I’ve been defending the Hawkins move on the grounds that we lose very little in signing one mediocre veteran for one year in this year of uncertainty about the ‘pen. 

This, a second (apparently) mediocre veteran, makes less sense to me, considering   the lost flexibility—not to mention the fact that he’s probably looking for at least two years.

I hope the FO is only kicking the proverbial tires on this,  seeing if he’d consider a one-year deal.

Actually, all this report says is that they met with the agent in Nashville.  They’ve signed Hawkins since then. 

SG, don’t bother with the projections. This is Newsday needing some Yankees news.

I would hope the FO is quite wary of Japanese pitchers in general and would probably be even more cautious when it comes to a righty who throws 88 mph coming out of the pen.

Like many of you, I generally think pretty highly of Cashman. He does make mistakes- as all GM’s do (and all of us, for that matter). This talk of signing Pavano to a minor league deal convinces me that Pavano was his idea all along, thus the continual reluctance to cut bait and let him walk. This tells me to some extent that perhaps he is flawed somewhat in accepting a mistake as a mistake. After Pavano’s first season, many on this blog were hopeful even then that they would ship him out for at least something in return. Same with the following winter, still Cash was saying that he was expecting him to be a vital cog… 

Now we find our team with the same diliemma involving Igawa. Hopefully, and just maybe Cash will swallow hard and move him to the NL and get rid of at least part of that contract and roster slot.

As to the current Japanese pitcher, why would the team have interest in a 88mph reliever? Doesn’t make sense.

Regarding Matsui. They should keep him unless Cain or Linecum are involved. He’s way too dependable for rbi’s to simply dump for salary relief or for young unproven arms. We have several of those in stock now, guys like Henn etc.
Don’t forget that monster month last summer when Matts was on fire. He can still hit and it would be very naiive to believe Damon will be healthy for 150 games. He simply plays too hard and sooner or later injures himself. As he gets older, its hard to assume this will trend for the better.

Not to nitpick, but I think Henn is pretty proven.

Here’s all the projection you need: HE SUCKS.

At least he’s yo.. wait, he’s old. I agree, this is filler.

Actually, does he not look very similar to this guy?
http://japanesebaseball.com/players/player.jsp?PlayerID=202

Still, this guy sucks. Pass.

As for Pavano (I can’t believe we’re talking about this), is there any chance that he has some kind of market value? Obviously a team out there will sign him.  Perhaps Cashman just wants him to stick around to see if a team comes knocking.  Selling him for 2 cents on the dollar sucks, but it’s better than 0 cents on the dollar.  I guess. He’s probably cancerous to have in the locker room, which shouldn’t be discounted.

This is Newsday needing some Yankees news.

I can empathize.

Regarding Matsui. They should keep him unless Cain or Linecum are involved. He’s way too dependable for rbi’s to simply dump for salary relief or for young unproven arms.

I think you’re right Joel.  I think a lot of people are too willing to give up Matsui.  Yeah, he’s not very good defensively but he’s a valuable offensive player.  If I knew Giambi would be good for 140 games I could see moving Matsui, but that’s pretty unlikely.

Do you give Pavano a shot at the pen in spring training? I can’t imagine he’d be very effective, and he would probably spend most of the year on the DL for, I don’t know, hurting his hair or something, but at least if he does reasonably well, he might have some sort of trade value. Just mop-up duty and emergency starts, if he proves he can still throw a baseball.

Any thoughts about acquiring Matt Wise? The Brewers just non-tendered him after signing Gagne, and he’s probably a better bet than Hawkins at this point. Not by a lot, but he’s not bad ... ZIPs has him at a 4.00 ERA and a 42/18 K/BB ratio in 54 innings for 2008. Raise that ERA by .4 or .5 for the move to the AL, but his strikeout rate isn’t bad, and he’s not too old (this will be his age 32 year). Man, you know the relief market is thin when I’m talking about Matt Wise ...

I would only move Matsui for a Scott Shields type of reliever. Nobody marginal.. you’d need something to change your bullpen from questionable to effective/possibly dominant.

