About Randy Johnson and Andrew Brackman
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Jan 09, 2010 
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From 1990 to 1992, Randy Johnson led the American League in walks three years in a row. In 1991 he ranked fourth, in 1992 he ranked eighth, and he never again finished in the top 10. By 1999, Johnson’s walk total was less than half his 1992 total, despite the fact he threw 60 more innings.
When he announced his retirement this week, Johnson talked about his progress as a pitcher, and his story reminds me of the Yankees’ 6-foot-10, first-round pick Andrew Brackman.
“It took me a while to understand my mechanics, to understand there’s a reason why there’s only been a handful of pitchers over 6-8, 6-9 that have ever had any kind of success in this game,” Johnson said. “This isn’t a tall man’s sport. Basketball is. Pitching, you have to have all of your parts move all at the same time or have some sense of rhythm out there. Early in my career I didn’t have that and I didn’t understand that. here would be a game when I’d go out and dominate, and then five days later I’d go out and walk seven batters and be out after three innings because I’ve already gotten to my pitch count.”
Brackman struggled last season. Coming back from surgery, his numbers in Low-A Charleston were awful, but it might not be time to give up on him just yet. Beyond the surgery – and the fact he was not a fulltime baseball player in college – Brackman has the added hurdle of being enormous. Pitching is about repetition, and it’s tough to repeat with so many oversized moving parts. Brackman might need time to work through those issues.
It’s a bit absurd to expect that he’ll ever be as good as Johnson, but it might be equally absurd to give up on him after one bad year.
“It took a lot of work on my part of work on those things in the bullpen and in games and in spring training,” Johnson said. “But eventually things kind of came together and instead of fighting myself, I was able to put everything that I had into the pitch and know where it was going.”
I guess that’s the thing, isn’t it? Odds are a guy a few inches short of 7 ft is never going to be able to get everything aligned with any consistency, but if/when they do, look out!
I would agree. I will admit that I was skeptical hearing his numbers coming out, for someone that they’ve invested so heavily in. But the organization knew he needed the surgery when they drafted him, so dumping the patience they’ve already put into him now would be over-reacting.
Mark my words – which mean absolutely nothing – within three years, he’ll be a solid addition to this club. In some way, shape, or form.
Definately don’t give up on Brackman yet. GO JETS!!
What I noticed about Brackman at Charleston was that he’d start out pretty good, but, then get out of wack with his motion/mechanics. I guess that because he’s so big and inexperienced, he wasn’t sure how to correct it and it would just snowball. At the end of the season, though, he’d pitch the one inning and he was just unreal. Not saying he should be a reliever, at least, not yet, but, it is an option that he succeeded in.
Yankee fans always want things yesterday. Patience is not a common virtue in the Yankee Universe. We want everyone to win 20 games their first year, or hit 20+ homers, or have a .300 AVG first year out of AAA. Doesn’t happen. Winning has spoiled us.
Talent, especailly young talent, takes time. There are no certainties, but over time, the cream rises to the top. Over time. Let’s try to keep that in mind as we savor the great careers of Jeter, Posada, Rivera and Pettitte. All developed over time.
I saw Brackman throw a bullpen session last year in Tampa and being a former basketball player and 6′ – 10″, when he finishes his pitches he’s almost on top of the plate.
The ball gets to the catcher a little quicker.
If healthy, he could be a contributor by 2012. His progress will be watched closely.
“From 1990 to 1992, Randy Johnson led the American League in walks three years in a row.”
Andre Dawson never led anything in walks.
GreenBeret7
January 9th, 2010 at 6:55 pm
What I noticed about Brackman at Charleston was that he’d start out pretty good, but, then get out of wack with his motion/mechanics. I guess that because he’s so big and inexperienced, he wasn’t sure how to correct it and it would just snowball. At the end of the season, though, he’d pitch the one inning and he was just unreal. Not saying he should be a reliever, at least, not yet, but, it is an option that he succeeded in.
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just as you said too me the other day about brackman
don’t worry about what he will be or when he will be ready.
let him get his innings in
Maybe NYY can bring in another NC State cager to help Brackman with his issues, Tim Stoddard.
I didn’t say anything about changing his role. He’ll get his innings in.
Nick in SF
January 9th, 2010 at 7:03 pm
“From 1990 to 1992, Randy Johnson led the American League in walks three years in a row.”
Andre Dawson never led anything in walks.
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Yes, but, Johnson hadn’t hit two homers in one game since Little League.
Mike Cameron had four in a game…and we let him go to Boston.
Jets have played pretty well today, but, those penalties are going to kill them against a better teams.
I’m not holding my breath on Brackman…..
Nick in SF
January 9th, 2010 at 7:25 pm
Mike Cameron had four in a game…and we let him go to Boston.
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Yeah, but they were steroid aided…or, or maybe it was because the umpires cheated again.
Did Joe Theisman just use the word. “grill” to describe the WR’s face? I guess when you’re describing Chad Ochocinco…
Terrible booth.
It’s way too early to give up on Brackman, Betsy. He’s only pitched in 260 innings in college and pro ball since 2005.
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!
The refs could not pull out the victory!!!
Instead, they cheated the Bengals on that key holding penalty on the Bengals final drive!!
GB, not giving up on him, but he’s not a baby anymore; what is he, 23 or 24? That’s old for A-ball. If he makes it here, great, but I admit that he doesn’t particularly hold my interest.
Betsy – Romine wasn’t built in a day
January 9th, 2010 at 7:37 pm
GB, not giving up on him, but he’s not a baby anymore; what is he, 23 or 24? That’s old for A-ball. If he makes it here, great, but I admit that he doesn’t particularly hold my interest.
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Experience-wise, he is a baby. It’s no difference than having an infielder or outfielder switching from those positions to the mound. They’re a little behind the others, but, when they catch up, it will happen quick.
The Jets just won a playoff game?
I think the Mayans predicted this.
# Betsy – Romine wasn’t built in a day January 9th, 2010 at 7:37 pm
GB, not giving up on him, but he’s not a baby anymore; what is he, 23 or 24? That’s old for A-ball. If he makes it here, great, but I admit that he doesn’t particularly hold my interest.
The kid was playing basketball and pitching in college. Hes just a baby. search him on youtube and see him get dunked on
In basketball the old coaching adage is you can’t teach height; why not hire Randy as a pitching consultant? I know he got a bad rap as a surly person but perhaps he has mellowed and certainly he acknowledges the contribution Nolan Ryan made to the development of his career.
Compliments of MLB-Rumors-R-Us.
Discussion: Left Field In The Bronx
By Mike Axisa [January 9 at 5:58pm CST]
The Yankees finished most of their offseason shopping when they traded for Javier Vazquez and Curtis Granderson, then signed Nick Johnson as a free agent, but the one spot left on the team that warrants an upgrade is left field.
At the moment, Brett Gardner and Rule 5 Draft pick Jamie Hoffmann are scheduled to start the season in a defense-heavy platoon and hit ninth. GM Brian Cashman has indicated that the team is approaching it’s 2010 payroll limit, and it appears they’re only willing to spend about $5-6MM for an upgrade. This morning we learned that they’re planning to wait out the free agent market before making any moves.
