The long-term question of long-term contracts
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on May 16, 2011 
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Free agency is about more than money. It’s about years. A long-term contract means stability for a player.
It means commitment for a team.
For better or worse — for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health — the Yankees have committed themselves to some of the biggest names in baseball. Long-term contracts have become nearly unavoidable with the game’s superstars (it’s not only the Yankees who have signed longer-than-advisable deals to land the biggest names) and those long-term contracts create situations like the one the Yankees are experiencing with Jorge Posada.
“We’re a unique organization because we’ve been in a position to be able to retain some unbelievable legends for this franchise,” Brian Cashman said. “And you pay honor to that at all times, but we also have to honor the 2011 season or whatever season you’re playing, and that at times can conflict with what people have done in the past. You have to do what’s best for your team in the present, and sometimes that puts you in difficult circumstances, and then you have to deal with them the best you can, all parties involved.
“You don’t have a clear road map, so it can be very combustible, because you’re in a very large media market with a lot of people with a lot of pride, and sometimes job descriptions can conflict and create a situation that can get dicey at times.”
The past two days, Joe Girardi has been asked just how long he can stick with Posada — at any spot in the lineup — if he keeps hitting .165. Understandably, Girardi has deflected the question as something to be answered only if necessary.
Fair enough, but obviously it’s a question that will loom over this team as long as Posada struggles. And it’s a question that could continue to loom as other high-profile Yankees play into the later years of their long-term deals.
“The reality of it is, my job is to manage to win today,” Girardi said. “And I have to deal with that. And I try to show respect, and I try to show sensitivity and truly care about my players, and that’s the things that I have to balance, and that’s not always easy because players always think they can still do it at the same level or today’s going to be the day that it turns around for me. If they didn’t think that, they wouldn’t have been successful in their career, so that’s not always easy. And I’ve told my players on a number of occasions, I’m doing what I think is best at the time. I would never do anything to try to purposely hurt a player or to embarrass a player or to take playing (time).
“I’m doing what I think is the best at that time, and that’s what I’m hired to do.”
Associated Press photo
Nice, succinct description of Joe’s dilemma.
Great post Chad.
The Titanic (the current Yankees team) is now in free fall and sinking fast, all of the lifeboats have been filled and sent off, leaving those left behind clinging to anything that they can find to hold onto including old Yankeeographies and Yankees Classics of a Yankees teams of yesteryear when this team had a pulse. It’s going to get much uglier before it get’s any better, people falling into the freezing waters and dying of hypothermia, the Posada incident was just the beginning of the elderly not strong enough to hang on. What’s needed are younger men that can somehow hang on without falling into the cold waters, ie, a Jesus Montero for example, but the ship’s captain and first mate are said to be stubborn SOB’s and seem satisfied to watch their passengers die one by one. The ship is now on it’s downward spiral and and now headed to Tampa this ship may start sinking even faster. It makes for good TV viewing though, because as a people we Americans love a good disaster movie. Who will get saved and who will die a chilly death? There’s no denying though that this ship is going down and fast!
“…but we also have to honor the 2011 season or whatever season you’re playing, and that at times can conflict with what people have done in the past. You have to do what’s best for your team in the present, and sometimes that puts you in difficult circumstances, and then you have to deal with them the best you can, all parties involved.”
When the time comes to bench Jeter and/or A-Rod, and the owners actually agree that it has to be done, I’ll believe it. Until then, I think the standard will be selectively applied.
Nice post Chad, great to get off the Posada news and the Red Sux series.
“We’re a unique organization because we’ve been in a position to be able to retain some unbelievable legends for this franchise,”
Pretty much sums it up. ‘Unique’ is right.
Nomar GarciPosada . . made this “situation” not only tough on himself but on the manager and the team.!. Now every at bat of his will be critiqued and overanalyzed. Jeter and Giradi will be fielding questions every day about Posada. every 0-4 or 1-4 will be met by. . Will you sit him ? will you bat him ninth ? Is Montero ready ? .
All this could have been avoided if the baby just put his pride aside and played.
If things don’t turn around soon changes are coming.
If the Yankees had to do it all over again would they have signed Tex to such a long onerous contract, not to mention the one to A-fraud?. And is C.C. really worth it? You’re damned if you do and damned if you don’t in some instances. On another topic who would have thunk that Kennedy would turn out to be one to keep instead of Hughes or Joba? Yankees took a lot of flack for drafting Kennedy with their #1 pick and he did have some rough starts for the Yankees, and who’s to say he would be as good in the AL as he is now in AZ but he is putting up some nice numbers for the D-backs.
“All this could have been avoided if the baby just put his pride aside and played.”
I think Posada made a mistake, but to call a prideful guy who has been a warrior for this team a baby isn’t fair.
Erin May 16th, 2011 at 8:42 am
So, that homestand sucked.
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I prefer to use the more politically correct “Inhaled Profusely” over sucked. That just sounds tacky. What would Bert say?
GreenBeret7 May 16th, 2011 at 9:14 am
I prefer to use the more politically correct ?Inhaled Profusely? over sucked. That just sounds tacky. What would Bert say?
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LOL…you’re right, Bert would probably not approve of my language.
That reminds me of my 8th grade social studies teacher. He banned the word sucks, so we had to say “that inhales”
“MTU May 16th, 2011 at 9:08 am
If things don’t turn around soon changes are coming.”
In theory yes… However The Major NY news outlets are 110% on the side of Jeter, Posada, and 120% against Girardi and Cashman. You saw how Girardi and Cashman were reacted to by this, can you imagine the media backlash if they even toy with dropping Jeter in the Line Up…
I hope changes start to come, but I just think Girardi is just gonna cave and will be affraid of “disrespecting” legacy yankees.
What are some ways the team can be made better in the here and now ?
Send Cervelli down and bring up Montero.
Lose a reliever and bring up a bat, i.e. Maxwell. He has 13 homers @ AAA.
Start dropping slumping players like Swisher down in the order.
Consider releasing Jones and replacing him with someone better.
Etc.
Just a few suggestions.
This could be a totally different team after the ASB if the Yankees haven’t completely fallen off the face of the Earth by then. I think trading for an OF (like Beltran with the Mets)isn’t out of the question, along with pitching help. Montero if he’s not traded will surely be up as will one or 2 more of the young pitching prospects, and a reliable infield bench player and another bat will surely be optained. I think as many as 5 or 6 new faces will be on this team by August.
Yet again, my “fantasy” line up as a few others have mentioned:
1. Gardener
2. Jeter
3. Granderson
4. Cano
5. A-Rod
6. Teixiera
7. Martin
8. Swisher
9. Posada/Jones
The current jumble of a line up is too inconsistant.
Who would have thought that AJ Burnett would be the top Yankee rotation starter at this point of the season. Whatever the issues were last year, he seems to have conquered them so far this season.
Collective team wide slumps are ugly…..the Yanks are playing terrible baseball right now but I still believe its a good team playing badly and not just a bad team.
Montero will be up soon Im guessing but the only real way this thing is going to take a turn for the better is if the good players the Yankees already have start playing better. Grandedson is the only guy playing up to their ability right now and most guys aren’t even close….that has to change first.
Montero is not going to brought up until Posada is released or made a bench player, the latter which prob won’t happen
Ah…between a rock and a hard place.
