Bad timing and wishful thinking
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Oct 17, 2011 
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If you follow the Yankees, it was hard to watch last night’s NLCS Game 6 and not think about the potential availability of Prince Fielder and Albert Pujols.
Fielder is all but certain to hit the free agent market, Pujols might be there with him, and those are exactly the kind of impact free agent the Yankees notoriously target. They’re two of the very best hitters in the game, still in their prime, and one of them could be had for the right price.
But the Yankees don’t seem to have room for them. Not this time.
Given Alex Rodriguez’s injury concerns, Jesus Montero’s emergence, and Mark Teixeira’s long-term deal at first base, the Yankees roster doesn’t have space for another first baseman/designated hitter. Even someone in the Fielder/Pujols category doesn’t necessarily fit.
It’s a timing issue. Back in 2008, the timing was perfect for the Yankees make a huge splash with Teixeira, CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett. This winter, the timing isn’t quite right. Two big bats could hit the market, and neither fits the Yankees needs.
As Joel Sherman pointed out this weekend, this winter the Yankees seem likely to stay — for the most part — within the organization. If they go on a spending spree, pitching will be the target, not hitting.
There will be fans calling for a Fielder-sized signing, but the timing and the roster make that sort of addition unlikely.
All the more reason that the Yankees need a healthy year from Rodriguez, a bounce-back from Teixeira and an as-expected impact from Montero.
Assocaited Press photo
Neither fit.
Gary,
The Yankees ERA in the ALDS was 3.20 …..I agree their rotation could be stronger but they pitched well enough to win. Its about putting it all together and playing the best for 3 weeks.
I’m particularly glad Prince Fielder doesn’t fit. I don’t know what it is about that guy but I can’t stand him. lol
Repost:
Shame Spencer October 17th, 2011 at 9:09 am
Most awful moment ever: The Devils pulled out a gutsy win Saturday night after being down 2-0 early in the 1st period. I had to watch the replay of the game around 2am because I thought trying to have a life Saturday night might be a good change of pace. Well, maybe I got a little too festive along the lines of Pat M. a few nights back, but I woke up the next morning absolutely convinced it was the Yankees that came back from a 2-0 deficit and that they were still playing. I even giggled at myself for believing the Yankees were ousted by the Tigers since at the time it seemed like the most silly of thoughts. …..back to reality
Also..did people not realize last off season that this would be Posada’s final year?
one more year of patience is required – then you have kemp…
one more year of patience is required ? then you have kemp?
————————————————-
Thats if he reaches free agency and even then it is no sure thing
The Yankees ERA in the ALDS was 3.20
===================
I believe the Yankees had the best ERA of all eight Division Series participants. It was good enough to win. For whatever reason this year, pitching and defense is not winning the day. In the 2011 postseason, everything we know is wrong.
Frank and Jamie McCourt have reportedly finally settled their divorce proceedings (most expensive divorce in California history – just think about that. All of the people who have lived and divorced in that state. Legal bills – 20.6M).
Jamie has reportedly given up all claims to the Dodgers in return for $130M.
This is a major development because it now gives Frank McCourt the ability to sell the Dodgers TV rights directly himself without needing to go through divorce court. Its those TV rights that everything depends on. That’s his only shot to get the revenue he needs to keep the team.
In other words – that’s the revenue he needs to be able to even theoretically resign Matt Kemp.
But here’s the rub – Selig seems to want McCourt out of the game (good move allowing all of that ownership engineering to let him have the dodgers in the first place Bud).
McCourt cannot sell those TV rights unless the commissioners office approves the sale. So Selig could just refuse to approve the deal (he’s done this to McCourt in the past). Don’t know what argument Selig could have to refuse a TV deal now – but he’s the commissioner so it really doesn’t matter as I understand it. It would take the courts to order Selig to approve a TV deal.
McCourt and his wife had a divorce agreement before – this past summer. But the settlement was dependent on Frank selling the TV rights to pay Jamie. And Selig stopped the deal. Instead he Selig asked the bankruptcy courts to force the sale of the Dodgers.