Looking at the list of available free agents, there appears to be plenty of second and third tier outfield options available. What do you think the Yankees should do about their left field situation? Should they stick with the Gardner/Hoffmann platoon, or bring in someone like Reed Johnson or Ryan Church or Rick Ankiel?
Texas is off the boards for Damon. The teams are being whittled down. They just signed Guerrero for one year and an option.
Mlbtraderumors is guessing that the Yankees have about 5-6 million to spend in a LFer and they are going to let the market play out..
Isn’t 5-6 million what some are projecting Damons price to fall to? I’m starting to think more and more that Erica is gonna be a happy camper come spring training.
Carl, I guess I just mean that when Brackman makes it up here (or at least to AAA), I’ll follow him more closely. We all have our favorite prospects – why does Brackman have to be mine?
J-E-T-S jets jets jets!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
New Yawk New Yawk
Yanks, Jets dare I say Knicks!!!!!!!!!!
Know I’m crazy.
GB7 won’t deny that!
If you agree, say nothing GB.
# Betsy – Romine wasn’t built in a day January 9th, 2010 at 7:54 pm
Carl, I guess I just mean that when Brackman makes it up here (or at least to AAA), I’ll follow him more closely. We all have our favorite prospects – why does Brackman have to be mine?
I never said he had to be your favorite. Just don’t give up on him!
blake
January 9th, 2010 at 7:53 pm
Mlbtraderumors is guessing that the Yankees have about 5-6 million to spend in a LFer and they are going to let the market play out..
Isn’t 5-6 million what some are projecting Damons price to fall to? I’m starting to think more and more that Erica is gonna be a happy camper come spring training.
**************
I am going to give you a gold star and a cookie!
Nick in SF….Well you have some extra coins to play with tonight …..Enjoy the game, I’ll be watching it…10 points now…..
Give Johnny 5m and a 1m option, that should get it done.
why thanks Erica. I’m starting to think its gonna happen..cashman could have signed Reed Johnson 50 times already if he wanted to. I think he’s waiting for Johnny to come back around.
More bits of Rumors-filled gold.
Yankees In “Serious Talks” With Hairston
By Mike Axisa [January 9 at 7:04pm CST]
The Yankees are in serious talks with free agent utility man Jerry Hairston Jr., according to a tweet by ESPN’s Chris Singleton. New York has “serious interest” in Hairston, and would use him to spell Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez, as well as possibility platoon in left.
Last night we heard that their were five teams interested in Hairston, who’s hit .281/.343/.432 in 730 plate appearances over the last two seasons while playing six positions.
Yankees in serious talks with Hairston (MLBTR).
Apparently, one of Brackman’s problems was that he was listening to too many people. Whenever Nardi would go down there, he’d pitch better and he’d pitched well in Hawaii before that. This past season he just got out of whack and too many people came to him with solutions.
They ended up taking away his change and throwing him in the pen where he dominated. They gave him back his change in instructs and it was much better. I’m sure his PC will have a very strict “owners manual” this season. When he’s right, he’s dominant and his fastball and curve are both plus.
Brackman is garbage and always has been garbage. Comparing him to Randy Johnson is scarcely better than looking at some bookish looking 6-footer with an 89 mph fastball and seeing Greg Maddux.
He has absolutely nothing except height and velocity (and even that was not as high as reported). You can’t build a pitcher out of a body. Even if Randy Johnson had his flaws in his early career, he still had a billion more things going for him and he performed well.
GB7. you have scooped me twice in a row.
Sign hairston, sign Damon to a deal similar to Vlads (5 Million + incentives)..done..watch out MLB.
don’t sign Hairston.
Love this signing for the Yanks, Hairston’s a good fit.
IF they sign Hairston them I love it if its as a utility guy. I don’t like it at all of its to be Gardners Platoon partner. I don’t think it would be.
Hairston will be great for our bench
I still think Cashman will bring in a LF via a trade
He has absolutely nothing except height and velocity (and even that was not as high as reported). You can’t build a pitcher out of a body. Even if Randy Johnson had his flaws in his early career, he still had a billion more things going for him and he performed well.
–
Brackman had a plus curve and a plus fastball.
Then hire Hairston as a coach. He sucks defensively and offensively, and we don’t need to use any of our precious budget on that.
“I am going to give you a gold star and a cookie!”
Will that turn into a black mark and a HISSSS when you find out you got served a big plate of false hope?
Hairston doesn’t suck any more than Reed Johnson does (probably less) and can backup nearly position on the diamond.
Nick in SF on BART
January 9th, 2010 at 8:36 pm
“I am going to give you a gold star and a cookie!”
Will that turn into a black mark and a HISSSS when you find out you got served a big plate of false hope?
**********************
Here’s an evening story for you Mr Nick-
Many years ago, I was in a card store with my sister, Hope who was 4 at the time. Hope picked up a candy bar and started begging me to buy it for her. I didn’t have enough money with me for it (I was 11 at the time) and started yelling “No Hope, No” over her begging cries. And old man (GB7?????) comes over to me and says “Excuse me young lady, but there is always hope”
Nick, come on man I wanted my star and cookie. Life is better when you have hope.
Phil the Thrill
“Then hire Hairston as a coach. He sucks defensively and offensively, and we don’t need to use any of our precious budget on that.”
You try find the perfect bench guy that is A+ offensively and A+ defenively…there is no such player, some yankee fans are muppets
And Elvis Costello sang “there is hope and after that there is only faith”.
I think that old man was a Mets fan.
blake
January 9th, 2010 at 8:42 pm
Nick, come on man I wanted my star and cookie. Life is better when you have hope.
************
Don’t listen to Nick. He has selfish, monetary motives when Damon is concerned
Dr Mustard
January 9th, 2010 at 8:43 pm
Phil the Thrill
“Then hire Hairston as a coach. He sucks defensively and offensively, and we don’t need to use any of our precious budget on that.”
You try find the perfect bench guy that is A+ offensively and A+ defenively…there is no such player, some yankee fans are muppets
****************
People never seem to grasp the concept that if a player hit .300 and 20 home runs, they would not be bench players…….
Let’s direct our selfless hope towards the Yanks bringing CM Wang back.
Nick in SF on BART
January 9th, 2010 at 8:51 pm
Let’s direct our selfless hope towards the Yanks bringing CM Wang back.
*****************
Activating Erica’s selfish, monetary motices…..
Although, I have always been a giant CMW fan and still think he has lots of baseball wins ahead of him, I just don’t see it happening in a Yankee uniform. I don’t know why but the Yankees have always seemed to treat him like a black sheep
Would love to see CMW back…but he seems down on the Yankees, As long as he dont end up on the Redsox then good luck to him
Hisssss
Keep hope alive.
And go Cal Bears!
The point isn’t that he’s not a good player, the point is that we have a budget and he can be replace by Pena and others from the system. We shouldn’t be spending any of our precious budget on poor players we can just replace from the minors.
