Wow, lets just drink the sake.

Well, that certainly clears that up!
If laughing is healthy, I can cancel my health insurance.

DH remaining.
DH budget to remain.
Conditions should do.

I think 3400 million billion for Pettitte is probably an overpay.

But he’s both a True Yankee AND GM Cashman (lantern) of floating expressions!

Aaaaaa - I can’t stop laughing, it hurts!!!!!!!!!!

Someone’s having fun posting today

I got nothing.

Did the full article say whether they found Ida Mae Barker’s engagement ring ?

“Competition for the starting pitcher had a head injury from heating up.”

Head injury from heating up? It can easily happen to Michael Kay.

The next I have. Wang question to a tender contract? Deceased boundary ultimatum soon.

New York number one baseball city OK fun time!

No homework?  Then you must fight the bear!!

[10] Now THAT’s funny. The handle, not the post.

The post is sorta funny, too. But sitting right next to the handle change, it is less funny. You MUST keep that. Someone will ask about it next summer.

Second Pinstriper, Conkles (lantern).

I’ll be heading to Japan this month (Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka) later ths month.  Any tips?

I googled [11], and here was one of the results:

http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090402031417AASaWze

[12] Will anyone remember next summer?

Also, I only have about a week and a half until my “LA” becomes a “CT.”

I’m kinda sad, but hopefully it will turn to an “NY” by the spring.

Someone linked to this NYT article, from December 27, 1995, on another blog earlier this evening. Here’s the excerpt that, if true, could have changed Yankee history:

Jim Bowden, the Reds’ general manager, declined to discuss the Yankees’ involvement, but an official familiar with the Wells talks said Steinbrenner called Bowden Saturday night and offered pitcher Mariano Rivera and catcher Jorge Posada.

Anyone remember Damaso Marte as “the Launcher”?

And on what channel can I find the TV show “The next negotiating with Matsui, Damon”?

Versus. Other than the NHL, bull-riding, and occasional WEC events they are really stretching for programming.

Also, [8-11] were brilliant. I will remember ‘latern’ forever.

We should all put (lantern) after our names.
Somewhere between the peanut and the lightning bolt.

Thanks, SG.  The girlfriend has thrown me out of the bedroom because I keep waking up laughing.  Thanks.
The regulars really, really should do that.  En masse.  If conkles approves, that is.

Ted, be honest - would we be missing an episode of “The next negotiating with Matsui, Damon”?
Besides - reality TV at its best!
Just think:
The honorable underdog protagonist, a simple boy from Neagari…
The phlegmatic, unreadable Cashman…
The Boras everybody loves to hate…
The high school sweetheart (drawn by a highschooler) in peril…
Damon - is he a trader? - tied to the financial rails as the train rushes out of the woods in the distance…
The thrills!  The cliffhangers!

[23] You should show your girlfriend what kicking you out of bed leads to; she may take pity on you next time.

LOCK THE STATE!

This is a fun site for all you engrish fans;
http://translationparty.com/

Sherman:

This does not mean the Yankees are a finished product. In fact, in another bad omen for Damon, the Yankees actually are prioritizing another starter over solving left field.

The Yankees are rightly worried about the heavy workload CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett and Pettitte absorbed to win a title. It would be foolhardy to believe they will combine for 90-plus starts again. And if there are breakdowns then suddenly the Nos. 4-5 starters—let’s say Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes—would have to assume a greater burden. Hughes and Ian Kennedy were not ready for that weight in 2007.

So the Yankees would like to add a starter, and then let Hughes and Chamberlain battle for the No. 5 spot, with the loser becoming Mariano Rivera’s primary setup man.

The most appealing option for another starter is, of course, Halladay. Executives involved in the negotiations say the prices are currently too high for Toronto to complete a deal. The Yankees, for example, say they would not include top hitting prospect Jesus Montero and/or either Hughes or Chamberlain as the headliners to a package.

But what winning the Winter Meetings means is the Yankees can wait. They believe Toronto—regardless of the rhetoric—must trade its ace. So at some point between now and spring training if the Jays can’t get their price, then that price will begin to fall. If it falls far enough, the Yankees will pounce. If not, they will continue to see if a reclamation project they have interest in, such as Ben Sheets, drops his price.

They are taking the same approach with Damon. For now, Damon wants the same $13 million per annum on his last contract over at least three years. My suspicion is the most the Yankees will offer is a one-year deal with an option for no more than $10 million. Can Damon beat that and get it from a team on which he wants to play? Maybe.