If things play out this way – the Dodger fiasco is just going to continue throughout the next year.
It’s now McCourt vs. Selig (and Fox sports) in bankruptcy court. McCourt is going to ask the judge to auction off the TV rights to the highest bidder. Selig is likely going to push for a forced sale of the team as an asset in bankruptcy (which MLB will have control over buying).
To sum this up for what it means for the Yankees – it’s very unclear right now how the dodgers will be able to sign Matt Kemp this winter long term or why he would agree to commit to playing for that team.
They are in utter chaos – still. The most direct way to have resolved this issue from baseball’s perspective would have been an immediate sale. Bring in new ownership – resign Kemp.
But now McCourt is going to stay. No sale right now. Instead its going to be a huge court battle between McCourt and Selig. That’s going to take quite a while I’d guess and be very drawn out.
Even if Selig wins – they would still have to find a new ownership group. That will take time and will be very complicated.
Would Kemp want to make a long term commitment though if he doesn’t know who the next owners will be?
Alternatively, if McCourt stays – would Kemp have any confidence in him? McCourt is essentially going to have very little money left outside what he makes from the dodgers. Kemp signs there long term and there’s no guarantees that McCourt ever spends any money to surround him with talent.
The last time the Yankees decided to show patience for one year, for one guy, he signed with Philadelphia.
gotta lay off those percocet Shame
SSS, but the one game I attended Posada got the 2nd most applause of any player, right behind Jeter. I think people realized it could be their last time seeing him in pinstripes.
Thanks for that insight CB.
Neither Pujols or Fielder are a fit on the Yankees with the roster as presently constructed. The team has enough flexability to have 1st basemen / DH types.
Only one could wind up in the AL if Texas wants to spend the money. They may think otherwise when they consider what payroll will be when it comes time for Hamilton, Cruz, and others as free agents after 2012.
I know this is probably not an original idea…but I was thinking last night – if Lance Berkman can play the outfield – why not Mark Texiera in the outfileld? and we can sign Fielder? Is that nuts?
Pujols stays with the Cardinals.
Theo signs Fielder for the Cubs
Yanks should pursue upgrades in RF and in rotation
jessiedog —
No, you’re not nuts. Tex might be adequate in RF and Fielder in the lineup would be scary.
Swish $$$ plus Jorge $$$ would probably be enough to make a Princely offer. Dickerson plays RF and Tex 1B in the late innings.
Why not indeed?
But I don’t think it’ll happen
Granderson, Cano, ARod, Fielder, Tex, Montero 2-thru-7…. damn!
Hopefully, Tex will make good on his previous intentions to work with K Long during the off season.
His left handed batting stance and swing are completely messed up at this point and look nothing like the way they were prior to coming to the Yankees. He bats with an exaggerated open stance, hands held low, twirls the bat for his trigger, and pulls off every pitch … look at video of him back with the Angels … closed stance, arms held higher at the shoulders, quiet hands, let the ball travel deeper and hit with power to ALL fields.
Where has that complete hitter gone?
Why would you put Teixeira in the outfield when he’s a better first baseman than Fielder by leaps and bounds?
There is no chance the Yanks sign Fielder. None.
It’s a timing issue. Back in 2008, the timing was perfect for the Yankees make a huge splash with Teixeira, CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett. This winter, the timing isn’t quite right. Two big bats could hit the market, and neither fits the Yankees needs.
As Joel Sherman pointed out this weekend, this winter the Yankees seem likely to stay — for the most part — within the organization. If they go on a spending spree, pitching will be the target, not hitting.
There will be fans calling for a Fielder-sized signing, but the timing and the roster make that sort of addition unlikely.
All the more reason that the Yankees need a healthy year from Rodriguez, a bounce-back from Teixeira and an as-expected impact from Montero.
