Postgame notes: “He made it even better”
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Notes, Podcast on Aug 21, 2011 
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The Yankees had already stranded the bases loaded twice. Mark Teixeira had committed his first error since May 6, and by the time Curtis Granderson and Nick Swisher let a fly ball drop between them, it seemed this might not be the Yankees day. The Twins had runners at second and third with no outs against rookie Ivan Nova.
“When you look at that inning, you try to tell yourself, ‘It’s okay to give them one, let’s try not to give them two,’” Joe Girardi said. “‘Don’t give them a multiple (run) inning, and we can come back.’ He made it even better. He didn’t give them any. It was an outstanding job of pitching and an outstanding job by Russ. The game plan they executed today was great.”
Maybe you prefer that two-hit start against the Rangers in early May, or maybe those eight terrific innings against the Reds in mid June, or the 10-strikeout game against the White Sox earlier this month. Whatever the pecking order, this was clearly one of Nova’s finest starts of the season. It was the first time he allowed no runs, and it was his fifth win in as many starts since coming back from Triple-A.
“The big leagues is the big leagues,” he said. “Nobody wants to be in the minors. I came a long way from my hometown to be here, and now that I’ve got the opportunity to be here, I don’t want to lose it. You’ve got to stay here in the big leagues and try to do your job every time.”
It was that fifth inning that defined Nova tonight. He’d already pitched around an error in the third inning and induced a double play in the fourth. With runners at second and third in the fifth, he got back-to-back strikeouts before Drew Butera rolled over a routine grounder. All three outs came on a slider, the pitch that’s turned Nova from a promising but inconsistent rookie into a reliable and occasionally dominant starter.
“It’s not like the beginning,” Nova said. “I was throwing only fastball, curve. I wasn’t throwing my changeup either. And now we’ve really got all my pitches going. It’s a lot different. I think the hitter doesn’t know what pitch you’re going to.”
Here’s Nova. He’s now 13-4 with the most wins for a Yankees rookie since reliever Ron Davis won 14 in 1979. He has the most wins for a Yankees starter since Doc Medich in 1973.
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• Curtis Granderson was briefly tied for the Major League lead in home runs, but Jose Bautista also went deep today. Granderson said he never thought his ball was going to leave the park, but he was surprised to see Rob Thomson waving him home. “The one we never really work on happens and we’re going one more base to home,” Granderson said. “Mechanically, it was probably the most incorrect thing because the angles were all off because I was getting ready to stop at third base.”
• It was Granderson’s third career inside-the-park home run, but Granderson initially said this was his second. Someone had to remind him that he had an earlier one against the Angels (the one he remembered was against the Yankees). The last Yankee to have an inside-the-park homer was Derek Jeter last season.
• Mark Teixeira’s third-inning error was his first since May 6, snapping a streak of 87 consecutive games without an error, the longest single-season streak of his career.
• Oh yeah, Teixeira also homered in the game.
• Speaking of defensive mistakes, both Granderson and Swisher said their misplayed ball in the fifth was a matter of bad communication. Granderson ranged well into right field, and Swisher didn’t hear him calling the ball until the very end (that’s when he tried to stop). Granderson knew he was supposed to take charge, but he also knew he’d come well into Swisher’s area and he worried Swisher hadn’t heard him, so he tried to stop as well. “Guys were busting Curtis and I a little,” Swisher said. “And I said, ‘What are you taking about? You should thank us.’ After that, Nova got filthy.”
• Derek Jeter had another hit and is now three away from Rod Carew for 22nd on baseball’s all-time hits list. Jeter also drew a walk, and he’s now 16 away from being the sixth Yankee to reach 1,000 walks in his career.
• Alex Rodriguez reported no soreness after the game and said he was happy with the way he felt. Girardi acknowledged that Rodriguez’s timing might have been off at the plate, but he made a great play on an early bunt.
• Rodriguez on the bunt play: “That was a good test just because he runs so well. It was a bang-bang play. That’s a play that I’m going to have to make, so it was good to make it.”
