Off day notes and links: Robertson brings relief
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Notes on May 26, 2011 
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This is worth mentioning one more time at the end of the day.
Yankees reliever Dave Robertson spent his off day back home in Alabama checking on the devastation left by the tornado that ripped through Tuscaloosa last month. Not sure who he was able to see or what exactly he was able to do, but I know he was hoping to talk to some people and find out how and where he could be of the most help.
I’ve written before that I grew up in an area that had a lot of tornados, and the difference between being hit and being spared is absolute luck. There’s no way today was fun for Robertson, but when I saw him at Yankee Stadium earlier this week, I told him to try to enjoy the experience. Seeing his hometown had to be horrific, but Robertson and his wife, Erin, are genuinely good people, and they’re doing a really good thing to help some people who need it. I hope they were able to feel good about that part of their day, and maybe smile a few times because of it.
“It’s way worse than I thought it was,” Robertson told the Tuscaloosa News. “You can hear about it and see it on TV, but it’s not the same as being here. It’s total devastation.”
If you’d like to donate, visit the website for The David and Erin Robertson Fund. I wrote my check this morning before I left for the airport.
By the way, whoever came up with the name “High Socks for Hope” should know that I’m pretty sure I put an extra 50 bucks into my donation because of that name alone.
• This is a few days old, but I think the premise still stands: David Schoenfield at ESPN.com made the case that Jorge Posada is among the 10-12 greatest catchers of all-time, but ultimately decided that he’s just short of being a Hall of Famer.
• Andrew Marchand took a look at six issues facing the Yankees.
• Donnie Collins reported tonight that the Yankees have released left-handed reliever Andy Sisco. He must have requested his release. He was pitching pretty well in Triple-A, but with Randy Flores onboard, Sisco’s role was pretty much non-existent. The team put him on the DL when Amauri Sanit was optioned down.
• Nice story from Donnie about Triple-A outfielder Dan Brewer. I’ve written a little bit about Brewer in the past. He’s just a guy who does a lot of things right.
• After Buster Posey’s injury, the Giants called up former Yankees catcher Chris Stewart. He never got much big league time with the Yankees, but Stewart’s a very good defensive catcher with enough big league experience to help San Francisco off the bench. Those Scranton Yankees teams I covered were very good, and it’s impossible to overstate just how important Stewart was. You won’t notice it in the stats, but I’m telling you, he was key in that clubhouse.
• Because I was flying for several hours today, I wrote most of today’s posts last night. When I finally got to Seattle, I saw that one of those posts was really similar to a post from the guys from River Ave. Blues. Just wanted to throw a link their way. Sorry guys, didn’t mean to make it look like I was ripping you off!
• Finally, a quick personal note: Last night, a former Scranton Times-Tribune co-worker of mine passed away, a sudden and shocking death really makes me wish I could be back in Pennsylvania tonight to share in all the stories that are surely being told around the newsroom. Mark Coons was a constant reminder that sports are fun, and that even the smallest details are exciting. He loved stats, and he loved history, and he loved being a part of that sports department. And we loved having him with us. God bless you, Mark. And thank you.
Associated Press photos
Sorry about your friend Chad…..My condolences.
I think Posada was better than some catchers currently in the HOF and he was a main cog on 4 title teams………therefore I think he’s a HOFer.
Chad great job today!
Almost too good. I have things to do yet here I am spending my time on the blog
Donations can be made with checks only or there is a link for credit cards?
“…If he calls a great game, and is a good defensive catcher…trading Martin for him would be a gutsy move.”
The original comment was a joke. Posey is a very, very good catcher.
Not a trade that would happen. Not remotely realistic.
Chad – One of your best posts.
Chad, condolences to you, his other co-workers and friends and the gentleman’s family.
“If Posey is able to avoid setbacks, there’s a chance he could be ready to return to the majors in September”
http://hardballtalk.nbcsports......ligaments/
Fibula fractures are not too uncommon. Luckily it wasn’t the bigger lower leg bone-the tibia. No knee problems. Hopefully he’ll be back sometime in late August.
