LoHud Yankees chat begins at noon
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Sep 30, 2011 
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Warning Track Power September 30th, 2011 at 11:50 am
1 key to look for early in the game from Verlander is if his fastball is
hovering around 90 or close to 100.
What I’ve heard is if his fastball is around 90 in the 1st inning, it’s a positive for him.
If he’s throwing close to 100 in the 1st inning, that is usually a negative for him.
Take that for what it’s worth
its 12 o clock do you know where your chat is?
MTU September 30th, 2011 at 11:17 am
Bret-
Did you get to see Boston’s “loser gene” ?
***********
92% on my exam. Class average was 76%, all honors students, mostly pre-med.
Detroit and Philly have scary pitching, but so did the ’96 Braves.
Let’s go Yankees!!
Its kind of sad that Colon didn’t make it, but that is the right move. He really has little left and AJ will be the long man…
Torn whether I like this or Halladay is being a jerk…….
Tyler Kepner
Roy Halladay, respectfully, when asked about the Cardinals: “I came here to bury Caesar, not praise him.”
Hope I am wrong, but my gut says Detroit beats Yankees and then Texas to go to WS.
Reposting this from last night incase anyone didn’t see it….
—————
This is a great video from youtube on the Sox collapse. Just great…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPNpJX8b-bc
Did someone actually suggest having Nunez play in the field so Jeter or Cano could DH???
The thought literally made me shudder.
Colin Cowherd is hyping up the Yanks big time. Says they are going to win the series.
Is this a Bizzaro World or what??
hardwired-yeah, I was cringing at that one too. LOL
Pete’s list of candidates for the job includes Pena & Thompson.
I doubt they would hire a Yankee coach.
Clutch, I haven’t linked to the You Tube yet but am going to do it right away. A few nights ago someone linked to a song that Pete Abe had put up, and it was absolutely hysterical! It wasn’t the Sweet Caroline parody. It had a fast beat and sounded like country music. It also was a parody. I’m trying to find it.
m – I think they’ll go looking for someone who will toe the company line, and take instructions from the front office. Theo is/was a disciple of Billy Beane, and Beane has always regarded managers as similar to a foreman – minimal decision-making required. That’s why I think Bobby Valentine will not end up there – he’s way too independent.
Video of teammates and peers having a little fun at Derek’s expense.
http://espn.go.com/espn/page2/.....ayoff-team
trisha,
It gets good at 4:40.
Joe,
I hope so. Because the only way to right the ship is a manager, not a buddy.
But if these guys are selfish, lazy, entitled, then even a drill sergeant won’t be able to help them.
So, if they’re looking for someone to toe the line, that’s great because that means accountability won’t be a priority. Just continue to coddle the redneck millionaires.
Valentine is too shrill.
Theo really needs to fall on his own sword here, but he won’t. I know they like him and vice versa. And really, who’s going to hire him? He’s not all that good imo. But the media is already writing the narrative that he’s an accountable guy, the kind that won’t leave a mess. Seriously, who made the mess in the first place? This is baseball, not preschool.
I think it’s a little messed up that AJ Burnett is on the roster and Bartolo Colon is not.
Clutch, I laughed myself sick!!!! The person who put that together is brilliant!
How about the last frame with Gordon Edes’ face?????
Oh my God, it just brings back to me the amazing confluence of events that night, something you could never have scripted, something you would have to believe to be pure fiction if you hadn’t seen it with your own eyes. It actually gives me chills thinking about it.
(I actually DVRd the Sux re-run of that game because things were happening so fast, and I was switching between games at the end, so I never got to see the entire Papelbum inning unfold the way I would want to. I’m going to watch it some time this afternoon. Also where Screwtaro gets tagged out at home in the top of the inning.)
You could never make up something so utterly amazing as happened that night. Seriously, could you?
Just looked at the “Expert Picks” from ESPN. One out of 15 had the Yankees winning the Series, most had them out in the first round. I think a couple of them still picked the Red Sox to win it out of habit.
I do wonder if the Boston collapse will get these so called “experts” to stop annointing teams as the chapions in Spring Training….probably not.
I think Proctor and Andino should get a Yankee playoff share
MoRings42,
I think the Yanks really had no choice. Colon forced their hand by continually looking burnt-out on the mound, and Burnett conversely pitched better than he has since 2009.
Colon pitched in the DR in the off-season, and had to pitch his ass off in ST to make the team. It’s really no surprise that he was shot after the AS break. He gave them more than they could ever have hoped for, and w/out him early on they would have struggled to stay near the top of the AL East.
m – my guess is that Theo will check out GM jobs, maybe the Cubs. (Wouldn’t that be ironic, Theo with the Cubs, Tito with the White Sox. Imagine if they ran into one another at dinner?)
Seriously – if you wanted to fix that team, they should get the equivalent of a Bill Parcells, who will blow the place up, get rid of the malcontents and attitude problems, and bring in some hold-the-fort guys, to stay competitive, until you can rebuild into a contender. Because that’s what they need, a new strategy towards beuilding a team and farm system, not dealing for the hot-name of the year to bandaid.
Chad sez: Yanks in 5 with the baby Nova over Verlander in game 5.
I can see that…
AJ Burnett has had 2 quality starts in the last 3 months… Bartolo Colon has had 6.. Burnett also likes to give up the HR.. it seems like he does every game.. I wouldn’t want him as the long man and hope we don’t ever get to that point.
“I think it’s a little messed up that AJ Burnett is on the roster and Bartolo Colon is not.”
Especially considering it’s a relief role and with Burnett’s control issues and tendency to implode.
Hopefully he isn’t even needed.
Yankees in 4. Hopefully.
They might be motivated from the disrespect (seemed to fuel them towards a division title) that they might, you know, take the first 3.
I do wonder if the Boston collapse will get these so called “experts” to stop annointing teams as the chapions in Spring Training….probably not.
===============================
Not unless they spell it right….it’s Sux and Chumpeons.
Fwiw, putting out there a post that defends AJ made me throw up a little in my mouth.
Still, Bart had nothing left. At least Burnett can miss some bats (or so the theory goes).
Hopefully some rest gets Colon back to where he was, and he can be activated and effective in later rounds.
Just looked at the “Expert Picks” from ESPN. One out of 15 had the Yankees winning the Series, most had them out in the first round. I think a couple of them still picked the Red Sox to win it out of habit.
=========================================
This is what the script calls for. No room for originality with the talking heads.
You have to come to LoHud for that…
“I think Proctor and Andino should get a Yankee playoff share”
Clutch, sometimes things are really too enormous for me to be able to make sense of! Look at the September version of the Showalters. Talk about ratings sweeps!!! (and I think there were a few sweeps in there.)
Think back to when posters were talking about the schedules and some were worried because the Suxers were in the Yanks’ rear view mirror and had the EASIER SCHEDULE at the end!!! And up drives Buck in his pickup truck and says “Not so fast, boy!” You never would have scripted it, and you can’t make the stuff up.
Yanks schedule – Rays, Sux, Rays
Sux schedule – O’s, Yanks, O’s
As Harold Reynolds would say, “Come one now!”
I thank the good Lord for making me a Yankee fan!
AJ is such a nut job that I think if a starter got hammered and had the leave the game early he would pitch a good game. Since he didn’t have time to think about it and know he would be pitching and get his brain going. I feel bad for Colon but the Yanks had no choice. He has been on fumes for about a month now and he is a homerun waiting to happen if he came out of the bullpen.
mick September 30th, 2011 at 1:14 pm
Chad sez: Yanks in 5 with the baby Nova over Verlander in game 5.
I can see that…
——-
Very gutsy prediction by Mr. Jennings, but I like it. Hopefully we can do this thing in 4. One time of seeing JV is enough for me. However, I will have to see it to believe it that Cigarettes Leyland won’t pitch JV in Game 4 if NY is up 2 games to 1.
If that is the scenario I wonder if Joe throws AJ and holds CC for Game 5.
pat September 30th, 2011 at 12:57 pm
Video of teammates and peers having a little fun at Derek’s expense.
http://espn.go.com/espn/page2/…..ayoff-team
**********************************************************
Very funny!!
My fav was #10….David Wells cure…………..HAHAHA
“Chad sez: Yanks in 5 with the baby Nova over Verlander in game 5.
I can see that…”
Could you just love that?!?
My man mick. I’m between Chad and mel. I’d love to say three but I think that would be pushing it just a little.
Okay, Yanks in th…th…thr…um…
FOUR!
No, THREE!
Wait, who is our third starter, AJ?
Okay, I’m going three.
Yanks in three.
Sheer idiocy. J’accuse. With everything else that has happened this week, why not.
Look at the September version of the Showalters. Talk about ratings sweeps!!! (and I think there were a few sweeps in there.)
