So, what did I miss?
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Feb 08, 2010 
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At some point in the past four months, I got used to writing about baseball every day. Taking seven days off felt … odd. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed the time off, but it took a few days to break the habit of constantly checking email and Twitter and various corners of the Internet.
Now that I’m back, it doesn’t seem that very much has changed.
• I couldn’t help noticing in Jesse’s morning post that Johnny Damon’s name still has this label next to it: (FA). Same for Chien-Ming Wang.
• Still no list of non-roster invitations? I was positive that would come out while I was away. Positive!
• Saturday was Babe Ruth’s birthday. Friday was Hank Aaron’s birthday. That’s a lot of home runs coming from a couple of days in early February.
• One thing I did not miss last week was Nick Swisher on How I Met Your Mother. I thought he did a nice job, and episode was funny, but Jim Nantz stole the show.
As for this morning’s guest post, which of those names do the Yankees miss the most? Would you most want to have Alfonso Soriano back? Bobby Abreu? Johnny Damon? Wil Nieves? Juan Rivera isn’t the best of the bunch, but he would be a nice fit with the current Yankees. A fairly cheap, sort-of young, right-handed corner outfielder with pop would fit pretty well.
Rivera in a landslide. Soriano? Never.
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/.....66005.html
Doesn’t seem like anything but hearsay regarding Tabata being older than his documented/accepted age. Weird that the GM would even address it since it is an unfounded rumor, but then again, I might be too used to Brian Cashman non-answers on issues like these.
The two I would want back the most are the two that are still free agents. Wouldn’t want Soriano back for free to swing at sliders 9 feet outside.
Buddy Biancalana
February 8th, 2010 at 12:03 pm
Erica-
Would the foot procedure be a Johnny Damon tattoo?
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Hahaha, No. I am actually very against tattoos. Way too permanent
You’re kidding, Chad. Umm, Chien Ming Wang? Some others might want Torre back.
Would love Wang back, but realize it’s not in the cards. Otherwise, I wouldn’t change our roster. Would like Rivera’s bat. But just the bat.
pat,
Are you serious? I really was looking at her face (I was standing way across the room) trying to figure it out.
If they used a thumb double, CGI or was someone actually in the tub with her? lol.
Welcome back Chad!!!!!
You didn’t miss much. Mostly Johnny Damon debate, the greatest Yankee ever debate, and the Colts failure to score a touchdown from the 4 yardline costing me $5,000
I agree Rivera wouldn’t be a bad fit with the current team. He’s not the best defensively however. I would add Lilly go the list of guys I wouldn’t mind having back.
Ted Lilly. Always underrated.
Welcome back Chad!
Erica,
That stinks. I thought for sure they would score there and try an onside kick. Wasn’t meant to be I guess.
The Tabata age issue has been out there in baseball circles for awhile now. It was out there in hushed tones when he was in the Yankees organization.
It must have reached a point that Neal felt he had to address it because a lot of media people have called him about it in recent weeks.
Chad,
You also missed Sabermetricians vs non-sabermetricans part deux..
I think the player with the most potential to be missed, and we may not know for another year or two, is CMW. I understand that there’s a chance that he may never regain his form. But then again, he just might. A perennial 19 game winner is an awful hard thing to part with.
blake
February 8th, 2010 at 12:25 pm
Erica,
That stinks. I thought for sure they would score there and try an onside kick. Wasn’t meant to be I guess.
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Blake-
Thanks, I appreciate it. I thought for sure I had it too, but thats why they call it gambling. Its okay. Its not like I could have found any ways to spend a $5,000 windfall
blake
February 8th, 2010 at 12:28 pm
Chad,
You also missed Sabermetricians vs non-sabermetricans part deux..
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Good call. I think I blocked that one from my memory
m
http://www.nydailynews.com/gos.....ng_th.html
Welcome back, Chad.
Let the fun begin!
erica, you could have attempted to bribe Damon with it.
blake
February 8th, 2010 at 12:34 pm
erica, you could have attempted to bribe Damon with it.
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True, but I don’t think $5,000 is enough to make a dent in that mess. My car loan on the other hand… whole different story
Erica,
it would also cover a pretty nice trip to Maui which may be how I would have elected to use it.
blake
February 8th, 2010 at 12:43 pm
it would also cover a pretty nice trip to Maui which may be how I would have elected to use it.
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Ooooh…Maui. That sounds pretty good right about now. I am SO sick of winter.
What did you miss? Well, at least one of the guest posts (the one about Mel Allen) was plagiarized from wikipedia. Sam didn’t care, though, so maybe it’s no big deal.