If so, the Yankees will consider different alternatives. If Damon comes back, the Yankees would view him as mainly a DH anyway. That is how far his defense has fallen in their evaluation. Thus, if he did not return, they would more seriously consider re-signing Hideki Matsui for one year in the $5 million range. That would be the kind of contract that allows the Yankees to keep Matsui to about a 120-game DH and still use the spot to rest other older bodies.

Joel Sherman-san:

This does not mean the fact that the Yankee is the finished product. Actually, with another bad omen for Damon, as for the Yankee ranking is acquired to another starter in regard to the solution the left flank really.
The yankee is worried about heavy workload CC Sabathia and A.J. just. Burnett and Pettitte which are absorbed in order to acquire title. That is reckless in order to believe that those connect for the second time for starting 90. If and No. there is abrupt breakdown. 4-5 the heavy load whose Joba is larger than chamber ream and the filling fuse must be supposed, the starter which says that. Preparation of the weight did not designate fuse or [iankenedei] as 2007.
Therefore the Yankee desired the fact that the starter is added and permitted the fact that the fuse and chamber ream fight next because of NO. 5 points where the person of the first next assembly of Mariano [ribera] where the loser becomes has been attached.
The most attractive selection for another starter, naturally, is Halladay. As for the executive which relates to negotiation in order for Toronto to be able thing completes transaction, it means that price presently is high even excessively.

I fail to understand the lantern, sadly.  Someone fill a clueless Ivy in?

Engrish is amazing.  Sometimes I want to have the ability to read really old correspondence by my mom just to see what is said.

If laughing is healthy, I can cancel my health insurance.

I stopped laughing when I realized that the post reads just like my health insurance policy or pending health care reform legislation.

That would be the kind of contract that allows the Yankees to keep Matsui to about a 120-game DH and still use the spot to rest other older bodies.

I really don’t like this kind of thinking.  Contracts should make zero difference when doling out playing time.  If you believe that limiting your DH to ~120 games and resting the older regulars is the best way to win, then it shouldn’t matter whether that DH is making $5M for one year or $10M per year on a two or three year deal.

This is the Yankees have not been completed. In fact, this daemon is an unfortunate fact is, another starter, the New York Yankees, in order to deal with the rest of the field, is another priority.

I really don’t like this kind of thinking.  Contracts should make zero difference when doling out playing time.  If you believe that limiting your DH to ~120 games and resting the older regulars is the best way to win, then it shouldn’t matter whether that DH is making $5M for one year or $10M per year on a two or three year deal.

I think that is true when managing and existing roster but when looking at signing people money is absolutely a factor.  That was probably poor wording on his part.  A better and more accurate way to put it would probably be

“The Yankees believe it’s best to keep Matsui to about a 120-game DH and still use the spot to rest other older bodies, however they only think that is worth about $5M a year.”

[31] Took me a minute to realize you were speaking in “Google-translation” talk, and not drunk. 

[32] That sounds more right.  A contract should not determine playing time, but (expected) playing time should - in part - determine a contract.  $5M sounds about right for a part-time player.  If they’re going to pay $10M, they should be looking at a full-time player.

[29] Look at SG’s post. It says: “Ando is GM Cashman (lantern) of floating expressions.” Conkles brilliantly usurped it into his handle.

[24]
Have pity on you you mean, Mike K.?

So the Yankees would like to add a starter, and then let Hughes and Chamberlain battle for the No. 5 spot, with the loser becoming Mariano Rivera’s primary setup man.

Noooooooooo!

The most appealing option for another starter is, of course, Halladay. Executives involved in the negotiations say the prices are currently too high for Toronto to complete a deal. The Yankees, for example, say they would not include top hitting prospect Jesus Montero and/or either Hughes or Chamberlain as the headliners to a package.

Well, I take that back if the starter taking the place of fuse or chamber ream is Doc (especially if they are to miraculously acquire him without using Jesus/fuse/chamber ream in the deal), but I really don’t see how signing Sheets, relegating fuse/chamber ream to the BP for the entire season, and then having Gaudin take Sheets place in the rotation when his arm falls off makes them better this season or in future seasons.

Burnett and Pettitte which are absorbed in order to acquire title.

Even in Engrish the Yankees bought the WS.

they would not include top hitting prospect Jesus Montero and/or either Hughes or Chamberlain as the headliners to a package.

This is why “and/or” isn’t used in a negated clause.
What does this mean? At least two possibilities, and they’re wildly different.

[34] Yes, but I’m curious as to how lantern got used in the first place with regards to Cashman- is it something obvious or something I missed?

[38] It’s in the translated article at the top. As to why Cashman became “Cashman (latern)” during the translation, I have no idea. All I know is that Cashman is now “Cashman (latern)”, Damon is now “daemon”, Joba is now “chamber ream”, and Hughes is now “fuse”.

