Big game in town
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on Aug 06, 2009 
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Here’s how you know the power of baseball …
Took a 6:30 a.m. flight from Toronto. People on the plane were talking about the Sox-Yanks series. Get to LaGuardia and the newspaper headlines were all about the showdown. Get home and two people in the lobby asked how many games I thought the Yankees would win this weekend.
(Three, by the way).
Pop open the laptop and there are two e-mails about TV and radio interviews and two more from friends seeking tickets. All this before 11 a.m.
Nothing better then a big series in the summer. Can’t wait for first pitch.
————
Meanwhile, it seems Twitter blew up and Facebook is all loopy. Feel free to socially network on this blog. We welcome all.
After going to 18 games this year, I PRAY tonight is the night the stadium FINALLY comes to life. I can’t wait to get to the Bronx — work is just gonna go waaaaay too slow tonight.
There’s a game tonight?
Give us a heads up on your appearances.
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From danpatrick.com:
Boston Globe writer Tony Massarotti joined the show to preview this weekend’s Red Sox-Yankees series and discuss the David Ortiz silence.
-The Red Sox have been quiet about David Ortiz because they’re trying to get a clear idea of what test was failed and all the facts behind it. Fans, the media and Ortiz himself would like to know what the deal is as soon as possible, but it doesn’t seem like they’re going to find out soon.
-Massarotti thinks Ortiz’s best strategy would be to just come clean and admit to everything he’s put in his body. The Union probably wouldn’t like this approach and would rather have all the facts before commenting. Mas does think it’s odd that Ortiz wouldn’t know what substances he used and how legal/illegal they were.
-Massarotti thinks the Yankees are the team to beat in the AL East. There are serious question marks for the Red Sox, including their starting rotation beyond Josh Beckett and Jon Lester. The lineup is also weaker as they were built to pitch, not hit.
-With Roy Halladay, Boston wasn’t ever close and they weren’t willing to pay the price it would’ve taken to get him. They were close to getting both Victor Martinez and Cliff Lee, and were in discussions with the Indians to acquire both, but Cleveland decided to split up the two and get a better deal.
================================================
OMG, this is the first I heard of a Martinez/Lee package to Boston. Dodged a bullet there!
Well my computer somehow got diseased this morning and I have to use my wife’s… fortunatley she’s out of town. (the older I get the more often I use that phrase!)
Great series. wish I could be there but I’ll be watching. Is it safe to assume Hughes and Aceves are unavilable tonight? This is arguably the biggest start in Joba’s career.
I see a split in this series. Three games is too much to ask for.
Pete on the ipod “hell” squirell nut zippers.
m: Whoa, objective material on the Red Sox?
—————————–
Yes, Rebecca. Amazing how humbling the standings can be.
I don’t usually get caught up in “must win” games because there are 162 games and they all aren’t “must win”.
However, this one tonight comes as close to “must win” as it gets for the Yankees.
They really need to get the 0-8 monkey off their backs.
They can deny it all they want but, they know 0-8 is the reason why the Red Sox are even close in the race right now.
Get a win tonight and the Yankees have a chance to do some serious damage in this series. Especially if they can knock Smoltz out early and force their bullpen to log more innings.
A loss tonight and the pressure really ratchets up because 0-9 ain’t pretty, no matter how you want to spin it.
The Yankees have been the better team for the last two months.
Now is the time to show it against the Red Sox.
SJ,
The sooner they win one, the less pressure for the next starter.
The frustrating part about those 8 losses, is they had a lead in 6 of those games and held a late lead in 2 of the first 3 at Fenway.
Bronx and his BAA the second time through a lineup is like .400.
SJ is complete correct – this is a huge game in the series. The Yankees lefties should send a few of Smoltz’s pitches into the porch. They can hopefully get to the bullpen early.
The Sox bullpen is a bit depleted having played a very long extra inning game in Tampa two days ago (Hey they called up Billy Traber to help). If the Yanks can force the Sox to the bullpen that will put tremendous pressure on the Red Sox the next couple of days.
It will get the o-fer monkey off the back and allow the Yanks to settle down for the rest of the series. It will also guarantee the Yanks finish the series in first place no matter wha
So can someone explain to me how if the Yankees would of split the series so far they would be up 10 1/2 games?
I dont understand hoow that is possible. I can understand if we split the season series but not just the 8 games played so far.
Thanks
Take no prisoners!!!!! 3 of 4 this weekend.
M
There was also talk of a huge deal for Felix Hernandez. The Red Sox, according to reports, were to let Seattle choose 5 from their top prospects – including Bucholz, Bard, Masterson, Lowrie, Bowden, Anderson and a couple of others a forget.
LoHud Mood Predictor –
Yanks sweep = unbelievable… Yanks locks for division
Yanks win 3 = awesome – Yanks almost locks for division and Sox won’t make playoffs
Yanks split = good enough – Yanks still in decent shape.
Yanks win 1 = not good. The Yanks showed they can beat the Sox but who cares… the Sox still own them.
Yanks get swept – downright disaster, blog explodes and people jump off bridges
I can’t wait for this series. It’s really going to have an October feel to it,which just makes it more fun!
“Especially if they can knock Smoltz out early and force their bullpen to log more innings.”
——
exactly.
if they take a big enough lead on Smoltz, the Sox may bring Billy Traber in to eat innings (which should mean a victory for the Yanks)
if the Sox don’t go with Traber, they’ll be using a tired bullpen which could lead to trouble for the Sox over the following 3 games.
