Monday, January 11, 2010
MLB.com: MLB announces 2010 Spring Training schedule
The Yankees Spring Training schedule is up at MLB.com. Looks like a few games will air on ESPN in addition to a bunch of YES games.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
NY Post: Derek Jeter, Minka Kelly set to become Mr. and Mrs. ‘November’
After months of speculation that the Yankees’ hunk and his sexy steady Minka Kelly are headed to the altar, The Post has learned that the super couple may have settled on a wedding date—Nov. 5.
And while it may bring little solace to Jeter’s legion of female admirers, fretful Yankees fans will be glad to note the date is at least two days after the World Series ends.
Plenty of time to get ready for the big day, especially since they’ll sweep the Series.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
MLB.com: World renowned: Yanks achieve their goal
The Yankees’ 2009 campaign could not have gone much more perfectly if it had been scripted from the desk of George M. Steinbrenner himself.
Not only did the Yankees open the doors to their gleaming new cathedral across 161st Street, filling it with the top stars from the free-agent market, but they were able to finally celebrate as the last team standing, bringing home their 27th World Series championship.
Hoch recaps the Yankees’ 2009 run month by month, beginning in January. There are a few things I forgot about in there.
Also:
Yankees interested in Jermaine Dye?
No, they’re probably not.
Monday, December 21, 2009
NY Post: Yankees GM Cashman eyes starter by new year
With his everyday lineup for 2010 set, Cashman has turned attention to the rotation, and will almost certainly add a starter by New Year’s, according to a major league source.
Cashman is believed to have inquired about Carlos Zambrano, but with the Cubs’ asking price high for the 28-year-old right-hander—who is coming off an injury-plagued 2009—it’s more probable the Yankees will go the free-agent route.
That means selecting from a pool that includes Jason Marquis, Joel Pineiro and Ben Sheets, any of whom would slot behind CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett and Andy Pettitte in the Yankees’ rotation.
That’s a shallow pool.
Update (SG): Projections after the jump.
Here are the CAIRO projections for the three listed pitchers if we make them Yankees.Jason Marquis
| % | W | L | IP | H | R | ER | HR | BB | SO | RA | ERA | FIP | RSAR | WAR |
| 80% | 15 | 9 | 216 | 227 | 95 | 86 | 16 | 69 | 121 | 3.96 | 3.61 | 4.11 | 47.7 | 4.8 |
| 65% | 13 | 10 | 206 | 225 | 100 | 91 | 18 | 71 | 110 | 4.37 | 4.00 | 4.38 | 36.1 | 3.6 |
| Baseline | 11 | 10 | 196 | 222 | 105 | 96 | 19 | 72 | 100 | 4.82 | 4.42 | 4.64 | 24.5 | 2.4 |
| 35% | 10 | 10 | 176 | 206 | 99 | 91 | 19 | 68 | 85 | 5.06 | 4.65 | 4.91 | 17.4 | 1.7 |
| 20% | 8 | 9 | 157 | 189 | 92 | 85 | 19 | 64 | 72 | 5.29 | 4.87 | 5.18 | 11.4 | 1.1 |
| 2009 | 15 | 13 | 216 | 242 | 95 | 89 | 15 | 76 | 110 | 3.97 | 3.71 | 4.23 | 47.4 | 4.7 |
RA: Runs allowed per nine innings
ERA: Earned runs allowed per nine innings
FIP: Fielding independent pitching
RSAR: Runs saved above replacement level
WAR: Wins above replacement level (RSAR divided by 10)
Joel Pineiro
| % | W | L | IP | H | R | ER | HR | BB | SO | RA | ERA | FIP | RSAR | WAR |
| 80% | 12 | 7 | 174 | 180 | 74 | 67 | 14 | 26 | 95 | 3.85 | 3.47 | 3.64 | 40.6 | 4.1 |
| 65% | 11 | 8 | 166 | 179 | 79 | 71 | 15 | 28 | 86 | 4.28 | 3.87 | 3.93 | 30.8 | 3.1 |
| Baseline | 9 | 8 | 158 | 177 | 83 | 76 | 17 | 29 | 78 | 4.75 | 4.31 | 4.21 | 21.0 | 2.1 |
| 35% | 8 | 8 | 142 | 166 | 79 | 72 | 17 | 29 | 66 | 5.01 | 4.56 | 4.49 | 14.8 | 1.5 |
| 20% | 7 | 7 | 126 | 152 | 74 | 68 | 17 | 28 | 55 | 5.27 | 4.81 | 4.77 | 9.5 | 0.9 |
| 2009 | 15 | 12 | 214 | 222 | 101 | 89 | 13 | 26 | 101 | 4.24 | 3.75 | 3.45 | 40.5 | 4.1 |
Ben Sheets
| % | W | L | IP | H | R | ER | HR | BB | SO | RA | ERA | FIP | RSAR | WAR |
| 80% | 13 | 5 | 166 | 149 | 59 | 54 | 14 | 32 | 136 | 3.18 | 2.95 | 3.28 | 51.1 | 5.1 |
| 65% | 12 | 6 | 159 | 148 | 63 | 58 | 15 | 34 | 124 | 3.56 | 3.31 | 3.59 | 42.0 | 4.2 |
| Baseline | 10 | 6 | 151 | 147 | 67 | 62 | 17 | 35 | 113 | 3.98 | 3.71 | 3.90 | 33.0 | 3.3 |
| 35% | 9 | 6 | 136 | 138 | 64 | 60 | 17 | 34 | 97 | 4.23 | 3.95 | 4.21 | 26.0 | 2.6 |
| 20% | 8 | 6 | 121 | 128 | 60 | 56 | 17 | 33 | 82 | 4.47 | 4.18 | 4.52 | 19.8 | 2.0 |
For the hell of it, here's how Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes project as starters.
