Same place, same hitter, different results
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Aug 26, 2010 
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On June 6, Mark Teixeira wrapped up a three-game series in Toronto having gone 1-for-14. He’d struck out five times the day before, his batting average was down to .211 and there were plenty of calls for him to lose his No. 3 spot in the lineup. It was arguably his low point of the season.
“Stats are what’s fun about this game,” Teixeira said that day. “But as a player that plays 162 games a year, you don’t live and die with every good game and every bad game. You guys saw me play last year. You saw me be consistent all year. When I hit three home runs, I go about my business. When I strikeout, I go about my business. If you got to high when you’re going well and you get too low when you’re not going well, you’ll be done by July. You’re not even going to be able to play.”
Yesterday, Teixeira wrapped up another three-game series in Toronto. He had five hits in the series, four of them in one monstrous game. He hit his seventh home run of the month and scored his major-league-leading 94th run of the season.
“Our fans live and die on every game,” he said. “While we can put a bad game behind us, they’re going to talk about it until the next game. So-and-so didn’t pitch well. So-and-so didn’t hit well. So-and-so made an error. That’s fine. That’s what being a fan is all about is being able to talk about that game and living and dying with every pitch. But as a player, when the game is over, whether good or bad, you have to put it away because you’re playing the next day. It’s not like football where you get a whole week to enjoy a win. You’re back out there the next day.”
Given two months apart, those two quotes say more or less the same thing. They were given by the same player, in front of the same locker in the same visiting clubhouse, but they come from two very different times in Teixeira’s down-and-up season.
His stats on June 6: 57 G, 8 HR, 34 RBI, 35 R, .211/.326/.363
His stats since June 6: 68 G, 20 HR, 57 RBI, 59 R, .301/.397/.610
“We all expected that he was going to hit,” Joe Girardi said. “We weren’t surprised by the month of April, but we were a little surprised when he had it in June, too. He had a great May for us, but since then, he’s been tremendous. All the talk we had about Mark and his struggles, he’s leading the American League in runs scored and he’s up there in RBI. It’s hard to believe. These months that he’s been good, he’s been really, really good.”
On a team like the yankees, which is loaded with talent, I wonder if its preferable to have a guy or two who you have to carry for a month, but when they heat up are just molten.
You might have to scratch through April with Tex, but a guy hitting .300/.400/.600 for the better part of a season has a lot of value.
repost
champ809 August 26th, 2010 at 6:30 pm
There a few guys that we drafted this year that while it’s obviously very early I’m looking forward to seeing if their skillsets translate.
Taylor”Jake”Anderson- out with TJ surgery but plays all over the field primarily SS-CF and shows a real advanced talent for hitting.
Rob Segedin- 3B/RF an excellent hitter and intangibles guy who mashed and led the Tulane program. A Jersey Boy so local products are good imo.
Mason Williams-CF/SS Towers pet pick….according to Ca$h and Newman Towers was really pounding the table on this kid and that’s why the yanks paid so much for him ( 1.4mil ) even though he was a 4th rd pick.
Zach Varce- SP a great story seems to have a lotta bulldog in him and is a devoted fan of Greg Maddux. Carries his baseball card in his pocket everytime he’s on the mound to pitch.
champ,
No Romine?
JOe from Long Island -
We had the girls, so we were in the suburbs – Naperville – for their superior special ed system. (Wish we could have stayed sometime).
Reading this piece by Chad, it’s almost as if Texeria is responding to some of the insights delivered by some of our fellow bloggers, especially when it was more than just suggested that he be dropped in the order…….
# Pat M. August 26th, 2010 at 6:37 pm
Reading this piece by Chad, it’s almost as if Texeria is responding to some of the insights delivered by some of our fellow bloggers, especially when it was more than just suggested that he be dropped in the order…….
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Yes, indeed. Lots of calls for Teixeira – both this season and last – to be dropped from the #3 hole.
Girardi wouldn’t bite. Unlike a lot of fans, he believes in his guys, especially ones who were essential pieces in winning the WS last year.
