Pitching matchups for the Angels series
-
-
- July
- 10
-
Tonight: RHP Joba Chamberlain (4-2, 4.04) vs. LHP Joe Saunders (8-5, 4.44), 10:05 p.m., YES
Saturday: LHP Andy Pettitte (8-4, 4.53) vs. RHP Jered Weaver (9-3, 3.15), 4:10 p.m., FOX
Sunday: LHP CC Sabathia (8-5, 3.70) vs. RHP John Lackey (3-4, 5.18), 3:35 p.m., YES
This entry was posted
on Friday, July 10th, 2009 at 10:45 am by Peter Abraham.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
Print This Post
| 
Email This Post
Chad Jennings
Sam Borden
Josh Thomson
I hope we can 2 out of 3 games this weekend.
Send Hughes down stretch him out. Wang likely out for most of season.
It should be a good series between two teams likely to be i the playoffs. I hope everyone will carefully watch how Joba and Andy do against the Angels before wanting to make lots of changes in the structure of the pitching staff. I don’t really understand the constant cry for changes and upgrades, the team is playing almost .667 baseball since April even with injury and performance problems. The bullpen has been turned from a liability into a strength, the defense is pretty solid except for Damon’s occasional hiccups, and with Arod, Posada, and Matsui all hitting pretty consistently there will continue to be lots of runs scored.
Matsui has been far from consistent. He’s been VERY streaky.
Jay-I heard one month.
Hughes isn’t going anywhere. Certainly not to the minors to stretch out. Girardi has said that 100 times in the last week.
It ain’t gonna happen so come up with something different.
“Send Hughes down stretch him out. Wang likely out for most of season.”
Where did you hear that Wang will be out for most of the season?
did a report come out on Wang or something? I thought he was out 3-4 weeks
I really like the Yankees bullpen with Hughes in the 8th inning. He has stabilized the bullpen and given them the bridge to Mo.
Remember when Wang first came up to the Yankees and he suffered a shoulder injury? He was supposedly going to be out the rest of the season but he came back down the stretch and even won a playoff game?
Is it the same type of injury or something worse this time around?
Wang is very injury prone however. He’s been injured every year he’s been in the majors.
Shoulder, hamstring, foot, and now shoulder again.
MG, I agree it will be a fun series to watch.
The (discussions) on changes will always be a part of the discussion here. The team is fine the way it is and most likely destined for the playoffs and perhaps the WS, but that is no reason not to try and get better if possible. Every team, even at the top, tinkers as the season goes on because they know every team below them is constantly making adjustments trying to catch up. This team is performing very well this year and have been a blast to watch and follow, but there are weaknesses. If there’s a way to sure up the weaknesses then it should be done.
I echo the 1st comment; it’d be great to take 2 this weekend.
wow, my grammar is fantastic
Also, the Yanks need to win the division. I’d rather they not see the Angels in the 1st round.
Mark (sorry to be late on this) – a chicken cheesesteak? Ick …sorry, lol. I like my cheesesteak basic- although I admit I have not tried them with peppers yet. Provolone…..yummy, yummy, yummy.
SJ, I went to Tony Luke’s the last time I was in Philly – I love food, so I don’t mind taking cabs if I public transportation doesn’t work. It was delicious – there’s a Tony Luke’s at Citizen’s Bank. If the tour that I’m taking of the ballpark ends near there, I just have to do that. I did go to Fork last time and I enjoyed it – there’s a new chef there and he’s getting great reviews. I won’t be able to go this time because there are too many other places I wanted to try (Philly is a fantastic food town), but I will keep it in mind for the next time I’m in town. Fortunately, it’s a very easy train ride from NY to Philly…
betsy-You’re in Philly, you have to go to Pat’s and Geno’s for the original Philly Cheese steaks.
The Angels offense is hobbled. We are facing two of their best pitchers in Weaver and Saunders, but we have been pitching very well on the road, and Lackey hasn’t pitched that well.
I see us taking 2 out of 3. You can never predict a sweep, but it would not surprise me if we won all three.
pat,
That was a great story. Can’t imagine why you weren’t amused at the time.
We would be disappointed if the Yankees lost a series, right? So, anything less than a series win will be disappointing.
Will the Yankees take advantage of their new place in the standings? I think they will. If they take care of this series, I feel pretty good about the team coming out of the break. In the last few years, that’s the time when we usually make a substantial move in the standings.
It takes some time to see what kind of team you have, needless to say these Yankees are pretty good.
Heard Girardi audio the other day and he answered a question about why the team is doing so well. First thing he says that they really like each other or get along well or something as like that.
The Yankees usually play better in the second half. Nice to see them hitting their groove in the first half. Let’s hope the Sox go through their summer swoon, as well.
Two more wins, and everyone can enjoy a nice ASB.
betsy,
Like all ballpark food, the Tony Lukes at Citizens Bank Park is not up to the typical Tony Luke standard.
You might want to try Bull’s Barbq though. The food there is cooked in the open on a big grill.
Wait, Pat’s and Geno’s are to touristy for me – but I would go if they were any good. I’ve read way too many negative things about them…… I want one right now, by the way….man, I can smell the beef/onions/cheese right now
If a move is going to be made, this is it.
The Yankees are traditionally a second half team. The Red Sox go through a summer swoon normally, as m said.
In September, I’m pretty sure both teams play well. This one’s going to be a dogfight.
I like that the last Yanks-Sox game is at OUR house for a change.
betsy-I’ve went. No idea who told you they were bad, I loved them.
CountryClub, thanks!
I probably won’t end up eating at the park anyway – I’ll play that day by ear. I may just end up at Reading Terminal Market – that is one amazing place.
I like Pat’s and hate Geno’s. Other people have the exact opposite opinion, but the line is always longer at Pat’s.
If you’re ever on South Street try Jim’s. They’re very good there.
I like Cheese Whiz, but I’d never, ever eat it on a sandwich.
I would, however, try a place called “pat’s”.
Yeah, you can’t go wrong at the Terminal. Great options in that place. Anyway, like you said eralier, Philly is a great city for food. Enjoy…
Where do the locals go? That would be your best bet.
Oops, I meant to say that I did hear the Tony Luke’s at CB Park wasn’t as good as the original. I think they opened a branch in Manhattan, but I’m not sure if it’s still open.
Wait, I think in Philly that cheesesteaks are like BBQ in the south – everyone has an opinion and there is no consensus as to which is the best (or worst). I guess the thing to do is to try them all, lol.
I wish I felt better about Joba tonight, but I don’t – I expect the pen to be given quite a workout
With most likely Vlad and Hunter out for the series there is no reason the Yanks can’t win this series. It all depends on Joba to see if he can be aggressive? and Pettitte to see if he can stop putting a million guys on base. No reason not to win the series here. I do bet that the Angels will use alot of smallball to make up for the lack of power in the lineup.
CountryClub-I like both.
I have went to Geno’s more, mmmmm good.
This trip to Philly happened quite a few years ago for me, though. I no longer live close enough to go frequently.
Anyway, yeah both are good.
I’ve heard Jim’s is good, too – I will definitely be in the area of South Street. That’s the one I’m likely to go to if I decide I don’t feel like taking a cab to Tony Luke’s or John’s Roast Pork…..
SJ44
July 10th, 2009 at 10:57 am
Hughes isn’t going anywhere. Certainly not to the minors to stretch out. Girardi has said that 100 times in the last week.
=============
I don’t know if I’d take Girardi’s word for it. He’s never been straightforward. Didn’t he say Aceves wouldn’t make a start either? He’s said a lot of crap. That said, Hughes has been huge in the bullpen, unless a couple other guys can step it up, he’s better there for now.
I wouldn’t be surprised if we didn’t see Wang again this season or at all. But I hope that’s not the case.
I’m hoping for a sweep,but 2/3 is acceptable,as long as game 2 isn’t lost to any Weaver. It brings back bad memories!!
Betsy makes a good point, everyone has their favorite and you can’t convince them otherwise. Campo’s in Old City makes a real good sandwhich and so does Steve’s in the notheast. the list goes on and on.
If you’re looking for a good sandwhich, and not necessarily a cheesesteak, try Nick’s Roast Beef (also in Old City). They pile it on and are very cheap.
Girardi never said Aceves wouldn’t make that start. He said it was a possibility.
With the way Hughes is pitching in the bullpen, does anybody really believe they are going to take him out of that role and give it to Brian Bruney or anybody else? Just not happening.
Brian Cashman said last week, “How do I look Mariano Rivera in the eye and take Hughes out of the bullpen”?
They aren’t going to do it, even if Wang is out for the year.
According to Wang, this shoulder problem is not as painful to him as the 2005 injury. Until he starts throwing though (after the ASB) we don’t know for sure.
If Wang is right, he’s back by the end of the month. If he’s wrong, its usually a 4-6 week injury.
AS bad as Wang has been this season.I fault Eiland and Joe,and Csashman.
If Wang was not allowed to work out in the off season,he was destined for failure.How was Wang able to get through spring training,with all the coaching team Joe,and Cashman watching?Wouldn’t you take special note of an injured player that was out for the season the year before,especially a Pitcher?
ok,rant over!!
If you’re looking for something out of the ordinary to eat in Philly, go to the City Tavern Restaurant. Their recipies are all 18th c. style. I tried the Braised Rabbit.
This is not the same Angels team as in year’s past. I hope the bridge jumpers don’t freak out if we lose tonight though. I think the Yankees will win at least 2 out of 3 even if they lose tonight. They are the Road Warriors.
This team NEEDS another pitcher !
re: Sunday’s game, dictionary.com says -
“lack·ey (l?k’?)
n. pl. lack·eys
A liveried male servant; a footman.
A servile follower; a toady.”
Make it so, Yanks!!!
Right now it is hard to see Hughes being moved out of the bullpen and sent to the minors to “stretch out” to be a starter again.
However, if Aceves flops as a starter, or one of the other 4 starters gets hurts are becomes ineffective, then I think all bets are off and Hughes could very well be transitioned back to starting.
on top of that, Mariano has been heaping on the praise for Hughes which is a statement to Girardi and Cashman as much as it is a compliment to Hughes. I’d be shocked if Hughes goes back to the minors to stretch out and start.
post of the day BBB
If you are going to assign blame, assign it to the correct people.
