

    That’s why, at least for the short term, Grudz may be an option.

  728. trisha - As long as you're in pinstripes, Kei, I've got your back.

    Rodg – good job, re: CRICKETS!

  729. Clare

    Rishi,

    It’s getting really hard to tell the posts from idiots from the posts mocking/imitating idiots. :)

    I was pretty sure the age thing was a joke, and yes, you’re right, he was born in NY.

  730. 4time

    Kay is making very good points.. there is nothing positive to come out of today. We’re not screwed, yet. But we could be if Posada can’t catch either.

  731. Rishi

    best pitching effort of the day: KEI IGAWA – give him Joba’s spot!!

    ;)

  732. longtime

    Uncle Ellsworth
    March 5th, 2009 at 2:08 pm
    Nady played 3b in college

    Yeah in college i dated the hottest cheerleader, but now i’m married with children

  733. you gotta have faith (bronx zoo 2009)

    Uncle Ellsworth,

    thats the problem, if posada cant catch then you lose his bat or matsuis and replacing it with molina. this also puts ALOT of pressure on everyone else.

    well, if we can get through this then we can get through anything. go yankees.

  734. trisha - As long as you're in pinstripes, Kei, I've got your back.

    S.A. – you might want to bite your tongue until Igawa’s outing is over? As his forum representative I feel it is only fair to tell you that his last outing he saw great, and so far today he has done very well!

    :D

  735. TL1125

    “Are people really questioning A-rod’s age? wasn’t he born in NY, it’s a lot harder to fake an NY birth certificate than you think…”

    Yeah thats what you think. I have heard from sources that A-Rod in reality was born in the Dominican Republic. Do your research.

  736. m

    The steroids thing did make the Yankees look bad, partly because a lot of users have graced us with their presence.

    But to be fair, for the first week, espn news showed a lot of Alex in a Ranger uni. But I get your point.

    Who’s even thinking steroids at this point? The media will be doomsday on the Yankees’ season for the next 6 weeks.

    The players need to pull their you know what together. I know it’s just spring, but today’s start by Joba didn’t do much for the spirits.

  737. Al from BK

    “I mean, that would explaine the reason why A-Rod is so prone to injuries. He is a player who is closer to his forties and is breaking down as a result.

    Because of this, I’m sujjesting that the Yankees trade him, either for Longoria, Hanley, or David Wright.”

    That was probably the most ignorant post I have ever read. Let me take this apart one by one. You actually think A-Rod is 40 and lying about his age? Unlike the other Dominican players(Tejada, Pujols) A-Rod was born right here in the good old USA in fact he was born in NYC and his birth records can be confirmed unlike those Dominican players born overseas. Secondly you call him “injury prone” when yes he has had a few injuries the last year or so he typically plays 160 games and gets 600 at bats. Finally would Tampa trade a 23 year old stud like Longoria for a guy who makes more green than their entire team? THINK BEFORE YOU POST!

  738. Dave21

    Damon
    Jeter
    Matsui
    Teixeria
    Cano
    Nady/Swisher
    Ransom
    Molina
    Gardner

    Very likely thats the lineup we see alot in April.

  739. S.A.-Time to take a vow of silence Alex. For your own sanity

    Kei did good just now. Gotta be fair.

  740. Steve B

    SJ:

    Boo bleeping hoo! He’s on the Yankees. Natural to think he may be in Yankees garb when photgraphed. The years 2001-2003 have similarly been plastered everywhere as well as what team he was with when it happened. What do you want?

  741. vinny-b __play small ball the first 10 weeks__

    I’m a little worried about Joba’
    “I’m not”

    he does have a bit of an injury history.

    anyway, an injury can strike him in the rotation/bullpen just the same.

  742. A-Fraud..

    Put A-roid on the trading block…

    Im sure we can get something, if we pick up a little of his enormous salary.

    A-rod reminds me of the book death of a salesman. He tries soo hard to do good yet, he only will do good when he is off this team.

  743. Patrick Bateman

    Thank God they signed Teixeira. This lineup would be in neutral without A-Rod and no other big bat.

  744. Calm Down

    “”"I really think A-Rod is older than his posted 33 years old. I think A-Rod is in the 36 to 38 year old range. It is essential for A-Rod’s credibility that he resolves this PR issue by showing the public his birth certificate or some sort of document that can prove his age.

    I mean, that would explaine the reason why A-Rod is so prone to injuries. He is a player who is closer to his forties and is breaking down as a result.

    Because of this, I’m sujjesting that the Yankees trade him, either for Longoria, Hanley, or David Wright.

    Go YAnkees!!!”"”

    THIS IS TOO FUNNY OMG im actually on my floor laughing

  745. TL1125

    Oh, and I have four sources. I can’t tell you if they are player, team execs, or Someone from A-Rod’s Neighborhood. Four sources that’s all you’re getting out of me. Maybe more if you pay.

  746. Rishi

    Might be time to institute a nap time around here…it got extra cranky in the last hour or so

  747. you gotta have faith (bronx zoo 2009)

    Ransom
    Molina
    Gardner

    yikes…

  748. Yankee U

    longtime, unless your wife was the cheerleader, I hope she can’t indentify your post.

  749. Rishi

    TL1125 = Selena Roberts? what are you doing around here?

  750. Yankee2123

    “Played second base and shortstop as a freshman before moving to third base for his final two collegiate campaigns”

    This is off Nady’s player bio, on Yankees.com

    The question is if the team feels comfortable with him playing there for a few months.

  751. TL1125

    “Put A-roid on the trading block…

    Im sure we can get something, if we pick up a little of his enormous salary.

    A-rod reminds me of the book death of a salesman. He tries soo hard to do good yet, he only will do good when he is off this team.”

    You see, atleast I have someone on my side.;-)

  752. S.A.-Time to take a vow of silence Alex. For your own sanity

    S.A. – you might want to bite your tongue until Igawa’s outing is over? As his forum representative I feel it is only fair to tell you that his last outing he saw great, and so far today he has done very well!