1. Chad – thanks for the posts. Much appreciated.
2. Tom from NJ – I didn’t know that. I was between Chicago-Pittsburgh-Washington DC in the 80s. I only followed the Yankees in the newspapers.
3. champ – thanks for the updates on the young kids. Interesting story about Mason Williams. I will try to follow him, just to see what happens.
Mason Williams-CF/SS Towers pet pick….according to Ca$h and Newman Towers was really pounding the table on this kid and that’s why the yanks paid so much for him ( 1.4mil ) even though he was a 4th rd pick.
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i heard Doug Glanville comp, I am hoping he turns out better than Doug. but who knows…
He worked Yankee games when they were on SportsChannel cable network.
also , is it possible we will be facing Manny Ramirez in this series?
Pat M – you’re right, as always.
Chad – if you’re reading this – this is a good piece of info for us. As I said yesterday, one of the things I come to this place for is to learn more about the players as human beings, not just as if they’re players on some computer game or fantasy league. While I always thought Mark Teixeira was a really good player, I’ve since learned that he’s a really nice guy, and a good person. That makes it so much easier to root for him.
Can you imagine if online blogs existed when the Dodgers still played in Brooklyn? If anyone thinks this place gets some hits…..
Early season struggles or not, Teixeira saves many runs with his glove.
Yankee history will record the signing of Mark Texeria in the same archive as the signings of Reggie & Catfish…….I say this due to not only his tenure in NYC, as well as him not being in Fenway…….It absolutely destroyed the BoSox when he opted for The Bronx
Some people simply cannot make a post on this blog without insulting someone. For those posters I truly feel sympathy. Alas, the insecurity can be seen from miles away. Break others down to try to build yourself up. How sad.
I also liked this post a lot, Chad. It’s always nice to hear that the players are cognizant of how the fans process the game. And as Joe said, it’s another dimension – getting a feel for the players as people. For whatever the reason, it’s important to me. I don’t delude myself into thinking I “know” them, but at least there’s some added insight.
I was so happy the day the Yankees signed Tex. He and Granderson were my two “if I could sign anyone to the Yankees, who would I sign” guys, and the Yankees went and got them both!!!!
Not sure if you saw this or not but Heyman has a report out that says Donnie will NOT be the next manager of the Dodgers.
The leading candidate right now is Tim Wallach, former Dodger player, coach and now their AAA manager.
Turns out that the idea of having Mattingly replace Torre was Jamie McCourt’s; ex-wife of the owner and so likely not the way they’re going to go at this point.
So that begs the question – What happens to Donnie?
He’s not going to come back here to work as a member of Girardi’s coaching staff (first of all there’s no room for him with Tony Pena and Kevin Long both doing great jobs). And he’s also not going to stay with the Dodgers if he’s passed over for a job he was promised to get. So what’s the best fit?
Mets – no way. The Mets are dumb, but they’re not this dumb. Not only would they be silly to hire a first-time manager for that club but they are not going to ask their fan base to embrace a true Yankee…again…not so soon after Willie.
Atlanta – Doubtful. More likely they’re going to hire Freddi Gonzalez who has a lot of ties with the organization.
Cubs – If they go the first timer route it will be for Sandberg
Mariners – Maybe. Though Ichiro is openly campaigning for Bobby V to get the job and what Ichiro wants, Ichiro usually gets.
Arizona – another maybe. They say they’re going to do a full search before committing next year to DiPoto and Gibson as the GM/Manager. Donnie’s familiar with the AL West.
Reds – There’s a thought that Dusty Baker isn’t going to re-sign with the Reds; prefering to go, perhaps, to the Mets (Wayne Krivski is the former GM of the Reds and works in the Met front office and may be a candidate to replace Omar). We all know Mattingly’s from that part of the country so maybe a kinda homecoming?
I think the most likely scenario though has Mattingly joining Buck Showalter’s coaching staff in Baltimore. I’m sure Mattingly is getting itchy for his first major league coaching job. I’m starting to seriously wonder though if maybe he should get out of the dugout as a coach and try to land a job managing at the minor league level.
Donnie needs to manage at the AAA level for a while imo. Or go to Japan.
