Live video chat tomorrow at 1 p.m.
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on Jul 15, 2009 
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Our latest live video chat will be Thursday at 1 p.m. It’ll be a preview of the second half of the season and whatever else you want to talk about.
Go to LoHud.com/ProTalkLive to join in and ask your questions. There will be fabulous prizes, three of them as a matter of fact.
The chat is sponsored by Friedrich Air Conditioning.
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If you are unfamiliar with The Batting Stance Guy check out his Yankees video. Great stuff.
Dear Diary: 3rd day without Yankee baseball. Beginning to hallucinate. Boss looks like Youkulis’ evil twin. Co-workers look like rally monkeys. Wait… that’s Jennifer from Accounting… she always looks like that.
Hope help arrives soon.
Only two more days, just hold out a bit longer. British Open starts tomorrow, so that’s something.
I’m with you Bill. Friday can’t come soon enough. I thought having a few days of no baseball would be good and allow me to get my paper started for my grad school course. Taat of course is not the case as I just sit here thinking about how I want to be watching baseball and not writing this dumb paper.
The batting stance guy was very funny. First I’ve seen of him. The Tex taking a pitch move was hysterical.
2 more days. It seems like the last Yankee game was so long ago. Looking forward to Friday night.
Friday seems so far away.
does Philly picking up Pedro for $1MM take them out of the running for Halladay?
“does Philly picking up Pedro for $1MM take them out of the running for Halladay?”
The Phillies have said all along they want to add 2 starting pitcheres, so they would still love to add someone of Halladay’s caliber to their rotation.
No, the Phillies definitely still want Halladay
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/ne.....;type=lgns
S.A.–Relax, Relate, Release
July 15th, 2009 at 9:17 am
Friday seems so far away.
***
Like an eternity!
Hokiehill-No, I think they are still in the Halladay sweepstakes
The Phillies still definitely want Halladay
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/ne.....;type=lgns
According to the Yahoo! article I read & linked last night, the Phillies still definitely want Halladay.
For some reason when I try to link it again, my post gets eaten. No clue why
It would be nice to know what parameters Halladay gave Ricciardi. That would sure speed up the process. It would seem like Boston, Philly, The Dodgers, Cardinals and Angels would join the Yankees as potential destinations but we really don’t know. Does he want to stay in the East? Is he serious about the NL? Inquiring minds want to know!
if the Yanks don’t end up with Halladay, what move will Cashman make?
“Melky and Gardner are both capable 4th outfielder’s. Neither is a five tool player.”
I don’t want to offend anyone but this is a really silly statement. First of all, both of these guys are playing like starters this year.
Second, I freaking hate the term “five tool player” because it really has no meaning.
How many five tool players are there? DO you even know what the term means?
Is Albert Pujols a five tool player? Not really, he doesn’t steal bases. A-rod? When he played shortstop, yes, but his glove isn’t that great at third. Hanley Ramirez (who was touted throughout his minor league career as a 5-tool player)? No, his glove is terrible.
Remember, a five tool player is someone with plus average, power, speed, glove and arm. David Wright is a five-tool player. Curtis Granderson. Carlos Beltran. Justin Upton.
It’s just a silly term, it doesn’t even take plate discipline into account. True five tool players are rare and nobody ever expected Gardner or Melky to be one. Other than maybe A-rod I wouldn’t say the Yankees have any five-tool players.
Dear Diary: 3rd day without Yankee baseball, work on to do list to kill time until Friday.
1)Sing my rendition of “Cotton Eyed Joe”, certain to amuse co-workers.
2)Organize Bob Lorenz look-a-like contest. Place bet on Nancy in Marketing to win. She is dead ringer. (Not sure that’s a good thing).
3)Comb hair to look like John Flaherty. Hope it doen’t get stuck like that. Wife will divorce.
86w183,
Honestly, if I were Halladay, I’d want to get to the National League as quickly as possible. Imagine how good he’d be pitching for a team with the offense that the Dodgers have, in an inferior league? He’d win 22 – 25 games and have a 2.20 era
Pedro Martinez is returning to the major leagues with the Philadelphia Phillies.
The right-hander signed a one-year contract with the Phillies on Wednesday and will be placed on the 15-day disabled list with a mild shoulder strain. It hasn’t been decided when or where he will start a rehabilitiation assigment.
According to The Associated Press, Martinez has agreed to a $1 million, one-year contract.
The three-time Cy Young Award winner was in town for a physical, and the Phillies planned to hold a news conference on Wednesday.
Phillies manager Charlie Manuel, who guided the NL during a 4-3 loss in the All-Star Game, said he’d heard Phillies officials had watched Martinez throw.
“They said he was throwing much better than he was last year and that he was in tremendous shape,” Manuel said after the game. “Then I also hear today that he took a physical. That’s about the extent of what I’ve heard.”
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/.....id=4328568
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on the 15 day dl w/mild shoulder strain.
He would prefer not to go to the NL because he hates to hit.
The Dodgers aren’t in it. They have no interest in making a deal like that and taking on 22 million more to their bottom line. That’s not how the McCourt’s like to do business.