“In theory yes… However The Major NY news outlets are 110% on the side of Jeter, Posada, and 120% against Girardi and Cashman.”
Someone must not be from around here…
GB-I was thinking the same thing last night about AJ. I’m really happy for him-I hope he can keep it up. And getting some run support once in a while wouldn’t hurt either.
Oh.
And have A-Rod dump Cameron Diaz and Get back to dating Kate.
She’s causing a prolonged slump.
blake May 16th, 2011 at 9:23 am
Collective team wide slumps are ugly?..the Yanks are playing terrible baseball right now but I still believe its a good team playing badly and not just a bad team.
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agreed
And have A-Rod dump Cameron Diaz and Get back to dating Kate.
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this would be problematic considering Kate’s engaged and preggers.
Also, love that we’re bringing back ‘A-Fraud’…. I guess everyone’s really coming out of the woodwork after that tough series.
Erin-
Then it’s time for another Starlet.
One who brings good luck.
Forget Posada and his .165 avg for a moment, how long do you keep puttung Swish out there and now Martin is also in free fall? How long do you stick with these guys? If Swish has an .215 avg or below in July, is he benched for say a Maxwell or traded for Beltran?
# timmyb72 May 16th, 2011 at 9:09 am
If the Yankees had to do it all over again would they have signed Tex to such a long onerous contract, not to mention the one to A-fraud?. And is C.C. really worth it? You’re damned if you do and damned if you don’t in some instances. On another topic who would have thunk that Kennedy would turn out to be one to keep instead of Hughes or Joba? Yankees took a lot of flack for drafting Kennedy with their #1 pick and he did have some rough starts for the Yankees, and who’s to say he would be as good in the AL as he is now in AZ but he is putting up some nice numbers for the D-backs.
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Yea Kennedy is doing well. It’s nice to see him have success
I’m with MTU — Cameron is just not doing it for the Yankees win column.
So is Swish’s marriage hurting him this season, too? That would be sad…the happier you are off-field, the worse you do on-field? Heck, Jetes getting ready to get married, as well.
This “theory” still doesn’t explain Jorge’s woes.
Does anyone know what was the cause of the original riff between Posada and Girardi was when they were both playing? Was it a playing time issue?
Whatever the issues were last year, he seems to have conquered them so far this season
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Seems one big difference is how well he’s pitched with men on base.
I’m happy for Kennedy, but he’s pitching in a completely different — and in the NL to boot. He’s MUCH better suited for the NL.
A near perfect final launch of “Endeavour (Endeavor)” this morning. After nearly 50 years of watching these launches, I never get tired of them.
…completely different league.
I think Montero will be brought up to replace Cervelli when the move is made. He will.DH against LHP and catch Martin’s off days. They’ll probably give Jorge more time against RHP ….if he doesn’t hit and Montero does then they’ll make that change later on.
GB7 — good to hear!
If by some miracle, and boy would it have to be a “huge” miracle at this point, and the Yanks made the playoffs, who would be in the playoff rotation at this point and where? You would almost have to go with CC., then AJ, and then (?) pray for rain? CC, AJ, Colon? or hope to God that Hughes is back by then? wow! it isn’t a pretty picture.
MTU – good morning –
I’d have no problem with trying Montero and Maxwell (how alliterative). Just be prepared that it’s entirely possible that they will struggle at first, as well as later.
Swisher has been as low as 8th in the lineup.
Wouldn’t be opposed to Jones being released, he’s disappointed greatly thus far, and it’s always questionable how much he’s got left. Who do we replace him with? Maxwell? See above.
Remember, Tampa lost their first 6, I think it was, and Boston started off 2-10. I think the remedy they used was tincture of time. That might cure the problem as much as anything.
Later.
Montero is not going to brought up until Posada is released or made a bench player, the latter which prob won’t happen
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Not so sure about this, Trip. Sitting Posada against tough lefties may be the 1st step towards making Posada a bat off the bench for the 2nd half of the season.
Swish IS a problem — both defensively and offensively. But Martin? He’s just fine — but perhaps is a bit tired after all the games he played without a break. I certainly don’t want to see Cervelli in there.
Swish needs to get off the Red Bull.
It’s turning him into Cervelli.
Too twitchy.
Borrow some of the Batting .1000 in the Wife department and apply it to the hitting account.
That will take care of things.
A simple transfer will even things out.
“And I try to show respect, and I try to show sensitivity and truly care about my players”
Then you should have told Posada he was batting ninth the night before Joe.
Kennedy would have a 4.50 ERA if he was still with us. I would much rather have Grandy
How would it be a huge miracle for the Yanks to make the playoffs…..they are 1 game back in the loss column. If they win the next 2 then they are back in first place.
They have given away the cushion they had due to the Sox and Rays poor start but that doesn’t matter anymore……you have to forget about the last 6 weeks and go in to today like it’s opening day again …..because that’s esenfially what it is, only its about a 135 game season now.
More like 120 game season
blake – I like your plan for Montero. I could get on board with that. I also have to agree with Joe, that Jones isn’t really doing a whole lot for this team, which might be ok if Swisher was playing baseball. Lately, I’m not sure if he’s been playing cricket or soccer instead..
Mell,
Why would they have a 13 million dollar guy as a bench player who can’t hit and who can’t play the field?
Joe-
I’m not for standing pat much longer. This is the easy part of the Yankees schedule and many opportunities have already been
squandered.
The second half only gets tougher.
Slumps happen but prolonged slumps should not be allowed to fester
w/o trying a few things.
That’s my take.
Too much patience is just as bad as not enough.
Mell,
I agree….I think Montero will be worked in against lefties at DH and on Martin’s off days behind the plate. That will get him 2-3 starts a week and some pinch hit chances. How it progresses from there would be up to him and up to Posada.
Sure, Joe. You’re doing what you think is the best at the time. Like bunting needlessly. Your thinking is just screwed up, that’s all.
Erin May 16th, 2011 at 9:24 am
GB-I was thinking the same thing last night about AJ. I’m really happy for him-I hope he can keep it up. And getting some run support once in a while wouldn’t hurt either
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His control this year, right from ST has been exceptional. He could easily have a 6-1 record. He’ll need to be almost flawless tonight, though. He’s made some big changes and that means a lot of work has been put into the physical and mental part of his pitching. I’ve never understood all of the Dr. Phils on here that keep spouting the “mental weakness” of Burnett. He may have issues from time to time with confidence and concentration, but, that hardly made him mentally weak. NYYs need him as much as anybody to perform at his peak.
The Yankees need to make better business decisions. For instance, they allowed media & fan pressure to increase their offer to Jeter this last off-season.
Why? They didn’t owe him anything. Jeter did not play for free all those years. The Yankees made him a very rich man with a $189 million dollar contract. He was one of the highest paid players in all of sports over the last 10 years. Then at 36, coming off one of his worst seasons in his career he demands a superstar contract.
Again, I ask why? In real life, when you don’t perform you lose your job, you don’t get a raise.
Jeter performance & age called for a modest 2 yr. $8-9 million dollar contract offer at best. Yet since he was Derek Jeter the Yanks offered him a 3 yr. $45 Million dollar contract. That made him the highest paid middle infielder at the time until Tulo. signed his new contract. ( Tulo. is in his prime & is 10 yrs. younger than Jeter) Jeter cried & stomped his feet until the team added another yr. & approximately $4 Miilion dollars more.
