A crystal ball of my own (equally cloudy and uncertain)
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Apr 01, 2011 
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Since Sam started the predictions, I’ll follow his lead.
MVP: Mark Teixeira (My first thought was to agree with Sam on Rodriguez, who’s going to have a big year, but I’ll go with Teixiera getting off to a strong start and carrying that momentum)
Surprise of the Year: Russell Martin (Sam went with Jeter, and I agree he’ll have a bounceback year, but I think Martin will become a fan favorite by May 1)
Disappointment: Robinson Cano (Strictly because the expectations are so sky high right now, good year but not an MVP year)
Lowest spot Jeter hits in the batting order this year: 2nd (Agree with Sam completely)
Date Jeter gets hit No. 3,000: June 8 (Sam picked his daughter’s birthday, I’ll pick my sister’s)
Over/Under 40 homers for A-Rod: Under (I’ll go with 39)
Over/Under 14.5 wins for Phil Hughes: Under (I’ll go with 14, but I think he’ll overall better season than last year, just think he won’t run into as many wins)
Does Jesus Montero spend significant time in the majors this season: No (I’m with Sam on this one, mostly because I believe Martin and Francisco Cervelli will hold down the fort)
Does Manny Banuelos: No (I think New York will see Andrew Brackman and Adam Warren before Banuelos)
Do the Yankees make a trade for a pitcher: Yes (but …)
Is it King Felix: No (Not even close, a small name if anyone)
And I’ll add few predictions of my own.
Taking Nick Swisher’s spot on the final all-star ballot: Curtis Granderson (Too many good outfielders for Granderson to be voted in initially, but he’ll follow Swisher’s final-ballot path to the all-star game)
More home runs, Eric Chavez or Andruw Jones: Jones (Better year for Chavez, but Jones’ all-or-nothing approach still gives him more homers)
Career saves for Mariano Rivera at the end of the season: 599 (40 saves seems about right this year)
Over/under 50 steals for Brett Gardner: Over (Gardner keeps reaching base, and gets more aggressive going from first to second)
Over/under 12.5 wins for Ivan Nova: Under (Right at 12 wins for the Yankees rookie)
First player up from Triple-A: Chris Dickerson (Pretty much impossible to guess where the Yankees might have their first need, but I’ll guess a short-term hole opens in the outfield and Dickerson fills it)
Breakout Yankees prospect: Brett Marshall (Continuing what he started last year)
Repost:
Good job Braden, I didn’t already think of you as a real douche, so this didn’t totally confirm that or anything: http://sports.espn.go.com/espn.....ortCat=mlb
What happened to him “not wanting them to sell the get off my mound shirts because he wanted to put the whole thing behind him”. Did the no-hitter erase his last shred of humility?
A-Rod – under 40 HR – great season, but he won’t get back to 40 HR.
“Jerkface April 1st, 2011 at 4:09 pm
are we never allowed to point out a mistake by one of the greatest yankees ever?
–
Jeter is a hall of famer, if you want to complain about him go put on a red sox jersey.”
////
so now im a red socks fan because i pointed out a baserunning mistake by jeter that hundreds of other people also pointed out?
and this coming from you, jerkface?
Thanks for the help JM on Delta Suite. Much appreciated.
Oh, and I agree more with Chad’s predictions…
Nice crisp start in Arlington.
Anyway, I have faith in CJ Wilson.
wait a minute, Jerkface complains about Jeter all the time…does he put on a red sox jersey while doing it?
Asd
that was a funny link!
Breakout Minor Leaguer” I’ll call a tie between Marshall and Bryan Mitchell. He’s going to pop a lot of eyes wide open.
You didn’t understand what I was doing, I was being facetious.
Jeers, opening day jitters in the OF.
Nice catch by Hamilton!
Asd – Do the rest of us a favor and go google “tongue in cheek”. Get back to us.
Okay, is it weird for anyone else to see Napoli at first?
AWWWW – Crawford’s first AB as a Suxer – soft line drive.
First of many I would think.
Why would you bat A-gon 5th?
They had to give him those options to sign him
This seems pretty unlikely as he had no other significant offers on the table… and Hank decided on a whim to push for Soriano.
Trish
“The YES feed would still be available.”
Unfortuntely, no. http://support.directv.com/app...../a_id/3185
“If YES Network goes dark, MLB Extra Innings and NBA League Pass customers will continue to see Yankees and Nets games but will not have access to the YES Network feed. In most instances DIRECTV will provide the opposing team’s feed for these packages.”
Napoli played 70 games at 1B last year so… no, not weird.
>Asd – Do the rest of us a favor and go google “tongue in cheek”
====
Yeah, thanks, as with every other person above the age of 15, I know what “tongue in cheek” means. For one to be tongue in cheek, you have to carry a certain amount of humility around to give you license for such actions. Braden doesn’t do that.
ok jerk, it didnt seem like something you’d say, you arent afraid to say what you think and i may not agree all the time but i like that.
besides i love jeter, he was just apparently as surprised as me and everyone else in the stadium (including the tigers) when martin took off.
at least with howard, you could argue that the catcher has enough time to switch his attention from the lead runner and throw him out at second, but not with jeter.
this red sox lineup is so loaded
AGON batting 5th
This seems pretty unlikely as he had no other significant offers on the table… and Hank decided on a whim to push for Soriano.
–
If they didn’t have to include them to sign him, they would not be in the deal, as they are incredibly team unfriendly. And they certainly would not include them, only to tell Soriano to f off if he exercised an option that THEY GAVE HIM WILLINGLY!
Do the yankee’s really give a guy 3 player options without telling him that when he exercises one he will never be a yankee again? That’s motivation enough for me to stick around and not go close for some marginally competitive team. Add in 3 years of working with the G.O.A.T. at my craft and its a no brainer
——–
April Fool’s
Did you know…..that Carl Crawford is nearly as bad against lefties as the old Granderson.
.270/.315/.382/.697 career.
Bonehead play by Bourbon gave the Sox a run.
That should be a question.
“If YES Network goes dark, MLB Extra Innings and NBA League Pass customers will continue to see Yankees and Nets games but will not have access to the YES Network feed. In most instances DIRECTV will provide the opposing team’s feed for these packages.”
If YES is your RSN (read: everyone in NY/NJ/CT), you will be blacked out of the opposing teams feed as well.
besides i love jeter, he was just apparently as surprised as me and everyone else in the stadium (including the tigers) when martin took off.
–
Jeter should be held to a higher standard specifically because of who he is. He is supposed to lead by example and never make bad moves. Doesn’t mean he will never do it, everyone makes mistakes, but he should not be immune from criticism.
Just like A-rod is going to get razzed for loafing out of the box, despite being one of the greatest players in history.
Cj and his healthy 27 era.
LGY – It’s either that or Cashman handed out the dumbest contract in the history of baseball. I can’t believe that.
It’s either that or Cashman handed out the dumbest contract in the history of baseball.
–
Randy Levine
There goes that Cy Young award.
Oh well.
That was a joy for me to see… probably not so much for Lester.
Took the Red Sox a long time to take the lead and what a shock Agon gets a hit his first time up. I hate that team so much
Bourbon really cost them 2 runs.
Crawford should have been the 3rd out.
Whoa… what is with that Saltalamaccia (or whatever) stance?
only to tell Soriano to f off if he exercised an option that THEY GAVE HIM WILLINGLY!
That doesn’t make sense to you? “Yes we will give you these options, but don’t expect us to resign you if you opt out”. It got him to sign, he’s not going to get any MORE money as a closer for a different team… and he’s not going to have 3 shots at a WS ring with any other team…
I don’t like Texas either, but since they are playing the Red Sox I will root for the Rangers.
Lets play another game-
I am doing a tax return and a woman sent me a receipt for a charitable donation.
The receipt is completely blank except for the words “thank you for your donation”
I have no idea what this woman donated (but I can guess its non-cash).
I can use my imagination, but the IRS frowns upon that. And with my mood, I’d probably write something sinister.
So who wants to guess the donation?
let’s go Rangers
This is a messy, messy game already.
Youkalis stinks at 3rd the 2nd go around.
jah-buddha takes over as set up guy (and heir apparent) by the end of this year anyway (late, late October)
How is it possible that 9 out of 10 times whenever my pitcher goes against the Pirates they lose. How can the worst team in baseball always beat my pitchers?