Do you give Pavano a shot at the pen in spring training?

I’m not sure when Pavano will be ready to start throwing. He should have had his TJ surgery in June 2006, which means he likely can’t start throwing until this June, and won’t be anything close to effective until the beginning of 2009.

I think my point was, say he’s throwing again in July of next year in the minors.  His value would be incredibly low, but would it be nothing? Could you trade him for something.. anything, instead of just letting him walk with his buyout in 09? I think that is moot, because I think with him accepting a minor league he’s technically already been paid, but still.. something is better than nothing.

4.00 ERA and a 42/18 K/BB ratio in 54 innings for 2008.

Thats probably as a Brewer and in the NL central. I think the Brewers defense is not much to speak of, but the NL central has much weaker hitters.

June 2006

June 2007

Pavano’s contract is insured, but only as long as he remains on the roster.  This is not about some sort of reluctance to admit mistakes or Cashman’s unresolved feelings for his mother.  It’s about money.  The Mets did the same thing when Mo Vaughan could barely walk as did the Orioles with Albert Belle when he could no longer play.  Really now, sometimes we need to let up with the psychoanalysis.

Thats probably as a Brewer and in the NL central. I think the Brewers defense is not much to speak of, but the NL central has much weaker hitters.

I did add the caveat that you’d need to add .4 or .5 to his ERA to account for the league transition.

I did add the caveat that you’d need to add .4 or .5 to his ERA to account for the league transition.

Woops.

Here’s what CAIRO says for Wise as a Yankee:

ERA: 4.51
IP: 59
H: 66
HR: 7
BB: 17
K: 42

Probably right around what ZiPS would say if he moves from the NL to the AL.

IE beat me to it on Pavano.  Does he have value?  Sure, if at the end of July he’s working out of the pen, or gets a few spot-starts for the Yankees, he may be worth a B-prospect.  Otherwise his only value may be if the Yankees have a playoff spot clinched in early September, he could get some starts then to rest others.

I proposed the other day I would be tentatively okay trading Matsui to the Giants for Sanchez, Lowry, AND a decent position-player prospect, also provided we could then flip Lowry for something - for example to the Pirates for one of their lefties.  I have no idea if a) a team with an available (decent) reliever would be interested in Lowry or b) if the Giants have any AA or higher prospects worth even talking about. 

I don’t WANT to trade Matsui, but since he seems willing to waive his NTC, he may be the most tradeable - and get the most in return - of the players the Yankees have.  I have no problem exploring trades for him that could help fill current and future needs.

Here’s what CAIRO says for Wise as a Yankee:

Certainly seems worth talking to.  I mean, if he would accept the ML minimum or a minor league contract, I’d certainly be OK having him in spring training.  I don’t think I’d be happy giving him multiple years, or more than “the veteran minimum” (seems to be about 1 Million dollars).

The Yanks had interest in Fukumori, but that is no more.

“According to agent Alan Nero, the Yankees aren’t one of the three finalists for Japanese reliever Kazuo Fukumori. Nero spoke with the Yanks before and during the Winter Meetings.”

Alas, Anna Benson…

“The Yankees are toying with having somebody watch Kris Benson throw in Arizona next week, but their interest in the veteran righty (coming back from shoulder surgery) is minimal.”

http://www.nypost.com/seven/12112007/sports/yankees/matsui_may_waive_bye_822416.htm

I’m with Mike K. on Matsui, though, as I admitted on a previous thread, I’m underrating him because I’m tired of all the DHs on our team—and because I’m jealous of his porn collection.  In my case, knowing that I’m underrating him does not stop me from underrating him, which is why I’m not a baseball GM—the only reason.

And I don’t recall the name but I heard the Giants have a tools-y, well-ranked shortstop prospect.  Just sayin’.

He can still hit and it would be very naiive to believe Damon will be healthy for 150 games.

Of course, Matsui has played 194 games in the past two seasons (51 and 143).

If I knew Giambi would be good for 140 games I could see moving Matsui, but that’s pretty unlikely.

Based on recent history, Giambi will either play 140 games or 80.  Something in between might be nice for a change.