• Rodriguez expects other teams to try to bunt on him for a while until he’s proven that knee is 100 percent. “It’s going to happen,” he said. “It’s not going to stop now. For the next two weeks, I’m going to have to make that play over and over again.”
• Dave Robertson got out of a bases-loaded jam again. Does this even count as a note any more? The three base runners reached base without getting the ball out of the infield (two infield singles and a walk).
• Mariano Rivera got his 33rd save.
• Robinson Cano matched his season-high with a 13-game hitting streak. He hasn’t done that since April. His double led to the Yankees first run in the sixth inning.
• Freddy Garcia is scheduled to throw 65 pitches or four innings for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre tomorrow. Right now, Garcia and Nova are lined up to start that doubleheader in Baltimore.
• One of those random clubhouse notes: A.J. Burnett shaved that blonde hair off his head today.
Associated Press photos
# West Coast Yankee Fan August 21st, 2011 at 7:45 pm
SI_JonHeyman
last nite girardi jumped ugly on nice pro @JackCurryYES yet said had “mutual respect w/ aj. all i can figure is #notaste
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Gee, I can’t for the life of me understand why one reporter would stand up for another reporter after he was rudely berated by Girardi.
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Gee, I can’t for the life of me understand why a manager would defend one of his players.
Doc Medich…..Two years later he became Willie Randolph
the unheralded mvp of the yankees this season…. dave robertson. he solidified the bullpen and made the impossible look easy. really strong work this year
If the count serves correct, Mariano is just 10 saves behind Trevor Hoffman. The record is attainable this year if all goes well.
Loved that Willie kid from the first day I saw him. Mr Smooth -”I’ve done this before”.
Nova pitching his way out of that error-induced jam was just amazing.
That slider makes all the difference. A true swing-and-miss pitch.
Remember how inefficient he used be ? High pitch counts early.
Gone.
No more nibbling.
Trajectory for him is all positive. Lights flashing green for go.
Actually, Mo has 592 saves now which is nine behind Hoffman’s record of 601.
N to the Izzo
V to the izzay
Fa sheezy my neezy you know he gets bizzay
Kd-
Another one is Corey Wade.
Giuseppe Franco August 21st, 2011 at 7:59 pm
Gee, I can’t for the life of me understand why one reporter would stand up for another reporter after he was rudely berated by Girardi.
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Gee, I can’t for the life of me understand why a manager would defend one of his players.
*******
Gee, I can’t for the life of me understand why Girardi couldn’t stick up for his player without being rude to one of the classiest most respected sports journalists in New York who was doing his job.
Suzyn mentioned this article on the radio broadcast. Cano praise from the other dugout.
http://tinyurl.com/3assted
Where did everyone go ?
I thought with the way Nova pitched today everyone would be in a really festive mood.
In fact, the pitching all the way thru today was A #1 solid.
No manager who has any self-respect (or respect for the team) would defend a player who did what AJ did to Binder Joe yesterday.
rb from LI August 21st, 2011 at 8:25 pm
Suzyn mentioned this article on the radio broadcast. Cano praise from the other dugout.
http://tinyurl.com/3assted
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That was an enjoyable read thanks.
Its called GUTS. Nova has them. The bleached blond DOES NOT.
Pat M. August 21st, 2011 at 8:00 pm
Doc Medich…..Two years later he became Willie Randolph
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The Yanks weren’t left without any medical help though. They also got Dock Ellis.
WCYF – I only caught part of the game in the car. I’m glad I happened to be listening at that moment.
See ya’ all later.
rb from LI August 21st, 2011 at 8:32 pm
WCYF – I only caught part of the game in the car. I’m glad I happened to be listening at that moment.
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You don’t get to hear that kind of praise from opposing managers. Very cool.
# West Coast Yankee Fan August 21st, 2011 at 8:24 pm
Giuseppe Franco August 21st, 2011 at 7:59 pm
Gee, I can’t for the life of me understand why one reporter would stand up for another reporter after he was rudely berated by Girardi.
———-
Gee, I can’t for the life of me understand why a manager would defend one of his players.