Does Vlads contract set the market for Damon? Both are about the same age, both can sorta play the outfield but not very well anymore. I don’t see how Damon could expect to get much more than what Vlad does..
blake
January 9th, 2010 at 9:03 pm
Does Vlads contract set the market for Damon? Both are about the same age, both can sorta play the outfield but not very well anymore. I don’t see how Damon could expect to get much more than what Vlad does..
*************
I think that is a very fair and correct assumption
Phil the Thrill
Since when is an bench player who can hit about .260 avg 10 hrs steal a base and play the whole field a poor player?
Precious budget LOL
Dr. Mustard,
I didn’t make the budget. He’s a terrible defender and we can replace him for millions less with better D.
Phil, I doubt Hairston would cost enough that it would affect their other plans significantly.
Hairston has hit 10 homers once in his career and that was in just about 400 at bats. Without an injury, he won’t get close to that.
Russo and Pena are our only internal options….Pena would be better starting the year in AAA to develop more
And Russo is un-proven
You can forget Nunez and Corona they have got no show,how they got on the 40man is beyond me
blake,
the numbers being floated today were 2-3M for 1 year,
I HATE the Jets, but I will say this: any team that thinks they’re going to pick up a first down by running the ball on third-and-short against them is nuts.
They’re run defense is first rate.
Dr Mustard
January 9th, 2010 at 9:19 pm
Russo and Pena are our only internal options….Pena would be better starting the year in AAA to develop more
And Russo is un-proven
You can forget Nunez and Corona they have got no show,how they got on the 40man is beyond me
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have you ever seem them play? Corona’s nothing special, but, Nunez is pretty good. As far as Pena, there’s nothing left for him to prove in the minors.
If the Jets don’t cut out the cheap penalties, they won’t be playing after next week.
Phil, unless they are interested in Hairston to be Gardners Platoon partner (which I doubt) then they will still likely pursue another LFer, so I don’t think they would sign him if it were going to affect that.
Corona’s a good player and gets on base.
Nunez is a talented player who doesn’t take his walks.
“Would love to see CMW back…but he seems down on the Yankees, As long as he dont end up on the Redsox then good luck to him”
Probably not so much down on the Yankees as he is up on being in a place where he can crack a rotation with greater ease.
“If the Jets don’t cut out the cheap penalties, they won’t be playing after next week.”
Probably won’t be playing after next week either way.
The only position that Corona can play is 2nd base. He’s a complete hack anywhere else and in 6 years has only shown anything with the bat in Charleston and somewhat in Trenton. That’s why Seattle sent him back to NY after last year’s Rule 5.
another cold winter day, and another day closer to j. damon (and his agent) facing reality, and signing with us, on reasonable terms, for 1 yr.
A-Rod and Miles Austin look like they could be related.
Yeah, Corona and that awful .397 OBP of his in AA. Nunez’s OBP was 50 points lower, and this was his first sighting since SI.
Mike
I made a comment saying the same thing earlier this week on Lohud!
They both have the orange glow also!
Frank, While being realistic that the Jets probably will not win next week against either possible opponent, anything is possible.
It was only 2 years ago that the Giants had no shot at winning in Dallas, GB, and against the unbeatable Pats.
The Jets have the best run game and defense, and if Mark Sanchez can manage games like he did today and make good decisions, anything can happen.
I will correct GBs comment from earlier. If the referees do not cut out calling cheap and unfair penalties against the Jets, they probably will not be playing after next week.
It’s nice to see the best cornerback in the game (maybe aside from Woodson) get called for penalties in which it was more likely that penalties were committed against him.
Ty Law of the Pats and Deion Sanders would not have been as good as they were if they got cheated like that.
Ty Law is partly responsible for the Colts only havng 1 Super Bowl. With all of Ty’s illegal contacts and defensive holdings that were not called, as the “rule emphasis” by the NFL had not happened yet.
The “rule emphasis” of those 2 rules was in direct response to Law and the Patriots, and their acts against the Colts on repeated occasions.
Well, the Yankees obviously think Hairston is a pretty valuable piece to their team. I’m sure they are looking at him as a utility player and not a platoon OF – and if that’s the case, I’m very glad to have him. They have no problem giving the backup C job to Cervelli, so clearly they like him. If they aren’t just giving the job to Pena, what does that tell you? It tells you that they don’t think he’s necessarily good enough to start the season with them. It tells you that they don’t want to start the season with Pena or Nunez or Corona. Clearly, the Yankees are not necessarily enamored with ALL kids that come through their system.
Frank
The way to beat a guy like Brady or Peyton is to get them out of their comfort zone. Put pressure on them, make them have to move out of the pocket. The Jets have the best cornerback in the game, and the best defense in the game.
The Jets blitz on something like 70% of their plays, so if they can make Peyton (if that is the opponent) taste turf and rattle him…
Again, anything can happen.
______
On a side note, LOL @ McNabb!!!! Why is Donovan not picking up the telephones on the Cowboys’ sidelines?!?!
Betsy,
It tells me that they’re gonna be inefficient with their budget, if the numbers I heard are true.
Cash is really starting to disappoint me.
“People never seem to grasp the concept that if a player hit .300 and 20 home runs, they would not be bench players…….”
That’s why you grow your own.
“The Jets blitz on something like 70% of their plays, so if they can make Peyton (if that is the opponent) taste turf and rattle him”
They didn’t lay a hand on Manning last time out. He was on his way to an easy 300 yards and win #15 before Caldwell went the forfeiture route.
Certainly no doubt that anything can happen, but the next opponent is going to be a much heavier article than anything the Jets have faced in weeks (save the Colts for 2.5 quarters in Indy). The QB won’t panic, both teams have a TE the Jets can’t cover, and the defenses are tough to hide your QB against.
We’ll see. It’s all gravy for the Jets from here. The season is an unmitigated success right now.
Phil, it just tells me the Yankees disagree with you on this particular player.
Rich, wow. After the off-season he’s had, you’re disappointed in Cashman….and this coming off of a WS?
Betsy
I had to leave for work earlier today, and when I got back I wanted to give you the link to Ken Rosenthal hunch about the Halladay trade he threw out before it happened. I found it IF you care to check the link,it’s the 7th thread down when the page opens. He had to have inside information, it was too accurate to be a guess.
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2009/12/page/28/
McNabb!
McNabb just threw himself on the ground looking for a 15 yard penalty.
If this were hockey, he’d have himself a diving penalty.
Pick up the opposing sidelines telephone Nabby!
Paul, I’m not questioning you; I remember the article and what he wrote. In it, I’m sure Rosenthal said he had no inside information, just that he had a hunch that this could make sense for all teams. At the time, I thought he was out of his gourd……
Frank
You say the season is a success as it is right now. I do not disagree, but I do not think Sexy Rexy says that his team should be favored as an act. I believe he says it because he believes it.
I did not see the first half of that Colts game, bud didn’t the Colts only have 9 points through the 1st half?
You say the QB will not panic or be rattled. Tom Brady may not have panic (ed) (which I never said btw), but he did get rattled all game long against the Giants in that SB. Also, Peyton has been rattled before, and by lesser New England defenses than the current Jets defense.