Now the team is stuck with a ground ball hitting machine with limited range at short. His avg. isn’t the biggest problem, its his OBP & his Slug. % that are the real issues. He does not draw enough walks nor drive the ball any longer. He constantly swings at the first pitch & grounds weakly to the infield. Yet come hell or high water, he continues to be the lead off hitter.
Fans complain about losing, but 50% of the preseason polls had fans saying the team should give Jeter whatever he wanted. What? Without the PED’s players will no longer put up the numbers they were putting up in their mid to late 30′s any longer.
In think you will see less & less teams willing to give players long term contracts that will take them into their late 30′s. The game will focus on youth & speed until the latest undetectable performance enhancing drug is found.
MTU –
I like your solution.
I call Cervelli “the spaz” — Swisher does seem to be highly-caffeinated. If I didn’t know better, I’d say he was on coke, but they do drug testing. Gosh — what was he like on amphetamines? Though I hear cans and cans of Red Bull are similar — but they can also cause heart attacks. Yikes — hope his Joanna gets him off the stuff. They are a very cute couple.
You carry a 13 million dollar bench player if it comes to that for 3 reasons 1) because the money is irrelevant 2) because Jorge can still have pro ABs and be an emergency catcher 3) because you can’t cut Jorge Posada mid season…..you just can’t IMO.
I think the ice has been broken with this Posada situation, now him sitting or getting dropped isnt taboo, it also takes the cuffs off shaking it up with other players too,, sometimes you gotta hit bottom before big changes are made. now that a precedent has happened, its full speed forward for changes, Girardi has the gloves off… TIMMY, nice creepy titanic comparison..
GB-
The SP has been surprisingly good overall.
Whatever Bartolo got I want some of it.
Lucky break for him meeting Dr. Ponce DeLeon.
I thought he was from Florida though ?
I couldn’t care less about the money these guys are paid. Whatever. Are you going to turn down bucks from your boss? Yeah, I didn’t think so.
But the years we are tied up with aging stars are killing us, and also killing our minor league prospects who are stuck down in AAA for too long.
Its not always about Derek Jeter. The Yankees didn’t let fan or media pressure make them do anything with his contract…..in fact, they used those things to push him closer to a deal they were comfortable with. The Yanks had all the leverage in that deal and they used it…..Jeter was still their best option at SS and they did overpay him to recognize what he’s meant to the franchise…..but they weren’t forced into anything.
But Martin? He’s just fine — but perhaps is a bit tired after all the games he played without a break
==========================
Martin has had 4 games off since April 30.
Montero .444/.474/.667 vs LHP
Free Montero!!
I don’t think they’ll cut Jorge this season at all, but they may bench him as a pinch hitter.
I know some here on the board weren’t happy with the fans standing O yesterday, but in my opinion, the fans in the stadium weren’t necessarily cheering for his boneheaded move. They were showing their support of all he has done and what he has meant to the team. I would have stood and cheered as well had I been there, and I think his move the other day was idiotic — but very also very emotional — so like the Jorge we watched all these years.
I’m glad the club is letting this go and moving on. It’s too bad he didn’t own up immediately and apologize, but he did the next day and that was important.
Who is ready in the Yankees minor leagues that isn’t with the big club right now? Montero is the only guy you can.make that argument for and he’s the youngest guy in the international league I believe……just don’t know where all these ready prospects that are being held back are…..Montero will be up soon.
MTU May 16th, 2011 at 9:42 am
GB-
The SP has been surprisingly good overall.
Whatever Bartolo got I want some of it.
Lucky break for him meeting Dr. Ponce DeLeon.
I thought he was from Florida though ?
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LMAO. That just leaves so many wide open spaces to take shots at, but, with my style and class, I’ll just let it go this time.
Mell,
I believe there was a cumulative effect on all those days he played straight. Also, he may be in a mini slump like most of team, minus Granderson. Short-term slumps are normal, but wow — the Yanks seem to always head south at the same time.
I agree …… its time to bring up Montero. Theres nothing left for him to prove down on the farm. its Time.
GB-
And another thing that belongs in the Ripley’s believe it or not category.
Who would have thought this group of starters would be the strongest leg of the Yankee table ?
Not the offense.
Not the defense.
Not the pen.
Yea. I know. You saw it coming all along.
blake,
I agree the money isn’t the biggest factor but it still is a factor. No team even the Yankees want to give up 11 million dollars even if it is a sunk cost. The main issue is the Yankees won’t end Posada’s career by cutting him. The mid to late 90′s team will always have a special place in my heart but in a way I will be glad when that chapter is over and we can go back to making baseball moves with our heads and not our hearts
Maxwell .389/.593/.889 vs LHP
Consider Freeing Maxwell!!
Wang IS Taiwan May 16th, 2011 at 9:46 am
I?m glad the club is letting this go and moving on. It?s too bad he didn?t own up immediately and apologize, but he did the next day and that was important.
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agreed. I was very happy that he apologized yesterday. And I was also happy to see him get that standing ovation.
GB-
You are incredibly classy.
No doubt about that.
Nunez .300/.364/.400
Free Nunez from the Bench!!
LGY-
Speed to burn and D too.
Slade Heathcott AKA Destroyer of Red Sox Catchers
http://www.minorleagueball.com.....ks-catcher
Free Slade!!
The Yankees are victims of their own history.
(Not even sure what that means but it sounds profound.)
Titanic? Come on. I agree with those of you are still cautiously optimistic. It is May, after all. The ship is not sinking just because they are playing badly right now. Too much talent on this team that they won’t bounce back. And this just happens to be a bunch of very good players slumping at the same time. They will start to get hot just like they always do.
Come on, people. Chins up!
Who is Arod blocking? Who is Teixera blocking? Who is Sabathia blocking? Who is AJ blocking? Who is Jeter blocking?
The answer to those questions is either nobody or someone that’s not ready for the show yet.
Jeers-
You do have a way with words.
The 90′s rocked. If we’d only been able to win in 2001. It really seemed to be NY’s destiny.
I was at the last game pre-9-11 and the first game post-911. Still give me shivers to remember the first game back. Amazing sense of community among all New Yorkers. Now that’s not sthg you see everyday — actually ever…
Free Nunez to DH….anywhere where catching and throwing isn’t involved.
Slade just became my favorite prospect ! kid put on some size too.
Wang-
It will happen again when the Aliens land for the first time.
That day the Earth will stand still.
Erin,
If there was ANY doubt in Jorge’s mind as to what we meant to the fans, it vanished then. That must have felt amazing.
Remember when we all called out Paul O’Neil on his last game in Yankee stadium? Those are the moments in sports that stay with you forever.
Heathcott might be a beast in a couple years…..if baseball doesn’t work out he could try the UFC.
Does anyone know how many games Slade was suspended?
MTU — ah, so the secret is out. You’re an alien believer! Excellent. I hear the West gets more sightings than anywhere else in the US.
Wang IS Taiwan May 16th, 2011 at 9:57 am
Does anyone know how many games Slade was suspended?
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I thought I saw that it was 5, but don’t quote me on that.
# LGY May 16th, 2011 at 9:50 am
Maxwell .389/.593/.889 vs LHP
Consider Freeing Maxwell!!