Joba Chamberlain
| % | W | L | IP | H | R | ER | HR | BB | SO | RA | ERA | FIP | RSAR | WAR |
| 80% | 15 | 8 | 204 | 188 | 87 | 77 | 17 | 79 | 203 | 3.85 | 3.40 | 3.59 | 47.6 | 4.8 |
| 65% | 13 | 9 | 194 | 187 | 92 | 81 | 19 | 80 | 187 | 4.26 | 3.77 | 3.90 | 36.5 | 3.7 |
| Baseline | 11 | 9 | 185 | 184 | 97 | 86 | 20 | 80 | 172 | 4.71 | 4.19 | 4.21 | 25.5 | 2.5 |
| 35% | 10 | 9 | 167 | 172 | 92 | 82 | 20 | 76 | 149 | 4.95 | 4.41 | 4.52 | 18.5 | 1.9 |
| 20% | 8 | 8 | 148 | 158 | 85 | 76 | 20 | 71 | 127 | 5.19 | 4.64 | 4.83 | 12.5 | 1.3 |
| 2009 | 9 | 6 | 157 | 162 | 93 | 82 | 18 | 74 | 138 | 5.31 | 4.69 | 4.48 | 11.2 | 1.1 |
Phil Hughes
| % | W | L | IP | H | R | ER | HR | BB | SO | RA | ERA | FIP | RSAR | WAR |
| 80% | 11 | 6 | 154 | 138 | 67 | 63 | 12 | 51 | 140 | 3.94 | 3.68 | 3.48 | 34.4 | 3.4 |
| 65% | 10 | 7 | 147 | 137 | 72 | 67 | 13 | 53 | 128 | 4.39 | 4.11 | 3.82 | 25.4 | 2.5 |
| Baseline | 8 | 7 | 140 | 137 | 76 | 71 | 15 | 54 | 116 | 4.89 | 4.59 | 4.16 | 16.4 | 1.6 |
| 35% | 7 | 7 | 126 | 128 | 72 | 68 | 15 | 52 | 100 | 5.17 | 4.86 | 4.50 | 10.8 | 1.1 |
| 20% | 6 | 6 | 112 | 119 | 68 | 64 | 15 | 49 | 85 | 5.46 | 5.13 | 4.84 | 6.1 | 0.6 |
| 2009 | 8 | 3 | 86 | 66 | 31 | 29 | 7 | 27 | 100 | 3.20 | 3.00 | 2.96 | 26.2 | 2.6 |
If you could sign Marquis or Pineiro for one year and around $8 million, they wouldn't be awful fourth starters, but neither projects as better than Joba next year and you probably can't get either for one year. While I did project Sheets, I'd caution those projections with massive error bars, because he did not throw a single pitch last year and he had a surgery which may have taken something away from him.
Neither Joba or Hughes projects as a dominant starter, but their projections/performance in 2010 should not just be looked at in terms of their actual value, but also as part of the development curve towards hopefully establishing themselves as starters. While you shouldn't prioritize a single player's development over the team's overall goals, you probably shouldn't impede that potential development with a minimal at best upgrade.
So I'd say yes on Sheets if he'll sign for a moderate base with incentives, no on Marquis or Pineiro at any price. I'd also see about bringing Wang back.
On an unrelated note, if you wanted to read more about Chris Jaffe's book on evaluating managers, Was Watching has an excerpt up on Casey Stengel.
Friday, December 18, 2009
NJ.com: Nick Johnson to NY Yankees a done deal, source says
The Yankees and Nick Johnson have agreed to the framework of a deal on Friday, according to a person with knowledge of the negotiations. The signing will become official pending a physical.
I figured I’d throw this up since it’s pretty much a done deal. Good job, Mr. Cashman.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
NJ.com: NY Yankees cut ties with Chien-Ming Wang
NEW YORK—The Yankees severed ties with pitcher Chien-Ming Wang on Saturday, most likely ending the right-hander’s once promising career in the Bronx.
“There’s no doubt that we had to make a tough decision,” Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said in a statement. “We are still hopeful that our relationship can continue, but those decisions are yet to be made.”
There’s still a chance Wang could end up back in pinstripes, but I really doubt it at this point. I blame the archaic National League rules.
Friday, August 14, 2009
NJ.com: Klapisch: Yankees morphing into near-invincibility
NEW YORK – Little by little, one walk-off victory after another, the Yankees are morphing into a state of near-invincibility. That’s depressing news for the Red Sox, but the Bombers’ surge in their last two homestands (15-2) has sent reverberations throughout the American League.
Obviously, the landscape still can shift, but the Yankees are so hot that, in the words of one talent evaluator, “The only way you’re going to beat them right now is if they’re having an off night.”
The article’s a day old, but it’s still cool to read about the Yankees instilling fear into the rest of baseball. It’s been a few years since that’s been the case.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Yankees.com: Posada propels Yanks to walk-off win
NEW YORK—Jorge Posada ripped a game-winning single to center field off Shawn Camp in the bottom of the 12th inning as the Yankees posted a 6-5 Independence Day victory over the Blue Jays on Saturday at Yankee Stadium.
Camp opened his third frame of work by allowing a double to Mark Teixeira that struck the first-base bag. An intentional walk to Alex Rodriguez followed, and Robinson Cano bunted into a fielder’s choice before Posada came through with the hit to end it. Brett Tomko hurled the final inning to log the victory.
Chien-Ming Wang had an MRI at Columbia Presbyterian and was back at the park by the end of the game.
He is headed for the DL with what is being described as a strain with bursitis. But everybody seems to think that he will be back within a month.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
The Star-Ledger: Brian Bruney perplexed by mysterious elbow pain
The right-handed reliever’s admission that his troubled right elbow flexor muscle was bothering him prompted an MRI Thursday night and arthrogram Friday morning. The negative results from both exams left Bruney wondering what caused the pain that will likely sideline him for the weekend series against the Phillies.
“It’s a little bewildering,” Bruney said. “Any time you feel something and nothing shows up (on the MRIs), then why does it hurt? I’m not being a baby about it. I’ve been pitching for a while with it. I tried to toughen up and pitch thru it and be there for the guys on the team.”
I think he’s faking it to fool Lloyd Braun.
Friday, May 8, 2009
MLB.com: CC goes distance to stop Yanks’ skid
BALTIMORE—Alex Rodriguez wasted no time in making an immediate impact in his return to the lineup, providing a little taste of the thunder the Yankees had sorely missed for many of their first 28 games.
Rodriguez’s first swing of the Major League season produced a three-run homer and CC Sabathia backed it up with his best performance in a New York uniform to date, leading the Yankees to a 4-0 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Friday at Camden Yards.
Great performance by CC. And Alex’s debut AB was something else.
Unfortunately, we learned today that Ian Kennedy was diagnosed with an aneurysm and will be having surgery early next week. Hopefully, everything goes well and he can make a quick recovery.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
DailyNews: Melky Cabrera delivers again as Yankees rally for 7-4 win over Angels
Cabrera, who closed out the last home stand with an extra-inning home run against the A’s, lifted the Yankees to another win with a huge RBI single Thursday night, helping the Bombers to a 7-4 victory over the Angels.
Cabrera’s bases-loaded single snapped a 4-4 tie, while Ramiro Pena added a two-run double to give the Yankees some breathing room.
Mariano Rivera, who blew a save in Boston last Friday and served up a three-run home run to Curtis Granderson in Detroit on Wednesday, had some trouble closing this one out, but still tossed a scoreless ninth for his fifth save.
The Yankees extended their winning streak to three games, improving to 12-10 this season and pulling them within two games of Boston and Toronto for first place in the American League East.
Going 12-10 in April and averaging 5.81 runs a game isn’t so bad when your best hitter is on the DL.
MLB.com: Joba ties a ribbon on road trip with win
Joba Chamberlain offered a tantalizing glimpse of his potential as a starting pitcher and Nick Swisher homered from both sides of the plate, as the Yankees defeated the Tigers, 8-6, on Wednesday at Comerica Park, wrapping up a six-game road swing.