Damon hasn’t played 150 games since 2004, but he’s never played fewer than 140 in his career (aside from 1995, when he came up mid-season).  He’s actually the best bet of the three in terms of durability at this point.  But the key is that the three-player/two-position job share really isn’t anything that should be viewed as a log-jam.  If Giambi can play 1B once a week, the Yankees will most likely have no trouble finding enough starts for all three.  And even without trading an OF, they may very well need to give some PT to bench players to fully cover LF and DH.

Oh, and I have to say, while there are some sound arguments for keeping Matsui, citing his RBI totals isn’t one.  He’s been hitting behind OBP monsters every year.

I too wouldn’t trade Matsui for Lowry and Sanchez.  I’d try to hold out for more from Sabean, who seems WAY too willing to part with Cain and Lincecum, who should be virtually untouchable for a team like the Giants.  I have a crazy trade idea of Matsui, Wang, and maybe Horne for Cain AND Lincecum.  Not sure if it makes any sense for either team, but there it is.

But barring some kind of fleecing of Sabean, I’d just hold onto Matsui.

An agent with the last name Nero . . . both funny and ironic

I’d try to hold out for more from Sabean, who seems WAY too willing to part with Cain and Lincecum, who should be virtually untouchable for a team like the Giants.

Actually saw Sabean quoted as saying that a Lincecum trade was becoming less and less likely by the day, and I haven’t really seen much in the way of Cain rumors t all.  The guy may be stupid, but maybe he’s not quite that stupid.

I have a crazy trade idea of Matsui, Wang, and maybe Horne for Cain AND Lincecum.  Not sure if it makes any sense for either team, but there it is.

Aside from the fact that a Chinese player might be arguable a bigger draw in SF than a Japanese player, I’d say it makes almost no sense for either team.  Although it’s schizophrenic enough from the Giants POV to almost be plausible.  I mean, Matsui makes some sense for them since they currently have no hitters, but he makes no sense for them since he’s getting old and they need to rebuild.  Horne makes sense because he has a reasonable chance to be an important part of their next good team, but then again, so does Lincecum.  Trading Cain might make sense if you think he’s going to be gone anyway by the time you’re competing again, but OTOH, he’s got just about the same amount of service time as Wang.

So now that I think about it, your crazy proposal actually sort of fits the Sabean MO—more inanity than idiocy.

I really don’t like the idea of trading Wang. I understand the reasoning behind it and understand that his value is really high and he could bring back a lot. I just think he can get better than he is now. Plus I like him quite a bit.

yeah, no one has confirmed this, but i assume the Pavano thing is about the insurance.  there is a 0% chance he pitches in the majors this year.  the yankees know this.

I would trade him before Hughes though and Joba, obviously. But certainly after Kennedy.

i would do Wang and Matsui for Cain and Lincecum without even having to think about it.  but it’s still a crazy idea that would never happen.

Wang+Matsui for Cain+Lincecum is a crazy deal. Of course you do that. Although if its done Sabean should be tested for drugs. At least four times.

Abraham just put up a blurb that Pavano might not agree to the minor league deal.  Here is what pavano said:  “I’d be giving up a lot of options if I signed a minor league deal.”

wow.  i am literally speechless.

Is anyone impressed about how much the Nationals are doing this offseason? I don’t really get Lo Duca, but they have talent now with Dukes and Milledge.

I wonder if Cashman specifically sought out Albaladejo because a scout saw something and his price wasn’t too high relative to his value, or if Cashman started at Cordero or Rauch and worked his way down.

How about Matsui, Igawa and cash for Cordero, Rauch and Johnson?

The Giants scored 683 runs last season, with Bonds.  They desperately need a bat or the team is looking at 70 wins next year at best.  In that sense, Sabean may indeed be willing to part with Lincecum or Cain if he receives a bat or two (perhaps Matsui and Betemit/Duncan) along with a decent pitcher (Horne or Kennedy) who can replace whomever he chooses to trade.  Nomaas, is currently running with this idea, which makes a certain amount of sense, but that doesn’t mean we should hope to see this come to fruition.