Today is like the 7th game of the World Series. We have to win tonight. No ifs, ands or buts about it. The Yankees know this; they are just trying to appear calm to the media. The tension and the pressure is going to be sky high. I feel confident that Joba can get it done. He just has to make sure that he doesn’t let his hatred of Pukelis get to him.
No throwing at Pukelis tonight, Joba. Save it for another day.
Dan the Man,
Just add 4 wins to the Yankees (and subtract 4 from the loss column). Then subtract 4 wins from the Sox record (and add 4 to the loss column). I think we decided that 1 game is worth a 2 game swing when you compare the records. Cut that in half and you get 1 game back for each head-to-head win.
“Yanks sweep = unbelievable… Yanks locks for division”
That’s my dream…
Yanks need to sit fastball with Smoltz.
His slider was actually very good in his last start. It was his fastball that got hammered.
I expect Smoltz to go with a ton of sliders in this one. Yanks need to try to identify those and sit tight. Let him throw a bunch of pitches and hammer the fastballs when they come.
I am going to be drunk for 4 days, only way to deal with this series.
DAn,
Add 4 Yankee wins to their total, while removing 4 losses, and do the opposite for the Sox. That’s an 8 game swing in the standings, and that would have given them a 10 1/2 game lead.
I look at it a little differently. Three games stand out to me. Mo’s blown save, AJ blowing a 6 run lead and the bullpen being unable to hold CC’s 3-1 lead in the last game they played. Win those 3 games, giving them a 3-5 mark against the Sox in the season series, and the Yankees would be 8 1/2 games up heading into tonight’s game.
That’s why tonight is so important. Get a win, get the 0-8 monkey off your back, and press on with a chance to put some real distance between themselves and the Sox this weekend.
Yes, Twitter is extremely borked, due to a denial-of-service attack. In the meantime I am being extremely productive at work.
On the iPod is last night’s Phish show from the Shoreline Amphitheater in California.
m thanks
five iron,
IF that story is true, don’t you think Seattle should’ve done the deal? I read that the Sox were the pursuants.
But hasn’t Felix said he wants to test FA?
The big FA showdown will be between Felix & Doc. I wonder if that played into the Yankees decision to not push the envelope on Doc? (totally ignoring the division premium it would’ve taken).
Dan the Man,
Yanks are 2 1/2 games up.
If the Yanks win tonight, it’s 3 1/2.
If they lose, it’s 1 1/2.
that’s a difference of 2 games.
so the difference between winning 1 game vs losing 1 game is 2 in the standings.
I believe if we get this “monkey” 0-8 off our backs . We are going to STEAM ROLL right threw them !
Big game for the Yanks tonight to end the 0 for 8 against Boston.
John Flaherty was on the radio this morning and said his only concern about Joba tonight was that Joba tends to sometimes get too amped up for these big games and overthrows. Flaherty said it will be up to Posada to make sure that doesn’t happen and adjust the pitch selection accordingly.
m,
the Mariners probably could have gotten more from other teams.
Felix and Lincecum are prob the 2 most valuable young pitchers in baseball.
The Sox didn’t include Casey Kelly or Junichi Tazawa in their reported list which is interesting.
If Buchholz were still a top 5 MLB prospect, it’s a different story. He’s not.
Either way, I thank my lucky stars the Sox didn’t pull that one off.
“downright disaster, blog explodes and people jump off bridges”
Haha, this happened on this very blog in May 2007 and during the late summer of 2008!
M
I think you are correct. I was out of Boston when that went down so did not get the full scoop. But, from what I gather it was Seattle that turned it down (if in fact reports are true).
Interesting, it would have insanely crippled the Sox farm system but added a very young, very good pitcher to go with Lester and Beckett.
Seattle would have at least 3 major league ready players and a couple of good prospects. It likely would have been the best haul (from Seattle’s point of view) at the trade deadline.
The Sox are always big talkers, so maybe this is more talk and less walk.
The yankee’s probability of winning the division as of today – 59%. Their probability of winning the wild card if they don’t win the division – 29%.
So over all the yankees have an 88% probability of making the playoffs.
For the Sox – Division probability – 37%. Wild card – 42%. Chances of making the playoffs – 79%.
So the yankees as of today are much more likley to win the division.
People keep discussing what the yankees need to do in this series? Split, 3 out of 4, sweep, etc.
One way of looking at this is what would happen to each team’s probability of winning the division/ wild card/ and overall probability of making the playoffs if different scenarios play out during this series.
As yankee fans we’re lucky that there are so many good yankee blogs out there. One of the single best blogs is the replacement level yankee blog. The probabilities above are from that blog. It is one of the single best baseball blogs out there – forget just the yankees. SG does tremendous work over there. In many ways, better work than even Baseball Prospectus does.
Today he did simulations to see what would happen with different outcomes from the series:
Red Sox sweep
Yankees: 65-46, 31.4% Div, 45.4% WC, 76.8% PL
Red Sox: 66-44, 62.1% Div, 28.0% WC, 90.0% PL
Me breaking lots of stuff.
Red Sox take three of four
Yankees: 66-45, 43.4% Div, 42.5% WC, 85.9% PL
Red Sox: 65-45, 50.2% Div, 38.1% WC, 88.4% PL
Me breaking a fair amount of stuff.
Red Sox and Yankees split four
Yankees: 67-45, 60.7% Div, 30.3% WC, 91.0% PL
Red Sox: 64-46, 33.6% Div, 48.1% WC, 81.6% PL
Me breaking a thing or two.