Joba seemed to pitch better, with more command as the game progressed. Will this shut the “Joba should be in the bullpen” crowd up? Probably not. He will need to win the Cy Young first.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
YESNetwork.com: Hughes, 10-run seventh lead Yankees to 11-0 win
DETROIT (AP) Phil Hughes went six innings in his first start and left fielder Josh Anderson’s error led to a 10-run seventh inning as the New York Yankees ended a four-game losing streak with an 11-0 victory over the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday night.
Hughes (1-0), who was called up from Class AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, and Edwin Jackson dueled through six innings. Hughes, who replaced the injured Chien-Ming Wang in the rotation, allowed two hits, while Jackson gave up four.
Phil Huge.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Newsday: A more effective Hughes is headed back to Yankees
BOSTON - Phil Hughes is on his way back into the Yankees’ rotation.
Hughes, 22, is the likely replacement for Chien-Ming Wang, who was placed on the disabled list with hip weakness after Friday’s game.
“Hughesie’s been throwing the ball really well,” manager Joe Girardi said. “I’m excited about the reports on his starts.”
Hughes has been lights-out for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, going 3-0 with a 1.86 ERA in three starts. He has struck out 19 and walked three in 191/3 innings and last pitched Wednesday.
A new thread was desperately needed. As is decent pitching.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
NJ.com: Yankees Make Moves
BOSTON—Live from the clubhouse, where David Robertson has arrived and fellow reliever Mark Melancon is expected to join him. Makes me think doctors found something bad enough in Brian Bruney’s elbow to warrant putting him on the disabled list.
Angel Berroa is here too, starting at third base, for the injured Cody Ransom. More details to come.
No word yet on who has been DFAed. If Bruney’s injury is serious, that will suck big time.
And just because I’ll post anything not regarding last night’s game:
Holliday has an eye on Yankees
Sunday, April 19, 2009
DailyNews: Jorge Posada’s controversial home run helps Yankees rally past Indians
The victory meant the Yankees split their first series at their new ballpark, a four-game set in which they were outscored 40-19. They won after suffering a humiliating 22-4 loss on Saturday that featured the worst inning in Yankee history, a 14-run second by the Indians.
A split after two horrific pitching performances (although not the starter’s fault in one) isn’t so bad.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
DailyNews: Still sore, Mark Teixeira sits again
ST. PETERSBURG - Mark Teixeira missed his third consecutive game Monday night, but after tests revealed no structural damage in his sore left wrist, the first baseman expects to be back in the lineup tonight against the Rays.
“I would be very disappointed if I’m not playing (tonight),” Teixeira said. “It’s been disappointing not playing the last few days, but I hope to be in there tomorrow.”
Teixeira arrived at the Yankees’ minor-league complex yesterday around 11 a.m., and was examined by team orthopedist Dr. Allen Miller and given an MRI exam, which was negative.
“I wasn’t thinking it was anything crazy because I played through it for a couple days,” Teixeira said. “The tests came back and showed it wasn’t too bad. It feels a lot better today. We did a ton of treatment, I got on some stronger anti-inflammatories, so it should get it out of there.”
Its very easy to panic early in the season and run Teixeira out there before he’s close to 100%. At this point, I’d rather he sit the rest of the Rays series if the wrist is still sore. Rushing him back because the team suffered a 10-run loss and has been struggling is silly. After all, pitching has been the main problem and Teixeira is no Nick Swisher.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
ESPN: Brother says A-Rod to have surgery
Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez will have surgery to remove a cyst from his right hip and will be out 10 weeks, Rodriguez’s brother told ESPNdeportes.com on Thursday.
Joe Dunand, Alex Rodriguez’s older brother, told Enrique Rojas of ESPNdeportes.com during a phone interview that immediate surgery was recommended, and that rehabilitation would take about 10 weeks.
A source close to the situation told ESPNdeportes.com that the surgery is scheduled for Monday in Colorado.
There has been no confirmation from the Yankees regarding the scheduled surgery.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Newsday: Posada’s bat seems pretty healthy
There couldn’t have been a better way for Posada - coming off surgery on his right shoulder - to begin spring training. Serving as the designated hitter, he went 2-for-2 with two RBIs in the Yankees’ 5-1 win over the Rays.
“That’s as good as I’ve seen him look in a long time,” Alex Rodriguez said. “I asked him what’s the big difference, but he just looks really, really good up there. That was pretty damn good today.”
Good news. Hopefully the arm is healthy too.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Joba Chamberlain preparing for role in Yankees’ starting rotation
TAMPA - Joba Chamberlain still lives The Great Joba Debate, nearly every day. Friends or fans approach him with an opinion on his role. Some tell him, “You should be in the bullpen.” Others say, “You should start.”
“Someone,” Chamberlain said, “is always going to have a debate on it.”
Except, at least for now, the Yankees. Back in November, Chamberlain was in New York for a charity banquet and spoke to Brian Cashman. The GM told the phenom to spend the winter preparing to be in the Yankees’ starting rotation.
“Physically, you’re not going to do anything differently, but the game is so hard mentally, so to know that I’d prepare only as a starter was a little calming to me,” Chamberlain said Friday after throwing a bullpen session at the Yanks’ minor-league complex. “You just prepare like you’re going to get 30 starts and pitch 200 innings, so that’s the mind-set you get and I got into it early.
“I was excited that they wanted me in a starting role.”
So are we.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Yankees reached free-agent quota?
The most commonly held misconception of this offseason is that the Yankees could have signed pitcher Ben Sheets or could still sign left-fielder Manny Ramirez if only there were a few million dollars remaining in the Steinbrenner bank.
Both assumptions are incorrect. According to the Basic Agreement, and confirmed by a top Major League Baseball official, once the Yankees signed CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett and Mark Teixeira, they had signed their quota of Type A or Type B free agents under the collectively bargained rules established by management and the Players Association.
I’m almost positive this is completely wrong.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
LoHud.com: Winter has been busy for Yankees’ Cano
To ensure he fares better - and starts stronger - in 2009, Cano spent the winter hard at work in the Dominican Republic. He dropped his weight 5 pounds exercising with a trainer and spent a week tweaking his stance with hitting coach Kevin Long.
“I take last year as an experience,” Cano said last night at the Hillside Food Outreach program charity dinner at Greentree Country Club. “It’s motivation for me, knowing that I have to start in April, not in June.”
Cano said he hasn’t talked to members of the coaching staff or front office aside from Long, but he hasn’t necessarily needed a talking to. He knows the club and its fans were disappointed with his play. Swirling trade rumors are a sobering reminder.
“I hear a lot of rumors, but I never pay much attention,” Cano said. “Every year they say I’m going to be traded. If it happened, I have to keep playing.”
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Cano works to improve stance, fitness
Bryan Hoch, of MLB.com, reports New York Yankees 2B Robinson Cano has worked on his batting approach and his fitness in the offseason. In addition to playing in his native Dominican Republic’s winter league, he also continued to work with Yankees hitting coach Kevin Long in November to reduce the movement in his batting stance. Cano also hired a personal trainer in an effort to reduce his body fat and put on muscle.