Was a good day in the system today. Heyer pitched 6 innings of 2 hit shutout ball in Trenton’s 3-1 win.
Maxwell with a 2-4 game and Laird with 2-5 game with both with RBI doubles in the Scranton game with Silva pitching well in 5-0 win with 7 innings of 4 hit shutout ball, 2 walks and 3 strikeouts. Sean Black pitched well with a 5 inning, 4 hit and one run game
Lyerly was 4-5 with 2 doubles, 3 RBI and a stolen base. Sean Black pitched well with 5 innings, 4 hits, 1 run, 0 walks and 3 strikeouts. Kevin Mahoney was 3-5 with 2 doubles and 3 RBI.
GB – thanks for the updates. After your recommendation, I’m keeping an eye on Heyer. Also, hoping Laird gets a chance if/when Andruw Jones isn’t a keeper. Coupled with Nunez, the Yanks would have some flexibility on the bench.
I saw on here this morning where some clown decided that Cousins had no right to level Posey. Posey was block the plate, but he made his move late, with Cousins about 2 steps from the plate.
Had had no choice to go in as he did. He also had no idea that Posey had dropped the ba;; until it was too late.
All of the cries about dirty plays, they should ban the plays are stupid. Generally the catcher protects himself well, but, Posey was off balance and appeared to have most of his weight plated on one foot. Catchers are pretty well padded, too. It was unfortunate, but, dirty….NOT a chance.
There are more catchers hurt on foul tips than by runners hitting them. More shortstops and second basemen are hurt by sliding runners than catchers are.
“He does have a broken left fibula and a couple of severely strained ligaments in his left ankle, but none of the listed injuries should be season-ending.”
That is good news. Torn ligaments are not too bad, torn tendons are another thing altogether. He’s very lucky. I wish him a speedy recovery.
GB
I was glad to see that Sean Black did well today. He hasn’t been that good lately so hopefully tonight was a turning point.
Kevin Mahoney has been hitting a lot better now that he gets to play more often and Rob Lyerly just never stops hitting.
I was/am contemplating going down to port charlotte for the weekend to watch 2 of their games in this series since none of the area teams are playing at home but there is rain in the forecast down there. I’d get to see Romanski and Marshall who I have seen 8 of his 10 starts.
Joe On LI, the thing that hurts Laird the most is his streakiness and it always starts at the start of the season. Reminds me of Nettles and Teixeira.
Heyer is pretty much what Pendleton is, and about the same age. My guess is one will go in deal. If the Yanks decide to keep Dic kerson in NY, then not really a spot for Laird this year. I think that in spite of the strikeouts, Maxwell gets the outfield call if the drop Jones. No way wou;d I dring Motero in right now, but it sure is tempting.
Posada for HOF… Why not?
TY, sounds like a fun weekend. Take plenty of video and pix and notes. Only share them with me. The others don’t deserve it.
Enjoy yourself, be safe and don’t be trying to pick up any stray ballplayers.
That’s pretty much the same injuries that Kendall, Robin Ventura and Billy Buckner had. Never as good as they were, but still plenty good.
BoJo May 26th, 2011 at 4:40 pm
“I wonder if Seattle fans regret trading away Choo, Cabrera and Lee at this point.”
**************************
I can’t speak for all, but this M’s fan was against the Choo and Cabrera deals back when they happened – the Tribe just loved dealing w/BB
As for Cliff…
nah, I don’t think most ever imagined that he would be resigned – getting him was a low risk, high reward deal and in the end Jack Z was able to improve the org (and retaine pitching depth)…
-net let: JC Ramirez, Tyson Gillies, Phillippe Aumont and Mark Lowe
-net get: Justin Smoak, Blake Beavan, Josh Lueke and Aaron Laffey (flipped Matt Lawson for Laffey during ST)
call if ***they*** drop Jones. No way ***would I bring Montero***
Stupid dog. I’m gonna sell him to an eskimo if he doesn’t stay off of the computer.