The doctors, not Cashman, Girardi or Eiland, made the decision to have Wang rest his foot all winter.
We had this discussion last night. GM’s, managers, front office execs, etc, don’t make medical decisions for the team.
They take the recommendations from the medical staff and make a decision. The medical staff felt it best to have Wang rest his foot in the off-season. Especially since the non-surgical recovery time for a Liz Franc fracture is 5-7 months. Everybody else was just following doctors order.
His shoulder injury is a chronic thing. He had the same injury in 2005. It had nothing to do with his foot.
He was throwing the ball harder in his last two starts than he had all year. When you have a bad shoulder, one that was surgically repaired once already, these things happen.
That’s why they didn’t do a long term deal with him in the off-season. The shoulder was a big concern.
seems like they can stretch Aceves out. and by time the break is over he can make a couple or 3 starts in wangs spot. That is until wang Comes back and gives us 4 innings with 4 ER each start…
Oh and having just scrolled up, whoever’s going to Philly, Geno’s > Pat’s all day! Or if you’re looking for a no-name place, I’ve always been partial to Abner’s in University City/West Philly, theres no other real reason to go to that neighborhood tho haha. And there’s another good one on 4th & South-ish, I think Rick’s? It’s a city of neighborhoods…one that I personally am thrilled to be getting out of this weekend and going to the country!
But have fun here in -the city that loves you back- the city that sells you crack! lol
If the Yankees feel that Aceves is better than any starter they can trade for, they’ll stick with him.
They need to let him stretch out more though, Aceves did say that you try not to think about the 65 pitch limit but you can’t help it.
If Melancon can avail himself well, that will help a lot. All Girardi needs are guys he can depend on. Right now, he can’t really depend on Bruney, Tomko’s the long guy. Albie’s been better in his second callup, Hughes is awesome, Coke is good, Hughes is better.
The Cuban Government today confirmed the defection of Chapman and said he hired Jaime Torres to be his agent.
Jaime has handled a bunch of Cuban guys when they have defected throughout the years.
What does this all mean? It means Chapman is either en route to Miami or is in Miami already since that’s where Jaime spends most of his time.
I would expect a PC soon. Perhaps as early as next week.
Interesting series this weekend, as both Hunter and Vlad are questionable to play in any of the games.
Could be a good chance to take 2 out of 3.
Joba needs to set the tone. It’s time for him to regain his velo and throw strikes.
There seems to be little reason not to start Aceves again when his turn comes around. IF that’s the plan, I would send him to Scranton to keep building him up with a Thursday start and then the following Tuesday in NYC.
If they are going to go with Mitre then Aceves should stay put even though they won’t use him in Anaheim.
I think Hughes’ role for 2009 is set in stone. Mitre, Wang and Aceves are the options for the # 5 guy. He” I’d take another flier on Igawa before I messed with Phil at this point.
Girardi did say that Bruney was the 8th inning guy. So just because he says something, it’s not necessarily so, as Pete will attest.
Hey guys. two rumors on Twitter, from semi-reputable sources:
1) Toronto asked Yanks for one of Hughes/Joba, Melancon and Jackson/Montero
(ahahah no.)
2 (This one comes from a shakier source): RUMOR: RT @pAuLiE_bRuZ: @TheRopolitans my buddy has an insider @ mlb – says public in an hour halladay to phils for 5 minor leaguers.
(that was posted 11 minutes ago)
Take these, especially the second, with a grain of salt. But if they’re right, you heard it here first =P
It all depends on the pitching. Joba has to give them length and quality tonight.
Even if they lose, if he can keep the bullpen from not having to cover 4-5 innings, they are in position to do well the rest of the weekend.
Nobody is expecting Joba to contend for the Cy Young right now. However, its getting to the point in the season where he needs to be more consistent and show improvement.
Short starts kill a team. Back to back short starts kill a bullpen.
Its time for Joba to show why so many people believe he has the potential to be a top of the rotation starter. Which he does.
Improvement in the second half of the year will go a long way toward furthering such belief.
Rebecca-By Jackson/Monteor you mean both Jackson AND Montero or one of the two?
If you choose one you dump AJax and keep Montero!
86,
Agreed, the window of opportunity to put Phil back in the rotation has passed.
A quality start today will help a lot.
Rebecca-Join the RAB debate on the new defnesive stat that just came out.
http://riveraveblues.com/2009/.....ent-473598
And Monteor is Montero.
If the race is tight the Yanks won’t stay with an ineffective 5th starter. They may give Mitre a chance, but won’t stay with him unless he pitches well, IMO. Igawa I’m dubious we see at all.
I’m very concerned we won’t see an effective Wang this year at all.
You just can’t state categorically Hughes won’t get moved back to starting. He’s IMO the fourth option behind Wang, Aceves and Mitre, so it’s not likely he’ll have to start, but it is not impossible.
Hokiehill – It’s always my rallying cry every time we face him, but I get a lot more mileage out of it when we actually beat him! Which hasn’t happened in too long for my tastes.
That said, am I the only one who is not scared of the Angels to the same level we all used to be especially towards the end of the Torre era? There’s been enough turnover on the Yanks since then, our new pitchers are not scared to go after their hitters (I remember one game in the past where Reggie Willits walked 2 or 3x. Reggie Willits!!) and with both their big power threats banged up, that should be even more true. And now we have Gardner who will hopefully out-Figgins Figgins!
Also, ALL the hitters need to take extra BP tonight so they can practice hitting line drives in Abreu’s direction!
Do you start Molina tonight against Saunders (LHP)? It also would be nice to have Molina work with Joba.
And no I am NOT anti-Posada.
I’d send Joba, Melancon, & Jackson. And even though they didn’t ask, I’d throw in Igawa!
Rebecca,
If the offer was Joba, Jackson and Melancon to Toronto for Halladay, Roy would be on the way to NY right now, IMO.
That’s a deal the Yankees make and not blink.
As good a prospect as Jackson is, he is just that, a prospect.
Melancon is a great arm but, bullpen guys are fungible commodities.
Joba for Doc? They would do that deal, IMO.
If Montero was a “must have” for Toronto? They would walk away.
I tend to doubt the Yankee rumor is true because Toronto has a ton of RH relief pitchers and don’t have use for Melancon.
They also have some excellent OF prospects, making it doubtful they would want Jackson.
I’d send Hughes before Joba.
Joba can’t be a top of the rotation starter unless his velocity returns.
I think Girardi says what is true for a specific moment in time, depending on current (counted in seconds) situation.
And I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that, you just have to listen accordingly and go with the flow.
His shoulder injury is a chronic thing. He had the same injury in 2005. It had nothing to do with his foot.
================
Isn’t this why they pushed him to abandon throwing the slider? Or would that affect his elbow more than his shoulder?
As far as Cashman’s words, he looked Mo in the eye and moved Joba into the rotation. Again, I don’t think it will happen anytime soon. But I don’t pay much attention to what they say.
It seems they want to deflect more than inform. In fact, that’s probably in their job description.
Rebecca: Thanks for the dirt! I hope the 2nd one is true so I can laugh to all the Phillies fans here that a Yankee fan had it first. I always tell them we are better baseball fans than them!
The only way the Jays would do that deal (which is a false rumor, imo) is if the Yankees took Wells’s contract.
I can catagorically state it when both the GM and manager say they aren’t moving him. Especially after the “stretch Joba out during the season” experiment didn’t work last year. They aren’t repeating the same mistake.
I know folks will cling to it but, it ain’t happening. Especially when there is no viable replacement for Hughes in the bullpen right now.
5th starters don’t decide divisions. Even in close races.
A “good” 5th starter, pitches 5 innings to a 4.50-5.50 ERA in the AL. They aren’t difference makers.
As for what Toronto would ask of us for Halladay, I always figured the only way to not include Montero would be to include both Joba and Hughes, and either of those scenarios are dealbreakers for me, so I never really got too interested in the talks.
Hokiehill -
They did beat the Angels already earlier this season. So maybe the blush is off the rose in that regard. Or the monkey off the back. Whichever cliche you prefer.
I would like to think this team is considerably different from those in years past and it is not out of the realm of possibility to take 2 of 3 from the Angels. However, it is being played in LA, so I’d be content if they take 1 of the 3. They’ve been playing so well lately.
SJ: Hmm.
I sort of agree with you and sort of don’t. On the surface Joba/Melancon/Jackson would seem to potentially be underpaying, but I think the Yankees might still value Joba very highly and not think it’s worth it.
I’m just repeating what I’ve heard…
It would be strange to me if the Jays gave the Yankees a choice of Jackson/Montero… A package of Hughes/Joba, Montero and Jackson/Melancon would make more sense to me.
I don’t know anything about the veracity of the second rumor and said as much, but Pinto picked it up, so if I’m wrong, there goes all my credibility, whee!
The slider puts more stress on the elbow than shoulder. Some teams are moving toward having their young pitchers abandon the slider altogether for that reason.
Its a great pitch but, very tough on the elbow.
The Yankees did it with Hughes when he came into the system.
I am hoping for one win. It’s the Angels. Chone Figgins will become a better player than Lou Gehrig in his prime during the next 3 days.
Ever start to feel uncomfortable that they’ve been playing so well for THIS long? Because you know that before long they WILL struggle.
SJ44-
First, I wasn’t referring to you.
Second, just because Cashman or Girardi says something doesn’t mean that’s what’s going to happen. That doesn’t mean they are liars, just that things change and plans change.
And yes, if they can’t find a fifth starter (an unlikely event, IMO), Hughes is not out of the quation.
I woulddo Hughes Melancon Jackson given the choice.
woulddo is would do.
Whomever starts, one thing is fairly certain. The Yanks still need one more quality arm.
” It also would be nice to have Molina work with Joba. ”
I’ve been thinking the exact same thing. And that is not a knock against Posada from me either. If anything it’s a knock on Joba. He’s like Moose. So damn stubborn!! Molina never let Moose get away with his BS and/or with overthinking and throwing stupid pitches as a result. I’m similarly hoping he wont let Joba get away with UNDERthinking and just going back to his slider out of habit, or however he does it. He just seems to be very good with pitchers who want to assert their unwise will at the expense of their own games.