In response to “hiding your QB against either defenses”, when you have the best run game and the best defense, if your QB can manage the game effectively, that is not hiding the QB. Mark Sanchez can make throws when he needs to. But he has to be put in manageable down and distances, and not have to or decide to force the issue. Mark Sanchez has the goods, just not the experience or decision making yet. But his decision making in this game today was 1st class.
He made excellent throws today, all day long, in the cold weather.
He had something like 3 incompletions, and 1 was to a wide open Edwards in the endzone. 1 other was a minor deflection that went right into the chest of Dustin Keller in which he dropped. (Keller and Edwards are known to have the dropsies)
Betsy
“Rich, wow. After the off-season he’s had, you’re disappointed in Cashman….and this coming off of a WS?”
Of course, he’s not sacrosanct. To the contrary, he’s fallible, and when I think he is making a mistake, I can’t ignore it.
Good for Tony Romo!
That kid deserves this!
The garbage he has gotten for the teams past failures has been uncalled for.
He lost to the GMen en route to the Giants SB XLII!
What’s not to like about him!
He has a great attitude, respectful of the game and opponents, and not an arrogant *** like McNabby!
“You say the QB will not panic or be rattled. Tom Brady may not have panic (ed) (which I never said btw), but he did get rattled all game long against the Giants in that SB”
He was, but the Giants were better defense than the Jets, especially up front. They didn’t have to blitz to get pressure. Jets have to blitz to get pressure and having Revis allows them to do it and not suffer in terms of coverage. But if the QB has a high end slot guy or tight end to fall back on (Welker, Clark, Gates, etc) the Jets can be moved on pretty easily.
As for Sanchez, he did have a really good game today. He may end up being pretty good. But he isn’t yet.
“say the QB will not panic or be rattled. Tom Brady may not have panic (ed) (which I never said btw), but he did get rattled all game long against the Giants in that SB”
And what I was also saying, is that there wasn’t a second in Indy when Manning was rattled against the Jets. They never got near him. The Jets did rattle that high school kid, but not Manning.
“They didn’t have to blitz to get pressure. Jets have to blitz to get pressure and having Revis allows them to do it and not suffer in terms of coverage.”
Agreed.
“But if the QB has a high end slot guy or tight end to fall back on (Welker, Clark, Gates, etc) the Jets can be moved on pretty easily.”
Agreed again. But if you are able to recognize that, then I’m sure Rex Ryan recognizes that, and will attempt to make successful adjustments.
Regarding the Chargers, I know nothing about their team this year (I do know that when the going gets tough, the undeserving nicknamed LT does not get going!).
“The garbage he has gotten for the teams past failures has been uncalled for.
He lost to the GMen en route to the Giants SB XLII!”
He had it coming. Loss in Seattle was totally on him. Gotta handle that snap.
Giants game was a group effort as the Cowboys were able to move the ball at will on the ground but beat themselves with penalties and mistakes, but Romo was awful in that game too.
Good to see him do well here though. Pokes play in Minnesota next week?
“And what I was also saying, is that there wasn’t a second in Indy when Manning was rattled against the Jets. They never got near him. The Jets did rattle that high school kid, but not Manning.”
I did not see it, but if they did not get any pressure on Manning and we still held them to 9 points in the first half IIRC, then I’d take that as a good sign.
As I think I mentioned in my previous post, I’m sure Rex will make adjustments. Football, as other sports are, is a game of adjustments.
All I was saying, is that it is possible for the Jets to pressure him and potentially rattle him. It’s been done many times before (by less skilled and athletic Pats defenses) and can be done again.
The high school kid? You mean the Pee Wee League kid!
Frank
I was just saying that stuff about Romo because I like him as a non arrogant person and all around good guy (the anti Donovan McNabb).
Whether or not he deserves blame for the Giants or Seahawks loss, I do not know. But I do know, he is a classier human being than that scumbag McNabb could ever dream of being.
Eagles fans will be calling for Mcnabbs job again
Yep. Minnesota. I can see the Boys winning that game. If they can maintain Adrian and put pressure on Favre and force him into making poor decisions…
I dont know anything about the Vikings defense, though.
Frank
Since it’s obvious you know a lot about football…
Do you think that the Chargers should be able to beat the Pats (especially sans Welker)? If it comes to that, of course.
And by beat, I mean dominate… so I do not need to have any more pressure on my chest hoping for the Patriots to lose.
“Cash is really starting to disappoint me.”
Rich,
You disappoint me because you sound just like some other naysayers around here when Cashman doesn’t do exactly what they wanted him to do.
“Of course, he’s not sacrosanct. To the contrary, he’s fallible, and when I think he is making a mistake, I can’t ignore it.”
It might be a mistake, but it’s a small one when looking at the big picture. I still think he’s signing somebody else for LF despite Hairston. However, Hairston’s signing isn’t confirmed so let’s be careful with the criticism for the moment.
“I dont know anything about the Vikings defense, though.”
Its pretty darn good at times. If they were playing in Dallas then I think the Boys would have a shot but in Minnesota I kinda doubt it. The Eagles don’t have anywhere close to the weapons the Vikings do offensively.
I dont see Andy Reid jumping up and down doing side bumps with McNabb?
Why not?
Maybe Andy Reid can his short playoff appearance as an opportunity to try and learn himself, and teach McNabb how to handle himself with some class.
Wait, maybe he should start by trying to teach his own criminal son to act with dignity first.
Congrats Rhapsody. Maybe this shellacking will teach Reid the err of his ways! Probably not, but it’s still nice to bask in this woodshed whipping of Nabby!
Tony Romo not arrogant, is news to me! He sure doesn’t know how to respect women.
“Tony Romo not arrogant, is news to me! He sure doesn’t know how to respect women.”
How has he disrespected women? Did he verbally or physically abuse any woman? Did he abandon a woman that was pregnant with his child?
crawdaddy
No, he did not. He is not Tom Brady! And I do not believe he cheated on a wife like Tom Brady’s mentor, Belicheat!
Bridget Monaghan (sp??) was at SB XLII to root against Brady IIRC!
My new favorite actress from that point on!
“Do you think that the Chargers should be able to beat the Pats (especially sans Welker)? If it comes to that, of course.”
I do think the Patriots find a way to win tomorrow. They’re 8-0 at home and the Ravens are 1-6 vs. playoff teams.
IMO, the Chargers thrash whoever they play in the divisional round. For my money, AFC is pretty clear cut. Indy and San Diego then everyone else. Unlike the NFC where it seems a crapshoot.
BTW, I don’t know anymore about football than you or anyone else here. I watch a lot, but I’m merely expressing my thoughts based on what I see with an untrained eye.
“crawdaddy
No, he did not. He is not Tom Brady!”
Let me make my self a little clearer. I don’t agree with your constant Boston paranoia. As long as Brady takes care of his kid financially and accepts his parental role to that child then I don’t have a problem with Brady for not marrying that actress. Apparently, he was in love with somebody else and eventually married her which is his right to do.
cr9 just shut up ur crazy u need help o and stop changing names we know ur jim pir 1
CR9 — some of us actually like McNabb. Some of us know how to write without hate, venom and insanity seeping in. Maybe it’s time to take another break. You are polluting the water and you’re not fun to read.