    ===================================================

    He did do good and I gave him his props.
    I still don’t ever wanna see him pitching for the Yankees in a regular season game. I might break out in hives.
    :D

  753. Big Handsome

    Day and Joba should be traded immediately. He will never be healthy or effective enough to be a starter and he doesnt have what it takes to be a closer.

    If I were Brian Cashman, Id try to make a deal with the rockies Joba for Jason Marquis straight up

  754. vinny-b __play small ball the first 10 weeks__

    Brandon:

    nevermind. Didn’t know the context of the Joba post, you repsonded to. Not concered with anything related to Joba’s performance either. Only, him remaining injury-free.

  755. Brandon Witnessed Dwayne Wade pull an MJ

    Damn Joel Sherman is writing his RIP Alex column. :lol:

    Relax it’s a cyst they’ll remove it he’ll be mobile at 3B.

  756. Rishi

    MASSIVE poll posted on the right hand side toolbar re: who plays 3rd now.

  757. PAT M.

    I put $ 100.00 to win $ 175.00 that the Yanks win 100 games and I’m not in a tizzy…..If anyone is hanging around near a tv, mlb is showing the hr derby from last year…Josh Hamilton will be hitting in a few minutes…..A great baseball moment…..This team has the best depth and balance they’ve had since 2003….It’s going to be fine…

  758. trisha - As long as you're in pinstripes, Kei, I've got your back.

    “He did do good and I gave him his props.
    I still don’t ever wanna see him pitching for the Yankees in a regular season game. I might break out in hives. :D

    :lol:

    That did make me laugh.

    But I still believe in him. I have to until there is proof positive that I shouldn’t! You know that’s the way I rock.

    ;)

  759. Scott

    Everyone pretty much unanimously assumed that this was minor. There were even anonymous quotes in the paper these past few days saying it was nothing.

    Now he is out 10 weeks?

  760. S.A.-Time to take a vow of silence Alex. For your own sanity

    Joel Sherman is making is seem as though Alex is getting hip replacement surgery. :P
    We just have to see how it goes with Alex and his recovery. Let’s hope for the best

  761. Jay Hirsch

    Time to move Hughes up to 5 and Joba to minors to work it out.

  762. Brandon Witnessed Dwayne Wade pull an MJ

    ‘If I were Brian Cashman, Id try to make a deal with the rockies Joba for Jason Marquis straight up’

    No deal I want Wily Tavaras :lol:

  763. Steve M

    I just logged on and quickly skimmed some of the comments…W..O..W….you guys are awesome entertainment.

    That’s all I want to say, because there’s no point in making the arguments that SJ has clearly made. But I do question everyone on hear who voted for Cody Ransom on that poll, GIVEN THE OPTION OF CHONE FIGGENS. Ridiculous.

  764. 4time

    Swisher has walked twice today

  765. Dora Ewards

    I doubt he is much older than 35.

  766. trisha - As long as you're in pinstripes, Kei, I've got your back.

    Someone needs to give that Game Day a good kick in the butt! Geeze Louise that thing is slow.

  767. This Year

    Haven’t been here for a while. Glad to see SJ has not lost his patronizing/condescending attitude. I said SYMPTOMS of Steve Blass disease, not that he had it. I said his failure to find the plate is “somewhat worrisome”. Now, I know that unlike some I am not omnipotent, but having been in ST for some weeks now, I agree with a fellow poster that that kind of wildness is “somewhat worrisome”. Again, it is one thing to be rocked, it is another not to be able to find the plate. Glad you’re not worried though.

  768. CaptainsCorner

    Sherman..”How about the Yanks aquire Aaron Boone from Houston”. lol

  769. Big Handsome

    In regards to SJ’s posts on this blog…all I have to say is this…Im not saying his posts are hot and sexy, but if the boner police were around, Id need a lawyer.

  770. Patrick Bateman

    If Girardi is right and the Yankees knew about this during last season, someone should be fired.

  771. Calm Down

    Has A-Rod been declared dead or something? really people if i didn’t know any better i would think A-rod is on his death bed

  772. zac

    pete:

    it may have been nice to have been rid of rodriguez, if only for santiy’s sake, but really, how would the yankees have gone about replacing that kind of production?

  773. Dassit

    what about Eric Duncan?, WOW that pic of Berroa jeez Pete… that’s totally uncalled for

  774. randy l

    ‘They can survive the Arod injury as long as it doesn’t trickle down to making mistakes with other players on the team.”

    sj-

    i like your thinking. back ups on the back ups on the back ups is the way i like to think in general.
    Mark Grudzielanek makes sense to me at first glance. the reaction to problems is as important as the problems themselves.

    if the yankees make a solid move to stop the bleeding without over reacting or creating a downward spiral by having players like posada trying to do too much , i’m open to changing my opinion about yankee management, but they are going to be tested with arod’s replacement.

  775. BBB

    “Brandon Witnessed Dwayne Wade pull an MJ”

    Love the handle, made me smile on an otherwise crappy day. Wade for MVP

    Cant even punctuate that w/tons of exclamation points because I’m so bummed about this ARod news. Although I would remind everyone that ESPN also reported Eli Manning was gonna be out for a month in our G-Men’s Super Bowl year, and it turned out that he didn’t miss a single game. Still, though, I am gonna expect the worst with this….

    Fortunately, of all the years this could have happened, I guess it is good that it happen this year because the horrific market means that there are still solutions out there on the FA market. I like the Grudzielanek suggestion best so far, but daaaamn, what bad timing for the A’s to have signed Nomar YESTERDAY!

  776. m

    Rishi,

    Someone needs to tell PollDaddy it’s getting in the way.

  777. Jack Knight

    How about that HUGE year, eh Pete?

  778. BBB

    Oh, I forgot that Hank Blalock was a trade possibility. Rangers are certainly ideal trading partners for us, we have what they want in spades…

    But I still like Grudz better even though he’d cost a draft pick.

  779. Joe DeRosa

    I love how the new poll looks. Every poll from here on out should include at least one hideous photo.

  780. Joe DeRosa

    I love how the new poll looks. Every poll from here on out should include at least one hideous photo.

  781. Joe DeRosa

    I love how the new poll looks. Every poll from here on out should include at least one hideous photo.