Joba at least needs Molina to help him get right, if not to catch him fairly regularly.
The Yankees are a very good baseball team , and we’re all excited and proud of them !. But adding someone like Halladay would make them a Great team.
All options must be explored. Hughes and Montero would be the only people i’d take off the table . IMO
Also. If Halladay is pricey . I’d like the Yanks to take a quick look at Aaron Harrang from the Reds ! .
Not matter what we need another pitcher
RT @TheRopolitans @rebecca_glass @adkwriter The “rumor” was busted. Don’t give it the time of day. // There goes any + all of my credibility
IE, the second one.
Its not a question of valuing Joba less. Its valuing Halladay more.
Roy Halladay is a better pitcher than Joba Chamberlain. He probably will be for the next 2-3 years, even if Joba hits his stride because, upper echelon pitchers like Doc are rare in the marketplace.
If the Yankees ever did trade Joba Chamberlain for Roy Halladay, that’s not a knock to Joba.
Its never a bad thing to be traded for the best player at your position in the game.
Its like a guy being insulted for being traded for Albert Pujols.
The Jays have to get a top end starter (at least from a potential standpoint) and at least 1-2 others, close to the majors or ML players, at key positions.
If they can’t get that, they are better off keeping him and trying to re-sign him than deal him for guys who are good, but not elite, prospects.
Anyone shocked that Posada’s been catching so much? I think he did 3 of the day games against the Jays, and the first of the Twins, too?
It was a pretty heavy load for any catcher, no matter what their age.
Why do people rate Hughesie higher than Joba? He’s dominating out of the PEN, something Joba has done already.
Anyway, speculating is a good way to kill time at work, but the Yankees aren’t getting Hallday. Take it to the bank.
On to more realistic things: Who is going down to make room for Melancon?
Aaron Harang is an interesting idea! Sigh, the Reds wanted to trade for Nady back in the offseason….
also, isnt Mark Mulder getting ready to make a comeback and throwing for teams soon? the Yankees definitely should watch him throw. Cant hurt right?
SJ: I see your point.
Ryan M -
Ah, yes. Chone Figgins. Forgot about him.
WTTCTOHA –
But this time they’re playing well with Tex being a little bit cool, AND with the positives spread over all facets of their game. More consistent, I guess. I’m sure they’ll struggle a bit again, but I’m hopeful it won’t be like the last slide, which although seemed awful at the time, wasn’t all that horrible in retrospect (no long losing streak, that is).
The chances of the Yanks getting Halladay are remote. More likely it’s the Brewers or the Angels. It would sure be surprising if the Phils could get a deal done this fast.
Doreen-We could only hope our next “slide” is that short.
Rebecca-
I loved your 1996 World Series story with your dad last night. It actually reminded me of something I overhead during that series.
After Game 1 when the Yankees lost, I was in CVS one night and a male & female employee were talking about the World Series. The female employee said the Yankees had zero chance of winning. She was so sure the Yankees would lose, that she said if they won she would take off all her clothes and run around the store naked. To this day I wonder if the male employee held her to that
Yeah I like Harrang . He has 1 year left on his contract and could be had alot cheaper than Halladay . It all depends if the Reds are in it or not.
I’d personally stay away from Moulder . .the last thing we need is another injury prone pitcher.
Erica-Just think, if that had occured a few years later that lady would be a youtube phenomenon…
Girardi said Molina will be catching one of the games in Anaheim this weekend. I bet its tonight.
Andy loves throwing to Posada and he is pitching tomorrow.
Tomorrow is a day game after a night game. Traditionally, if Posada catches tonight, he would sit tomorrow.
Also, with a LH going for the Angels tonight, you can absorb another RH bat in the lineup.
I know Posada is a SH but, Molina isn’t. With two RH’s going Saturday and Sunday for the Angels, seems to me tonight is the best night for Molina to play.
As far as Joba and the catchers are concerned, he’s not good enough to have a personal catcher.
He threw his best game of the year in Cleveland with Posada behind the plate. He threw one of his worst games of the year with Cervelli behind the plate.
He has clashed with Molina a number of times in their time together.
He’s a stubborn kid and tough for all catchers to catch.
Joba’s problems rest with one guy…..Joba.
The, “blame the catchers” stuff isn’t going to fly anymore.
BBB
Exactly. It also lets Molina start aginst a LHP.
We have 11 or 12 games left against Toronto. If we don’t get Doc, We can only hope he goes to the NL. How valuable is that. Facing Toronto 12 times and not seeing Doc!
Joba hasn’t been the same since Texas last August. I really hope his shoulder isn’t injured or he might HAVE to go back to the pen to save his career.
All I know is if the Yanks do trade for someone, I DONT want Jarrod Washburn. He is pitching way over his head and I’m not too anxious to see his regression to the mean happen in pinstripes.
The Yankees come to L.A. with some swagger and have no concern with past Angel history.
The last time they faced each other was a 4-game series in the Bronx with the Yankees taking 2 of 3 and a postponed game of 5/3 to be made up.
Vlad G. and Hunter being out helps but Figgins, Napoli, and Juan Rivera can sting when given chances.
Joba needs to get it together and it would be good to see Gardner bunt his way on a few times abd do his thing to show the Angels that they can be disruptive also.
Mulder likely won’t pitch this season.
Hughes was pitching very well even before he was moved to the pen.
It’s revisionist history to think otherwise.
The reason why Hughes was kept on the roster when Wang returned is because Girardi and Cashman loved the way he was throwing the ball and knew he could help the team in the pen.
It’s not like Hughes only started pitching well when he went to the pen. That’s bunk.
Wait,
I’ve always preferred Hughes, even when Joba “IT”.
Hughes has always been mature beyond his years, and he’s coachable which is important imo.
When we see him in the rotation again, I think he’ll be the complete package. It’s all coming together for him now.
This is simply my opinion of Hughes, not saying anything against Joba.
BBB
I wouldn’t mind Washburn. its an arm . some one that will give you innings and some wins !. Not my first choice . more like my 4th or 5th choice
We don’t know if the Yankees, or any other teams chances, of landing Halladay are “remote”.
However, they have a better shot than most teams for three simple reasons:
They have the players.
They have the money.
Halladay would waive his no trade to come to NY.
Some teams have one of the above requirements. Some have two. Few have all three. The teams that have all three will end up making the short list.
As long as you have all three, you have a shot to get him.
That’s why, IMO, this won’t happen quickly. It will take some time.
Wasn’t Washburn the pitcher rumored to be one the Yanks were after last year at the trading deadline? And if I remember correctly the Mariners were asking for too much.
The thing I like most about Hughes coming outta the pen is the increased velocity 95=96 mph fastball makes that curveball even better.
Franco-I thought you actually agreed that Joba was better than Hughes, or had a higher ceiling shall we say.
Yes, Hughes did well, but not brilliant. His ERA WAS over five.
I thought he did a good, not great job. More than enough to earn staying up here.
m-Fair enough.
Joba was electric coming out of the pen. I guarantee if he goes back to the pen you will see him throwing everything at a max effort 96-97 mph fastball and that filthy slider. I miss that Joba and quite frankly he has been mediocre at best as a starter.
Washburn won’t be cheap in terms of prospects.
mind as well go all in for Halladay. lol.
Nothing gets done for a while, Ricciardi can’t look too desperate. haha. Can’t make it to obvious.
btw, SJ, I saw another version of the video of Halladay talking. This time they showed the beginning. His first words? “Of course I love it here and I want to stay.” But in the very next breath he says, “But I want to win”.
The writing’s on the wall, folks!
“We don’t know if the Yankees, or any other teams chances, of landing Halladay are “remote”.”
SJ44 – But what about our chances of landing Halladay without surrendering Montero or Joba AND Hughes? Those would have to be described as remote, right?
I refuse to get excited about the possibilities of dealing for Doc until I learn it can go down without the above players. But I just don’t see any way it can.
That’s not true Al. He pitched great in Cleveland. He certainly was the “old” Joba then.
His problem isn’t injury related. If it was, he wouldn’t have been able to put the Cleveland performance together.
Conditioning and poor mechanics, which are the byproduct of conditioning are his culprits so far this year.
Folks get too hung up on velocity. Joba was throwing 94-95 in his last start and stunk. He was throwing 98 in the 7th inning in Cleveland. Halladay throws 91 and is dominant.
Movement and location, brought about by better conditioning trump velocity everytime.
Al from BK -Totally disagree. When he went back tot he pen at the end of last year his velocity was not the same. Unless his velocity improves as a starter you will see a 94 to 96 MPH Joba in the pen.
Wait till they come to OUR house AGAIN
July 10th, 2009 at 12:08 pm
Erica-Just think, if that had occured a few years later that lady would be a youtube phenomenon…
***
Sometimes I think the Yankees won that Series just to spite that girl
I don’t understand how it advances the discussion simply to declare that the “Yankees won’t get Halliday.” If you’re so sure of that, explain your reasoning.
From where I sit, the Yankees clearly COULD get Halliday if they really, really want him (i.e., if they are prepared to pay what could be a king’s ransom). (Unless of course Halliday refuses to go to the Yankees, but there is no reason to think he would.)
As far as trading Joba or Phil goes, people need to remember that the ultimate goal of developing a young starter like these two is that they MAY someday become Roy Halliday in his prime. There is no higher aspiration that they Yankees could reasonably have for these guys. Obviously, actually having Roy Halliday in his prime is worth a lot more than having a guy who MAY someday become Roy Halliday in his prime. (Unless you place so much value on “home grown” talent that you’d rather lose ball games because of it.)
Fran – Yes, you’re right on both counts, but that was an interim GM. Seattle now has a permanent GM who would appear to be much more reasonable.
The reason the Yankees weren’t willing to give up anything of note to get him last year tho, was that the trade was gonna be a total salary dump. Based on some things Cash has said, don’t know that they’d take on all that salary this year.
“Yes, Hughes did well, but not brilliant. His ERA WAS over five.”