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I wouldn’t exactly say it doesn’t fit the need, just that the Yanks are locked in to long term contracts at those positions.
The Yanks are asking for alot of things to go right with this team, ARod and Tex to bounce back, Montero to emerge, Cano and Granderson to continue to play at their levels of this year, a pitching staff to grow stronger with several components out there having major question marks as they try to bounceback from injuries, poor performances, contact situations ect. Swisher to do something in the PS .
My point is that seldom do these many things go right. The Yanks sure seem to have the deck stacked in hoping that things go right with the current team and that carry’s deeper into the playoffs and secures #28. I would say the odds are against that, sorry but I don’t think the satus quo will get it done and it’s more than pitching.
Somebody’s got his Yankee jersey on (and it’s not the kid)
CC_Sabathia Just met the coolest 13 yr old, cancer survivor and great athlete, Dugan Smith great to meet @andersoncooper as well http://pic.twitter.com/VkMi1oKG
I think this will be an interesting off-season for the Yanks. I could easily see the Yanks signing Fielder or Pujols.
(1) Sign Fielder – He plays 1B & spot DH. Yanks Trade Tex + MiLB prospect for a #1 or #2 SP & eat ($10M to $12M/yr) part of his contract.
(2) Sign Pujols – He becomes the 1B full time & Yanks Trade Tex + MiLB prospect for a #1 or #2 SP & eat ($10M to $12M/yr) part of his contract.
(3) Sign Pujols – He becomes the 3B full time & Yanks Trade Montero for a #1 or #2 SP.
(4) Sign Fielder – He becomes the DH full time & Yanks Trade Montero for a #1 or #2 SP.
(5) Sign Pujols – He becomes the RF full time & Yanks pickup Swisher’s option & Trade Swisher & prospects for a #1 or #2 SP.
Good morning –
1. disco stu – you’re right on target there. Tex is a much different hitter now than a couple years ago, and he has admitted it’s because he’s become pull happy as a lefty. I would have thought that he’d be smarter than that, but it is what it is. Hope he does what he has to with KLong this winter.
2. CB – happy to see you. I think your take on the Dodgers’ mess is correct. I didn’t know that the divorce was settled. Regardless, that situation between McCourt and Selig is no where near clear, nor will it be settled quickly. When it involves the courts, it will take a long time. The only ones who will profit will be the lawyers……
I think this increases the chances that Kemp hits the FA market, maybe even that the team will look to trade him. That only is good news for the Yankees, IMO. Swish, as part of a deal for Kemp? Swish plus young pitching? I know Cash has said that pitching is the priority, and I agree with that, but you don’t walk away from a player like Kemp. He would be a much better fit than Fielder or Pujols.
86w183 October 17th, 2011 at 9:46 am
Pujols stays with the Cardinals.
Theo signs Fielder for the Cubs
Yanks should pursue upgrades in RF and in rotation
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A likely scenario.
I’d like Mark Buerhle at two years for $25m
86w183 October 17th, 2011 at 9:46 am
Pujols stays with the Cardinals.
Theo signs Fielder for the Cubs
Yanks should pursue upgrades in RF and in rotation
——————–
upgrade Gardner and his .340 OBP
I no longer want Ryan Braun.
Last night was hard to watch, not because it made me crave any player. It was hard to watch because it felt like a replay of our Game 5, when the big bats couldn’t get the job done. Fielder and Braun just kind of disappeared.
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“A lot of things have to go right to get to the WS. A good example is the Cardinals. They only knew on the last day of the regular season that they’d be in the postseason as a Wild Card.
For the Yankees, the pitching was good enough but the critical bats let them down.
It’s all about limited injuries, a certain amount of luck, good pitching, and timely hitting for the regular season and 11 more wins in the postseason.”
B-I-N-G-O
I saw the Prince laughing in the dugout after the last out…don’t want him!
Now getting Pujols is another thing.
The guy is class, calling a timeout for Fielder’s last AB was classic.
That’s a winner and worth moving Tex for.
