A new AL foe: The Astros?
Posted by: Sam Borden - Posted in Misc on Jun 11, 2011 
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Hey all, hope everyone is enjoying their Saturday night. Saw this interesting story from Buster Olney earlier today and thought it was worth a post. The idea of realignment in baseball is something that has been kicked around, in various forms, for years but now it seems to be gathering at least a little more momentum.
Frankly, I’m all for it. I’ve always thought it was grossly unfair that the teams in the NL Central are vying for an automatic playoff berth with five other teams while the other divisions all have one fewer as competition, and vice versa for the teams in the AL West. I understand the inherent difficulties in having an equal number of teams in each league, but fair is – or should be – fair. Olney says Houston would be an obvious choice to jump from the NL to the AL and that’s makes sense to me; certainly the Cubs and Cardinals aren’t going anywhere.
Going to two 15-team leagues would be weird, there’s no doubt. But if MLB increases the number of playoff teams, as it seems certain to do, then there’s no better time to make a change to a divisional system that’s flawed, too.
They should do it……. The Astros would be even more terrible in the AL though.
MTU,
Hope so….sounds like he was close.
It would help the West having another weak team to beat up on.
I think they should go to a balanced schedule if they go this route. The divisions are unequal and if they are talking about adding WC spots, even if there is a more difficult route to go deep in the playoffs with it, teams in a tougher division shouldn’t be penalized for having to play more games against better teams.
Maybe they could shift the division NL around a little. I would think the Rockies would be a better team to move to the AL west and shift the Astros over to the NL west.
Blake-
Any idea why Montero had only 1 AB tonite ?
I thought the eye infection was better.
Would think they would want to get him in games ASAP.
Gotta do it. So unfair to the bottom feeders in the NL Central. And unfair that the AL West currently has a 1/4 chance of a guaranteed bid to the post-season.
The Astros, if they’re smart, should welcome this move. That’s like the Orioles getting a one-way ticket out of the AL East.
Doing this would make for an extremely odd schedule though. Either you would have interleague play all season long or teams would have weekend off days and a lot of weird short series.
It only makes sense with a balanced schedule and end this silly interleague crap. Definitely against more playoff teams. The idea of n under .500 team in the post season turns my stomach. Selig won;t be happy until ge has 30 .500 teams and rigs a way to get his Btrewers team into the playoffs every year.
Blake-
By the way, I was catching the end of WS game tonite, and Danks had his 2nd strong outing in a row.
Just thought you might be interested.
MTU,
Unless it’s an injury thing the only thing I culd think of was that maybe they wanted to make sure he didn’t get hurt in case they had to put Martin on the DL……no clue.
It’s a good idea whose time has come. Houston is the fourth largest city in the country and with the right commitment from ownership can compete down the road.
The problem is that the Astros would be playing two time zones away.
MTU,
Yea he’s much better than his records shows….I’d love to have him but I’m doubting more and more that he’ll be available….the Indians have predictably came back to the field and they are playing better….
It means Interleague play every day.
If you’re going to do this, go to one league-six divisions. Six winners and two wild cards could remain. Go to balanced schedule. 25 x 5 = 125 (out of division) 4×9 =36 (in division) total 161 games.
They can do whatever they want with Astros as long as they do not institute a 2nd WC for the post-season.
The PS tends to be too damn long already.
I know Blake. Just dreaming.
Wouldnt they put the Astros in the AL west? They already have one team from Texas there.
Montero’s AB was a PH AB. River has that Montero had a routine day off, but that sounds fishy considering he just had 5 days off b/c of the eye infection. As per River, Montero supposed was first base coach. They too are throwing around theories about how if Martin isn’t healthy tomorrow, Montero will come up.
Don’t the Rangers play two time zones away, too?
*supposedly*
Selig is too set on having another WC team in each division, he will push it through, and the teams would be open to it as it gives another chance to sneak into the post season where anything can happen.
Grouchonyy – why one league? I don’t see where that does anything. Do away with interleague play, balance the schedules.
Considering Montero has been out several games with the eye infection the routine day off doesn’t make much sense. They likely were making sure he doesn’t get hurt in case Martin can’t go and they decide to call him up….
The talk I heard was they think having two Texas teams in one division would help create a healthy rivalry between the two.
I don’t see it.
I wonder whose idea this is.
YF-
I agree. That makes no sense.
It shouldn’t have taken the possibility of Martin going on the DL to get Montero to the bigs.
He should already have replaced Cervelli.
Yogi-
You are probably right but I think it’s BS.
Ballplayers should be playing in relatively warm weather not making snowmen in the PS.
Crap.
I think you gotta do it because it’s logical and good common sense. That may be it’s biggest detraction, though.
Baseball would be better off contracting two bad draw teams. Buy them out and then have a ML draft and minor league draft from the two teams. The team owners of the contracted teams get the money.
GB….Great piece in this week’s Sports Illustrated on the evolution of the Cut Fastball…..Our old Yankee Phenom Gil Patterson is the main interview, solid read
Maybe instead of changing baseball we could start by just changing commisioners instead ?
Everyone who wants to see Selig disappear raise your hand.