Chip -
All I can say is, I hope Girardi stays; I don’t want Donnie as the manager of the Yankees. Don’t ask me why – it’s probably not logical.
But I’ll say this – this scenario is exactly why you don’t hitch your wagon to someone else’s star.
It also says a lot about the unpredictability of baseball – of anything, really.
Doreen,
Girardi got a job off Torre’s bench. Of course that was when they were with the Yankees.
But some people in sports just don’t interview well. Like Norm Chow. Has the Midas Touch, but always gets passed over.
I’m with you on Donnie, I don’t know if it would make a difference if Girardi was still with Florida.
But, Donnie seems to have that laid back personality. Don’t know how that would work as a Yankees manager.
Doreen…
I agree with you. I want Girardi to stay, but if he doesn’t I do not want Mattingly to be the next manager. I don’t remember the Yogi disaster (too young) but if the Yankees were to struggle with Mattingly on the bench it would be that all over again should the team decide to fire him.
If Girardi were to go my top choices would be:
Trey Hillman
Tony Pena
Lou Pinella (he would race out of retirement to take the Yankee job if it was available to him)
Lou sounds emotionally spent. If the situation with his mom was the same at the time the Yankee job came open, I doubt he’d race.
I didn’t realize he was in baseball for nearly 50 years. That’s a long time. I wonder if we’ll see a younger crop of managers soon. Cox, Torre, Lou will all take their leave. Charlie Manuel can’t be far behind.
M -
I think the difference between Girardi and Mattingly is that Girardi’s personality was so completely different than that of Torre. Joe had a theory on how to manage long before he became Torre’s bench coach. He was going to be a stat guy; he was going to do things by the numbers tweak during the games. I just don’t get that feeling from Mattingly. I think he’s going to be more like Torre and Willie where his weakness is going to be adjusting during the games. Don’t get me wrong, I get frustrated when Girardi makes a million moves because of what’s on the computer – somewhere in the middle is the manager I would want.
m-
Having to deal with Carlos Zambrano, Alfonso Soriano, a bad overall team and Cub fans could leave anyone emotionally spent.
Obviously I hope the situation with his mom works out for the best; assuming it does…
I think the opportunity to come back to the Yankees; to manage his favorite player (Alex) and manage a winner again would coax him out of retirement.
And if nothing else it would make Old Timer’s Day with Paulie real interesting
Integrity and Justice are the new Aura and Mystique.
Justice Nakagawa just got his first hit at the LLWS. A 3-run shot.
Chip,
I’m used to it by now. And besides, sometimes things get away from you when you follow your gut. And by the time September rolls around, your most reliable guys are totally shot.
m -
Girardi did have some connections with the Florida people, though I believe. So that and having been on Torre’s bench helped. Girardi’s pesonality though, and his engineering background, probably went quite a ways toward helping him get in the door. Randolph’s another guy who went from Torre’s bench to the Mets. Also Mazzilli, to the Orioles, no?
I think you’re right about interviewing styles. Maybe Mattingly would make a great manager. But I agree with you that he’s one of those guys that will have to have a track record of his own in the minors. It might only take a couple of years.
What about Randolph to manage the Yankees? I’m not sure about that one. I’m not even sure about Piniella at this point. Don’t want Valentine within 10 miles of the Bronx.
Sanchez with his first SI HR in the first of a DH.
Doreen,
You know, I completely forgot about Randolph.
I do think he’d be a viable candidate. He has a good personality (winning smile!), and he did have some success with the Mets. Not his fault he couldn’t slay their loser genes.
Hillman is a good one, like Chip said. Why no Valentine? They loved him in Japan.
Wonder what will happen to Wakamatsu? He didn’t get much of a chance in Seattle.
Chip – I think that was a very intelligent post, and really enjoyed reading it.
Doreen – I agree, I don’t think Donnie would be a good fit for the present Yanks. And, as I’ve previously written, don’t think Cash would go that route.