Doesn’t Tex have a full no-trade deal?
All the more reason that the Yankees need a healthy year from Rodriguez, a bounce-back from Teixeira and an as-expected impact from Montero.
===============================================
So if this the breakdown of Arod are we to suffer for years to come because of his enormous
salary? Every year there will be superstars available, Pujols is the 1st casualty.
Prince Fielder is a bit disfunctional. He is still immature, while Pujols is on a mission. Pujols is very similar to ARod. I would prefer Pujols over Fielder as well, but he is going to cost a lot more.
I think ARod could easily play RF & so could Pujols. Tex not so much, as he is a bit awkard and his arm is not too good. My only concern about Pujols is a ROID thingy as I expect him to be declared a roids guy sometime in the future.
Adding a bat like Pujols or Fielder would be tremendous. I of course would love to have Kemp in pinstripes too, but he would require a lot of players to get via a trade & may not be available by FA times.
I expect the Yanks to make a run at Fielder, with Beantown the biggest competition for him as a DH there.
we are hamstrung at every IF position …the lineup was inflexible in the alds…we always had alternatives in every WS year, keeps it fresh. The OF is pretty much the same.
FakePeteGammons WS matchup w/o #Redsox #Phillies is a testament to how little I know about baseball. Clinging to Theo’s pants leg, this is Peter Gammons!
I hate to say this again – okay, no I don’t – but in terms of the element of luck, IF we didn’t have that rainout and IF Gerry Davis called a different game – it appears likely that the Yankees would have gone on to the ALCS.
Those were the luck factors that really torpedoed us. We wouldn’t have seen a Game 5 and I think fans would have felt okay about the offense in the preceding games since the Yanks scored 9 runs in one of them and 10 in the other.
I’m not at all defending the lack of timely hitting in Game 5. But I’m more pissed at the other things that jettisoned the Yankees. If there were no rain delays and no pouring rain in your faces when you try to hit, and if the umpiring was what it should have been and the Yankees lost in a Game 5 because of the lousy hitting in that game, I would have to say that either Detroit was the overall better team or certainly outplayed the Yankees throughout the series. I don’t see either as the case.
And the biggest Catch 22 is the one that probably really came home to bite us. No substitutions for any players in the game. But as mick pointed out, a lot harder to do when you’re dealing with a team of stars…
RayVT October 17th, 2011 at 10:23 am
I think this will be an interesting off-season for the Yanks. I could easily see the Yanks signing Fielder or Pujols.
(1) Sign Fielder – He plays 1B & spot DH. Yanks Trade Tex + MiLB prospect for a #1 or #2 SP & eat ($10M to $12M/yr) part of his contract.
(2) Sign Pujols – He becomes the 1B full time & Yanks Trade Tex + MiLB prospect for a #1 or #2 SP & eat ($10M to $12M/yr) part of his contract.
(3) Sign Pujols – He becomes the 3B full time & Yanks Trade Montero for a #1 or #2 SP.
(4) Sign Fielder – He becomes the DH full time & Yanks Trade Montero for a #1 or #2 SP.
(5) Sign Pujols – He becomes the RF full time & Yanks pickup Swisher’s option & Trade Swisher & prospects for a #1 or #2 SP.
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(6) – Sign Pujols (don’t want anything to do with fielder) and make him the F/T 1st baseman. Tell Tex he’s now part of a platoon at DH with Montero (on the days he doesn’t catch – which should be at least 4 times a week), AROD (on the days he needs abreak from the field) and whomever else needs a half day off – and that he’s now batting 7th in the lineup on the days he’s actually in the lineup…or they can look to trade him (once he drops the NTC) to the cardinals (when they sign pujols) the brewers (once they lose prince) or whatever team may need a 1st baseman with declining offensive skills…if you can trade his entire salary and get something decent back great – if not pick up half the salary throw in one of the better AAA arms that won’t have a chance to make the rotation and get something better back…..