:raiseshandtwice:
Baseball probably would be better with 2 less teams…..the union would never go for it though….and somehow I’m sure the Yankees would get screwed when they divide the players up
If Selig wants to do something useful (which he doesn’t).
He’d spearhead a push for teams to be able to trade draft picks.
Pat, thanks. I gotta get a copy of that. There is a fine baseball mind. Wish the yanks would bring him home and offer him a system pitching guru to replace Connors or Contreras or offer him a managing job in tampa, Charleston or Trenton. Always thought that he should have gotten the job after Stottlemyre or Guidry.
MTU
I bet that’s coming sometime…..it would make the draft a lot more interesting
Blake-
Don’t hold your breath. You’ll turn blue.
Blake, expand the rosters to 27 and add an NL DH or expand to 28 man roster. As far as the draft goes, I’d do it in order of standings, but, you only draft from your league then for the 2nd and 3rd players (40 man Roster) reverse order. For minor legue draft do it as it is with amateur draft and have the teams stock another team at AA.
Good night everyone.
Gonna dream of Phil Hughes spotting 94mph heaters to the corners again.
Only the Rockies play in the Mountain Time Zone. Texas is on Central time. I don’t see how this can work unless the Brewers move to the American League. They are the only ones who don’t have local competition already. i.e, Mets/Yankees, Cubs/Sox, etc. Also, it is true of Cincinnati, but since they have the most history in modern baseball, I doubt they would move them and then you would have Indians/Reds anyway. They could move the Pirates too, but talk about a bargain basement team………………….
Houston will go in the AL West so that each division has five teams each.
5 teams per division. 5 playoff teams in each league. I like it. Just need to end interleague play and go to a balanced schedule.
Craw..
The Rangers already play there. You could move the Rockies though to the AL West.
=======================
GB,
I agree with you comments about a balanced schedule.
It only makes sense with a balanced schedule and end this silly interleague crap. Definitely against more playoff teams. The idea of n under .500 team in the post season turns my stomach. Selig won;t be happy until ge has 30 .500 teams and rigs a way to get his Btrewers team into the playoffs every year.
—————-
Why would an under .500 team be in the playoffs?
I would prefer a realignment that results in the Yankees and RS being in different divisions. Not that I think the Yankees won’t be (and haven’t been) the much better team over time. It’s just that the rivalry has become beyond boring.
On Manny’s CB tonight:
”
jnorris427 Josh Norris
@
@MitchellNJ If he brings what he brought tonight, not too many people will touch him.
1 minute ago
jnorris427 Josh Norris
The curveball was so nasty it would have to refer to Janet as “Ms. Jackson” #msjacksonifyou’renasty
1 minute ago
jnorris427 Josh Norris
Jenna Jameson has yet to make a movie as dirty, filthy or nasty as Banuelos’ curveball tonight. Simply superb.
8 minutes ago”
Pat M.
I was reading your post from last night, this morning about looking back that all championship teams have had good and reliable bullpens.
I thought of one that had one excellent bullpen arm and who won two games in the WS.-Randy Johnson in 2001- with a bullpen of Kim, Batista, Swindell, Prinz et al.
Could this be one of those championship teams that won based on only two arms-Johnson and Schilling with a less than stellar bullpen?
Attached stats:
http://www.baseball-reference......2001.shtml
This new alignment would make it pretty much impossible for a .500 team to make it, even if you still keep the division format.
If you did this last year, out of 10 potential playoff teams, only 1 (Red Sox) would have been below 90 wins – and they won 89 with a depleted roster.
In 09, 7 of 10 teams would be in by winning over 90. The remaining 3 had 87 and 88.
There will be even more balance without divisions – teams like Toronto would be 90 most years.
jnorris427 Josh Norris
Jenna Jameson has yet to make a movie as dirty, filthy or nasty as Banuelos’ curveball tonight. Simply superb.
__
So J. Norris is really BoJo?
I kid…
If you want fair, the first thing you start with is getting rid of interleague play. With it, no two teams are playing the same schedule. It’s ridiculous.
“The Rangers already play there. You could move the Rockies though to the AL West.”
So? The two West divisions have two California teams in each division.
Have at least twon California teams in each division.
Fact. Derek Jeter has gotten into more DP’s than Jenna Jameson. Fact!
I like how Wells says the Yankees need to “grow some”.
http://espn.go.com/blog/new-yo.....um=twitter
Really sucks that Jeter is going to have to get his 3,000th on the road. That is to bad and really sad that the Yankee fans can’t enjoy it.
I just don’t see him going on a tear here to end the homestand. I really hope I am wrong.
I am sure the Yankees batters aren’t happy at all that the pitchers on the team don’t have their back besides CC. I understand why Nova didn’t hit anyone because he just wanted to have a good start and not lose his focus. But the pitchers have to grow some balls especially AJ. After Nova left the game Girardi should of had one of the AAA guys hit Choo or Sizemore. It’s really pathetic that they continue to let this happen and because of it they are going to continue to get hit in games where they hit homeruns. They need to stand up for themselves because it’s getting ridiculous how teams just throw at them whenever they want and know the Yanks won’t do anything back.
Morning, nice win but at a price. With so many older players you have to expect injuries, just that there are so many right now and it comes at a really bad time.