Also, anyone from CT here? what’s the weather like?

I’m flying home for my winter break on Saturday. I can barely deal with the cold weather here in LA right now. It was 40-45 this morning for my run and I was bundled up in running tights, a long-sleeved shirt and gloves and I was still freezing.

Needless to say I’m dreading the cold and inclement weather.

wow.  i am literally speechless.

Well, this puts to rest any and all possibilities that Pavano was a decent guy who just had a string of unbelievably bad luck. He’s got the chance to give the Yankees something back after taking them for a ride for 4 years, and instead, would rather have his freedom and his contract bought out so he could sucker the next suitor.

Cut his ass and eat the money. Fuck it.

Funny how we randomly started talking about Pavano today and then this story comes out.

I know you can’t trade a player on the DL, but can you with the comissioners approval? I mean, for a team with space on their 40 man, might Pavano + cash land a B prospect? The Yankees certainly have a legitimate reason why they’d want to trade him - not to swindle any team, but just to get value out of a guy who is just taking up space.

The Giants scored 683 runs last season, with Bonds.  They desperately need a bat or the team is looking at 70 wins next year at best.

i don’t think there is anything they could do at this point which will prevent them from finishing in last place next season.  i think it as much of a sure thing as anything in baseball. 

they need to be gutting the team and starting over with an eye on 2010.  they should be trading everyone over 26 for whatever young talent they could get.

i can’t think of anything WORSE they could do than trade some of their young pitching for a band-aid. 

if they were really so worried about winning 75 games, they should have just brought Bonds back.  they are the only team in baseball that can do this without a backlash. 

the fact that they are interested in Matsui is just mind-boggling.  nothing against Matsui, he’s just not the right player for where they are as a franchise.

I know you can’t trade a player on the DL

I don’t think he counts as being on the DL until the season starts, does he?  I mean, the reason you put someone on the 60-day DL is to open a spot on the 40 man roster, and the Yankees are looking to CUT him to open a spot on the 40-man.  So I don’t think there is any restriction on trading him.

I don’t see any trade that works though.  It is pretty much common knowledge at this point that the Yankees will eat his salary, so if he turns down a minor-league deal, he’s a FA.  I could see a team mid-season making a trade for him IF he pitches in the majors.  But not before the season starts.  The only way I could see a trade happening with Pavano now is if someone had even more of an albatross for a contract, and wanted to send that player for Pavano straight up.

Also, anyone from CT here? what’s the weather like?

It’s been cold in the Northeast, Clay.  I was in CT last week, and am in MA now, where there’s snow and ice on the ground.  Some days are colder than others, but winter has definitely begun.

“Not to nitpick, but I think Henn is pretty proven”

You must mean this as a joke, because if you consider him proven it must be as a failure. He hasn’t even been effective lately in the minors. He throws 94, lacks control like a whole lot of prospects and like many of them, including Sanchez (5.88 era) is no lock to contribute at the ML level anytime soon.

“It’s about money.”

Don’t understand, please elaborate IE  

IMO I think Pavano is a clubhouse cancer and his total removal from the team is probably worth more than his potential insurance value.

“Of course, Matsui has played 194 games in the past two seasons (51 and 143).”

I think your opinion buttresses my feeling too that a logjam doesn’t really exist given the age of Damon, Abreu, Matsui and Giambi.

I’m as obsessed as nomaas is with the Matsui-to-the-Giants scenario.

But I certainly agree that it has to involve Cain or Lincecum.  Don’t see the point unless it capably fills a need on the 2008 big league roster, which is why I would be disinclined on Mike K’s Lowry/Sanchez/position prospect idea.  (I think the Pirates’ lefty relievers should and will come cheaper than Lowry—besides which Pitt already has, like, 5 left starters or something).  Sure, Sanchez has upside but if it were something we could count on we wouldn’t call it “upside.”

My thought was: Matsui and IPK for Lincecum and Sanchez.  I thought one commenter threw IPK’s name out there in this context a few threads ago and I was expecting an outcry that never came.  What are people’s thoughts on that?  Everyone here seems to have a very high opinion of IPK, and given that he was essentially the deal-killer in the Santana negotiations you gotta figure the organization feels the same.