*******
Gee, I can’t for the life of me understand why Girardi couldn’t stick up for his player without being rude to one of the classiest most respected sports journalists in New York who was doing his job.
——-
In your opinion, Jon Heyman is a classy and respected journalist so WTF do you know?
The Yanks weren’t left without any medical help though. They also got Dock Ellis.
———————————————————————–
Grumpy, bad jokes – meh
and then two in one day. God love ya.
Oh yeah, I forgot….DISMISSED.
Not too swift – he was referring to Curry, not Heyman.
Giuseppe Franco August 21st, 2011 at 8:36 pm
In your opinion, Jon Heyman is a classy and respected journalist so WTF do you know?
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A great deal more than you. Thanks for the softball dummy.
Niblick August 21st, 2011 at 8:38 pm
Not too swift – he was referring to Curry, not Heyman.
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Don’t waste your time Niblick, that went right over his head.
Yep, winning hearts and minds again. Yup, yup, yup.
# Run it Out August 21st, 2011 at 7:40 pm
I think you will see a lot of the Yankees rotation thinking revealed here in the next two weeks. If the Yankees put Hughes in the pen in favor of leaving AJ, Garcia or Colon in the rotation then they have no plans for Hughes next year and he’ll be gone.
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why in hades would hughes go the pen?
You’ve got to be the most insecure chump that has ever visited this place. It’s astounding.
Go chug a bottle of Draino.
Its called GUTS. Nova has them. The bleached blond DOES NOT.
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He shaved. It off.
Go chug a bottle of Draino.
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That will clean out your Colon.
Giuseppe Franco August 21st, 2011 at 8:42 pm
You’ve got to be the most insecure chump that has ever visited this place. It’s astounding. Go chug a bottle of Draino.
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Chumps has an “s” and you spell “Drano” like this. High school equivalency or dropout?
What will this place look like under Dad’s new rules?
The Yankees already did the Hughes and Joba in the pen thing. Set them back something awful. By all means let’s rinse and repeat.
mick August 21st, 2011 at 8:43 pm
Go chug a bottle of Draino.
=================
That will clean out your Colon.
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Mick the quick!
Hughes and Nova are not flukes.
Why would anyone mention them in the pen?
CC and them are 1-3 for the playoffs.
wcyf
looks like you are #1 on the most wanted list.
I actually had been thinking that Hughes would end up in the pen, because he’s done it and done it well. And I could just hear Joe saying “well, ya know, Hughsey has the experience…” But after AJ’s most recent performance I just can’t see that being the move the Yankees make. They need him in the starting rotation.
without all the agita his place looks like a ghost town.
Maybe in 2013 if the kids progress and the stars align?
Sabathia
Hughes
Nova
Banuelos
Betances
RB, that would be a terrible move for this year and the future. Whoever goes to the pen is not going to pitch meaningful innings, so if it’s AJ, it doesn’t matter that he’s never done it before. Phil shouldn’t be penalized because he happened to spend time in the pen in 2009. If the Yankees are at all committed to Phil in 2012, he has to stay in the rotation.
as of now colon is the 4th starter, freddy 5
Minds can be clear of Burnett at least until he’s announced as an upcoming starter vs. Baltimore to be slaughtered around by the likes of Markakis & Co.
No likelihood that he’ll approach Larry Rothschild about working on his mechanical flaws.
mick August 21st, 2011 at 8:46 pm
wcyf, looks like you are #1 on the most wanted list.
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If there’s a good reward I’ll turn myself in to DadinIowa and split the take.
Niblick
Not to swift. GF knew exactly who the discussion was about. Perhaps you have missed the numerous love letters from WCYF to Heyman.
aj to the pen is akin to cutting him. the pen is fine as is, who would he replace?
aj is digging his own grave out of th playoffs and off this team.
he needs to be in Balt. where there is no pressure to perform.
# mick August 21st, 2011 at 8:46 pm
wcyf
looks like you are #1 on the most wanted list.
——-
He’s just #1 on the most annoying list.
He wouldn’t have the stones to say any of that stuff to anyone’s face. Getting beat up in school everyday taught him that valuable lesson.