What we like to hear. Cano could be one of the most dangerous number 7 hitters in baseball. Hopefully he’s getting tips from pops again too.
Also:
Source: Mets, Yanks lead pack pursuing P Garcia
Go Mets!
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Kepner: Yankees Hearing Offers for Swisher and Nady
With four weeks until pitchers and catchers report to Tampa, Fla., General Manager Brian Cashman is spending much of his time fielding calls from teams interested in Swisher or Xavier Nady. One or the other became expendable when the Yankees signed Mark Teixeira to an eight-year, $180 million contract last week.
Because of the obvious surplus, many teams - the Cincinnati Reds, the San Francisco Giants, the Atlanta Braves and the Washington Nationals, among others - have been linked to one player or the other. Cashman almost never reveals specifics of trade talks, but he said most reports of interested teams have been accurate.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Yanks inclined to lower $10M Pettitte offer
Andy Pettitte’s chances to return to the Yankees have dropped precipitously.
In the aftermath of the Mark Teixeira signing, the organization is now strongly inclined to lower the $10 million offer that the lefty already has been resistant to all offseason, the New York Post has learned.
Pettitte recently rejected the Yankees’ latest $10 million overture, and now - barring a wave of sentimentality by the Yanks or significant change of strategy by either side - that dollar figure very likely will not be offered again.
Perhaps Andy subscribes to the George Costanza style of negotiating.
Also of note:
The Yankees’ initial plan this offseason was to add Nick Swisher to play first, and then fixate on the rotation by signing two high-end starters (Sabathia and Burnett) and re-signing Pettitte to serve as a fifth starter. However, after meeting Teixeira in Washington on Dec. 4, Cashman became more intrigued with also obtaining the first baseman.
Ownership was initially resistant to making another huge monetary outlay. But once Cashman had convinced the Steinbrenner family of the short- and long-term benefits of signing Teixeira, the corresponding move was the need to cut elsewhere. That starts with a lower offer for Pettitte. The Yanks also might trade either Swisher or Xavier Nady, and it is possible if they could remove those salaries that they could consider restoring their bid to Pettitte at $10 million.
Apparently Olney and Rosenthal are saying the same thing.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Daily News: Mark Teixeira’s wife Leigh nudged hubby toward Yankees
Every Friday night, Mark Teixeira and his wife, Leigh, have “date night” - dinner at their country club near their home in Texas. Two weeks before Christmas, it was more than just a chance to spend time together - it was the night Leigh Teixeira nudged her husband toward the Bronx.
Throughout his free agency, Teixeira solicited his wife’s opinion and she kept saying, “I just want you to be happy,” Teixeira recalled. On date night, Teixeira asked, “Everything’s equal, where do you want to go? She finally said, ‘I want you to be a Yankee.’”
God bless that woman.
And:
NY Times: Teixeira’s Wife Made the Call
As sweet as Teixeira’s reliance on his wife may seem to some, the Red Sox surely do not think it was cute. John Henry, the owner of the Red Sox; Larry Lucchino, their president; and General Manager Theo Epstein trekked to Texas to meet with Teixeira on Dec. 18, six days after Leigh revealed a preference for the Yankees. The Red Sox would not have sent three executives to Teixeira’s home unless they were confident about signing him.
Also,
Yankees Sign Angel Berroa
Thanks to DaPuj for the link.
Monday, January 5, 2009
ESPN: Yankees will be must-see TV
The home clubhouse at the new Yankee Stadium is enormous, significantly bigger than the one at the old Yankee Stadium. That’s good. It needs to be as large as possible to accommodate all the talent, the egos, the money and the pressure that will be in that room.
Those damn egos.
Yankees co-chairman Hank Steinbrenner warned us of this, claiming the Yankees would do “whatever it takes” to return to greatness in 2009 after winning 89 games, and not making the playoffs for the first time since 1994, in 2008.
Any team making the playoffs in 1994 was damn good.
“I still don’t have a good feel about their club,” one former Yankees player said. “They’ll have a great statistical club, but I still think they’re so away from what made them great. They don’t have enough down-and-dirty guys like (Scott) Brosius, Tino (Martinez) and (Paul) O’Neill.”
Is that you, Tony Womack?
There are even questions about the aforementioned home clubhouse in the new stadium. One Yankee recently whispered that it’s too big, each locker is like a little apartment, with too many amenities; he worried the players won’t ever talk to each other. Even that dynamic will be interesting to watch.
Oh heavens! Locker size will tear this team apart!
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Kat O’Brien: Cameron-Cabrera talks off
It sounds as though the Yankees will not be getting Mike Cameron to play centerfield next year. That could change, of course, but I just got off the phone with Brewers GM Doug Melvin. He said: “Nothing new. At this point, I don’t anticipate it’s something that we would (do). ... I haven’t talked to Brian (Cashman) since last week.”
Update:
No offers from Yanks to Manny, Teixeira
Monday, December 15, 2008
NJ Star-Ledger: Deal for Cameron still possible for New York Yankees
While the Yankees’ trade talks with the Milwaukee Brewers appeared stalled Monday, there is good reason to believe the deal will eventually come to fruition.
New ace CC Sabathia, whose signing by the Yankees is expected to be made official this week, became close with center fielder Mike Cameron and infielder Bill Hall during his two-plus months with Milwaukee last season. The Yankees pulled out all the stops to convince Sabathia to sign with them, and there are indications they told Sabathia they would pursue his pals as well.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
NY Post: YANKS TO GO AFTER MANNY, TEIXEIRA
According to several baseball officials, the Yankees New York Yankees remain in the Mark Teixeira hunt. But the same connected voices insist if the Yankees don’t land the switch-hitting first baseman, they will turn their money toward controversial slugger Manny Ramirez.
“If they can’t get Teixeira, they are right there on Manny,” an official with knowledge of the Yankees’ plan said yesterday.
Take this with a grain of salt.
Thanks to MC in VA for the link.
Friday, December 12, 2008
ESPN: Burnett, Yankees agree on deal
Free agent right-hander A.J. Burnett has reached preliminary agreement on a five-year, $82.5 million contract with the New York Yankees, a baseball source told ESPN.com.
While Yankees general manager Brian Cashman and Burnett’s agent, Darek Braunecker are still negotiating final contract terms, the deal is expected to be complete once Burnett passes a physical exam, the source said.
Shouldn’t that read “if Burnett passes a physical exam”?
Thursday, December 11, 2008
ESPN: Yanks offer Burnett guaranteed 5-year deal
LAS VEGAS—The New York Yankees, making a hard late charge to beat out the Atlanta Braves for A.J. Burnett, offered the free-agent right-hander a guaranteed five-year contract Wednesday, a baseball source told ESPN.com.
The proposed deal is worth about $85 million, the source said.
Hmph.