But the key is that the three-player/two-position job share really isn’t anything that should be viewed as a log-jam.  If Giambi can play 1B once a week, the Yankees will most likely have no trouble finding enough starts for all three.

Eh, I disagree.  What about the other 6 days a week?  You either have to bench Matsui or Giambi…or to get both of them in the lineup you have to massacre your outfield defense.  I know injuries will probably help sort this out and it’s not the end of the world.  But if one of the players involved has value to another team that can help you fill a void…then consideration must be given.  That’s what this is all about.

I would only move Matsui for a Scott Shields type of reliever.

And here’s the rub as far as I’m concerned.  Forgetting about the Giants, here’s my so off-the-wall-it-might-just-make-sense-idea:

Package Matsui with a prospect (maybe Horne) and send them to the Dodgers for Jonathan Broxton and Juan Pierre. 

Broxton is a friggin stud.  He’s your shut down 8th inning guy—ERA under 3 and more than a K an inning with control for 2 years running, and he’s only 23 years old.

Pierre is of course subtraction by addition, but that’s the only way you get an elite young flamethrower for a mid-30s middle-of-the-order guy with bad knees.  Pierre becomes a very expensive 4th OF; but maybe just maybe some speed-happy team ends up as the last one standing in the centerfielder musical chairs and you can ship him and half his contract out before the season starts.

Thoughts?

so, Matsui plus Horne plus half of Pierre’s salary for a reliever and whatever dreck you get for Pierre?

that seems like a really bad trade.

i think yankee fans in general are starting to go a little overboard with the whole “just eat this guy’s salary” aspect of trades.  half of Pierre’s salary is like $22M plus luxury tax.

The Giambi/Damon/Matsui logam really should be viewed as being able to have strong defensive and offensive players at 1B/DH/LF when we need them. But I think I’d just as soon sacrifice that to have a stud reliever.

Matsui for Broxton, straight up. Maybe send some cash. That’s as far as I would go with that. A good Matsui is an elite offensive weapon in the toughest division in MLB. No one is doing us a favor by taking him off our hands.

for a team with space on their 40 man, might Pavano + cash land a B prospect?

I’d guess that Pavano + cash + B Prospect could land a C Prospect.  After reading Abrams’ story, I cannot picture a major league team so pathetic that it would be improved by the presence of Carl Pavano.  ...  I guess that means he’ll be a Met before his career is over.

The Toledo Mud Hens should make him an offer.

Matsui for Broxton, straight up.

Sounds great to me, but it’s incomprehensibly stupid from the Dodgers’ perspective.  Matsui will be 34 in June.  Though he doesn’t have an outrageously cumbersome contract, he will probably be overpaid these next 2 years.  His slugging is trending down, and his defense is quite bad. 

Broxton is not just “a reliever”, yup.  He’s better than at least half the closers in the majors.  He’s Mariano’s heir apparent.  Has any other MLB reliever put up 150 innings of sub 3.00 ERA in the last 2 years? 

Look at it this way, assign Broxton’s contract to Pierre and tell yourself Pierre is making the minimum, which is like having Brett Gardner which some here were ok with.

Sounds great to me, but it’s incomprehensibly stupid from the Dodgers’ perspective.

Is it? You trade 75 innings of dominant relief for an impact bat that you need.  The Yankees need the relievers, the Dodgers need the bats. It would sort of suck from both sides, but each team would get a little better overall.

“Also, anyone from CT here? what’s the weather like?”

It’s 40 degrees right now in Hartford, with light wind.  It’s been colder - today is pretty warm by comparison.  It’s supposed to snow/sleet Saturday night into Sunday, last I heard.  Best of luck with that flight in Clay - hope it’s on the early side (of course, the forecast will probably change three times before Saturday).

I cannot picture a major league team so pathetic that it would be improved by the presence of Carl Pavano.

The Cleveland Spiders, maybe. Or change “presence” to “presents.”