Date Jeter gets hit No. 3,000: June 8 (Sam picked his daughter?s birthday, I?ll pick my sister?s)
************************
My pick is June 16. That would be a very cool if it happened on my birthday.
I think MVP will be Robbie (although I do think Alex will have a huge year so I won’t be surprised if it’s him) and surprises: Burnett and Granderson.
“LGY – It’s either that or Cashman handed out the dumbest contract in the history of baseball. I can’t believe that.”
——————-
Cashman didn’t negotiate the contract.
Do you really think that in a negotiation the Yankees said to Soriano, “Here are these 2 player options, but if you use either of them, go eff yourself!
”
They gave him those options because Levine believed that is what it took to sign him. It was Levine’s idea.
Salty going all Benito Santiago and Tony Pena on defense.
Sorry Salty you ain’t them
That doesn’t make sense to you?
–
No, the Yankees will obviously sign the best players available. Even if they did say that, why would he believe it?
So who wants to guess the donation?
————————————————
Yankee Tix?
Erica in NY,
Its really ridiculous how donations are tax deductable in the first place. Then again I don’t think mortgage interest should be either
“There goes that Cy Young award.
Oh well.”
Triple, an astute observer of the game would realize that the Sux runs are not by dint of the Sux prowess but rather due to a mishap in the Rangers outfield. Fear of the Sux on the first day of the season doesn’t bode well for either reality or your blood pressure.
Big difference,
I think this game is going to summarize Cleveland’s season pretty well.
Erica
I would go with donated clothes
Red Sox lead 2-1 after 1 inning
God I hate the Cubs… Dempster is cruising along 6 innigns 6k’s no runs… bam GS, bam 2r HR… dead in the water
Erica,
I guess clothing worth $500
Gonzalez with an RBI single in his first PA
Can someone give a quick summary of the Texas-Boston game?
I’m between the Sux game and the Rockies game. I have Jiminez going plus Tulo in the lineup. Ian “Alfred E Newman” Kennedy is on the mound for the DBacks, and so far he has not disappointed.
Can someone give a quick summary of the Texas-Boston game?
–
Rangers outfield blows, CJ wilson blows, youkilis and agon with rbis, Kinsler strikes back, Hamilton unclutch GIDP
jerkface – i think things are not always that easy to read… it is very likely those player options came with some form of ultimatum. believe what you want, when he doesn’t opt out (just like i dont believe for a second that CC opts out) we’ll know.
Irreverent Discourse,
He was cruising through 4 and then he gave up the Grand slam
it is very likely those player options came with some form of ultimatum. believe what you want
–
I don’t think it is very likely at all. You may also believe what you want, no matter how rooted in fantasy it is. (considering your premise is based on the yankees being incapable of handing out bad contracts)
Jerkface April 1st, 2011 at 4:30 pm
Can someone give a quick summary of the Texas-Boston game?
?
Rangers outfield blows, CJ wilson blows, youkilis and agon with rbis, Kinsler strikes back, Hamilton unclutch GIDP
***************************
“He is supposed to lead by example and never make bad moves.”
Never?
Never?
–
NEVER
Oh yeah, I have Michael Young going for the Rangers.
White Sox have scored 14 runs
and they are still batting in the top of the 4th.
jerkface – there is a difference between bad and dumb in my world. if they resign him after him opting out, it was dumb. if he pitches poorly and sticks around, it was bad. if he opts out and signs elsewhere for more money, it was just an option.
Cano makes an error, he is lazy and mentally lax. Jeter makes an error, and SHUT UP HE IS THE CAPTAIN HE IS HUMAN SHUT UP
i have a feeling kennedy is going to be as surprisingly successful and have as long a career as ted lilly has. he just seems to always perform at his cieling. nothing spectacular, but just getting the job done.
. if he pitches poorly and sticks around, it was bad
–
bad and dumb.
“Can someone give a quick summary of the Texas-Boston game?”
——————–
Cruz camped under a flyball from Ellsbury and Bourbon literally runs into him, causing him to drop it. Pedroia flys out, Ellsbury tags and gets to third. Crawford with a girly floater to Andrus. Youkilis double to score Ells, AGon single to score Youk and out trying to stretch it to a 2B.
Kinsler with a rocket HR, Andrus safe at first on an awkward charge and terrible throw by Youk, Hamilton double play, Beltre groundout.
Fran the original April 1st, 2011 at 4:29 pm
Erica,
I guess clothing worth $500
**********
I am thinking something similar.
It just cracks me up how people don’t pay any attention to what they send in.
I spent my whole morning on a giant stack of returns for a family. All 4 returns were sent in one envelope and nothing was sorted. Half the info was still in the sealed envelopes they arrived in. These people sent me anythign they had that had to do with money. I spent hours just sorting it. Yet somehow after all that I was still missing a lot of info I need.
I just don’t know how tax preparers keep their sanity
yanks 27 April 1st, 2011 at 4:32 pm
White Sox have scored 14 runs
and they are still batting in the top of the 4th.
***************************
That explains why Weird White Sox guy in my office is so excited. lol
Would just like to say it didn’t take until May 1st for Russell Martin to be one of this fan’s favs. After watching him yesterday didn’t really realize he has some speed so if he can bat decently and add these dimensions seems like a great guy (at least his interviews show that) he will be easy to others to enjoy.
Face’s summary is much better than mine
Jeter is a gold glover, except when he isn’t. he is one of the best base runners in the league, except when he isn’t. He is clutch, except when he isn’t.
Update from the Rangers game: David Ortiz and Salty blow
Hey Wood how do you like being a Cubbie again? Careful for what you ask for
“jerkface – i think things are not always that easy to read… it is very likely those player options came with some form of ultimatum. believe what you want, when he doesn’t opt out (just like i dont believe for a second that CC opts out) we’ll know.”
————
Or he doesn’t opt out because the Yankees gave him a lot of cash??
He is not a Yankee fan where sitting next to Mo and have his sweat rub off on him is some grand thing or because the Yankees gave some silly ultimatum.
$$$$ rules.
carlos quentin with a double a hr and 5 ribbies, thanks buddy, erica’s on the rebound and i need points!
Jeter is the perfect mix – gritty and athletic.
I just don’t know how tax preparers keep their sanity
**********
Erica,
Not sure that they do
Red Sox still lead 2-1
Is it an appropriate time to voice my theory that LGY, Jerkface, and Rich in N.J. share more than just certain sensibilities?
We do not share spit, I never kissed LGY, never!!
Fran the original April 1st, 2011 at 4:37 pm
I just don’t know how tax preparers keep their sanity
**********
Erica,
Not sure that they do
****************
Me neither…
You guys get the online and filtered version of my mood. You have no idea what types of comments I have been making to people lately.
Patrick April 1st, 2011 at 4:37 pm
Jeter is the perfect mix – gritty and athletic.
/////
this is clearly not effusive enough praise for the godly jeter. you know the routine…put on your red socks jersey!
Cruz!!!
That helps my fantasy team and hurts the Red Sox.. win win
Go Rangers.
this is clearly not effusive enough praise for the godly jeter. you know the routine…put on your red socks jersey!
—
It was actually a joke but maybe a bit too subtle
Could our boy Lester be reverting to his 2009 HR rates?
Hardee har har har har har har!!!
patrick – I’ll gladly help your fantasy team before those bozos!!!
Is that serious?
What a terrible call.
“Red Sox still lead 2-1
”
Still tool?????
Lester and Alfred E. Kennedy have given up 2 runs so far
Blake,
Last year Crawford batted 240 against lefties last year. Fyi
And here’s the difference? Sux was gifted 2 runs. Texas earned theirs.
I think things bode well for the Rangers.
Red Sox tied 2-2 after 2 innings
Is that serious?
What a terrible call.
—
Seems like the umps call that maybe half the time a runner gets hit going to first. I just don’t get it… the base is inside the line, of course the runner is going to run that route.
Last year Crawford batted 240 against lefties last year. Fyi
–
Being a slash hitter, Crawford can end up with some jumps in performance against lefties, but he loses significant power and on base agaisnt them
LGY – $$$$ rules.
