Clemens: I didn’t do it
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Roger Clemens was on ESPN Radio this morning and again contended that he didn’t do PEDs.
“(Brian McNamee) never injected me with HGH or steroids,” Clemens said.
He also repeated that Andy Pettitte “misremembers” details of his HGH use. Clemens said that while he has not spoken to Pettitte often, he still considers him a friend.
Without a positive drug test that can be used against him, Clemens seems intent on denying everything and painting McNamee as a liar. Perhaps the only way this is ever settled is if federal prosecutors seek perjury charges against Clemens.
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on Tuesday, May 12th, 2009 at 10:56 am by Peter Abraham.
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Chad Jennings
Sam Borden
Why is “misremembers” always written in quotes? its a real word.
Roger, thy name is Ozymandias.
“My name is Ozymandias, king of kings:
Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!
Nothing beside remains. Round the decay
Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare,
The lone and level sands stretch far away.”
He has one thing going for him.
Brian McNamee is NOT a credible witness.
from previous post:
2 more seasons of jeter playing SS… thats pathetic if true. AROD saying he would like to have Reyes play with him seems to make more and more sense everyday that jeter cant get to any balls and making errors!
im not saying jeter is done..he can still hit but his defense is killing this team
Video/audio of the interview:
http://espn.go.com/video/clip?.....id=2521705
The “evidence” McNamee has — syringes kept in a Pepsi can seems kind of shaky and smells of a setup. Doesn’t mean Roger is in the clear, er, clean, just that it’s all inconclusive.
“The guy to keep an eye on as a more immediate possibility for the majors is Zach McAllister.”
Agreed. I also like Wilkin De La Rosa. Very interesting guy at AA. Old enough to move fast through system.
I think the point made is a good one. The Yankees have stock piled pitching. At some point they need to turn some of that over into position players.
McNamee is just as much a liar as Clemens. The Mitchell report is totally bias, leaving Boston and Texas players off the report (Mitchell and Bush both have or had interest in teams). Players are wrong for what they did, but there was no regulation back then. Everyone talks about how tarnished the Yanks rings are, but no one is saying anything about Boston now that Manny is proven guilty and Ortiz is all of a sudden a .200 hitter with 0 HR’s. A-Rod’s name some how leaks from a list of 300 other players. This whole conviction/pointing fingers process is as corrupt as the steroid era. Selig and the media need to stop selecting the people to go after and the people to keep hush hush on. Until I see some fair playing on both sides then I’ll start believing the accusations a bit more…
“Agreed. I also like Wilkin De La Rosa. Very interesting guy at AA. Old enough to move fast through system.
I think the point made is a good one. The Yankees have stock piled pitching. At some point they need to turn some of that over into position players.”
That could have been Cahman’s plan all along…now he just has to do it before they all get hurt (IPK) or become a non-prospect.
As for Wilkin De La Rosa, I too like him and if he is moved he will become the next Marte and they will be trying to get him back for years, and will once he is done.
dreaded jeter debate..
how does a singles hitter dh?
posada needs to dh? or probably he will be hurt the remaining yrs of his dumb contract though….
they have to say bye to jeter after this contract?
or offer 1 year at reduced rate?
they are committed to keeping him for 3000 hits im sure though…
I know there is another book coming out about Roger. I know he will be in the public eye again. Still, from years of experience on the Law Enforcement side, when a target goes to the media while an investigation is open and shows up the cops by reiterating stale and flimsy claims of innocence, that target has chosen one of the surest ways to remind the prosecutor (and the prosecutor’s bosses) that they have to poop or get off the pot. A meeting is then invariably called at some career prosecutor’s office and/or some cop boss’ office. If it’s the prosecutor’s office, the prosecutor is yelling at the cops about why it’s taking so long to get enough evidence. If it’s the cop boss’ office, the cop boss is yelling about how long it’s taking the @#$%&* lawyers to make up their minds. Eventually the yelling stops long enough for someone to make a decision.
IMO, by going on the radio Roger is begging to be charged.
I wish this story would just go away. I mean, really – does anyone even care anymore about Clemens and whether or not he juiced? I just don’t care.
“I wish this story would just go away. I mean, really – does anyone even care anymore about Clemens and whether or not he juiced? I just don’t care.”
It’s all about the way it was handled, IMO. If Mitchell had done a fair report, there would be few or no lingering issues. But he butchered it.