Well if I were negotiating with the Dodgers I wouldn’t say this, but I don’t think Matsui quite qualifies as an “impact bat.”  Wouldn’t surprise me if the NL version of Hideki ended up not as good in ‘08-‘09 as either Kemp or Ethier. 

I just think a Broxton-type changes the whole complexion of the bullpen.  Now these medicocre veterans (Farns/Hawkins) and unproven twentysomethings (BrunBritEdwarOhlieAlbie) can be kept away from (or grow into) the highest leverage situations. 

Hell, the Dodgers seem to think they’re in dire need of a 3B so they apparently have no use for Nomar.  I’d add into the deal 2 underachieving veterans with big paydays: Nomar for Farnsworth.

Would really strengthen our bench—no need to mess with the likes of Nick Green and Chris Woodward, and the Dodgers get back a power arm who can maybe find his way.

Broxton is not just “a reliever”, yup.  He’s better than at least half the closers in the majors.

oh, trust me, i like Broxton just fine. you’re right, my choice of words did kindof make it seem like you were suggesting trading Matsui for Bob Wickman.  sorry about that.

what i was trying to say is that i think there is a slight disconnect that has developed between how much cash that Yankee fans THINK the Yankees would be willing to swallow in trades and what they probably actually are willing to swallow.

i just don’t think the Yankees would agree to take on the last 4 years of a really crappy player’s $55M/5 year contract just to land Broxton, as good as he may be.

the only logical way to get a Broxton is to develop your own Broxton.  hopefully one of Robertson, Melancon, Sanchez, or Whelan can be a reasonable facsimile.

I mean, for a team with space on their 40 man, might Pavano + cash land a B prospect? The Yankees certainly have a legitimate reason why they’d want to trade him - not to swindle any team, but just to get value out of a guy who is just taking up space.

The whole point of releasing and re-signing Pavano is to free up a roster spot.  What team needs to waste a roster spot?

IMO I think Pavano is a clubhouse cancer and his total removal from the team is probably worth more than his potential insurance value.

He’s already completely removed from the team, except for taking up the afore-mentioned roster spot.  You can’t be a clubhouse cancer if you’re not actually in the clubhouse, and he won’t be.  There is no “value” in cutting him.  There is value in freeing up a roster spot without losing the insurance money.

The thing that captures my interest is that there are two West Coast teams with sketchy Front Offices that either are or could be interested in Matsui.  The Yankees have something of a logjam at LF/DH/1B, and Matsui seems willing to accept a trade.  Sabean has already inquired about him, and a move to San Francisco would bring Matsui somewhat full circle in going from the Tokyo Giants to the Giants of MLB, along with all the Japanese marketing stuff.  L.A. has his old friend Joe Torre.  The Giants have Cain and Lincecum, and the Dodgers have many excellent young players like Loney, Broxton, Ethier, Kemp, etc.  Ian Kennedy is a USC alumnus.  What would the Dodgers give for Matsui and Kennedy?  Broxton?  Broxton and Ethier?  Broxton and Loney?  Would they give up Broxton and Loney if we took on Pierre?  Would it help if we threw in Farnsworth, or Ohlendorf?  It just seems like there’s a deal to be made with LA or SF.

If you trade away Matsui and Damon gets hurt (maybe more “when” than an “if”), who plays in LF?

If you could get Loney or Ethier or some other young OF in return, that’s fine.  But if the Yanks aren’t getting a pretty good young OF in return, then that means Duncan.  Is he a good OF?  Can he hit as a full-time player?  Do you bring up Gardner and suffer his bat?

Or, do they trade away Matsui for a RP and then sign Rowand?

I never, ever, ever want to see Pierre in pinstripes.

I never, ever, ever want to see Pierre in pinstripes.

Not liking Pierre or his contract is certainly reasonable.

Although, if the Dodgers were willing to send Broxton and Loney for Matsui and Kennedy plus a B prospect or two, but they insisted you take Pierre off their hands, would you let the acquisition of Pierre stand in the way of that deal?  The bullpen would go from a question mark to a strength, Broxton would be Mo’s heir apparent, Loney is your first baseman of the future, and Pierre is a decent fourth outfielder until you can find a way to ditch him.