Yes. Who is going to pay him more money? My guess is no one. The only major teams in the market for a closer next year will be Tampa and Philly? We already know Tampa won’t spend the $ on him, and Philly has Madson and a few others to step in, not to mention Howards albatross of a contract getting worse by the year.
So if he opts out, where can he go? Can’t imagine the Yankees would extend him the same courtesy twice.
CJ Wilson owns the Sox.
Only 2 runs in 21 innings last year.
Bourbon really screwed him.
“Fitnesscenter For-Jeden”
Why do I get the distinct feeling that this is someone we know well just pretending to be a Sux fan?
In answer to all of your crap about Jeter:
Baseball is an imperfect games played by imperfect players.
30% success at the plate gets you in the Hall of Fame. Even sabremetricians understand that this means 70% failure also gets you in the Hall of Fame.
Every player makes bad plays sometimes.
It is not a video game.
Stop being hypercritical and grow up.
Out.
It is physically painful to not have the Yankees playing today. I have offdays
Last year I said that the one player I was happy to have on the DL (not that I wished injuries) was Ellsbury because I considered him the most dangerous player on the Sux. Or the difference maker.
I still feel that way, by the way.
30% success at the plate gets you in the Hall of Fame. Even sabremetricians understand that this means 70% failure also gets you in the Hall of Fame.
—
I don’t have a problem with most of your comment but I always hear this and it’s just false. A guy with a .300 OBP will not be in the hall of fame
Not that he’s on the DL, but that he is the difference maker for the Sux.
ID,
That is the whole point of a player opt out.
Boras gets to read the market and decide if there is more money out there or he just stays with the Yankees.
For all we know the Red Sox can let Papelbon walk and sign Sori.
Meant to say “I hate offdays”
Bad news for the Guess the Donation players….
I just spoke to the Partner, and it looks like we will never know the answer
And the Crawford implosion has begun. As predicted. I love it.
Stop being hypercritical and grow up.
–
The way you characterize a simple critique of Jeter as being hypercritical shows that you aren’t in the right state of mind to take part in this discussion.
Have Sons of Sam Horn begin calling for Crawford to hit 9th yet?
Holyyyy crap 14-0 White Sox leading the Indians in the 6th. Carmona got bombed!
I’m always tempted to say “who cares” when there is a seemingly meaningless discussion going on ad nauseum, but then I realize someone obviously does or the discussion wouldn’t be going on!
Carry on about how Soriano got to the Yankees.
“Stop being hypercritical and grow up.”
/////
amazing…just amazing…
Bases loaded for the great Gonzalez
The amount of hyperbole regarding the Red Sox lineup is astounding.
“and Philly has Madson and a few others to step in,”
Madson is a FA after the year
The closers for the Sox/Mets/Angels/Dodgers/Tigers are all FAs, all teams who spend $$$.
Plus teams like the White Sox, Orioles, Mariners, etc. could need a closer and are known for handing out bad contracts.
Dang.. Adrian Gonzalez had a nice at-bat
“stuckey99 says:
April 1, 2011 at 4:54 pm
Have Sons of Sam Horn begin calling for Crawford to hit 9th yet? ”
TEH double lead off!!?
russell_martin Pumped And Ready For Tomorrow’s Game In The Bronx.
Red Sox lead 4-2, Gonzalez 2-2 with 3 RBIs
MVP?
CJ Wilson sucks, surprise
this just in…
adrian gonzalez is a good hitter no matter what uni he’s wearing…
Could have seen this coming from a mile away – CJ Wilson a 1 yr wonder.
You dont have much going for you, do you…
Could have seen this coming from a mile away – CJ Wilson a 1 yr wonder.
–
No one who throws that few strikes without the stuff of johnson or ryan is going to succeed consistently.
“this just in…
adrian gonzalez is a good hitter no matter what uni he’s wearing…”‘
Quite a pronouncement based on two AB.
yeah AGON is good
Indians are getting killed but at least Carlos Santana is doing well
Red Sox lead 4-2 after 2.5 innings
Erica,
We may not win Guess the Donation, but at least Girardi didn’t beat us
Orel is killing me right now.
ESPN anchors probably can’t stand up right now
Red Sox lead 4-2 after 2.5 innings
—
Yet still winless on the season.. terrible…
St Lou season could be over quick this year…Matt Holliday could be out a month
“Red Sox lead 4-2 after 2.5 innings ”
But for the Rangers OF screwup, the score would merely be tied.
Oh well.
SI_JonHeyman
Hopefully, the indians show improvement at some point this yr
ESPN love fest going on right now in the Texas Red Sox game…….I mean The Rangers were the AL Pennant winners last season and all we get is how great Boston is and how their going to score 1000 runs and Adrien is going to challenge Hack Wilson’s rbi record……Yanks get off to a great start maybe we’ll be spared all this Chowda PR campaign….Adrien does have a nice swing though….
Is anyone else finding this commentating so bad it’s actually funny and therefore enjoyable? At first I was annoyed, but then I stopped taking them seriously and now, it’s rather hilarious.
CF easier than LF?
Bobby V has to be drunk. WTH is he talking about today?
I have the NESN feed. Orsillo is EXTREMELY annoying but by inches more tolerable than ESPN.
This is what happens when you make the broadcasters fly from LA at night to call an afternoon game in Texas
I’m pretty sure I’m in a pool somewhere that I get $500 is Bobby V dies by falling out of an announcers booth after crazily bouncing around. I’m pretty sure that $500 is mine.
npbtracker Patrick Newman
by AnthonyMcCarron
Romulo Sanchez is heading to the Rakuten Eagles, $400k + bonuses. http://www.nikkansports.com/ba.....55573.html
The Red Sox will score 1000 runs and Gonzalez will be the next Ted Williams
Red Sox lead 4-2 after 3 innings
Will somebody please give Gonzalez the MVP already? I’m about to spontaneously combust here. It’s disgraceful making the next Ted Williams wait until the end of the season for his award.
Over under on how many times Gammons has wet himself already is 90.
I’m taking the over.
i have a different take on other team’s players than most on here have. i love a good ballplayer, no matter who he’s playing for. i like dustin pedroia. i dont want him to win, but i like him. hes a ballplayer and its not by his choice that he’s a sock.
i have my poeple i like, people i love and people i hate but in genral, i like a good ballplayer no matter where they play.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v.....re=related
Rakuten Golden Eagles fight song
ESPN has the worst crews calling games.
During the Phillie game Rick Sutcliffe saying Doc looking good, maybe he will pitch a no-hitter. All this in the 3rd inning. Pitiful.
Romulo Sanchez is heading to the Rakuten Eagles, $400k + bonuses.
—————-
No wonder he left for Japan. He isin’t getting that kind of money here unless he stays on an MLB roster the whole year. He’ll get about 40K if he spends the year in the minors.
And for the record, let’s see a lefty bust Gonzalez inside before declaring him a Hall of Famer. He has a great swing on the outside pitch. Wilson better go in on him next time.
Wilson better go in on him next time.
–
If Wilson had command of the strike zone maybe.
Still can’t believe the Padres gave the guy away like that.
LMAO.
An inning ago, Orel says there are AL lineups, NL lineups, and Boston’s lineup. There is nowhere to rest.
Salty and Scutaro come up. “This is about the only place in the lineup you can rest.”
BUT… they still can get you!
This is really entertaining.
“and it’s for show. He like to do that for some… some silly reason” Bobby V. sounds like he’s a mom describing her toddler.
Yank 97,
They gave him away for nothing. Like I said before every single hitter that comes to the Red Sox except for Renteria and Lugo either hit their norms or have career years.
i didnt nominate gonzalez for mvp, i didnt put him in the hof. i said hes a good hitter. i think just about anybody who knows anything about baseball would agree.
Jerkface,
His control is lousy. If he’s their ace, they’re in trouble.
His control is lousy. If he’s their ace, they’re in trouble.
–
Yea, it is why the AL West is wide open. And why the Yankees will win the WC if they don’t take the east
Wow, Cano a disappointment? I don’t see any reason why he can’t have as good a year……….
Fox will be televising the game tomorrow. Very upset I will not be able to watch because my area will be showing another game.
Was looking forward to seeing A.J. take the hill and pitch well in his season debut.