That’s why it’s so important to have such invesitgations and reports be exceptionally fair and balanced – really cuts down on the side issues, distractions and excuses and get to the heart of the matter.
Clemens may be in our rotation this summer
If Roger did PEDs this was his chance to fess up. Right on the tails of Alex, and now manny.
But it does seem like he’s painted himself further into the corner with these protestations.
He’s hung himself if he lied twice about it.
Since the Mitchell report was bias and incomplete i welcome every new accusation and rumor. Even if there are reports that both Peter and the Freddy Sez guy were doing roids in the parking lot!
Until baseball “comes clean” about its role in this, every player, union rep, owner and hot dog vendor should be thrown under the bus! We berate A-rod for his awkward press conferences but we say nothing when the baseball suits offer the same kind of explanations.
So I just read Mike Lupica’s hilarious column about how Joba’s needs to tone it down.
How Papelbaum is allowed to have hi antics because he’s a cloer.
He also ‘thinks’ that Joba is a closer in the future blah, blah, blah.
He also talks about how desperate the Yankees were for pitching and the money they spent on CC and AJ while making no mention of the money the Mets spent on Johan, guess he thinks Johan is playing for free or something.
Lupica has really become an embarassment of a writer. I couldn’t help but laugh at all the ridiculous things he wrote in his column.
anyone else have problem with some posts posting and others not?
its annoying…
You don’t see many convictions for perjury because it is very difficult to prove. He might get charged, but if he never admits to it I see now way on earth they could ever get a conviction. The “evidence” in the MacNamee coffee can would never be admitted and is too tainted to prove anything.
My feelings are much more like JIm in that the whole steroid situation in MLB reaks of the most selective prosecution ever. Manny getting caught helps Alex… if those other 103 names come out maybe that will be enough to get the sanctimonious national media off their college soapbox.
I would love to hear a psychiatrist’s take on the Clemens interview, because it seems clear that he really, truly believes what he’s saying. So either it’s true, or he’s, well, totally friggin’ nuts.
Ray, I haven’t read Lupica in years – I’m surprised anyone still does. Most of the time when I get annoyed at a sportswriter and claim they are anti-Yankee, I’m just being emotional. However, with Lupica and Madden – I don’t think there is any question that they hate the Yankees. Lupica is a joke…..
ray,
He doesn’t mention that the mets would love to have our rotation?
Did he write this before or after their 7 game winning streak? Cuz until last week, they had one reliable pitcher.
Their big FA pitching acquisition has been demoted to the bullpen.
I guess he just wears a Yankee blindfold when he writes.
Re: Lupica
More and more it’s like somebody has to wake Mike up and tell him there’s a story. Nowadays, he’s always late to the party, dull and unoriginal. The whole column was written to express the thought that Joba should maybe dial it down a little while he builds up a better body of work. Wow. Insightful, searing and original.
Debatable whether Joba needs to dial it down. Mikey, however, seems to be dialing it in.
My advice to Mikey? Follow your passion, Mikey. Stick to politics and keep puking out those inspirational kids books.
Unless he got an all clear from the Feds, he really is begging to be charged.
He’s probably hoping the focus on this is off the Justice Department now under a new Administration.
Either way, if I’m representing him, today is the LAST day he EVER opens his mouth about this stuff.
It may be too late if the Feds decide to make an example out of him.
However, if they let this pass, he better shut up.
You can only wave your finger at the Feds for only so long before they strike back.
Roger isn’t the sharpest tool in the shed. I hope his lawyers get him to shut it or they will spend the next 2 years prepping him for trial.
“Players are wrong for what they did, but there was no regulation back then”
The laws of the United States must not apply to major league baseball players.
What about steroids are illegal don’t you understand
SJ44
I agree with you about Jeter being the SS this year and next. One possibility I believe is that ARod will be moved to either LF or RF and be in a rotation for DH as well. If this happens, which I believe it will, Jeter will move to 3B in 2011 provided he is still hitting and the Yankees have a viable option for SS. This would shore up the infield defense and ARod would be more than adequate as an outfielder. It could also put less stress on his hip.
What do you think about that option?
“Agreed. I also like Wilkin De La Rosa. Very interesting guy at AA. Old enough to move fast through system.”
He’s only been pitching a few years though so age doesn’t really matter so much. He is still learning the ropes as a pitcher. I love his stuff though, hopefully he can stick at Trenton. They do need him.