ESPN: Cameron eyed for Yankee outfield
The New York Yankees are set to trade Melky Cabrera to the Milwaukee Brewers for Mike Cameron, according to two major league sources, the New York Daily News reported.
Not a bad move considering AJ is in the wings (Austin, that is). Its probably about a 1-2 win upgrade at the most.
Yankees blue-chip prospect Austin Jackson is not expected to be ready for big league action until at least 2010, making Cameron the ideal one-year stopgap in center field.
I don’t know about “ideal” but he’s definitely an improvement offensively.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
NY Post: CC SABATHIA PICKS YANKEES
After three straight days of face-to-face meetings between GM Brian Cashman and Sabathia, the big lefty decided he wants to spend the next six years of his career as a Yankee. The decision came late last night after Cashman flew to see Sabathia at his home in San Francisco. By the time the meeting was concluded, Sabathia had informed the Yankees that he had made his decision to call New York his baseball home, the Post has learned.
Reports indicate a deal for $160 million over 7 years. I’ll update as the day goes on.
Update:
Yankees more attractive to Peavy?
This is probably a long shot, and thankfully so given what it would take to acquire him.
Update:
Yankees making big push to sign both Derek Lowe and A.J. Burnett
While Andy Pettitte remains on the Yankees’ radar, a source told the Daily News that the Bombers are making a “big push” to sign both Derek Lowe and A.J. Burnett, and they are confident that they will be able to sign at least one of the two pitchers.
NJ Star-Ledger: New York Yankees making big-time progress with CC Sabathia
LAS VEGAS—The Yankees on Tuesday believed they had made major progress in their negotiations with free-agent left-hander CC Sabathia. And while they weren’t certain he was ready to accept their six-year, $140 million offer, they were feeling better about it than ever.
Part of the reason for the increased optimism was the third meeting in three days between Sabathia and Yankees GM Brian Cashman. According to a person close to the situation, who declined to be identified because he’s not authorized to speak for Cashman, the GM flew to San Francisco on Tuesday afternoon to meet with Sabathia and his wife.
The Yankees made their offer, which would represent a record contract for a pitcher if accepted, three and a half weeks ago. Sabathia has been waiting for teams in his native California to make offers, and he’s had contact this week with the Giants and Angels. There remains a chance that one of those teams (more likely the Giants) could still nab him. But by continuing to request meetings with Cashman, the Yankees believe, Sabathia is indicating an increased willingness to pitch for them.
According to a person familiar with the deal, the Yankees spoke to Sabathia and his agent in recent days about structuring the deal to allow Sabathia to opt out after the first two or three years, in case it turns out he really doesn’t like New York. It’s unclear whether such a clause would be in the final deal, if Sabathia would insist on it or if it was just an idea the Yankees floated to help entice him.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
NY Daily News: Yankees Brewin’ up multi-year offer for free agent Ben Sheets
According to a source, the Yankees will offer Ben Sheets a multiyear deal - most likely for two years in the $26 million range - before the winter meetings conclude on Thursday.
Sheets, a 30-year-old righthander who was one of the heroes of Team USA in the 2000 Olympics, declined arbitration this weekend, so he’ll cost the team that signs him a first-round pick in next year’s draft.
MLB.com: Yankees going full throttle after Burnett
Sabathia has had since Nov. 14 to mull a six-year, $140 million package from the Yankees, and he left Las Vegas on Monday afternoon without cashing that ticket.
But another offer may be in the works for Burnett, as the Yankees are said to be willing to go beyond the reported four-year, $60 million offer the Braves have put forth, according to reports on ESPN.com and SI.com.
The ESPN report said agent Darek Braunecker and partner Mark Rodgers arrived in Las Vegas on Monday afternoon and are expected to begin full-scale meetings with clubs regarding Burnett starting on Tuesday.
A Burnett deal should come with Carl Pavano insurance.
Monday, December 8, 2008
NY Newsday: Yanks encouraged after Sabathia meeting
LAS VEGAS - The Yankees came out of their Sunday night meeting with coveted free-agent pitcher CC Sabathia feeling “encouraged” about his interest in signing with the Yankees, a team official said this morning.
General manager Brian Cashman headed a Yankees contingent that included manager Joe Girardi, and met with Sabathia and his agents here Sunday night. That meeting left the Yankees feeling better about their chances of signing Sabathia. Their thinking now is that he is not opposed to play in New York.
The Star-Ledger: Yankees Winter Meetings Update—Monday Morning
They’ll continue to keep in touch with Mark Teixeira, to keep the heat on the Red Sox (who really want him) and in case their pitching plans fall through. If they can’t get the run-preventers they want, the Yankees’ theory goes, then maybe they can load up on run-producers and try to make up for a pitching shortfall with added offense. Not the most sound theory, but who knows. Maybe more pitching will be available in July.
I had no idea the Red Sox really wanted Teixeira.
Saturday, December 6, 2008
FOX Sports: Teixeira, agent meet with Yankees GM
Yankees GM Brian Cashman traveled to Washington on Thursday to meet with first baseman Mark Teixeira, The New York Times reported.
Boras reportedly is seeking a 10-year, $200 million contract for Teixeira, which would be beyond the Yankees’ level of interest particularly if they sign pitcher CC Sabathia.
Friday, December 5, 2008
DAILY NEWS: Yankees go for Derek Lowe
While the CC Sabathia waiting game continued and the Braves made an official offer for A.J. Burnett, Brian Cashman decided to get aggressive in his pursuit of another top free-agent pitcher: Derek Lowe.
Cashman met with agent Scott Boras Thursday, according to a source, to discuss the 36-year-old righthander. Cashman was not reachable for comment, but it is believed that no offer was made, though that could come later this week or during next week’s winter meetings in Las Vegas. Cashman is also believed to have discussed other Boras clients, including Oliver Perez and Mark Teixeira, but Lowe was the focus.
The Associated Press reported Thursday night that Cashman is planning to meet with Sabathia this weekend in an attempt to get the pitcher signed before the meetings begin.
It isn’t very likely that Sabathia will agree to a deal before the winter meetings begin.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
DAILY NEWS: Yankees watch as Braves make pitch for A.J. Burnett
While the Yankees sit and wait for CC Sabathia to decide whether it’s worth $140 million to pitch in New York, the Braves have put themselves in position to take one of the other big names off the free-agent market.
Just as they were finalizing a trade for Javier Vazquez, the Braves were preparing a five-year offer for A.J. Burnett, according to sources. Burnett, considered the No.2 starter on the market, was expected to wait for Sabathia to make the first move. But with the Yankees, Red Sox and Blue Jays all apparently hesitant to give Burnett a fifth year, the 31-year-old might jump at Atlanta’s offer before Sabathia makes his decision.
Go ahead, A.J. Jump.
Monday, December 1, 2008
DAILY NEWS: Yankees’ decision time on Andy Pettitte and Bobby Abreu
The Yankee offseason - and the future of the club’s player development - could be affected by Monday’s arbitration deadline, a little bit of baseball bookkeeping that could influence Bobby Abreu and Andy Pettitte.