I could be wrong, but I think I read somewhere recently that Hughes’ ERA as a starter was about 2.75 if you take out that horrendous outing vs B’more where he gave up 8 runs in an inning? Someone correct me if I’m wrong.
good to see that Yurendell de Caster hit his first homerun for Scranton
Could Joba’s past arm injury perhaps make the Jays prefer Hughes to Joba?
Who d’you think the Jays would prefer?
BBB-I believe you’re right. Fair enough. Now take out his hutouts and check the ERA.
*or maybe it was that 2.70 would be hss ERA now w/o that B’more start. My memory sucks. But I still think the ERA while starting is a misleading barometer of Phil’s effectiveness as a starter this yr, simply b/c of that 1 outing. Which was an important lesson in not falling apart when your defense fails you, and I bet he learned a big lesson from it!
BBB,
My point is, nobody knows what the offer will be for Halladay. All everybody is doing is speculating and hoping they are “right” when the trade eventually happens.
If the offer is too rich, the Yankees pass.
Nobody knows what the “offer” is. Probably because there hasn’t been one this early in the process.
IF the Yankees put together an offer though, they know Hughes OR Chamberlain would have to be in it. They also won’t part with Montero under any circumstances.
We don’t know if that’s a dealbreaker for Toronto. Maybe it is, maybe it isn’t.
The offer though is only related to the other offers JP will get for him. Some teams don’t have the prospects to land Doc and may be leery of giving up 3 “Montero-like” prospects to land him. That’s the part we don’t know yet.
SJ44-
If Halladay wants to renegotiate his contract, the Yanks don’t have the money, IMO. They spent it this past off season. Halladay will want to renegotiate his contract, IMO.
The Yanks don’t have the players unless they want to add Montero to Hughes or Joba. I don’t think they’ll add Montero, and the other minor leaguers we have aren’t going to do it for the Jays, IMO.
The Yanks don’t need Halladay to win this year, so they aren’t going to be anxious to take on a big contract AND give up assets to get him. They might if the Sox become active bidders, but I don’t think the Sox will.
The Jays aren’t going to trade Halladay to the Yanks or the Sox unless the Yanks or the Sox significantly top other offers. I don’t see that happening.
Taken together, all of the above say to me the chances of the Yanks getting Halladay are remote.
I know you disagree. That’s OK. We’ll see what happens.
hutouts is shutouts of course.
joba’s good ERA is just a stat. look at the actual game situations and you will see that he hasn’t left the Yankees in a very good position in most of those games. I don’t care if your ERA is under 2 if you can’t get out of the 4th inning. but he’s got issues to work through and as a young guy with a lot of potential upside he does deserve the chance to work through those problems…as long as it does not cost us too much in the way of losses, which is hasn’t at this point
“Now take out his shutouts and check the ERA.” LOL, touche! But… why would we wanna do a thing like that? Leave that kind of stuff for Peter Gammons and co!
Joba needs to come out and be more aggressive . .and STOP nibbling on the corners. GO AFTER THEM! He’s always 0-2 1-2 and then starts overthinking and nibbling . Man put them away !
I don’t think the problem with Joba is mechanical . its in his head! He needs the confidence he had in the bullben and bring it with him as a starter.
Hokiehill-I agree that Joba has a ton of major issues. But it’s not like Hughes doesn’t either.
“Movement and location, brought about by better conditioning trump velocity everytime.”
So you are saying that Joba is not properly conditioned and therefore having balky mechanics? Honestly unless he is injured I can’t understand the inconsistent velocity.
BBB-Peter Gammons wet himself yesterday when he saw his precious Red Sox bullpen implode in front of his eyes.
Hughes’ ERA as a starter is 3.47 except for 1 inning in Baltimore, in which he was charged with 8 earned runs.
Rebecca,
That could be the case. I don’t know how the Jays see Joba.
Some teams see him as a closer. Others as a front end starter.
The Jays won’t trade Doc for a closer. They have Downs and Accardo for that. They need a future front of the rotation arm.
That’s the thing folks miss. Every team values other teams prospects different.
Fans get caught up in Baseball America rankings and believe every team has the same evaluation for a player as BA. Its not a universal thing.
For example, I know teams that think Austin Jackson is going to be a good, not great but good, ML player. I know other teams who view him as highly overrated.
Its a subjective thing and its subject to differing opinions from team to team.
I’m damn close to being sold on Brett “White Lightning” Gardner. He’s driving the ball much better this yr, and he makes the other team squirm.
The Yanks haven’t had that type of agitator for over a decade. Jeter is a solid base runner, and Damon can steal bases, but Gardner is a given double on a walk, and seems to dig stealing third. He’s a G-damn agitator, and I love it.
“I don’t understand how it advances the discussion simply to declare that the “Yankees won’t get Halliday.” If you’re so sure of that, explain your reasoning.”
BD-
A lot of times posters just make simple statements because the reasoning has been explained in many previous posts, and the person posting just doesn’t want to bore the regular readers by going through the arguments again.
I guess that’s not totally fair to the folk who don’t read the comments regularly but I think it’s just an attempt to strike a balance between defending your position and repeating yourself ad nauseum.
SJ
According to jorge arangure he spoke to Torres who told him that he is NOT representing Chapman and that as far as he knew Chapman was now in Spain.
He just posted a news item about it on ESPN
Wait till they come to OUR house AGAIN July 10th, 2009 at 12:14 pm
Franco-I thought you actually agreed that Joba was better than Hughes, or had a higher ceiling shall we say.
—————–
Joba does have a higher ceiling than Hughes. No question about it.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but mlb contracts can’t be renogiated right? Value is added via extensions, no?
“Hokiehill-I agree that Joba has a ton of major issues. But it’s not like Hughes doesn’t either.”
Agreed, and my point isn’t to argue one vs. the other. I’m just saying Joba’s ERA would be more valuable if he was consistantly going 6+ innings…ignoring the length/quality of his starts is kind of like ignoring Hughes’ game vs Baltimore and saying his ERA would be 2.something…my ERA would be under 2 IF I had a major league arm, played for the Yankees and pitched like Mariano, but I don’t so it isn’t
Hokiehill-Right, Joba has issues going deep in games, no question.
“They also won’t part with Montero under any circumstances.”
SJ – Thank you for this, I’ve been worried about that the past few days. I didnt *think* Cash would do it, but was concerned that the perfect storm of none of our 5th starter candidates being effective, Wang’s injury being serious, and/or maybe Boston making a big trade, would have made him overreact.
Losing Joba or Hughes would tangibly hurt, but you cant trade for a pitcher like Doc w/o feeling tangible pain on the return. But Montero going would be a bit much. I’d have had to start watching a lot more WNBA.
“I’m damn close to being sold on Brett “White Lightning” Gardner. He’s driving the ball much better this yr, and he makes the other team squirm”
He has looked a lot more comfortable up there. I hope he can keep it up. He disrupts a pitcher’s mental game so much once he’s on base.
Wave,
The Yankees have the money. The money isn’t the issue.
They will take in, counting the YES Network revenues, over 600 million dollars this year.
The payroll is 210. Do the math.
I’ll go WAY high and say they have another 150 million in operating expenses, loans, payroll for non-player employees, taxes, etc, and I’m HIGH on those numbers.
That gives them “only” a profit exceeding 200 million this year.
They are a worldwide brand with the highest rated, and highest ad inventory, regional sports network in America, under their ownership.
Money isn’t an issue and it never is with the Yankees.
Combination of players may be but, money? Not even a small issue, regardless of the spin they will put out publicly.
M,
You can re-negotiate contracts. Teams don’t like to do it because they don’t want to set the precedent of doing so.
Plus, it would make Bud unhappy! lol
That’s why they extend deals rather than re-negotiate them in certain instances.
Gayle,
That’s interesting. I wonder if Jaime will end up representing him in the end?
I know Chapman isn’t in Miami yet because my Cuban baseball contacts haven’t heard hide nor hair from his people.
There are a group of people in Miami who help defectors get settled in the states. As late as Wednesday, nobody has heard from Chapman or anybody close to him.
Interesting Twitter rumor I just read:
“@SI_JonHeyman . Great stuff! Hearing that Jays asked Yanks for Joba or Hughes, Melancon, and a choice of Montero or Jackson” (NY Baseball Digest)
Montero or Jackson?! Montero OR Jackson?! OK, I love Action Jackson so nothing against him, but that’s like saying 60 inch plasma or 30 inch flatscreen! The Yankees would have to consider this strongly, no?
SJ44 i think the Yanks gross even more that 600 millon. I’d day pretty close to a Billion
That’s the same rumor Rebecca posted a little while ago.
Heyman read it off Twitter! lol
Too funny!!!
BBB -You DO IT in a heartbeat!
JMO, but I’d pick Joba, Melancon, Jackson.
Sorry, NOT Joba. Hughesie.
SJ: Heyman had it first, lol, I was the one that read it off Twitter.
I wish I had sources like that!
SJ44-
Your financial analysis of the Yankees is, no offense, laughable.
You have no way of knowing what % of YES Network revenues are accessible by the Yankees. You have no idea what the debt service is on the new Yankee Stadium. You have no idea what the facts are with respect to any corporate debt facility the Yankees may have. You have no way of knowing what internal rate of return Yankee ownership is looking to get.
On the revenue side, you have no way of knowing what revenues the Yanks projected to receive this year. You have no way of knowing how badly the unsold seats in the legends and field level seats cut into their revenues or affect their revenue projections for next year.
The economy is exerting downward pressure on all revenues – I don’t know if you have looked at Stubhub recently but seats are routinely being sold at a discount to face value. I see stories in the paper about season ticket holders not wanting to renew their season tickets. I’m sure these things concern the Yanks and incline them to caution.
The Yanks basically held the line on payroll this year. They in fact cut some. In my opinion, they won’t want to increase their payroll next year.
I know you think the Yanks have unlimited deep pockets. I don’t believe they think that.
They don’t gross a billion dollars. They are valued at approx 1-1.2 billion. However, they don’t gross that amount annually.
What’s up with Heath Bell he is in a one year deal. Is he still arb eligible?
Padres have to have declared themselves non contenders 15 games under .500
I just checked out the breakdown on the Angels pitchers recent performance. Wow these guys have all been getting shelled recently. Their overall ERAs look OK but check out the June and July numbers
Saunders – June 6.06 , July 8.44
Weaver – June 3.24, July 7.30
Lackey – June 4.50, July 5.68
Hopefully this trend can continue this weekend.