Chances are that all the juicers from this era will get into the HOF – Clemens, A-Rod, Manny, Bonds, Sheffield, Giambi, Pudge, Sosa, Palmiero, Mcquire, etc. because the entire era is tainted.
They also can’t test for HGH and there are 103 names still unclear– probably containing a few HOFers as well.
Let them all into the hall.
I believe Roger just adores the attention. Good or bad. He needs it!
A-Rod can’t catch pop-ups so he could never play the outfield
I love ESPN and the NY media telling player how they should act. Joba being the latest example.
Talk about people being high on their own vapors.
I wouldn’t change a thing about Joba. NOTHING.
If guys want to show him up because they are ticked at him? That’s their choice.
Just as its Joba’s choice to buzz them, throw at them, and do anything necessary to claim in inner half of the plate.
Its called “Hardball”. That’s the game. At least the game I remember it being before everybody acted as if they were at a company picnic instead of competing against one another.
Murph is right. Mike ought to just stick with his sappy kids books and occasional off the track political column.
As far as sports is concerned, his column jumped the shark years ago.
Madden isin’t really Anti-Yankee…. he is Anti-Cashman. A lot of the writers are.
Lupica is just a clown.
SJ:
I heard on the radio this a.m. that Roger has a new PR guy and that this radio appearance is part of the new strategy. Good luck with that.
“Jeet Skeet
May 12th, 2009 at 11:02 am
from previous post:
2 more seasons of jeter playing SS… thats pathetic if true. AROD saying he would like to have Reyes play with him seems to make more and more sense everyday that jeter cant get to any balls and making errors!
im not saying jeter is done..he can still hit but his defense is killing this team
”
I’ve been on the Jeter done after ‘10 bandwagon for a while, it’s just a pain to watch him defensively….the pitchers ERAs would be a little lower if you take into account other balls up the middle that most SS would have got to resulting in outs…I just think most fans have to obsession where he’s the perfect person/player so they would be ok w/ him being a detriment to the team…sometimes having a cold heart helps your team the most moving forward
I think what should happen is that power stats are looked at in the context of overall play. For example, without steroids Palmeiro is Mark Grace… damn good, but not in the Hall of Fame. McGuire was a one-dimensional player so he doesn’t get much support, Manny and Sosa too, but to a lesser extent.
Truly great, dominant performers like Clemens, Bonds and Alex will get in I believe.
No way on earth Alex becomes an outfielder. He’s terrible on balls in the air at 3B and would be even worse in LF.
You know what I can’t get over?
If Clemens had stayed retired in 2003, he’d be in the Hall of Fame and none of this would be an issue.
I agree with the folks that just don’t care if Clemens cheated. If he did, just like A-Rod and Manny, he was one of many. That doesn’t make it right, it just means that they are being singled out while others go scott free. The real culprit in the whole steroid era is Bud Selig. He and his fellow owners have made millions from letting these guys cheat and looking the other way. They are the ones that need to be publicly humiliated, not the players. The players knew that it was okay to cheat and they did. Not right, but if the owners and commissioner had stepped up, none of this would have happened.
I say let none of them in. You may catch innocent guys in that net but at least you’re not defacing the accomplishments of everyone already in the Hall.
Arod isn’t getting moved. He has a bad hip. Not exactly helpful when it comes to covering ground in the OF.
Nobody is getting moved to the OF. Not Jeter, Arod or anybody else.
When 2011 comes, Jeter has two choices:
1. DH
2. Go to another ballclub.
He and the Yankees will eventually agree with the first option. The Yankees aren’t going to want him to get his 3,000th hit in another uniform and nobody is going to offer their starting SS job to a 37 year old Derek Jeter.
Its yet another non-issue that will have talk show hosts and Yankee fans going ballistic for the next year and a half.
Last I checked, we are into the 2009 season. I could care less about 2011 and its pointless to discuss it because there aren’t any viable options that can move up this timetable.
Much like, “Joba to the Bullpen”, “Joba’s Fistpumps”, and “Arod doing steroid” stories, the “Move Jeter” story loses all interest to me because its a non-story at the present time.
Joba can do whatever he wants, but he should understand that he is going to be the most hated player in baseball as a result of these antics. They think he is excessive and showing them up.
When a guy like Huff mocks him, he shouldn’t mind. I think he understands this as well. He is in people’s heads. The key is not letting other players get into his as well.
What I find interesting is that Baseball is known for steroid abuse and that Football & Basketball are clean. At least now they think football is clean.