Yankees take three of four
Yankees: 68-45, 69.4% Div, 24.8% WC, 94.2% PL
Red Sox: 63-47, 25.5% Div, 51.4% WC, 76.9% PL
Me slightly happy.
Yankees sweep
Yankees: 69-45, 80.2% Div, 15.9% WC, 96.1% PL
Red Sox: 62-48, 15.6% Div, 53.4% WC, 69.0% PL
Me very happy.
The Sox need this series much more than the yanks. That’s the facts.
All the yankees need is a split. Anything more they really hurt the sox in a major way.
http://www.replacementlevel.co.....sox_series
Fran,
Here’s a great preview that focuses on Joba. It explains his approach, but also helps us understand why the players downplay the importance. It’s important for them to not get too geeked about the game because it takes them out of their own game.
It’s pretty funny, too that Joba was like 3 years old when Smotlz started pitching?
http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com.....8;c_id=nyy
Thanks everyone for the explination
BD – I think the Sox are super high on Kelly.
Not really sure about Tazawa.
Those dudes who dress like umpires really need a new act.
Its getting old now.
Dan the Man
If they had split the records would be:
Yanks 69-38
Sox 58-48
10.5 games difference
Everybody’s got it right. Win tonight and the monkey shall be free!
You all B*tch about the games being MLB/Fox/ESPN…well, I have to watch at least 2 of these games on NESN, possibly 3 :/. I don’t want to hear any more complaints, haha!
Five Iron,
Would you trade two of Hughes, Joba, Montero for Felix?
Because that’s what it would take, plus more.
The Sox offer wasn’t all that good unless you really really like Buchholz as an elite pitching prospect.
Bard was the only big piece that was offered for Felix, and that’s not enough.
When you are trading for perhaps the most valuable pitcher in the game, it takes quality, not quantity.
If the Sox got him, I honestly thnk I’d cry
Meanwhile, it seems Twitter blew up and Facebook is all loopy. Feel free to socially network on this blog. We welcome all.
____________________________________________________________
Thanks for the info Pete. I am sitting here all upset thinking my job blocked these sites.
Five Iron,
they definitely are high on Kelly.
Until he hits AA, they can be as high on him as they want. He’s still got a long way to go to be considered a true top prospect.
I don’t even like talking about Tazawa because it’s an insult to the game, IMO, that the Sox even have him. But he could be decent.
Look how close these matchups are:
Melky vs. Ellsbury:
Melky:
.284/.347/.451 with 30 xbh and 5 SB in 343 pa’s
Ellsbury:
.301/.351/.412 with 28 xbh and 48 SB in 445 pa’s
Damon vs. Bay:
Damon:
.283/.369/.508 with 44 xbh and 63 RBI in 432 pa’s
Bay:
.252/.381/.496 with 44 xbh and 75 RBI in 441 pa’s
Matsui vs. Ortiz
Matsui:
.262/.366/.500 w/35 xbh and 49 RBI in 336 pa’s
Ortiz:
.225/.312/.421 w/ 39 xbh and 61 RBI in 410 pa’s
Cano vs. Pedroia
Cano:
.308/.343/.495 w/ 46 xbh and 56 RBI in 452 pa’s
Pedroia:
.302/.372/.430 w/ 39 xbh and 46 RBI in 475 pa’s
The difference has been Jeter, A-Rod, Teixeira and Posada.
BD & 5 iron,
It is good that it didn’t happen. But, if no extension was involved, it would’ve been a very expensive, short-term move IMO. It would’ve depleted their core prospects.
I think the worse move would’ve been Lee because he’s under control for a bit longer?
Felix is looking at a huge payday, could his eyes turn due east?
BD 2.0-
That sounds 100% accurate.
BD – How long is Feliz under team control? Personally I would not make your proposed Yankee trade but perhaps that is because I have not seen Felix pitch more than once or twice. That is why it is so hard for me (and most) to evaluate trades etc. You have a bias for the players you see and a perhaps overly optimistic outlook on prospects.
Can someone please give me a logical explanation for the recent move to promote Anthony Claggett before a huge
4 -game series with the Red Sox?
Granted, there is little to choose from at the AAA level right now. And Claggett is up here to be used as an inning filler in a blowout. Why would you bring up a righty against a Team that will present so many dangerous lefty hitters that will be staring at the wiffle ball dimensions of Right field in Yankee Stadium?? Casey Fossum or Michael Dunn are equally as good – and better options against lefties- than Claggett will be .
I used to be a Cashman supporter – until I read the Torre/Verducci effort. With Joba on an innings limit and Mitre an AAA pitcher, there is no excuse for Cashman not dealing for a legimate 5th starter. And, please, don’t tell me about Cashman’s wonderful off-season acquistions – any GM with that kind of money and resources could have done the same thing – and would not have bid against themselves for the rights to C.C. Sabathia!
Cashman needs to start earning his paycheck!
Get some baseball people in that Front Office instead of strictly stat geeks!
Some really, really good players are two years out including Doc, Felix, Mauer. I also think Beckett is out there after a team option year.
Are you making those tv and radio appearances Pete?
CB,
“The Sox need this series much more than the yanks. That’s the facts.”
The Sox needed that series in Tampa. Not necessarily more than Tampa, but it was an important one. But I’m happy that Tampa continued to play them tough.
I believe King Felix can be a free agent for the 2012 season (so he’s under control for this season plus 2 more)
On a side note, anyone else here wish we would have signed Pedro?
He has pitched well and I would rather throw him out there every 5 days than Mitre.