The AJ Burnett situation is interesting to say the least.
What would the Yankees do if he continues to severely under perform? Will Cashman really have the guts to bench him or move him to the pen as a long man? I can’t imagine AJ being able to handle that. Or will they deal him and eat a lot of cash if there are any takers?
Or will they just keep running him out there until his contract expires and accept the consequences?
Betsy, the Yankees wouldn’t think of it as being Phil being penalized. They’d be taking the longer view of what is best for the club. Who really wants to see AJ come out of the pen? His chances of righting himself are diminished significantly be doing that. And that could be the stand they take.
However, as I said, considering 7ER 1 2/3, I don’t see how they can put a reliable starter of Phil’s caliber in the pen.
Does anyone know how many years Halliday was pitching at MLB level before they sent him down and rebuilt his delivery?
i said it before to no response except why, with a day off tmw, would we use 7 difeerent starters in the next 7 days?
i can see colon, cc and hughes vs oak
aj,noesi and freddy in the twin bill, then nova
colon on monday in balt then cc to open in boston
could be wrong but i might be right
noesi , of course, to be sent down for 4 days til 9/1 after game 1 for freddy
Pretty much anyone who doesn’t accept the party line seems to be a target here. Lesson: if you don’t want to be a target, blindly go along with what the front office says.
Mussina was moved out of the rotation for a couple of weeks a few years back when he struggled terribly. It happens.
You can’t keep letting Burnett go out there and get hammered every fifth day when there are 5 other starters who are outperforming him by a wide margin.
I really don’t want to see AJ pitching in Fenway.
how many bad starts can they give aj(ita)?
they are in a pennant race.
Giuseppe Franco August 21st, 2011 at 8:51 pm
He wouldn’t have the stones to say any of that stuff to anyone’s face. Getting beat up in school everyday taught him that valuable lesson.
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Threatening people now? Really? Say what stuff. That I think Joba can’t start? That I respect Heyman?
GF – I agree. But maybe AJ should “get an MRI” and be DL’d for a couple of weeks.
why in hell would aj pitch in fenway?
its cc,phil andfreddy
they will find some kitchen knives for aj, dont worry…
Could have been AJ too the way you lined it up.
The Yankees ate $46 million for Kei Igawa.
Burnett is owed $33 million dollars for 2012 and 2013. Would they eat $20 million to save $13 million?
Would another team take Burnett for $6.5 million a year on a two-year deal?
a 7 man rotation for this week, i like it, since nobody else does.
Weaver signs 5/$85 extension w/Angels with a full no trade.
ould have been AJ too the way you lined it up
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could be but wont be.
Would another team take Burnett for $6.5 million a year on a two-year deal?
======================
Baltimore.
I think AJ needs to go the NL. Who can the Yankees trade with (other than the Cubs)?
AJ to Washington.
SI_JonHeyman Jon Heyman
Austin jackson looks like a budding superstar to me. #betterthangranderson
AJ in Baltimore would mean he would shut us down, flake that he is.
like i said this place has lost it edge since the play nice regime took over
That sucks about Weaver. I’m not in love with any of those free agent pitchers in the next year or two. I don’t like NL starters coming to the AL.
CC, Nova, Hughes, Wilson ,Garcia
West Coast Yankee Fan August 21st, 2011 at 9:01 pm
Giuseppe Franco August 21st, 2011 at 8:51 pm
He wouldn’t have the stones to say any of that stuff to anyone’s face. Getting beat up in school everyday taught him that valuable lesson.
************
Threatening people now? Really? Say what stuff. That I think Joba can’t start? That I respect Heyman?
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When were you threatened? Besides when the 10year old next door threatened to kick your ass today. For someone who’s always concerned about everyone elses ability to read, you don’t do so well.
I’m not a big fan of Wilson, but will watch him closely the rest of this season, particularly, how he does in the playoffs.
the pace is mind numbing…J-E-T-S jets jets jets
if wilson wants too much cash will not pay it and go off the scarp heap again with his babies on the rise….isnt jamie moyer coming off tommy john next year?