Sox won again, I think that’s 8 in a row. Yanks have to keep winning to keep pace. The rotation is pretty suspect right now and the bullpen has issues so this really is a critical time for the Yanks right now. Robinson threw 31 pitches so he won’t be in the mix for today. Maybe we can have a laugher so they don’t get into our bullpen in a tight game.
Gary-
The injuries have been unlucky and unfortunate.
I agree with you on the older guys but what about Hughes and Chamberlain ? Completely unforseen.
Yanks just need to keep it close until reinforcements arrive.
At least we’re getting a chance to evaluate some of our young guys.
If there’s a bright spot that might be it.
Sure hope Bartolo has a mild strain and only misses 2 starts.
Good morning.
Injuries can happen at any age. Look at Joe Nathan, Stephen Strasburg, and Jason Heyward. Yeah, age and poor conditioning can contribute, but they can happen at any age.
I look at it as a positive, that Colon will get some enforced rest for at least a month, sounds like he’s been pitching pretty much thru the winter, remember.
We all know you need more pitching than who you break camp with. Well, now’s the time to deliver. Just gotta do it.
Joe-
Good morning.
You’re thinking a Month for Colon ?
I hope not. But you may indeed be correct.
The way things are going the team is going to have to have one heck of a 2nd half.
I have seen the AAA guys only pitch in the spring, but Phelps stats look the best of the lot. He has great stats throughout his minor league career. He strikes out a decent amount and has control. I think the question is whether his stuff can succeed in the majors. I think it is time to find out.
Austin-
We have little choice but to find out.
Tough way to break in against the Rangers.
I know this may seem crazy but I’m very optimistic about Hughes prospects in the 2nd half.
I believe he is gonna come back strong.
Inter league play is a good thing. What are the odds otherwise of the Yankees ever playing in Wrigley? Or San Francisco? Or other teams getting to play in the Stadium. I see no problem with it.
A few things:
1. Brian Costello is saying that Hector Noesi is due up today to replace Sanit who has an elbow injury.
2. Noesi is not a candidate to take Colon’s spot though – it will likely be either Phelps, Warren or Mitchell.
3. I don’t want to read too much into one outing – but is it possible that Whalen’s “refound control” is less about him being better and more about him taking advantaged of less disciplined hitters than you have at the major league level?
4. I hate agreeing with Billy Madden but I do on this – after seeing what’s happened with Joba and Hughes the Yankees should reconsider the way they’re handling this latest group of pitching prospects. Look, everyone is different and they’re going to respond differently to different things but whatever the Yankees did to prepare Joba and Hughes physically for the rigors of the majors did not work.
5. I really hope Jorge is turning his season around, but a few games does not mitigate a season of stink.
6. I don’t get why the club is so hesitant to call up Montero. Martin is hurt, Cervelli stinks, let the kid come up and play.
MTU,
I hope you’re rightnabout Hughes. Why not be optimistic? I am not liking the absence of available pitching elsewhere. Too many teams believe they can still win, including the Twins.
And here’s two trade proposals that are not related to one another:
1. Nationals get: Nova and some B level prospect
Yankees get: Michael Morse and Sean Burnett
2. Dodgers get: Montero, Brackman, Nova and Swisher
Yankees get: Matt Kemp and Ted Lilly
Chip,
I believe they would call up Montero if he would show signs of life in his bat. The last 6 weeks have been poor. I don’t think they want to call up their best offensive prospect to see him struggle.
Brackman was Scranton’s listed starter fo todays game. He’s been replaced. No reason given. Make your own assumptions.
Interleague play has removed some of the point that the World Series was all about.
Seeing a team play at various stadiums in the other league are for All-Star games and the big prize.
In the way the leagues are now, DH vs. no DH, the game strategy is much different, going to interleague play causes the teams to have to alter how they do things to fit these games in.
It puts pitchers in the AL in a position of greater risk simply because they are playing a role they haven’t played in years or decades, other than a few games (now WITH interleague play) a season. It lead to injury that might have ended Wang’s career, or at the very least ruined the chance of an extended career. Pitchers in the AL are not used to swinging the bat, running the bases, which opens them up to potential injury. For what purpose? Just to see teams play teams they don’t usually get to see? Big deal. I don’t care what team the Yankees play so long as the Yankees win.
If the interleague games went toward which league had HFA, then it might have some value.
“I don’t get why the club is so hesitant to call up Montero. Martin is hurt, Cervelli stinks, let the kid come up and play.”
*****************
Since I am sure Cashman et al want to win, I am equally sure there is a reason. He’s not ready I would imagine and they perceive some benefit from having him play everyday there. Or maybe there is something we don’t know.
Austin-
I agree with you on Montero.
The minute he starts to hit well again he’s up.
He’s just gotten over that eye infection.
Hope Martin is ready today.
I’m certain that the Yankees have their reasons – and I have no doubt that they have better and more info than I do. The likely reason is that, like you said, they don’t believe he’s ready – though I would argue maybe he’s bored? Maybe he would come alive again with the challenge of being in the majors? I don’t know – it just seems like given the options at this point there’s just nothing to lose. If he doesn’t perform, you send him back – no harm, no foul.