Pedro is a winner and knows how to pitch and at the end of the day wouldn’t have cost us too much.
We will be hard pressed to get a good starter through waivers as long as we stay in front of Boston.
Claggett was called up as insurance in case Mitre spit the bit 2 innings into last nights game.
He will probably be sent down for a position player today.
Five Iron,
I’d love to see the Yanks end up with Felix, of course, but I also kind of like to see teams keep their core players.
I’d like Mauer to stay in Minny. I’d like Felix to stay in Seattle, etc.
Twitter being down is killing me.
But if you’re interested, since I can’t use twitter to self promote, I’m going to do a live chat on my blog at 5.30 PM EST, and go till about first pitch. Stop by, the first was a lot of fun.
****
That said, tonight’s game is the most important of the series.
Just think of it this way: If the Yankees win tonight, that puts them 3.5 up on the Sox. They could lose the next three, and still be in first place by half a game.
Winning tonight reduces the pressure on Burnett and to a lesser degree, Sabathia, and gives Joba a chance to cement himself (further) in Yankee lore.
Win tonight and the onus is ALL on the Red Sox, while the Yankees excise their ‘can’t beat boston’ daemons.
Of all the games the Yankees have played this sseason, tonight’s might be the most important (thus far).
I’ll be just as happy with a walk off or a blow out. Just win, baby. Just win.
“The difference has been Jeter, A-Rod, Teixeira and Posada”
Who are all difference makers. Which is what SJ was talking about a few weeks ago.
SJ44
I read, with interest, your 3-5 analysis, makes sense. However, it did not happen, which is probably just as well.
With an 8.5 game lead the Yankees would not have had the keen pressure that is now upon them. Just last week they cruised into Chicago riding a 9-1 streak and had an ugly reality check.
I think that 0-8 serves to keep them intensely focused, if they split or do better then the way is paved to go to the next level. If not try try again.
Tonight is clearly a ‘must win’ for the Yankees. I never get caught up in hype but after 8 losses the Yankees need to put an end to this. They have a huge advantage in the pitching matchups, it’s at home, Bay seems to be hurt and out for a couple of days, and they are the better club.
In the 8 early season games the Yankees blew at least 3 of the games (Mo blew a save, AJ a 6 run lead, Girardi left CC in too long with a 3 run lead in the 8th inning). If they had won 2 of those games they’d have a 6 1/2 game lead and all of the current issues about the rotation wouldn’t even be a blip on the radar. But hindsight is always 20-20 and means nothing. The only way to truly put the early season results behind them is to win this series, a split isn’t good enough, period.
“Cano:
.308/.343/.495 w/ 46 xbh and 56 RBI in 452 pa’s
Pedroia:
.302/.372/.430 w/ 39 xbh and 46 RBI in 475 pa’s”
I was comparing Cano & Pedrioa’s numbers last night,and Cano this year has been a way better hitter. So far, this year Cano has had very good defense at 2b,too. Surprise,surprise.
I guess if you believe the Sox are in the Yankees heads, then tonight is a must game. I don’t see how it can be a must game as there are still plenty of games left in the season. I agree that it’s important to get the monkey off their back, but by saying it’s a must game, you’re implying that a loss would be devastating. I suppose fans can think that way, but no way the players should. We went through this the last time the two teams played – and most reasonable folks here insisted that the Sox are not in the Yankees heads. If that’s the case, why has it changed now? I think it would be stupid if the Yankees continued to harp on their 0-8 record against the Sox and how if, they had even split, they’d have a bigger lead in the division. What is the point of playing “what if’s”? The Sox could do the same – if they had played better against other teams, they could have put the Yankees away a long time ago. “What ifs” are pointless.
I suspect Smoltz is going to pitch well tonight. I agree with M (I think?) who said that Joba has to stop throwing over the Sox’ heads – they can’t afford to lose him tonight and there’s no cause for it.
SJ44
August 6th, 2009 at 11:25 am
Claggett was called up as insurance in case Mitre spit the bit 2 innings into last nights game.
He will probably be sent down for a position player today.
——-
I say Claggett stays 1 more day since Ace and Hughes are not available in case Joba doesn’t last long or gets beat up. There is no dire need for Pena tonight.
I am refuse to complain about Cashman anymore. Pete had it right last week, or so, when he said that Cashman went out and loaded the team up in the off season for this year.
There should be zero reason to acquire anyone else. The team is finally starting to click and I am going to sit back and wait for the postseason.
I like to think of these four games as 4 nails.
I’m absolutely fine with a split – the Yankees just need to win a couple of games. MG, I disagree – if the Yankees can’t put the previous results behind them, then they aren’t as strong as we think. They shouldn’t even be thinking about months ago. A split leaves the Sox the same way they came into tonight – 2 1/2 games back. I’d be happy with that.
Also, expecting 3/4 is not realistic, not with Beckett and Lester going. The Yankees probably won’t hit either one of them…….
Pedro would get smoked pitching in the AL at this stage of his career. John Smoltz also “knows how to win” but, if your stuff is marginalized, knowing how to win doesn’t help you in the AL.
Just imagine how big these games would be if they only played the RS a series or two a season.
I’m goin to the game Saturday. First game at the new stadium. I am so pumped for this weekend. I’m thinking 2 out of 4 is acceptable but 3 would be GREAT!
SJ44
August 6th, 2009 at 11:30 am
Pedro would get smoked pitching in the AL at this stage of his career. John Smoltz also “knows how to win” but, if your stuff is marginalized, knowing how to win doesn’t help you in the AL.