———
I heard an interview that Kay did with Willie Randolph(a coach for the O’s this year) the day before the last day of the season. Kay asked him how he feels about Boston since he was a Yankee and he said he still doesn’t like them and wants to beat them when the O’s play them. He said that 04′ still bothers him and they would play very hard in the last game of the season to try and win that game. Good job by Buck. I think he should get a play off share also lol
It’s impossible to blow up the Red Sox, though, isn’t it? With the guaranteed contracts? Seems to me it’s the guys that are entrenched there that might be the problem – and if that pitchers’ clique was part of the problem, well, what can they do? Lester and Beckett are going nowhere.
Joe from LI, I absolutely agree with you. That “team” in beantown is badly broken, much more so than we could have known. The last thing they need is someone who will coddle them. They need their asses kicked.
How you get rid of a clubhouse cancer without getting rid of it is beyond me. Unless they lobotomize Pukeface, he is always going to be the arrogant schmuck that he is. Smart money says you keep Ellsbury happy and do something about that always-injured jerk – like ship him out of town ASAP.
Oops, sorrry. Mea culpa. Freddy for game three.
I’ll stay with 3 for the win, Peter.
I beat if George was still alive he would want Cashman to sign Ortiz this off season lol
I beat=I bet
Ugh. The last thing I would ever want to see on the Yankees would be that roiding malcontent!
Well it is an absolutely GORGEOUS day here in little rhody. Breezy and dry, about 75 degrees. I’m going to go back out and take advantage oof the day because I know once the games start, outdoors and I will be a thing of the past.
Later y’all.
I don’t know… I have to say that even diminished, Colon looks and sounds better than AJ Burnett… AJ’s had one HRless start in each of the past 3 months… Colon’s had 8 in that same time period.. 2 in this month. Colon may be a HR waiting to happen but AJ is a HR that will happen.
VillaNova-Ya – I didn’t say it would be easy, lol…..
trish – they would do well to unload youk. between his attitude and his breaking down, he’s not worth it. That won’t be easy, either. Maybe someone looking to get the draft picks when his contract expires (next year?). But, what they have hasn’t gotten it done two years running now. Time to re-engineer.
However, if they wanted to bring the same old crew back next year, with only a new zookeeper, I’d be ok with that.
You’d think these guys would learn to not be so absolutely sure of themselves when making predictions.
Mitch Williams just said there is ZERO chance the Brewers get swept in the ALDS. And he repeated himself 3 times. And the body language was adamant.
Now, I don’t think they’ll get swept either, but c’mon. There is always a small chance of anything!
The Yanks should hire Francona in a consulting role.
I can see the Brewers going to the WS.
Colon may be an option for the ALCS. I was impressed with how well he pitched this year after how he pitched when he was in Boston.
Pitching all those innings so suddenly were clearly a problem for him this year, after so much time on & off or just p[lain out with injuries. But I don’t see that as a decline despite his age. He might do better, go deeper into the season next year and again the year after.
Will he become a Cy Young candidate again? Likely not, but he could still help the Yanks down the road for a couple seasons. Or some team. Heck, why not sign him and package him with a few ‘less expensive’ players in a trade for Johan Santana? I hear the Mets are going to have to looking at payroll this winter
“The Yanks should hire Francona in a consulting role.”
I’d be in favor….though he’s likely going to have his pick of couple different managerial jobs…..he may just have to choose which side of Chicago he want’s to move to.
sportsJC16 29 Sep Meanwhile, #Yankees are playing the platoon game with their best RH power bat at this time: Jesus Montero. Not brilliant.
sportsJC16 29 Sep Gotta love Joe Madden. Starting Matt Moore in Gm 1 who has had 1 career ML start. Rangers have never seen him. Brilliant move.
sportsJC16 4 hours Welcome #Redsox to the land of bad contracts, overrated farm system, and being an old, fat team. You are now 2005-2008. #Yankees
sportsJC16 4 hours #Redsox just became the Red Sox again by sacking Francona. All the superiority nonsense shoved down our throats from the RS and ESPN is gone
sportsJC16 4 hours So #Red Sox lay their collapse at the feet of the only guy who has lead them to the WS in the last 100 years. Good luck with that.
While I think it is a joke that the Yankees are getting zippo respect from the mediates, I can’t blame anyone for picking the Tigers….I’m not sure they aren’t better or at least equal to the Yankees
crazy thought of the day (while I sit at my desk ) –
The Rays should go after Ortiz this offseason, to hit behind Evan Longoria.
I think one reason why Longoria’s numbers, esp. BA, are down a little is nobody giving him protection in the lineup, not since Carlos Pena left.
With Ortiz, they could go Longo-Ortiz-Zobrist 3-4-5. Couple that with Jennings for a full year, and Kotchman (if his eye problem was really the reason for his hitting decline past couple seasons), and their pitching, and the Rays would be really, really good.
With Boston being at a crossroads, and on the way down (not just this season – look at their organization lack of depth, poor contracts, etc), the Yanks and the Rays would rule the ALEast, possbly for years to come.
sure det’s offense is much better than ours’….jeez
Haven’t been to the stadium since CC beat Verlander on Opening Day.
Going and expecting the same result.
I think it’s a shame that Bartolo isn’t on the roster, especially since he’s one of the reasons we’re in the post season. My feeling is that he’d be more effective out of the pen than A.J.
That being said, I’m really excited to get started tonight!
that is a crazy thought Joe…then again they did sign Manny, so you never know
Has anyone looked at weather yet? If Game 2 gets rained out and is played Sunday, Nova can’t pitch Game 5 and Yanks are screwed by Mother Nature again.
Sj hates girardi”….
Firing Francona is a bush league move….first blame the players aand then the GM who put the tem together
seeya at the game lgy…gates open 2 or 3 hrs before?
I have more confidence in AJ right now than Colon….Colon has had nothing for over a month…..I would have taken him over Ayala though.
I love that nobody is picking the Yanks…..Detroit is the AL central darling….for now
I knew madden would start MOORE
bring us good luck LGY!!!
I thought you saber guys never left the basement…j/k of course
francona wants out
who else does maddon have?
Did they fire Francona, or did they agree to part ways?
I know it’s semantics, but…
Too bad Montero isn’t a switch hitter…
I’m not sure what exactly the Yankees have to do to get any kudos from the talking heads. Oh, well.
Maybe it’s best to fly under the radar.
“I knew madden would start MOORE”
It’s a bold move….. I love it. More managers should value talent over experience.
Tar heel, colon is shot for the year….he is completely on fumes
Francona had an option and they are opting to not pick it up…..he was basically fired but technically they won’t call it that.
Tito probably wanted out of there anyway
I’m not sure what exactly the Yankees have to do to get any kudos from the talking heads.
==========================================
Who cares? We are IBM to them. They are shills and are pushing product.
Have Fun LGY.
Get that place jumping. Try to get it back to how it Old YS used to shake.
Blake, sometimes kids are too young to be scared…..I like the move as well. The Rays are just a very, very well run team …from the owner to the GM to the manager
Theo statement: “There are no plans for an immediate announcement.”
Waiting for an off day to make an announcement?
Is it seriously going to rain tomorrow? Every time I get Yankee tickets there’s rain in the forecast.
Gold Glove – fair point.
The advantage I see Detroit having, or any other team for that matter, is starting pitching depth.
No matter Garcia’s numbers this year, he’s a questionable #3 at best, and Colon is a scary #4 option.
I don’t see the Yankees beating Verlander twice. Series will be split 1-1, and Garcia’s start is huge.
From the long reliever the Yankeees need length. If someone gets knocked out early AJ can give them 100-120 pitches. I don’t think they thought Colon could give them anything close to that. I think it was Colon or Hughes not Colon vs AJ. I would of liked Colon to be on the roster but the Yanks obviously thought the other guys could give them more.
Tito should take a year and get his health in order.
Betsy September 30th, 2011 at 1:57 pm
I knew madden would start MOORE
——————
This was no suprise. Why the self-congratulations?
Ortiz going to Tampa isn’t that crazy a notion. Though I think that Tampa (like most other teams) will want more flexibility from the DH spot – not just a DH but a guy who can play the field if need be.
Here’s a crazy notion for you.
Seattle fires Eric Wedge and hires Francona. It’s a team with a young, up and coming core in a winnable division.
They sign Ortiz to DH, bring a little of the loud veteran leadership to the clubhouse that they feel they lack with Ichiro and add some pop to a very light hitting lineup.
While I think it is a joke that the Yankees are getting zippo respect from the mediates
———
To be fair the other 3 teams in the AL have much more depth in starting pitching so I can understand why they aren’t picking the Yanks. CC really has to step up tonight.
Captain Clutch September 30th, 2011 at 12:29 pm
Reposting this from last night incase anyone didn’t see it….
—————
This is a great video from youtube on the Sox collapse. Just great…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPNpJX8b-bc
—-
EPIC!!!
pat September 30th, 2011 at 2:02 pm
Theo statement: “There are no plans for an immediate announcement.”