GB-
How did you and Pat get on the topic of Dr Doc George Medich? I remember him from his college days at Univ. of Pittsburgh. I believe he’s still in practice in PA as an orthopedist.
GreenBeret7 – what a bitter angry dinosaur. I pity you.
Why would Weaver want to leave the Angels? They compete every year and it’s a great place to play.
play nice…
serenity now…
Trader, Chad was talking about the names of rookie pitchers and their win totals over the last 30-40 years and Ron Davis’ and Doc Medich’s names were two of the latest that Nova could be passing soon.
Lot of bitter angry dinosaurs and toddlers here.
mick August 21st, 2011 at 9:26 pm
serenity now…
**********
perhaps, just don’t stop short.
West Coast Yankee Fan August 21st, 2011 at 9:25 pm
And what a bitter, angry queen you are….drama or otherwise.
calling Dr Dad, calling Dr Dad….
Niblick August 21st, 2011 at 8:59 pm
Pretty much anyone who doesn’t accept the party line seems to be a target here. Lesson: if you don’t want to be a target, blindly go along with what the front office says.
===============
100% correct. It’s called that ‘kool aid’ thing. Dissent with your own opinion and then duck.
Pretty much anyone who doesn’t accept the party line seems to be a target here. Lesson: if you don’t want to be a target, blindly go along with what the front office says.
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not 100% true.
it’s called personality conflicts.
Careful GB It’s about time for VY to be taken out of the drawer. You are going to be in for it then.
I’m curious do you sit VY on your lap when he/you (so confusing) types. Is it true that he looks like Topo Gigio? Enquiring minds want to know.
darn that slow typing class GB. He beat me to it. I knew he was coming
anybody with an intellect will shy away from here as there is little discourse
lots of soap boxing
little dialogue
the politically correct generation is taking over…
Send AJ to the DL until the rosters expand. 10 days. Use some excuse (sore thumb, whatever). Skip a start or two. Try anything to break whatever is going on. This is a test of Larry Rothschild–earn your bucks. Even if you fail, Larry, you’ve got a decent staff to fall back on.
AJ is terrible right now–he doesn’t know where the ball is going when it leaves his hand. Can’t do that in the show, no matter how much he’s making. Everyone should be stand up here and call it like it is.
It’s OK to be pissed when you’re taken out of a game in the 2nd inning–shows you care about it. The problem is that it’s on TV in front of a large media market and a press that follows every eye movement or grimace.
Girardi is right to keep all of this in the clubhouse, no matter how pushy the press gets. Jack Curry is a good guy, and I am sure Girardi said something to him off the record to apologize.
I’m liking what I see right now, and they’ve got a great chance to go deep into October. Win it all? Not quite sure, since Boston and Philly (with Lee and Doc) have their number. However, once you get to the ALCS or the WS you just don’t know.
PS to the drama Kings and Queens: can we take the personal insults on the TMZ forum or to SOSH? You guys are like a Phillies or Eagles forum at times.
mick August 21st, 2011 at 9:13 pm
like i said this place has lost it edge since the play nice regime took over
==========
Easily remedied.
talking about politically in corrct, almost time for LD
bet they love him down south
if they watch him at all
great post PittYank…we need more of that!
that’s what i’m talkin about…
Easily remedied.
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are you trying to incite a riot?
Weaver signs 5/$85 extension w/Angels with a full no trade.
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Wow! That’s unexpected.
Boras cannot be pleased right now.
Funny thing about ‘tar’, I’ve always considered ‘it’ as something under my rear tire.
What a great game pitched by the youngster today…..its been really fun to watch him develop before our eyes. Last year in that 2nd and 3rd with no outs situation he may have unraveled ……this year he didn’t panic and made the pitches he needed to get out of it…….including the slider which when he has it is becoming a real weapon for him….pretty awesome to see. The Yankee rotation is looking better all the time if they can get this kind of performance from the kids….
Interesting on Weaver……a Boras client not testing the FA market. That’s two fairly recently (Car-Go) ……
Pretty much anyone who doesn’t accept the party line seems to be a target here. Lesson: if you don’t want to be a target, blindly go along with what the front office says.