  782. Fran

    How about a ST invite to Shea Hillenbrand. Likely not the solution but worth a flyer.

  783. Tom

    TL, thanks for that…

  784. Jeff

    Joba, get outs

  785. trisha - As long as you're in pinstripes, Kei, I've got your back.

    Ahem ahem. Kei Igawa has now pitched two scoreless innings, allowing one hit and two Ks. His springtime ERA is 0.00

    Thank you.

    I had suggested Berroa as a possibility for 3B. I see he’s playing there today…

  786. Dassit

    But I still like Grudz better even though he’d cost a draft pick.

    doesn’t cost us a draft pick, he’s a type B FA

  787. trisha - As long as you're in pinstripes, Kei, I've got your back.

    That should say Igawa HAS two Ks.

  788. BBB

    Or, speaking of the A’s, what about Bobby Crosby? Just read yesterday that they want to trade him and I’m assuming he could handle playing 3b. He’s not exactly the picture of health himself though and his salary’s pretty pricey.

    Or, what about getting Aubrey Huff or Mora from the Orioles? With Angelos in charge they wouldn’t have traded in the division, but I bet MacPhail will. He knows he’s rebuilding.

    What about Blake DeWitt since the Dodgers signed Blake? He wouldnt cost much, I wouldnt think.

    It does make me feel good (considering the circumstances) that there are lots of potential solutions out there, that we’re not just stuck with Berroa or Ransom. I just hope the Yankees WILL make a creative pickup. I’m a little bit scared they will just decide Ransom is good enough, lets hope that doesnt happen!

    Too bad Juan Miranda cant play 3rd….

  789. Calm Down

    Kei Igawa hahahaha funny Just hearing his name makes me laugh and cry at the same time

  790. GreenBeret7

    NYY, until they come up with a better solution, might consider wanting to have Nady send for his third baseman’s glove. He was drafted out of college a a third baseman, played there in the minors and had a few games in the majors. NYY has three strikeout pitchers, so at woest, you’d have him there for 4 games a week there, and could use Berroa/Ransom the rest of the time. The defense may take a hit, but, you would have the offense with both Swisher and Nady. Nady would have 30 days to show whether he could play a passible 3rd base.

  791. cowbell204

    No option on the poll for Teixeira?

  792. Rishi

    Trisha – he can be the spring training Cy Young…but he gets no where near the Bronx unless he buys a ticket like the rest of us :)

  793. BBB

    Dassit – I know he’s a B, but wouldn’t we still have to surrender some sort of supplemental pick to them? If not, I expect news of his signing to start circulating within hours, as he’s a disgustingly logical solution to this problem.

  794. emac2

    “Can you draw a line from three years of steroids to these injuries?”

    Who knows but the great newsmaker might get a few more links/hits by mentioning it.

    Just blogin AKA Anything for a buck.

  795. Rishi

    and 3rd base option Berroa breaks up the no-hitter

  796. trisha - As long as you're in pinstripes, Kei, I've got your back.

    WE GOT A HIT!!!

    Angel Berroa singled. I knew his ROY award would show up for us.

    :)

  797. trisha - As long as you're in pinstripes, Kei, I've got your back.

    “Trisha – he can be the spring training Cy Young…but he gets no where near the Bronx unless he buys a ticket like the rest of us :D

    SEZ YOU!

    :)

  798. Tom

    Here’s a crazy idea re signing Mark Grudzielanek. It can help the Yankees in the draft. They have pick 75a right now in the 2nd round (Bittle comp). That pick is before the Sox (a team that is not shy about spending over “slot”), if the Yankees sign Grudzielanek, the extra comp round pick would mean that the Yankees would pick before Boston, hence, improving their draft position.

  799. Betsy

    Geez, some guy called Michael Kay and said this is a terribly serious operation and there is no way Alex comes back in 10 weeks – he’s lucky if he makes it back next year. He sounded like he had an idea of what he was talking about, but of course, take it with a huge grain of salt.

  800. G. Love

    A guy like Mora would be ideal as a replacement and then super-sub once Arod returns, but the Orioles are going to hold the Yankees up at gunpoint for a guy who is not worth being held up at gunpoint.

    The truth is I’d rather see Cashman not deal for a 3b who can only play 3b since this is a part time position for the player. We don’t need 2 3b on the roster in June/July.

    We need the player they get to be able to offer other position possibilities.

    Bill Hall, Mora, Wigginton types are ideal for this reason because they can hold down 3b but play other positions once Arod is healthy.

    I don’t think the Yankees can go with Ransom starting and Berroa backing up the infield.

    That is a horrible idea. If Arod’s rehab takes longer, Cashman will effectively be putting the team in the same hole it’s put itself in the past few season where it comes to turning the 2nd half of the season into a suicide sprint because they are so far behind.

    He has to find a capable replacement. Not an all star. Just a solid major league player who would start for most teams and can offer good offense and solid D.

  801. Tom

    75 a is AFTER the sox pick. I am an idiot

  802. Rishi

    So how soon before someone makes an issue of the fact that Jeter has now played in all three of the Team USA WBC tune up games?

  803. trisha - As long as you're in pinstripes, Kei, I've got your back.

    Two ground outs and a pop up for Team Canada. 3 innings of scoreless pitching! for Kei Igawa

    Igawa shines like a beacon for the Yanks!

    :D

  804. you gotta have faith (bronx zoo 2009)

    hmm if the yanks are gonna do something i wonder how long its going to take for them to do it? any bets?

  805. Steve M

    Rishi – Team USA is only carrying 3-4 bench players, he has to play.

  806. Rishi

    Man – this thread has more comments than a summer day game!

  807. miggs

    I hope I’m wrong on this but I doubt it.

    Expect the Yankees to announce tomorrow that A Rod is out for the year.

  808. Bronx Jeers

    Can they Yanks maybe like.. score a run or something here?

    It’s freakin Canada come on.

    So Joba ineffective again but it doesn’t count.

    ARod out 2 months but its not serious.

    Yanks haven’t won in a week but it’s ST.

    Yeah I’m sure everybody’s just peachy in Yankeeland. Just another day at the office!