SJ-
Did you see that Torres filed a grievence with MLBPA about the other 2 Cuban defectors leaving him and going to Cuza at SFX?
if toronto would want Joba, Melanon, and Jackson for Doc i would do that in a heartbeat. No offense to Jackson, but Montero is probably going to be more succesful than him in the majors. This would be a steal.
Not to change the topic but something Singleton said the other night had me dumbfounded.
He said Brett Gardner led the all AL rookies in Runs, Walks, OBP, BA, SB and Triples. I took a look and it looks like he’s second in Hits.
I remember reading “If he hit .270 with a .350 OBP, he’d be perfect”. He’s exceeding both of those.
He’s a great, great fit for this team. We have so much power up and down the lineup that what he brings to the table is just fantastic.
Just wanted to mention that.
Gardner is also hitting over .330 in his last 46 games.
“He said Brett Gardner led the all AL rookies in Runs, Walks, OBP, BA, SB and Triples. I took a look and it looks like he’s second in Hits.
I remember reading “If he hit .270 with a .350 OBP, he’d be perfect”. He’s exceeding both of those.
He’s a great, great fit for this team. We have so much power up and down the lineup that what he brings to the table is just fantastic.
Just wanted to mention that.”
There are those thinking he should get some ROY consideration, but as good as he is, Romero and Porcello have been better.
if toronto would want Joba, Melanon, and Jackson for Doc i would do that in a heartbeat also
Hell i’d even throw in Cody Ransom
Hokie, he is one quick little dude. Even his voice is high pitched. Does he EVER get doubled off at first? That article from fangraphs was very interesting Pete posted yesterday. The Yanks best defensive outfield right now is probably Melky – Gardner – Swisher. But you can’t sit Damon so Melky should be spelling Swisher or Damon in the late innings of a close game.
GGBG is right. Gardner has performed beyond anyone’s wildest expectations. At the beginning of the season, I said I’d be glad if he could just hit .250 in order to get on base often enough to use that great speed of his, but he has done so much more. Now, he just needs to strengthen that arm!
Hughes is great in the pen, but I really felt he deserved the start yesterday that was squandered on Aceves. Aceves has been great in the pen also, so why mess up something that was such a disaster in the beginning of the season and then by trail and error worked itself out.
Wonder how CC will do on Sunday without his sidekick catcher Cisco the Kid?
I would do that deal too. Doc replaces Joba (and is currently twice as good). Melancon is expendable. It would suck to lose Jackson because he fills a need this team will have next year. But you have to give to get.
Sooooooo
Who played the best Doc Holliday in film?
Victor Mature – Gunfight at the OK Corral
Val Kilmer – Tombstone
Dennis Quaid – Wyatt Earp
others incl Willie Nelson, Jason Robards, Kirk Douglas, Martin Landau
My Vote goes to Val “I’m your huckleberry” Kilmer
Wave,
I’m in the business. I know how much revenue they gross. I know how much ad inventory and revenue the YES Network takes in.
Two of my bigger clients are heavily involved in this enterprise. One is a minority investor in the team and one is one of Goldman Sachs leading exectives in charge of overseeing their investment in the YES Network.
My former business partner in the minor league teams is still a minority owner of the Yankees. I have a very good working knowledge of their balance sheet.
Many of the StubHub tickets on sale are from the 2 for 1 deal they gave their better season ticket holders. That means any money they get for selling the tickets is basically found money, and defrays their cost this year for the season tickets they did purchase.
Wave, the YES Network and the Yankees are two seperates entitities from an accounting standpoint. The Yankees, on paper, make little money.
However, the OVERALL umbrella of the YES Network and the Yankees are a money machine.
I’m giving an overview snapshot of revenues because I don’t want to be more specfic. However, I know the numbers and the Yankees are doing, very, very well.
I also know the debt service on the stadium. Even with those payments, they can EASILY absorb more payroll IF they choose.
They may choose not to do so. However, they have the money to if they want to.
Count me among those who care far more about actual Yankees prospects than a Cuban defector who has never played an inning of baseball in the U.S. After hearing the superlatives about Jose Contreras and Hideki Irabi when they signed and then watching them pitch it just seems irrelevant. The Yankees have a couple of prospects (Brackman and Betances) who have comparable stuff to Chapman and are probably closer to pitching in the majors as well.
I’d take my chances with Heath Bell if you can get him for Melky and maybe a guy like Albie or Robertson. What do you guys think?
Gayle,
I did see that. Those two guys have been at war for a few years now. Its getting pretty ugly! lol
Re: possible Halladay trade.
I’d include Joba “out-of-shape, problem-child, where-is-the-95-mph- hour-fastball” in the mix in a minute.
Jobber, Melancon, and Jackson for Halladay?
I could live with it. Throw in Randy Levine and Lonn Trost also.
Hey SJ, lets play devils advocate. If Joba goes out today and pitches 3 2/3 inn, what should the yankees do with him?
Should he go to scranton and work out his issues there?
wonder if Tex gets booed in Anaheim, probably not I would guess, only there a half season and they’re more of a laid back fanbase I would guess….
I subscribe to Heyman’s twitter account, that rumor above is a farce.
Hello all. I rarely comment here but I read the blog and comments everyday. OT….but the Nats had a weird makeup game in Houston yesterday which will be a trivia question down the line. A May 5 suspended game ended with a tie in DC. The completed/makeup game was played yesterday in Houston, not DC. The Nats winning pitcher did not play in the completed game! He was traded to Pittsburgh. The winner run was scored by a pinch runner from Pittsburgh. And to make this even weiderer, what if the winning pitcher had gone to the Astros and pitched in this game; would he have been the winning and losing pitcher? Thanks Peter for the blog. Safe travels.
“something Singleton said the other night had me dumbfounded.
He said Brett Gardner led the all AL rookies in Runs, Walks, OBP, BA, SB and Triples.”
The problem is that most of those who vote for ROY would be dumbfounded by that as well. Gardner has been way under the radar so far, especially on a national level. ROY will probably go to a pitcher this year.
But Gardner is doing great this year. I thought this was a very important year for him and the Yanks, because if he can play everyday, they have a leadoff hitter going forward. Damon will not be back, IMO, and although he has batted second this year, I think the Jeter leadoff thing is just for this year. If Gardner didn’t perform this year, they would need to find a better leadoff hitter for next season.
id much rather trade for a young outfielder then halladay but thats just me
They can’t afford to take Joba out of the rotaton now.
He has to work it out here.
They are looking to fill one slot in the rotation as it is. They can’t look to fill two.
If he has a bad night, you keep working with him and hope he is better after the break. That’s all they can do at this point.
Rebecca:
Romero has been fantastic. Walks are a little high but that’s it…rest of his numbers are awesome.
Porcello has struggled recently. 11 more hits than IP, WHIP near 1.46 and his ERA is over 4 now. His K/9 rate is dropping too. All together, that suggests to me that the league may be catching up with him.
With what Gardner has been doing day in, day out, I think he may have passed Porcello. Not a knock on Rick – he’s 20 for cryin out loud! – but Gardner would be ahead of him if I were voting.
It’s a little early but it sure looks like Gardner may have a run at the ROY.
Baseball is an amazing game, isn’t it?
with all of the ‘issues’ around Joba’s performance, the most puzzling one being his lack of consistent velocity, why would the Jays take him as the centerpiece of a trade for Halladay? The Jays already have an ace in the making (Romero) and several other good young pitchers, it would seem to me that they would want a lot more than 3 prospects/major leaguers for the best pitcher in baseball. Ricciardi has made so many bad decisions as the GM in Toronto I’m guessing his ownership isn’t about to let him go make a deal for Doc without it being so slanted towards the Jays it can’t be turned down. And the Yankees would be foolish to make sure a deal after not only committing themselves to player development but actually seeing the first fruits of that commitment contribute this year.
SJ,
Thanks for the reply re: reworking contracts.
Sandy,
I’m a Hughes in the rotation fan, too. But if Aceves’ pitch count was 65, Hughes probably would’ve been no more than half of that.
Transitioning anyone back to the rotation is a painful process, but it’s got to be done correctly lest there be real pain.
He said Brett Gardner led the all AL rookies in Runs, Walks, OBP, BA, SB and Triples.
=============
From pinstriped bible:
Brett Gardner, May to present: .312/.414/.496.
Melky Cabrera, May to present: .265/.319/.395.
Send Joba, Montero, Melancon. Call it a day.
Who else is in the running for ROY?
RalphieD — Yanks have Jackson, great young outfield prospect.
IMHO they should also think about moving minor league catcher Montero to the outfield. Word is his catching skills will take years to come up to major league level, but his bat is just about ready. Also, if he is in the outfield he could play almost every day rather than missing 50 or so games as a catcher would. Yanks will have more than enough candidtaes for DH spot so why rleegate a young kid to DH?
Plus getting rid of Montero as a catcher leaves more hope for Cervelli in that spot, which is what I personally would like to see.
Gardner’s not short enough to be a ROY candidate. Wears the wrong uni, too.
The problem here is, as well as for players that weren’t named Alex in the mvp talk as well.
We’re a team of all-stars, it’s always used against our players.
And now that Alex is tainted, I think they’ll start using it against him as well.
“He said Brett Gardner led the all AL rookies in Runs, Walks, OBP, BA, SB and Triples.
=============
From pinstriped bible:
Brett Gardner, May to present: .312/.414/.496.
Melky Cabrera, May to present: .265/.319/.395.”
Yeah, but Melky has 3 walk-off hits and Gardner has 0 =P
Other than obtaining Doc Halliday, the guy I like is throwing vs. Boston tonight..Brian Bannister ( Floyd’s kid )….He’s said to be available……What happens if Verono Wells is part of the Doc deal ??? It lowers the about of talent the Yanks return, but it’s be 200 million in contracts when you factor in Halliday’s new contract extension……I do not believe at all that Wells is done, but he’s expensive…..
Pat M,
That’s such a bad contract, if its attached to Doc’s deal, I’d pass if I was the Yankees. That’s an anchor that puts you out of doing other things for the next 3+ years.