There is no way even remotely close is football clean & I seriously doubt that basketball is either, yet baseball is the problem. If Baseball had a real commisioner instead of a Owner/croney, then the limelight would be on baseball less.
The owners use to supply the pills the players took in the old days, so who would think that today is any different? Only they are better at it than before.
Didn’t Joel Sherman write a few weeks ago that no team has won a WS with a shortstop as old as Jeter?
Who cares anymore? Players like Mussina look even better since the steroid revelations started … and, players like Clemens may never look as good… who knows… who really cares…
There’s an important game tonight that’s more important.
People need to let Joba to be Joba. The words I would like to use to describe Mike Lupica violate the Terms of Service of this blog, so I’ll keep it at that.
Clemens should just quit talking
The Yankees needs to continue winning. Go AJ!
does anyone want a DH in 2011 w/ no power, that’s what makes the Jete situation tough….for example in 3-4 years, AROD would be a natural DH b/c of his power…not the cast w/ Jete
““Agreed. I also like Wilkin De La Rosa. Very interesting guy at AA. Old enough to move fast through system.”
He’s only been pitching a few years though so age doesn’t really matter so much. He is still learning the ropes as a pitcher. I love his stuff though, hopefully he can stick at Trenton. They do need him.”
After following Wilkins de la Rosa for most of last year and reading about how dominant he was at Low A Charleston and then briefly at High A Tampa to end ‘08, I was very excited when I was able to see him pitch during ST during one of the YES telecasts.
He actually looks a lot like Damaso Marte in terms of his stature (long and lanky), delivery (sweeping left handed delivery), and velocity (sneaky fast, but not overpowering).
I think he will continue to move thru the ranks and might get as high as SWB by the end of the year. Beyond that … we will see.
Being compared to Damaso Marte is not exactly a ringing endorsement these days … but maybe (hopefully), he will be better.
Not going to be easy at all getting runs off Harry tonight
Burnett needs to have a Tampa-like game
Every time a former player speaks up he should be asked if he ever took non-prescribed pills. I can’t imagine there are many who would say no.
In the age of day baseball it was greenies on the way in and reds (downers) after the game. The guys who got in trouble off the field didn’t take the downers.
The hypocrisy of many regarding the steroid era is extremely tough to take sometimes.
SJ— we need non-stories to talk about. It’s the same thing as hypothetical questions. It gets discussion going about future planning/expectations.
For example, I think the Yanks primary DH next year will be Damon. Jeter in 2011-12 and Alex 2012-2525.
Whatcha think?
Time to see if AJ can channel his emotions in a positive way or if it will lead to a Boston-type performance or a 7 walk performance.
this is the type of game where our lineup has to try to manufacture runs if an opportunity presents itself against Halladay…unfortunately I’m not sure this team is capable of playing small ball….they’ll be swinging for the fences
I can’t believe you think that because ARod or anyone else has troubles with popups from 3B that they wouldn’t be a good outfielder. Going back from 3B on popups is extremely difficult, much harder than most plays for a LF or RF.
Guys like Lou Pinella played the outfield, because they could hit and their glove was a liability. ARod would rest his hip playing LF or RF much more than he would at 3B. Jeter who has a very good arm and glove, but lacks mobility of a top tier SS would benefit as well much like Ripken did.
You may be right SJ44, DH or bust for Jeter after 2010.
Ryan (Canton, MI): How dumb does Roger Clemens think we are? Does he really think his stepfather dying of a heart attack has any bearing at all on his health?
Rob Neyer: (12:09 PM ET ) Clemens hasn’t exactly become a mature adult in the last 25 years, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that he’s lying. Let’s let things play out for a bit longer.
tampayank,
I actually prefer the swinging for the fences against Doc.
Steve Phillips said last that Jim Leyland would take that approach against Johan Santana when he was a Twin.
His thinking was, you aren’t stringing a couple of hits together. Better to go for a bloop and a blast.
I think Damon will be the LF next year, with Melky coming in for defensive purposes late in the game.
I believe Austin Jackson will be the CF.
I don’t think they will sign either Holliday or Bay because you can’t tie up another position for 6+ years and 100+ million. Especially for guys that aren’t superstar-type players. Neither Holliday or Bay are those kind of players.
I think Damon would come back under a one year+ performance option deal.
In 2010, if they want to make an OF play, Carl Crawford is there for them as a free agent and he will cost them less than Bay or Holliday.