_______
Talk about small sample size. Those stats are based on 18 AB’s and his mlb lefty splits aren’t good at all. Vs. righties he is abysmal. In AAA, he is batting .212 BA /.288 OBP. vs. righties. He either hits homeruns or strikes out. He is not the answer. We need contact hitters.
On the other hand, Montero is a beast of a different pedigree and would make sense IF he gets enough playing time…
Wang IS Taiwan,
I still can’t believe Mo blew game 7. They had no business winning that series when you get right down to it but they had game 7 in the palms of their hands.
Just the amount of playoff games Mo appeared in he was going to blow a few but it just happens that 2 of the ones he blew were so huge. Red Sox and then the D backs.
MTU,
Good ideas, but I read Kate hudson is pregnant. That might complicate your plans just a touch.
I don’t think this free fall can be tolerated very long. If they get kicked around by the Rays, I predict immediate changes will be made including bringing up Montero. They couldn’t do nothing.
Maxwell looks like Arod in the box….trouble is he’d probably hit like Arod has the last couple weeks. Anything with a wrinkle seems to give him fits.
Erin —
Thanks! Won’t quote you, but I appreciate the ballpark figure. I heard it was going to be between 5-10 games.
Bringing up Montero to replace Cervelli is the obvious move. It costs you nothing.
No brainer. Do it. I liked Rich’s idea (or whomever first suggested it) to convert Nunez to RF & give Swisher a breather. That would be two excellent, young bats in the lineup without doing something stupid outside.
Montero isn’t a luxury he’s a necessity. Martin’s needing some relief also. Four passed balls lately, & giving in to Youkilis twice in two days. If that had been Jorge, the punks who hate his guts would have been emeticizing on every Yankee board on the internet.
Rich in NJ, I would like to have some faith in Cashman (at one time, I was a big advocate believe it or not, especially during all the Hughes for Santana stuff). But I think some of the problems we’re having have turned on the decision not to stick with Chamberlain at starter. Against All Odds wrote the most enlightened post on that subject a while back, that the decision in 2010 to make him a permanent BP arm has created a snowball effect that is ongoing. You were in here & one of the few people other than myself, & YF & few others who objected to trading Montero for a stopper starter (I’m probably the most “radical”, I refuse to deal him for anyone unconditionally) because his importance to the LINEUP now & in coming years trumps adding one starter who pitches every fifth day. All people said is “you’ve got to do it” without really thinking through, IMO, the graver impact on the bottom line going forward: winning.
If Joba had been left to evolve as a starter, perhaps these always looming desperation moves we live in dread of and that everyone’s always pushing (to get rid of Montero and a KB) would have been preempted.
Whose decision was this? Cashman is the GM. It’s counter to his fighting words about developing our own guys which I thought was going to be the signature of his GM-ship.
Many here think I am one of them.
I definitely have a sense of humor which could be described that way.
Triple,
You’re right, but we had so many “miracle” hits when we were on the edge of defeat. It was also the end of that particular “band of brothers.” We knew some of our favorites wouldn’t be back. Double-whammy.
Austin-
The could but I hope they don’t.
Right now, the Yankees are heavily right handed dependent, both in offense and pitching, in a ballpark that favors lefties.
Other than taking a chance with either Maxwell or Parraz, outside of Montero, there is little in the way of offensive help at Scranton. Pitching-wise, they are getting closer every start, though with Warren, Phelps and especially Mitchell. Laird is starting to hit better, but, not much power. That is a tough park and league for power hitters this year. Not so sure that it’s the pitching more than the weather, though. Don’t know whether Daniel Brewer gets a call-up or not, but, he provides a little of everything from 3 outfield spots.
tampa yanks are getting the pitching, but, other than Rob Lyerly’s bat, not a lot of offense.
Charleston is loaded with thumpers and a great game from Nik Turley last night puts them into the Sally League hunt. Sanchez is starting to hit and adding power, but, Heathcott, Segedin and Murphy are really hammering the ball. DeLeon, Sosa and Flores are starting to hit and with power. There is outfield help on the way, but, not immediately.
As always, defense really hurts the pitching efforts throughout the system.
Maxwell is not the answer to anything. He is all or nothing, and against MLB pitching it would be, and has been in the past, nothing.
To improve the OF, it will have to be via trade. There is no one in AAA that can be more than an emergency filler.
Montero and perhaps Vazquez are the only possible offensive additions from within. Neither is ideal as they are not outfielders. Vazquez is in the minors in his late 20s for a reason. He has significant contact and defensive shortcomings.
Wasn’t it Maxwell that had that amazing arm and threw sb out at home? I’d definitely put him in RF just for his defense– Swish is lost right now. His defense has always been a crapshoot, but when he was hitting HRs, I think a lot of that was forgiven. Ugh..his sliding catches have been ridiculous.
Swisher looks lost. Sit him.
El Chato could get the call before Montero.
The best way to upgrade the outfield is replace 2011 Swisher with 2010 Swisher …..anybody seem him?
Talk about small sample size. Those stats are based on 18 AB’s and his mlb lefty splits aren’t good at all. Vs. righties he is abysmal. In AAA, he is batting .212 BA /.288 OBP. vs. righties. He either hits homeruns or strikes out. He is not the answer. We need contact hitters.
——-
Duh. That’s why I said “consider” freeing Maxwell!!
If Andruw doesn’t get it done, I would give the kid a shot.
The best way to upgrade the outfield is replace 2011 Swisher with 2010 Swisher …..anybody seem him?
~~~~~~~
Yeah, he’s busy now doing commercials and playing house.
Evan and Joe blasting Cash and putting nothing on Posada because he said he was sorry. Look for Francessa to follow with the same crap as well.
yankeefeminista May 16th, 2011 at 9:59 am
# LGY May 16th, 2011 at 9:50 am
Maxwell .389/.593/.889 vs LHP
Consider Freeing Maxwell!!
_______
Talk about small sample size. Those stats are based on 18 AB’s and his mlb lefty splits aren’t good at all. Vs. righties he is abysmal. In AAA, he is batting .212 BA /.288 OBP. vs. righties. He either hits homeruns or strikes out. He is not the answer. We need contact hitters.
On the other hand, Montero is a beast of a different pedigree and would make sense IF he gets enough playing time…
///
I’m not sure where all this Maxwell stuff is coming from. Somebody last night was advocating this also. The guy is never getting on base.
Gotta run. Have a good one, folks. I’m not sure we’ll get anything off Tampa Bay’s Price, but we can always hope…
It’s past the stoke of Midnight and for the moment Swisher has turned back into a pumpkin.
He’s caught a temporary case of the old White Sox blues.
Lock him in a room with Ozzie Guillen for a few hours and he’ll be just fine.
It’ll be just like shock therapy.
That would scare anyone back to reality.
He’ll hit .300 for the rest of the season.
“All this could have been avoided if the baby just put his pride aside and played.”
yeah, the guy who went about 12-13 years at the most demanding position in baseball without ever going on the disabled list while his son endured numerous life threatening surgeries though out his childhood is a real baby.
he can’t handle pressure and he’s not to be counted on. yeah, right.