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Lohud fallacy.
mick August 21st, 2011 at 9:42 pm
Easily remedied.
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Not in the least, ‘Dad’ is here with me having a couple of glasses of wine. He just said to ‘play nice’.
Weaver signs 5/$85 extension w/Angels with a full no trade.
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Just one of the many reasons why people shouldn’t be fantasizing about players in FA classes a year from now. Weaver signed a tremendously below-market deal.
Thus, planning for Kemp, Hamels, Danks, etc. is foolish. People said there was no way Weaver stays in LA because Moreno hates Boras, etc.
What a deal for the Angels. Especially since their FO has beef with Boras. He’s been the best pitcher in baseball and signs for Jon Lackey/AJ money, while he is like 5 years younger… wow
*best pitcher this year
That’s a very team friendly deal for the Angels if he pitches anywhere near the way he has this year……..guess he wanted the security of the deal now.
Why would Weaver want to leave the Angels? They compete every year and it’s a great place to play
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This year will likely be the 2nd in a row they miss the playoffs. Their bubble burst and they are saddled with a few terrible contracts.
Don’t really see them overtaking the Rangers anytime soon.
Verlander has been the best pitcher this year…..but Weaver has been really good.
weaver chose security, and a ton of it at that, over the free agency market.
if he has one more solid year, a 6/110 deal would not have been out of the question for him
maybe he felt that he won’t be able to maintain his level of excellence, remember what happened to his brother
Knowing Philly’s luck, Hamels will sign for a similar figure.
Yea…..if the Rangers make correct decisions on a few things then I agree……its probably their division for the near future anyway
It’s amazing the GM that was shrewd enough to get Haren and lock up Weaver is the same person to trade for Vernon Wells and make so many stupid free agent decisions.
Reagins is so hit or miss. Either a great move or a completely boneheaded one.
Vineyard Yankee August 21st, 2011 at 9:43 pm
Funny thing about ‘tar’, I’ve always considered ‘it’ as something under my rear tire.
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LMAO!
Nice deal for the Angels.
Wow, a player not trying to squeeze every penny out of his home team. Must be nice to be… um… every team but the Yankees.
Is it the nightmares GB?
Weaver had a 3.01 ERA last year. He’s only had 1 year in his career in which his ERA was over 4. Only 29 years old. No injury history. Playoff experience/AL tested. Misses bats.
Even if he regressed next year, he still certainly could have done better than Burnett/Lackey money.
LGY August 21st, 2011 at 9:53 pm
It’s amazing the GM that was shrewd enough to get Haren and lock up Weaver is the same person to trade for Vernon Wells and make so many stupid free agent decisions. Reagins is so hit or miss. Either a great move or a completely boneheaded one.
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Kind of like every General Manager wouldn’t you say? Including Mr. “Kei Igawa Cashman”.
The Wells trade was one of the worst I can remember…………only because of the amount of money they took on for a player that so many thought was shot.
BX33 August 21st, 2011 at 9:56 pm
Weaver had a 3.01 ERA last year. He’s only had 1 year in his career in which his ERA was over 4. Only 29 years old. No injury history. Playoff experience/AL tested. Misses bats.
Even if he regressed next year, he still certainly could have done better than Burnett/Lackey money.
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True. But to choose the security of making $17 million a year for five years and living in Southern California can’t really be questioned.
Kind of like every General Manager wouldn’t you say? Including Mr. “Kei Igawa Cashman”.
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I wouldn’t say that.
Every GM makes mistakes. It’s part of the job.
The problem with Reagins and what separates him is that there is absolutely no middle ground. It’s one extreme or the other. I don’t see how Cashman or really any other GM in baseball fits that profile.
The Wells trade was one of the worst I can remember…………only because of the amount of money they took on for a player that so many thought was shot.
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Not to mention, they parted with a better player than Vernon Wells in the trade in Mike Napoli.
I would think that Reagins is hamstrung making deals having Artie Moreno deciding which agents he likes and or dislikes.