  809. Ham Fighters

    interesting idea gb7. but nady would pretty much have to ask to try it before id feel comfortable with it. still he would have 4 weeks to get ready and ransom as a b/u. if he could hack it, it could save them a roster spot after arod comes back.

  810. CaptainsCorner

    I think Grudz is the best option. I am surprised he is not signed by now..unless he is hurt or something.

  811. Bob Mac

    According to my internet review, cysts in the hip joint are arthritic in nature. That is not good under any circumstances, and surgery while eliminating the cyst doesw not eliminate the arthritis. Nine more years with an arthritic hip is not optimal. Can we say DH?
    Joba is another issue. He has not looked right to me since he missed time last year. When he returned his fastball was 92 rather than 96+. I would not be at all surpreised if we hear he does have shoulder concerns. On the bright side, I think Hughes can fill the fifth starter role more than adequately.
    If Blalock is available for Kennedy or someone like that I would certainly do it. Ransom or Berroa aren’t worthy starting third basemen for any team in the majors. They are doubtful as utility players.

  812. trisha - As long as you're in pinstripes, Kei, I've got your back.

    Rish – yes but notice the majority of comments came before the game started, if you get my drift…

    Also, re: Jeter, he didn’t start the game. I’m not bothered by him getting 2 AB and coming in as a pinch hitter.

  813. TJ

    Scott Brosius!

  814. JohnBlacksox ( 24 + 1 )

    The real victim here is ARod’s mom. Ever since she was a little girl, she dreamed of the WBC being invented, and having a son who would play in it for the D.R.

  815. Sean Serritella

    Wow, a lot of comments. If I leave a message, will I be relevant?

  816. Phil

    People will feel a lot better when CC, Wang, AJ, Andy and Joba round into form and start taking their regular turns.

  817. Michelle B. (X is the new black)

    Oh man – this board is a mess today – I’m almost surprised there are soo many posts seeing as how so many people are jumping off buildings today. Christ get a grip people. We have good pitching = we dont need to win games 10 – 9 this season, we’ll be ok winning 4 – 2.

    As long as everyone is getting their wishes granted today is there anyway cashman still has drew hensen’s number on speed dial, how about josh booty?

  818. Dassit

    “Dassit – I know he’s a B, but wouldn’t we still have to surrender some sort of supplemental pick to them? If not, I expect news of his signing to start circulating within hours, as he’s a disgustingly logical solution to this problem.”

    No, you can’t lose a supplemental pick by signing a Type B FA. Only when signing a Type A FA you have to give up a draft pick. Besides, we don’t even have a supplemental pick.

  819. miggs

    The Yankees silence should speak volumes.

    Not good. Not good at all.

  820. Calm Down

    “The real victim here is ARod’s mom. Ever since she was a little girl, she dreamed of the WBC being invented, and having a son who would play in it for the D.R.”

    hhahahahaha too funny

  821. trisha - As long as you're in pinstripes, Kei, I've got your back.

    Sean, you will be most relevant of all if you leave a comment that says CRICKETS.

    Some of us decided that it’s the best way to deal with any lead-ins about Arod that we find potentially incendiary…

    :)

  822. Rishi

    Trisha – he played half the game (came in in the 4th and walked once) – I don’t particularily care, but think it’s curious…that’s all

  823. 4time

    ESPN’s Stephania Bell suggests ten weeks could be a light estimate, if Rodriguez has a labral tear. – MLBTR

  824. trisha - As long as you're in pinstripes, Kei, I've got your back.

    miggs – always being a glass half full person, I say that there is no reason for the Yankees to make any kind of a statement while there is a game going on, especially since Girardi will be expected to field questions!

    I’m still hopeful.

  825. bodhisattva

    Ahem.

    What’s that again about not needing Manny?

    There’ll be no stories today about how smart the Yankees were, to sweep into the opening that stalled negotiations between Manny and the Dodgers provided.

    Nothing about the vision of the Yankees for understanding how fragile their aging lineup might prove to be, saving the day by pulling off a potentially season-saving move and adding the unrivalled bat of Ramirez.

    Shame on you, Brian Cashman.

    You have a DH who can’t run the bases yet.
    A catcher who might not be able to throw or slug.
    And now, your cleanup hitter is now on the DL.

    What’s more, you had the Dodgers nickling and diming Manny Ramirez, whom YOU COULD HAVE SIGNED for TWO YEARS – not 10. There was a GAPING window that that beckoned you into the breach to win him away.

    The most clutch run producer in the game, and you sniffed and passed.

    Congratulations.

    NOW, you are probably forced to give up something much more valuable than money: ASSETS. For someone who couldn’t lace Ramirez’s cleats.

    Epic Fail.

  826. 4time

    We will win with pitching and defense

  827. jennifer loves hewlett

    im thinking the yankees are really pissed about the news getting out before they had a chance to announce it. not putting something out by now is weird, just like when they took days to put out a statement about the s.i. article. i think the front office is really coming to hate arod and his people.

  828. Betsy

    Kay just announced that, per Boras on ESPN, Alex has a torn labrum in his hip…..

  829. S.A.-Time to take a vow of silence Alex. For your own sanity

    According to Kay: Boras just said it’s a torn labrum in his hip?

  830. miggs

    Boras: torn labrum.

    No cyst.

    This just keeps getting worse.

  831. trisha - As long as you're in pinstripes, Kei, I've got your back.

    “We will win with pitching and defense”

    Yes, yes, yes, yes, and yes!

  832. Tom

    That’s the suckiest bunch of news that ever did suck

  833. Baseball Fab

    A Torn Labrum.
    Thats what heyman says
    Ugh
    How long does that take to heal, if ever?

  834. Baseball Fab

    more from the SI article.

    GLENDALE, Ariz. — Alex Rodriguez likely needs surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right hip and would miss six to eight weeks if he decides to have the surgery, SI.com has learned.

    The tear was discovered during an evaluation of Rodriguez’s hip by Dr. Marc Philippon in Vail, Colo. Rodriguez is expected to take the next couple days to evaluate the situation before determining whether to have the surgery.