Yeah i would walk away if Toronto asked us to take Vernon Wells . One of the worse contracts in baseball
At the start of season (mid april) i asked my 14 yo neice “Melky or Brett?”
she said “I think they both should play”
Joe G is doing a great job doing just that.
Pat m,
moving wells with doc would make it easier to sell trading doc within the division.
that’s a big scary contract, but could it work? we need an outfielder with a bat.
i think he and rios would both do better with a change of scenery. those type of players aren’t ideal, but sports is littered with them.
even roy halladay said he wants to go where he can win.
Oddly, the game I’m most impressed with during the recent run was the loss on Monday. I hesitate to say this, but it was almost 1998 redux.
Tenacity, which is the hallmark of a great team, is obvious when witnessed. the 2009 Yankees have tenacity to spare. In order to beat them, you need more than one break and your pitcher to be on his A-game. Even then, it’s going to be a dog-fight.
One other thing: the new guys seem genuinely happy (at times, almost ecstatic) to be here. It seems that every time the camera catches them, they’re smiling. Burnett and Sabathia are obviously tight, and Teixeira seems giddy.
In the words of the genius Brian Wilson, “I’m picking up good vibrations.”
Some people have mentioned Washburn as a possible SP pickup for the NYY. The Mariners are only 3.5 games out of first in a very weak West. They’d have to have a major losing streak in the next 3 weeks to justify trading Washburn.
the best solution would be for the Yankees to take on Wells’ contract and trade him to the Knicks, I hear he can really ball. Oh, wait a second, Isiah Thomas is now a college coach. Never mind…
“RalphieD — Yanks have Jackson, great young outfield prospect.”
yea i know but if your trading him for halladay then your you dont have any protection in the outfield next year and your forced to pony up for the overpriced bay’s and holliday’s of the world
They can take on Wells’ contract and send him to FIU, where Isiah is coaching now!
He’s looking for players and he isn’t under a salary cap at FIU.
Could work.
“Oddly, the game I’m most impressed with during the recent run was the loss on Monday. I hesitate to say this, but it was almost 1998 redux.
Tenacity, which is the hallmark of a great team, is obvious when witnessed. the 2009 Yankees have tenacity to spare. In order to beat them, you need more than one break and your pitcher to be on his A-game. Even then, it’s going to be a dog-fight.
One other thing: the new guys seem genuinely happy (at times, almost ecstatic) to be here. It seems that every time the camera catches them, they’re smiling. Burnett and Sabathia are obviously tight, and Teixeira seems giddy.
In the words of the genius Brian Wilson, “I’m picking up good vibrations.””
I’ve been trying to resist the comparison, but there’s something about the team this year.
You can almost skip innings 1-6 when the Yanks are home and just watch the last three because they are always making it exciting
It’s a great time to be a Yankee fan.
Bill,
Agreed. The Rangers & Angels are beating up on each other, Seattle could sneak through.
Wakamatsu doing a great job in his rookie season.
Isiah will probably make it work, he’s good at that and not only a great talent scout but very good around the ladies…
Al from BK July 10th, 2009 at 12:08 pm
Joba hasn’t been the same since Texas last August. I really hope his shoulder isn’t injured or he might HAVE to go back to the pen to save his career.
***
and you can thank I-rod for that. He threw a ball at his head to try to get a base stealer.
“Yeah i would walk away if Toronto asked us to take Vernon Wells”
Me too. Wells is nearly worthless, IMO. He got a huge contract based on the belief that he actually was the player who had the 2003 breakout year. Instead, it turns out that year was a total aberration, yet many people still seem to believe he can do it again. Rarely, it seems, do players get the kind of respect Wells has gotten from one flash in the pan year.
If you substitute Rios in that deal, however, I would do it.
My opinions:
Re Girardi and the info that he gives to the press: Girardi’s information and occasional lack of definite data is that the questions are being asked to the wrong person.
The answer to most of these strategic questions asked at press conference which do not pertain to exactly how Gardy, or Coky or Damony or Jetery performed in today’s game are really decisions that are up to Cashman, who WILL consult with Girardi and maybe others, but it is Cashman who makes the final decisions as to who goes down and who comes up.
So instead of saying “It’s up to Cash”, Girardi beats around the bush a bit carrying water on all shoulders.
Re Joba as trade bait: Joba may very well be traded, just like Soriano was: when the Yankees become frustrated with his development. That is, when they decide that no end of advice or teaching or training is going to stick; that the player is too hard-headed to absorb and change.
Hughes can be seen to be willing to learn, adapt and change. There may be something broken in Joba that will not admit this change. A lack of adaptability. And thus he could be offered for trade while is value is high.
The past is clear. The future is hidden behind a cloudy veil.
Werth has hit a dinger in 4 straight…
I think Bay re-ups with Boston. Fenway Park suits him very well.
Joba needs to get his chit together starting tonight.
He will be paired up with Molina and should just follow his lead.
Let’s hope we get 6 innings from him; that should not be to much to ask.
Just keep the team in the game, and go 6 innings Joba!
Roy will not get traded unless a team is willing to sell the farm and open the wallet. The Yankees could, but I’d bet big against it.
I just how the guy goes to the NL…
I don’t see why the Yankees would want Washburn, he and Pettitte have almost the same repertoire and you saw how many HR he allowed in the game where they matched up. Pitching with your home park at Safeco and New YS are entirely different things.
SJ,
Economic conditions are very difficuly, the profitability of MLB teams has got to be down. I’d expect 2010 to be even a tougher year for MLB.
Toronto is not in the drivers seat.
Teams with young talent and low payroll are ok.
Teams with lousy records, bigger than average payroll with long term contracts and older players are in a lousy position to deal.
The Yankees are ok…they do not need to overpay for Roy Halliday. If they don’t get him, they’ll get the Cuban defector for less money and not give up a single prospect.
nice to see the Yanks draw the 3 best Angels starters for a 3 game series…
Ervin Santana has been pretty bad since coming back and Sean O’Sullivan is a 21yr old rookie.
i hope joba hears the halladay rumors..hopefully that kick starts him
m, That’s the gamble…Does Wells become Vernon Wells again with a change of scenery……If so, it would be a good move….Big questions attached though…..
Gman, you had me until you compared Halladay to Chapman…
“I think Bay re-ups with Boston. Fenway Park suits him very well.”
——–
except this is his big chance to cash in. He’ll want a deal that will carry him through his prime.
Of course, he’ll make more money than he’ll prob ever need no matter who he signs with… but considering this will be his one big deal he might just go to the highest bidder in terms of $$ and years.
Melky and Brett are having good years because they are both playing about 3 out of 4 days not 4 out of 4. Neither is good enough to play full time. I bet Melky starts in CF with a left on the mound. Brett will onlt start if Damon is still hurt. Brett will be in the game late as a runner and deffencive sub.
Who will get the nod for the 5th spot after the ASB? I hope Ace get’s another chance.
“Yeah i would walk away if Toronto asked us to take Vernon Wells”
———
just give him some female fertility drugs and he’ll get back on track
it’s all about the Wiz…it sounds kind of nasty, but it is SO SO SO GOOD!
Check out Steve’s
the best bar in philly is “Monks” Great Belgium Beer, and the best pub food you can have.
“i hope joba hears the halladay rumors..hopefully that kick starts him”
Joba is not worried. At the end of the day, the sun still comes up.
“If the offer was Joba, Jackson and Melancon to Toronto for Halladay, Roy would be on the way to NY right now, IMO.”
So we give up a potential bullpen/rotation ace, a young 5 tool outfielder and a dominant closer prospect for 14 months of Doc? Sorry I’m not sold, we don’t need Doc.
Patrick from CT
July 10th, 2009 at 1:17 pm
Joba needs to get his chit together starting tonight.
============
He will, but then he’ll throw three clunkers in a row after that and make us all doubters again.
“i hope joba hears the halladay rumors..hopefully that kick starts him”
Unless he’s currently under a rock, Im sure he’s heard his name being mentioned.
bardos brings up some interesting points re: Joba.
You can tell just by looking at Joba’s face that he is a dumb, stubborn, out of shape, overrated hotshot. Trade him while he still has some decent trade value. If it ever becomes apparent that his fastball will never get back up to 95, then you can’t even trade him for squat.
Yes — tonight Joba needs to be told in no uncertain terms by Girardi or the pitching coach or whoever is responsible, that he needs to just do what Molina tells him without all the endless shaking off and other nonsense.
Remember that unbelievevable game where Posada was trying to get Veras in line? Veras kept shaking him off and Posada just insistently kept putting his glove where he wanted the ball and shaking it and nodding his head? Over and over they did this. It wasn’t too much after that that they gave up on Veras for good. Posada probably came back to the dugout and get “get rid of this frigging guy, he just won’t listen.”
DT,
Of course, the sun also comes up in Toronto.
Just saw Boston highlights. DeJesus crushed masterson’s offering.
per espn, Yankees are 13-2 since June 24, best in majors.
Vlad and Hunter put on the DL for this series. We got lucky missing those two in the lineup.
it isn’t just Joba that is stubborn with pitch selection, Hughes did the same thing yesterday with 2 strikes on Morales. Jorge gave him the fastball sign on 3 consecutive pitches, Hughes shook him off, threw breaking balls out of the strike zone twice, the next one was fouled off, and then shook Jorge off on the fast ball again. This time, however, Jorge signalled it again, Hughes finally threw it, and strike him out. It’s just the way pitchers are, it’s not Joba-specific. As pitchers mature they learn to trust their catchers more, you don’t see CC, AJ, or Andy shaking off signs that often.
I wish I could have a crystal ball in regards to Joba. Will he ever find himself and be dominant, or will he be Mark Prior and out of the bigs by 30?
It just goes to show you how some Yankee fans act when they don’t get Cy Young performances from a 23 yr old kid.
Joba’s now dumb and overrated.
Funny how things have changed the last two months when Hughes was the guy taking a lot of flak and labeled a bust by many.
From pinstriped bible:
Brett Gardner, May to present: .312/.414/.496.
Melky Cabrera, May to present: .265/.319/.395.