NYYs aren’t going to tie up $48-$50 mil a year in 1st basemen. Try showing some intelligence. They aren’t trading Teixeira and cash for a 2nd rate pitcher and they aren’t getting ace pitchers, either. That means that they aren’t signing Pujols or Fielder.
Sign Pujols (don?t want anything to do with fielder) and make him the F/T 1st baseman. Tell Tex he?s now part of a platoon at DH with Montero (on the days he doesn?t catch ? which should be at least 4 times a week), AROD (on the days he needs abreak from the field) and whomever else needs a half day off
————————————————————-
This isn’t fantasy baseball
If Theo does get whole of the Cubs I highly doubt he would go out and sign Fielder right off the bat…….that organization is a mess and needs to be rebuilt from the ground up. They aren’t close to winning and signing Fielder does nothing for them……by the time they can compete he’d be in his 30′s and maybe starting to decline. Theo just came from a place where he’s gotten burned on high dollar free agents……I think he’ll be trying to shed payroll more than add initially. I predict Fielder to the Rangers.
I see my request for only discussing sane trade and FA signings has been denied.
Teix has a no trade clause. He needs to change his stance & help this team in the post.
The Yankees don’t need Pujols or Fielder. What they need is someone who can get a hit with bases loaded in the post, and that person isn’t Swisher. They need to replace Swisher. If they can trade for Kemp this off season or even at the trade deadline & get Kemp to sign an extension then they need to do that.
Montero is a beast and he’s our DH/C. He’s young & cost controlled. No need to trade him to add on another long term 20+ million a year player.
Update on the Yankee winter kids
http://mlb.mlb.com/milb/stats/org.jsp?id=nyy
Does the Brew Crew shop Greinke this winter?
Are you interested?
I figured that only game day threads brought out the idiots, but, I forgot that the off-season only rejuvinated them to reach new lows.
pat October 17th, 2011 at 11:20 am
I see my request for only discussing sane trade and FA signings has been denied.
******************************
LOL
‘Tis the season, pat.
Rangers’ payroll is already going to skyrocket in 2012 if they hold on to Wilson and others plus pay significant arbitration awards. Can’t see them all in on Fielder. I actually don’t think there will be that large of a market for him. Maybe the Angels?
Cubs are a mess, but your prime of career talent is what they are desperately needing. Really comes down to ownership and what they’re willing to spend. They have $ 52 M committed to Soriano, Zambrano and Dempster next year…. yikes!
GB 7 —
Lighten up for cryin’ out loud. This isn’t rocket surgery and there’s nothing wrong with kicking around various ideas. Take a Mydol
tomingeorgia October 17th, 2011 at 10:31 am
I’d like Mark Buerhle at two years for $25m
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I concur. Have Buehrle as the No. 3 starter after Nova and before Hughes. Fill out the rotation with Noesi, Garcia, or Warren as the No. 5 starter. Obviously C.C. as the No. 1.
Better and cheaper option than C.J. Wilson. Five different varieties of delivery and style.
Jon Lester speaks on the record about beer in the clubhouse, Terry Francona, etc.: http://bo.st/oadblh #RedSox
Baltimore is a more logical place for Fielder than most places. Texas will have to fork over plenty to keep their pitching in order, whether they move Feliz and Ogando into the rotation or not. Not many teams are in need of first basemen…at least those close enough for that cost to help. Baltimore has never ben shy about spending, whether it made sense or not. Oakland hasn’t the resources to since a $25 mil a year player.
Rocket surgery, Gracie?
The Yankees are not signing Fielder or Pujols. And please stop trying to move players to positions they can’t play.
resources to ***sign*** a $25 mil a year player.
Good point on Fielder. He’s a perfect fit for the Orioles who need a 1B and a LH bat.
They are likely to let Vlad and Mike Gonalez walk, freeing up $ 14 M right there.