I think one or more of the younger pitchers are going to get packaged in the off-season for a younger position player. Either a power hitting RF, a SS or C.
You can’t wait for guys in A Ball to get ready to replace Posada/Molina.
Who will the GM be to make these moves? THAT’S the 210 million dollar question.
If this team doesn’t make the playoffs this year, I will be surprised if there aren’t massive changes on the baseball side of the operation.
Regardless of who the GM may be, the above moves are moves any sane GM would consider making when looking at the overall roster.
On the Jeter thing, it’s a tough situation on both sides, Organizational needs versus Player pride. But does anybody expect Levine to handle Jeter differently than Torre?
IMO, the hourglass may be running faster than we think. Focusing on 3000 hits, Jetes may just consider quitting at the top rather than enduring negotiations that will certainly be grueling, and if Levine is involved, potentially insulting. Let’s not forget that the media circus around Jeter’s last year may not be the warm glow that Rifkin had. Instead, it could be all about his lack of range or the fact that they are paying too much for a DH without power. IMO it may really not be worth if it means being run out of town instead of being allowed a victory lap.
Four rings, WS MVP, 3000 hits, lifetime 300 hitter, Yankee Captain… all that lets a guy walk away if he wants to. HOF five years later? Yeah. (That is, of course, as long as there are no – god forbid – bad test results).
Would their really be much of a point for seeking perjury charges against him for using steroids god knows how long ago already when it wasnt even against the rules of baseball or at least any of the written ones. It seems particularly dumb to me as does this never-ending bonds issue and the arod nonsense. Who cares? They used them. EVERYONE ELSE IN THE GAME PROBABLY USED THEM. Why should clemens, arod and even bonds have their lives taken from them just because they were the highest profile players of an entire era of cheating and lies. All these articles about arod and clemens really crack me up sometimes because it seems like the media is doing everything within its power to make up for being completely ignorant and oblivious for decades while it was actually going on.
And you know what? There is ABSOLUTELY no reason that reporters and talk show hosts and columnists and ESPN and whoever else should feel the need to drag this thing out any longer than we already have. Steroids have become what they were 20 years ago when nobody seemed to notice – the face of the game. Except now, there is probably only a a small group of players still using rather than 60 percent of the sport. So what is the point of continuing this issue? The mlb rules are strict and players get their reputations tarnished if they are caught.
Thas the best its going to get as far as punishment goes. And there is nothing left to do now except accept that the era occurred and just hope that the future is brighter for baseball than the past has been. This ridiculousness of dragging it out and pounding it into people’s consciousness and daily lives with nonstop articles and book and discussions is just getting annoying to the fans. And worse than that, it certainly isnt helping the sport in the present or future and not only is it not adding to the enjoyment of the game but IMO, it is most certainly detracting from it. When will it end already? Unless someone is caught today, like manny lets say, I am pretty sure that over 90 percent of fans dont care anymore and just want the roids talk to end, done, finished. Just like the era itself as well as a few of the reputations of some of the era’s biggest stars.
William Buckner,
Agreed. Against a guy like Halliday, and Santana for that matter, sometimes the best pitch you get is the first or second pitch in the AB.
Halliday doesn’t walk people and doesn’t go into deep counts. So, “working the count” becomes counterproductive because you put yourself in bad counts. Once you get in bad counts against Roy Halliday, he has too many weapons to beat you and you have virtually no chance.
My philosophy would be to find a pitch early in the count and put a good swing on it. Its the best, perhaps only, way to attack him.
“My philosophy would be to find a pitch early in the count and put a good swing on it. Its the best, perhaps only, way to attack him.”
Yup. Either that or make everyone bunt, including A-Rod and Cervelli. And if all that doesn’t work, it will be a 2 hr game. And that means I will have no excuses to offer my bride for not watching Dancing with the Stars or American Idol or the Real Housewives of Wherever with her.
I really hate quick games… it reminds me too much of the offseason
Murph,
I don’t think Levine will be as involved in those talks as he was with Torre. He hated Torre (and vice versa, lol) so that was personal to him.
On the player stuff, he doesn’t get involved.
I think that will be a Cash or whomever the GM is, and Hal call.
I don’t even think Hank will have much involvement in it.
Its a VERY touchy situation and it will be interesting to see how the Yankees handle it.
I say that because we don’t know if this generation of Steinbrenners are as PR savvy as dad was. Or, as skilled a negotiator as dad was in his heyday.
