Sometimes you wonder what these guys have for marching orders. Does someone say, “If you feel ANY discomfort, let us know.”  Are they allowed to play through any pain?  Is it the Yankees staff telling them this or is their agent who is concerned with maintaining their value for the next contract? Probably a mix of everything I’d imagine.

SIGN BONDS DAMNIT

Myself, I read, “Had a little tough time sleeping last night,” and “a little sore,” as wry understatement.  Johnny Damon’s idea of “a little sore” probably translates to “Oh God, it hurrrrts” for most of us.

I don’t believe that.  He has this rep as a guy that plays hurt all the time, they all get hurt during the course of a season, that we don’t hear about the other guys as much as Damon implies to me that he’s a whiner.

If he’s not, then the question is: Why is he always getting hurt?  Is he soft?  Fragile?

Can you find yourself at Yankee Stadium on July 4th

Okay, I couldn’t resist.  Really great panoramic zoomable and panable image of The House That Ruth Built on July 4th of this year.  I found myself, but you probably already knew that.  Still very cool.  In case you were wondering, I’m the one in the Home Pinstriped Mattingly Jersey, with the Joba rules t-shirt on with the Blue Yankee baseball Cap on…

Why is he always getting hurt?  Is he soft?  Fragile?

well, in 2006, he played all year with a broken bone in his foot that he got when he ran into the wall.  this year, he bruised his ribs b/c he ran into the wall.

last year was a little different, but for the most part, i’d say most of his problems come from running into walls.

also, he is the guy who talks to the media after almost every game.  so, it might just SEEM like he talks about his injuries more than other guys, but it may just be that he makes himself more available.

It is amazing that being honest now equals being a whiner.  I think for the above article it was simple; Damon was supposed to bat.  He told the Yankees medical staff where he felt sore, and they all decided he’s better taking a few more days to rest.  So now he isn’t batting, and the press asks him why, and he tells them.  What, exactly, is the problem?

Barry. Bonds.

Buster Olney seems to think the Yankees are going to sign Sexson as a stopgap “in the very near future.”

Buster Olney seems to think the Yankees are going to sign Sexson as a stopgap “in the very near future.”

I imagine that - if they want him - as soon as he clears waivers they will sign him.  I see him as starting at DH or 1B against (some) left-handed pitchers, and being a pinch-hitter off the bench.  I think that will be useful; the rest of the team still has to step up and player better, but Sexson could be the difference of a game or two in the standings, if used correctly.

damn my right field seats. I was at the july 4th game. Are there any other angles?

is there any reason we shouldnt take a run at matt holliday? the rockies are crazy if they trade him but it looks like they want to

Why the fuck sign Sexson? He sucks.

I don’t get why if Cashman loves that kind of signings, like Eric Milton and all this shit, because they are risk free, then why the fuck not sign Bonds. I’m tired of this GM, he doesn’t take a fucking risk, even if the risk is not about baseball and money.

“Sexson could be the difference of a game or two in the standings, if used correctly”

Don’t ask that. We don’t do that kind of trades, could be too risky.

“is there any reason we shouldnt take a run at matt holliday? the rockies are crazy if they trade him but it looks like they want to”

Don’t ask that. We don’t do that kind of trades, could be too risky.

I’m tired of this GM, he doesn’t take a fucking risk, even if the risk is not about baseball and money.

So, not trading Hughes and Kennedy for Santana - instead opening the season with those two as starters - wasn’t a risk?  Bringing up Joba instead of trading for Gagne last year, wasn’t a risk?  Cashman takes plenty of risks; just not the ones you want him to.

is there any reason we shouldnt take a run at matt holliday?

No, of course they should look into him, and I’m sure they will.  Not sure what the price would be though, and part of how much the Yankees are willing to pay will be partly decided on how Matui and Damon come out of the next couple of weeks of rehab.

the Yankees aren’t going to sign Bonds.

and neither is anyone else.

and he could help about 15 teams and is willing to play for the minimum.

that tells me there is more to this than we know about. 

this has nothing to do with Cashman.

We’re not getting Holliday or another elite OF this season. I hope Cashman does trade for a quality OF in the offseason, but I’m sure he’s not going to do it now. He’s too conservative to make a big trade during the season.

He’s too conservative to make a big trade during the season.

true, it’s not like he added Abreu and Lidle at the deadline 2 years ago.

who did we trade for abreu and lidle? I remember it seeming like nothing at the time

How much of Holliday’s offense is Coor’s Field? What’s he hit on the road?

true, it’s not like he added Abreu and Lidle at the deadline 2 years ago.

Or the David Justice trade in 2000.  Or - what was at the time - a big trade for Jeff Weaver.  Or Aaron Boone (an All Star that year).  He’s made his share of big trades; he just doesn’t make EVERY big trade.  Especially as some are cost-prohibitive.