Pettitte likely would earn around the $16 million he’s pocketed the last two seasons if he accepts arbitration, but it seems unlikely the Yanks will offer it - if they wanted to pay Pettitte that much money, he’d likely already have been re-signed. Instead, the team wants him to take a pay cut after a 14-14 season. There’s additional intrigue with Pettitte - Joe Torre’s Dodgers have emerged as potential suitors.
Abreu is seeking a three-year deal, something the Yankees apparently have no interest in, because they have not engaged his agent since the end of the season.
We needed a new thread.
And:
Yanks Unlikely To Offer Pettitte Arbitration
Update: Yankees offer arbitration to none
No draft picks for you.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Newsday: Yankees gunning for Derek Lowe, A.J. Burnett, sources say
The Yankees have expressed strong interest in righthanded pitchers Derek Lowe and A.J. Burnett in the past couple of days, according to sources familiar with the talks, after offering ace lefty CC Sabathia a contract in the ballpark of six years and $140 million.
Sabathia, a source said, is “mulling things over.” He spent the weekend with friends and family in Houston.
While Sabathia waits for other offers to roll in, the Yankees moved on to their other targets of Lowe and Burnett. They also should have a decision from Mike Mussina soon. His agent, Arn Tellem, wrote in an e-mail that Mussina will decide whether to retire or to pitch in 2009 in the next few days.
Friday, August 8, 2008
AP: Yanks’ Chamberlain expects to return this month
TAMPA, Fla. (AP)—Joba Chamberlain plans to start a throwing program next week and expects to rejoin the New York Yankees’ rotation this month. Chamberlain was placed on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday due to rotator cuff tendinitis in his pitching shoulder.
The right-hander saw Dr. James Andrews on Wednesday, one day after an MRI on the rookie’s ailing shoulder.
“I’ll be throwing in a week. I’ll probably throw the beginning of next week,” Chamberlain said Friday when he arrived at the Yankees’ spring training complex. “Everything feels fine now.”
When asked if he would be ready to start again for the Yankees by Sept. 1, Chamberlain said “I’ll throw way before that in a game.”
Exhale.
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Yankees.com: Bizarre walk-off lifts Yanks over A’s
NEW YORK—Jose Molina was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded by Lenny DiNardo, forcing in the winning run, as the Yankees defeated the A’s, 4-3, in 12 innings on Saturday, to take the first two games of a three-game weekend series.
Derek Jeter opened the decisive frame with a single to center off DiNardo and moved to second on Bobby Abreu’s tapper back to the mound. Alex Rodriguez was intentionally walked, and new addition Richie Sexson walked on five pitches to load the bases. DiNardo’s 1-2 pitch came inside and clipped Molina in the right knee, leaving DiNardo with his hands on his hips as the Yankees celebrated.
The Yankees are 2-0 since the All-Star break, notwithstanding WOE’s best efforts in this one.
Also, Damon inches closer with BP session.
Sorry for the lack of Game Chatters the past two days. Although two wins with no threads might be worth continuing.
************
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Athletics (51-46) @ WOE (52-45), 1:05pm **Game Chatter**
Oak: J. Duchscherer (10-5, 1.82 ERA) NYY: A. Pettitte (10-7, 4.03 ERA)
Lineups:
Oakland Athletics
M. Ellis, 2B .235 .331 .381
R. Sweeney, RF .304 .356 .407
B. Crosby, SS .258 .314 .370
E. Brown, DH .254 .291 .380
M. Murton, LF .176 .222 .235
C. Gonzalez, CF .271 .294 .419
R. Bowen, C .204 .250 .286
D. Murphy, 3B .184 .277 .306
J. Hannahan, 1B .223 .318 .333
New York Yankees
D. Jeter, SS .283 .348 .391
B. Abreu, RF .272 .347 .433
A. Rodriguez, 3B .313 .396 .583
J. Giambi, DH .251 .389 .525
R. Cano, 2B .256 .293 .379
W. Betemit, 1B .252 .282 .423
M. Cabrera, CF .246 .304 .351
J. Molina, C .219 .260 .302
B. Gardner, LF .174 .250 .196
Go WOE.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
MLB.com: Yankees reportedly sign Sexson
NEW YORK—Looking to add some thump to their lineup against left-handed pitching, the Yankees have added slugger Richie Sexson for the remainder of the season, according to multiple reports.
Sexson was released by the Seattle Mariners on July 10 and cleared waivers, making him a free agent. The Yankees have not officially confirmed the deal.
A first baseman by trade, Sexson would help complement Jason Giambi in the Yankees’ infield, with the right-handed-batting Sexson playing against left-handed starting pitching. He batted .344 with five home runs in 61 at-bats against lefties for Seattle before his release.
Big Sexy is getting fitted for pinstripes. I guess it couldn’t hurt at this point.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Yankees.com: Matsui may opt for surgery to end year
NEW YORK—Yankees slugger Hideki Matsui will cut short his rehabilitation and could be headed for season-ending surgery after experiencing more inflammation in his troublesome left knee.
Matsui, 34, is currently on the disabled list and had been working out at the club’s Minor League complex in Tampa, Fla. He did not hit on Tuesday and is scheduled to see team physician Dr. Stuart Hershon in New York by Friday.
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman called Matsui’s continued issues “discouraging” and said it is now more likely that Matsui may not return this season.
WOE may have just gotten more WOEful.
Monday, July 14, 2008
MLB.com: Injured Damon suffers mild setback
TAMPA, Fla.—Yankees left fielder Johnny Damon had his first session of hitting off a tee pushed back at least a couple days because of soreness in his injured left shoulder.
Damon sprained the shoulder when he ran into the left-field fence while attempting to catch a ball on July 4.
“Had a little tough time sleeping last night,” Damon said after undergoing treatment Monday at the Yankees’ Minor League complex. “Today it felt a little sore. We’re just going to hold back the swinging at least two more days. Hopefully, it won’t be too long of a time.”
It doesn’t sound like he will be back anytime before next week. WOE will have to make due without him until then.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Yankees.com: Former Yanks great Murcer dies at 62
Bobby Murcer, a personable, popular five-time All-Star who went on to a successful broadcasting career with the New York Yankees, died Saturday after a battle with brain cancer. He was 62.
After experiencing a general lack of energy, Murcer was diagnosed with a tumor on Christmas Eve 2006, undergoing surgery at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. Pathology reports later revealed the tumor to be malignant.
Yankees chairman George M. Steinbrenner issued the following statement upon learning of Murcer’s death:
“Bobby Murcer was a born Yankee, a great guy, very well-liked and a true friend of mine. I extend my deepest sympathies to his wife Kay, their children and grandchildren. I will really miss the guy.”
Bobby was probably the most likable guy in the booth and, as others tell it, an incredible teammate. Thoughts and prayers go out to his family. He will be missed.