The good news is Jorge is hitting better — 11 hits in 5 games — the bad news is when he gets a hit he’s running the bases like your drunken uncle at the family softball game.
If baseball really wants to make significant changes start by contracting teams that generate virtually no revenue or move them to markets that have better potential. I owuld put Tampa Bay, Oakland and Kansas City at the top of the list.
I would also try move teams to create some more rivalry interest. Should we put Houston and Texas in the same division? Washington and Baltimore? Detroit and Toronto? Kansas City and St Louis? The Florida teams?
Worth discussing for sure
And put me on the anti-interleague play side of the ledger… and REALLY anti this idiotic 15 team league standings with no divisions.
GB-
Noesi to the rotation ? Brackman to the pen ?
Brackman is not ready to start.
Yogi Mantle June 12th, 2011 at 9:08 am
Interleague play has removed some of the point that the World Series was all about.
(There are too many teams to think that one would get to see certain match ups in one’s lifetime. It’s not like decades ago when there were a handful of teams)
Seeing a team play at various stadiums in the other league are for All-Star games and the big prize.
(Written where?)
In the way the leagues are now, DH vs. no DH, the game strategy is much different, going to interleague play causes the teams to have to alter how they do things to fit these games in.
(A challenge for professional athletes, who said it needs to be easy. It’s the same in the World Series, the exposure and practice is good)
It puts pitchers in the AL in a position of greater risk simply because they are playing a role they haven’t played in years or decades, other than a few games (now WITH interleague play) a season. It lead to injury that might have ended Wang’s career, or at the very least ruined the chance of an extended career. Pitchers in the AL are not used to swinging the bat, running the bases, which opens them up to potential injury. For what purpose? Just to see teams play teams they don’t usually get to see? Big deal. I don’t care what team the Yankees play so long as the Yankees win.
(If pro athletes can’t run or swing a bat that’s sad. Players get injured all the time playing teams in their own leagues. I see no evidence that a significant number of players get hurt more in interleague play)
If the interleague games went toward which league had HFA, then it might have some value.
(I’d be all for that, the All-Star game should be just an exhibition.)
Videos of a play at 2nd base by Corbin Joseph. Has Joseph been getting secret lessons from somebody else?
A write-up on Banuelos and a video. About the only thing that needs to e said about Banuelos is …Stylish left hander with stuff.
http://minormatterstrenton.blogspot.com/
MTU -
With his control problems this year (40 BB in 52 IP) I wouldn’t trust Brackman coming in out of the pen.
MTU, That would be my hope, but, you know how I feel about Brackman in the pen. I’ve felt that was his spot for more than 2 years.
GB,
Interesting about Brackman. He is pitching the worst of their starters, but pitched five strong innings in his last start before running into trouble. The way things are going, he is probably hurt. The next fews days will be interesting.
joe from long island-
colon going to his stem cell doctor for his hamstring seems a no brainer considering the success of the original stem cell treatment. what do you think about this procedure?
“Typically, if the pain and injury is very minor, platelet rich plasma, or PRP, therapy can be used to treat the condition, which is a similar procedure where a blood-like substance rich in platelets that repair the body can be injected into the area for relief and enhanced healing.
from colon’s doctor’s website:
http://stemcellorthopedic.com/.....train.html
GreenBeret7 June 12th, 2011 at 9:17 am
Videos of a play at 2nd base by Corbin Joseph. Has Joseph been getting secret lessons from somebody else?
A write-up on Banuelos and a video. About the only thing that needs to e said about Banuelos is …Stylish left hander with stuff.
http://minormatterstrenton.blogspot.com/
——————————————-
holy crap. gb7 learned how to do links.
the next thing you know he’ll learn ho to hit a golf ball straight.
his spelling is even getting better.
wait a minute.
it’s got to be an impostor.
Brackman will never be in the Yanks rotation and maybe not anyone else’s. Not as big a waste of $$$ as Igawa, certainly but a waste of $$$ nonetheless.
Mac, I go back to the two stretches of times in the minors that Brackman struggled as a starter and then put in the pen and he was totally shutdown. Strikeouts rose, walks dropped and just plain nasty. He only has the one inning to repeat his delivery. Once he gets out of rhythm, he can’t get it back. At the same time, his control improves and his fastball picks up 4-5 MPH more.
austinmac June 12th, 2011 at 9:21 am
GB,
Interesting about Brackman. He is pitching the worst of their starters, but pitched five strong innings in his last start before running into trouble. The way things are going, he is probably hurt. The next fews days will be interesting.
——————–
The advantage Brackman has is that he’s already on the 40. Phelps, Warren and Mitchell are not.
GB-
thanks for the Banuelos video.
hard to believe he’s only 20.
With the addition of the curve he now has 3 + pitches.
All he has to do is stay healthy and accumulate innings.
Rather than one of Warren/Phelps/Mitchell facing the heavy hitting Rangers on Thursday, I’d hope Noesi gets the start today or tomorrow[has not pitched since last Tuesday], and all the other pitchers move forward one day, putting one of the 3 callups in the bullpen.
In Brackman’s last start he pitched 5 scorless, tired in the 6th and gave up 4 runs, one of which was let in by his relief man.