Damn son 3 bombs already
Keep going, Jon baby. 3 HR’s!
I’m drinking black sambuca in honor of Napoli going yard!
I always like that Mike Napoli, I tell ya.
Told you guys the Napoli trade was smart!
ESPN announcers are sooo disappointed. Boo hoo.
Where is Pat M, I am going to rub this small sample in his face.
Wouldn’t expect much better from Colby Lewis tomorrow, or some guy named Matt Harrison on Sunday either.
Then the Sox go to Cleveland…. lmao.
So, um, I just got in and turned on the Sox game.
Napoli is going to hit a lot of bombs in that park.
Is it fair to say the Cy Young award race is now wide open?
I love it! Lester gives up a three run bomber!
Napoli has as many RBIs as Gonzalez! Co-MVPs!
“i didnt nominate gonzalez for mvp, i didnt put him in the hof. i said hes a good hitter. i think just about anybody who knows anything about baseball would agree.”
Some Yankee fans give non-Yankee players no credit at all. Especially if they are on the RS.
Shows how little baseball knowledge they have.
Re: Gonzalez. If he was a Yankee they would be heaping all kinds of praise on him.
Napoli has as many RBIs as Gonzalez! Co-MVPs!
–
They merely tied Tex, Three way!
I like Hershiser – he really said that? Gee, there’s only 2 spots in the lineup that are soft? That’s maybe 2 more than the Yankees have, Orel. What are they, the 27 Yankees?
Lester given up 3 homers…..how can this be?
Crawford can’t hit lefties…..too bad we aren’t sharing K long
Lester sucks in April – last year he was awful.
“Wouldn’t expect much better from Colby Lewis tomorrow, or some guy named Matt Harrison on Sunday either.”
Yank 97, we’ll all understand if you want to switch to a Sox fans.
In fact, I’m declaring this Yanks-Sox-Switch amnesty day.
Make the switch before midnight EST tonight and you’ll get so s**t from anyone here about it.
is carmona’s era infinity?
If he was a Yankee they would be heaping all kinds of praise on him.
–
Of course, but there is no reason to heap ample praise on the good red sox players. I’d rather pick apart their weaknesses, like A-gon’s platoon split. He is going to OPS .900+ , but I don’t think he OPS’s 1.0+
“With a hole in the roof so God can watch his team play football.”??? WHAT??
somehow im getting a picture of this game coming down to papalbon. and not finishing well for him…
Anyone who had a good year last year is a candidate for a relatively disappointing year. That includes Cano and Gardner.
If Napoli had longer arms…he’d be, like, perfect.
Lester’s looking swell today. Yep, that red sox starting pitching is so much deeper than the Yanks, isn’t it Chad?
Betsy,
Valentine piped in “and the Yankees lineup” when Orel said, “there are NL lineups, AL lineups and the Red Sox lineup”…He got muffled by Orel talking, but he did say that.
I’ve been saying it all off season the Red Sox lineup is 4-5 deep. The rest you can pitch to. It’s not as deep as our lineup.
Do you think Wilson can actually get someone from the meat of thier order out
“Wouldn’t expect much better from Colby Lewis tomorrow, or some guy named Matt Harrison on Sunday either.”
Agree. That Rangers pitching is due for a huge regression from last year. Wilson obviously couldn’t keep it up with his spotty control anyway.
They really should have tried Feliz out in the rotation.
I’ve been saying it all off season the Red Sox lineup is 4-5 deep. The rest you can pitch to. It’s not as deep as our lineup.
–
Our 8 hitter is a 1.0+ OPS centerfielder
Face I’m here…..Do remember that I watched Naps play an awful lot while he toiled in Anaheim….He’ll hit some and then he’ll disappear except for the E-Napoli that pops up quite often……..
Osceola going for that 1920′s dirtdog look.
Gonzalez is really good and he has a great swing but he’s been greatly over hyped….this isnt Pujols or Arod in his prime.
Yank 97 April 1st, 2011 at 5:28 pm
Wouldn’t expect much better from Colby Lewis tomorrow, or some guy named Matt Harrison on Sunday either.
///
Well it’s not as if the Red Sox have much assurance after Lester. If Jonny Boy goes down this afternoon,it could be a looooooong weekend for ESPN’s favorite baseball team.
Matt Harrison is their #3 starter? The guy with the 5.39 career ERA?
They are going to miss Lee, a lot.
*Pedroia
G. Love April 1st, 2011 at 5:17 pm
And for the record, let’s see a lefty bust Gonzalez inside before declaring him a Hall of Famer. He has a great swing on the outside pitch. Wilson better go in on him next time.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It won’t take long before the pitcher’s grapevine around the AL start dealing inside on Gonzalez. Every hitter has a weakness and they’ll find it.
“A-Rod – under 40 HR – great season, but he won’t get back to 40 HR.”
—————
FWIW, Vegas had ARod at 31.5HR this season. I made a nice sized bet that that # was too low
but 40HR is far too high to use as a starting point. I think we should have been deciding whether he’d be over or under 36 or 37?
Red Sox trail 5-4 after 4 innings
This isn’t the best way to stack the Sox lineup….hope they keep it this way
He’ll hit some and then he’ll disappear except for the E-Napoli that pops up quite often……..
–
So basically like a Jeff Mathis that can actually hit 20 HRs?
(Mathis has more errors than Napoli)
Adrian Gonzalez got intentional BB 35 times last year.
For some perspective on that, Cano who I believe led the Yankees in IBB, only had 14.
Lets see his OBP without 35 free walks.
GLove, glad to hear it. I respect the Sox lineup – it’s very, very good – but this has the makings of a Buster Olney “Tampa is the 1998 Yankees all over again” theme. I mean, come on Joe Posnowski – -seriously? Alex tied with Beltre? Even in a “bad” year, Alex had 30, 100………….. I feel like everyone is just jumping on the Sox bandwagon in every way and it’s disgusting.
Leaving work….
I have plans tonight and am getting picked up at 7:30. I am thinking it would be swell if I were there.
Good night everyone!
Crawford looks bigger.
And they should have had a blue out instead if a red out with the Red Sox in town.
M, Cano and Gardner aren’t the same player. Cano is an ultra-elite player – those guys are elite because they do it year after year. I expect Robby to be excellent as usual.
Crawford an inauspicious debut
LGY,
do you actually think Agon is going to have worse stats with the Red Sox then the Padres?
Only Pujols got more free passes last year.
crawford 0-3..he needs klong love!
“do you actually think Agon is going to have worse stats with the Red Sox then the Padres?”
—————-
Which year/s?
108 stitches,
Gonzalez may be able to hit hard inside stuff, but the way his swing against lefties looks to me, he likes it out over the plate. Reminds me of Strawberry vs. LHP.
Crawford….platoon?
do you actually think Agon is going to have worse stats with the Red Sox then the Padres?
–
He could have a worse OBP, he strikes out a lot as sluggers tend to do and a third of his walks came from IBB
Red Sox traile 5-4 after 4.5 innings
“Lets see his OBP without 35 free walks.”
It’s a real question. Year before he got around 40 free passes. Something like that.
PETCO hurt his power and playing for the Pads hurt his RBI numbers.
But playing in that anemic line up only helped his on base percentage – which is a major part of his game and perceived value.
Red Sawx pitching doesn’t look so good today. It’s only 1 game, but I just don’t get all the experts who think we can just put them in the WS without playing the games.
LGY,
any year. As long as he is healthy he will have his best seasons with the Sox
Gonzalez will get on base less, but do more damage when he gets on base due to the better hitters parks.
Betsy I’m not comparing the two to each other. Robi had an MVP year. I’m sure Chad was taking that into account when making his pick. The thinking being that he might *not* have that kind of year this year.
Anyway, I understand what Chad is saying.
Considering he is hitting in front of Ortiz, I’d IBB Gonzalez and take my chances with Papi.
Triple,
I predict he has a lower OPS than he put up in 2009.
Everybody like that “every step has a purpose” line after the Hamilton running catch. Most outfielders randomly step in the opposite direction when running down a ball, so it’s nice to see Hamilton is above all that.
Cano is an ultra-elite player – those guys are elite because they do it year after year. I expect Robby to be excellent as usual.