GB
Haha, what I’m hoping is that I don’t end up in the players hotel. I’m going to try for one out of the way so that can’t happen.
I actually took a few videos of Marshall and a few of the TY hitters from Tuesday nights game. I haven’t gotten around to posting them but when I do ill let you know.
TY, let us know when you get your newest pix up on your site. One of the hi-lites of the evening.
Charleston lost 6-4. Game rained out in 9th inning with Charleston hitting.
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.....8;did=milb
Scranton box score
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.....a_louaaa_1
Tampa Yanks box score
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.....8;did=milb
Trenton Box score
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.....x_reaaax_1
GB
I noticed that Zoilo Almonte was activated from the DL but I dont know what the corresponding move is. On the league transactions it just shows his move and not another one. Ill have to check the roster to see how many active players they had before activating him.
Chad, condolences on the loss of your friend.
GB, thanks for milb updates. Nice to see Suttle with the 2 triples. Banuelos pitches tomorrow in Portland. Brackman is facing a rehabbing Volquez tomorrow evening. Hopefully, I get home in time to watch that one.
TY, Port Charlotte trip sounds like a winner.
Glad to hear Posey’s injury may not be as bad as originally thought.
“Sweet home, Alabama,” DRob’s entrance song when he pitches, really has special meaning these days.
My condolences on the passing of your friend, Chad.
“High Socks for Hope”
I was thinking the same thing this morning. Great name. And much better than Soriano’s “Blown Leads Foundation”
Yankeefem
I did not know that D-Robs entrance song was Sweet Home Alabama. How cool, I love that song.
I am still contemplating the Port Charlotte trip because I looked up the weather for the weekend down there and there is a 40% chance both days, it would suck to drive all the way down there, get a hotel room and then not be able to go to any games, though it would be a good vacation. The best part is that I wont have to pay for the games as a season ticket holder. That saves me about 18 dollars.
my milb.tv is always screwy, either I dont get sound or I get sound and no picture.
This is what the weather channel says about the weather in Port Charlotte this weekend
http://www.weather.com/weather/tenday/USFL0415
# tyanksfan36 May 26th, 2011 at 11:07 pm
Yankeefem
I did not know that D-Robs entrance song was Sweet Home Alabama. How cool, I love that song.
I am still contemplating the Port Charlotte trip because I looked up the weather for the weekend down there and there is a 40% chance both days, it would suck to drive all the way down there, get a hotel room and then not be able to go to any games, though it would be a good vacation. The best part is that I wont have to pay for the games as a season ticket holder. That saves me about 18 dollars.
my milb.tv is always screwy, either I dont get sound or I get sound and no picture.
_____
Yes, DRob has had that entrance song for as long as I can remember.
How far a drive is it for you to Port Charlotte?
My next minor league games will be a week from this weekend when the B’s are back in town. I am looking forward to their command getting progressively better. Hopefully, nice warm baseball weather like we had for the Toronto series will result in stellar outings for the B-boys.
milb-tv is a crap shoot. The last feed from PNC Park that I watched when Warren pitched was top notch, but you just never know…
Any Ravel Santana sightings or updates on Chris Cabrera? I am looking forward to finally getting the SI and GCL official rosters.
Yankeefem
Port Charlotte is about 1 hr 30 to 2 hrs away.
I haven’t made it to the minor league complex but I have a day off in late June so hopefully they are home on the day I have off. I read about the extended guys online but I haven’t made it up to see them. Do you know if they play extended ST games on the weekends? That’s the only day I could make it up there.
I’m uploading 3 videos from the TY game on 5/24 to my youtube right now. Ill email you the link when they finish since they’ll probably take all night to load.
chad..
thanks for the great blog. on an off day I really get to see how informative and great this site is.
thanks again….
tyanks, I have no idea about EST game scheds. It’s all very cloak and dagger. Thanks, I will look for your email regarding the uploads. Have a good night!