Randy
colon going to his stem cell doctor for his hamstring seems a no brainer considering the success of the original stem cell treatment. what do you think about this procedure?
“Typically, if the pain and injury is very minor, platelet rich plasma, or PRP, therapy can be used to treat the condition, which is a similar procedure where a blood-like substance rich in platelets that repair the body can be injected into the area for relief and enhanced healing.
________________________________________________________________________
My son was a very accomplished sprinter and we went through the hamstring thing a few times. The measurement that is important is the amount of strength that the muscle has lost. If the loss is small then therapy with electrical stimulation, manipulation and moist heat application can bring it back quickly sometimes in a week or two. Colon has hugh thighs since he is a power pitcher, he depends on those muscules so that he can be effective. In his case it could be longer due to his age. One thging for sure I don’t know that there will be a definitive answer from Yanks HQ. Maybe just spin, I expect it to be longer than whatever is being feed to the media.
Considering that Noesi is coming off a performance in which he shut down one of the best offenses in the AL over six innings, I think that he is a logical candidate to take at least a couple of th starts.
If baseball is going to realign they should just do an East/West thing.
randy l. June 12th, 2011 at 9:27 am
GreenBeret7 June 12th, 2011 at 9:17 am
Videos of a play at 2nd base by Corbin Joseph. Has Joseph been getting secret lessons from somebody else?
A write-up on Banuelos and a video. About the only thing that needs to e said about Banuelos is …Stylish left hander with stuff.
http://minormatterstrenton.blogspot.com/
——————————————-
holy crap. gb7 learned how to do links.
the next thing you know he’ll learn ho to hit a golf ball straight.
his spelling is even getting better.
wait a minute.
it’s got to be an impostor.
———————————————————————————————————————-
Just so you know, I put a deliberate slice in my golf swing so I can take a shortcut to the fairway next to the one I’m on. It cuts down on my strokes so I can get to the bar sooner. My spelling had to improve. ctually, my spelling is fine. It’s my typing that stinks.
How are things going with you, Randy? Still chasing Nurse Karloff around the bedroom?
The only thing that matters is beating the Red Sux. They are our competitor for the division title and the day the Yankees start playing for the Wild Card will be a sad day indeed. (That is what Girardi tried last season; didn’t turn out too well.)
Losing Soriano, Feliciano, Marte, Joba and now Colon is going to be tough to recover from; even though some will be back. How effective they will be and for how long, who knows. Plus, Martin as good as he has been is injury prone it seems. MY big fear is one of the key position players like Tex, Cano, Grandy or A-Rod go down – we have no one close to replacement value for them.
I don’t see what significant help is going to come from the minors. Maybe one of these less than household names whose import probably tends to get inflated here will have some success. Hope so. But unless Cashman finds a way to make some notable external moves to compliment the internal ones, this may not be our year as the accursed Sux are proving to be every bit as good as they were projected to be. 46 runs and 56 hits in their last 5 games is scary.
West Coast Fan
Losing Soriano, Feliciano, Marte, Joba and now Colon is going to be tough to recover from
_______________________________________________________________________
You forgot Hughes and Chavez, also big pieces of the puzzle
Gary – correct thanks. It’s early here. : )
Tom in N.J. June 12th, 2011 at 9:36 am
If baseball is going to realign they should just do an East/West thing.
———————–
I hink that they probably would put Houston in the AL West. It’s not a perfect solution, but it’s good enough. It’s probably what they should have done in the first place, and it could create a big Texas rivalry…
Gary-
The severity/stage of Colon’s hamstring strain will be determined by the MRI and physical findings.From what I’ve read a grade 1 has no MRI findings and usually you’re out 10-12 days. Grade 2 with positive findings on MRI 3-4 weeks. Grade 3 is worst[doubt he has that because he wouldn't have been able to walk off the field] 4-6 weeks.
So far, the Yanks have been pretty lucky in that their injuries have occurred in areas in which they have plenty of redundancy. The Colon injury is a big blow. However, the Yanks should be getting a lot of guys back in time for the stretch run. If they can keep it close over the next several weeks, everything should work out okay. The upside is that some time off might ensure that Colon will be fresh for the playoffs.
For a little trip down memory lane Nick Johnson played his first game of the year against our local minor league team the other day. I guess he is with Cleveland now and the wrist according to him is OK. He did get a single and 2 RBI’s.
Return to the past for Nick, he played in Columbus for 2-3 years when they were the Yanks farm club.
Gary June 12th, 2011 at 9:48 am
=====================
He always says that the wrist is okay. It’s a shame about him. He seems like a good guy, but has just had lousy luck with his health.
Yankee Trader June 12th, 2011 at 9:47 am
Gary-
The severity/stage of Colon’s hamstring strain will be determined by the MRI and physical findings.From what I’ve read a grade 1 has no MRI findings and usually you’re out 10-12 days. Grade 2 with positive findings on MRI 3-4 weeks. Grade 3 is worst[doubt he has that because he wouldn't have been able to walk off the field] 4-6 weeks.
________________________________________________________________________
I think your pretty correct on your estimates, they all have to do with the amount of tearing that went on and all the test findings put together including the amount of bleeding if any give a reasonable estimate of an athlete can return. All people are different though, running backs like Emmet Smith, Sanders, Roger Craig ect all seemed to make miracle recovery’s in the space of a week.