–
You might end up disappointed if he is worse than last year. Which is the point. He can be very good but have a disappointing year.
LGY,
OPS is not the end all be all of stats
Rangers broadcast – “These are the two best offenses in the American league, if not baseball.”
This is really amusing.
Wondering what Adrian Gonzalez is going to do probably isn’t going to be the best meter for the Sox success this season.
The guy can hit. Flat out.
But will Carl Crawford hit well enough in the #3 hole? Will Buchholz tail off a bit from last season or take a step forward? Is Ortiz done?
There are plenty of questions for the Sox. AGone (and Youk) is one of the safest bets they have on that team.
OPS is not the end all be all of stats
–
OPS and its derivatives correlate directly with winning.
Youkilis is no Beltre at 3b. The ball just seems to jump at him over there like it wants to hit him in the face.
Triple,
Ok…
I guess lay some stats out you want to deal with and I’ll play.
Do not fret with all the Beantown hype! It makes it so much sweeter when the RSox fold up & their fans go bananas! LOL! Let the Yankees plod onward! revel in the excuses the ESPN folks make for why RSox nation is laboring!
Lester in shape for the season … just hit his second batter.
The ball just seems to jump at him over there like it wants to hit him in the face.
–
Those are the new balls MLB is using that contain human sensibility
CB,
Gonzalez also saw far more pitches to hit.
It goes hand in hand.
If there are men on base in front of him, pitchers have to challenge him. His OBP could be just fine.
I hate to prop the guy up, but it remains to be seen how much better he’ll be in a productive lineup.
Lester plunks Andrus seconds after someone on tv said that neither pitcher was very sharp today.
Gonzalez’s swing reminds me of Palmero’s
Brian Matusz scratched and getting an MRI on his back.
–
Curse of the Orioles continues
Mariano will set the tone for how pitchers in the AL East will view Adrien…..Face you can spout all you want about Napoli and I’m not buying……Mathis is far from being an ideal backstop but he’s much better than Napoli who is a hack in shin guards……Just woner how great Josh Hamilton could have been
Can’t believe Hamilton missed that.
The Red Sox have 4 good hitters. Ellsbury, Peds, Youk & AGone. The rest are fillers. Couple that with 2 or 3 SP issues & a questionable closer & it could make for some real fun this year!
“Lester in shape for the season … just hit his second batter.”
————–
Lester has thrown some nasty pitches but for the most part he is really missing his spots.
He has good stuff and can get away with mistakes sometimes but he’s starting to fall behind in counts and making mistakes that good hitters like Texas will take advantage of.
It looked like Napoli was sitting on that curveball when he crushed it out. He just hung another curve to Hamilton.
A bit rusty for Lester, for sure. It’s fine by me!
CB….Yanks jump out to a 15-5 start will put to rest all this BS
Mathis is far from being an ideal backstop but he’s much better than Napoli who is a hack in shin guards
–
Explain then how Mathis piles up more errors, passed balls, wild pitches, and less caught stealings???
“Curse of the Orioles continues”
————
Showalter can’t heal him?
LGY,
I am not saying it is not important but he won’t be getting walked as much hitting in that Boston lineup. His slugging % by itself will be higher this year then in 2009
The Sox infield defense is worse this year with Youk at third instead of Beltre no question ….he just doesn’t look very comfortable over there early this season and I wonder how his body type will age there.
Red Sox trail 5-4 after 5 innings
>Jerkface April 1st, 2011 at 5:47 pm
OPS is not the end all be all of stats
–
OPS and its derivatives correlate directly with winning.
========
Then Charlie Sheen’s OPS must be HUGE.
Well maybe 5 hitters as Crawford is good, but I wonder if the pressure of beantown might get him.
Showalter can’t heal him?
–
The laying of hands for Showalter usually goes around the throat
RayVT,
Crawford is not a good hitter?
“The Sox infield defense is worse this year with Youk at third instead of Beltre no question”
——————
I disagree 100%, at least with your “no question”
That remains to be seen. It’s very shortsighted to say “this year” after seeing 5 innings of the first game of the season.
I hate Youk – but he was a very good defensive 3b in the past. Gotta give the guy a chance, no?
Crawford is not a good hitter?
–
Most of his value comes from his speed and defense, as a hitter he is above average.
p.s. how many errors did Beltre have for the Sox last year?
I hate Youk – but he was a very good defensive 3b in the past. Gotta give the guy a chance, no?
–
Beltre is a consensus best third basemen in baseball kind of player (though I think Longoria is better). Youkilis was never as good at third as either.
“Most of his value comes from his speed and defense,”
—————-
both of which are diminished a bit by playing LF at Fenway and hitting in the 3-hole in front of Youk and AGonz (at least it would seem they’d run him a little less than he has in the past as a 3 hitter)
“CB….Yanks jump out to a 15-5 start will put to rest all this BS”
Not it won’t. I recall Harold Reynolds arguing in mid-September the Red Sox could still catch the Yankees.
Math, is apparently not his strong suit.
It’s an embarrassment that people who are paid to offer the viewer some learned, objective perspective engage in exercises of the imagination in which they wish away the Yankees’ success by willfully ignoring their existence.
Teams are going to bunt on Youkilis. Smart teams, at least.
BD-
Gonzalez is a great hitter. I’ve said that hear many times.
He’s the overwhelming favorite to win MVP. Which is a bit strange given that he’s coming off of shoulder surgery.
What’s happening is this – all of the negative aspects of hitting at PETCO and for the Pads are being projected away. And that’s fine.
But the notion that a player moving from one context to an entirely different one will ONLY derive benefits without question is odd.
I don’t think I can ever recall a reaction to a player moving where so much upside is just assumed with almost no discussion of any of the challenges he’ll face – even small ones.
Take away his intentional base on balls over the past two seasons and his OBP is around .360.
It’s not the be all and end all of anything. But it’s just an issue.
It just vanishes in the entire narrative that the 2011 Sox are a near perfect team, with 5 aces and the best club since the ’27 yanks, etc.
He’s a great hitter. But there are questions. Every player has some questions when they move from radically different environments.
Triple,
AGon slugged .551 in 2009. Only 9 players were above .550 last year.
He could SLG more, but I think his OPS ends up below .950.
BD, I can say without a doubt that he’s not as good as Beltre…..he’s just not.
“Beltre is a consensus best third basemen in baseball kind of player”
—————–
he was. I think he’s going on his reputation over the past season or two.
Youkilis was great at 3b. I’m guessing I watched more Sox games than most here. Believe me, I hate the guy… but saying he wasn’t that good at 3b is ignorant Yankee bias.
Longoria is a best defender at 3b in baseball….Beltre isn’t far behind.
I really LOVE our lineup this season. We are every pitchers worst nightmare. We have 6 guys capable of 25 HR’s in the lineup and 5 capable of 30 AND we take pitches.
Beltre made 19 errors last year in Beantown.
CB,
No doubt about that.
As always, it remains to be seen. I wouldn’t bet against Gonzalez though. I’d rather bet against some of the other Sox who have question marks on their backs.
You’re right, though.
CB,
Name an all star hitter the Sox have gotten in the last 7 years that hasn’t exceeded expectations
Face…..Maybe you should direct this topic to Mike S. the Angels skipper
stuckey,
Even worse, Mitch Williams wrote an article in late August last year saying that the Yankees won’t make the playoffs and the Red Sox will (and we had a 7 game lead at the time). Millar actually agreed with him as well.
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/articl.....8;c_id=mlb
Beltre has been the best defensive 3b of his generation.
It’s not some massive overstatement to say that a guy who hasn’t played 3b in 5 years isn’t likely to be as good as Beltre at 3b.
I understand the need for balance. The Sox are a very good club. They are the favorites in the AL East.
But it seems like any open negative question their team has remains open and to be decided and you can’t bet against them, etc. while every open positive question is assumed to just manifest itself in their favor.
I think he’s going on his reputation over the past season or two.
–
And what is Youkilis going to do? Being over 30 and shifting across the defensive spectrum as a kind of player who is already injury prone?
His last two years at third he was negative in UZR. Beltre has consistently been rated high by every sabermetric fielding stat. I’m sure you watched a lot of red sox games, so do I. Youkilis is not going to be better than Beltre this year.