So watayasay, Colts all the way or what, guys?
crawdaddy
What’s the alternative? I don’t like the move.
crawdaddy
“It might be a mistake, but it’s a small one when looking at the big picture. I still think he’s signing somebody else for LF despite Hairston. However, Hairston’s signing isn’t confirmed so let’s be careful with the criticism for the moment.”
You’re right. He may not sign Hairston and may still sign Chapman.
But if that’s what happens, I would be disappointed.
So I stand corrected and will amend my verb tense.
I lived in Syracuse during the time McNabb was @S.U., and I can tell you one thing: he is a class act.
An absolute class act.
“From 1990 to 1992, Randy Johnson led the American League in walks three years in a row. In 1991 he ranked fourth, in 1992 he ranked eighth, and he never again finished in the top 10.”
There’s a typo in there somewhere, right? Because otherwise, that makes no sense at all. He obviously didn’t walk so many in 1991 that he both led the league AND finished 4th. Same problem with 1992.
Nick in SF……Your Cal-Berkley Bears are primed to make their run…..Both NFL games are looking tough…..Packers and New England would be my picks…..New England line is all over the place, anywhere from 2 to 4…..
good morning folks,
its still cold, and we’re still waiting out j. damon and his agent. he is a day closer to seeing the light, smelling the roses, smelling the coffee, and coming to reality. 1 yr, reasonable, respectful terms……
I have a tip for Brackman and others like him, take up ballet. The balance and graceful movements required would help him get in tune with keeping that gangly body under control during his pitching delivery. Many NFL players have done this, Warren Sapp etc.
Fox reports Jeter engaged to Minka. Wedding to be two days after the end of the coming WS.
http://riveraveblues.com/
nice article about brett gardner at rab
they do some very nice breakdowns
Of greater concern is Gardner’s approach at the plate. We want Brett Gardner to be swinging at strikes and taking pitches out of the strike zone. As simple and obvious as that sounds, that is one of the more challenging tasks a hitter faces. Chris Harihar at iYankees ran the numbers and found that Gardner seems to have a good batting eye:
According to FanGraphs’ plate discipline data, Gardner swung at only 17.2% of the pitches that he saw off the plate. Believe it or not, when compared to eagle-eyed sluggers like Nick Swisher, Mark Teixeira, Alex Rodriguez, and Hideki Matsui, Gardner actually swung at fewer pitches outside of the zone than any other player on the Yankees. Interestingly though, while Gardner did not swing at balls, he also did not swing at many strikes. Last season, the speedy outfielder swung at 50.7% of the pitches thrown to him that were in the strike zone (the team average was 64.6%). The percentage stands as the lowest in-the-zone swing mark of any Yankee last season. All in all, Gardner swung at 34% of the pitches he saw, which was, again, the lowest percentage of all the club’s hitters…
In addition, when actually swinging at pitches that were either in or out of the strike zone, in 2009, Gardner was actually very good at making contact. When swinging at a ball, the left/center fielder was rather Cano-esque, making contact 75.5% of the time. Furthermore, when swinging at a strike, Gardner made contact 91.9% of the time.
So here we begin to see the problem. Gardner has a very good eye for pitches outside of the strike zone but he seems to be a bit too discerning with pitches inside the zone. He took a lot of strikes — nearly half of them in fact — and seems to have earned a reputation as a player who will take too many pitches.
In the end, we see that Gardner’s reputation as a looker isn’t undeserved, but he’s not quite a strike out machine. For him to succeed in 2010, he’ll have to keep that K rate where it was last year or at least where it averages out for his career. If he’s striking out 21.3 percent of the time as we he was in 2008, he will have to be walking a lot more, but if he can strike out around 16 percent of the time and swing at a few more pitches within the zone while maintaining his contact rate, he could be an effective nine hitter and a speed threat on the bases.
the above is copied & pasted from rab
very nice article
Bru, that is a nice breakdown. I think a lot of the reason Gardner takes so many pitchs has to do with inexperience and him trying to fill his role. He knows he’s supposed to get in base and hes trying to work the count. With more playing time and confidence he would likely get more aggresive at pitches in the zone.
“What’s the alternative? I don’t like the move.”
Rich,
I don’t like the move either if true, but if it happens and Cashman still signs another OF that can hit lefty pitching and play good defense then I can live with it.
Obviously, if Cashman does sign Hairston then he values him more than you and I. Why? Some of us think that though he plays a multiple positions, he doesn’t play them particularly well. Perhaps the Yankees have some kind of defensive metrics that counters such an opinion or that they view his limited time playing those different positions won’t hurt the Yankees enough to warrant a better defensive option.
Anyhow, if the Yankees utilize him more as a utility infielder then I’m more accepting of the move, but still think Pena can do the same thing at a lower cost. Let’s hope it’s his agent linking stuff to help his negotiating position with other ballclubs.
blake
i agree
the tough thing will be as the article says it to swing at more strikes while continuing to lay off the pitches outside the zone & get on base enough too satisfy cashman & jg
we discussed this here i believe about him taking too many strikes i believe & now rab confirms that with actual data
If they are looking at Hairston as a utlility infielder that can play outfield as well then I like the move because he backs up so many positions with one player.
I don’t think they would sign Hairston as a guy to play LF against lefties and I don’t think this move would keep them from signing another LFer to either replace or platoon with Gardner.
Apparently The Post had a reporter go to the Oheka Castle in Huntington LI to try and “book a wedding” and saw Jeter’s name on the calander set for an early Novemeber wedding. 2 days after game 7 of the 2010 World Series.
Normally I’d say that’s crazy but if this turns out true, I think Jeter is the one guy that could win a championship and then get married a few days later.
Canyon of Heroes in the morning and get hitched at 5PM? That’s a memorable day.
MackG
January 10th, 2010 at 8:52 am
I have a tip for Brackman and others like him, take up ballet. The balance and graceful movements required would help him get in tune with keeping that gangly body under control during his pitching delivery. Many NFL players have done this, Warren Sapp etc.
====
It’s not a bad idea, however, it really is more of a boon to wideouts and CBs. Al Toon trained to great effect (great leaping ability was enhanced).
I would say, for a pitcher, the Alexander Technique or Feldenkrais would be much, much more valuable. The thing is, if one’s effectiveness is the result of a kind of mis-use of the body, then there’s a certain risk involved, but overall, these are marvelous, unrivalled approaches for athletes and performance artists.
Ballet dancers actually use Alexander to help themselves, because dance can get you into certain problems (one is being “pulled up” in the chest unnaturally).
Qi gong and yoga are also great (but they are both enhanced greatly by using Alexander or Feldenkrais).
The key would be for any athlete considering either Alexander or Feldenkrais to undertake them in the offseason. They radically change everything – I know someone who couldn’t even brush his teeth (and that was a good thing, he had “unlearned” the “wrong” way to use himself for this mundane act).
NY Post reporting Jeter wedding set for Nov. 5. Reception at Oheka Castle in Huntington, LI.
Melancon is a yoga practitioner, BTW.