Waiting for an off day to make an announcement?
—————————————————————————————————————————-
I wonder if Boston has the guts to hire an untried manager like DeMarlo hale?
chip – I don’t know how up-and-coming the M’s are, but, I don’t think Francona and Ortiz are best buddies.
I remember mid-season, during one of Francona’s pregame press conferences, Ortiz burst into the room and demanded to talk to him, right now! Francona laughed it off, but I can’t imagine he was thrilled with that public lack of respect.
Similarly, Ortiz openly criticizing the team, and implicitly Francona, by not putting Aceves into the starting rotation, shows a lack of respect for his manager. Francona didn’t say anything publicly, but I can’t help but think he didn’t care for it.
For that reason, I don’t think that Francona is going to be looking for Ortiz to play for him on any new team.
Clutch they are getting no respect at all ….it’s over the top aty this point, even though I admit I am not confiident. I don’t know how CC will do ….he has pitched poorly for over a month now.
I thought about Seattle, but it’s a dead-end job. Worse, it’s a manager’s graveyard.
I think Tito’s mellowness would fit right in with the NW crowd, but his talents would be wasted there.
Mick
Not sure. I usually only get there 15-20 minutes or so before 1st pitch.
GB
I think they might go with an untried. Save a few million on payroll and it would give Theo and ownership control. Hale is rumored to be the only internal candidate they would consider.
A few people said Bobby Valentine interests ownership but that seems like an ego clash waiting to happen.
I was surprised that they started Moore really…..they didn’t start Price in 2008 and their pitching wasn’t as good then as it is now. I’m also used to veteranness trumping all as well…….
and by the way….Hi Chip
jealous of LGY right now
LGY,
You should go early and see who hits the most bombs in BP….Miggy or Montero
Blake-
I saw recently you mentioned to work the count against Verlander. Do you really think this approach will work? Leyland will allow him to go 130 easy.
LGY-have a great time!! Bring them lots of luck.
ALDS winners capitalize on key moments – big plays, clutch hits, etc. that change momentum on a dime.
You can’t allow a Kenny Rogers to outpitch a Randy Johnson. You can’t allow a Bubba Crosby to collide with a Gary Sheffield. You can’t get caught like Nick Punto off third base. You can’t get distracted by midges. You can’t be baffled by Paul Byrd. You can’t groove a fastball to a #4 hitter when up 3-1 in the bottom of the ninth (Joe Nathan).
These are the kinds of moments that separate winning from losing. Yanks have to avoid the mistakes, and capitalize on the ones made by Detroit.
I am going to the game tomorrow which, of course, means it will definitely rain. LOL. Actually it’s not supposed to rain hard in the evening so they should get the game in. And the weather tonight will be perfect.
Hi Blake
Joe – everyone, Ortiz included, said that it was just a joke and messing around. Francona loves the guy – stuck with him when everyone thought he should be benched (if not outright released).
To be fair the other 3 teams in the AL have much more depth in starting pitching so I can understand why they aren?t picking the Yanks. CC really has to step up tonight.
————————————–
How does Detroit have more depth then the Yankees?
Betsy,
Are you ever confident when the Yankees play a post season series?
JM-have a great time tomorrow.
You can bring SuperNova luck!
I never thought Francona was a great fit for Boston.
Too much class.
Wanted to post this in game thread but I’m heading to the Bronx so this will have to suffice:
Bring it, C!
GO YANKS!!!
Who else is psyched that there will be meaningful baseball in few hours? Anyone not going to watch?
Lineup in Game 1 of ALCS Last Year
Jeter
Swish
Tex
Al
Cano
Thames
Sado
Grandy
Gardner
Lineup Game 1 ALDS This Year (probable)
Jeter
Grandy
Cano
Al
Tex
Swish
Po
Martin
Gardner
Have the Yankees really upgraded much from last year when they missed the W.S. Something that concerns me. Thoughts?
pat September 30th, 2011 at 2:17 pm
GB
I think they might go with an untried. Save a few million on payroll and it would give Theo and ownership control. Hale is rumored to be the only internal candidate they would consider.
A few people said Bobby Valentine interests ownership but that seems like an ego clash waiting to happen.
—————————————————————————————————————————-
That could be fun to watch, though with Epstein/Valentine….ugly but fun to watch. What a train wreck that would be. I can see the same thing happening in Baltimore, too…if Showalter doesn’t get the GM and manager spot.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPNpJX8b-bc
==================================
This is classic!
Trish will love it!
chip – not my idea of a joke, but, hey…..
I still think that Ortiz would be a better fit in Tampa. Good for us if he goes to Seattle.
Watching Theo’s postmortem report on Thursday, I found out something new. Theo is actually a VP with the Sox. They showed it as “Theo Epstein-Vice President/General Manager” or something like that.
This is the type of game why CC gets paid the big money. Since 1995, teams who win the first game of a Division Series advances to LCS 73% of the time. So it’s no coin flip. Game 1 matters.
I just looked at Matt Moore’s mL numbers. I was surprised how good they are. He put up Robertson-like peripherals, especially K/9. He may be inexperienced, but there’s no denying his talents.
Lets see..Detroit has Verlander, the probable Cy Young,and Fister who has pitched well, then the youngsters Porcello and Scherzer, who have been inconsistent, and Penny (if he is still there)…am I missing someone? I don’t see that staff as being any better than the Yankees.
E_Lipsman Three former @TrentonThunder players on the Tigers for the ALDS, Austin Jackson, Phil Coke and Omir Santos. http://pic.twitter.com/awW9hNZc
“I saw recently you mentioned to work the count against Verlander”
yea I think that’s the best plan…..now I don’t mean take pitches down the middle. I just mean they are going to have to grind out the AB’s and make him throw strikes early. He’s most vulnerable early in games…..his velocity builds as the game goes so they need to work him early if they want to have the best shot of getting to him.
Anyone not going to watch?
——
Haven’t decided yet. I might just hang out in Cashman’s saber cave at the stadium.
Joe Torre would be a terrific move for the Sox. He is what they need right now – a guy who can come in and restore order and get the punks to buy into the program.
Would hate to see it honestly. Hopefully they hire some retread like Trey Hillman.
Randy Johnson pitched all of 2006 knowing that he needed back surgery. He deserves all the credit in the world for not missing a start that year. Not a pleasant guy? Maybe not, but, I never had to worry about that. How he treated the media was never my concern and long as he gave it everything he had. He did that.
Did I miss real news? Are you going to the stadium for something other than the game?
I honestly think that if the Sux hired Valentine without Theo’s consent he would up and leave. Remember, he threw a hissy fit and nearly quit because they were intent on trading HanRam for Josh Beckett.
Fister is the kind of guy who could give the Yankees a lot of problems.
Softtosser with a crapton of different offspeed stuff that he can command for strikes.
To be honest, I feel better about getting to Verlander than I do about getting to Fister and Scherzer.
“I never thought Francona was a great fit for Boston.
Too much class”
that’s a good point
ZMAN September 30th, 2011 at 2:34 pm
Joe Torre would be a terrific move for the Sox. He is what they need right now – a guy who can come in and restore order and get the punks to buy into the program.
Would hate to see it honestly. Hopefully they hire some retread like Trey Hillman.
——————-
You don’t let a lax manager go to replace him with a lax manager – if the Red Sox front office really is concerned that things were too loose in the clubhouse these last couple of years under Tito then they’re going to go with a discipline guy – someone like Larry Bowa would make sense for that reason.
What program? Boston doesn’t have a program to buy into. That team has become the post 1967 Red Sox in the clubhouse from the sound of it. They ran off the best manager in baseball shortly after bringing them out of the wilderness…Dick Williams.
The funny thing about all this Francona stuff is, much like Torre was branded as “Clueless Joe” when he was hired, everyone thought at the time that the only reason Francona got the Boston job was because it was part of some handshake deal they had with Curt Schilling – where he would only accept a deal to Boston if they hired Francona as the manager. 8 years later he’ll go down as one of the best managers in that team’s history.
m
Just kidding.
Does Bowa want to manage again? I haven’t heard. I hope he doesn’t go to Boston if so though because I like him and then I’d have to not like him any more.
weather.com says there’s a 70% chance of a thunderstorm at 8pm. Great.
Have the Yankees really upgraded much from last year when they missed the W.S. Something that concerns me. Thoughts?
—————————————————
Jeter and Granderson are better then last years version and Mark is healthy. Their DH would be better but he isn’t playing
weather.com says there’s a 70% chance of a thunderstorm at 8pm. Great.
——
WTF. It said only 30% an hour ago when I bought the tickets.
RiverAveBlues RT: @MLB_PR: New “Legends Are Born in October” #postseason spot features the @Yankees: http://atmlb.com/odijwK
blake September 30th, 2011 at 2:39 pm
Does Bowa want to manage again? I haven’t heard. I hope he doesn’t go to Boston if so though because I like him and then I’d have to not like him any more.