Friday, May 9, 2008
MLB.com: Yankees lose lefty Henn to Padres
DETROIT—After missing most of Spring Training due to injury, Sean Henn has found a new opportunity in San Diego. The left-hander was claimed off waivers by the Padres from the Yankees on Friday.
Henn, 27, was 1-0 with a 0.84 ERA in eight relief appearances this season between Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and Class A Tampa. He was designated for assignment to create a roster spot on April 30, when the Yankees signed catcher Chad Moeller to a Major League contract.
And the Yankees lost to the Tigers 6-5.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
MLB.com: Yankees power their way past Tribe
NEW YORK—There were postgame smiles all around the home clubhouse at Yankee Stadium on Thursday after Cano and Jason Giambi, who haven’t had many chances to display productive smiles, delivered big hits in a 6-3 victory over the Indians that enabled the Yankees to get on their way to Detroit in an upbeat mood with an 18-18 record after a 4-5 homestand.
Outside of one bad inning, Mussina looked very good, getting first pitch strikes to nearly every batter he faced and hitting his spots religiously. Both Cano and Giambi finally did something productive. Ohlendorf looked very good in relief, Joba got revenge, and Mo is the man. All in all, a good win to put the team, yet again, back at .500.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Say it ain’t so, Joba
With two outs in the top of the eighth inning one swing from David Dellucci shattered everyone’s view of Joba Chamberlain. Or so the Germans would have us believe.
Joba had his worst inning as a Yankee last night by allowing three runs to the Cleveland Indians, blowing a 3-2 lead and earning the young hurler his first blown save. After walking Sizemore to lead off the inning, Joba allowed a sac bunt from Carroll followed by another walk to Peralta. He then got Garko to fly out. Future Hall of Fame manager Eric Wedge then made the decision to pinch hit Dellucci for Gutierrez. My father can attest to me saying at that point, “I have a bad feeling about Dellucci here.” After fouling off a 95mph fastball, Dellucci got under a 96mph fastball thrown up and in, lifting the pitch over the right field wall for a 3-run home run. In classic WOE fashion, the Yankees failed to score any runs off Lewis in the eighth or Betancourt in the ninth and lost the game 5-3.
While many are now second-guessing Girardi’s decision to stick with Joba after two walks in the inning and the left-handed Dellucci stepping to the plate, I can’t really blame the new manager. While Joba did seem to struggle in the inning, Dellucci is hardly among the elite hitters in the league. Joba certainly has the stuff to compete against a hitter with a lifetime OPS+ of 101. I would argue that the pitch location may have been less than ideal with the short porch and Dellucci being a pull-hitter. Pitching him away may have been the better game plan. But no matter. He threw heat up and in and Dellucci turned on it. Take it and move on.
The idea of trying to find a “silver lining” out of Joba’s outing came up in the game thread. I would argue that there really is one. Joba’s blown save last night was a bad loss in his young career, no question. But it was hardly something that should change anyone’s perception of his talent. If anything, it will serve as a learning experience. What doesn’t break you makes you stronger. He’s going to fail again. It happens. Last night’s loss will help him get over future bad outings that much easier. Better he experience this first big blow(non midge-related) now in early May instead of late September.
One other positive to glean from the game was Pettitte’s performance. Aside from one bad pitch to Peralta in the fourth, he threw an excellent game. With Hughes on the DL and Kennedy sorting himself out in the minors, this team will need Pettitte, Wang, and Mussina to continue putting together performances like they have been.
Tomorrow, Cliff Lee (7-05-0, 0.96) faces off against Wang (6-0, 3.00) in what should be a tight one.
Courant.com: Yankees Rotation Forced To Regroup
NEW YORK - Though the Yankees (17-16) showed significant fight over the weekend, shaking their hitting funk and sweeping the Mariners to recoup the three losses to the Tigers last week, there are serious questions about their starting rotation.
At the moment, it’s Andy Pettitte, Mike Mussina and Chien-Ming Wang - then everything goes wrong. It was enough to have co-chairman Hank Steinbrenner, who was talked out of trading Hughes and Kennedy for Johan Santana, doubting the Yankees can make the playoffs in his most recent rant.
“You’d like for things to go exactly the way you planned it,” general manager Brian Cashman said, “but if you truly have a strong organization, then when someone struggles, there is going to be someone else you can turn to.”
On Sunday, that candidate was Darrell Rasner, a career minor leaguer who replaced Kennedy and threw six innings to get a win. So for this week Rasner’s in, but a No.5 starter hasn’t been identified, with Kei Igawa the logical but far-from-inspiring option.
You can’t be upset with what Wang, Mussina, and Pettitte have given the team. Everything Moose has provided is almost enough to make you forget about the Hughes and Kennedy starts. Almost. But if Kei Igawa ends up starting for this team at any point this season it may get ugly. Really ugly.
Saturday, May 3, 2008
MLB.com: Moose stays on right track
NEW YORK—Johnny Damon, who took a breather while the Yankees snapped a three-game losing streak on Friday night, was a one-man wrecking crew at the plate in leading his team to a 6-1 victory over the Mariners at Yankee Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The outfielder’s effort helped support a third straight strong start from veteran right-hander Mike Mussina, who improved to 4-3 by pitching six innings of one-run ball, during which he struck out five and walked none.
Don’t question how Moose is doing what he’s doing - you’ll only make yourself dizzy.
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Rays 13, Yankees 4
NEW YORK—A nasty cough and fever quarantined Joe Girardi behind closed doors in his Yankee Stadium office. What transpired up the dugout runway couldn’t have made him feel much better.
With bench coach Rob Thomson pinch-hitting at the controls, Ian Kennedy struggled with his control and joined his manager in the clubhouse by the third inning. Shawn Riggans had the early blow, a three-run double, and both Cliff Floyd and Carlos Pena later homered as the Rays trounced the Yankees on Friday, 13-4.
It was the first ugly game of the 2008 season for the Yankees. Hopefully, they got it out of their system. Same for Girardi’s flu.
SG is away for the weekend and I’ll be traveling as well. I will try to post the Game Chatter for tomorrow’s 1:05 start in the morning if the lineups are in early.
Monday, August 27, 2007
For love of the Moose?
I’m sure everyone reads the handsome Mr. Abraham daily, but this small post about Mike Mussina’s start tonight is great little piece of writing.
would imagine Mike Mussina has accomplished more as a baseball player than he ever hoped as a kid growing up in Pennsylvania.
He got a scholarship to Stanford, was a first-round draft pick and has made millions playing the game for two high-profile teams. At the very least, he is a player who Hall of Fame voters will have to give serious consideration to given his 247 wins, 2,648 strikeouts and 3.69 ERA in what will come to be known as the steroids era.
But none of that matters tonight.
For the first time since his rookie season in Baltimore in 1991, Mussina will be pitching to prove that he deserves another chance five days later.
Mustering up the arrogance of an elite athlete, he stood in the clubhouse the other day and mocked the idea of his being replaced. But if Mussina can’t get guys out, the Yankees owe it to themselves to see if somebody else can. Even if that somebody else is Kei Igawa or some kid.