Doc’s “parameters” are simple. Trade him to a winning organization in the AL if possible. If not, then he will have to think about invoking his no trade rights if the destination is not to his liking.
Like CB and I have said all along, Doc is more leverage than JP here. This is a business. He is not going to just roll over and go wherever the Blue Jays wish to send him.
Doreen July 15th, 2009 at 9:05 am
Giuseppe Franco -
I know – the Yankees could stand the one more day to refresh. But I also think it would be soooo much better if they could move this day to the middle of the month, because even with the one extra day here it’s going to be a grind where a day off would surely be appreciated. And rain days wouldn’t be the same, because you’d still have to make up those games.
It’s a loooooong season. And the dog days are on their way.
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They did have a scheduled day off on 7/23 but they have to makeup the game against Oakland that was rained out in April.
Those rain outs come back to bite a lot harder during the dog days of summer when those days off are so crucial during a pennant stretch.
Too bad we’ll never land Hallady. I just can’t imagine Cashman giving up enough to make that trade within the division.
I’ve heard about Philly wanting to add two starters also, and a million for Pedro isn’t really all that much, so I could easily see Doc landing there. Ramey, I’d agree with you on him wanting to get to the NL. His numbers would be amazing.
God, I can’t wait until Friday. Hokey – the British Open??? Golf isn’t even a sport.
Runaway Groom:
“Former New Jersey Net star Richard Jefferson bailed on his stunning fiancée — pulling the plug on his posh Manhattan wedding at the 11th hour without even alerting some of the guests, The Post has learned.
The cold-footed forward’s decision to ditch onetime Net dancer Kesha Ni’Cole Nichols was so last-minute that some of his oblivious friends had already shown up last Saturday at the swank Mandarin Oriental in Columbus Circle for the $2 million wedding that never happened.”
http://tiny.cc/d1sfM
I just don’t get the big deal about the Batting Stance Guy. He does about as well as any little league player trying to emulate their idol player.
Cashman has one advantage that other teams do not – the advantage of money. The Yankees can absorb the contractual obligations of Halladay, plus one of the OFs that JP wants to unload, Wells/Rios. While I would think he would want to unload Wells (more money due) to go along with Halladay in a deal, he may be willing to ship Rios with Doc, just to be able to say to his ownership that he decreased their obligations, making the team an easier sale.
If it’s large sums of payroll he wants to unload, then there are only a few teams that could take him on; maybe only one.
I just don’t get the big deal about the Batting Stance Guy. He does about as well as any little league player trying to emulate their idol player.
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yea except he is imitating everyone on command all the time. He gets all the little details and exaggerations right and he can do pitching motions. He is a good mimic. His first videos are good because it was just him in an office with his friends and they would shout out suggestions and he’d do them.
“He would prefer not to go to the NL because he hates to hit.”
Prefer. Doesn’t mean he wouldn’t do it. He’s said publically a few times this week that he would.
“Hokey – the British Open??? Golf isn’t even a sport.”
Sigh…
Joe from Long Island,
While the Yankees would possess the finances to absorb a contract such as Vernon Wells’, if JP Ricciardi holds true to his statement that he won’t allow a window of negotiation to work out a new contract with the acquiring team, there’s literally no chance a team makes the trade. No team will part with the prospects it takes to acquire a guy like Halladay for simple an 18 month rent-a-player.
Yeah, I can see why RJ would want to leave her standing at the alter:
http://style.popcrunch.com/wp-.....ctures.jpg
what a dumbass.
we’re not taking Wells in a trade for Halladay and neither is anyone else. Just give me one scenario where it makes sense for anyone other than the Jays to take Wells…you can’t. If anyone takes Wells than yeah JP unloads sallary but he’ll get 0 quality prospects in return even with Halladay included.
Ramey – you’re right, I think. The thing is, if Halladay isn’t given an extension to his contract, what incentive does he have to wave his no-trade clause and be moved anywhere?
Little levity on a non-baseball day. Compliments of Jay Wexler, the Sotomayor hearings if held before the 1977 KC Royals. Couple Yankees references included:
GEORGE BRETT (presiding): Good morning. Welcome, Judge
Sotomayor, and congratulations on your nomination.
SONIA SOTOMAYOR: Thank you very much. I’m delighted to be
here.
GEORGE BRETT: Let’s get started, shall we? I will ask the
first question. Much has been made since you were nominated
about a speech you gave at Duke University, in which you
suggested that the courts “create the law.” Some have
charged that you will therefore be a so-called “judicial
activist.” In light of this speech, I wonder if you could
comment on the propriety of the infield fly rule.
SONIA SOTOMAYOR: Yes, of course. Wait a minute. What?
LARRY GURA: And in relation to that, please tell us whether
you think it’s right that a runner can tag up on a foul
ball.
SONIA SOTOMAYOR (consulting notes, flipping through them
fruitlessly): Yes, right, umm, infield fly rule. Tagging up.
OK. Just one moment . . .
FREDDIE PATEK: I think what George and Larry are asking is
whether you think it’s OK for a grown man to cry. By
himself. In a dugout.