I’d take Alfonso Soriano to place LF in a second.
I would like to have Johnny and Melky back, also Matsui and Coke, what can I say, I really liked last year’s team.
I wouldn’t want him back, but I still miss Abreu.
3 Months ago my answer would have been Javy Vasquez.
Now? Lilly is a good one… I’m gonna have to go with Marcus Thames though.
You would want Soriano and that terrible contract back to play awful defense and swing at curveballs in the dirt? Not me man.
I wouldn’t (given the choice) want any of them back.
RAB is reporting how good of an idea it would be for the Yankees to sign Sheffield to a minor league deal. Sheffield is so jealous of Jeter, and his success and status on the team, and he’s a disruptive force. THE CHEMISTRY WOULD DIE, if Gary came anywhere near this team!
salty buggar
February 8th, 2010 at 12:58 pm
I wouldn’t (given the choice) want any of them back.
RAB is reporting how good of an idea it would be for the Yankees to sign Sheffield to a minor league deal. Sheffield is so jealous of Jeter, and his success and status on the team, and he’s a disruptive force. THE CHEMISTRY WOULD DIE, if Gary came anywhere near this team!
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No thank you. I had enough of Sheffield forever when he played first base during the 2006 ALDS
Does anyone else feel like today is dragging? I hate mondays!
Soo umm I JUST realized that opening day at Fenway ( I have tickets yay!) is also Easter Sunday. Ooops sorry Mom & Dad!I hope this doesn’t mean I have to be nice to the sox fans just cause its a holiday….
NYY626
February 8th, 2010 at 1:31 pm
Does anyone else feel like today is dragging?
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YES!!! I thought I was the only one. lol
I’m glad Jose “No Hit” Molina wasn’t included on the Ex Yankees Roster. Not saying that Nieves hits any better, but still there are other reasons I’d avoid ever having Molina’s overweight, overpaid, underconditioned presence around again. Thank you baseball gods.
SP1 Carl Pavano
SP2 Ted Lilly
SP3 Ian Kennedy
SP4 Jose Contreras
SP5 Jake Westbrook
CL Octavio Dotel
SU Brian Bruney
RP Phil Coke
RP Ross Ohlendorf
RP Jeff Weaver
RP Michael Dunn
RP Randy Choate
RP LaTroy Hawkins
C Dioner Navarro
1B Carlos Pena
2B Alfonso Soriano
SS Christian Guzman
3B Mike Lowell
LF Johnny Damon
CF Melky Cabrera
RF Bobby Abreu
DH Hideki Matsui
INF-OF Jerry Hairston Jr.
OF Austin Jackson
INF Alberto Gonzalez
INF-OF Aaron Boone (DL)
OF Xavier Nady (DL)
SP3 Chien-Ming Wang (DL)
Soriano has perhaps the worst contract in baseball. There’s no way I want him back.
Missed a BU C
Pudge Rodriguez
Wow- did the lack of news put everyone to sleep???
This whole month is going to drag.
Erica,
lol, life getting in the way.
I actually saw Steve Phillips on the Today Show. Had read about his interview before I saw it, and it still touched me a bit. Tiny bit.
He was a pig to be sure, but he seems to be in a better place now.
Not a single smirk in the sit-down. Progress!
Could the reason the minor league invites haven’t been announced be because they are awaiting another such as Baldelli or Thames? It sure has been quiet on those fronts lately.
If I am one of those players I might want to make sure Damon doesn’t somehow end up with the Yankees before I cast my hopes on making their 25 player roster.
Austinmac-
Welcome back to the party! How are you holding up?
Uncle Ellsworth (Expert textpert choking smokers, don’t you think the joker laughs at you)
February 8th, 2010 at 2:19 pm
This whole month is going to drag.
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Is it April 15th yet????
Austinmac
in case you didn’t see it before- my condolences. I hope baseball will provide you with a distraction while you try to get your life back to normal.
How about Rocco Baldelli on a minor league contract..he could be an important reserve/insurance?
last night’s game dethroned Mash
http://www.thrfeed.com/2010/02.....ings-.html
I will miss Matsui the most….professional hitter who never complained, worked hard, and was clutch.
“ArtieA February 8th, 2010 at 2:31 pm
How about Rocco Baldelli on a minor league contract..he could be an important reserve/insurance?”
I’m rooting for Rocco but the guy can’t stay healthy…I don’t think he’ll ever get back to being an everyday player
Mac, I read your message the other day, and, I’d like to extend my deepest sympathies you and your family.
ArtieA
February 8th, 2010 at 2:31 pm
How about Rocco Baldelli on a minor league contract..he could be an important reserve/insurance?