Pretty funny that the Bulls made Joakim Noah untouchable earlier this season.
The Knicks aren’t that inferior to the Heat, but as long as they retain the “defense is an afterthought” coach, they will never reach their ceiling. I really can’t get too excited as long as they retain him.
Alan Horne–another pitcher that should look up Bartolo Colon’s doctor to see if that therapy has any relevance to his condition.
Morning, well yesterday was an off day. Just watched highlights of games on ESPN. Sox tore the cover off the ball again against Detroit, and Crawford and Gonzales continue to hit well at at least in Crawford’s case. He’s got his average back to .244. Speaking of Gonzales you have to give them credit for that pickup, the guy is really the anchor of their lineup and it really fixed that first base problem they had.
Shades of Cliff Lee who was the hitting star yesterday. 1 RBI in the last 99 AB’s with RISP and he hits a bases loaded ground rule double and then a RBI single for 3 RBI’s.
Hope the day off and change in venue helps the Yanks bats. They have this west coast swing and then three series in a row against all the contenders when they come back home. Need to start hitting on a consistent basis to help the pitchers.
Speaking of Gonzales you have to give them credit for that pickup, the guy is really the anchor of their lineup and it really fixed that first base problem they had.
–
The first base problem of having Kevin Youkilis?
The Red Sox traded for Gonzalez to help solve their no ratings on NESN problem…..they over paid Crawford for the same reason.
Jerkface May 27th, 2011 at 6:46 am
Speaking of Gonzales you have to give them credit for that pickup, the guy is really the anchor of their lineup and it really fixed that first base problem they had.
–
The first base problem of having Kevin Youkilis?
_______________________________________________________________________
I think they wanted Kevin at 3rd to solve that problem. Getting Gonzales at first made it easy for the switch and it was a win win for them. I’d take Crawford over Swisher anyday but that’s just my opinion.
Id take Crawfors over Swisher every day as well…..so long as their contracts didn’t factor in. Crawford’s deal is really bad…..it.won’t cripple the Sox like it could some teams later on but it could limit some of their moves if they stay insist on staying under the luxury tax threshold.
As for Youkalis…..I don’t think.he can stay at 3rd forever. He moved back to 3rd at a time in his career that he probably should have been moving the opposite direction.
Blake-
Good morning.
The Twins are 14.5 games out, and the WS 9 out.
Twins are toast. WS not far behind.
Anybody on those 2 teams we might want ?
I’d take Swisher over Drew.
It wasn’t about Crawford over Swisher, it was Gardner.
Correction:
WS 8.5 out. Misread it. sorry.
I’ve posted this before but the Red Sox have more payroll comitted to 2014 than the Yankees do now…..could this change and does it matter? Well that’s TBD but it does mean that the Red Sox may be less flexible financially in the future as they have a lot committed long term and they don’t generate as much revenue as the Yankees do.
MTU,
Twins……hardly anybody unless they are wholesaling Liriano. The White Sox have several guys of interest though……the market will form soon then the fun begins.
Blake-
Looking forward to the draft, International signing period, getting Hughes, Chavez and Soriano back, making a trade for a quality left-handed starting pitcher, and seeing the debut of Jesus.
No too much to think about, huh ?
edit: “not”.
blake
I think the RS generate enough revenue to afford more payroll but seem less willing to go over the luxury tax than the Yankees are.
The Twins are pretty much done…..it would take a monumental effort to dig out of the hole they have dug. I think the Chisox will hang in there awhile longer as the perception probably is that the Indians will come back to the field at bit as the season goes.
Maine,
Yea….and that’s part of it unless they change. They generate a lot of money as well but not nearly as much as the Yankees and that probably factors into their decision to not go over the limit…..at least for now.
Blake-
I think you’re right about the WS except or the fact that they have to compete with the Tigers and Royals too.