I get the impression that Joe’s managerial style meshes well with what Cash is looking for, and that the two of them mesh well. I really don’t think Joe is going anywhere, and will re-up with them at the end of the season. He may use the Cubs as a negotiating ploy, but it makes too much sense for both sides for him to stay on. From what I’ve read, both Cash and Hal really like Joe, and the job he’s done.
nice game by the gutless blue jays so far
Good evening all,
I have said this before. I think Lou who will be 67 this will stay retired. I don’t like the Mattingly option. I am not sure he has a strong enough personality with all the egos of a Yankees team. I feel the same way about Randolph, who I found lacking in that department when he was with the Mets.
I really hope Girard stays right where he is.
m -
Valentine is too “smarmy” for me.
Willie did a good job with the Mets until the implosion, and I truly believe the way that all unfolded, he was “done in” from within.
At this time, I don’t see anyone on the managerial landscape that meshes with the Yankees as well as Girardi, and I agree, Joe, that the Yankees will re-sign him. (He’d be foolish not to use the Cubs as a negotiating advantage.)
lol, Doreen. He’s pretty slick on tv.
Another question is what does Torre do? Really difficult to see him riding off into the (Maui) sunset. Isn’t he already on some rule committee or something for baseball?
The White Sox have closed to just 3 1/2 behind the Twins so this is a big weekend for them too. Has anyone heard anything more about Manny and the White Sox today.
Willie Randolph will get another shot and do a very good job…….He’s a very good baseball man……..He’ll find his way back to The Bronx
m -
I’ll never worry about Torre. He may take a sabbatical and then re-emerge on the scene in any number of capacities, mostly PR, though, in my mind.
It will be interesting because there will be lots of managerial jobs open this year and with good teams. You have Atlanta, Cubs, Mets, Dodgers, Blue Jays and possibly the Yankees if Girardi leaves.
Joe Girardi and Brian Cashman work well together. No reason to think that Joe won’t be back. A massive rebuilding job with the Cubs would see him go home after games far more spent than dealing with the NYC media.
Lou Piniella is a Tampa guy and held in high regard by the Steinbrenners. He can have an advisory position with the Yankees whenever he wants to stay in touch with the game.
If I had to narrow the field for interviews, it would include Pena and Randolph, but I don’t really know a viable third candidate.
What about Randolph to manage the Yankees? I?m not sure about that one. I?m not even sure about Piniella at this point. Don?t want Valentine within 10 miles of the Bronx.
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I pass on Willie. I watched him manage the Mets for a long time and he just seemed overmatched during the games.
Joe Torre, for all his positives, was a terrible in game manager. That’s why the relationship with Zim was so important. I don’t think it was pure coincidence that the Yankees weren’t as good when Zim left. He was a constant voice in Torre’s ear (a voice Joe trusted) who saw the whole field and could read a game.
Unfortunately while that was going on Willie was standing out on 3b.
Once Zim was gone Torre never trusted his bench coaches because he felt that Maz, Willie, Girardi, even Donnie to some extent, were trying to take his job.
Bobby V, the man, the lover, the legend!
His meteoric career curtailed,as player, Bobby gritted his teeth and went to invent ‘the wrap’ sandwich in his CT restaurant. Bobby lead the hapless Mets to their first WS in 14 years with humor , guts and wisdom beyond those of ordinary men and the city adored him while flashed his god loaned talent in the brightest lights of all.
Being a renaissance men, Bobby was unsatisfied with conquering the Texas heat in his tenure as a virgin Rangers manager where lead the abysmal outfit to sev Fukuoka SoftBank Hawkseral above 500 seasons. The V look eastward , and behold , Ho! the chiba marine and
I’d like to see Tony Pena get a shot if Girardi didn’t come back.
He seems to have the respect of the room and the know how to manage a bullpen. Only ? is how he would deal with the NY media but Girardi learned as he went along so that wouldn’t be a deal breaker to me.
Valentine and LaRussa have a certain “ick” factor to me that I can’t explain but I feel when I see them.
I can see the Girardi/Cashman relationship getting a bit strained lately.