    Rodriguez was examined by a Yankees doctor on Saturday after experiencing tightness in his right hip. An MRI exam revealed he had a cyst on the hip. In the evaluation over the last couple days, it was discovered that the torn labrum was the cause of the large cyst. The cyst was aspirated Thursday, which is expected to give doctors a better chance to view the entire area and determine whether surgery is needed.

  835. Lori

    From WebMD:
    What Is a Hip (Acetabular) Labral Tear ?
    A hip (acetabular) labral tear is damage to cartilage and tissue in the hip socket. In some cases, it causes no symptoms. In others it causes pain in the groin. It can make you feel like your leg is “catching” or “clicking” in the socket as you move it. Over time, labral tears in the hip may cause permanent damage to the joint.

    The labrum is a band of tough cartilage and connective tissue that lines the rim of the hip socket, or acetabulum. It cushions the joint of the hip bone, preventing the bones from directly rubbing against each other. The labrum also helps keep the leg bone in place and increases stability of the joint.

    The labrum can tear for many reasons. Some people get torn labra from falls or car accidents. Sports that require regular rotation of the hip — like golf, soccer, hockey, and ballet — increase the risk. So do running and sprinting.

    But almost 75% cases of torn acetabular labrum have no known direct cause. Instead, these tears may develop gradually. Labral tears in the hip have been linked to osteoarthritis. However, it’s not clear if they contribute to its development or are a symptom of it.

    Labral tears of the hip are more common in women. They also occur more often in people who have abnormalities of the hip structure, like hip dysplasia and other conditions.

    In recent years, experts have found that acetabular labral tears are much more common than once thought. Studies show that up to 22% of athletes who complain of groin pain have a labral tear in the hip.

  836. GreenBeret7

    Ham Fighters
    March 5th, 2009 at 3:01 pm
    interesting idea gb7. but nady would pretty much have to ask to try it before id feel comfortable with it. still he would have 4 weeks to get ready and ransom as a b/u. if he could hack it, it could save them a roster spot after arod comes back.

    ————————————————————

    I’d prefer that over dumping 3-4 position players and pitchers from the system for a short time solution. Grudzielanek has absolutely no arm or range anymore. No way will you replace Rodriguez’ offense and defense, but, you have to try to cover as much as possible. I think Nady would and could do it. It makes a lot of sense for him to try, coming up on Free Agency. He gets the at bats plus maybe shows a little extra versatility.

  837. Erick

    Has Girardi even admitted that the Yankees didn’t make the playoffs in 2008? Or does he still think we have a good shot of making it?

  838. Yankee U

    Can Manny catch or play 3rd?

  839. trisha - As long as you're in pinstripes, Kei, I've got your back.

    http://www.physioroom.com/inju.....r_full.php

    Information

  840. Doris from Rego Park

    isnt this the same injury Lowell had? Yikes.

  841. ALB3

    If Arod is out (which i think will be a really good thing for the team so that time can pass and this steroids thing can go away), why can Nick Swisher not play 3rd?

    If he can play 1st and used to play center, I would conclude that he would be an adequate 3rd baseman.

    Or why can’t Nady play 3rd. He could play 1st, why can he not play 3rd?

    There is no need to go outside of the organization for this. There’s something about the way that Swisher plays the game that tells me he can play 3rd base. And Nady, I’m not sure, but I’m guessing that he can, too.

  842. Steve B

    “According to Kay: Boras just said it’s a torn labrum in his hip?”

    I think I liked cyst better. Wasn’t Mike Lowell’s injury a torn labrum in his hip?

  843. chanla

    Here’s a crazy idea: Aaron Boone. He’s with the astros now, 1 year deal i think. He’s 36 and…..why not for a month or two.

    Also, Nady played 3rd in college, a long time ago i know but he was actually good at 3rd. then was moved to 1st then RF.

    Teixiera played some games at 3rd, again long time ago but some experience.

    Yanks dont need a big name player that’ll cost a lot, unless a-rod is out for more than 8-10 weeks. Really, just good defense and decent hitting since pitching should be able to hold out for a while before he comes back.

    (All ideas i heard from WFAN ny radio)

  844. Michelle B. (X is the new black)

    Torn Labrum = better than a cyst

    torn labrum requires surgery usally to shave down the piece and it takes 7 – 10 weeks to recover fully.

  845. William Buckner

    * Tex is being paid $20 mill to be our 1B not 3B and he’d suck at it because thats not his position. Just cause he’s played there once doesn’t mean he can just do it again.
    * No one will make any quality trade this time of year because they want depth too, you know, in case their players develop a cyst.
    * If this is a 6-10 week injury, there isn’t a need to make a move. Ranson, Beroa, et al can hold the fort. If it’s much worse, you will be looking at a Greg Dobbs type.
    * Joba’s fine, relax, do you remember Roger Clemens spring games? Me neither, cause it’s a spring game.

  846. Tex's New Best Friend

    Yeah… Swish in RF and Nady at 3rd.

  847. Tex's New Best Friend

    Yeah… Swish in RF and Nady at 3rd.

  848. sweet lou

    Career batting averages in April

    Damon – .275
    Jeter – .307
    Teixeria – .259
    Rodriguez – .315
    Matsui – .267
    Posada – .280
    Swisher – .250
    Nady – .281
    Cano – .237
    Molina – .222
    Melky – .253

  849. Lori

    Thanks Trisha -

    “A return to sports is usually possible between two and three months after the operation.” YIKES!

  850. Steve B

    “Or why can’t Nady play 3rd. He could play 1st, why can he not play 3rd?”

    Nady wasn’t any good at 1st.

  851. trisha - As long as you're in pinstripes, Kei, I've got your back.

    From the mayo clinic:

    (To offset people screaming the Yanks should have acted faster)

    “Many hip labral tears cause no signs or symptoms. Occasionally, however, you may experience one or more of the following:

    A locking, clicking or catching sensation in your hip joint
    Pain in your hip or groin
    Stiffness or limited range of motion in your hip joint”

  852. Phil

    Obviously all tears are not the same. We’ll just have to be patient and see what this is.