[35] I figured she would see what lack of sleep was doing to you!

[39] Got it.  Wondering if I’d missed a weird incandescent Cashman joke.

And ANDO, Ted - and ANDO!

but I really don’t see how signing Sheets, relegating fuse/chamber ream to the BP for the entire season, and then having Gaudin take Sheets place in the rotation when his arm falls off makes them better this season or in future seasons.

Question: Is Sheets ready to start the season in the rotation?  If not, signing Sheets and starting him in the minors (I don’t think) is a bad idea.  Ditto with Wang.  With both based on the prognosis of docters of course of when they’ll be healthy. 

If these guys will be ready by mid-May, you have some protection for if a pitcher goes down w/ injury, or if Joba/Hughes are ineffectual.  If say AJ goes down May 1st with an injury, bring up Sheets.  If Sheets blows his arm out in a month, there’s a good chance AJ will be back, or the trade market will be more developed by then.  If AJ comes back and Sheets is healthy you decide what to do then.  Perhaps moving Hughes to the bullpen (as a long-reliever) makes sense, but keep him “stretched out” so that if/when there’s another injury he can go back in the rotation.  That could also help keep his innings down.

Another way to go is something like Justin Duchscherer, who may be willing to start the year in the bullpen, and also provide a better starter than Gaudin.  If they do for some reason move Hughes into the bullpen to start the season, hopefully they do *not* use him as a setup man, so WHEN there’s an injury he moves into the rotation.  I don’t mind him pitching out of the pen (would prefer rotation), as long as he gets upwards of 140IP.

What does this mean? At least two possibilities, and they’re wildly different.

I don’t know what they meant to say, but if you take “and/or” as the logical or and the other or as an exclusive or, using the “either” as parentheses, then you can make sense of it.

Mike K. - how many relievers get upwards of 140IP?

[44] continued: and the only thing possibility they are eliminating is trading all of Hughes, Joba and Montero.

Perhaps moving Hughes to the bullpen (as a long-reliever) makes sense, but keep him “stretched out” so that if/when there’s another injury he can go back in the rotation.

This is a perfect world scenario that we all know will never happen. If fuse or chamber ream end up in the BP for any reason this season, they instantly become the set-up man and won’t escape that role for the rest of the year.

Another way to go is something like Justin Duchscherer, who may be willing to start the year in the bullpen, and also provide a better starter than Gaudin.

That’s a better idea in my mind, since Ando Duchscherer (candle) might actually be a pretty effective reliever.

If they do for some reason move Hughes into the bullpen to start the season, hopefully they do *not* use him as a setup man, so WHEN there’s an injury he moves into the rotation.  I don’t mind him pitching out of the pen (would prefer rotation), as long as he gets upwards of 140IP.

Last year they showed you how they will use fuse out of the pen. A set-up man tasked with the job of locking down the third out in teh ate, who they won’t consider stretching out.

I just went ahead and read it the way I wanted to: none of Montero, Hughes, or Chamberlain will be traded for Halladay.

This is a tricky situation. You want starting pitching insurance and depth, you don’t (or at least, I don’t) want to sign a starting pitcher that will displace either Chamberlain or Hughes.  They both need to be in there on opening day, save for Roy Halladay landing in our laps.

It’s hard to justify signing an injury case to do this. First, the guy is likely going to want to prove his health so he can land a better contract after 2010. Second, is a guy (like Sheets or Bedard) who can’t stay on the field really an insurance policy? Wouldn’t you prefer someone who is a little lighter on talent but heavier on health and reliability?  I’d really just love to see them non-tender Wang and sign him for something they can live with.  I think there’s something to be said about not turning over the roster (and not making headlines on big names), and irrationally I would really just like to see Wang get back on the field in pinstripes.

[32] Yeah, that makes more sense.  Perhaps you should offer Sherman your editorial services.

[44, 46, 48] I’m pretty sure that he means they’re not interested in giving up Montero and either Chamberlain or Hughes, but would consider Montero + filler, Chamberlain + filler, or Hughes + filler.

And I’m quite concerned about the possibility of NAKED FUSE CHAMBER REAM.

[45] Pure relievers?  None, not any more.  My point was you can put Hughes in the bullpen, but you have to pitch him in a manner that he’s the first option to start a game when you need an extra starter, potentially to take over for the rest of the year.  Here’s a recent example of a pitcher brought along in such a manner.  Of course, if every starter is 100% healthy and effective it could be difficult to get his innings over 100, but how often does that happen?

Last year they showed you how they will use fuse out of the pen. A set-up man tasked with the job of locking down the third out in teh ate, who they won’t consider stretching out.