How about if Clemons didn’t do it? The alternative doesn’t make him a perfect person. But, the evidence is tainted, if existent. The people on this site, probably many others, are way too quick to judgement on personalities and character, as they seem to be on post game comments.
And, Jeter is just fine. There is no other shortstop in the AL who would beat him out. Reyes, is not smart. We don’t need anyone at his level of intelligence at short on the Yanks.
“Who will the GM be to make these moves? THAT’S the 210 million dollar question.”
I’m as big a Cashman fan as they come, but it’s true, at some point he’s going to lose his job due to a degree of failure.
I’m not insane enough to believe WS every year, but it’s been 8 and counting. That’s a long time when the team spends the way it does.
Same can be said for Girardi.
But there are moves to be made (as soon as this trade deadline). With the volume of arms from A ball and up, it can be done.
“Carl Crawford is there for them as a free agent”
You convinced the Rays aren’t picking up Crawford’s option for 2010???
I’m talking after the 2010 season.
Whether they pick up the option and keep him, or trade him, Crawford will test free agency after 2010.
Is he worth the investment? Time will tell. Have to see what kind of player he is, and how healthy, after next season.
Whats up with Stephen Jackson. Did he get sent down to Double – A? And how come the yanks have not given Kroenke a chance yet..
Its time to give up on Veras and Ramirez…. What is the upside? Why not DFA them and bring on some young guys… I have been harping on this since spring training… get em out
RayVT — Alex struggles on routine popups and tracking balls in the air was his only weakness at SS. That, plus an iffy hip makes moving him to the OF problematic.
SJ — You really see Damon in LF next year? That scares me. He is regressing as an OF as fast as Jeter is as a SS. What RF do you see them trading for and with what chips? And why are you giving away Melky’s job again?
RayVT — Alex struggles on routine popups and tracking balls in the air was his only weakness at SS. That, plus an iffy hip makes moving him to the OF problematic.
SJ — You really see Damon in LF next year? That scares me. He is regressing as an OF as fast as Jeter is as a SS. What RF do you see them trading for and with what chips? And why are you giving away Melky’s job again?
My first double-post… I’m officially a dummy.
They should also let go of at least half the security guards they have at the new stadium or whatever they are called. There is more security in that stadium than in the prison that used to be around the corner. Why in the world do the yankees feel the need to stop people from going into the teir or grand stand seats is beyond me. And during the seventh inning, when there are all of 3 people in an entire section in the main or field level sections, there is no reason for a security guard to ask fans for their ticket. All of the people in the bleachers got totally screwed over by the franchise anyway and most of us season ticket holders in the bleachers have been season ticket holders in the main for 5 to 10 years at least. They cant let fans that dedicated cross over to decent seats to watch Mo pitch an inning where we can actually see the ball and Mo’s face.
I swear on my life, if the yanks dont change their policies and they offer us only bleachers seats or ridiculous packages next year that only CEO’s can afford, I am definitely over going to the stadium. One, tvs have dramatically improved and two, I HAVE HAD season tickets for 11 seasons now. If they cant offer loyal fans like that anything better than bleacher seats, they are just going to continue the trend of never selling out anymore and looking like idiots when there is no one anywhere close to home plate in the stands. Thats what a team gets for fu%#&ing over all the fans that helped me this team great by helping the yanks lead the major in ticket sales year after year.
“Whats up with Stephen Jackson. Did he get sent down to Double – A? ”
Jackson was DFAd late last week. Haven’t heard if any team has claimed him.
yea… a lot of the same… exactly what I expected tho
“Dave B. May 12th, 2009 at 12:09 pm
Chances are that all the juicers from this era will get into the HOF – Clemens, A-Rod, Manny, Bonds, Sheffield, Giambi, Pudge, Sosa, Palmiero, Mcquire, etc. because the entire era is tainted.”
In what universe is Giambi a hall of fame player?
I don’t even look at whether they win the World Series or not.
That’s too high a bar to judge anybody’s job.
Under that premise, all but one GM in baseball gets fired after each season.
I judge a GM on progress, the state of the entire organization, and where the franchise is headed.
The fact is, since 2004, the Yankees have been on a downward trend every year. Each year has been a little worse than the previous year. That’s not going in Cashman’s favor.
The farm system? Sporadic success. Still have the bulk of the good prospects in A Ball. That’s not good because it means its too early to judge whether or not those guys are legimitate prospects.