[snip]
[H]e is a pitcher in the twilight, forced to figure out who he is and what he can do to get 18 hitters out.
The whole entry reminded me of this silly, guilty pleasure sports chick flick - “For Love of the Game.” It starred Kevin Costner (Natch.) and a bunch of nobodies, but the basic story was an aging pitcher (Costner) pitching for the Tigers against the Yankees in what might be his last start, throws a perfect game. Oh, and there’s some relationship nonsense too. But Vin Scully does the play-by-play for the game and has some crackerjack scripted lines that probably apply to Moose tonight.
After 19 years in the big leagues, 40 year old Billy Chapel 38-year-old Mike Mussina has trudged to the mound for over 4000 3,300 innings. But tonight, he’s pitching against time, he’s pitching against the future, against age, against ending. Tonight, he will make the fateful walk to the loneliest spot in the world, the pitching mound at Yankee Stadium Comerica Park, to push the sun back into the sky and give us one more day of summer.
I’ve always like the Moose, maybe more than most Yankee fans, my father in particular - who clings to the notion that Moose is prone to “spitting the bit” in big spots.
I don’t know if this pitcher still exists, but if he’s in there somewhere, now would be a good time to conjure him up.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Newsday: Yankees trying to land Gagne
The Yankees are one of four finalists to acquire Rangers reliever Eric Gagne before Wednesday’s 4 p.m. non-waivers trade deadline, major league sources said Monday night. They are trying desperately to upgrade their bullpen, and the Devil Rays’ Dan Wheeler and Al Reyes could be fallback options if the Yankees can’t land Gagne. . . . .
Gagne would be the Yankees’ first choice. He was a dominant closer from 2002-2004 for the Dodgers, then missed most of 2005-06 with injuries. This season, he has been healthy and successful for the Rangers. He has a 2.16 ERA in 34 games and has converted 16 of 17 save opportunities.
But Yankees general manager Brian Cashman remains steadfast in his vow not to trade top righthanded pitching prospects Phil Hughes, Joba Chamberlain and Ian Kennedy. There is a chance he might relent on Alan Horne, which might be enough to get Gagne.
Talks of Proctor for Betemit are back too:
The Yankees also were in discussions with the Dodgers about a trade of righthander Scott Proctor for infielder Wilson Betemit. A major-league source indicated that a deal was 50-50.
A Yankees source has reported that the bullpen is the primary concern. Which makes a Proctor for Betemit trade quite perplexing. I’m not sure Wheeler or Reyes really improve the bullpen much over Proctor, either.
Saturday, July 21, 2007
ESPN: Yankees acquire C Jose Molina from Angels
NEW YORK—Looking to bolster their bench, the New York Yankees acquired catcher Jose Molina from the Los Angeles Angels on Saturday night for minor league reliever Jeff Kennard.
Molina, a defensive specialist, was batting .228 with no homers and 10 RBIs in 123 at-bats for the AL West-leading Angels, who have a surplus of catchers.
Friday, July 20, 2007
Shelley Duncan to be called up from Scranton
Shelley Duncan (.295/.380/.577) will be coming to the Bronx, fulfilling the requests of many RLYW frequenters.
Update: From Pete Abraham:
Kevin Thompson has been optioned back to Scranton… Doug Mientkiewicz was moved to the 60-day disabled list to make room for Duncan on the 40-man roster.
Damon will lead off and play CF tonight with Duncan batting 9th as the DH. Melky will sit. I would assume sitting Melky with Mussina on the mound is due to his recent abdomen “tweak.”
Thursday, July 19, 2007
NY Daily News: Joe mulls yanking Farnsworth
Torre said he discussed the possibility of “flip-flopping” Farnsworth and Vizcaino earlier this season, but scrapped it because the latter was struggling during his adjustment to New York following a trade from Arizona. “(Farnsworth) was fine with it then,” Torre said, “and if that’s what we decide to do, it’s not going to be an issue.”
While Vizcaino since has gained Torre’s late-game trust with a 1.18 ERA over his past 25 appearances, Farnsworth has become a target of incessant boos from an impatient fan base after allowing at least one baserunner in 17 of his past 18 appearances since June 1. Included in that stretch, he showed up Torre after being removed from one recent game, staged a dugout tirade following another and was fined for missing an early workout the day after the All-Star break.
Gears. Moving. Slowly.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
NY Daily News: A-Rod lets bat do the talking
Rodriguez did clout one of three early Yankees homers, the 496th of his career, but it was Phillips who built on his hitting and fielding heroics Sunday in Tampa with a bloop two-run single to center in the sixth to snap a 4-4 tie and send the Yanks (46-44) to their ninth win in 12 games.
Andy will have to keep this production up if he wants to ward off Mientkiewiczitis. The poor kid is just getting over a case of Cairosis.
Before the game, Torre acknowledged he was enthused after personally watching Igawa throw a bullpen session Saturday in Tampa, a rarity for the Yanks skipper. Torre even indicated that the $46 million lefty still would get a few more chances to prove himself before phenom Phil Hughes returns from his injury rehabilitation to challenge for the No.5 slot.
“This kid pitching tonight is very important,” Torre said of Igawa. “His stuff is good but the biggest part of it is confidence. He knows he’s better than the way he’s been pitching, and obviously we know that too, otherwise we wouldn’t have signed him.”
So confidence is the problem? What about leaving belt high fastballs over the middle of the plate?
Update: TORRE: FARNSWORTH STILL THE MAN IN 8TH
Joe Torre revealed yesterday afternoon that Kyle Farnsworth still has his eighth-inning job. . . .
Farnsworth, who has allowed 13 hits and five runs in his last 10 appearances (nine innings), denied that he is in a rut. He responded to inquiries about his rough stretch with the classic: “Have you ever pitched out there before?”
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Star Ledger: Yanks already digging a hole in AL East race
It’s only May, but being eight games back is never a comfortable position for the Yankees.
“We can’t keep losing ground,” Johnny Damon said. “I think if we were a little healthier, we’d probably be within three or four.”
The Red Sox have been winning at a nearly unmatchable clip. But in the month of May, the Yankees have finally had the healthy starting pitching to keep up with their division rivals. Starters are 7-4 in May, and have allowed only five earned runs in the last two losses combined.
The problem has been that the Yankees offense isn’t offering much support, yesterday wasting a solid outing from starter Andy Pettitte (2-2), who allowed only two runs in 7 1/3 innings though he spotted nine hits. They were also shut out, 3-0, by the Mariners on Friday.
At least they’re only 4.5 games out of the wild card…
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
ESPN: Yankees’ Lidle Dies In Plane Crash
New York Yankees pitcher Cory Lidle was the pilot of a small airplane that crashed into a 50-story condominium in Manhattan, and Lidle is one of two confirmed dead.
This is terrible, terrible news. My thoughts and prayers go out to Lidle’s family, and any of the families involved in this tragedy. RIP Cory.
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