BD,
Have you watched him at 3rd much this spring? Not been very good…doesn’t look very comfortable, doesn’t look athletic enough to play the position at a high level anymore to be honest. That could change as the season goes but….not right now.
I don’t even get why Gonzalez is the overwhelming favorite to win the MVP; is he the only great player in the AL? It’s like it’s him and everyone else in a contest for runner up
blake,
your opinions just can’t carry much weight when you suggest there is “no question” that something will be one way for an entire season after seeing 5 innings of opening day.
It’s asanine…. but I can usually adjust for pro-Yankee, anti-Sawx bias on here.
Beltre was noticeably weaker, at least to those of us who watched the games, at 3b last season than he had been prior.
I’m not saying he won’t be significantly better than Youk this season… but I’m not dumb enough to make guarantees after 0.35% of the season.
If they continue to bat Ortiz behind Gonzalez, he’ll get intentional walked a lot this year. I think they will move Gonzalez to 3 and force Crawford into the leadoff spot.
“Name an all star hitter the Sox have gotten in the last 7 years that hasn’t exceeded expectations”
Triple, to what do you attribute this success?
Maybe you should direct this topic to Mike S. the Angels skipper
–
Appeal to authority, and apparently one who is fallible. There could be reasons beyond Napoli or Mathis on field performance that leads to Mike S playing Mathis over Napoli. Mathis hits under .200, throws out no one, can’t catch, I don’t think I am going to give Mike S kudos for trotting him out as much as he does.
blake,
ok fair enough. I didn’t watch much ST – I’m going on years of seeing Youk play very well at 3b.
but certainly, he could struggle (I hope he does.)
I just felt like Beltre was also on the decline and anything can happen this year.
stuckey99,
Other then it being a great place to hit I have no idea and have been trying to figure that out for years
ARod had 7 errors last year 2010. 9 in 2009, 10 in 2008, & 13 in 2007. He would have been the best defensive 3B if only he played in Beantown!! LOL!
BTW Beltre had 14 in 2009, 14 in 2008, & 18 in 2007 in Seatle with half the games on turf.
A-Gon is that good. He just is. It doesn’t mean there are not other great hitters in the AL, of course there are. But he is that good.
“Name an all star hitter the Sox have gotten in the last 7 years that hasn’t exceeded expectations”
JD Drew.
And that question makes it sound like the Red Sox have brought in armada’s of All Star caliber hitters over the past 7 years.
It hasn’t been that many guys.
But if you want to believe they have no questions whatsoevery and Gonzalez will walk away with the MVP no questions asked that’s fine.
“If they continue to bat Ortiz behind Gonzalez, he’ll get intentional walked a lot this year. I think they will move Gonzalez to 3 and force Crawford into the leadoff spot.”
——————
quite possible – though I don’t think Crawford has been a leadoff hitter much in his career? low OBP?
But the Sox lineup 6-9 has questions for sure. More than the Yankees do.
The Red Sox willfully played a statue shaped like Mike Lowell at third despite having Youkilis on the roster, where switching their positions (if what is being said is true) would have increased their defense greatly.
Was Edgar Renteria an all star? He certainly didn’t shine in Boston.
Texas has both Rhodes AND Oliver? Hee haw, good news!
“If they continue to bat Ortiz behind Gonzalez, he’ll get intentional walked a lot this year. I think they will move Gonzalez to 3 and force Crawford into the leadoff spot.”
—————–
does it matter that Fenway is a “hitter’s park” ?
also, Boston has had a pretty good lineup for a while. Having men on base in front of you is generally going to help the stats.
I think Carl Crawford could be next on that list – at least with regard to his contract and expectations.
good point Jerkface.
Red Sox trail 5-4 after 5.5 innings
Okay, here is an afternoon exercise.
Who is a better player:
Adrian Gonzalez
or
Mark Teixeria?
And why?
April has always been Crawford’s worst month
“Red Sox trail 5-4 after 5 innings
”
Some post to remember, some post to forget!
Welcome to your own hell, California.
Such an ugly face.
Sux will lose the race.
Living in your own hell, California.
Garbage smell, all lies.
Bring your alibis!
Ain’t karma sweet!?!
“I’m going on years of seeing Youk play very well at 3b.”
Youkilis has started 180 games at 3b in his entire career.
Also – I didn’t think he was all that great at 3b last year when he played and I saw him quite a bit.
And in spring training he didn’t look that sharp.
People are projecting the youkilis from 5 years ago and assuming he’s just not going to miss a beat.
He’s older and heavier than he was before.
He didn’t play 3b like a slick fielding gold glover over the past couple of seasons when he did play there.
But he is that good.
——
You didn’t specify what “that” is
Who is a better player:
Adrian Gonzalez
or
Mark Teixeria?
And why?
–
Mark Teixeira, because he is a switch hitter without a platoon split who plays gold glove defense that has plate discipline as one of his major skills.
April has always been Crawford’s worst month
–
Its the cold climate of Tropicana, someone leaves the AC running all offseason.
Gonzalez most likely but its close….I like Gonzalez’s swing better and he’ll probabky be more consistent but when Tex is hot he can.carry a team. They are similar players in value….they just get there in different ways.
I don’t buy it – he’s SO good that he’s the overwhelming choice to win the MVP this year? Every year?
BTW, Longoria had 14 errors in 2010, 13 in 2009 & 12 in 2008.
“Was Edgar Renteria an all star? He certainly didn’t shine in Boston.”
There you go. Renteria was also an all star several times.
He was awful in Boston.
He was an all start the year before he went to the sox. And an all star the year after he left.
“Who can threaten them??”
Lester rocks!!!!!
Errors don’t even matter, it is about the range and the amount of plays they make. Youkilis has a weaker arm and less range than Beltre and Longoria.
Longoria might be the smoothest third baseman in the league right now, and he can start an around the horn DP lightning quick.
Here comes an MVP AB from Napoli!
Bobby V : Yankees have the better lineup.
*Silence*
Topic changed immediately.
I dont know why Bobby V persists on ESPN, he doesn’t strike me as a toe the line guy.
It just seems like when we get hitters they rarely exceed expectations. In fact most of the time they regress.
“Gonzalez most likely but its close….I like Gonzalez’s swing better and he’ll probabky be more consistent but when Tex is hot he can.carry a team. They are similar players in value….they just get there in different ways.”
Would you be surprised to learn Tex has a .39 point edge in career OPS?
Slight edge to Gonzo just because he can carry a team. Tex seems to be more of a ‘blend in’ guy. Gonzo has more power and I think he will age better with his swing and is a little more consistent.
“Bobby V : Yankees have the better lineup.
*Silence*
Topic changed immediately.”
LOVING IT!!!
NA-PO-LI!
MVP!!!!!
Drew has been ok with the Sox. Like I have said before Renteria and Lugo have been the only hitters who have been awful with them
LGY April 1st, 2011 at 6:16 pm
Bobby V : Yankees have the better lineup.
*Silence*
Topic changed immediately.
///
For real? I did not hear that, but I’ve been in & out of the room.
It just seems like when we get hitters they rarely exceed expectations. In fact most of the time they regress.
–
Is it because the Yankees tend to sign older players? We could have had Vladdy in his prime instead of Sheffield if Cashman was in charge.
Bobby V’s gonna get canned for talking pro-Yankee like that.
Lester leaves :
IP H R ER BB SO HR PC-ST ERA
5.1 5 5 5 1 0 3 87-47 8.44
Jerkface April 1st, 2011 at 6:15 pm
I like Longoria’s defense, but I’d just as soon have ARod’s glove & arm as anyone at 3B. Youk’s back may give him issues playing 3B IMO.
Stuckey,
No…Tex has had a better career thus far. Adrian has put up better numbers the last 2 years I believe. They are very close I think….
Jerkface,
That’s one of my biggest disappointments in the Yankees. I love Vladdy and would have rather had him than Sheff. Hate that Sheff played that Tampa card with George and it worked.
m1kew April 1st, 2011 at 6:19 pm
And Lester is still responsible for 2 on base & just 1 out.
I think the Yankees and Red Sox are relatively close and in the end it will all come down to pitching and avoiding injuies. Edge Yankees, objectively.