I think Brian is annoyed that Girardi didn’t immediately shoot down rumors about the Cubs’ job (as evidenced in his not so veiled shot about the club not doing its job if they haven’t clinched by September)
And I think Girardi is annoyed that Brian a) gave him a DH he didn’t want at the trade deadline (Berkman), b) has said that Phil Hughes will be taken out of the rotation while there’s really no viable option to replace him yet with Andy on the DL, c) didn’t approach him about a new deal after winning a World Series.
In the end, I think Girardi is back as the manager next year, but I don’t think it’s a slam dunk.
Joe from Long Island August 26th, 2010 at 8:11 pm
Chip ? I think that was a very intelligent post, and really enjoyed reading it.
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Thanks
I think my choice would be Pena. Lots of young catchers coming up. Girardi was the right guy for the job now because they were planning on using players from the farm system. Dealing with the young arms was an especially important responsibility. I think they wanted someone who would be a teacher, not a friend.
Pat M. August 26th, 2010 at 8:24 pm
Willie Randolph will get another shot and do a very good job…….He’s a very good baseball man……..He’ll find his way back to The Bronx
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I would like to see Willie back with the Yankees in some capacity.
I really liked him as a player and it showed what the fans thought of him when he came back to the stadium after being fired by the Mets.
The Mets have been in chaos since they bounced Willie out while playing out here in So. Cal……I heard about the news late that night…….The anticipation of the NYC & National reaction kept me up late that night……..Willie knows baseball
I think Pena would be a good manager for the Yankees. He was 2nd behind Girardi when Torre left so he would certainly get an interview.
I just really like Trey Hillman – I think he’s a great teacher on the field and that could be huge with some of the young players the Yankees are going to integrate into the roster in the coming years.
Pinella though – I just wouldn’t count him out if this job came open. I always thought that if the Yankees fired Torre after the Detroit series that Pinella would have been the manager and then by the time they did let Joe go, Lou was with Chicago.
I just think before he truly calls it quits he’s going to want to put on the pinstripes one more time. And they give him a chance to get one last ring.
Oh, Chip. You had me until the dissension stuff.
Seriously? Cashman can’t feel anything when they haven’t even talked extension. That hangs over the Yankees head. Girardi has been more than patient/gracious.
As for the other stuff? I don’t know where to begin.
How about this for a coaching staff for Buck down in Baltimore:
Willie – Bench coach
Donnie – hitting coach
Brian Butterfield – 3b coach (Cito Gaston is leaving so Butterfield, who was Buck’s 1b coach with the Yankees, will be available)
Ian Kennedy is pitching a one hitter through 7 innings against the padres right now.
“Our fans live and die on every game,” he said. “While we can put a bad game behind us, they’re going to talk about it until the next game. So-and-so didn’t pitch well. So-and-so didn’t hit well. So-and-so made an error. That’s fine. That’s what being a fan is all about is being able to talk about that game and living and dying with every pitch.
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So says Mark Teixeira so don’t feel bad naysayers.
m -
Yeah, I know it’s a stretch but I can’t think of any other reason why Girardi won’t be here next year.
Trying to bring a championship to the Cubs is wonderful in theory, but why would he leave a championship calliber team to go to a team full of headaches?
Bobby V, the man, the lover, the legend!
His meteoric career curtailed as player where perhaps even the divines were jealous as he suffered a freak injury while illuminating the Cal Angels with his presence, Bobby gritted his teeth and went to invent ‘the wrap’ sandwich in his CT restaurant.
Haley’s arrival
Bobby lead the hapless Mets to their first WS in 14 years with humor , guts and wisdom beyond those of ordinary men and the city adored him while flashed his god loaned talent in the brightest lights of all.
Earlier Years
Being a renaissance men, Bobby was unsatisfied with conquering the Texas heat in his tenure as a virgin Rangers manager where lead the abysmal outfit to several above 500 seasons. The V look eastward , and behold , Ho! the chiba marine and fukuoka softbank hawks, again he shocked world by leading those woeful souls to their first 2nd place finish and subsequently first pacific championship. He was loved by japanese people and envied by his peers. after a few years, Bobby grew weary of the constant accolades and unending envy, he again return to states.