——
I was comparing him to Mitre as our only options. You think Mitre is a better option? I think Pedro would find a way to get through 5 innings where Mitre hasn’t. Of course those being the only 2 options as there is little else to choose from.
Vrsce,
Even with an 8 1/2 game lead, there is never going to be a “lack of intensity” from the Yankees side of the ledger in a Red Sox series at Yankee Stadium. The fans noise level alone won’t allow for it.
Personally, I’d rather have the big lead and worry about that than dealing with 0-8! lol
m, thanks for the link.
Betsy,think positive. A lot of people did not think the Yanks would beat Buerhle and Halliday and they did.
“Just imagine how big these games would be if they only played the RS a series or two a season.”
The tension would kill me. I’m already feeling the tension a lot,right now.
This is my lineup tonight:
Jeter
Swisher
Damon
Tex
Arod
Matsui
Posada
Cano
Melky
Totally off topic, but I can’t believe there will be an Idol without Paula Abdul. I used to laugh and snicker at her loopy ways. But the show’s entertainment value will plummet in my opinion.
I know it was about money and lack of respect. And it they downright disrespected her when they allowed her stalker to audition. The stalker subsequently killed herself in front of Abdul’s house. Totally inexcusable.
Betsy, if the Yankees are ever to take a series from the Sox this year, it’s this one. I know you are afraid of everything related to the Yankees but facts are facts. They have 10 games left with the Sox, 7 are at Yankee Stadium, they need to win at least 5 of them. They are more than capable of doing so as well.
Winning this series gives the Yankees breathing room for the rest of the season to rest Joba occasionally, be more conservative with the bullpen, and give position players a couple of more breathers than they can get if it’s a dogfight down to the wire. I’m just calling a spade a spade, tonight is a must win for them to win this series.
Pedro’s effect on the clubhouse also wouldn’t be so great.
Jeter and Posada hate his guts. Unless he was the Pedro of old, its pretty tough to justify putting him in the mix right now.
You put up with his BS if he is a dominating pitcher. You even forget about your history with him.
At this stage of his career, you don’t forget his garbage and won’t put up with his diva BS because the clubhouse is too harmonious these days.
I’ve been a bodybuilder for 9 years and have run cycles of pro-hormones, and it is completely asinine to say “I didn’t know what I was taking”. There is no way you could be on a pro-hormone or steroid and not know it, or not know what it was.
Each drug has different side effects and each drug requires other drugs to negate or reduce the severity of those side effects. Anytime you artificially increase levels of hormones in your body to the degree that steroids do, you have to go to great lengths to make sure you’re properly managing your body so you don’t really screw yourself up.
The “protein shake” explanation is like testing positive for heroin and saying you got it from eating a pack of skittles.
Cashman didn’t do anything that any other GM with Multi-Millions at his disposal couldn’t do. The state of the Yankees pitching staff cries for a No. 4 or No. 5 starter. Jarrod Washburn was a good anser. Yes, Seattle “wanted” Austin Jackson. But where is Cashman’s creativity and negotiating skills? How can the Red Sox and Tigers give up lightly regarded prospects to get what they need and Cashman can’t?
Besides the Abreu acquistion (and that was more Phillies salary dump than genius negotations), what GOOD TRADES
has Cashman engineered? Ah, the next David Ortiz – Wilson Betemit! As I said, its a “no brainer” to throw Millions at guys like Sabathia, Tex, Burnett.
http://www.theonion.com/conten....._rss_daily
I think AJ’s last outing was so bad,he’ll come out with something to prove.
CC is who I’M praying doesn’t implode in the 3rd ,like he does.
Yankees are over due for a win against the RS.
I don’t think anyone ever called Cashman a genius.
Who do you want to replace Cashman, LathamJoe?
Red Sox just lost 2 to the Rays. Yankees should step on them now. I think they can win 3.
Looking for a big game from Joba. No throwing over batters heads, he needs to stay focused. Smoltz hasn’t pitched well, Yankees can score early.
And please, no rain for this series.
Should be a nice drizzly night in the bronx. Good thing they moved my seats up to the high heavens above the clouds…or below the awning!
The Cashman bashing is idiotic. The Mariners weren’t moving off Austin Jackson, or a prospect at that level, from the Yankees for Washburn.
All the “creativity” in the world from Cashman can’t make the Mariners change their minds.
He got Nick Swisher for Wilson Betemit. How did that work out?
He improved the bench with Hairston and Hinske and gave up nothing for either guy. That’s also worked out pretty well.
How was the Aceves signing? Also worked out pretty well.
Sticking with Hughes and Chamberlain? Also worked out well.
None of those moves involved just writing checks.
They have the second best record in baseball. He’s got to be doing something right.
There Dodger blogs you can play on to get your man love of Joe Torre.
Brian Cashman has done a damn good job this year remaking this team.
Its in a better place for this year and the future than the Red Sox.
He just doesn’t get the media love Theo gets.
“what GOOD TRADES
has Cashman engineered? Ah, the next David Ortiz – Wilson Betemit! ”
Cash did trade Wilson Betemit and not much else (Jeff Marquez) for Swisher and a pitcher who is doing well in AA (Kaneko Texeira). So that’s one.
He also got Nady and Marte (and yes I know they have been hurt and not given the Yankees that much) for a very good deal last deadline. He also got David Justice in 2000 for what amounted to peanuts (Jake Westbrook, Ricky Ledee, etc) and Justice was one of the big reasons they won that title in 2000. These are just a few off the top of my head. Obviously he has made bad trades as well (all his trades involving Jeff Weaver), but he has not made a bunch of terrible moves, quite the opposite.