Major League Baseball has lost all integrity. It’s now all about revenues. From allowing the popular games to $tart despite the KNOWLEDGE that rainouts might occur, to turning a blind eye to the horrific game calling by umpires (speaking of blind eyes), to umpires allowing batters to bat in teeming rain in order to finish out a game, to MLB becoming laissez-faire about the use of PEDs now that the heat is off, to planning postseason games around television revenues thereby insuring that the Yankees are always forced to play the latest game – MLB has allowed what was once a beautiful and comparatively pure entity to devolve into a cesspool of soulless ennui.
MLB is a wh*re, and Bud Selig is a wh*remaster.
Post was rewritten about 5 times, until I smartened up and realized that the censor don’t like no wh*res!
Who woulda thunk it!
Really, really doubt they get Buehrle. All I’ve been hearing from WS fans is that he’ll either re-sign with Chicago or go to St. Louis.
Don’t see Fielder signing up for a contract of last place finishes with the Orioles.
At least with a team like the Nationals you can see some sort of future.
Hey Lock, do you think that Leyland and Verlander are on the phone right now making each other laugh? I hear they like to keep it loose and joke around!!!
Buehrle has said that if he moves on from the White Sox, he’d prefer the Cards or at least the NL where most hitters haven’t seen his stuff.
Erin,
Don’t you think we should look into Beurhle, though, whatever the rumors say?
trisha,
I think the Clown is giving Leyland & Verlander a lap dance.
The Yankees lost to the Tigers not because they were cheated, but because they didn’t hit. No question Davis had a terrible strike zone for CC, but that doesn’t account for the awful offensive performance.
I, for one, am tired of the folks who point to the Yankee overall offensive numbers. They are as inconsistent in their offense as some of their players. Look at their record in extra innings. It was terrible. Why? They never scored. Too many guys swinging for the game winning home run and coming up empty.
Either Swisher or Gardner needes to be replaced with a solid hitter. Teixiera and AROD are here for the duration and cannot be replaced. The outfield is the only place for more offense.
Is their a quality team that has an outfield hitting about .260 overall. Corner outfielders must produce offensively, and in my opinion, Swisher’s.260 average and 80 RBIs is inadequate.
Tom-wouldn’t hurt to look, I just think there’s very little chance he’s a Yankee
“Rangers’ payroll is already going to skyrocket in 2012 if they hold on to Wilson and others plus pay significant arbitration awards.”
I think they let Wilson and Hamilton walk.
Greinke? Yes I think they will shop him….and no Im not really interested.
Washington have Mike Morse and a 23 year old rookie 1st baseman in Chris Marrero. Not a lot of room for another first baseman. I’d bet on them making a run at Wilson and more pitching, catching and a bat that can play in center field.
Fielder would fit with the Orioles…..but why would anybody want to play there unless they blow everyone out of the water?
Texas could pay him to be their Hamilton replacement in the lineup after 2012…..younger and more durable.
Maybe Showalter can sell Prince on their September record.
Dionysius Thelxinoe October 17th, 2011 at 9:17 am
The last time the Yankees decided to show patience for one year, for one guy, he signed with Philadelphia.
——–
that’s ok. the last thing we need to do is start handing out 6/7 year contracts to guys 30+ years of age.
i think we should make some tweaks this offseason – find a guy for the OF on a 1 or 2 year deal (beltran would be ideal). and montero in the lineup every single day.
most important non-move of the offseason – get alex healthy…
imho, darkhorse FA destination are the blue jays. good pitching, good hitting, just need 1 or 2 guys to get them over the top.
unfortunately, they play in the same division as the $150+ mil payroll guys and a grade-A drafting GM in tampa…
Geeze, Nats finished one game under 500! They finished ahead of both Florida and the Mets. And now they have Strasburg. Fielder could definitely help them out. No idea how committed they are to the 1B they have now.
Fielder in Baltimore could make a run at Bonds record. Depends on how much he values winning immediately. They have the offense in place and only Wilson would help their pitching unless their young starters mature.