=====
Ironically, Gardner’s numbers have been enhanced by Melky’s bat. Cabrera typically plays against LHP, camouflaging Gardner’s weakness there:
.244/.340. (.298/.363 vs RHP)
Girardi isn’t stupid. He has been quick to wisk Gardner out of the lineup when he begins to falter at the plate, making sure he doesn’t become embedded in a slump.
He only has 41 ABs against LHP. As good as he’s been during certain stretches, he’s a platoon player to this point. The irony is, the guy whom everyone is so quick to want to dispose of – Melky – is helping Gardner’s numbers cosmetically.
It will be interesting to see if Girardi will try starting him regularly against lefties (he started yesterday vs. Liriano).
Melky is hitting nearly .280 from both sides of the plate. His issue has been OBP.
This is why Girardi has stopped short of declaring Gardner as his ED CF, even though that is what he would like to do.
BTW: Though Gardner is .328/.391 in the last 28 days, and has been productive lately, he’s hitting .200/.273 in his last 30 ABS.
Not exactly wielding the hot bat.
“In the words of the genius Brian Wilson, ‘I’m picking up good vibrations.’”
Actually, that lyric was supplied by Mike Love.
“The Yanks basically held the line on payroll this year. They in fact cut some. In my opinion, they won’t want to increase their payroll next year.
I know you think the Yanks have unlimited deep pockets. I don’t believe they think that.”
So SJ44 has no idea how much money the Yankees are bringing in but you do?
That’s to use your word, laughable.
“Vlad and Hunter put on the DL for this series. We got lucky missing those two in the lineup.”
We miss them, but I am sure that the .230 hitting Howie Kendrick is about to have his usual 13 for 14 series against the Yanks. Never saw anybody hit Yankee pitching the way that guy has so far in his career.
did anybody already mention the Red Sox signed Cuban shortstop Jose Iglasias for over $8M??
big money, IMO
“Funny how things have changed the last two months when Hughes was the guy taking a lot of flak and labeled a bust by many.”
Performance directly effects fan support, does this surprise you?
M, I agree. I think people underestimate Phil because he doesn’t throw as hard as Joba. I hope fans will give the kid break next year when he’s in the rotation. He still needs to develop that change (though – is the cutter good enough for it to be a viable 3rd pitch)….and because of that, and other reasons, he’s bound to get knocked around a bit. This stint in the pen has been good for him, no doubt, but you can’t say it hasn’t stunted at least a little bit his future development as a starter
Mark-
Garrett Anderson comes to mind as another one who just kills the Yankees even when he went to Atlanta this year he did
from MLBTR:
“Newberg says the Rangers could give up Neftali Feliz or Justin Smoak- not both- along with Taylor Teagarden and others. ”
that would be a pretty nice package that would, IMO, get the deal done.
Halladay would probably make the Rangers a formidable contender too.
Also, M – you put into words some reasons why I prefer Phil to Joba.
“But Gardner is doing great this year. I thought this was a very important year for him and the Yanks, because if he can play everyday, they have a leadoff hitter going forward.”
Still no proof that he can play everyday. He doesn’t even have 200 AB’s yet this year.
Al from BK July 10th, 2009 at 1:48 pm
“Funny how things have changed the last two months when Hughes was the guy taking a lot of flak and labeled a bust by many.”
Performance directly effects fan support, does this surprise you?
—————-
No, it doesn’t. But that’s what Yankee fans do. As Mo has said many times, they are spoiled.
The biggest complainers are usually the people who never experienced the dark years of the 1980s as well as the late 1960s and early 1970s.
“Funny how things have changed the last two months when Hughes was the guy taking a lot of flak and labeled a bust by many.”
———
it should also show that young 23yr old players aren’t always going to be super consistent.
they have ups and downs as they learn the game.
patience… patience.
“So SJ44 has no idea how much money the Yankees are bringing in but you do?
That’s to use your word, laughable.”
ray-
go back and find where I said I knew how much the Yanks were making. You won’t find it. Your reading comprehension is laughable.
$8 million for Iglesias? Seems like a lot for a singer. Didn’t know Boston was such a big market for “Hot Latin Tracks”.
Irish
where is Monk’s?
I’ve been to Oscar’s and Dirty Frank’s
Franks was a “nice” dive but Oscar’s was a little edgy – guys talkin about where they did time and such.
“Still no proof that he (Gardner) can play everyday. He doesn’t even have 200 AB’s yet this year.”
——–
true – but he’s improving which is a good sign.
as he gets more AB, pitchers tend to get “a book” on a player and adjust.
the fact that Gardner’s success is coming later in the season, when pitchers have a book on him, is a good sign.
Gardner has shown an ability to make adjustments.
Bay and his new upper cut swing will be feast or famine for Boston……Betsy, I’ve always maintain that Hughes will be the more successful pitcher….Of course only time will tell…..He just has better mechanics and a better feel for pitching….He did lose 2 parts of the past 2 seasons, so he’s just getting caught up….His last 3 starts before going to the pen were very good……He throws strikes, and attacks the zone…..Joba is a thrower 1st, then a pitcher….Now here comes the flack !!!!!!
“ray-
go back and find where I said I knew how much the Yanks were making. You won’t find it. Your reading comprehension is laughable.”
“I know you think the Yanks have unlimited deep pockets. I don’t believe they think that.”
Okay Wave,
How do you know what the Yankees think about their own pockets? You have no idea what their thinking is on the payroll or anything yet you’re spouting off about payroll and what they want to add as if it’s a fact.
“$8 million for Iglesias? Seems like a lot for a singer. Didn’t know Boston was such a big market for “Hot Latin Tracks”.”
——
yup – that’s a little skeleton in the closet of Larry Lucchino.
When the doors are closed, the leather pants go on and the ‘Hot Latin Tracks’ get turned up.
“Of course, the sun also comes up in Toronto”
M – I’m not sure about the sun and those Canadian cities. I think it’s dark all year around once you cross the US border and venture toward the North pole.
Joba’s downfall was hanging out in the off season with Red Sox players. I knew when I saw him in Vegas with Big Poopy, wearing shirts two sizes too small – it was trouble.
“true – but he’s improving which is a good sign.
as he gets more AB, pitchers tend to get “a book” on a player and adjust.
the fact that Gardner’s success is coming later in the season, when pitchers have a book on him, is a good sign.
Gardner has shown an ability to make adjustments.”
Not sure I can agree with you there about his showing he can make adjustments.
He needs a full year of at bats before he shows any proof of anything in my opinion.
Rex on Joe n Evan in a couple mins
guy is nuts!
“Not sure I can agree with you there about his showing he can make adjustments.
He needs a full year of at bats before he shows any proof of anything in my opinion.”
———
well, he’s done it at every level so far.
I’m not necessarily disagreeing with you. He hasn’t “proved” anything yet.
I’m just saying it’s a good sign that despite pitchers having seen enough film on him to know how to attack him at the plate, he’s actually held his own (so far).
Doesn’t matter if Gardner is a starter or not, he has a place on this team.
And if what I read last night is true, then Gardy is indeed carrying the hot bat 2-2-2 rbi’s in the last 3 games.
Maybe Roy wouldn’t want to pitch in Texas……
C’mon Joba, 7 innings tonight. No 3-2 sliders to non threatening batters. Go right after people and let your defense work.
Boston Dave 2.0
July 10th, 2009 at 1:56 pm
“Still no proof that he (Gardner) can play everyday. He doesn’t even have 200 AB’s yet this year.”
——–
true – but he’s improving which is a good sign.
as he gets more AB, pitchers tend to get “a book” on a player and adjust.
the fact that Gardner’s success is coming later in the season, when pitchers have a book on him, is a good sign.
Gardner has shown an ability to make adjustments.
————————————————–
Gardner has made a huge improvement. Look at his batting stance when he first came up last year he was having difficulty getting the ball out of the infield. He has really been playing well since May. He deserves some more playing time.
not to beat a dead-horse but I still cannot believe that
Mariano Rivera’s WHIP last season was 0.66
that is just ridiculous.
it might be hard to do that in a video game.
and he turned 39 last year!!
Vlad and Hunter are officially on the DL.
Pat M, lol – if you get any flak, I’ll back you up! I really don’t even bother comparing Phil to Joba as I’m glad to have them both. I do think Phil has an aptitude for pitching…….It’s too bad that he lost so much time due to injury, but he’s so young – and think about all the MLB experience he’s already accumulated at a young age. That can only be a good thing..
it should also show that young 23yr old players aren’t always going to be super consistent.
they have ups and downs as they learn the game.
patience… patience.
======================
This needs to be repeated again and again.
patience
“well, he’s done it at every level so far.
I’m not necessarily disagreeing with you. He hasn’t “proved” anything yet.
I’m just saying it’s a good sign that despite pitchers having seen enough film on him to know how to attack him at the plate, he’s actually held his own (so far).”
Dave,
Most teams haven’t seen Gardner yet so it’s still too soon to say they know how to attack him at the plate.
The book hasn’t been written on him as of yet. He still doesn’t really see LHP’s and when he’s seen them he hasn’t hit them at all.
“did anybody already mention the Red Sox signed Cuban shortstop Jose Iglasias for over $8M??
big money, IMO”
supposively they are touting this kid as “The Wizard Part. 2″
Gardenhoser better come to play this series.
The Yankees and Mets have both spoken with the Blue Jays according to Mr.Heyman.
Yanks can get Halladay without including Joba or Phil. They are loaded with pitching talent in the minors. Include Zach Macallister from AA plus AJax or Montero, another player, and cash. That should get it done.
for those of you who think that Ace is like Ramiro Mendoza and is best used in the bullpen, how many starts did Mendoza make for the Yankees between 1996 and 1998?
Here are your choices?
None-he was a bullpen specialist only
1-5: He was only good as a reliever
6-10: Occasional emergency use only
11-20
20-40
40+
Let’s see who gets the right answer first
“Yanks can get Halladay without including Joba or Phil.”
LOL, No they can’t.
“Dave,
Most teams haven’t seen Gardner yet so it’s still too soon to say they know how to attack him at the plate.
The book hasn’t been written on him as of yet. He still doesn’t really see LHP’s and when he’s seen them he hasn’t hit them at all.”