Currently the V share his wisdoms and sage advise through the media outlet known as ESPN, giving the world an occasional glimpses of his divine machinations.
but sometimes, in the dead of night, Bobby stares northward in his CT home, the dark silhouette of Gotham tempts that indomitable fire within him just ever so slowly…
maybe V , one day, someday, soon…. that interlocking NY will be calling again. Rest V …for now, for the likes of you may never seen by the world again.
Chip -
I have to agree with m. I think you’re looking too deeply into the tea leaves.
Good for IPK. Always liked that kid.
What is Girardi going to say before the media blackout tomorrow?
“I’m managing the Yankees now. Not thinking of anything else. Not going to worry about next year until after the season is finished.”
If Girardi leaves, I can see just about any of the names mentioned as Yankee mgr. With all the talent on this team they will win no matter who the mgr is.
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As far as Tex, I’m glad he signed with the Yankees. Had a couple of rough months but he can hit and is a great fielder.
Tex and Alex almost became Red Sox. Glad they are Yankees.
tyanksfan36 -
Doesn’t surprise me.
Twins are getting to Cliff Lee…5 runs in 3 IP. Having a tough stretch of starts lately.
If Girardi does leave, my first choice would be Pena too. Please illuminate me. Who is Trey Hillman?
I’m not watching, but I’m following a LLWS game thread right now. 1100 followers. There’s one guy doing instant play-by-play. Reminds me of when GB7 used to do it for us.
Anyway, the bases are loaded in the top of the 6th of a 5-1 game. Can’t help but think what’s racing through the minds of these little kids. Like yesterday, Waipio won a game 6-4 on 1 hit. That hit tied the game, yet the Waipio scored all 6 runs in one inning. All tied up the kid hits a batter to score a run. And another one scores on a passed ball.
Come to think of it, it’s just like the big leagues.
m -
I’m really not sure what purpose it serves except to placate the masses. He really can’t “say” anything. He can’t say definitively he’s going to be back with the Yankees, because they haven’t opened negotiations yet; he can’t say he’s open to negotiating with the Cubs for obvious reasons.
All he can really say is he’s flattered by the attention, but he’s got a job to do.
SAS
Former minor league Yankee manager who went to manage in Japan and then came back to the US and managed the Royals.
Rich FL,
Don’t think Lee wanted this trade to Texas. He is not a ping pong ball.
I always see Girardi as “Joe Cool” – boiling on the inside and unruffled to all onlookers. What really impresses me about him is his BP management. If you consider that 30 some % of innings are in the relievers’ hands that is a crucial attribute. Coupled with his ability to learn, adapt and change, he is the man for the job he has. Going to Chicago would be early retirement.
Thanks Pat. If he has the leadership skills, he might be good.
SAS
Me neither. Listening to him speak the day he was traded, it felt like if he was going to be bounced around that he wanted it to be New York.
They say Catchers make the best Mgrs.
Well Girardi certainly fits the bill.
While there are different degrees of catchers and Torre and Girardi have different styles, somehow I think Posada wants to manage and thinks he would do a good job.
Doreen
Placating the masses is the first item on the Yankee Manager job description.
Placating the media is more like it.
The only reason why he’s doing it is because he’s in Chicago…playing the White Sox.
I was listening for a little bit on ESPN radio today, I’m not sure who was on though I know I’ve heard the voice before.
The talk was about how Lee wanted to play for the Yankees and was quite disappointed to be traded to Texas. He said that Lee doesn’t like the hot weather in Texas and the speculation was that while Lee wouldn’t let his team down or tank it, there was loss of focus brought on by being moved to Texas instead of NY. The claim being made from the one who was talking was that he had great connections to Lee so it supposedly wasn’t just hot air talk.
We do know that CC had talked to Lee and the discussion included where Lee would be able to live. It seemed fairly credible, but who knows.
Now that we’ve talked managers – what about players?
Cliff Lee – Yankees. I would be legitimately shocked if he went anywhere else.
Carl Crawford – Angels. I think Matsui is done out there (and no, he’s not coming back to NY) they’ll move Abreu to DH, Juan Rivera to RF and Crawford in LF with Hunter in the middle.