I think his trade for David Justice worked out just fine. He also picked up Small and Chacon and they went on to save the season. Hinske and Hairston have done exactly what they were brought to the team to do.
It amazes me how fast people forget the good to concentrate on the bad.
Does anyone know what time batting practice starts and ends at the stadium?
http://www.bostonherald.com/sp.....r_red_sox/
Read some of the comments section. Red Sox fans are just like Yankee fans when it comes down to panicking. It seems like they blame Theo a lot…
betsy
August 6th, 2009 at 11:30 am
Also, expecting 3/4 is not realistic, not with Beckett and Lester going. The Yankees probably won’t hit either one of them…….
***
No one expected them to beat Halladay either
SJ44
Red Sox signed Paul Byrd. If Yanks had signed him, how much do you think he would have helped them.
Byrd is awful
Does anyone know what time batting practice begins and ends tonight?
Extremely Important Re: Guess the Line Up
I am swamped at work. The game starts when I say it does around 2pm. Do NOT post line ups before then. I will ignore it.
Additionally, when the game starts you should be sure to post players and positions. If your submission is incomplete. I will ignore it.
Rose,
Paul Byrd won’t be ready to pitch until the first week in September. That’s what, 4 starts?
He would’ve been a better signing than Pedro, but I think we’d be able to get away with Towers/Hirsh/Mitre if the other 4 continue to pitch well.
Paul Byrd is 39 and hasn’t pitched all year.
I thought the Red Sox had 250 pitchers they can just “plug in”.
At least that’s what Peter Gammons and all of the other Sox shills in the media have told us this season.
I don’t know how much you can expect from him.
I think it shows two things:
1. They don’t expect Wakefield back for awhile.
2. They don’t think Smoltz, Penny and all of their great prospects are going to help them much down the stretch.
The Red Sox aren’t that great a match-up for Joba because they take so many pitches. He needs to go right at them, but my guess is he doesn’t get out of the sixth due to pitch count limitations.
I wish Girardi had resisted using Hughes last night – I suspect we’ll need him today.
One more thing – To me, Yanks-Sox games are more agonizing than exciting. The games are usually close and long, and even when we have a decent lead I’m never happy because I’m worried the Sox may come back. I’d like to play them less often, not because I’m afraid the Sox will dominate, but because each game is just so exhausting to watch as a fan.
“Look how close these matchups are:
…
The difference has been Jeter, A-Rod, Teixeira and Posada.”
These aren’t really that similar other than the Damon/Bay comparison. Melky blows Ellsbury away in SLG, Matsui has 133 point advantage in OPS and Cano has much higher SLG but less OBP than Pedroia.
You are stretching way too much in an attempt to make insightful comparisons. The only thing you need to know when comparing the Red Sox and Yankees offense is this:
Yankees: 594 runs scored
Red Sox: 554 runs scored
The Yanks have a superior offense than the Red Sox
“Brian Cashman has done a damn good job this year remaking this team.
Its in a better place for this year and the future than the Red Sox.
He just doesn’t get the media love Theo gets.”
Here,here! Great post,SJ44. Yankee bashers only excuses are that Cashman has a lot of money to deal with. That’s true,but he kept Hughes & Joba,instead of trading them for Santana,or Halladay. How would the Yankees really be doing if they didn’t have Hughes in the bullpen this year? Cashman has also traded for Hinske & Hairston. So,far they have really helped. I don’t get why people bash Cashman just because he has a lot of money to fiddle around with.
im pumped
The danger of overhyping prospects, which everybody does (especially those associtated with the Red Sox) nowadays is, you get called on it when actions speak louder than words.
If the Sox prospects were all that great, why sign Paul Byrd?
Why not just plug in Bowden or the Japanese kid?
I thought Clay Buchholz was a “front of the rotation” starter?
When you sign Paul Byrd, you are sending a clear message of desperation.
They are hoping he can give them 4-5 decent starts.
Perhaps he will. Chances are though, he won’t.
Did anyone else catch during the game last night when they said Damon and Tex are now tied this season for the most back to back Yankee home runs in a Yankee Season.
They join company like Ruth and Gerhig, DiMaggio and Gerhig. Thats pretty awesome
I would love to see if they can break it.
Joba has to go right after the sox !. Set the tone right off the bat.. they’re going to sit there like ducks trying to get his pitch count up ! .
No Merci Joba . Go right after them !
“Paul Byrd won’t be ready to pitch until the first week in September. That’s what, 4 starts?”
And he’s only going to throw 5-6 innings per start.
Are people really this worried about 20 innings of Paul Byrd?
This is another example of a personnel move being seen as some act of magic just because the Red Sox are the ones doing it.
It’s as if by just the fact that it is a Red Sox move, it is by definition, brilliant. Yankee fans are ironically, some o the worst with regards to genuflecting at the alter of Theo Epstein and John Henry.
Compare this to Tony Massarrotti’s take:
“During the final innings of last night’s game, the Sox announced they had settled on a minor league deal with righthander Paul Byrd, who hasn’t pitched for anyone, anywhere, since October. Desperate times call for desperate measures, and the Red Sox clearly are desperate.”
Where yankee fans see a “smart move” Red Sox observers see “desperation.”
http://www.boston.com/sports/c.....ottom.html
“Brian Cashman has done a damn good job this year remaking this team.
Its in a better place for this year and the future than the Red Sox.
He just doesn’t get the media love Theo gets.”