<strike>Barry. Bonds.</strike> There, fixed that.

CJ Henry was part of the package, the Phllies cut him and he’s in Tampa playing for the Yankees.

“true, it’s not like he added Abreu and Lidle at the deadline 2 years ago. “

Because he did not give an important prospect. And by the way, getting Abreu wasn’t the best of trades. He did it because it was only money invloved and no good prospects.

To get a good player with good future, you have to give up an important piece from your farm and Cashman just doesn’t want to pull the trigger and get elite players on their prime.

who did we trade for abreu and lidle? I remember it seeming like nothing at the time

Matt Smith, C.J. Henry, Carlos Monastrios, and Jesus Sanchez.

it was still a “big trade” though. and it was “risky” since Abreu’s numbers were somewhat down in Philly and he was still owed about $24M. 

the problem with someone like Holliday is that i don’t know if there is a trade to be made that makes sense for both teams.  the Rockies like Kennedy apparently, but i assume it would also take Jackson and one more piece for Holliday. 

i am very willing to trade from depth (young pitching), but with Hughes and Horne hurt, it really limits your inventory.  and i just don’t think the Yankees can afford to move Jackson. 

right now, i think the Yankee plan is to ride out this season and go hard after Sabathia, allowing them to trade at least Kennedy or maybe Hughes for a young position player.

How much of Holliday’s offense is Coor’s Field? What’s he hit on the road?

.818, .859, .859 OPS the last three years (obviously this year is a partial).  Obviously still an upgrade over Gardner and Abreu.  Hiz ZR numbers appear to be excellent as well; Abreu probably still has a better arm but Holliday has much better range.  I don’t know if he could play CF well enough to be an upgrade over Melky (offense+defense).  Again, if Matsui regresses and it looks like his season is done, and/or Damon regresses and it seems like he’ll be out for a while, and it will make more sense to pursue Holliday.

And by the way, getting Abreu wasn’t the best of trades. He did it because it was only money invloved and no good prospects

so under your rules, it would have been a good trade if he gave up better prospects?

Because he did not give an important prospect.

So wait; if he does his job well, and rips off the other team, that’s a mark against him?  If he had instead gone with the Phillies early demands - which I’m pretty sure included Hughes - this would have been a big trade and you would think more highly of him?

The Yankees have virtually no position prospects in AAA/AA, outside of Austin Jackson. None really in high A either. They have little to offer that is close to ML ready. Really, really bad drafting and IFA signings for too many years.

Matt Holliday, as an example, was a 7th round pick by the Rockies in 1998. Other teams find these guys.

To get a good player with good future, you have to give up an important piece from your farm and Cashman just doesn’t want to pull the trigger and get elite players on their prime.

for years, he had no problem doing this. 

Justice, Neagle (who was actually good), Benitez (he was the best reliever on the market at the time), A-Rod????, Weaver, and Vazquez.

Vazquez is basically the perfect example of the trade you are talking about.

i can admit that after getting burned by Weaver and Vazquez, Cashman may have gotten a little gunshy. 

but it’s tough to know how much was being gunshy and how much was just not having much to work with in the minors. 

i think THIS offseason (if he’s still here) will be the best measure of Cashman’s vision.  again, i think he is going to try to sign Sabathia and then try to trade pitching for young position talent. 

it’s simply possible that he isn’t going to do anything during the season b/c he thinks this team kindof blows and isn’t worth wasting prospects on.  and i am not sure i disagree.

Really, really bad drafting and IFA signings for too many years.

definitely agree on the drafting.  just an absolute horror show.

but the Yanks have done OK on the internation FA’s even when they weren’t drafting well (and i don’t know if Cashman was in charge of IFA’s prior to 2005, so i am not trying to give him credit).

Soriano, Cano, Wang, Melky

those are some pretty decent pieces to come from that era.

it’s simply possible that he isn’t going to do anything during the season b/c he thinks this team kindof blows and isn’t worth wasting prospects on.  and i am not sure i disagree.

I think that Cashman will try to do something.  It will just be lower-level moves.  E.g. he’s already signed Milton and considering bringing him out of the bullpen, and they’re talking to Garcia.  And he probably will sign Sexson, and look at other similar moves as well.  Instead of trying to add one player that is a four-win upgrade, he’ll try to add 4 (cheap) players that are one-win upgrades.

I don’t know if he feels the team, “kind of blows”, but I do think he believes this IS NOT a team built for the future.  So he’ll add small pieces to try to make the playoffs, and look to build for next year.  Holliday is a player that could also build for next year (since I believe he’s signed through 2009), so I think Cashman would be willing to give more for him, but not break the bank.

“It is amazing that being honest now equals being a whiner.”