# LGY May 16th, 2011 at 10:10 am
Talk about small sample size. Those stats are based on 18 AB’s and his mlb lefty splits aren’t good at all. Vs. righties he is abysmal. In AAA, he is batting .212 BA /.288 OBP. vs. righties. He either hits homeruns or strikes out. He is not the answer. We need contact hitters.
——-
Duh. That’s why I said “consider” freeing Maxwell!!
If Andruw doesn’t get it done, I would give the kid a shot.
_____
He needs to free *himself* first by not swinging so freely.
I get the athleticism, but I just don’t see him hitting better than Jones vs. lefties, and although Swish is a lost cause right now, how is Maxwell’s bat any better? Probably would be worse.
Pick up Beltran. he is in the last year of his contract and the Mets are looking to dump payroll. He can dh and play right.
Classic radio. They praising Collins for him handling the Beltran situation and blasting the Yankees for the way they handled Posada in the off season. They “told” Posada he wasn’t catching instead of getting his input.
You can’t make this stuff up.
Excellent post JAP
# Triple Short of a Cycle May 16th, 2011 at 10:17 am
Classic radio. They praising Collins for him handling the Beltran situation and blasting the Yankees for the way they handled Posada in the off season. They “told” Posada he wasn’t catching instead of getting his input.
You can’t make this stuff up.
—————————————–
Are they mentioning that one reason the Yankees don’t want Jorge to catch is due to the number of concussions he has sustained throughout his career.
The first half is the easiest part of the Yankees schedule by far.
Not trying to shake things up a bit to take advantage of that is just plain foolish IMO.
Triple Short of a Cycle
They are Met fans, praising the Mets and ragging on the Yankees.
The militant and unforgiving denunciations of Posada say more about those posting than about Posada. Just sayin’.
Chad gets a shout-out in Kim Jones’ latest blog entry
http://tiny.cc/n4f02
yeah, the guy who went about 12-13 years at the most demanding position in baseball without ever going on the disabled list while his son endured numerous life threatening surgeries though out his childhood is a real baby.
he can?t handle pressure and he?s not to be counted on. yeah, right.
——
Hey Randy
I’m not talking about the Past .. . . what he pulled off Saturday was selfish and immature ! PERIOD . he let his fans down . .and he let his team down. Your getting paid 13 million dollars to play a kids game . .and your crying because your batting ninth ?? GIVE ME A BREAK ! Giriardi is the Manager .. if he tells you to bat ninth . .then you bat ninth.
You can feed me all his childhood stories all you want ! . . your not getting any sympathy out of me ……it DOES NOT excuse what he did on national TV against the Sox.
Jordan Parraz deserves a shot before Justin Maxwell.
If you trade for Beltran you take on the remainder of his 18.5M contract. Flip Posada to the Mets and his 13.1M contract? After all Posada was in negotiations with Minaya when he was a FA, before the Yankees conceded and gave him the 4th year.
Against All Odds,
Of course not since that would mean they would have to dig a little deeper in their research instead of going with the typical talk radio nonsense.
The thing I love about that station is how 1 person uses a word and it spreads to mostly everyone on their. Fugazi is the latest word. Yet nobody can pronounce it correctly. They call it Fugazeee instead of Fugozeee
“Are they mentioning that one reason the Yankees don’t want Jorge to catch is due to the number of concussions he has sustained throughout his career.”
the yankees/posada have not done a good job of making it common knowledge that posada has a permanent concussion problem.
i follow this kind of stuff and until lgy provided a really good link yesterday, i didn’t know for sure that posada really can’t catch again.
here’s that link:
http://www.northjersey.com/spo.....l?page=all
Posada not being in the line up for a game: Non story.
I find it amusing that people ask for the guy to ASK OUT OF THE LINE-UP one day and then cry when he does the next because they didn’t like the circumstances the decision was born from. Good lord… this is so completely inane. Stories like this are only relevant when you’re the Yankees. Remember that.
I find it amusing that people ask for the guy to ASK OUT OF THE LINE-UP one day and then cry when he does the next because they didn’t like the circumstances the decision was born from.
–
Are you positive these are the same groups of people?
# Triple Short of a Cycle May 16th, 2011 at 10:25 am
Against All Odds,
Of course not since that would mean they would have to dig a little deeper in their research instead of going with the typical talk radio nonsense.
The thing I love about that station is how 1 person uses a word and it spreads to mostly everyone on their. Fugazi is the latest word. Yet nobody can pronounce it correctly. They call it Fugazeee instead of Fugozeee
————————————————————
Lol gotta love the staff at WFAN. Let’s not report the truth let’s just go with what we think.
randy l-
Thanks for the link above about Posada and prior concussive injuries.
Are you positive these are the same groups of people?
——————
You can never let a lohud fallacy slip by.
Against All Odds,
You have the most popular sports team yet you only have one host that is a Yankee fan that works there
Randy-that’s the article I was trying to find the other day!!
Jerkface, I believe many are.
# randy l. May 16th, 2011 at 10:25 am
“Are they mentioning that one reason the Yankees don’t want Jorge to catch is due to the number of concussions he has sustained throughout his career.”
the yankees/posada have not done a good job of making it common knowledge that posada has a permanent concussion problem.
i follow this kind of stuff and until lgy provided a really good link yesterday, i didn’t know for sure that posada really can’t catch again.
here’s that link:
http://www.northjersey.com/spo…..l?page=all
————————————————————
That’s true they haven’t done a good job explaining why Posada is no longer the catcher for the Yankees. I remember when the story came out in ST I thought wow this will definitely shed some light on the situation and put things in perspective but it disappeared faster than it appeared. All you hear ppl say is the Yankees took away his catching gear for some reason.
Joe and Evan, while funny, are both common idiots. Joe never went to college and sold meat before getting his job on the radio. Evan Roberts is nothing but a screamer. Please do not listen to them if they are making you worked up. Talk radio is what ruins sports, because it keeps fans on edge. These idiots think that this weekend was glorious for the Mets because they took 2 out of 3 from the worst team in the National League and the Yankees are in a slump. Good for Joe and Evan….maybe they can scream some more.
# Triple Short of a Cycle May 16th, 2011 at 10:33 am
Against All Odds,
You have the most popular sports team yet you only have one host that is a Yankee fan that works there
————————————————-
Yet everyone in the news room is a Yankee fan. It’s weird
Yankees need their own station.
I recall SJ saying something about those head trauma tests done in Pittsburgh and how Jorge had trouble “passing”
“I’m not talking about the Past .. . . what he pulled off Saturday was selfish and immature ! PERIOD . he let his fans down . .and he let his team down. Your getting paid 13 million dollars to play a kids game . .and your crying because your batting ninth ?? GIVE ME A BREAK ! Giriardi is the Manager .. if he tells you to bat ninth . .then you bat ninth.”
i like it when fans talk tough.
99.9 % could not handle one 97mph fast ball to the mask and they use the word “crying” to talk about one of the true tough guys in baseball.
… and from reading that article lgy posted, it appears that posada has some serious brain damage that will not go away in his lifetime. this means that posada basically sacrificed his brain and his quality of later life for the yankees by taking the beating he did all those years.
yes, i guess it makes sense not to flip the page and move on when someone like this makes a small mistake.