————
I don’t know if Bowa wants to manage – but he’s the type of guy I think Boston would look for. An old school disciplinarian who would kick butt and set some rules – sort of how the Yankees went from Torre to a polar opposite in Girardi.
I forgot about Coke. The pointer returns!
Would LaRussa and Duncan go to Boston?
I just can’t see them hiring some mediocre retread or some unproven bench coach.
“The pointer returns!”
I hope not!
I’m thinking Tito wanted out more than they wanted him out. Think about it, who else are they going to get to babysit these kids for 7 months?
LaRussa in Boston would be hilarious.
Yank1 September 30th, 2011 at 2:46 pm
Would LaRussa and Duncan go to Boston?
I just can’t see them hiring some mediocre retread or some unproven bench coach.
———————-
No.
Well, let me rephrase – yes, they could go to Boston, but they are both under contract and aren’t going anywhere – plus I don’t see LaRussa and Theo being a good fit.
pat September 30th, 2011 at 2:45 pm
I forgot about Coke. The pointer returns!
*************************
I too am off to Stadium. Rock this joint, Lohudders! Go C!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Go Yanks!
By the way – why wouldn’t Boston go for a retread – the last retread they hired helped guide them to 2 titles over the last 8 years.
m-several Boston media guys have suggested that Francona wanted out, not the other way around
@ESPNJoeyMac: Ortiz: “I’m fine with Tito. My only problem was when I started being benched (in 2010). Other than that we’re cool.”
Oh, yeah, Tony LaRussa in Boston. That would play out just great.
He can’t stand it when one of the two writers in St. Louis asks him a softball toss question, how’s he going to react when Massaroti or Pete, or one of the other three dozen reporters looking for a story asks him about his closer blowing up, or batting Ortiz leadoff, or some other thing?
Have fun yankeefem!
Sean Rodriguez leading off for Maddon today?
Man Maddon is really having fun with this isn’t he?
Cheer us on to victory J ALfred, Yankeefem, JM, LGY if you can escape the saber cave, anyone else attending!!
By the way – the latest reports say nothing has been decided on Francona yet. It still looks like he’s done there but both sides decided to take a few days and cool off and not make any decisions in haste (always a good practice). They have 10 days from the time the season ends to make a decision.
Tito is a class act. They were lucky to have him. The life cycle for all managers does run out – but in getting rid of Tito they are still not addressing the root cause problem.
That team just wasn’t nearly as good as they internally seemed to perceive. The Sox issue is that they simply aren’t systematically evaluating talent well. And that’s completely on Theo.
Not only are they not evaluating major league talent well – they aren’t doing it at the minor league level either.
It’s interesting – the sox did very well in the draft when that regime took over but they did so by exploiting a factor which really doesn’t exist anymore or not to the extent it could.
The Sox drafted well when it was possible to use a strategy of paying over slot. You can still do that now but it doesn’t produce nearly the intended effect anymore because small market teams finally caught on to how dumb it was for them to let talent pass due to signing money.
Big market teams can no longer utilize their financial clout in the draft to the extent they could prior. That really started to change in 2007/ 2008 and was dramatically different by 2009.
The Sox haven’t done great in the draft since.
Also – it’s interesting that the yankees have been often criticized for drafting too many pitchers as opposed to the toolsy, upside players the Sox take.
How’d that work out for the two franchises this season? Think about how many young pitchers they yankees could turn to better and more ready than Weiland.
Finally, you can see the writing on the wall. The demonization of Youkilis has started. The usual patter of a once loved player being shoved out of boston. There are so many leaks about his character now. Its’ the usual boston tactics of denigrating a player in the press to get the fanbase behind dumping him. I could see them looking to trade “youk” this winter. How unthinkable would that have been even a year ago.
UnKnown September 30th, 2011 at 2:52 pm
Sean Rodriguez leading off for Maddon today?
Man Maddon is really having fun with this isn’t he?
———–
House money is a wonderful thing.
Maddon is a gambler. He sees some thing which he thinks might give him an edge, and isn’t afraid to have it blow up on him. When you work for a team with low expectations, like the Rays, in a town where no one shows up for the games, you can get away with that. So far, it’s worked well enough for him to be a media darling – and a winner.
Well you couldn’t hit in 2010 Papi
m
Coke has been known to point at a few balls as they cleared the outfield wall.
Desmond Jennings has been in a horrible slump. Gotta be why Rodriguez is leading off.
I hope the Sox hire Bobby Valentine. I think he’s hyper and abrasive, the perfectly wrong chemical ingredient in that already explosive clubhouse.
CB -
Hah! I forgot about that process by which the Red Sox prepare the fans to say goodbye to a favored player.
Bobby V would be fun to watch in Beantown. That would be a must see comedy show.
CB
Good point about denigrating Youk. That is the red sox way. It doesn’t stand out as much this time b/c people outside of Boston don’t like Youk anyway, and are more than willing to believe the worst of him (this includes me).
CB,
remember this spring when you and I had a conversation about how it may not be such a great idea to move Youkalis back to 3rd at this point in his career
m September 30th, 2011 at 2:28 pm
Who else is psyched that there will be meaningful baseball in few hours? Anyone not going to watch?
—————————————————–
However, work does include 56 TV’s all turned on to sports.
I’ll be at work m
Great post, CB. So true about the Youkilis smear. One that I didn’t think of.
It is ironic how the Sox became the Yankees. Throwing money at their problems only to end up with bigger problems. Theo said yesterday that when they are playing good they are the best organization in baseball. I guess he has to believe that to do his job. But it isn’t remotely true. The Yankees and the Sox have completely flipped in terms of the quality of their farm systems.
Cash has really outdone Theo in the past few years.
LGY September 30th, 2011 at 2:49 pm
@ESPNJoeyMac: Ortiz: “I’m fine with Tito. My only problem was when I started being benched (in 2010). Other than that we’re cool.”
——————————————————————————–
I want to know if we get to see a sequel to Ortiz’s “hug it out with Yankee fans” commercial where Yankee fans try to console Ortiz?
@ESPNJoeyMac: Ortiz: “I’m fine with Tito. My only problem was when I started being benched (in 2010). Other than that we’re cool.”
————————-
What an egotistical jerk.
Hey Fatty? You’re a fine player except that you can’t do doodlysquat on defense and you have a tendency to whiff in the big spots. Other than that you’re cool.
True about Maddon. No one cares if his outside-the-box moves blow up. As long as the Rays are not expected to be in the post season in the same way it’s taken for granted that the Yankees (and Red Sox and Phillies) will be in the post season, he can have as much fun as he likes. And his team can have as much fun as it likes.
And, you know, I don’t see that ever changing. There is a perception about the Rays that was cultivated over years of absolutely horrible teams (or at least absolutely horrible records), that I think will never completely disappear because of the market they’re in and because of the way they float players in and out there.
BronXoo Per MSNBC, “Son of Rangers fan who died to throw 1st pitch.” This is awesome and solemn. #MLB
Ortiz is such a tool.
If I’m a GM, I don’t take any calls from Ortiz’s agent.
Who wants a guy that won’t do what’s best for the team and thinks he’s too good to be benched even when he was stinking up the joint?
Please educate me about Francona and why he is such a nice guy and he is getting the shaft.
Isn’t this the same guy who was the manager of the BOS pitchers who hit Yankee batters when they couldn’t get them out, either landing them on the DL or as a minimum, in-effective for days afterward? Didn’t Beckett, Lester and Lackey pitch for Francona? It seemed as though as a minimum this approach was condoned by ‘Tito. Sorry, I don’t consider that kind of a manager a good guy, a guy who is getting the shaft.
I also don’t think he was a great manager. He should of gotten a hell of a lot more out of that team, especially the offense over the last month. And he should have put Aceves in the rotation. That error I think was critical to burning the pen out.
Now I don’t think Francona is a dirt bag or some schmuck that should be scape-goated, but come on, he is certainly no prince.
I can already see the narrative now… all winter, whoever the Sox hire as their new manager will be portrayed as the cure-all and how the Sox will respond to him and live up to their potential as the best team in baseball next year and how he will get Crawford, Lackey, Reddick, Bard, etc. to have huge turnarounds.
@ESPNJoeyMac: Ortiz: “I’m fine with Tito. My only problem was when I started being benched (in 2010). Other than that we’re cool.”
????????-
glaring reminder of why I hate Ortiz so much.
The Rays really need to cash in on Shield’s season and trade him for some hitting help. KC has hitting and needs a staff anchor. The only problem is Shield’s is close to FA…but so is Billy Butler.
I thought it was funny this spring how the MSM just refused to acknowledge that in addition to aquiring 2 high profile players….the Sox let 2 of their best hitters from last year go. It was discussed at length here during the winter and ST exactly how much of a net gain that Crawford/Gonzalez was over Belre/Vmart……as predicted…..it wasn’t that much and may have led to Youkalis getting hurt.