NY Post reporting Jeter wedding set for Nov. 5. Reception at Oheka Castle in Huntington, LI.
******************************
Actually the NY Post Page 6 reported on New Years Day that the Jeter family had gone to some Caribbean Island and it was believed to be for Derek’s wedding.
JimmyH
January 10th, 2010 at 9:42 am
NY Post reporting Jeter wedding set for Nov. 5. Reception at Oheka Castle in Huntington, LI.
*********
Not buying it. Seems way too close to the expected end of the postseason.
Fran (the original) and OPPC member
January 10th, 2010 at 9:59 am
NY Post reporting Jeter wedding set for Nov. 5. Reception at Oheka Castle in Huntington, LI.
******************************
Actually the NY Post Page 6 reported on New Years Day that the Jeter family had gone to some Caribbean Island and it was believed to be for Derek’s wedding.
**************************
Hmmmm…maybe they’re already married and keeping it secret.
“Despite having a productive season, Johnny Damon acknowledges that he’s expecting to take a pay cut. Right now though, he isn’t willing to slice his earnings in half, which is what he’d be doing if he accepted a deal worth $6-7MM annually, after making $13MM in each of the last four years. Is returning to the Bronx still a possibility for Damon? “I don’t know. I haven’t had any conversations with them recently. Nothing would surprise me, but there’s nothing there right now.” (MLBTR)
Translation..I’m going to give Agent Evil a little while longer to do his thing, then I’m going to call the Yankees and say lets work something out because if I’m going to have to take a pay cut it might as well be in a stadium where I can hit 20-25 HR’s.
Fran, good morning!
I emailed you again with a slight change of plans, so be sure to check your email – sorry!
In light of the Jeter news or rumor this could solve some lineup headaches. the yankees should now start Pena in place of Jeter moving Jete to the bench. Strengthens the bench and conserves his strength which he may need for the rest of his career. Gives us the righty bat. Could play virtually any infield slot respectably and could be a reasonable platoon for gardner in lf. Do it Girardi and crew it is the answer.
It would be like Jeter to get married in secret and not tell anybody. He knows how to avoid the firestorm.
“Talks between Felix Hernandez and the Mariners are “getting serious” and there’s a chance that they could work out a long-term deal before the season begins.” (MLBTR)
Don’t sign it Felix!
blake
January 10th, 2010 at 10:54 am
“Despite having a productive season, Johnny Damon acknowledges that he’s expecting to take a pay cut. Right now though, he isn’t willing to slice his earnings in half, which is what he’d be doing if he accepted a deal worth $6-7MM annually, after making $13MM in each of the last four years. Is returning to the Bronx still a possibility for Damon? “I don’t know. I haven’t had any conversations with them recently. Nothing would surprise me, but there’s nothing there right now.” (MLBTR)
Translation..I’m going to give Agent Evil a little while longer to do his thing, then I’m going to call the Yankees and say lets work something out because if I’m going to have to take a pay cut it might as well be in a stadium where I can hit 20-25 HR’s.
***************
Have I mentioned I really like the way you think?
blake
January 10th, 2010 at 10:57 am
It would be like Jeter to get married in secret and not tell anybody. He knows how to avoid the firestorm.
*********************
That’s what I’m thinking. It wouldn’t surprise me in the least if it eventually leaks that they are in fact married. I have to admit though, a part of me hopes that he never gets married. A girl’s gotta dream.
Hi Betsy,
Got your message. No problem. That’s fine.
I could see Derek getting married and not tell anyone. I also hear Oheka Castle is beautiful so I could see him getting married there but I don’t think they would put his real name in the book for all to see.
Fran (the original) and OPPC member
January 10th, 2010 at 11:18 am
I could see Derek getting married and not tell anyone. I also hear Oheka Castle is beautiful so I could see him getting married there but I don’t think they would put his real name in the book for all to see
****************
One of my friends had a May wedding booked there, but he just called the wedding off. Its beautiful.
Hi Fran
Thanks!
Let’s hope the crazy Hairston report is being circulated in order to force Damon to make a quick deal.
Erica,
Is that the castle in Huntington?
Rich,
I guess I’m behind in posts. What is the crazy Hairston report being circulated?
Fran (the original) and OPPC member
January 10th, 2010 at 11:27 am
Erica,
Is that the castle in Huntington?
*********
Yes
they could sign Hairston and Damon and if they are 1 year deals then it wouldn’t affect their flexibility for next year. They are more likely to stretch the budget a little of its for 2010 only IMO.
Also, the spending doesn’t look as bad if its to bring back their own players.
Weddings are usually booked in the brides name.
Is Derek’s sister married?
pat
January 10th, 2010 at 11:41 am
Weddings are usually booked in the brides name.
Is Derek’s sister married?
***********************
I don’t believe so, but I’m not 100% sure.
Bru: I like that breakdown of Gardner and this seems to make a lot of sense. he will need to be aggressive when ahead in the count sometimes.
Crawdaddy and Rich in NJ, I am with you on Hairston. I would much rather have Pena for less money plus and I feel better against righties and a better defender everywhere (except possibly OF where Hairston is not good but Pena has not played). Pena is also a better hitter against righties so if he is needed to play you have a better offensive and defensive option 2/3 of the time compared to 1/3 of the time you have only a better offensive option. Finally, I think Pena is a better baserunner.
Rich, you are also correct that you can like Cashman and like his moves but still be correct in saying he made a mistake. I am not sure why people can’t grasp this fact. Girardi handled the bullpen a lot better than Torre, but he still made some head scratching moves at times.
Fran
“Rich,
I guess I’m behind in posts. What is the crazy Hairston report being circulated?”
That they are in “serious” negotiations with him.
Thanks, GM
Rich,
I would like to see Hairston back as a bench player/back-up. But not as the starting LF.
Maybe that would like Pena to get playing time in AAA rather than sit in the bench and play occasionly for the Yankees.
i dont think we need to waste money on hairston
pena is 24 yrs old & has nothing to learn in AAA
cervelli is our backup.pena can also be
pena & cervelli didn’t hit that well in the minors but proved many wrong about using minor league stats as an indication
we should go with gardner & if we need to add a player at the deadline we can
he might prove us all wrong
unless we really upgrade with a greatlf wich is what i would of done
“pena & cervelli didn’t hit that well in the minors but proved many wrong about using minor league stats as an indication”
How exactly did they do that?
“Maybe that would like Pena to get playing time in AAA rather than sit in the bench and play occasionly for the Yankees”
Maybe. I think good utility guy is probably his ceiling so far as MLB goes. A Scutaro-lite type.
Gardner doesn’t case bad pitches, and makes above average contact on the pitches he does swing at, which he should increase.
I don’t “like” the look of his swing, either, but that sounds to me like a set of tools that can be worked with…
Whether it be Hairston, Pena, or Russo, this will be the year where Girardi feels safe in removing Jeter, and Arod from the lineup when the team is holding a substantial late game lead to rest their legs.
The same will apply with Cervelli replacing Posada but also in day games following night games.
Nick Johnson can also fill in for Teixeira at 1st base on occasion and not hurt the team at the position.