  853. Calm Down

    its a torn labrum some people are taking about A-rod missing the whole year

  854. Vito

    Cripes it’s the end of the world in here. Everyone needs to step back from the ledge.

    If you really want to panic, look at the world economic system crashing down all around you. US Markets are breaking all support levels and heading for the bowels of hell.

    Cody Ransom for 2 months at 3B – we could do worse.
    Be more worried about Posada and Mo…

  855. Don

    This team has awful defense anyway… I’d rather just load up the lineup with bats and say screw the defense. We need runs. Put Damon in Center, keep Posada at C even if he can’t catch.

  856. trisha - As long as you're in pinstripes, Kei, I've got your back.

    “Torn Labrum = better than a cyst

    torn labrum requires surgery usally to shave down the piece and it takes 7 – 10 weeks to recover fully.”

    THANKS MICHELLE!!!

  857. trisha - As long as you're in pinstripes, Kei, I've got your back.

    “Torn Labrum = better than a cyst

    torn labrum requires surgery usally to shave down the piece and it takes 7 – 10 weeks to recover fully.”

    THANKS MICHELLE!!!

  858. Michelle B. (X is the new black)

    same as lowell’s injury but not the same extent.

  859. CaptainsCorner

    I hope it was not what Lowell had..or as bad..His recovery was 3-4 months. What a disaster…

  860. Baseball Fab

    http://sports.espn.go.com/espn....._stephania

    A-Rod’s recovery could be longer than expected

    Oh OH

  861. Rockks

    A torn labrum? That’s much worse than a cyst

    Ugh

  862. Rishi

    Recently we have seen other high-profile baseball players undergo surgery to address labral injuries, including Phillies second baseman Chase Utley and Red Sox third baseman Mike Lowell. As we await word from the Yankees or Rodriguez himself, we should be cautious before jumping to any conclusions. However, if he does have a labral tear, it’s a more complex situation. Utley, for one, had labral surgery in late November and is optimistic that he’ll be ready for Opening Day. “Optimistic” is not “certain,” though, and the time lapse between Utley’s surgery and Opening Day will be 19 weeks, not 10.

  863. Devon

    Swisher cannot play 3rd base he throws left handed. Left handed people cannot play 3rd,SS,2B,C.

    Nady wouldn’t be able to play 3rd for being away from there for a long period of time. 3rd base is a tough position and I doubt he will have good defense there.

  864. trisha - As long as you're in pinstripes, Kei, I've got your back.

    Michelle B works in sports medicine.

    I’d suggest we listen to her and not put our own spin on this!

  865. Thomas A. Anderson

    I don’t know why everyone is losing their minds. It’s not like the regular season matters anyway…right?

  866. Rishi

    Baseball Fab – I tried to post that dang article 3 times :) the last paragraph is especially worrisome.

  867. Davis

    Prepare as if A-Rod is gone for the year… cannot overestimate the timetable. We need to protect ourselves incase this thing is worse than expected.

    Must make a trade NOW. If we wait too long, we will lose our leverage

  868. Ham Fighters

    it would be cool if tex or nady volunteered to try it. if i were joe, i wouldnt even think of it unless the player approached me first. but how cool would that be?

    each guy is trying hard to get ready for a really big year, tex as a new yankee and x in a contract year, so you really cant ask them to do it. but if they asked, that would be different.

  869. Betsy

    Is it unusual that Boras would talk about this before the Yankees have said anything?

  870. Hughes The Savior

    Alb3 – That was one of the most ridiculous posts of the day. If you watched how Swisher “played the game” only one time, you would realize that he is left-handed. Have you ever watched him play once?

  871. Forntoso

    “Just spoke to Joba. He said everything “is great” physically. His problem today was mechanical. In pitcher speak, he could not get over his front side and that was screwing up his control. He didn’t seem concerned in the slightest.”

    Are you sure you didn’t accidentally interview Ian Kennedy?

  872. trisha - As long as you're in pinstripes, Kei, I've got your back.

    “it would be cool if tex or nady volunteered to try it. if i were joe, i wouldnt even think of it unless the player approached me first. but how cool would that be?”

    Thought the same thing.

  873. Steve B

    “same as lowell’s injury but not the same extent.”

    Not wishing to be rude, but how do you know this to be the case?

  874. G. Love

    I blame Madonna.

    There’s not a single doubt in my mind that she made poor Arod contort into very uncomfortable positions in order to view her at her remaining few good angles in the sack.

    She’s a succubus.

    Let’s burn her.

  875. Drain003

    Why are Boras and A-Rod’s brother speaking before the Yankees have addressed this?

    Something tells me all the parties are not on the same page and maybe A-Rod jumped the gun regarding his decision. Or maybe he withheld information from the Yankees.

    Something is suspicious here.

  876. Jay Hirsch

    Re-sign Drew Henson

  877. Brandon Witnessed Dwayne Wade pull an MJ

    He’s not missing the yr., Berroa or Ransom will do just fine at 3B.

  878. Soul

    Labrum?

    Wow, at this point, I would take the 10 week timetable and run with it. This is getting very hairy.

  879. Boston Dave

    Listen, the Yankees are trying to make themselves a team that wins games 4-2 instead of 10-7.

    Losing Alex is rough but the Yanks are better equipped to handle a loss on offense than they’ve been in a long time.

    The most important thing is to find a good defensive replacement at 3b. If the Yankees pitching holds form, who cares if they win 7-2 or 3-2?

  880. Trevor

    More and more info is coming out. I think this is going to be longer then just missing April.
    Doctor is on with Kay sounds like this is going be a re-occurring the rest of his career. That is an horrible contract they gave him.

  881. Ricky

    Mark Grudzelanik is a Type-B free agent right? No wonder he hasn’t been signed

  882. Betsy

    Kay has a DR. on who gave us relatively good news- the torn hip labrum is better than a cyst and Alex could easily be back in 10 weeks.

  883. Al from BK

    I want to throw up, this stinks!

  884. ECG 234

    Well this doctor thats on with Kay certainly isin’t making me feel very good…

  885. Guido

    Maybe we should sign Barry Bonds… just to keep the clubhouse dynamics in place while A-Rod is out.