The parallels between Torre and Francona are amazing. Of course, Torre never missed the playoffs with the Yankees. But they both lost their clubhouse, and panicked with Crawford and A-rod.
By the way, DET is probably the toughest foe for NY other than PHIL.
This will not be an easy series and NY must play near its best to beat them. The keys are TEX and Arod. Will TEX show up in the post season, will Arod show any power? The pitching key is CC, if he is at or near mid-season form, then NY will win out. If he is at/near his September form, NY is in big-time trouble. Prediction, NY in 5.
Also, I totally disagree with PO being the DH, Montero clearly has the better stick, but I hope Girardi is right and this motivates PO to going out on a high note.
TEX will beat TB 3-2.
The Sox also took advantage with the way they used to do draft pick compensation which always seemed to net them an extra sandwich pick
bw51official Check out this article about my charity softball game in Ridgefield, CT tomorrow at 1 PM followed by my concert… http://fb.me/1fQ5f09Ms
blake September 30th, 2011 at 3:04 pm
I thought it was funny this spring how the MSM just refused to acknowledge that in addition to aquiring 2 high profile players….the Sox let 2 of their best hitters from last year go. It was discussed at length here during the winter and ST exactly how much of a net gain that Crawford/Gonzalez was over Belre/Vmart……as predicted…..it wasn’t that much and may have led to Youkalis getting hurt.
————–
Very true – we did bring it up often that they didn’t really improve so much as replacing what they had lost. Youk’s injuries are going to end up costing Ortiz since I think they’ll want more flexibility at DH to play Youk there some more.
“remember this spring when you and I had a conversation about how it may not be such a great idea to move Youkalis back to 3rd at this point in his career”
Blake,
I do.
The notion of Youkilis being able to suddenly morph into this great 3b just seems to be an extension of the overall wish thinking over there. It was almost fact free thinking. There were huge risks associated with that. He hadn’t played any meaningful 3b in many years – and he never even played that much 3b in his whole career. And suddenly he was going to be this great 3b? And do so when his body appeared to be breaking down?
And even when healthy – he just wasn’t that good over there. Not nearly as good as he was at 3b.
It reminds me of the most mystifying piece of imagination up in Boston. Carl Crawford is getting better and he’s emerging as a middle of the line up force. We’re going to bat him in the three hole.
Just think about that. They had him hitting third. Just make believe.
yankee21 – Agree with that.
They get past this series, they get to the WS. They have to make sure they don’t get tripped up here – this is not a great matchup for our hitters especially.
“The Rays really need to cash in on Shield’s season and trade him for some hitting help. ”
my guess is that they bring Shields, trade Wade Davis for a bat….and make another run next year
The reason that the Sox offense was (until it fell apart) wasn’t because of Theo’s moves…..it was because Ortiz found a time machine, because Pedroia stayed healthy, and because Ellsbury (who they tried to run out of town last year) played out of his mind all season.l
blake September 30th, 2011 at 3:09 pm
“The Rays really need to cash in on Shield’s season and trade him for some hitting help. ”
my guess is that they bring Shields, trade Wade Davis for a bat….and make another run next year
—————
BJ Upton, Wade Davis and a prospect to Texas for Josh Hamilton
RiverAveBlues Thanks, Mets! RT: @mashmore98: Scranton playing its home games in SIX different stadiums in 2012
Youk’s contract is moveable but he’s got to be able to at least play 1st. He’ll be 33 next season.
2012 $12MM
2013 $13MM- team option with a $1MM buyout.
The Sox have 6 guys they can build around: Beckett, Lester, Buchholz, Pedroia, Ellsbury and Gonzalez.
They need to open up the checkbook and sign a big free agent this winter.
Reyes, Pujols, or Fielder.
I’d say Pujols because he could break the all-time HR record. Gonzalez/Pujols gives them their best middle order since Ortiz/Manny
I believe Wade Davis is tied up for 4-5 years. Although he is young and had a good year as a rookie last year,, this year he was so-so. His value is not that high to bring in a serious bat.
If I’m TB I give KC a call and say you have one day to answer, Shields straight up for Butler.
The Sox biggest problem is that they buy their own hype.
Even Gonzalez was talking about how they will protect their division lead NEXT YEAR. And just brushed off this collapse as it if were a fluke and they will regain their rightful place upon the top of the league. The thing is… that is how the media will portray it as well.
No wonder the is no accountability. Even in the front office. They have their allies in the media who pump them up year after year. You had writers from their own TV network composing articles comparing them to the 27 Yankees while stooges like Olney compare them to the 98 Yankees before ever playing a game.
I can’t even imagine the hype they will receive should they sign Fielder, Reyes, Pujols, or CJ Wilson next year.
BX33- spot on.
I bet the punchless A’s would be interested in the OBP machine that is Youkilis. The Sox could use a reliever or a starter from the A’s.
But then who plays 3b in Boston?
Blake,
Been meaning to ask you – what are your thoughts on Heywards down season? Reasons?
And do you buy any of this trade talk? I just can’t even imagine them doing that.
Bronx Jeers September 30th, 2011 at 3:13 pm
Youk?s contract is moveable but he?s got to be able to at least play 1st. He?ll be 33 next season.
*****************************
He’s only going to be 33? He looks like he’s pushing 45.
Maybe Keith Law and all of the Sox loving media can answer….If Boston’s farm system is so great and highly rated how come in September they didn’t have one pitcher or player who could help them? I don’t get it.
Where are the Sox supposed to play Pujols?
They can use Reyes and they could probably afford him but he’s not exactly an elixir for bad chemistry and whining issues.
He’s only going to be 33? He looks like he’s pushing 45.
————————————————————————-
And he pouts like an old man trying to return soup in a deli.
Bret – Yanks also need to be on high alert to make sure the Sox don’t nab one of those guys like they did Crawford this winter.
We could use a Fielder or Pujols as well and a Wilson/Darvish for the rotation.
Cash needs to make sure he drives up the price hard on everyone. He also needs to make sure the Sox don’t steal a Gio Gonzalez, Kemp, Ethier, McCutchen, Danks, etc. off the trade market while the Yankees don’t even realize they are available.
This winter will be all about proactiveness. We know Theo is going all in this winter and will leave no stone unturned. Cash needs to follow suit and not get caught with his pants down.
Upgrading Ortiz to Prince Fielder is the one move I would not like to see Boston make this off-season.
I know it would generate a lot of hype, but the Red Sox signing Prince Fielder, Jose Reyes, or Albert Pujols would be spending a lot of money without addressing their area of need.
They led the league in scoring runs, even with all their injuries and issues with Youk, Pedroia, Drew, and Crawford. Offense is not their problem.
Their problem is pitching, specifically starting pitching. I don’t think opening the bank to overpay for CJ Wilson will make the day for them. Their needs go deeper than one SP.
The Sox have been spoiled by Ortiz at DH. I think they’d pay big money to reign in Albert Pujols and bank on him becoming the all time HR King. His starpower helps justify their insanely high ticket prices. And Theo/ownership will be forgiven for 2011.
Mark it down – the Sox will yet again this winter “win” the hot stove. They will be again anointed champions of January.
It happens again and again. Doesn’t matter what they do – they are going to be the designated “winners.”
Even in the year the yanks got CC and Tex – the Sox astutely went to their rational “low risk high reward strategy” signing market inefficiencies like Penny and Smoltz. What a pitching staff they were going to have. The Yanks on the other hand – just spent money. Big deal.
Same for 2010-2011 – only in reverse. Carl Crawfor and Adrian Gonzalez – they are the greatest team in decades.
Signing Bobby Jenks was lauded. Bobby Jenks.
The Yankees – just incompetent rubes who missed out on Cliff Lee which meant impending disaster. Garcia, colon and Nova – just awful.
Bronx Jeers September 30th, 2011 at 3:19 pm
And he pouts like an old man trying to return soup in a deli
**************************
I think they could grab Brandon McCarthy from the A’s for Youkilis. Getting his money off the books helps. If Youk ever turned it around playing 1b in Oakland, he gets his 2013 option picked up and probably gets traded at the 2013 deadline for a batch of young hitters to Beane’s liking. I think CJ Wilson would be a big waste of money for the Red Sox. They have a good 1-2-3 if healthy in Lester, Beckett, Buchholz. They just need to stay healthy and bring in back end guys like McCarthy or Dallas Braden.
Here we go again. The media underestimating the Yanks in the playoffs. Rodney Dangerfield got more respect than our guys.
Does anyone think that the Jays might be a team to wreckin with next year? Os? Which one of the top 3 (Yanks, sox, rays) fall off?
Even Pete Abe said yesterday that the Sox easily have money for 1 big FA even if they resign Papelbon.
I really want Wilson this winter. Sox have their top 3 set with Beckett-Lester-Buchholz so they don’t need a frontline starter, they can spend that money on a big bat to replace Ortiz.