IMO Ellsbury, Pedroia, Crawford, Youkllis and Gonzalez are close enough to Gardner, Jeter, Tex, A-Rod and Cano. That’s a wash to me, give or take.
My problem with the Red Sox predictions of sainthood though is six through nine in the order. I just can’t see Ortiz, Cameron, Salty and Scutaro close to being on a par with Swisher, Posada, Granderson and Martin. (or the Yankee left-handed platoon)
And the meat of our pen – Robertson, Joba, Soriano and Mo — seriously trumps Wheeler, Jenks, Bard and Papelbon.
“Drew has been ok with the Sox. Like I have said before Renteria and Lugo have been the only hitters who have been awful with them”
But this isn’t what you asked.
This is what you asked:
Name an all star hitter the Sox have gotten in the last 7 years that hasn’t exceeded expectations
I don’t believe doing ok is “exceeding expectations” by any means.
Drew, Renteria, Lugo.
3 players is not an insignificant proportion of all the big ticket guys they brought in.
Jerkface,
Giambi wasn’t old when we got him. Arod declined the first few years we had him.
Beltre and Lowell weren’t exactly spring chickens when the Sox got them
I love Vladdy and would have rather had him than Sheff.
–
Sheff was a good yankee, but I would have traded him for Vlad in a heart beat. Imagine a yankee OF with Beltran in center and vladdy in right? Vladdy had more arm than Sheff and more range.
All I know is that Mark Texeria is on track to wind up in Cooperstown as a 500 homerun switch hitting 1st Baseman……I can’t say that Adrien is a HOF candidate at this stage of his career
Red Sox trail 5-4 after 6 innings
Triple, you are coming off as a Sux apologist. Whyso? Are you afraid of them?
“Would you be surprised to learn Tex has a .39 point edge in career OPS?”
Yes, but Gonzo has spent his entire career in cavernous SD.
Tex has played most of his career in the bandbox in Arlington and the hitter-friendly confines of NYS. He also has always had MUCH more protection around him than Gonzo. He played in those high-powered Rangers lineups, Atlanta with Chipper/McCaan/Jones, LA with their good lineup in 09, and the Yankees lineup obviously. Gonzo has never had that kind of lineup around him.
Gonzo has been better the last couple of years, Tex’s career has been better because he started off hitting well, Gonzo waited till his 3rd year before he started to become a good player.
Teixeira has a better glove. Tex can mash, and have his down times. I’ve not paid enough attention to Gonzalez to know if he is streaky or not, but his glove doesn’t match Tex’s.
When you have good offense and plus defense from a first base position, I think the defensive ability of Tex pushes him ahead of Gonzalez.
The other thing is while Gonzalez seems to be OK from his shoulder issue, that is a tough joint to predict how it will hold up. It may limit him some, only time will tell.
Giambi wasn’t old when we got him. Arod declined the first few years we had him.
–
Giambi was 31 his first year, that is old. He also had a fine year his first year and injury/steroids/whatever hurt him. Despite that he OPS’d .900 quite often.
A-rod has 2 of his best years in pinstripes.
Fitnesscenter For-Jeden April 1st, 2011 at 6:23 pm
Some post to remember, some post to forget!
Welcome to your own hell, California.
Such an ugly face.
Sux will lose the race.
Living in your own hell, California.
Garbage smell, all lies.
Bring your alibis!
Ain’t karma sweet!?!
WCYF…….I think you have made the best comment in regards to handicapping both clubs….
Cmon Kinsler!!!
CB,
Lugo was not a big ticket guy. Now I hope he has a great year but even Tex last year declined and he is in his prime
I’ve been saying it all off season the Red Sox lineup is 4-5 deep. The rest you can pitch to. It’s not as deep as our lineup.
/////
wise man…thats why i picked the yankees. imo it all hinges on hughes. if he can roughly match bucholz, the rotations are a tie and our lineup is superior.
i think phil is going to come through for us.
Sux bullpen LOADED!
Gonzalez is an outstanding defensive player. He’s terrific with the glove.
Alex has had the two best years of his career as a Yankee.
G. Love,
I was thinking the same thing. BobbyV. is not for long with his POVs.
with lepers
I don’t comment often and have been away from the blog for awhile. Can someone tell me what happened to SJ?
sometimes lucky lepers. But nevertheless lepers.
trisha,
I hate the Sox but for the most part it seems like whatever hitters the Sox bring in seems to work out
Thanks Pat M. Just trying to be objective.
I should say that 31 is old for a first year on a huge deal. A 31 year old is still around prime age for pitchers and hitters. And subsequently, Giambi had a great year.
“Lugo was not a big ticket guy. Now I hope he has a great year but even Tex last year declined and he is in his prime”
You brought up Lugo. So I just went with what you said. And they did pay him a lot of money.
Anyway your question was who did not exceed expectation. That was your question.
Your question was not who was OK. And your question was not who was not terrible.
Your question was who did not exceed expectation.
JD Drew by your own admission was “ok.” In no way did he exceed expectation.
That’s it. I was just answering the question you posed.
The package Atlanta gave up for Tex was pretty good, no? Tex was a wanted man. Gonzales was a gift.
“People are projecting the youkilis from 5 years ago and assuming he’s just not going to miss a beat.”
—————
well, he could. But 5 years ago I felt like he was a very good defensive 3b. And the last time he played regularly there he was good.
Anybody who assumes he will be just as good could be in for a shock – just as anyone who assumes he is below average there could be.
we’ll see. I hope he struggles.
“I don’t comment often and have been away from the blog for awhile. Can someone tell me what happened to SJ?”
Why would you assume something happened to SJ?
IPK getting the opening day nod and is in line for a win over Ubaldo right now.
Nice to see Ian doing well.
But I thought the Yankees never had any good pitching prospects…
Ian’s success will only help the Yanks in future trades, as IPK is another guy the Yanks can point to as a success.
West Coast Yankee Fan April 1st, 2011 at 6:21 pm
I agree with you WCYF!
I was about to say “Arthur Rhodes is still playing?”
But what I think I mean is “Arthur Rhodes is still alive?”
Seeing him on the mount is like seeing Kirk Douglas at the Oscars last month…
“trisha,
I hate the Sox but for the most part it seems like whatever hitters the Sox bring in seems to work out”
They play in a bandbox to begin with. So they have a bonus right there. I could probably get hits in fenway field!
********
Oh no Arthur Rhodes. You have to get the job done man!
A-Gon is an excellent Gold Glove caliber first baseman. I don’t think trying to choose between Tex and A-Gon is important, the are both superb defensively. A-Gon has a great arm; I’ve seen him throw out runners at second and third more than a few times. Tex is a human vacuum cleaner. Lobster or King Crab – take your pick.
Jesus Montero could catch a baseball as well as Torreablah
Good job elf.
big AB here. Let’s go Rhodes.
“Anybody who assumes he will be just as good could be in for a shock – just as anyone who assumes he is below average there could be. ”
Sure. But I haven’t seen anyone in this thread assume he was going to be “below average” – just not as good as Beltre. Which seems reasonable to me given how good Beltre has been defensively over his career.
On the other hand I have seen people very widely assume that moving Youkilis to 3B this year is going to produce defensive value equivalent to Youkilis at 3b circa 2004.
The fact is Youkilis hasn’t even played 3b that much over his career. He doesn’t have tons of experience at the position.
And for the record I think he’ll do well there but won’t have the range that Beltre had.
let’s get Carl to 0-4 with 3K’s here Arthur!!
I choose lobster! Hawaiian, not Maine.
Tex has a good arm as well. They’ve made a lot of bases loaded plays at home since Tex came on board.
jrh24 scroll up
Red Sox trail 5-4 after 6.5 innings
Hawaiian M? Seriously?
A wiff for Crawford! # 3 today! LOL!
“The fact is Youkilis hasn’t even played 3b that much over his career. He doesn’t have tons of experience at the position.
And for the record I think he’ll do well there but won’t have the range that Beltre had.”
——————
True. He has played there a decent amount over the course of 5-6 seasons though. It’s not like it’s foreign territory all of a sudden and he hasn’t played or practiced at 3b for years.