MTU,
My thought on the central is that the Tigers and White Sox have the most talent…..I don’t think the Royals are for real this season and Im not totally buying the Tribe either…..and the Twins are out of it. So if your Chicago…..you’re sitting there only a couple games behind Detroit……if Cleveland has a rough patch then both of those teams could be right back in the hunt.
good morning
a day game followed by a day off followed by a night game on the west coast is waaaayyyy too long w/o Yankee baseball
Blake-
Sorry to hear that analysis. I want the WS to fall out of it and become sellers.
MTU,
I do too….1) because I don’t like them 2) because they have players that could help the Yanks.
I could be wrong…..Cleveland could keep up there pace….and if they do then they are in trouble.
Blake-
3) Because I always enjoy watching Ozzie Guillen suffer. He’s right there with Scioscia and Pruneface.
Its just that Cleveland is on a 103 win pace…..and they aren’t that good. There is probably a prolonged slump in their future which could allow the other teams back in the race.
I?ve posted this before but the Red Sox have more payroll comitted to 2014 than the Yankees do now?..could this change and does it matter?
___________________
A. Yes, it’s going to change. The Sox have more locked up for that time frame, but they also have more players locked up. Through 2014, they have Beckett, Lackey, Crawford, Gonzolez, Jon Lester, Dustin Pedroia, and Clay Buchholz. The oldest of that group @ 35 will be Beckett. The rest of them will still be fairly young. They also hold arbitration on players like Daniel Bard and Jed Lowrie. That gives them 4 SP, the guy they consider their closer, Gonzolez, and Pedroia locked up.
The Yankees, in that time frame have the following players locked up (assuming CC stays):
ARod, CC, Tex, and Jeter (ugh), and hold Arbitration for Gardner, Robertson, and Cervelli.
Who do you think is going to have more spent on payroll at that time? The numbers are close right now, before the Yankees fill any of those spots that aren’t occupied right now, so simply looking at the numbers doesn’t tell the story. I actually think that the B’s are going to at least fill two of those spots in the rotation, but you have to think they’re going to add another top flight starter and a few top flight outfielders. Not to mention a SS, closer, ect.
In 2014, these teams are going to look exactly like they do now.
Also, I like the blog. I’ve been following for awhile now, but just recently the web filter at work allowed me to post. Some of you guys have some very good insight. Some of you, not so much.
Blake-
Lefties we might be able to acquire in no particular order:
Liriano
Santana
Danks
Sanchez
Bumgardner
Who would you want ?
MTU…. I know you like Danks, who do you give up for him?
I don’t understand how Schoenfield can say Jorgie’s in the top 10-12 list of catchers all time yet not be a HOF, that doesn’t make sense?
My eyes tell me is a HOF, it might take a few years longer, but his numbers and his consistency, durability too, speak for themselves.
JCPD-
Anyone not named Jesus, Manny, or Dellin.
Howard,
That’s likely true but who will have a higher payroll in 2014 wasn’t really my point…..because the Yanks likely will. My point was that the Sox recently have started inching towards the Yankees way of doing things. (Lackey, Gonzalez, Crawford,Beckett….)
A lot will depend on how the two teams replace the players they will lose…..the Sox will have to replace or re-sign Drew, Ortiz, figure out SS, figure out catcher, probably sign a starter, will need bullpen help etc.
Just depends on how things shake out….
MTU,
What each would cost would be a big factor…..bu of that list Id choose Danks because I know more what Im getting and he’s potentially a long term option and not just a short term one.
Howard,
Welcome!
I agree, to a point, blake.
Much like the Yankees, the Sox believe they have many of those parts in house. I think the bigger issue is that in 2014, two of the players that are actually locked up for us are going to be so old, and most likely DH candidates on full time basis. Both teams have talent where they need it in lower levels of their system, but as you mention, they money is going to be dolled out for sure. It will be interesting to see how it plays out for each team.
New thread ==>
Howard,
Agreed and with more and more teams locking up young players….development is going to be more important than ever.