Jayson Werth – Boston. They desperately need another bat in that lineup, especially if Ortiz isn’t brought back
Adam Dunn – Nats. He wants to be there, they want him there. The money will work itself out.
Paul Konerko – Rangers. After trading Justin Smoak they need a 1b and new ownership is going to want to make a splash (especially after losing Cliff Lee). While that team will need pitching, the market’s thin and so I think they fill this need at 1b.
Ted Lilly – Rangers. As I said, they’re going to need to replace Cliff Lee. I think this will be a terrible horrible awful mistake, but ultimately one they’ll make.
Javy Vazquez – Nationals. With so many young pitchers they’re going to want someone who can gobble up innings. Javy will be a lot better back in the NL East than he has been for the Yankees. I originally thought he would be a great fit for the Mets but I believe they will trade for a pitcher
(Side note for the trade: Mets send Jose Reyes to the Rays for Matt Garza. Rays are getting nothing out of SS from Bartlett this year and will need a leadoff hitter after they lose Crawford. With Hellickson on the rise they can afford to part with Garza. For the Mets, trading Reyes helps change the culture of a team that is in desperate need of a culture change)
Carlos Pena – Tampa
Jake Westbrook – he’ll stay in St. Louis if they’ll let him.
As for the Yankee free agents:
Already covered Javy
Kerry Wood – I think he comes back if he’s willing to accept a major paycut
Austin Kearns – I believe he’s going to look for a starting role; but if he’s willing I bring him back
Berkman – gone
Thames – I think he could be brought back. He’s done a fantastic job as a RH bat off the bench; but I think if Montero is brought up and Laird is a part of the bench I’m not sure they’ll need his services
Mick -
I didn’t want to write that, but, yeah, that’s basically it.
m-
Yes, that’s true. There’s really not much chance to escape the “media masses.”
lol, Colin Cowherd was in hot water for saying all that stuff about Lee.
Lee had some very pointed comments about it. Something to the effect of from the horse’s mouth.
Part of Girardi’s job is managing the media.
He places winning first and does a great job, like Jeter, in making them create their own stories.
He won’t write it for them, not his job.
Unlike a certain Jet coach, he’s not a blowhard.
Somehow guys like Joe seem to win more than the other type.
Yogi Mantle
We have connections here too and that’s what was being reported here as well.
If the yankees had traded for Cliff Lee and he started pitching for the yankees after that trade the way he now has for Texas one can only imagine the vitriol some yankee fans would be going on and on with now.
One of the first things that people would start jumping to is the old cliche that Cliff Lee can’t handle the “pressure” of New York. Sure he can pitch in Seattle but in NY – no way.
Then they’d start in with the Cliff Lee isn’t an ace. Sure he’s great for a last place team but in a pennant race he chokes.
Finally, they’d start in with how Cliff Lee has ruined club house chemistry and can’t take being teammates with other superstars, etc. – something like that.
It would be very ugly. No way it could just be that his mechanics are out of whack or he’s going through a rough patch.
He’d have to be psychoanalyzed with cliches.
I’d like to see Kearns back. Cheaper Gardner insurance than Crawford.
Seriously, Kearns was a good sign. I know he wants playing time, but he will get at-bats here.
Wood? I think he likes it here. Is some team willing to gamble he’ll stay healthy? Could depend on what happens in October.
Isn’t that what happens when expectations are so high for a player that anything slightly below it is a disappointment.
Not saying it’s right but in a situation like that it might take a full 2nd year for adjustments.
Chip
Trading Reyes would change the culture of the Mets but would Tampa want him and Upton together?
CB
It’s not just Yankee fans that are like that.
The RS blogs sound very much the same.
Oh, my CB. You’ve got that right.
Seems like a whole lot of bunk and speculation on Chip’s part without a shred of evidence regarding the relationship between Cashman and Girardi.
How does one make up that kind of stuff?
Chip,
Interesting analysis. Surely, the Mets have to make changes, but as Maine said, does TB want Reyes and do they want to pay ‘the big bucks’ that Reyes gets or wants.
Konerko is no kid. and maybe the Rangers would want a younger star. It has to be considered a tough market with all the heat of the summer there.