  886. Calm Down

    finally some good news

  887. Oddessy

    Great— Jason Hiambi 2.0 on our hands.

  888. GreenBeret7

    Another 3rd base option is to find out just how bad KC is wanting to unload Teahen. Not sure of the asking price, but, possibly a bullpenner and a close to ready starter like Kennedy or someone close to that. The combinations are numerous. Dunn and De La Rosa need to be off limits, though. Seriously doubt that they’d consider Horne and Hacker.

  889. you gotta have faith (bronx zoo 2009)

    doctor on kay says with torn labrum, 10 weeks is very realistic. lets see what cash says.

  890. Trevor

    He could be back in 10 weeks but it sounds like this could be an issue again.

  891. Steve B

    Ricky:

    A Type B does NOT cost the signing team any draft picks. Compensation for the Royals would be a sandwich pick after the 1st round.

  892. ALB3

    So we have a solution, Teixeira will play 3rd and Nady or Swish will play 1st.

    This situation is barely any different than if we had Arod in the lineup.

    We cannot let Nady or Swisher stay on the bench if there is a way to keep them in the lineup. Trading away a chunk of the farm for a rental who will soon be on the bench is a waste.

    Force Nady or Teix into the 3B role. That’s our only option. If Kevin Youkilis can play 3rd, so can Mark Teixeira.

  893. Vito

    If he gets surgery Monday and it is 10 weeks recovery then we get to May 18. Throw in a week of minors rehab and we are talking Memorial Day for a return. This all assumes no complications. That is 45 regular season games, a tad more then what Jeter missed in 2003.

  894. Dan

    Shrink the poll section! It’s attacking the page!

  895. vinny-b __play small ball the first 10 weeks__

    “Here’s a crazy idea: Aaron Boone. He’s with the astros now, 1 year deal i think. He’s 36 and…..why not for a month or two”

    you can do better then this. Boone sucked, and that was 5 years ago.

    Cashman needs to explore a trade for Blalock. This is what prospects are for.

  896. Boston Dave

    What is most concerning is what Pete brought up…. why was this not checked out at the end of LAST season????

    If your $300 Million Dollar man says he has even the slightest amount of pain in his toenail, you check it out. Ugh.

  897. Ricky

    Cano already said he wouldn’t move to 3B when A-Rod opted out, why would he change his mind now?

  898. Brandon Witnessed Dwayne Wade pull an MJ

    ‘The combinations are numerous. Dunn and De La Rosa need to be off limits’

    Srsly if either one of them go for a temp. deal I’m going to hunt down Brian Cashman myself.

  899. Calm Down

    Well he just needs to cut down on his workouts…and work less..if he watches it and the yankees make sure he gets his rest. it can all end up okay

  900. Boston Dave

    Ricky,

    Did Cano say he wouldn’t convert to 3rd for 10 weeks? I think his resistance was to making a permanent switch to 3rd.

    Still, I’d prefer a 3b who has experience.

    The Yankees should be attempting to win games on pitching and defense anyway.

  901. Tex's New Best Friend

    Nady should volunteer. But Boras wont let him do that in a contract year.

  902. trisha - As long as you're in pinstripes, Kei, I've got your back.

    “Kay has a DR. on who gave us relatively good news- the torn hip labrum is better than a cyst and Alex could easily be back in 10 weeks.”

    Michelle B. said the same thing, ahem.

  903. Boston Dave

    The Yankees DO NOT need to make a (major) trade for a 3b unless Alex is going to be out for longer than 3 weeks.

    Stop the panic.

  904. Kevlar

    One of two things happened -

    1. The Yankees medical staff is incompetent (certainly not impossible considering the amount of injuries and miscalculations from 2005 on) and should all be dismissed.

    2. A-Rod withheld information and lied about the severity his condition (he isin’t the smartest or most truthful tool in the shed either, so thats not a stretch) or he was just plain stubborn and thought he could play through it.

    Either way, one party looks deplorable.

  905. Boston Dave

    correction: 10-12 weeks

  906. Nigel

    I wonder what Howie Clark is up to……

  907. Kevlar

    Cano plays for the Yankees. They decide where he plays. If they ask him to move to 3rd, he does. End of story.

    But what 2B is there thats any good?

  908. Tom

    new post…..

  909. Boston Dave

    Tex,

    why wouldn’t Boras let him? Nady isn’t guaranteed playing in every game. that would get him more AB.

    however, moving Nady to 3b is a horrible idea unless he has shown he can play well defensively.

    we need to stop having this idea that the Yankees need to score 8-10 runs to win games.

    THAT is why they went out and got pitching. So they don’t need to score as much to win.

  910. Mike V

    It will all shake out.

    If A-Rod has the surgery, the Yanks can patch with Ransom or Barroa. Maybe someone else within.

    If they don’t like that, they can see who is still unsigned or who gets let go in the next few weeks.

    If that doesn’t sit well, they can make a low level deal to get a Boone, a Blalock, or someone else without giving up much and be willing to take on a moderate contract that other teams will be happy to get rid of in this economy. If Garner seems to be the CF in a couple of weeks, then you can always use Melky as the chip and pay his salary for the year.

    You can’t move Swisher to third (he throws left) and I wouldn’t move Nady or anyone else unless it was emergency patchwork for a game or two. If you had to do that, you would use Ransom.

    This isn’t weekend softball. You can’t put people where they haven’t played for years and think if you give them a can of beer they will catch the ball without spilling the contents.

  911. Rishi

    NEW POST

  912. saucY

    ugh. lunch was too long and now i have too many unread comments. i think i’ll survive skipping them.

    kind of disappointed there’s a poll already including 2 guys who make 6 Million a year. if there were any indication arod’ll be out more than the 10 weeks, maybe. that’s just too much for a short-term replacement and future backup infielder… save the trade chips for something more important.

  913. Ham Fighters

    ravitch just said that cashman says the yankees “are opting not to go with surgery”

  914. AD

    “This team has awful defense anyway… I’d rather just load up the lineup with bats and say screw the defense. We need runs. Put Damon in Center, keep Posada at C even if he can’t catch.”