I reckon so SOS
TampaYankees Good Luck to the New York Yankees this weekend in the AL East Division Series!!
“I know it would generate a lot of hype, but the Red Sox signing Prince Fielder, Jose Reyes, or Albert Pujols would be spending a lot of money without addressing their area of need.”
Joe,
You are exactly right. There is a ton of talent available this winter – but it’s all on the wrong side for the Sox.
Their pitching staff – despite the “names” – simply is not good.
And let’s see what Beckett does next season – he’s rarely good two seasons in a row – often due to injury.
And they have no pitchers at all in the minors to turn to so they are going to have to look outside of the organization. Which is going ot be either very expensive or a flier on an older veteran.
Like I said – the will sign a big name and Yankees fans will descend into a apoplectic panic – but if they get pitching it’s either going to cost them enormous money or talent to do so.
Throwing more hitting at their problems will not fix them.
Beckett, Lester, Buchholz is fine. Most MLB teams would kill for that 1,2,3. Theo Epstein just has to hedge his bets.
No wonder there was no confirmation on espn.com.
Apparently, Tito had his meeting with the Sox. Left. No statement from anyone. Finally a statement saying they are looking at blah, blah, blah, and there’s no immediate plans to make an announcement. Tito came back to Fenway and left 40 minutes later.
The greatest team ever….
————-
“Meanwhile, a number of players put themselves into a position to have their professionalism called into question. According to multiple sources, more than one pitcher drank beer in the clubhouse during games on the days he didn’t pitch.”
http://bostonherald.com/sports.....rticleFull
Why would the Tigers even use Porcello? If we’re going with CC, they should counter with Verlander. Why give the Yankees such an enormous advantage?
They always have Fister available for a game 5.
Im still waiting for Gonzales to hit a gagillion homeruns in fenway. Isnt that what all the experts predicted?
I wouldnt count Bucholz in that rotation. Hes more injury prone than Hughes.
I hope the Sox sign Reyes to a crazy contract.. he’ll pull a hammy in spring training and be demonized by the fanbase for the remainder
I can see the Angels signing Jose Reyes. That’s a cheezy organization who just can’t seem to attract a big bat lately.
Do the Yanks go after a big name this winter if they win the W.S.?
“No wonder there was no confirmation on espn.com.”
It’s remarkable how much the red sox like to leak information.
Even Tito’s departure – they had to leak it before they themselves were ready to announce it.
I’d love to have Prince Fielder…
SoS September 30th, 2011 at 3:35 pm
Do the Yanks go after a big name this winter if they win the W.S.?
———————
CC Sabathia? lol
I hope the Sox sign Reyes to a crazy contract.. he’ll pull a hammy in spring training and be demonized by the fanbase for the remainder
==========
Correction. A hammy after his first regular season at bat that happened to be a hit and call it a year thinking hes just locked up the batting title.
Beckett, Lester and Buchholz are all brand names. But Beckett has been severely overrated his whole career. He usually has 1 good yr out of 3 (and he filled that quota this yr) and Buchholz cant stay on the field. I think he has only 1 season of more than 100 innings.
Lester is good but even hic collapse in Septhas to be worrisome.
CB –
Any predictions on the series coming up?
Beckett, Lester, Buchholz is fine. Most MLB teams would kill for that 1,2,3. Theo Epstein just has to hedge his bets.
——-
Beckett, Lester, and Buchholz have led them to two straight third place finishes.
Abomb
I thought I had read/heard somewhere that Leland didn’t intent to use Verlander on short rest.
SoS September 30th, 2011 at 3:35 pm
Do the Yanks go after a big name this winter if they win the W.S.?
**************************
Sabathia.
“Meanwhile, a number of players put themselves into a position to have their professionalism called into question. According to multiple sources, more than one pitcher drank beer in the clubhouse during games on the days he didn’t pitch.”
—————
They only started drinking beer on September 3rd? Not before that when they were the best or 2nd best team by a longshot in the AL?
I can already see it now – they are going to paint Francona as a bad guy to rationalize his departure. Just like they did with Bay, Lowell, and everyone else they wanted to throw out the door.
Shame beat me to it!
Great minds think alike.
Wilson is a douchy, but he would be a great addition to our staff.
How come no ones talking about Ellsbury taking Ortiz shakes this season?
I’m not big on Wilson because a long term deal to him blocks Matt Cain, Cole Hamels, Zack Greinke or one of the other free agent pitchers in the 2012 class.
C.C. is a given. Darvish? AJ being traded to the nl with the yanks including some money and
a lifetime supply of pies?
CB,
sorry….I’m working a little today. I really don’t know….I think the injury had a lot to do with it and he just never got going this year….some of it may be the league adjusting and he just hasn’t been able to get back on track yet…..I can’t imagine they’d trade him…..but if they would I’d buy low in a heartbeat. I still think he could be one of the best players in baseball……
“I hope the Sox sign Reyes to a crazy contract.. he’ll pull a hammy in spring training and be demonized by the fanbase for the remainder”
This is what I never could fully understand about the Crawford situation and why so many yankee fans were so upset.
The Red Sox have money. They have enormous revenues. They are going to spend money. They are going to get big name players.
All you can do is hope they spend their money poorly. That’s what is going to lock them up and tie there hands.
I was very happy that they signed Crawford and said it last winter.
Crawford is just not that good. He’s a nice player but he’s not even close to being great. He just doesn’t have the swing.
Matt Holliday was the player I really did not want to see the Sox sign.
Them passing on Holliday in one winter only to sign Crawford the next was fantastic for the yankees.
Same thing with Lackey. They pass on Sabathia and on Lee – only to sign Lackey in the middle.
Signing Crawford makes it much more difficult and expensive to retain Ellsbury. He’s not taking a cent less than Carl. Signing Lackey precluded them from making a serious run at Lee.
Jose Reyes will involve enormous, enormous risk. If they want to tie up that much money in that much risk rather than a more sound investment – more power to them. And if they want to keep spending that much money on issues outside of their poor pitching depth – go ahead.
They have the money. It’s only a question of how they allocate it.
CB – we all remember how their acquiring AGon was tilting the balance of power, and making them sure winners.
If we can see the Sox’ need for pitching, so can other teams’ GMs, and FAs. They will have to spend bigtime dollars, and overpay, for what they do get.
And, they will have to do that year after year, that sort of treasure hunt for players, because they do not have a farm system capable of supplying that pitching depth. It is instructive that, when the Yanks had Phil, Joba, Feliciano go down, they were able to plug in Nova and Noesi they could turn to.
SoS –
Erin – That they do!!! PS – I meant to tell kate earlier, I think I’m messing up this whole food thing for the series. I don’t remember being asked to eat an entire box of chocolate chips but that’s the direction I’m heading in as we speak…
Leyland was emphatic 2 weeks ago that Verlander wouldnt pitch on 3 days rest. He told the media not to bother asking him again because it wasnt going to happen. We’ll see if that changes if they’re down 2 – 1.
It appears that Wilson has peed in alot of peoples cornflakes. Is he worst than RJohnson or K Brown?
Shame-that’s funny, I was just thinking about the food thing-or to be more accurate I just remembered the food thing. Not prepared. Might have to stop at the bakery and get some chocolate chip cookies on my way home.
If they hadn’t traded the great Casey Kelly and all his “projection” they wouldn’t need pitching
And I have to remember to pick up ingredients for “Super” Nachos tomorrow.
Just thinking ahead, but if this link proves out – there are a couple of guys on the list I wouldn’t mind seeing in Pinstripes:
http://hardballtalk.nbcsports......ohlendorf/
Doumit would be a nice bench player and the Yankees could do worse than to bring Maholm into the rotation.
I think the Sox will grab up Chris Snyder in a heartbeat.
Erin and Shame. Quit this chocolate talk. Its making me want to run out and get some peanut m n ms even though im typing with one hand while eating a symphony chocolate bar(really).
Rain tomorrow means someone else has to pich Game 4 or 5….Sabathia can go Game 4, and then YOU KNOW WHO in Game 5…..please do not rain.
SoS September 30th, 2011 at 3:49 pm
Erin and Shame. Quit this chocolate talk. Its making me want to run out and get some peanut m n ms even though im typing with one hand while eating a symphony chocolate bar(really).
**********************
SoS-definitely go out and get M&Ms. You can never have enough M&Ms.
That’s another thing I have to get-for Halloween they came up with white chocolate M&Ms in yellow, orange and white (candy corn colors)
Blake,
Odd situation. Almost got the sense that Heyward was absorbing the heat for the braves overall outfield being so bad. As if it was his fault that the LF was so bad.
The injuries are a bit of a concern. Also, the was real bad against LH pitching so the league adjusting to him is a real potential issue.
All that said – I’d try to get him in a heart beat if it were at all possible. But I can’t imagine him being placed on the market.