Chip-
1. Nationals get: Nova and some B level prospect
Yankees get: Michael Morse and Sean Burnett
2. Dodgers get: Montero, Brackman, Nova and Swisher
Yankees get: Matt Kemp and Ted Lilly
——————————————
Morse off the bench, corner OF, 1st B is OK, Burnett is not-Overall Yankees shouldn’t give up Nova for Morse, not mentioning that they really can’t afford to lose Nova.
Ted Lilly in AL is >4.0 ERA pitcher NO. No. No! Nova alone is too much for Lilly and Montero, Brackman and Swisher for Kemp is way too much.
Just my opinion to one of your “inventive” trade propsals.
AndrewMarchand Chris Dickerson is up, likely to replace Colon. Starter will come later in the week.
running backs like Emmet Smith, Sanders, Roger Craig ect all seemed to make miracle recovery’s in the space of a week.
————————————————
Gary-
I guess if Colon was a fullback he’d be back full strength pitching with his landing[left] leg and no pain in a week! He’ll be placed on the DL today.
I’m hoping for the best-grade one!!
Sorry it’s taken me a while to repsond to MTU, randy, but I’ve been on KP for breakfast –
Given what i’ve seen for hammys, I think a month is a decent first estimate. Hope I’m too pessismistic, but, hey, just got to get thru it.
randy – i know next to nothing about those procedures, so I just read the same things as you. Personally, it could involve little green men from Pluto, doing a dance, and I wouldn’t know/care, as long as it helped Big Bart get back to winning games for us.
Hey, guys get hurt all the time – young guys, old guys, skinny guys, big guys. I see where Tim Lincecum has gotten clobbered his last four starts, ever since that 133-pitch CG. Did the Giants abuse/ruin him? Does he have an injury? I believe he has a history of pitching long into games, also, so he’s no baby.
Guys can get hurt when “babied’, guys can get hurt when they’re stretched out to go long, as many have proposed (Kaat, Ryan, for two).
And, speaking of unpredictable things – what’s with Brandon Morrow? He was supposed to be the next great thing, now he can’t get out of his own way. Boston clobbered him yesterday.
what’s with Brandon Morrow?
Attached the box score from the 1-0 one hitter over the Rays-arguably the best pitched game of the regular season , better than any of the no-hitters last year.
http://scores.espn.go.com/mlb/.....=300808114
Angels are close to releasing scott Kazmir. That’s one pitcher that NYYs need to get and see if they can rebuild him better than ever. They have the technology. Stick him in Tampa and fix him there with the help of Dr. Mike Marshall. Wish that the Yanks would bring Gil Patterson back.
Thanks Joe. I’m sorry to hear that particular asessment.
Enjoy your breakfast.
GB-
Even better. Send Kazmir off for the Bartolo treatment.
There was some talk yesterday about the Yankees trading for K-Rod. K-Rod has finished 25 games so far, easily on pace to eclipse the 55 finished games he needs to get the vesting option of 17.5M for 2012. He has a 10 team no trade option, and likely would have teams on there where he would not be the closer and therefore not reach his vesting option.
Yankee Trader – that’s a big stumbling block for the KRod to Yankees talk.
MTU, I don’t know if Kazmir’s hurt or if everything with his pitching is just screwed up. He’s still young and now question about the talent. It would cost the Yanks about $200,000 to find out. As far as Marshall goes, I’d put him on retainer and send all of the young system pitchers to Marshall this winter and let him put them through his training school and examination.
***no question***
Even better. Send Kazmir off for the Bartolo treatment
========================
Do stem cells work on one’s brain?
Kazmir’s troubles seem to have been upstairs as much as anything.
MTU-
I know you’re just kidding.
Bartolo’s stem cell + platelet enriched plasma injections still required him to have months of rehab.
Lefties are gold. If Kazmir has no physical issues, definitely it would be worth it for the Yankees to get him. The Red Sox will be looking into obtaining him for sure!!
benshpigel Noesi up for Sanit (elbow), MRI came back “good” on Colon, but DL still seems like a foregone conclusion
Found this interesting
“Brian Cashman said he’s not being called up, but here’s my conspiracy theory: Montero’s coming up tomorrow if Russell Martin is not healthy enough to play. We’re pretty much at the point were Martin will have to go on the disabled list if he can’t catch, and they don’t want to risk Montero getting hurt tonight. Anyway, we’ll see.” – River Ave Blues
I continue to have problems with the way this roster is contructed, especially in light on the bull pen injuries. Can’t understand what they are waiting for with Montero.
“good” sounds like it might be a mild strain. Less than a month?
“My spelling had to improve.”
gb7-
your spelling was like posada’s batting average. it had no where else to go.
as far as nurse karloff goes, i have good news for you. i started up a twitter account in your name and she’s now following you. she can’t wait for her first tweet from you.
GB-
With regard to MM. Like the old adage says, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
That would seem to be his specialty.
Kazmir has had numerous physical problems with his arm.
I was only half-serious about the Bartolo treatment but I bet he would benefit from it.
You’re right. he’s still young and he might respond very well.