…anyone that knows anything about concussions know that the pre frontal cortex is the place that is most damaged and this is also the place where impulse control is processed. a person with brain damage from concussions has to become very disciplined with acting and reacting without thinking.
impulse control is a real problem which is why you see a lot of athletes with concussion problems get in trouble with the law after their careers are over.
but hey, why do some research about a situation before making knee jerk comments on a blog.
cgrand14 Billy Martin was born on this date in 1928
The way Mushnick blasts Francessa every day you would think Mike stole his wife away from him? Does anyone know if they had a falling out or something
The Mets aren’t going to want Posada. He has absolutely nowhere to play there and if they trade Beltran then it’ll be to get prospects and rid themselves of most if not all of his salary.
Cashman took what should have been a private team matter and blew it up. He blew it IMO.
Cashman also chose to play the Red Sox this weekend with a 23 man roster, which hurt the team worse than Jorge asking out, since Jorge isn’t hitting anyway.
try this link for posada concussion problems:
http://www.northjersey.com/spo.....l?page=all
ok, it works.
In case anyone missed Taj Gibson posterizing Dwayne Wade.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v.....r_embedded
If Posada played at Citi Field, his average would be .000. He can’t hit a homer there.
Wave Your Hat,
I really doubt Cash would do anything like that without the higher ups telling him to do it or with their approval
“I really doubt Cash would do anything like that without the higher ups telling him to do it or with their approval”
Could be, but he’s the one who said it. If higher ups were involved same goes for them.
# Triple Short of a Cycle May 16th, 2011 at 10:43 am
The way Mushnick blasts Francessa every day you would think Mike stole his wife away from him? Does anyone know if they had a falling out or something
————————————————————–
Believe it or not I think Mushnick started off writing positive stories about Francesa.
Again Randy —
WHAT does his prior concussion issues have to do with taking yourself out of the lineup ????
From what Posada said …… . It was his BACK !!!!! then it was his ” Bad Day “..
I feel bad about the prior concussion problems ..and i’m gratefull for the big hits and championships . . BUT it still doesn’t excuse what he pulled off saturday ! . . SO Please save the sob stories !! . . Its a what have you done for me lately team and city we root for ! . ( like it or not )…… and right now Posada sucks and bailed on his team .
“WHAT does his prior concussion issues have to do with taking yourself out of the lineup ???? ”
So what he took himself out of the lineup. He’s entitled to do that at least once every fifteen years.
“Thanks for the link above about Posada and prior concussive injuries.”
lgy gave it to me last night.
it’s a must read article and puts the posada situation in a much clearer light.
i’m actually wondering if posada shouldn’t retire at this point because one bad beaning and he’d be feeling it for the rest of his life.
i listened to an hour long NPR radio interview last fall with the guy who exposed the problems in the NFL with concussions and got the rules changed on how long players stay out when injured.
this guy says permanent brain damage happens in multiple concussions that severely affects the quality of life of the athlete after the athlete stops playing.
posada seems to be at the point where any more hits and he’s going to have permanent damage that will affect the rest of his life.
things will get worse as he ages. even now he may have irreversible brain damage.
it’s not crazy for him to consider stop playing at this point because of this concussion problem.
Wave Your Hat May 16th, 2011 at 10:44 am
Cashman took what should have been a private team matter and blew it up. He blew it IMO.
*****************
I get what you’re saying, but rumors and speculation were off the charts, so I can understand him wanting to make a statement to try to put out the fire. You could argue that only made things worse, of course.
Nick Whiffer was terrible in the playoffs the last 2 years….now that he’s Hollywood Nick, he stinks in the regular season too…..he needs to go make a few more commercials and silly faces….
When is this slump going to end? It’s Burnett vs. Price tonight and Nova vs. Shields tomorrow. Definitely advantage Rays. Baltimore has suddenly got hot so there’s no guarantee we will win on Wednesday or Thursday either. Then we have the Mets coming to the Stadium for the weekend. Imagine what the reaction will be this time next week if we’re swept at home by the Mets? It’s going to be an interesting week in Yankeeland.
“WHAT does his prior concussion issues have to do with taking yourself out of the lineup ????”
mike in ri-
do you understand the concept of impulse control?
it’s entirely possible this uncharacteristic acting up of posada is the beginning of impluse control problems caused by permanent concussion caused brain damage.
my advice to you is to step back, do some reading and educate yourself about concussions before you make comments .
have you even read that article i provided a link to?
try reading it , and then tell us what you think.
randy – that’s the same Klapsisch article that I pointed out to you two days ago. What, I don’t get credit? ?)
MTU – Oh, I agree, too much patience can be just as bad as too little. You just have to be careful, and, IMO, the time for unlimited patience is running out.
I’d still give Po more time, till Memorial Day. Remember, he doesn’t play another position, and you can’t use him to pinch run, so he clogs a roster spot. I really don’t think the Yanks want to release him, so it behooves them to give him every chance, up to a point. If he can’t step it up, then Hello, Jesus, and Goodbye, Cisco.
Ordinarily, Swish would be seeing some serious bench time. But, who are you going to play in his place? Andruw Jones? Maybe, maybe, Jordan Maxwell. But, that’s no sure thing, either. If I bring up Maxwell, I say goodbye to Jones, who has less upside than Swish, by far.
And Kate Hudson? She is so last-decade……
Against All Odds May 16th, 2011 at 10:18 am
Excellent post JAP
///
Odds, whomever was philosophically staunch about making Joba a reliever, that guy is a problem as a Decision Maker or major influence on the DM.
People on Jorge and his character have never liked him to begin with & were thrilled to have a chance to pile on.
The Stadium crowd last night had their say. They love the guy. He deserved that ovation in lieu of some official changing of the guard that should have been marked or acknowledged in some way. I’m sorry I wasn’t there among those folks & instead was in here reading that begrudging, ugly little Carlo post in the midst of the ovation. Talk about mean spirited, loveless ghoulish trash.
I hate fans like that guy.
It’s stupid enough to pay $27 millions a year for 10 years to A-Rod, or B-Rod in this matter.
Just silly.
Nothing against A-Rod, actually I am his fan; But it doesn’t make sense at all.
JobaTipsHisCap,
I agree but what is the alternative to let him walk and to have signed Mike Lowell. Boston used to do a good job in letting players go at the right time and collecting draft picks.
Other than letting Pettitte go which turned into Hughes I can’t remember another Type A player they let go to collect a draft pick
# J. Alfred Prufrock May 16th, 2011 at 11:07 am
Against All Odds May 16th, 2011 at 10:18 am
Excellent post JAP
///
Odds, whomever was philosophically staunch about making Joba a reliever, that guy is a problem as a Decision Maker or major influence on the DM.
————————————————————–
Behind door number 1 Billy Eppler.
“randy – that’s the same Klapsisch article that I pointed out to you two days ago. What, I don’t get credit? ?)”
don’t blame me.
it was that lgy guy who passed your link on to me.
all kidding aside.it is a very good article that everyone should read before making up their mind about posada.
People on Jorge and his character have never liked him to begin with & were thrilled to have a chance to pile on.
J. Alfred Prufrock –
Take your rosey colored glasses off . . The dude pulled a NOMAR !! . . nobody is thrilled that its Jorge… if it was Gardner .. i’d be just as upset ! .
Tom Gordon netted the Yankees both Joba and Ian Kennedy
Other than letting Pettitte go which turned into Hughes I can’t remember another Type A player they let go to collect a draft pick
=======================
Tom Gordon was turned into Ian Kennedy and Joba Chamberlain.