Its also not good that there is such a talent drain among instructors and coaches at the lower levels of the organization. That slows progress for prospects.
AA is what seperates the men from the boys.
Realistically speaking, the Yankees have 5 legitimate prospects at AA or higher:
1. Austin Jackson.
2. Mark Melancon.
3. David Robertson.
4. Michael Dunn.
5. Zach McAllister.
They have a few other intriguing guys (DeLaRosa, Kontos, Russo for example) but really, only 5 legitimate prospects AA or above. That’s not good.
Add to it, they screwed up on Cole and Inoa last year and last years draft doesn’t seem to have yielded them too much. Again, not good.
Evaluating the situation objectively, those are all negative scores toward the GM.
The good?
As far as marquee, future faces of the franchise players go, he hit a HR with Mark Teixeira and CC Sabathia. Both on and off the field, those guys represent EVERYTHING the franchise stands for.
I do think he is pulling the organization, slow as it may be, in the right direction re: developing more talent from within.
He’s done a poor job managing the 40 man roster.
Overall as an organization, not just on the baseball side but, on the business side as well, the Yankees do the little things very, very poorly. That hurts them both on the field and off the field. Cashman obviously is only responsible for the on field stuff.
That said, when the 40 man roster isn’t balanced enough, they spent way too much time this year carrying 13 pitchers on the ML roster, and assorted other little things, that’s not good.
All that said, you can’t miss the playoffs 2 years running with a payroll exceeding 200 million bucks. That’s not good for job security. Especially in NY.
if Damon keeps it up, he’ll get more than a 1 year deal from someone…
86,
Austin Jackson will be a better player than Melky. Much, much more upside.
I think its great that Melky has a hot streak right now and is playing very, very well.
I’m skeptical as to whether his play holds up all season.
To me, he’s the classic 4th OF. Get him 300 AB’s a year, and have him fill in for other guys in the OF, and he helps you.
A 550-600 AB guy? Not seein’ it.
I think Damon’s positives outweigh his negatives at the present time. Especially on this team.
Now, he could slide off the rails the rest of the way and it makes the decision not to bring him back an easy one.
However, if he doesn’t, I would bring him back (if possible) on a one year or one year + performance option deal.
As far as possible trade partners with any of the young pitchers, that’s when you go through the rosters and seek out teams that need pitching and have a surplus of position players.
For example, Cleveland. That Choo kid can play RF for me anytime. He can hit and is a very solid player. At worst, a platoon player. Although, I think he would tear up RF in the new stadium.
Cleveland really needs pitching in their organization. Perhaps that’s a match.
That’s just one example. If I had the time, I could dig through the rosters of other teams and find other example.
Just a tad short on time today.
if Damon keeps it up, he’ll get more than a 1 year deal from someone…
Yanks Would be stupid not to offer him a 2 year deal with a option for a third. He can be a great 4th OF/DH next year. The Yanks will absolutely need depth in the outfield next year, Melky nor BG are everyday players, and there is no telling what A-Jax can provide next year.
Assuming he keeps it up, 2+1? No. That’s too much.
1+1 (performance option)? That’s more reasonable.
The Yankees have to get out of adding that “extra year” to a guy’s deal. That’s why the payroll and the roster is so messed up.
In this economic environment, nobody is giving JD a 2 year + an option deal.
new post
SJ44 – You are prob right. Vested option for a second is the way to go… I mean Abreu couldn’t get a multi year deal
if anyone hasn’t heard it yet, the Clemens interview:
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/.....id=4160521
I will say that Roger sounds convinced he didn’t use PED’s. He doesn’t sound like he’s lying.
Whether he is or not is up to someone else to decide…
Sam
May 12th, 2009 at 11:46 am
I would love to hear a psychiatrist’s take on the Clemens interview, because it seems clear that he really, truly believes what he’s saying. So either it’s true, or he’s, well, totally friggin’ nuts.
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I was thinking the same thing. I’ve heard a couple of people state that they believe that Clemens has convinced himself that he was clean. I can’t really envision how that’s possible, but I’d be curious to hear a clinical explanation, if one exists.
No news today in baseball? At least A-Rod is not the dominant whipping boy on this blog,for a change..
Please,stay on this non story, Roger Clemens..Same song second verse..Roger has his story,and he’s sticking to it..Right on to be convicted of perjury..In the scheme of “things”, who really cares..