I don’t think mechanical things can completely explain has happened to Kazmir in recent years.
Too many FB’s and Sliders at max. effort.
Mell-
Although they don’t inject stem cells into the brain, it definitely works there-if only to give the patient a psychological lift. Now if you harvest them from Placental stem cells you will get a kinder, gentler Scott Kazmir!! Is that an asset for a pitcher??
I have always thought Kazmir should be a reliever and stick to a fastball/slider combo cuz he has no command of his off-speed stuff.
Mell-
I don’t think there’s anything wrong with Kazmir’s headset.
But then again none of us really knows about those things.
Usually just rampant speculation.
I think that arm of his is tired. For a young guy it’s logged a lot of miles.
Glad to hear that the MRI showed nothing to indicate a Grade 2 strain. The orthopedist will probably recommend 2 weeks of treatment, so I would guess a 15 DL stint.
YT-
Music to my ears. The best possible result.
Really couldn’t afford to lose Colon for an extended period the way he has been throwing the baseball.
MTU:
You could be right. Certainly could be a case of too much, too soon as a youngster. I’m no psychologist, so it’s probably wrong of me to say it’s in his head.
That said, I think it’s probably both physical and mental with him.
Yankee Trader may be on to something with the stem cells as a peace of mind medicine.
The Angles have roughly 65 million dollars tied into Wells, Hunter, Kazmir and Gary Matthews Jr (cots has them paying him 11 million this year).
Mell-
Regardless, I think GB is right.
If we can get him for such a paltry sum we have nothing to lose.
Randy, you’re the most sadistic SOB on the internet.
The Angles have roughly 65 million dollars tied into Wells, Hunter, Kazmir and Gary Matthews Jr (cots has them paying him 11 million this year)
=================================
Wonder whether the Halos will use some of those expiring contracts (Kazmir, Matthews, Abreu, Piniero, etc) to be big players on Jose Reyes this winter.
If you guys heard a high pitched squealing “Noooo!” on the broadcast when Colon pulled up lame on the 1st base line yesterday, that was me.
I needed immediate grief counseling in our seats after he limped off the field.
He was brilliant yesterday and I guess the silver lining is if it’s not serious, his arm will get a little rest and get him ready for the sprint to the finis. He’s going to be needed for that.
I know they’ve won 2 in a row, but I’m frustrated by this team. As soon as the Red Sox leave town they act tough and beat up on the little sisters of the poor, but when Boston is here it’s all about respecting them and praising them and hugging them.
I just don’t get it. I still go back to what I was saying the other night that these guys don’t care as much as we do about beating their rivals. I think they just rather move on to games against lesser competition with mediocre pitching and beat up on them.
Either way, this is a crazy team this year which as a fan I go from loving to hating on a dime. It’s bizarre.
It’s good to see Jorge doing some hitting. Swisher is a mess left handed at the plate and needs a platoon partner replacement.
And I don’t know what happened to Bret Gardner as a base runner, but he’s awful.
I’m tired of him turning to look towards home plate while he’s stealing. Just run and get the bag. Why do you have to look at the catcher?
All of his instincts are wrong on the base paths this year and I never felt that about him the past couple of year.
I don’t know how you lose that instinct, but he’s lost it for the moment.
The good news is that bunt he put down yesterday was perfect for a base hit. Hopefully, that’s a sign that he will use that more and suck the infield in giving him more holes to slap the ball through when he’s not bunting.
Still, if he can’t steal a bag with any sort of consistency it’s a problem. He has the base running yips right now. It’s tough to watch.
2nd half rotation :
CC
Colon
Hughes
AJ
Garcia/Nova/Noesi
Pen:
Mo
Soriano
D-Rob
Garcia/Nova/Noesi/Brackman
Logan/Feliciano
Pendleton/Ayala
Montero up.
Jones gone.
Chavez ?
BIAW.
DLTDHYITA, MTU.
Mell-
At the current rate of Abreu’s ab’s. his vesting option for 2012 will kick in.
Gary-
I agree Gardner’s base running has been awful, but since the entire offense is lacking with RISP, they have to manufacture runs or wait for the homerun.
” Colon has hugh thighs since he is a power pitcher, he depends on those muscules so that he can be effective. In his case it could be longer due to his age. One thging for sure I don’t know that there will be a definitive answer from Yanks HQ”
gary-
i’m guessing it’s going to be longer rather than shorter because of his age.
funny hamstring story.
about 7-8 years ago ,i’m playing golf with a mini tour female player in florida and there are a couple of 4 foot tall sand hill cranes off to the left of the fairway. she hits a wicked hook and snaps one of the cranes legs right in half. it looked like a stick that someone broke over their knee out at a right angle.
so i call the pelican man bird rescue phone number. they send out an old guy with a net and the bird still hops too fast for the old guy to catch him, so i take the net and start chasing him as he gathers speed. he takes off and now is flying low and getting away .i turn on the after burners and make one last ditch effort to get him. i’m figuring he’s going to die if he gets away.
anyway, pow, i pull my hamstring so bad that it felt like someone shot me and knocked my legs right out from under me. i woke up the next day with black and blue from my butt to my ankle and couldn’t even think about walking.
it took months to get back to anywhere near normal. what’s the funny part?
oh yeah, the first day back playing golf about a month later, i look over on another fairway and see the sand hill crane with the broken leg with a big lump on his healed leg which was a little crooked, but walking around with no problem at all.
he was back in commission on his own way before i was.
randy l-
Great story. Crane did better because they don’t have hamstrings!!
eboland11 Martin said he was going to go out and hit and do some other drills. “If everything goes well I should be in (the lineup).”