Tom in N.J.
I thought Kennedy was a reg pick?
Well the point being we see how long ago that was. That is one of the Yankees biggest weakness Imo
randy – all right, I’ll let you off the hook
That was pretty good reading, about a very serious and underappreciated topic.
Trip:
The Yankees regular pick in ’06 went to the Red Sox for the Damon signing and became Daniel Bard.
BR has it as 21 Yankees via Phillies *Ian Kennedy (minors)
The Red Sox had the Yankees pick that year (Damon). They took Daniel Bard.
http://www.baseball-reference......ype=junreg
Evan and Joe – Why would the Yankees insult Jeter during negotiations and do what they did to Posada. Its almost like they want to push them out the door
Cervelli and a young pitcher for Carlos Beltran and his remaining contract? Then bring up Montero, and release Jones?
What are the outfield options looking like this off-season? I don’t see Swish in the stripes next year.
Its amazing how everything is being pushed off Posada ( the poor little victim ) and tossed onto the Yankees Orginization. .
Yeah. . because its the Yankees fault Posada cried , threw a hissy fit . removed himself from the lineup and let his team down.
AMAZING !!!
Murray & McDonald talking Yankees on MDR
Mike Ri May 16th, 2011 at 11:22 am
People on Jorge and his character have never liked him to begin with & were thrilled to have a chance to pile on.
J. Alfred Prufrock –
Take your rosey colored glasses off . . The dude pulled a NOMAR !! . . nobody is thrilled that its Jorge… if it was Gardner .. i’d be just as upset ! .
///
How about a little perspective, fella. I know, it’s too much fun for you to behave like a spurned lover. Enjoy.
///
Odds, Cashman was so adamant about Joba being a starter for so long & then did that about face. He said stuff like “Eppler’s got his opinion” but somewhere in there Eppler either convinced Cashman or convinced people over Cashman’s head (Rich theory). So, is Eppler running the Yankees??
Any way, think I’ll go out in the rainstorm. Good one.
Mike Ri – Just shut up already. We get it.
Joe-
I don’t say that Maxwell and Montero are necessarily THE answers, or the only answers.
They were just suggestions on my part.
The point I was trying to make was that sitting on one’s hands can be just as bad as reacting in a knee jerk fashion.
Patience is good until it turns into passivity.
I have to agree that by Memorial day or thereabouts if the team is still floundering changes will be made.
Too many wasted opportunities already IMO.
The season only gets harder in the 2nd half.
Shame – save it dude ! ,, name fits you well
Take it for what its worth
Derek Jeter’s comments in support of Jorge Posada removing himself from Saturday’s lineup have “angered his bosses,” according to ESPN’s Buster Olney.
Mike – Very original.
This has got to be the biggest “who gives a s*#$” story of the year. If this were the Mets, everyone on sports radio would roll their eyes and talk about things that matter like the NBA or NHL playoffs.
Have a good one JAP. You brought up a good point. Cashman was so vocal about him being a starter that when he made the decision that he would be a reliever it came out of left field.
I don’t think Eppler is running the Yankees but I feel Cashman really respects his opinions when it comes to players.
Derek Jeter?s comments in support of Jorge Posada removing himself from Saturday?s lineup have ?angered his bosses,? according to ESPN?s Buster Olney.
****************
ummmm…OK
Shame —
im done with the whole Posada situation. …… moving onto tonights game
anyone who claims that Justin Maxwell could replace Swisher in right field for the Yankees just proves how little they know about baseball.
This guy is hitting .237 in the minors and has struck out 56 time is 150+ plate appearances. Are you KIDDING me?
So pardon me if I ignore all of the complaints about the Yankees current roster and all the proclamations that this team is finished. Baseball is a long season and all you have to do is look at the 2010 Phillies, who lost 16 out of 24 games between mid May and mid June and were scoring scored 65 runs in the entire 24 games, to know that baseball is streaky and good teams recover from these kinds of team-wide slumps.
If you don’t think this is a good Yankees team playing bad baseball then you just don’t know baseball, maybe it’s time to find another sport and team to complain about daily.
Derek Jeter’s comments in support of Jorge Posada removing himself from Saturday’s lineup have “angered his bosses,” according to ESPN’s Buster Olney
======================
So Minka is angry with Jeter?
blake May 16th, 2011 at 9:53 am
Who is Arod blocking? Who is Teixera blocking? Who is Sabathia blocking? Who is AJ blocking? Who is Jeter blocking?
================================================
No one, that’s why the other team is scoring all those touchdowns. LOL J/K
Joe from Long Island May 16th, 2011 at 11:27 am
randy – all right, I’ll let you off the hook
That was pretty good reading, about a very serious and underappreciated topic.
———————————————————————————————————————-
There was a piece a while back about a study that connected head/brain injuries to ALS, as well as Parkinson’s Disease. Something about the abnormal proteins in the spinal and brain fluids while checking three pro athletes. That is not an encouraging future. It will be something to keep an eye on with players like Posada and Mike Matheny.
ummmm…OK
–
The actual article isn’t as ominous as the tweet implies. Just said management is upset that Jeter deflected/absolved Jorge of wrongdoing when Jorge himself knew he did something wrong and apologized for it. Said as Captain Jeter should be doing a better job.
Which I agree with
Jeter said that posada didn’t have to apologize to his teammates if he needed a day. Never mentioned anything about apologizing to Joe or the Front office. Not sure why they are trying to extend this story. You knew whatever he said was going to picked apart by someone.
I’m pulling for Swisher to turn it around.
If he can get back to .260 or so with 25 dingers he stays a Yankee.
If not the Yankees may decide against re-upping him.
Justin Upton sure would look good in Stripes, and Towers owes Cashman a favor.
Imagine JU and Jesus in the same lineup ?
And while we’re at it let’s get Danks from the WS.
Just dreamin’ I guess. What the heck. Can’t hurt.
2012:
CC
AJ
Danks
Hughes,Nova
Banuelos
Jeter’s comments seemed perfectly reasonable to me. The team captain doesn’t have to toe the organizational line.
Here is a link to a story about the connection between sports-related brain injury and ALS, or at least symptoms that mimic ALS. RealSports also did a great story on this.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08.....ehrig.html
MTU-
If you expect to see Banuelos in the rotation next year you better write a letter to the Yanks suggesting they let him pitch some this year. He’s only got 26 innings so far.
I’ve been a Jorge fan the entire time and defended him voraciously on this blog when he was being slammed for no good reason.
What he did on Saturday was a disgrace. He quit, then proceeded to lie to cover his butt.
On Sunday he tried to correct it, but it doesn’t take away the act of what he did on Sunday no matter how you try to rewrite the facts.
I’m disappointed in him because I supported him as a Yankee and through his charity efforts. Seeing his wife put up that ridiculous tweet to attempt to control spin during the game Saturday night was offensive to me.
So now it comes to down to one thing — will he help this team win or will he sulk his way to being waived.
Go out and do your job you’re getting 13 million for and all will be forgotten. Continue mouthing off to David Ortiz about how you don’t like your role and good riddance. It was great career, but Saturday night is a huge pockmark on it.
I’ve never seen a Yankee great quit.