———
I agree… but there are enough #s and film on him that pitching coaches must have a plan.
I’m not suggesting he has a high ceiling or will be a great player, but so far he’s given signs that he can and will be a useful player.
I mean, how much better has Jacoby Ellsbury been?
Those 2 are the same age and have put up similar #s (albeit Jacoby has more experience) yet one of them gets tons of praise and the other (Gardner) gets virtually none.
“Yanks can get Halladay without including Joba or Phil. They are loaded with pitching talent in the minors. Include Zach Macallister from AA plus AJax or Montero, another player, and cash. That should get it done.”
No.
Danny Haren ??
Danny Haren ??
Zach is 6′6″ 230lbs and only 22 with an ERA of 1.45 in AA ball. The kid is the real deal. Toronto wants good young and cheap & Yanks have it..
raymagnetic-
I said what I thought. Unlike SJ44, I don’t claim, and have never claimed, to KNOW anything about what the Yanks intend to spend.
In this case, my crack about the Yanks not thinking they have unlimited deep pockets was a bit of a joke, because no business believes they have unlimited deep pockets. So, I’m pretty sure the Yanks don’t believe they have unlimited deep pockets, either.
I have given reasons why I think the Yanks won’t substantially increase their payroll next year in a number of previous comments. I don’t think the Yanks routinely sit on a pile of cash – they seem to be willing to put it into the payroll rather aggressively. The Yanks have by far the highest payroll in the majors already.
Last year, they put a LOT of money into the team, stated publicly they wanted to reduce payroll, and did in fact reduce payroll a good bit, while still having by far the largest payroll in baseball. That suggests to me, although it doesn’t prove it, that the Yanks were in the past off-season near the upper limit of what they wished to spend on the team payroll.
Since then, the economy has further deteriorated. Unemployment figures are rising. Returns on equities and returns on debt are way down. There is less money out there to spend.
Simultaneously, the Yanks have been forced to reduce their high end ticket prices from what they wanted in the off-season. I think a lot of high priced seats remain unsold. The Yanks are not selling out their games. Yankee tickets are being sold at a discount in the secondary markets – and it’s not just because of the Yankee two-fers. Tickets were being sold on Stubhub at discounts before that. My guess (it’s a GUESS – I don’t KNOW) is the Yanks are concerned about season plan renewals.
All that, to me, says that there is some downward pressure on team revenues from what it was this time last year, and as a result the Yanks will be inclined to be fiscally conservative. Again, I could be WRONG, but that’s what I think.
Given all that, I don’t think the Yanks are going to be anxious to add another high priced contract. It’s just my OPINION, I have never claimed otherwise.
“Yanks can get Halladay without including Joba or Phil”
——–
It’s not as likely but it’s possible.
The Blue Jays are probably going to deal Halladay.
If other teams don’t include their organizations #1 or #2 prospects, then the Yankees might not need to either.
As SJ44 has pointed out, not many teams can both afford Halladay AND have the high end prospects to pull it off.
If those select few teams don’t want to give him a big contract extension AND give up their top prospects, the Jays will have to settle for a little less.
Brett has at-bats against all the AL teams.
““Yanks can get Halladay without including Joba or Phil. They are loaded with pitching talent in the minors. Include Zach Macallister from AA plus AJax or Montero, another player, and cash. That should get it done.””
Maybe if Cash takes Ricciardi out for an evening of tequila shots?
Dan Haren has a WHIP of 0.826 and an ERA + of 210.
Holy mother of Jesus Montero!
Yanks can get Halladay without including Joba or Phil. They are loaded with pitching talent in the minors. Include Zach Macallister from AA plus AJax or Montero, another player, and cash. That should get it done.
=======================
Don’t think so. They are gonna want one of the members of “Generation-Just-The-2-Of-Us”
“supposively they are touting this kid as “The Wizard Part. 2?”
——–
we’ll see.
I think if the Sox are lucky, they’ll have
“Rey Ordonez Part 2″
“Brett has at-bats against all the AL teams.”
—
nice find Doreen.
“Zach is 6?6? 230lbs and only 22 with an ERA of 1.45 in AA ball. The kid is the real deal. Toronto wants good young and cheap & Yanks have it..”
McAllister is having a great year, but he doesn’t project as a top starter.
“Zach is 6?6? 230lbs and only 22 with an ERA of 1.45 in AA ball. The kid is the real deal. Toronto wants good young and cheap & Yanks have it..”
LOL he’s not viewed that good.
Philly is throwing Drabek and Taylor and Bastardo and Marson
SF is throwing names like Cain and Bumgardner
Texas is throwing Feliz and Andrus + Smoak
And you think McAllister, Jesus (who me and Rebecca would KO you before it happens) Ajax (BTW CF in the majors not a rich position nowadays, especially ones that project to Tori Hunter) Ajax and Jesus aren’t getting delt and really TOR will get a better deal from the NL.
Dan Haren has a WHIP of 0.826 and an ERA + of 210.
Holy mother of Jesus Montero!
–LOL LOL … i know i got him on my fantasy baseball team !.
Generation Last of the Mohicans?
“McAllister is having a great year, but he doesn’t project as a top starter.”
———
eh, whatever… guys like Dan Haren probably didn’t project as top starters either.
Boston Dave -
Except I was wrong! He appeared in games against all the AL teams, but no at-bats against Seattle and Detroit, looks like.
BTW what is the word on IPK?
Yeah, McAllister, for reasons I don’t understand, seems to be viewed by scouts as a 3rd starter tops…
Doreen-
I think you could have gotten away with your unintentional fib there
“eh, whatever… guys like Dan Haren probably didn’t project as top starters either.”
McAllister is a sinker/slider guy, and he is not as crafty at least not yet as Haren.
“BTW what is the word on IPK?”
Rumor is he is going to Toronto with Kei Igawa and Shelley Duncan, I could be wrong tho
I’m not suggesting he has a high ceiling or will be a great player, but so far he’s given signs that he can and will be a useful player.
====
He is certainly a useful player, but he isn’t an everyday player because he does not excel against lefties.
He needs to go back to what he was doing in ST, which is use his legs to drive the ball and employ a level swing.
He went up and got a pitch nicely yesterday off lefty Liriano, but he was able to engage his lower half doing so, and therefore he gut some drive on the pitch.
But he also has relapsed into that one-handed scoop swing where he ends up on his toes. That’s causing anemic pop-ups, which you can’t outrun.
He has to keep the swing level to enjoy consistent success, because that swing will mean base hits for him and ground balls, which he has a chance to outrun.
Uncle Ellsworth
July 10th, 2009 at 2:29 pm
BTW what is the word on IPK?
***
I think he is still healing from the aneurysm surgery. Not sure if he is back on the farm yet
Hey, bodhisattva, I’ve seen you mention here that you’re a Shakespearean actor. You wouldn’t happen to be a member of the Shakespeare Theater of N.J.?
And you think McAllister, Jesus (who me and Rebecca would KO you before it happens) Ajax (BTW CF in the majors not a rich position nowadays, especially ones that project to Tori Hunter) Ajax and Jesus aren’t getting delt and really TOR will get a better deal from the NL.
===
AJax is a young, athletic, fast CF with a decent arm, who can climb the vines and steal HRs from people.
He is also beginning to flex some power – think he has 4 HR in his last 9 GP. Corner OFers grow on trees – legit CF’s who can give you very good up-the-middle defense- and hit and steal bases – do not.
In a sense, the aspirations people have for Gardner is what AJax’s natural ability brings. He won’t steal as many bases, but he is faster and a better baserunner than people think.
I am not giving Austin Jackson – my CF for the next decade – up for Halladay. In fact, I’m not giving up any of the names being bandied about here – for Halladay.
I am keeping BOTH of my 23 year old front-end starters because I want them to pitch for ME – not for Toronto – when Roy Halladay is honing his HOF speech in his dotage.
Next.
“Joba is not worried. At the end of the day, the sun still comes up.”
DT, kudos for that. I laughed. I think it went a little under the radar.
Uncle-
http://www.monkscafe.com
264 S 16th St
Philadelphia, PA 19102-3357
(215) 545-7005
MG,
I was not comparing Halliday to Chapman.
I did a poor job of articulating that.
Chapman would be a 5 starter if Wang is down and out.
He is young and lefty.
With CC and AJ, Doc is not a necessity.
The Yanks should not have to pay an exorbitant amount if he’s on the market.
The market is weak and getting weaker.
“SF is throwing names like Cain and Bumgardner ”
The Giants themselves are throwing these names, or people speculating about them are throwing these names?
Tom in N.J.
July 10th, 2009 at 2:38 pm
Hey, bodhisattva, I’ve seen you mention here that you’re a Shakespearean actor. You wouldn’t happen to be a member of the Shakespeare Theater of N.J.?
===
No, not a member, my Shakespeare ties reside in NY, but I have a home about 20 minutes from the NJSF headquarters.
Are you connected with them, or are you a theatre goer? I was just talking about their work with a publisher friend. I know they are doing the Tempest next. Love the play – do you know who is the lead?
W/the Tempest – or any of the plays that features a central character – I have to buy the actor being cast before I can think about attending, lol.
Bod, I’m not an actor, I’m an English Prof. I was just curious because I have tickets to see the Tempest on Wednesday. I’ll let you know how it goes.
Tom,
I am a really tough audience. I find a lot of their stuff to be watered down. I don’t know if it’s just a Bonnie Monte thing – don’t even know if she’s still there, to be honest – or what.
But it seems they go for the “suburban” Shakespeare thing, or what Peter Brook calls the “dead” theatre.
Sometimes they have some good people, but they also cast soap stars or people who can’t handle the language, diluting the product.
Saw a Romeo & Juliet there a few years ago. I was knocked out by the Juliet – who played her the way Shakespeare intended; full of wit, desire, intelligence – but the Romeo could barely bleat out a single line of IP with any conviction.
Looking forward to hearing what you thought.
AJ: Beg to differ on Joba’s best game. It was against Beckett last year in Boston 1-0. Molina caught that game. I would think that management trying to get Joba 2B more effective would try Molina catching him – whether he is that good or not. You sure are hot and cold on Joba. But thank you for the positives.