It always has.  You get hurt, keep you’re mouth shut and play = not whiner.  Get hurt, complain/talk about your injuries = whining.  Its the same with everything else, I ride the subway everyday and have to smell some fat bastard’s BO.  If I complained about it everyday, I’d be whining.

Yup, I agree- but Yanks SHOULD dominate international signings.  I hope AJax stays hot- we need an athletic young OFer who can rake.  I prey AJax can become something between Grady Sizemore and Curtis Granderson.

But say you’re drinking ice cold and delicious Bud Lights with your friends (if you have any) after work and joke about the said fat bastard’s B.O.- say some reporter writing a story on Dunder Mifflin employees hears you and quotes you- then you are a whiner b/c the article has no context.  Same if a reporter asks Damon why he’s not hitting- if he answers that it’s because there is still pain then he is not whining. But if he strikes out 4 times and then references the injury as an explanation then he is whining.

Yup, I agree- but Yanks SHOULD dominate international signings.

agreed.  don’t forget Wily Mo Pena was a record bonus at the time as well.  the international FA’s basically kept the yankees afloat for the time when they were ignoring the draft.

Paps’ comments on Monday strike me as the bad side of being honest.

In the sense that you have to balance honesty with tact, and Paps didn’t do a good job there (although he quickly realized as much and explained away his earlier comments).

Damon’s hurt b/c he plays hard and he’s getting old.  There was a reason Boston didn’t want to give him a 4-year deal.  I was and still am fine with the decision to sign him, but this (injury risk) was part of the package.

I am for signing Bonds.  It is clear as day, however, that it’s not being considered. 

Sexson, in the proper roll (used to abuse LHP as a 1B/DH/PH *only*) works for me.  Eric Milton… eek.  Are they going to try to make him a lefty specialist?  Isn’t he the HR fairy?  Yikes.

Role, that is.  Meh.

Really, really bad drafting and IFA signings for too many years.

Well, let’s qualify that. Bad drafts in general until 2004. And bad drafting of position players until Austin Jackson in the 8th round, 2005. But they’ve had excellent drafts in the last few year, particularly when selecting pitchers, and particularly 2006.

And the Yankees mostly do dominate international signings. Alfonso Soriano, Chien Ming Wang, Robinson Cano, Jesus Montero, Kelvin DeLeon. The downside to handing out those huge bonuses is that you also give record money to Jackson Melian, Wily Mo Pena, Ricardo Aramboles and some Cuban 3rd baseman who’s name thankfully escapes me at the moment.

I’d rather Jackson Melian has $1M than Latroy Hawkins have $4M.  At least Jackson gave me hope.

Jackson Melian, Wily Mo Pena, Ricardo Aramboles and some Cuban 3rd baseman

If I recall correctly, Jackson Melian and Drew Henson were used to acquire Denny Neagle in 2000, and then the Yankees traded Pena to the Reds to get back Henson.

The Cuban 3rd baseman was Andy Morales.

Cross The Lord and Kevin DeLeon off that list.  They’ve done nothing.

“And the Yankees mostly do dominate international signings. Alfonso Soriano, Chien Ming Wang, Robinson Cano, Jesus Montero, Kelvin DeLeon. The downside to handing out those huge bonuses is that you also give record money to Jackson Melian, Wily Mo Pena, Ricardo Aramboles and some Cuban 3rd baseman who’s name thankfully escapes me at the moment. “

I think the downside list needs to be a lot smaller to consider it dominating.  With a list like this you can only say, they’ve signed some good guys and some bad guys.

I prey AJax can become something between Grady Sizemore and Curtis Granderson.

I do too but he’s posting a pretty dull average in AA right now. Seems to get hot for a spell but doesn’t sustain.  Guys like Mattingly and Leyritz and Jeter were on a much faster track at that level. He’s very athletic but that doesn’t translate to ML stardom.  Names like Jackson Melian, Eric Duncan and Willy Mo come to mind as the Yankee prospect hype machine rolls on. Tabata as well has much to prove and as young as he is he seems to be regressing for the time being.

“Really, really bad drafting and IFA signings for too many years”
Couldn’t agree more.  There is evidence something was wrong recently with the international head guy as I think I read he got the axe.  I have more problems with the lack of talent evaluation stateside though Damon O. seems to be an improvement.  I think the ML scouts of the Twins ought to be raided by the Yankees front office.

Yep, Andy Morales. Thanks. And that’s correct on Melian and Henson getting Neagle.

i think THIS offseason (if he’s still here) will be the best measure of Cashman’s vision.  again, i think he is going to try to sign Sabathia and then try to trade pitching for young position talent.

I really believe this too. I wouldn’t quite call it a no-brainer that the Yankees sign Sabathia, but all signs are pointing to this happening…one of those indicators being their unwillingness to go after Santana with both prospects and money. Another being the $80 million coming off the payroll.