For all the flack Jeter gets, he plays whether he’s into it or not. And Arod when dumped to the bottom of the lineup by Torre didn’t walk out on the team. He played and tried.
Jorge didn’t. He acted like a spoiled child.
The Yankee front office act is wearing thin on me…..news flash guys, the fans care about the players not your comments or whether your feathers are ruffled or you’re offended by a player defending his best friend and long time teammate. What exactly did they think Jeter was going to say? Are they mad at Girardi as well for covering for him?
You guys may own and/or run the team but nobody pays money to watch you sit in your press boxes and this open door policy with Buster and friends is counterproductive. Have your opinions but keep them in house, at least big stein was entertaining when he popped off to the media every day.
End rant
G Love — GREAT POST !!!
–
BS, GLove.
Jerkface-thanks, that makes more sense. It’s kind of an odd situation for Jeter though. Did they really expect him not to stick up for his BFF?
What a BS post this is, putting Jorge’s picture under a headline relating to long-term contracts.
Jorge is on the last year of his contract. His contract is only minimally, if at all, hampering the club’s ability to move on. It’s the other contracts (Jeter, Arod, et al) for aging, over-the-hill, superstars that will kill this club.
Jerkface-thanks, that makes more sense. It’s kind of an odd situation for Jeter though. Did they really expect him not to stick up for his BFF?
–
Accepting the responsibility of team captain means doing tough things.
“Accepting the responsibility of team captain means doing tough things.”
Like saying what the organization wants you to say?
Jorge is on the last year of his contract. His contract is only minimally, if at all, hampering the club’s ability to move on.
–
Jorge’s long term deal is precisely why Jorge is still on the team and why the team is dealing with what they are dealing with right now. It makes perfect sense to include him in this topic.
I have no problem with the FO accept to the extent that the contracts they give out doesn’t match their rhetoric.
“Like saying what the organization wants you to say?”
No, by always supporting the players no matter how irresponsible they act.
Like saying what the organization wants you to say?
–
Some would say that is the toughest of all.
Girardi stuck up for Posada too. Are they mad at him? So stupid. The FO playing this crap out in the media is getting old.
MG-
No one is calling for a knee jerk reaction to the Yankees troubles but you have to admit
that this is the easiest part of their schedule by far and the team has pretty much been playin’ badly since Detroit.
I suggested Maxwell. Maybe he is not the right answer. The point i was trying to make was that too much patience is as bad as not enough.
There are things that can be done and if the team doesn’t show signs of life soon I think
they should be and will be.
I offered suggestions only because because there is no point in just complaining without offering some kind of alternative.
These guys get paid the big bucks to solve problems not to just sit on their hands.
It’s a long season but it’s wise to press your advantage when you have it.
Jorge acted like a child and then the next day owned his mistake and said he was sorry like a man…..it’s over in my book and continuing to talk about it helps nothing. He will either hit or he won’t….either will keep his job or he won’t but after all Jorge has done for this organization when he says he’s sorry I’m going to forgive him.
“Some would say that is the toughest of all.”
Sure. Excruciating.
Wave-
Winter ball if necessary. In sunny Mexico.
This…. is the dumbest story we will talk about all year. I hope. God, do I hope.
How bad is it going for Adam Dunn? He was thrown out at first base on what should have been a base hit down the right field line.
http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play......d=14844747
what blake said @11:59
MTu,
Nice pics
MTU, I hadn’t seen your reference to Maxwell, that post wasn’t directed at you as you are one of the consistently knowledgeable, thoughtful posters on this blog. Sorry for the confusion.
# Jerkface May 16th, 2011 at 11:56 am
Jerkface-thanks, that makes more sense. It’s kind of an odd situation for Jeter though. Did they really expect him not to stick up for his BFF?
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Accepting the responsibility of team captain means doing tough things.
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Nice try, Jerkface, but your history belies your credibility on this one.
Wave,
My feelings on the matter on are BS? Really?
I think Jorge acted like a fool on Saturday and did damage to his Yankee reputation. You see it differently? Fine. But to call the way I see it BS? Where did I make something up? What did I lie about? He quit on the team Saturday night because of pride/ego what have you.
What other Yankee has done that to your recollection?
Jorge probably wants the Yankees to buy him out oF these last 6 months of his contract,probably after the Yanks refused or low balled him he pulled that stunt SAT nite…Then Jeter and AROD got Jorge to apologize.
Jeter has 2 more years,AROD 7 more years. I say play them everyday until a someone mans up and retires with some pride…
Its really sad for the Scranton Players whose futures are being blocked by greedy ML players.
but this is the peice we must pay for the 2009 World Championship…..
MG-
Noi problem. I was just fessin’ up like Jorge.
Blake-
Glad you enjoyed.
New Post: Pitching matchups at Tampa Bay
If you expect to see Banuelos in the rotation next year you better write a letter to the Yanks suggesting they let him pitch some this year. He’s only got 26 innings so far.
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Saving his innings for a summer call up to the Bronx.
G. Love-
Jorge just flipped out and handled it badly. Things have been getting to him.
He knows he made a mistake. A big one. He apologized to the relevant parties.
He has been a Yankee stalwart for years.
Why not cut him some slack ? I think he’s earned that much.
He needs to perform. I hope he still can.
Just my 2 cents.
Banuelos was also out for 2 weeks.
Heavy long term contracts are adding to the problems of this team. Right now they are not playing well and that will change but realistically this could be a 3rd place team the way it is constructed. As much as I disliked the statements by Cliff Lee, as to why he did not sign with the Yanks, his assessment may be correct. Part of the blame has to be placed on the organization, sticking with something that is not working, for whatever reason, is not going to resolve problems. Can’t replace everyone but team needs a wakeup call and sooner than later
Cut the BS and play Yankee Baseball and that includes the Bloggers.
Longtimefan, the problem with Cliff Lee’s comments is he went off to a team that is actually even older than the Yankees, and one which also has two aging stars, clearly past their prime, in Rollins and Utley. Rollins hasn’t been an impact player since 2007, and send me a notice when Utley can play again, let along a full season.
Entering 2011, the three teams with the oldest starting lineups were the Phillies, Red Sox and Yankees. They also just might happen to be the three best teams in MLB. that’s the dirty little secret people neglect to mention when talking about team age. Better teams are usually older, filled with players either at peak or slightly past peak, but still productive. Young teams are up-and-coming teams, still working their way up to the top. We could have been even older…and better. Would you rather have the 38-year-old Pettitte in the rotation as opposed to the 24-year-old Nova?
Posada is slumping, but then again so is the 30-year-old Swisher and the 29-year-old Soriano, and Gardner, in his 20s, hit .140 for April.
The Yankees have been slumping the last two weeks. It happens to every team, every year in baseball. Let’s not overreact.
LGY, Banuelos was not stretched out to go 7+ innings because of how he was used in Spring Training, and then he came up with a blister right at the start of AA, so they’ve started him off pitching about five innings a start. He also has an innings limit this year somewhere around 160 innings, so there is no reason to blow him out in April…or any month.
The goal is to get Banuelos, who is all of 20, to get to the point where he can be a 200-inning pitching for the Yankees in 2012. I know that many Yankee fans as soon as they hear about a prospect with any talent immediately assume he’s a future HOFer and should help the team immediately, but fortunately other people are making decisions.