I do think the yankees would benefit from adding an outfielder. They may just need to hold tight and wait for Kemp – but if they could add someone this off season it would be a plus.
When was the last time the Yankees won the WS after no media member predicted it? Youd think we just squeezed in just making the wild card rather than the best record in the AL.
Colin Cowherd is the only one giving the Yanks their deserved daily props.
CB,
What did you see with Heyward? Did you see him much?
CB – Good point about Ellsbury, someone should let that kid know that in the Bronx we don’t questions guys’ guts (unless you happen to be Carl Pavano) publicly.
SoS
not pb M&Ms…it has to be chocolate chips for CC…don’t be jinxing anything
blake September 30th, 2011 at 3:48 pm
If they hadn’t traded the great Casey Kelly and all his “projection” they wouldn’t need pitching
———————————————————————————–
That trade still annoys me. Can’t wait to see Kelly’s prospect rating in the Spring.
Would the Indians perhaps sell low on Shin Soo Choo? If he works out, the OF could be Kempy, Grandy, Chooy
CB,
Thanks…..yea I think a good plan of action would be to hold until they get a better feel of what Kemp is going to do. If word starts circulating that he’s going to test the market then I think you put a full out assault on him next winter. Cano, Montero, and Kemp in the same lineup could be just devasting/
LOL Bret…still hoping to replace GGBG
Blake,
I don’t know – it was just strange. He just looked out of sync. His swing just didn’t look right. Seemed late on the fastball often – which was weird. But then also out in front on the soft stuff. I really noticed him being bad against LH pitching.
He usually has such good plate coverage – but seemed like he was reaching and off balance.
Thought he might have still been injured and trying to play through it.
kate,
How about if I put the peanut m n ms on the chocolate chip cookies?
Has anyone tried those bar b que chips Doritos makes? They only bring them out in the football
season. I have to make sure I stock up for a year before their discontinued. Time to take out some of the kids goodies in the pantry and make room for the healthy stuff.
Lineup announced by Francessa
Jeter
Grandy
Cano
Al
Tex
Swish
Martin
Po
Gardner
Can’t wait to see Kelly’s prospect rating in the Spring.
========
I thought I heard Gammons the other day say that Kelly has retired and will be giving his HOF induction speech this spring?
Kemp on our squad would be scary..
That’s the A lineup right there.
BruceBeck4NY MLB Playoffs – nothing like it! As @pgammo once said 2 me “every pitch is life & death.” lol #Yankees http://lockerz.com/s/143216657
Unkown – Just heard that too, nice to see Uncle Joe reads LoHud and put Cano in the 3 slot.
CB,
I know earlier in the year that Chipper told him that he should play through the injury….that they needed him….maybe he got into some bad habits. One way or another…..him not performing is a big reason they are watching the playoffs….in addition to the injuries to the rotation.
CB September 30th, 2011 at 3:08 pm
LOL! Last year they thought Youk could Morph into a LF! Strange!
I don’t think the Yanks have to make a move for the OF this offseason. However, if a talent like Heyward became available, you make a move, of course. In either case, I think they’re waiting for Kemp, much as they waited for CC.
Gardner-Granderson-Kemp, or Heyward-Granderson-Kemp would be pretty good.
“Cano, Montero, and Kemp in the same lineup could be just devasting/”
A lot of bat speed right there.
I was so disappointed when Justin Upton signed that extension. I really thought he could be the guy. 25 – free agent. Not to be (or at least yet). Just loved him from the first time I saw him.
I really hope Kemp does not sign an extension. He’s so good. Just loved his bat speed for so long. What a great, wild, violent, controlled swing that is. Bat speed falling out of his pockets.
If he has another year even close to the one he had this year and the Yanks can add him – Cano, Kemp, Montero is the basis for that next dynasty.
Those are three guys who are just so special. It’s a level of talent that will create durable competitive advantage. You just can’t find those guys – they’re past even a usual all star level of talent.
Ugh, why is Girardi playing to win? Why isn’t he resting guys??
Wow, Martin before Posada.
ESPN is producing a sitcom that “is described as a look at the relationship between four longtime guy friends, still living in their hometown outside of Boston, who gather once a week to watch one of their beloved teams play. ”
http://www.deadline.com/2011/0.....dy-to-abc/
TylerKepner Albert Pujols just screamed “ALBERT PUJOLS!” as loud as he could while stretching. OK then.
Can’t believe fans used to rip on Matt Kemp. Those endless Cano for Kemp discussions. Some people just hated Kemp. Just couldn’t understand it. He started playing serious ball so late.
That swing…
CB -
I don’t think people didn’t like Kemp; I think they didn’t want to part with Cano.
If there is a way that they can end up with both, wow.
CB,
I remember having a conversation with you a few years ago about what young talent would come out and be the next men among boys ala Alex when he came out . You called it on Upton. You said he could be one of the rare players to challenge the homerun record if he stayed healthy.
CB September 30th, 2011 at 4:09 pm
Can?t believe fans used to rip on Matt Kemp. Those endless Cano for Kemp discussions.
***********************
I will readily admit I was 100% against Kemp simply because everyone and their brother wanted to trade Cano for him. And that just wasn’t going to fly with me.
And BTW -
I agree that the Yankees set there sights seasons ahead to target possible available players.
There’s a book title on one of my spreadsheets called “Epic Fail”. That would make an excellent title for the story of the 2011 Red Sox.
The Red Sox are weak up the middle still. No catcher & a weak SS. A lot of deadwood in the rotation & bullpen. Maybe they pickup Igawa!
CB,
Cash has a good relationship with Towers obvioulsy so maybe something could happen towards the end of his contract…..the problem is that he has them winning the NL West and in the playoffs and they should only get better…..I’d love to have Upton by Matt Kemp would be some consolation prize. Kemp, Cano, Montero in a row sounds like a winner.
Anyone watch that Steve Bartman Special? I saw the first half, so far its been really good. Funny how no one remembered the wild pitch from the boston lefty in the 86 WS or the easy dp error A Gonzalez made in the 03 NLCS 8th inning. The Cubs fans got really stupid that day. Im so glad we never have to go through that crap as Yankee fans. It must be miserable being a fan of any other team.
Shocking to see Buckner wearing Cubs batting glove under his mitt during the 86 Series. Im surpirsed the didnt get raided by towels and soaps in the shower from teammates.
SoS,
Upton honestly was easy. He was smack you in the face good. Best player to enter the game since Alex.
Erin,
That’s hilarious! And not surprising in any way. You are of course more than excused for your biases!!
Robbi’s become a great one. Has a real chance to be better than Alomar, if he’s not already there. Which might make Cano the best 2b the game has seen since Joe Morgan.
I was one that didn’t want to trade Cano for Kemp & I still wouldn’t. But I truly would love to have Kemp in pinstripes!
I was for trading Cano for Kemp because I felt it was an even swap and I thought Furcal could replace Cano at 2b.
Even though Kemp looks like the better hitter right now, finding a 2b like Cano would have never happened. He’s going to hit 3000 hits and get in the HOF if he stays healthy. And the Yankees have a chance to have both Cano and the Triple Crown threat in the same lineup. It’s amazing. Hopefully Kemp will not eat himself out of the league like GB promised.
Folks,
I don’t have much to add to the conversations right now, but I’m here and listening. Yankees win tonight and tomorrow, all I’m asking. Take our chances in Detroit. Win tonight!
CB September 30th, 2011 at 4:17 pm
Erin,
That?s hilarious! And not surprising in any way. You are of course more than excused for your biases!!
*********************
Thank you sir.
Did anyone watch Letterman last night? His Top Ten List was “Top Ten Things Overheard in the Boston Red Sox Clubhouse”.
My favorite was “Hey! What’s FEMA doing here?”
“Any predictions on the series coming up?”
Unknown,
My apologies – meant to answer your question and became momentarily dazed by blake’s conjecture on cano, kemp and montero!
I think the Yanks win in 5. They’ll do very well against either Rangers or Rays.
They have a very good chance to win the series. Key thing is to get past detroit and veralander in this short series. I really don’t like the 5 game series format – too much variability and chance in play.
Tom
I thought you were joking
CB,
this is off topic….but what do you think about the additional Wild Card stuff?
bheyman99 Sabathia has started every Game 1 since joining the #Yankees for 2009. He’s 3-1 with a 3.41 ERA in those five starts, heading into tonight.
CB – Thanks, I hope your right. I too hate the short series.
Kate, I think ESPN is calling the show Sportscenter…
Blake,
I honestly need to read more about it – I’ve been sort of avoiding it until it’s final just because it’s not relevant right now (and it’s not like baseball cares what the fans think about it).
But on the whole – I just don’t like it. I was ok with the wild card but I just think this is going to expand too much.
And at what point does it stop? Adding playoff spots will always be the easiest way for owners to expand revenue.
They should really make the Division Series a 7 game set.
Im calling this year “redemption”.