According to MLBTR Aroldis Chapman signed with an unknown NL team, for 30mm for a raw product, wow!. A good guess Marlins, Mets, Dodgers?
i see some problems with cervelli behind the plate. people here were constantly complaining about molina’s hitting, now hes being replaced by a guy who has not established himself as a hitter at the mlb level and he’s going to get irregular play behind posada. it is possible the he could beome a total zero with the stick.
i think the yankees will be alright with this, after all they won the WS with moina, but it could get pretty rough in the stands and in the media every time he goes ofer and the yankees lose.
I’d say Mets overpaid for Chapman, Minaya isn’t exactly known for frugal spending…
According to MLBTR Aroldis Chapman signed with an unknown NL team, for 30mm for a raw product, wow!. A good guess Marlins, Mets, Dodgers?
———————————————————
Here’s the link. If he left from the Ft lauderdale airport that sorta rules out the Marlins.
http://twitter.com/JeffPassan/status/7598662943
At $30 million, I’m glad that they Yankees stayed out of the bidding. Thats too much money to risk on someone who has pitched so little and against such poor competition. If he pans out the Yankees can sign him in 6-7 years as a free agent.
I am floored that someone dropped 30 million for Chapman.
That is one very happy Cuban refugee. 30 mil for never having thrown a single pitch in pro ball.
wow, 30m, for how long? my money is on the mets, nobody who has any money needs pitching more.
Day game after night game. Facing Johan at Shea.
Alex and Posada available for pinch hitting
GTLU ®Erica
Jeter SS
Cano 2b
Swish rf
Tex 1b
Hoffmann rf
Granderson cf
Cervelli c
Pena 3b
Joba P
That is one ugly line-up.
Minaya = Mozeliak (Gm Stl) bad judgement!
“If he pans out the Yankees can sign him in 6-7 years as a free agent.”
If a team spent that much, why wouldn’t they at least buyout some of his FA years? Other teams have money to spend. We are seeing that now.
tarheel, you dont build a roster based on how the lineup will look the 3x (maybe) you mihgt have a day game after a night game vs. a nl team. 90% of the time you are inserting arod or posada or at least nick the stick in at dh.
At least other teams were in on Chapman, Mozeliak was even more of an idiot, no other team was within $50M of the contract he offered Holliday, and this was AFTER Bay had signed. Beyond stupid. Good luck with Albert’s extension now.
On twitter.com/Jeff Passan , for Yahoo Sports, doesn’t say how many years.
and why wouldnt they just leave swisher in at rf and put nick johnson at 1b?
o yeah u left tex at 1b sorry
$30M? That’ll pay for lots and lots and lots of strippers.
Pure lunacy.
If a team spent that much, why wouldn’t they at least buyout some of his FA years? Other teams have money to spend. We are seeing that now.
—————————————————-
If Chapman’s people were smart they probably limited the term of the contract to the years before he becomes a free agent. Also, the team that signed him might want to limit it also…especially if its a major league deal. Major league deals count against the luxury tax.
$30M to a kid with questionable makeup at best is a fantastic investment. [/sarcasm]
the night before the ‘day game after a night game vs. johan’ you are facing niese or pelfrey or somesuch so you put cervelli behind the plate and maybe give tex 1/2 day off at dh so the ‘day after’ you have some firepower.
Ham
Ok. Insert Johnson for Joba. Still ugly.
Cervelli, Pena, Hoffman/Gardner, Grandy and Swish does not instill a lot of confidence. Especially against lefties.
I will say this: if it’s the Nationals, combine him w/Strasburg and draft Bryce Harper next yr and you have some incredible young talent.
“If Chapman’s people were smart they probably limited the term of the contract to the years before he becomes a free agent. ”
Even if they did, if he is doing well and happy where he is, he would probably want to re-sign.
vb03
St Louis is already asking Pujols for a hometown discount, after throwing money at a guy they had for 2 months. Pujols should go to FA and see what he can get, imo!
Jeff Passan, was on a local STL sports show. When Doug Vaughn brought up the hometown discount, and if he thought it was possible, Passan answered, PAY HIM!!
Let’s be careful about taking this tweeter report as accurate. Over on RAB, they stated the tweeter account was established just 30 minutes prior to the report.
This might be bogus!?
Even if they did, if he is doing well and happy where he is, he would probably want to re-sign.
——————————————————-
“happy where he is”
That goes for all players…but interesting enough every year there are dozens who test the free agent waters. Are there that many palyers who aren’t “happy where they are”?
Cervelli is as good of a defensive catcher as Molina, and, he certainly can’t hit any worse than Molina. The worst thing that happens is that NYYs have a younger and cheaper version of Molina.
Hey !
How about those Patsies !
lol @ the Patriots.
don’t know why anyone looked past Baltimore.
jets will be traveling to SanDiego
How could Randy Johnson “lead the leage in walks three years in a row” from 1990 – 1992, but rank 4th in 1991 and 8th in 1992? That makes no sense.
well, if the Pats lose then Pete can go back to posting ad nauseum about Adrian Beltre.
vinny-b,
It is fun watching the Patriots implode.
GreenBeret7
January 10th, 2010 at 1:16 pm
Cervelli is as good of a defensive catcher as Molina, and, he certainly can’t hit any worse than Molina. The worst thing that happens is that NYYs have a younger and cheaper version of Molina.
………..
This will be Cervelli’s 3rd spring of tutelage under Tony Pena and Kevin Long will give him extra attention in the batting cage.
A crack in Damon’s armor?
According to Nick Cafardo,(B. Globe)
Damon acknowledges that he is expecting to take a pay cut. Right now he’s not willing to slice his earnings in half.
He was asked if returning to the Bronx still a possibility. He said he didn’t know, hasn’t recently had any conversation,nothing would surprise him, but nothing there right now.
“That goes for all players…but interesting enough every year there are dozens who test the free agent waters. Are there that many players who aren’t ‘happy where they are’?”
_____________________________________
I think there’s a saying — and one all the more appropriate given the surface the game is played on.
on Johnny Damon:
============================
4. Within Cafardo’s notebook, Johnny Damon never says never to a return to the Yankees. Some executives with other teams are absolutely convinced that Damon will wind up back with the Yankees, but for that to happen, he’ll have to take a major financial hit. Meanwhile, the Yankees assume Damon won’t come back. So if Damon wants to go back to New York, he’ll probably have to pick up the phone to make it happen, and soon.
http://insider.espn.go.com/esp.....ney_buster
GB,
How are you feeling?
Cervelli certainly showed he can handle the back-up role. The pitchers liked his game calling as well.
jpb1973
I keep thinking Kei Igawa money! I watched him pitch on youtube before he defected, I didn’t see 30m!
vinny-b (NJ and Granderson – thank you Cashman!)
January 10th, 2010 at 1:19 pm
lol @ the Patriots.
don’t know why anyone looked past Baltimore.
jets will be traveling to SanDiego
**********************
My brother just called me and told me to turn the game on so I could witness the Patriots making fools of themselves. Love it.
I don’t think Damon is coming back because he would have to swallow too hard in order to accept such a paycut from the Yankees.