I also think this is why Cashman is making noise about keeping Hughes and Kennedy in the minors for the rest of the year, in order to build their market value back up. Personally, I hope they keep Hughes, as he’s all of 22 years old and patience is often rewarded with young, talented pitching (see Pelfrey, Mike, and Halliday, Roy).

He’s never made any secret that, when the time was right, he’d use the pitching inventory to get the pieces he needs to fill the lineup. This offseason, the time will be right.

JD, the point is not that those international signees have done anything. The point is that they were considered top-shelf talent, had multiple teams vying for them and commanded large bonuses. Yet the Yankees were able to sign them. So if you want evidence that they are major players in the international market, those names are very valid.

Expecting domination is silly when there are 29 other teams, all with money, all who at one point or another, make it a priority to sign certain guys.

1 bad Cashman signing is probably equal to the cost of having 3x the scouts and offering 25% more for every big find.  Let’s hope our prospects start to show more promise.

With a list like this you can only say, they’ve signed some good guys and some bad guys.

well, yeah.  of course.

we’re mostly talking about signing kids who are 16-18 years old. 

95% of them will be busts.

what is your point?

Soriano and Wang were very highly sought after. It was a matter of dollars to sign them, outbid teams.

Melky is what he is.

Kelvin DeLeon is still 17 and is having a nice season, albeit in the DSL.

I cannot give the Yankees props for drafting first round quality pitching prospects in the first or sandwich round. Of course, throughout their history, they have done so poorly compared to [very] recent history, it makes them look awfully good.

I haven’t watched this in a few years, but I am now because of the Stadium and all.

Sounded like Soriano got a big ovation.

When Buck started talking about Bob Sheppard, I thought there’d been a miracle and he actually made it.  Sigh.

Hard to tell but sounds like Red Socks got booed pretty good.

How in god’s name is Kinsler not starting?

Cheers or jeers for A-rod?

He came second in the voting.

Cheers or jeers for A-rod?

I’m guessing cheers.  He’s on home turf after all.  The ovation for Mo was impressive.

How was Lou treated?

How was Lou treated?

OK, I think.  It’s hard to tell with stupid FOX muting the crowd sounds.

They shouldn’t have Roy and Mo standing by each other. Rivera looked like a pixie.

Kinsler’s OPS+ -not his OPS- is 39 points above Pedroia’s.

They shouldn’t let Joe Buck into the Stadium.

It’s nice to see Whitey Ford again.

You can’t hear the crowd much at all. As usual, FOX sucks at everything.

OK- this introduction is dumb.

WTF is Cliff Lee doing in there?  Shouldn’t he be warming up for the game?

It’s Cliff f’ing Lee.
He doesn’t need to warm up.
He’s that good.

What?

Wade Boggs wears the Yankees cap.
It’s a smart move.

Alex gets a big O.

WTF. I wanted to hear the place go nuts for Jeter.

OK, there it is. Good move by Buck with the big pause.

Crowd chanting “Derek Jeter”.  Pretty cool.

Lou Brock and Billy Williams- Look Cubs fans, they couldn’t both played LF.

Let’s hope Manny continues to destroy pitching at Yankee Stadium.

Winfield goes for the double hat move.

Haha, Winfied wearing both a Padre and a Yankee cap.

who doesn’t love the jeter chant…

Yogi!

catchers first…than the all stars…love it

I think Yogi’s is louder than Jeter’s.

Sheryl Crow?  Seriously?

poor decision

Steinbrenner doesn’t seem to be doing too well - he didn’t even get up from his little golf cart to wave to the crowd…On that note, I’d expected a bigger cheer for Ol’ George.  But maybe it’s just the FOX shenanigans again.

definetly expected a larger response to George… slightly dissappointed about that.

Are they roll-calling everyone? I only heard Jeter and Arod.

ROLE CALL….!

I was straining to hear, but I think it was only Jeter and ARod.  Lame.

Jeter is going to get a sympathy run.

i think that they tried to do more, but no one knew the names…sounded like they kept going…

lame? fuck that… i love it. I will love it when they boo manny dusty bottoms and the biggest bitch in the game (youkilis)

Abraham comes through in the clutch yet again:

8:50 p.m.: Big swing and a miss for the Bleacher Creatures. The “roll call” consisted only of Jeter and A-Rod. Then they chanted:

“Bobby Murcer”

“Box seats suck”

“Boston sucks”

I was disappointed they didn’t mention Murcer at all during the pre-game.

i have a confession. I am a big Zambrano (not victor) fan.

I feel like I’m satisfied with that role call…ha ha ha

utley is a butcher in the field

he of course meant second….

WOE.

yogi is not too old to acknowledge sara jessica parker is ugly

dcristal- no one ever gets that old.