I absolutely agree that Beltre is more likely to be the better defensive 3b. No doubt. But assuming that’s a sure-thing on day 1 isn’t wise. I also think Beltre is in for some decline.
That’s all.
Carl Crawford, world’s most expensive pinch runner
Arthur Rhodes strikes out Crawford with the tying run in scoring position … ARTHUR RHODES???
Good man Arthur Rhodes!
Granderson #betterthancrawford
Tough first day in red for Crawford.
Crawford’s supposed to he a good guy, but I wouldn’t mind Fenway turning on him.
reminder – 2 of 12 SI writers picked Crawford as their AL MVP
off to a good start.
I hope he has to face lefties every AB all season
I’m really not sure where Tito and the Sox got the notion that Carl Crawford is a 3 hole hitter, especially against LH pitching.
It’s really odd. It’s as if they paid him like he were a 3 hole hitter and they think paying him that way makes him that player.
And batting him third will only make it more complicated for him to run which is where he actually does produce offensive value.
Arthur Rhodes 3-1 to Justice.
Still my favorite OYS memory.
Are you asking me if there is seriously Hwn lobster or that I would pick it over Maine.
There are two breeds that I know of. Slipper lobster and Hawaiian spiny tail lobster.
“It’s as if they paid him like he were a 3 hole hitter and they think paying him that way makes him that player.”
————-
yup
they paid him to be an elite player. And aside from Ricky and maybe a couple more guys, there haven’t been too many elite, MVP caliber guys in the leadoff spot.
CB,
Yea I would have batted Crawford second and moved Ellsbury down to 9th
It would be nice to see the BP implode for Beantown in the 1st game!
Not really understanding this lineup construction from Tito either, but I hope he keeps it this way!
“Granderson #betterthancrawford”
when you consider that he’ll play CF, that he can now hold his own against lefties, and that he has more power……he is better.
Good job Rockies. At least Jiminez won’t take the loss.
(Would have killed to get Ubaldo Jiminez on my fantasy team. Well I got him this year. His first game not too good. Still, the guy is far too talented to have his season be like this.)
That anyone would pick any lobster over a Maine lobster.
I absolutely agree that Beltre is more likely to be the better defensive 3b.
–
Then why bring up this entire discussion? It all started because you questioned Beltre > Youkilis at third, saying that Beltre has declined.
Colon looks like he lost weight compared to Reyes. Also, Youkilis looks like he’s added some poundage. He doesn’t spring up & down in the batter’s box with the same zip.
Ellsbury belongs at the top of that lineup.
Rich “El Guapo” Garces can throw with his left hand now???
I wouldn’t hit Ellsbury 9th, he’s a very good lead off hitter.
Albers and Reyes have really ugly arm action. Albers in particular.
“Then why bring up this entire discussion? It all started because you questioned Beltre > Youkilis at third, saying that Beltre has declined.”
—————-
if you’re actually interested, guess you should go back and re-read it because you’re wrong.
Having the “two” opening days is fun… all day of baseball 2 days in a row to end the week.
Reyes with 4 pitch walk! LOL! Then bring in Wheeler. Wheeler is about cooked IMO.
“I wouldn’t hit Ellsbury 9th, he’s a very good lead off hitter.”
—————
he hasn’t been a good leadoff hitter in his career, actually.
Sox have been forced to move him down in the lineup because he hasn’t been getting on base as much as they’d like.
looks quite good today though.
“I wouldn’t hit Ellsbury 9th, he’s a very good lead off hitter.”
Add his speed to it, you have the highly desired prototypical lead off hitter.
Blake
I predicted a higher OPS for Grandy a couple months ago, so I’m liking what I see so far
Ells doesn’t get on base enough to be a good leadoff hitter
“Having the “two” opening days is fun… all day of baseball 2 days in a row to end the week.”
I’ve really liked it also. Lots of fun. Makes it feel like a bigger event and gives you time to see more teams.
if you’re actually interested, guess you should go back and re-read it because you’re wrong.
–
“The Sox infield defense is worse this year with Youk at third instead of Beltre no question”
——————
I disagree 100%, at least with your “no question”
That remains to be seen. It’s very shortsighted to say “this year” after seeing 5 innings of the first game of the season.
I hate Youk – but he was a very good defensive 3b in the past. Gotta give the guy a chance, no?
–
The only way it isn’t ‘no question’ is if you think Youkilis will field better than Beltre.
I would rather see Pedroia leading off then Ellsbury. If you move Crawford to hit second where does Pedroia go?
Then you spent the rest of the discussion saying you saw beltre decline and youkilis was very good 5 years ago. If your opinion is that Beltre will be better than Youkilis, then why start the argument?
LGY,
wouldn’t shock me…
Ok I’ll fix it…..I’m 99.99% sure that Beltre is a better fielder at 3rd than Youkalis, that gives some wiggle room.
“The only way it isn’t ‘no question’ is if you think Youkilis will field better than Beltre.”
————–
Jerkface, you’re smarter than that.
I’m saying that it remains to be seen. Saying “no question” Cano hits better than Aaron Miles isn’t the same as saying “no question” Cano hits better than Pedroia.
Do I think Cano outhits Pedroia? OF COURSE. But I wouldn’t say it’s no question.
Saying “no question” Cano hits better than Aaron Miles isn’t the same as saying “no question” Cano hits better than Pedroia.’
–
In this situation, Beltre is Cano and Youkilis is definitely Aaron Miles in comparison to Beltre. So I do think its a very ‘no question’ type of thing.
“‘When he’s leading off and hitting well, that’s probably our best lineup,’” Manager Terry Francona said Monday morning.
Ellsbury took over the leadoff role during the Red Sox’ 2007 World Series run. In the last three seasons, he has had 1069 at bats atop the order hitting .279 with a .328 OBP. Last season Ellsbury had just 68 at bats in the leadoff spot, with injured ribs causing him to miss all but 18 games.”
Jerkface,
well, all I can say then is that lately your opinions have me second-guessing my once high regard of your comments.
just my opinion.
“Ells doesn’t get on base enough to be a good leadoff hitter”
Guess you’re wrong.
Oh no, your regard
well, Gonzalez isn’t invincible after all.
“if he bleeds, we can kill it”
SJ is enjoying the good life in Key Biscayne covering the Sony Ericsson Tennis Tourney……Sipping Ice Teas with the Lady Racket Set
.279 with a .328 OBP <– These aren't good.
As long as Texas wins, I don’t mind extra innings.
“I would rather see Pedroia leading off then Ellsbury. If you move Crawford to hit second where does Pedroia go?”
Tito would rather see Ellsbury.
Pedroia has better power numbers. He’s better off hitting behind someone else.
Jerkface,
for all I know, nobody cares about my posts in the least.
but I actually gave more weight to the things you’ve said. lately, in my opinion, you are all over the place.
if you’re really saying Beltre : Youkilis is like Cano : Miles … I don’t know what to say.
I guess your baseball knowledge might be declining faster than Youkilis’s D?
“As long as Texas wins, I don’t mind extra innings.”
Me too. Too bad Lester doesn’t get the loss, but it’s early in the season.
BD,
You can take your regard comment and simply reverse it if you are really arguing that Youkilis can field better than Beltre. They are the same age, except one player has maintained gold glove defense at the position while another was relegated to first base.
Beltre and Longoria are like Cano:Pedroia , guys that are the same tier. I don’t think Youkilis is on the same tier as Beltre or Longoria. He doesn’t have the range or the arm or the glove.
There is a reason he got moved to first.
Jerkface,
“relegated” ?
that’s like saying ARod was relegated to 3b when he came to the Yanks.
I’m truly shocked that you still misunderstand completely what I was saying. At this point, I think we should just agree to disagree.
I get what you’re saying, that there is a remote chance that Youkilis can match or beat Beltre’s fielding at third. Thus making the Red Sox infield not worse than last year.
I disagree with your reasons behind that opinion (Youkilis was good once [but still not as good as beltre] and that beltre looked to be declining to you). I just thought it was funny after all that talk you still thought Beltre would outfield Youkilis. I get that you think there is a chance he won’t.
I would say the younger, more potent youkilis was relegated to first for the older, less good Mike Lowell. Because if Youkilis was worse than a 32 year old lowell at third, he isn’t going to beat a 31 year old beltre.