****
It’s because Theo is better looking
Paul byrd 1.5 HR/9, Yankees 1.5 HR/9
Mismatch!
Where were Cashman’s “creativity and negotiating skills?”
He told the Mariners they could have their pick of any prospects/players after Jackson, Montero, Romine, Hughes or Joba.
If that’s not good enough to get an extreme flyball pitcher having a career year at age 35 – who by the way is pitching at a very pitcher friendly park – can you blame Cashman for balking at the deal?
With the exception of a few signings, I just can’t see how any Yankee fan couldn’t be thrilled with the job Cashman has done.
Cashman said after he was given full autonomy that the Red Sox had a three-year advantage on the Yankees in the farm system. Since then, Cashman has rebuilt the system from almost dead last to the upper-middle tier.
Given that a system-empyting deal for a massive superstar doesn’t go down, you shouldn’t be surprised to see the Yankees farm system vault into the top 10 in the BA rankings next season.
You know it’s a big series when you wear a Yankee shirt to work instead of a tie.
attack Joba!
The Red Sox aren’t the little engine that could.
They have a ton of money. They offered Tex 172 million to sign. If Larry Lucchino didn’t make such a jerk out of himself in the meeting, they probably would have bagged him.
They are spending more money than anybody in baseball in the amateur and international markets.
They aren’t a “small market team”.
Yet, nobody says, “Theo is just spending money”.
Theo and Cashman have big budgets. So does Dave Dombrowski and he has wasted MILLIONS of Mike Illich’s money in Detroit, while decimating their farm system. How is that working out?
Its HOW you use money in the game that determines success. Lots of teams, more than most fans will ever know, have money. Many of them waste it.
CB–
I think the math you posted above is incorrect or at least I’m misunderstanding it.
“The yankee’s probability of winning the division as of today – 59%. Their probability of winning the wild card if they don’t win the division – 29%.
So over all the yankees have an 88% probability of making the playoffs.
For the Sox – Division probability – 37%. Wild card – 42%. Chances of making the playoffs – 79%.”
If the yanks dont win the division, their change of winning the wildcard is 29%, in which case its 29% of the 41% chance that they dont win the division. At least thats how I read what Replacement is saying. If thats the case, you adding the two percentages together doesnt work.
But yeah, big series, hoping for Joba’s fist pumps late into the game.
Youk Watch ’09!!!
How many times do you guys think Youk ducks tonight when Joba throws a pitch (whether he’s in the box or the dugout)?
CB, I’m also a big fan of Replacement Level Yankees Blog, SG does a great job there. Thanks for the link, that post really puts this series in perspective.
I tuned in late today. Why is signing Paul Byrd more desperate than getting Russ Ortiz?
“I tuned in late today. Why is signing Paul Byrd more desperate than getting Russ Ortiz?”
It isn’t
Neither guy is going to pitch in the big leagues this year is my guess. If they do they will both suck
Hasn’t Scranton been pitching their bullpen one turn through the rotation, at least prior to the Yankees getting Jason Hirsh last week? Sounds like Scranton needed Russ Ortiz to help them win the IL title. I am going to believe that Ortiz is meant just for that, whereas I think Paul Byrd was signed legitimately because the Sox want him in the majors this year.
I don’t like the Red Sox, but I don’t get the attacks on the Red Sox front office. They compete with us pretty well, I think, for about $60MM to $80MM less per year. So they must be doing something right.
Patrick – I think there is a high probability that Byrd pitches for the Sox.
Francesa live from Yankee Stadium today.
Hearing a few Yankee interviews- Girardi and Cash at least I would guess, will be a good lead in to the game.
“Yet, nobody says, “Theo is just spending money”.”
Matt Clement who? Doesn’t matter. Only Pavano matters.
Julio Lugo – tactical brilliance.
Stealing JD Drew from the dodgers via tampering – decisive aggression.
Trading for Josh Beckett because you can afford to take what was considered one of the game’s worst contracts in Lowell’s – one shade below Einsteing work on general relativity.
Dice-K – that was the height of Theo’s strategic and mathematical genius and his deep insight into auction theory. It had nothing to do with the insane $103M they paid him.
Dice-K is really the best. If they trade him after this off season they will have paid $73M for three years of his services – one of which he’s been hurt for nearly all of.
3 years 73M. Only the highest quality strategic thinking could net Dice-K for the same amount of money that the Mets are paying Santana or the yanks are paying CC.
The Nady/MArte trade is ahrdly a slam dunk. Tabata is now hitting well in AAA, and had a .370 OBP as a 20 year old in AA this season. Ohlendorf has been solid, KArstens has been serviceable and McCutchen is pitching well in AAA.
I didn’t love the trade at the time, and in hindsight they obviously would have been better off not making the trade.
Russ Ortiz is AAA filler and nothing more.
Paul Byrd was signed to pitch for the Red Sox in September.
Big difference.
Can’t wait to hear Mike Francesa champion the Red Sox’s next big pitcher, Huntah Jones. I’m sure he’ll sprinkle in some talk about how the Red Sox are in the Yankees’ heads, how the Red Sox just know how to win and have that magic way of beating the Yankees whenever they want, and other such nonsense.
Pete – 3 out of 4 this weekend?
From your lips to God’s ears.
Am I the only guy who thinks Josh Towers can be better than Mitre? His 2005 in the AL East was very solid.
Nice Bobby Abreu article on Yahoo today. You can’t help but feel bad for the guy being ignored in the offseason
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/ne.....;type=lgns
“I tuned in late today. Why is signing Paul Byrd more desperate than getting Russ Ortiz?”