” As soon as the Red Sox leave town they act tough and beat up on the little sisters of the poor, but when Boston is here it’s all about respecting them and praising them and hugging them.”
g.love-
i’ll be the first to admit i have a mean streak towards the red sox and have to temper it because i know it’s not totally rational , but i was screaming for immediate retaliation when lester drilled teixeira. i knew unless the yankees took care of it on the spot they were likely dead in the series and that boston would walk all over them .
the whole waiting for the smart time to get even is just a passive /aggressive weak way to go about it .
the red sox drilling of yankee hitters was so over the top that i think the yankee players and girardi could no longer keep running the same old program of rising above it and not stooping to the red sox level. it took until the red sox series was over to sink in though.
yankee manhood was at stake and they knew it. with guys like david wells calling for them “to grow a pair” they did belatedly and it worked . teixeira screaming at the cleveland pitcher carmona when he got hit was just what they needed to do.
you have to fight back and you have to do it right away.it’s not complicated.
G. Love, I just don’t get it. I still go back to what I was saying the other night that these guys don’t care as much as we do about beating their rivals. I think they just rather move on to games against lesser competition with mediocre pitching and beat up on them.
—————-
I was thinking the same thing. It sure appears like Tito and his team cares a lot more about these games than the Yankees do.
Hah, Randy, like the crane story
LMAO. Randy, that’s probably the funniest story ever put on the blog that I’ve read. Thanks. I have tears rolling down my cheeks from laughing.
I can picture a 90 year old man with a walker trying to chase down a one legged crane on a golf course.
That’s actually a pretty good story by Randy.
I see a mountain lion got killed in Milford, Connecticut this morning. He got hit by a SUV and he was a 140 lb male.
Gene Michael’s evaluation on Banuelos’ game last night.
“#Yankees scout Gene Michael saw Banuelos at AA Sat night, left after LHP was done. Banuelos 93-95, plus cb, chg. Some fb cmd issues. #MLB”
Randy I agree about the retaliation from Lester’s hitting Teixeira. Even if they lose the game because of hitting one of the RS batters or have the pitcher tossed from the game and a suspension handed out, it could have changed the whole rest of the series.
I was ticked off on the first HBP because I knew it to be part of their way of doing things. Girardi might have played hard as a player, but he was far too passive about the players being hit. His jawing about it now just comes off as too little too late. I was glad to see him get fired up at Acta over this, but it really should have been against Francona.
If the pitchers aren’t up to the task of backing up the players, then the batters should just lose the grip on their bats and let their bats go sailing toward the pitchers who target them.
I am all for playing with class and dignity, but if the opponents don’t play that way you have to stomp all over that. If you don’t you end up with the ugliness we saw vs. Boston. That just isn’t acceptable.
eboland11 Martin hit, ran and threw. Said he told Girardi he was good to go. Lineup not yet posted
GB
Did you get my email I sent last night? Sometimes when I send things over the comnputer it doesn’t work.
U can’t go to 15 team leagues. Would entail inter league at all times
SI_JonHeyman Jon Heyman
Just noticed I got email from rep weiner apr 14. about repubs, he writes: “It’s shamefiul. It’s immoral.” can’t make it up
———————————————————————————————————————-
It’s obvious that Weiner was referring to Heyman’s ability to report facts.
TY, I haven’t looked on the e-mails yet. I will check them now. Thank you.
If a hitter gets flattened by a pitch and is unable to respond–like Tex against Lester the other day, or ARod yesterday against the the Tribe–then somebody has to take up for them. If the pitchers aren’t going to do it, then somebody else has to do it. The easiest solution is for Girardi to order a pitcher to retaliate.
The nationals and diamondbacks just got in trouble for intentional throwing.
Ace June 12th, 2011 at 11:41 am
U can’t go to 15 team leagues. Would entail inter league at all times
==================================
Not necessarily. However, it would imply that one team in each league always would get the night off, except during interleague play periods. I have a hard time visualizing the implications on the scheduling in that case. However, I think that it’s pretty clear that it would extend the season by about a week, or so…
tyanksfan36 June 12th, 2011 at 11:47 am
The nationals and diamondbacks just got in trouble for intentional throwing.
==================================
The thing is that you don’t even need to hit anybody to make the point. When somebody with CC’s or Bartolo’s control throws behind a hitter’s back, the message is pretty clear.
“I can picture a 90 year old man with a walker trying to chase down a one legged crane on a golf course.”
gb7-
i almost had him too . i had the net inches away from his head when he achieved lift off speed.
Oh, God. Randy, that the best story on here, yet. Thanks, Bud. A great way to start the day.
Heard that Rep Weiner sent tex message to cashman asking for chance to join team–claims he has a big stick and is willing to send pictures.