Blake, Hamilton is signed for $ 15 M + next year. If they let Wilson walk they need a # 1. They also have abritration cases with Napoli, Cruz (huge $$$), Mike Adams, Elvis Andrus, Matt Harrison and David Murphy… and that’s w/ $ 65 M committed
Personally, I don’t care where Fielder signs, but, it won’t be with the Yankees, nore will Pujols.
***nor***
bw51official Thanks for everyone who came out to my concert on Saturday. It was a privilege to help support the wonderful… http://fb.me/RvVKW7gH
“Blake, Hamilton is signed for $ 15 M + next year. If they let Wilson walk they need a # 1. ”
I know…..Hamilton is a FA after next year….are they going to comitt to him longterm? He wont be cheap….also Wilson isn’t a #1 and they’ve basically already said oublically that they aren’t giving him #1 money. They could sign Fielder……put an insane offense on the field in 2012…..and then let Hamilton walk at the end of the year and let Prince replace his bat in the lineup long term. Just a thought…..I certainly hope he signs with Baltimore or some other scrub team.
“trisha,
I think the Clown is giving Leyland & Verlander a lap dance.
”
LMAO!!!!!
I would love Buerle on a 2 year deal……but I really don’t think he will leave the midwest
“The Yankees lost to the Tigers not because they were cheated, but because they didn’t hit. No question Davis had a terrible strike zone for CC, but that doesn’t account for the awful offensive performance.”
austinmac, it is what it is. There’s no denying that CC looked on top of his game in the aborted Game 1. There’s also no denying that Davis’ strike zone for CC affected CC’s game and likely the outcome of that game since the Yanks only lost by one run. Did you think there was awful offensive performance throughout the series or only in Game 5?
I’m saying the thing should never have gotten to Game 5.
But it did, and oh well.
“Personally, I don’t care where Fielder signs, but, it won’t be with the Yankees, nore will Pujols.”
And that’s not rocket science either!
New Post: The familiar lesson of postseason baseball
Thank you GreenBeret7 for the sane reality check. I totally agree. We have a first baseman who although flawed right now from the left side will still give us 30/100 every year and stellar defense with those great picks saving numerous bad throws from our aging left side of the diamond. Is it frustrating to watch this guy choke during the post season? Of course, but just like ARod, we’re stuck with him. Swish on the other hand is a different story, and even though Beltran may be an improvement in some areas, better defensively and much better batting from the left side, the soon to be 34 year old has an injury history that makes him much more fragile than Swish. Also Swish will only cost 10.25 million. Beltran will definitely want that or more with at least 3 years I would think. The only other free agent to be that comes to mind is Michael Cuddyer and although the guy has a history of hitting better in the post season, the improvement would be minimal and we’d have to sign him with a multi-year contract.
As far as pitching goes, Mark Buehrle is a lefty horse who doesn’t strike out a lot of guys but always puts up good numbers, lots of innings (11 straight seasons with 200+). Of course it depends how much money and years he wants. I do think King Felix could be had as his contract starts hitting the heavy numbers 18.5 in 2012, 19.5 in 2013 and 20 million in 2014,
but of course we’d have to give up Montero, plus at least 2 of the killer B’s or Nova. I’d pass.
trisha – true pinstriped blue October 17th, 2011 at 11:06 am
I hate to say this again – okay, no I don’t – but in terms of the element of luck, IF we didn’t have that rainout and IF Gerry Davis called a different game – it appears likely that the Yankees would have gone on to the ALCS.
___________________________________________________________________________
Trisha I do believe in some level of luck, but more my belief that teams make their own luck. The luck of the draw always seemed to be against us. The wrong guy coming to bat in a key situation or an easy way to pitch around someone to get to the easier out. Swisher killed us, I looked at situations where either came to bat with runners on or batted in an inning where the Yanks scored runs. In 5 of those situations he struck out looking and he also had 2 foul outs. That’s 7 situations where he didn’t even put the ball in fair territory. In the other three he had a ground out, a single, and then the LO HR in Game 2.