Last year they showed how they would use Hughes out of the bullpen last year, nothing more.  The previous year they started w/ Joba in the pen and moved him to the rotation when it made sense.  I’m sure they’ll take each situation individually.

And I’m quite concerned about the possibility of NAKED FUSE CHAMBER REAM.

I think I saw that movie at a bachelor’s party once…

You know, I see more in that Sherman article to like than to dislike.  We have:

1) An appreciation of rotation depth (currently a bit lacking, IMO)
2) A clear understanding of Damon’s defensive decline
3) Patience and caution wrt Halladay
4) Interest in a reclamation project like Sheets
5) Matsui, 1yr @ $5M > Damon’s demands

Against:  Setup role for Hughes or Joba.

That’s 5-to-1 good to bad, IMO.  Plus, if they DO end up with a Sheets type, I don’t see any guarantee that this relegates Hughes/Joba to the bullpen, because the new guy may not be ready to start the season and by the time he is ready one of the other pitchers may have gotten hurt (not that this is a good thing). 

POUNCE CASHMAN (lantern), POUNCE!  (general rule, not specifically wrt Halladay)

“Hughes and Ian Kennedy were not ready for that weight in 2007”

Does “weight” mean IP?  Because IPK was very good in the majors that year in 19 IP - 3 GS, 1.89 ERA, 3.77 FIP.

Probably means 2008.

Yeah, has to be 2008.

If I was running a team, and had six pitchers who “could” start, I think I would do something like this:

CC, AJ, Pettitte, Hughes, and Joba as traditional starters.

Give them all once through on the rotation.  Then, on the second time around, you shadow Pettitte with a guy like Duchsherer.  Pull Andy after 4+ innings.  Then, the next time through the rotation you have Duschsherer shadow Hughes. 

In other words, each time through the rotation one starter is getting a little bit of a breather, while the 6th starter stays stretched out and gets enough innings in to be valuable.

Plus, if they DO end up with a Sheets type, I don’t see any guarantee that this relegates Hughes/Joba to the bullpen, because the new guy may not be ready to start the season and by the time he is ready one of the other pitchers may have gotten hurt (not that this is a good thing).

That’s what I’m talking about in [43].  To me, for depth, you’re options are mostly:

1) Get some “proven” commodity and move Hughes to the pen (I don’t think they’ll move Joba after getting him 160 IP last year).  Not a big fan unless the proven commodity is something like Halladay, King Felix, etc.
2) Get an injury-risk player w/ a high-ceiling, who isn’t ready right away.  Wang fits that mold, maybe Sheets.  If they can work out a reasonable contract, I like this one.
3) Get a “proven commodity” who has experience starting or in the pen.
4) Any more depth signed would be in the nature of Josh Towers; 5th starters who are willing to work in the minors.

#1 is expensive and sets back Hughs and Joba.  It’s okay if you’re getting a Cy Young contender, but…#4 has the most concerns about depth, but it’s cheap and gets the young pitchers innings.  #3 there aren’t many out there, who are much of an upgrade over Gaudin anyway.  But if you can get one go for it.  #2 I like about even with #3.  Worst case, you’re right where #4 is, but out maybe a few-million more.  Best case, you have a frontline talent coming up when a pitcher gets hurt.

I’d really just love to see them non-tender Wang and sign him for something they can live with.  I think there’s something to be said about not turning over the roster (and not making headlines on big names), and irrationally I would really just like to see Wang get back on the field in pinstripes.

I agree.

Thirded.  I have a soft-spot for Wang.

I would really just like to see Wang get back on the field in pinstripes.
And I would really like to see the Yankees crush their enemies, see them driven before them, and to hear the lamentation of their women.

Fourthed.

[61] - One of the all-time greatest quotes.  I highly recommend listening to the soundtrack while doing day-to-day things, it makes everything epic.  Football especially.

I have a soft-spot for Wang.

I think this was meant to be posted in the NAKED PHIL HUGHES thread.

We need Wang back for the Wang jokes too,

Surprising how apt or prescient the nickname Tiger Wang was, ain’t it?

And I would really like to see the Yankees crush their enemies, see them driven before them, and to hear the lamentation of their women.

I approve of this message.

I actually have heard the lamentation of a number of Philadelphia women in recent weeks.

Just hearing the lamentation of Jimmy Rollins is enough for me.

Mr. Sparkle is disrespectful to dirt…

[65] Top 10 Teams Where Referring to a Player Paired with the Team Name in the Singular Doesn’t Ruin the Wang Jokes if They Sign Him:

10) Giant
9)  Rockie
8)  Cardinal
7)  Athletic
6)  Royal
5)  Pirate
4)  Astro
3)  Red
2)  Beaver (Padre’s AAA team)
1)  Yank