JOHN MAYBERRY (under his breath): Pussy.
SONIA SOTOMAYOR: Ahh, well, the Equal Protection Clause does
give equal rights to men and women . . .
GEORGE BRETT: Perhaps we should change the subject a little.
In his confirmation hearing a few years back, now Chief
Justice Roberts analogized the role of the judge to the role
of the umpire. Do you agree with that characterization? And
specifically, do you think that it would be unconstitutional
to waterboard Tim McClelland?
SONIA SOTOMAYOR: I’m sorry. Tim McCllelland?
GEORGE BRETT: I’ll phrase it another way. Let’s say, for
example, that a hypothetical rule prohibited the use of pine
tar on any bat higher than eighteen inches above the tip of
the handle. Would you strictly construe that provision as it
applies to someone who has just hit a game winning home run?
WILLIE WILSON: And, also, would you legalize cocaine?
HAL McRAE (muttering to himself): Stupid questions.
WILLIE WILSON: Please.
GEORGE BRETT (suddenly standing and wailing in pain): Ow, my
ass!
SONIA SOTOMAYOR: If we could perhaps bring the discussion
back to my constitutional theory?
GEORGE BRETT (grabbing his ass): Holy Chris Chambliss!
HAL McRAE (still muttering): Dumbassed questions.
SONIA SOTOMAYOR: Perhaps I should mention that I once saved
baseball?
U.L. WASHINGTON (chewing toothpick): Yes, please tell us a
bit about that, Judge Sotomayor.
SONIA SOTOMAYOR: Why, I’d be happy to talk about that case.
And by the way, Mr. Washington, I’ve always wondered: what
does the “U.L.” stand for in your name?
[U.L. Washington stares silently at Sonia Sotomayor for,
like, three whole minutes.]
SONIA SOTOMAYOR: Well, OK then.
GEORGE BRETT (jumping up and down): Sweet mother of Goose
Gossage! (He leaves the room screeching.)
SONIA SOTOMAYOR: The case involved the 1995 player’s strike
against the owners. I ruled that the owners had violated the
basic principles of collective bargaining and ordered the
season to resume. The Chicago Sun-Times said that I had
“delivered a wicked fastball” to the owners, ha ha ha,
whatever that means.
COOKIE ROJAS: So, then, are you a baseball fan, Judge
Sotomayor?
[Hal McRae starts totally freaking out.]
HAL McRAE (yelling like a madman): STOP ASKING ALL THESE
STUPID-ASSED QUESTIONS!! (He starts throwing phones and
shoes and large containers of Gatorade all over the
courtroom). SAME STUPID-ASSED SHIT EVERY SUPREME COURT
NOMINATION HEARING. PUT THAT IN YOUR FUCKING PIPE AND SMOKE
IT.
[Silence.]
SONIA SOTOMAYOR: Hmm. That was odd.
COOKIE ROJAS: Don’t mind him. He does that every hearing.
You should have seen what he said to Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
Please continue.
SONIA SOTOMAYOR: I believe the question was whether I am a
baseball fan. And yes, I would have to answer that in the
affirmative.
FRANK WHITE: Terrific. That is a big point in your favor
(makes checkmark on legal pad). Now, where did you say you
grew up again?
SONIA SOTOMAYOR: In the Bronx. Bronx, New York.
[The entire bench erupts in angry disappointment.]
AMOS OTIS: Oh, no.
WILLIE WILSON: Forget this.
PAUL SPLITORFF: This can’t be happening.
[The players get up to leave. On the way out, Hal McRae
throws some more stuff toward Sonia Sotomayor. Afterwards,
only Freddy Patek remains at the bench, quietly weeping.]
GEORGE BRETT (squeaking from the judge’s quarters): Somebody
help me.
Joe from Long Island,
Exactly. Pete made that point the other day too. He would have no incentive to be traded. I don’t think Ricciardi will trade Halladay during the season. I think it’s more likely that in the off-season he’ll evaluate his situation, will listen to offers and will allow a negotiation window. He’ll get the 4 or 5 prospects he wants and Halladay will get he wants, a chance to win and the contract extension he’d deserve.
“Too bad we’ll never land Hallady. I just can’t imagine Cashman giving up enough to make that trade within the division”
I agree 100%. Im sorry but if we didnt give up the farm to land Santana I cant see them doing it for Halladay. And I for one still have faith that Joba and Hughes are both going to become top end pitchers. I dont want to give them up and have it come bite us in the ass.
Lets build a corner stone with our kids. It worked last time.
But at the same time lets get this Cuban defector. Kid throws 100mph with a sick curve which he can pin point.
Dr. Cox,
I think Chapman is a LONG way away from being an effective pitcher. The kid can throw hard, but he’s got literally no control. Half the time he doesn’t know where the ball is going. He’s a tremendous thrower at 21, but he isn’t close to being a pitcher yet.
Not sure how anyone can asume that David Wright is a “five tool player” at third base, but, Rodriguez is not. Rodriguez’ fielding numbers at third base are considerably better than Wright’s. Unless Rodriguez’ speed vanishes within the next two years, he still has time remaining as a “5 tool player”.