They beat out the Tigers to avenge the loss a couple years back.
Then face Texas and avenge last years debacle.
Finally beating Lee in game 7 while some fan throws pie on his wifes hair after clinching.
Then they can make a movie about us called Hardballs. Empire Strikes Back was already taken.
The thing that keeps me excited is until that last series with the Rays we’ve done a pretty good job of winning series all season. Going up 2-1 is absolutely within reach.
CB,
yea probably wise…..I know it’s coming so I’ve been trying look for silver linings….it’s all about money of course. I would like for winning the division to mean something again…..at the same time what happened Wednesday night doesn’t happen with the additional teams and that would be a real shame…..because that was incredible.
Adding more wild cards = less trades on the deadline. My favorite part of the game. The only sport where the trade deadline matters.
Kristieackert Former #yankee pitcher Phil Coke really making the most of his return. Chatting up Tony Pena now.
HaleMark Leyland was just asked about pitching around Cabrera. If I were #Yanks, I’d only pitch to Cabrera if gm is decided or he leads off an inning
I’m not sure I get the reactions to additional WCs because its only an extra two clubs..possibly just for a one game playoff.. with the other 2/3rds of the league still sitting at home.
YankeesInk Porcello to start Game 4 fir Detriot.
Anyone know if the Tigers have announced a lineup yet?
LGY-I haven’t seen anything on Twitter yet
“I’m not sure I get the reactions to additional WCs because its only an extra two clubs..possibly just for a one game playoff.. with the other 2/3rds of the league still sitting at home.”
Here’s one concrete thing I don’t like about it – if they are going to add any games to the post season and send it even deeper into the fall – then what the first priority should be is to convert the divisional series from 5 games to 7.
We’ve heard for years that’s not possible because the Series is already ending in november.
But the chance for uncle bud to add a team to the party makes it feasible?
Thanks Erin. I’m hoping Leyland continues to bat all his good hitters behind Miggy.
YankeesInk Leyland on facing Nova: “We’re a little concerned about him, we don’t know a whole lot.”
LGY:
JonLaneNYC Game 1 #ALDS lineups http://bit.ly/nQISaE #Yankees #TIgers
@mlbbowman: Wren also said the club has never talked about trading Heyward. But he also said Heyward is not guaranteed to start in right next year.
The Yankees have beat up Doug Fister in his career, I’m not scared of him. It will be important to split Verlander’s 2 starts and win 2 out of 3 against Porcello, Fister, and Scherzer. Totally doable. I would not be surprised if the Yankees win in 3 or 4. Go Yankees
PeteAbe
#RedSox have become the 2008 #Yankees: overpriced free agents, selfish stars, too old + well-liked manager at the end of his rope
Thanks Erin!
Alright cool. Jackson, Magglio, and Delmon in front of Miggy.
“Totally doable. I would not be surprised if the Yankees win in 3 or 4. Go Yankees”
They pretty much need to with Verlander-Nova in game 5
I don’t trust Mr. “Murderer’s Row and then Cano” Leyland. He fools you into thinking he’s a teddy bear, but he’s a grizzly!!!!
LOL
CB – I think thats a fair argument. I’ve personally never liked the 5 game set.
LGY-you’re very welcome
YankeesInk Nova on keeping emotions on control “I don’t think it will be too difficult.”
YankeesInk Nova says he has not watched much “video” of Andy but noticed his confidence most of all.
Kristieackert Military-looking helicopters flying over #yankee stadium. http://yfrog.com/kj20qazj
FakePeteGammons While drinking in the clubhouse should be frowned upon if #Redsox do it, it’s called plucky team spirit! This is Peter Gammons.
Kristieackert Victor Martinez in center field pitching to his son, who is dressed in a complete Tigers uniform. Cute.
“I’m hoping Leyland continues to bat all his good hitters behind Miggy.”
Yeah. Line ups are usually not such a big deal. But on detroit it is because of how ridiculously good this one guy is.
(as an aside – Cabrera was another players I was thrilled to see the Sox pass on….)
Don’t know if you saw this but at RLYB – SG projected Cabrera to have a .455 wOBA against left handed pitching in this series.
.455. He is a beast.
They cannot let this player beat them. Because if he’s given the chance – he absolutely will.
YankeesInk Nova said he and AJ have a very good relationship and that they did not discuss his “taking AJ’s spot” (Questioner’s characterization)
YankeesInk Nova says everything he accomplished this year was for his family and his late grandfather, who died last year.
YankeesInk Nova credits AJ with teaching him “almost everything”.
YankeesInk Nova said the time he was nervous on mound was when he hit Bautista last season and Bautista came at him. “I didn’t know what to do.” Haha!
@YankeesInk: Nova said the time he was nervous on mound was when he hit Bautista last season and Bautista came at him. “I didn’t know what to do.” Haha!
Especially at YS they can’t let Cabrera pepper that short porch….
Im really pumped for this Rangers/Rays game……nice to watch a big game sometimes and not be so emotionally invested…..that comes later tonight.
Shame,
They way they implement it may work fine. As I said – I haven’t really been following it too closely.
And I guess the one game format would impose a significant penalty on the WC winner which is good.
But if the 5th team is significantly worse than the 4th team then it provides a pathway to create a more watered down version of the playoffs.
Honestly, I just get the feeling this is selig trying to generate more revenue and do the owners of smaller clubs yet another favor.
Why should a one game play in decide what the regular season already has?
But again, I should probably learn more about it before coming to a conclusion.
Nova Verlander isnt the big mismatch it appears to be, because they arent pitching against equal offenses.
cooper stone ( son of the fireman who lost his life going for a ball in arlington earlier this year) just threw out the first pitch. What a class act by the texas rangers. when josh hamilton gave the youngster a huge the entire crowd erupted and it was near impossible to hold back tears. What a moment.
eboland11 Girardi said there is a “good possibilty” Burnett will get a start in the next round if the Yankees get there
Epstein makes an announcement that there will be no announcement.
“Boston Red Sox Executive Vice President/General Manager Theo Epstein released the following statement today: “John Henry, Tom Werner, Larry Lucchino, Ben Cherington and I met with Terry Francona this morning at Fenway Park to exchange thoughts and information on the 2011 season and discuss areas for improvement going forward. We all plan on taking some time to process the thoughts expressed in the meeting. There are no immediate plans for an announcement.”
LGY-I assume that’s directed at me, right?
Sorry.
Yea that’s a great job this h the Rangers to do that……that was just a horrible thing that happened.
IanBegley Ivan Nova says he’s pitched this season with his grandfather, who died last year, in mind. “I know he’s happy for me right now.” #yankees
awwww. Love SuperNova.
“Especially at YS they can’t let Cabrera pepper that short porch….”
I really don’t know how CC should pitch to him.
Tonight against that line up – CC’s change will be key.
But can he really afford to throw it to Cabrera with that porch out there? Doesn’t seem like a good idea.
In fact letting him extend his arms on anything away is a looming disaster.
That leaves him with the fastball in the kitchen – which is very hard to get in on Miggy and the back foot slider.
Just walk him. He is such a pain – he really has no holes at all. Bit like Manny in his prime.
OK, I’m out (LGY, you can take over Twitter duties!)
And BTW, in case I don’t get on the blog tomorrow- tomorrow starts Derek Jeter Month. That’s got to be a good sign.
Have a good night everyone. Go Yankees!!!!!!!!
CB,
Yea I think you either have to try and get inside on him or just not throw him strikes and hope he gets himself out…..if you walk him then fine……but I wouldn’t give him a thing to hit
Erin September 30th, 2011 at 3:22 pm
Bronx Jeers September 30th, 2011 at 3:19 pm
And he pouts like an old man trying to return soup in a deli
**************************
—————————————————————————————————————————-
These “old man” jokes are becoming tiresome. Randy’s getting an inferiority complex.
No announcement is being made because Epstein is looking for a way to trade Francona to a team like the Cubs for pitching.
Just got in and have a few thoughts to share before I hunker down and start watching postseason baseball
1. No announcement about Tito leaves me to belief the scumpond organization is probably floating a test balloon. If there is enough outrage, they may very well say they had no intention of firing Tito. There is no other reason whatsoever for them to be dragging their feet.
2. Because I am so psyched for the postseason and the events of this week I decided to treat myself to Wholefoods (they’re more expensive than I like so I don’t go there often). Well they are such a birkenstockesque company that the last thing on their minds is whether or not the Sux made it into the postseason. As such, they had no difficulty offering “Manhattan clamchowder” as one of their offerings today.
Of course, I bought some.
3. Rooting for the Rays today just because I’m sure it appears to be a David and Goliath game and I am always for the David except when we’re the Goliath (and the games aren’t meaningless and/or have to implications about the Sux going down) ha ha
There’s always been something underhanded about the group of Sux owners. I’m going to track it down a little further before I present my evidence.
GO YANKS!!!
Rays up 3-0