Just thinking out loud here in completely hypothetical terms.

If you trade away Matsui and Damon gets hurt (maybe more “when” than an “if”), who plays in LF?

Or vice versa.  It is unlikely, almost to the point of implausibility, that Damon, Giambi, and Matsui are all healthy enough to play 150 games.  There’s a logjam on paper, but not so much in reality.

Or, do they trade away Matsui for a RP and then sign Rowand?

God I hope not.

Although, if the Dodgers were willing to send Broxton and Loney for Matsui and Kennedy plus a B prospect or two, but they insisted you take Pierre off their hands, would you let the acquisition of Pierre stand in the way of that deal?

Couldn’t you just offer to pay Matsui for them instead?  In all seriousness, though, I don’t see the Dodgers trading Loney.  And I don’t see them trading for an outfielder, unless they move Kemp or Ethier for pitching.  They sort of have an excess of OFers as it is.

Is Ca$hman going to buy every C- RP on the planet?

Because that would actually be kinda cool.

hope it’s on the early side

Unfortunately I will be arriving in Providence at like 11 pm.

My flight getting pushed would really suck as dorms close on Saturday, although I could probably spend the night in Vegas if it gets delayed when I’m in my layover there. Fortunately I have a friend who lives there. Too bad I’m on the wrong side of 21.

This is why I like Southern California. I’ve yet to experience an earthquake and the next worse thing is rain. And that’s mostly because there is little to no drainage and no one can drive in the rain here.

Is Ca$hman going to buy every C- RP on the planet?

I believe the Onion ran a story to that effect a while ago.

It involved signing every baseball player in professional baseball.

I think as fans it’s too easy to bash any signing of a relief pitcher, but it needs to be acknowledged that it’s one of the most difficult positions to project.  Obviously, if you could clone Rivera, you do that 9 times and you have your perfect bullpen (but probably not until 2027 or so- unless you can create fully-aged clones, which I think is a little aggressive). 

Looking at the whole of the major leagues, there are maybe only 10 relief pitchers who I would be surpised to see put up a 5.50 or above ERA next year.  Their performance is just too hard to project. 

I guess my point is that when Girardi goes the pen, someone is going to have to walk to the mound and pitch.  So, maybe the best plan is just to throw a bunch of spaghetti against the wall and see what sticks…

Guess Whos Back?????

ShelleyDuncanFacts2 RETURN OF THE DUNCANATOR

and I just want to say this

Larry I Fukumoried your Mother

What, did you all leave just because of that Shelley turd?  You all hanging out at Bronx Banter or something?  C’mon guys, where’d you go?

Charlie have an original thought for once

jeezus what awful news. first he tears his glutes, then his supermodel-filled-porsche hydroplanes, then he needs TJ surgery, and now he’s got clubhouse cancer?? pavano, you poor worthless tit. is it terminal?? i’d call Make-A-Wish but i suppose you can just spend the rest of your days diving into your mound of treasure like Uncle Scrooge. my thoughts and prayers are with you, you’ll forever be in our farts.

Clubhouse cancer is probably giving him too much influence. Clubhouse polyp might be about right.

46: I wouldn’t say Broxton is Mo’s heir apparent, I’d say he’s Takashi Saito’s heir apparent.  Now there’s a closer who projected to be pretty terrible when he first came overseas and who I consider currently the best closer, possibly along with Billy Wagner, in the NL.  That said, I’d never hold out hope that Fukumori would do well at all.

I fuggin Love saito (mr. miyagi), Ivy. talk about a 35+ reliever who gets it done. he’s fun to watch, and the lines he’s put up in the last couple years have been awe inspiring.

Eeeeelz 64 was quite nice. Actually laughed out loud.
Nice to see Shellshocked back too. I think its great that he can pull himself off of his Ma long enough to find a internet connection.
Ale of the day…......... Westmalle Tripel. Thankyou beer gods.

SSF.. one of yer faves ? aye ?

Fukudome is going to be a Cub
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3151060
Makes sense, Hendry bet the farm on getting the guy.