It’s not.
But while Russ Ortiz is universally acknowledged as a garbage desperation move Paul Byrd is inspiring hand wringing and fear. How could the yankees let Byrd go to the sox 11!!!!!
“But while Russ Ortiz is universally acknowledged as a garbage desperation move Paul Byrd is inspiring hand wringing and fear. How could the yankees let Byrd go to the sox 11!!!!!”
Lol very true. However, Byrd has beaten us in the post-season.
CB
Don’t forget to put Renteria on that list.
Sounds like pete was right about twitter and facebook…
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,537653,00.html
For all the media hype, it seems the Yanks farm system has passed the RS – the only issue right now is pitching depth at the AAA level – Yanks don’t have anyone at this moment to match up with Bowden or Tazawa (not a big deal). But in position players – the RS are barren.
maybe they were heroin skittles?
then it wouldn’t be too surprising.
The Onion came out with a great reason why Roy Halladay was not traded. Its pretty funny
http://www.theonion.com/conten.....=a-section
Maine – and Orlando Cabrera and the defensive shortstop from the Cubs. They cannot settle on someone for SS.
“Don’t forget to put Renteria on that list.”
How could i forget the modern day incarnation of Honus Wagner!!!!
What a huge upgrade he was from Orlando Cabrera. Remember how we sat through an entire winter of hearing about that? It was a “killer” move.
One other point about Theo’s genius. They haven’t had a legit lead off hitter since Damon.
New thread
“Nice Bobby Abreu article on Yahoo today. You can’t help but feel bad for the guy being ignored in the offseason
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/ne…..;type=lgns”
It really boggles my mind why he didn’t get more than other players like Bradley,Dunn,etc. One year for $5m was a steal.
I won’t knock them for not keeping Cabrera. From things I heard there were some real character issues with him behind the scenes. I think that was also an issue in Chicago.
Put me in the “not afraid of Paul Byrd” camp.
However, Paul Byrd is better than Sergio Mitre, IMO, so I don’t get the contempt for the move.
There’s no contempt for the move. We like, we like!
Paul Byrd is better than Sergio Mitre?
I don’t know about that.
Both are them are for the birds.
I thought the Twitter/Facebook thing was just me. Whew.
I dont get in what universe a guy who hasnt pitched for this season who gives up hits and HRs like candy and is 38 years old is a better move than Sergio Mitre.
Mitre has upside.
Byrd doesnt walk anyone but also doesnt strike anyone out and gives up many HRs. And Bostons defense is no longer excellent. And in the last 3 seasons he has pitched to a high 4 era
Bad combination.
Paul Byrd is turning into their version of Sid Ponson.
Who by the way I totally expected the Yanks to pick up as I’ve been away for a week.
3rd time’s the charm. Or so they say.
Maybe they’ll do it for the series at Camden Yards. You know… for the crab dinner.
I didn’t see much of last night’s game but did Mitre pitch better than his line?
Saw the 1st inning this morning and after retiring 2 he gave up some hard luck hits – couple of seeing eye’s and a broken bat bloop.
Jeter
Damon
Teix
Arod
Matsui
Jorge
Cano
Swish
Melky
RS aren’t quiet about ORTIZ http://wwwbostondirtdogs.com
They’re brutal.
“Facebook is all loopy.”
before i realized others were having issues. i did all sorts of spyware scans and whatnot.
also feared that my job put facebook on the blocked sites list or something…
SJ44:
I respect you’re opinions. They are generally well thought out. I may not agree with them, but are knowledgeable. commenting that “Cashman bashng” is idiotic – well – that’s just idiotic. Saying that Seattle was stuck on austin Jackson is speculation by you – unless you’re Brian Cashman or one of his executives. That’s the type of attitude and lack of forward thinking that doesn’t get deals done. The Yankees have some prospects to deal, certainly talented enoughas Detroit’s prospects who were “given up” for Washburn.
I’m a lifetime Yankee Fan always will be. I’d love for Cashman to make some great deals, Fact is – he’s not. Examine their acquisitions since 2003. and then tell me he would not be fired by any other MLB Franchise.
Cash on with Mike
Darn, I missed what Cash had to say about AJ and CC…..anyone ? Thanks!
David Justice WAS NOT a Cashman acquistion!
How about paying $46 million for Kei Igawa instead of $40 for Ted Lilly?
How about trading Ted Lilly for Jeff Weaver?
How about signing Jeff Karsay to a long term deal?
How about dealing for Javier Vazquez? And then panicking and turning him around for Loiaza at the trade dealine? Aand THEN not even signing Loiaza?
How about signing Jared Wright to a 3-year deal? and then trading him for…Who? Chris Britton? Well at leasty he kept the clubhouse snack table clean!
Wilson Betemit? What about the fine contributions he made before being traded? And Betemit WAS NOT the reaosn Swisher came to Ny – it was their first round selection Jeff Marquez.
Nick Swisher? He’s the best explanation why paying strict attention to strictly stats like OBP does not always work best. Swisher has been horrednous defensively, is a dumb baserunner, does not generally move baserunners, strrikes out too much, and has 20-25 HR power – which BTW is a dime a dozen these days.
Nady and Marte? Both on the downside of their careers, both have NOT contributed at all this year.
Brian Cashman is a fine man, very dedicated – poor GM. How well do you think Theo, Beinfest/Hill, Freidman/Hunsicker, Dombroski and many others would do with the Yankees’ resources?? I have no man love for Torre, but you may certainly have it for The Cash man!