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I believe Cashman was in negotiations for that very idea a few weeks ago. I don’t think Baldelli was thinking minors.
Thanks friends. I am okay. There is no choice but to move forward and have faith in something bigger than ourselves.
I will be better if baseball EVER returns. I can’t wait for news that pitchers and catchers have arrived in Florida, rented an apartment, drove by the stadium–anything.
Erica – always OPPC – Wishes Damon would fire Boras and COME HOME!
February 8th, 2010 at 2:15 pm
Wow- did the lack of news put everyone to sleep???
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LOL-I think so!!
Uncle Ellsworth (Expert textpert choking smokers, don’t you think the joker laughs at you)
February 8th, 2010 at 2:19 pm
This whole month is going to drag.
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Are you counting down the days ’til your trip?
Zito and soriano are neck and neck for the worst contracts in baseball. Zito is actually pitching better though, soriano is only going to get worse.
blake,
Don’t forget Vernon Wells
I was really sad when Soriano got traded…now I am so very happy to have Cano
upstate kate
February 8th, 2010 at 2:48 pm
I was really sad when Soriano got traded…now I am so very happy to have Cano
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m
I was waiting for Lauer to ask him how Tiger was doing.
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/.....hburn.html
I don’t know that Boras necessarily failed all three. The players should’ve taken notice that the market was very weak and that lesser players were coming off the board before them at an alarming clip.
But, in Damon’s case, player and agent can share the blame
Without looking at the archives of a year + ago, the Damon story (or lack of it) seems to have drawn more response than a player that was far more instrumental in the Yankee success of 2009. I speak of Mark Teixeira, both bat and glove.
Between the regular season and the postseason, Teixeira’s glove alone must have been a plus factor in 10 wins.
AROD already working on a 28th Championship
http://deadspin.com/5466777/ca.....rld-series
pat,
maybe Tiger paid Steve to come forth. Sort of break through that barrier. Pave the way. I haven’t seen anyone of note come out on the Today Show and talk about what appears to be a legitimate psychological disorder.
I’m joking about Tiger paying Steve (he’s much too cheap), but it would be more of a shock if Tiger was the first to talk openly about it. Personally, I don’t want to hear anything from Tiger. But a lot of people seem to believe he needs to say something.
Did I hear correctly? Sounded like the “Gentle Path” is in Favre’s hometown.
Patrick,
Ah yes Vernon Wells. Don’t you think he has a better chance to return to form than Soriano though. Alfonso could be 45 for all we know.
Patrick
February 8th, 2010 at 2:48 pm
blake,
Don’t forget Vernon Wells
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Interesting topic. The Cubs owe Soriano $90M for his age 34-38 seasons. Soriano was actually worse than a replacement level player last year.
The Blue Jays are in a similar situation, largely due to the backloaded nature of Wells’ contract. He’s owed $98.5M over the same time; however, Wells is almost three full years younger. Wells was better than Soriano in ‘09, but still performed at replacement level.
I’m torn between Soriano & Wells, Soriano is older and is already at a non-premium position. OTOH, Wells has shown himself to be a poor player over a three-year period (accumulating ~2 WAR) while Soriano’s 2009 could be a fluke. So I guess I would say Wells has the worst contract since he offers little hope of being a useful player going forward.
Wait, so if Tabata is really 40, does he still have a sweet effortless swing that can’t be taught and all that can’t miss potential that will make us all rue the day he was traded for Nady and Marte?
Looking at the names of all those ex-Yankees assembled in the earlier post today, I’m still waiting for that list of players and prospects we’ve traded that have come back to haunt us in recent years.
The Yankees haven’t given anything up of real value in a long long time. You’d have to go back to Buhner to give me a real example of a player we made a mistake on and Buhner may have very well been helped by PED’s to become that player.
If Tabata is 24/25 and hasn’t hit for power yet, that pretty much makes him a “miss” prospect and not a “can’t miss”, no?
He’d have to hit .330 every season and be Ichiro to make that lack of power work as a corner OF.
Good point – there isn’t really anyone on that list that the miss. Several were missed at some point since they left, but now that they have a third baseman, a first baseman and a decent rotation I would just take an outfielder – maybe Soriano is LF.
new post
I would much rather have wells with his contract than Soriano with his. Wells is a much better bounce back candidate do to age and the fact that he can contribute in more ways. Soriano brings terrible defense and terrible OBP. If he’s not going to hit 30 HRs then he is pretty useless.
prospect list…with expert rankings for reference.
http://www.cappingthegame.com/.....tcount=133
lmk what you think.