Here’s an article that Passan wrote…not much more than was originally tweeted though.
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/ne.....;type=lgns
“It is fun watching the Patriots implode”
———————————————-
fran: yes it is. And listening to their chorus of fans in the backdrop : )
Rishi
January 10th, 2010 at 1:27 pm
on Johnny Damon:
============================
4. Within Cafardo’s notebook, Johnny Damon never says never to a return to the Yankees. Some executives with other teams are absolutely convinced that Damon will wind up back with the Yankees, but for that to happen, he’ll have to take a major financial hit. Meanwhile, the Yankees assume Damon won’t come back. So if Damon wants to go back to New York, he’ll probably have to pick up the phone to make it happen, and soon.
http://insider.espn.go.com/esp…..ney_buster
****************************
Very interesting. I really hope Damon and the Yankees can come to an agreement. At this point, I don’t even know what other team would want him and I can’t picture him playing anywhere else.
21-0
for the board censor: twenty one – zero
Passan speculating it might be the Reds. If he’s a bust that will hurt.
the damon thing is getting pathetic. the yankees wont pay him more than 1/4 of what he wanted, so he should just go find another team to start fresh with. if he comes back at 1yr/$5m (which i’m not sure the yankees would give him anyway) he will look like a total fool.
i know he’s a pro but its not just that he’d have to take a small fraction of what he wants its also that the yankees would have left him hanging for months and then made him come back begging.
don’t degrade yourself johnny, just go somwehere you are wanted.
Erin,
I still think that Damon will wind up back with the Yanks. Haven’t heard any other teams express an interest in him.
The guys on RAB are reporting that Chapman is flying to Cincinnati to sign a 5 year deal. If so, Wow!!!
It looks like Aroldis Chapman is signing a 5 yr 30 MM$ contract probably with the Reds. I think that is a reasonable gamble for them. It would be nice to see the Red put up a competitive team in a few years.
I agree, Erin – it’s all up to what he is willing to do to come back.
Wow! What is with Brady?! This is just so enjoyable to watch. Guess the Jets can start packing for San Diego.
LOL LOL LOL
Tom Brady and the Patriots are getting owned….go the Ravens
A few thoughts I haven’t read through all the comments posted so forgive any repeats.
1. According to the Boston Globe Damon is still looking for 2 years 10 mil per year and the Yankees have no interest in matching that.
2. XM Radio’s baseball show reported this morning that Aroldis Chapman has signed for 30 mil with a yet to be named NL team – speculation is that it’s the Mets or Astros. Depending on the number of years that may be a very good deal
3. Brett Myers has signed with the Astros – 1 year 5 mil
4. The Marlins have reopened talks with Josh Johnson and if they’re willing to go a fourth year a deal will get done.
5. As for the Yankees – I don’t think they’ll sign a veteran middle infielder. They’ll be content to open the season with Ramiro Pena/Reegie Corona and if they find their bench lacking they can make a trade. Middle infielders are always going to be available in the trade market. That said, it wouldn’t shock me if they bring someone in on a minor league deal, but it would take a long term injury to a couple of players for them to activate that player.
“I still think that Damon will wind up back with the Yanks. Haven’t heard any other teams express an interest in him.”
Giants or Braves, that’s my guess.
Money is Damon’s motivator, if he were to return will he produce, having to take a pay cut?
3 count them so far 3 NE Pats turnovers in the 1st quarter.
Fran (the original) and OPPC member
January 10th, 2010 at 1:28 pm
GB,
How are you feeling?
Cervelli certainly showed he can handle the back-up role. The pitchers liked his game calling as well.
————————————————————
How are you, today, Fran? I’m doing well, thank you. getting back to normal…feeling quite crusty.
It was time to start replacing the utility/bench players that did better jobs than the old “name bench” players like Molina. Same goes with others, like Hairston, who really wasn’t all that much last year. Personally, I would have inquired about Bloomquist from KC. A trade of Miltre and maybe $500K or a low level minor leaguer would do it. Bloomquist will make about $1.7 Mil in ’10. KC has 5 outfielders and 6 infielders right now. They get a needed starter, and actually make over $1 mil.
“The guys on RAB are reporting that Chapman is flying to Cincinnati to sign a 5 year deal. If so, Wow!!!”
Which is great because it means smaller teams can still compete in getting IFAs which means the calls for an internation draft will be weaken.
crawdaddy,
But do the Braves need Damon now that they have Melky? If not the Yankees I culd see the Giants.
Wes Welker’s kneee injury = Kryptonite for Tom Brady
Of course I could be very very wrong about Middle Infield – according to ESPN’s Chris Singleton the Yankees and Hairston are close to a deal to bring Jerry back to the Yankees.
Also according to ESPN the O’s are looking to bring in Carlos Delgado and the Cubs are trying to swing a trade for Heath Bell.
GB7 – I agree with you – I would rather have Bloomquist than Hairston.
2. XM Radio’s baseball show reported this morning that Aroldis Chapman has signed for 30 mil with a yet to be named NL team – speculation is that it’s the Mets or Astros. Depending on the number of years that may be a very good deal
a VERY good deal – for the unproven kid who may or may not become a successful mlb pitcher!
I can’t wait to watch the pissy look on Belichick’s face and the dead fish handshake he gives after this game.
Belicheck and Brady are nothing when they cant cheat
Bloomquist is about 1 year younger than Hairston, a much better defender at all infield and outfield spots and when Gardner is playing, he’s an outstanding pinch runner. He’s averaged a little over .270 for the last 3 years.
The Patriots have just been gifted their way back into the game by the refs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Will the Yankees ever sign a LFers..??pfff
The referees did what they had to do again.
And Jim Harbaugh did not bother to challenge it.
Coaches challenge all the time, and for a lot less important plays.
Harbaugh had the ability to waste a challenge (even though it should have been overturned) given a 24 point lead.
My vitriol for the Patriots has just grown exponentially.
I really hope little m is awake.
The “real season” has begun.
And Jim Nantz (Pats fan extraordinaire) is more excited about a TD to go down 24-7 than any of the Ravens TDs.
Harbaugh should have challenged the play. Why give the Patriots any chance to get back into the game?
Will the Yankees ever sign a LFers..??
——————————————–
no rush.
Harbaugh and his staff were asleep at the wheel…100% that gets overturned
Gene Steratore, abusin’ his power as a ref!!!!
Fun to watch ethically flawed referees in action!!!
That’s what you get from the Stanfurd coach’s brother!
Gene Steratore…
Doin’ his part
A Patriot at heart
If the Pat-Riots lose this game, there will be enough salty tears to salt every street and road in New England.
Trivia ANYONE?
There are 3 player in the Majors who are of Native American heritage. One is Joba,Jacoby, who’s the third? The 3rd one may surprise you, because You’ve most likely heard of him.
Navarro?
NO!
CLUE # 1 He’s 31
kyle lohse
Matt Holliday
that rules out Angel Borroa(not funny but Pete would have loved that one)
Ding Ding Ding…..we have a Winah, raymanetic.
Kyle Matthew Lohse, pitcher for the St Louis Cards!