    Don–

    Yikes… Open your eyes and ears buddy… Poor Defense is reason #2 (Pitching #1 off course) why we have not won a playoff series in 5 years, a pennant in 6 years and a title in 9 years.

  915. Boston Dave

    “Tear of the acetabular labrum in an elite athlete”

    A torn labrum of the hip joint is a rare and often difficult condition to diagnose. This case study highlights the clinical findings, treatment, and rehabilitation for a young professional footballer.

    http://bjsm.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/37/1/84

  916. saucY

    edwar for betemit

  917. Boston Dave

    Thank you AD…

    people are panicking and sacrificing the betterment of the team in order to score as many runs as possible.

    the idea is to outscore your opponent, not to score as many runs as you can. there is a difference that is eluding some.

  918. AD

    What’s Aaron Boone doing these days btw????

  919. S.A.-Time to take a vow of silence Alex. For your own sanity

    So no surgery for Alex per the Yankees?

  920. Boston Dave

    Ham Fighters???

    wow. can’t wait for Pete to report on that. wow.

  921. ray (sox fan)

    Fans of both the Sox and Yankees can point to the other team and maintain that it has major injury risks, but I honestly think both teams have some considerable health issues.

    JD Drew is complaining of a sore back with spring training hardly underway. Penny is missing this week’s start because of a tired shoulder. A tired shoulder in the first two weeks of spring training is not a good sign. Who knows how healthy Ortiz and Smoltz will be.

    As for the Yankees, I would be concerned about Posada being healthy. Arod is said to be missing at least ten weeks. Sometimes 10 weeks turns into more weeks. Rivera has a lot of mileage on that arm. Will Burnett stay off the DL this year?

  922. AD

    How bout Melky and Veras/Ramirez for Bill Hall???

  923. tampayank

    yeah ray,

    both the Yanks and Sox have some injury risks…..let’s see if the Rays stay healthy all year, they were pretty healthy most of the year, especially w/ their pitching

  924. Brad Pitt's better-looking brother

    I’m tellin’ ya:
    that guy from the Lotto commercial that bought the team and played 3rd base is available.

    well, it’s no stupider than the people talking about putting Swisher or Nady over there…

  925. trisha - As long as you're in pinstripes, Kei, I've got your back.

    “What is most concerning is what Pete brought up…. why was this not checked out at the end of LAST season????”

    Boston Dave – we’ve already discussed that one. It is NOT concerning when you think about the fact that a torn labrum can present without symptoms or with stiffness (like Girardi said about Arod where it was reported to him at the end of last season.)

    Stiffness in a joint after a season of baseball isn’t necessarily a reason to sound the alarms!

    Don’t look for problems where there aren’t any.

  926. Tiki

    I had a torn hip labrum that caused a cyst in my hip – I had the surgery at Special Surgery here in NYC. It was arthroscopic, I was put to sleep, it was a huge tear (Dr. uses it in classes) BUT, if they allowed me to I could have walked out of the hospital. I started PT on the 2nd day and basically was not only walking but doing everything within 2 weeks. True, I am not/was not a world class athlete but this is not bad news – at least not compared with what it could have been. I had the tear for a couple of years (which created the cyst) but felt much better following the surgery.
    I don’t think they are doing the right thing by having him wait and get PT (I tried that and the tear got bigger) but I didn’t think they made a good decision with Jorge last year either.
    Anyway, it will be very surprising if he doesn’t get the surgery later on. They give cortisone for the “discomfort” which also causes cysts…

  927. joeman

    Mo says he thinks he’ll be ready,why should we be alarmed ? the think part got me

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New York Yankees baseball fans cheer during a ticker-tape parade along Broadway celebrating their 27th World Series championship on Friday, Nov. 6, 2009,  in New York.   (AP Photo/Henny Ray Abrams) New York Yankees baseball player  Mariano Rivera, bottom, waves during a ticker-tape parade along Broadway celebrating their 27th World Series championship on Friday, Nov. 6, 2009,  in New York.  (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan) Floats carrying the New York Yankees baseball team make their way along Broadway during a ticker-tape parade celebrating their 27th World Series championship on Friday, Nov. 6, 2009,  in New York.  (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan) New York Yankees baseball players Alex Rodriguez, second from left,  Francisco Cervelli, third from right, and entertainer Jay-Z, left, celebrate on a float  during a ticker-tape parade along Broadway celebrating their 27th World Series championship on Friday, Nov. 6, 2009,  in New York.   (AP Photo/Henny Ray Abrams) New York Yankees baseball player Alex Rodriguez, right, and entertainer Jay-Z celebrate on a float during a ticker-tape parade along Broadway celebrating their 27th World Series championship on Friday, Nov. 6, 2009,  in New York.   (AP Photo/Henny Ray Abrams) Floats carrying the New York Yankees baseball team make their way along Broadway during a ticker-tape parade celebrating their 27th World Series championship on Friday, Nov. 6, 2009,  in New York.  (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow) New York Yankees' Hideki Matsui, the World Series MVP, celebrates from a float during a ticker-tape parade along Broadway celebrating their 27th World Series championship on Friday, Nov. 6, 2009,  in New York. (AP Photo/Henny Ray Abrams) Baseball fans cheers as the New York Yankees were honored along Broadway in New York on Friday, Nov. 6, 2009, with a ticker-tape parade celebrating their 27th World Series championship. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle)
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Chad JenningsChad Jennings joined the The Journal News in October 2009, having spent the better part of seven years covering baseball in Scranton, PA. He is a graduate of the University of Missouri and an award-winning beat reporter and features writer. E-mail me at cjennings@lohud.com
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Sam BordenSam Borden is an award-winning journalist who joined The Journal News and LoHud.com in January 2008. He covered the Yankees for the New York Daily News from 2004-06, and has also worked as a columnist for the Florida Times-Union in Jacksonville. E-mail me at sborden@lohud.com
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Sam BordenJosh Thomson has done some of everything since joining The Journal News in March 2003. He began working for the Gannett weeklies during the winter of 2002 as a freelance writer. He joined the daily staff soon after and has since covered various high school and pro sports. E-mail me at jthomson@lohud.com
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