Game 133: Making some changes

August 28, 2008 by Joe Pawlikowski 423 Comments

Jason Giambi sits today. It’s a lefty. We’re used to this. Thing is, this time it’s a deserved benching. He’s hitting .208/.306/.458 in August. Basically, his greatest trait, the ability to not make an out, isn’t working right now. He’s got some pop, but that’s just not enough.

Chad Jennings gives us a juicy scoop: Al Aceves has been called up. No word yet on the move to get him on the 40-man. I’m guessing they’ll option Robertson. The presumption is that he’ll take Rasner’s start on Saturday. Ras would then move to the bullpen. Hopefully, this is a precursor to Hughes taking Ponson’s start on Monday in Detroit.

The Yanks have placed Carl Pavano on waivers. No doubt he’ll clear. That would give Cash and Co. just a few days to find a trading partner. They’ll get nothing for him at the end of the year, so you might as well get something, anything for him while you can.

The lineup, trying to avoid a sweep:

1. Johnny Damon, CF
2. Derek Jeter, SS
3. Bobby Abreu, RF
4. Alex Rodriguez, 3B
5. Xavier Nady, LF
6. Robinson Cano, 2B
7. Hideki Matsui, DH
8. Cody Ransom, 1B
9. Jose Molina, C

And on the mound, number thirty-five, Mike Mussina.

Josh K

Dear God, Please help the Yankees win….please!
pat

my prediction is that cody ransom continues his shelly duncan/kevin mass-ian production.
- parms
  
  dont forget shane spencer
bill

Too little too late with getting Giambi out of there. My heart sank after I saw the lineup and realized a lefty’s on the mound. He’s probably gonna put Giambi back in the 5 spot versus a righty
- Patrick T
  
  I think your heart sinking over a batting order is a wee bit overdramatic, no?
  - steve (different one)
    
    please, go to LoHud every single day when the lineup is posted.
    
    people honestly believe that flipping Giambi and Nady is a 10 win improvement.
    - Patrick T
      
      PA has good info, but he’s a blowhard and I only had to read the comments once to never check them again. I forever (foolishly) hope for more reason here.
      - Pops
        
        yep
    - bill
      
      I definately do not think its a 10 win improvement, but an improvement nonetheless. Its hard to win games with your 4 and 5 hitters batting .248 and .209 respectively with RISP.
      - steve (different one)
        
        no one disagrees that it’s hard to win game when those guys aren’t hitting.
        
        what i fail to see is what Girardi can do about that.
        
        what are you going to do, bat A-Rod 8th? oh wait.
        
        the only thing he can do is drop Giambi to 6th, and i am saying it’s barely going to make a difference.
        
        he was playing best 9 hitters on the team. i really don’t care what order you put them in.
        
        bill
        
        You cant have the meat of the order hitting like that. Youre not moving A-Rod out of the 4 hole, it would have him pressing all year to prove Girardi wrong. Weve already waited the whole season for Giambi to hit in the clutch, and he doesnt do it, he’s the only one of the two black holes you can move.
  - bill
    
    Yeah but its insane to do the same stupid thing and expect good/different results. I doubt Girardi is insane, but it would be something if the Yankees overcame this defacit with an insane manager at the helm.
    - steve (different one)
      
      right, except it’s not necessarily “stupid” just because you say so.
      
      there is some logic behind not putting 3 LHers in a row after Nady.
      - bill
        
        Part of that is frustration. You cant have your 5 hitter batting .209 with RISP. I dont care if he’s lefty or righty. The 4 and 5 hitters have been black holes, killing rallys all year. When you can predict that youre team wont score with the bases loaded, no outs, and your 4 and 5 hitters coming up, there is a BIG problem.
        
        steve (different one)
        
        again, i agree it’s a problem.
        
        but the only solution i see is for A-Rod and Giambi to HIT BETTER.
        
        nothing Girardi can do can make that happen.
        
        Ivan
        
        The only solution is to put Matsui in the 5 hole. I don’t really like Nady at all as the #5 hitter. That said, the best solution is for Giambi to hit better.
        
        Nevertheless you can’t have a #5 hitter hitting less than .210 in RISP.
        
        steve (different one)
        
        sure, i could get on board with this.
        
        but Matsui has only been back for about a week and no one knew how he’d do out of the gate.
        
        before Matsui came back, there weren’t really any changes to make except hope for these guys who have hit for the last 10 years with RISP to start hitting.
        
        Ivan
        
        I agreed what ya saying. I like Matsui as the #5 hitter cuz he’s more consistent than Giambi who’s streaky.
        
        That said, Matsui just came back and it would be unfair to start hitting right away.
        
        Like ya said, guys like Giambi need to step they game up.
        
        bill
        
        They have to hit better, but if they dont, you have to make some changes
E-ROC

Mussina throws a gem.

Yanks will score a ton of runs and win.

Cashman will pull a coup with the trade of Pavano.
- http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos
  
  My prediction on the offers we get for Pavano: Nothing. Not even the fee for the gaming license.
  - JohnnyC
    
    He’ll clear waivers and someone in the NL will trade some minor piece for him. I’d prefer it to be the Phillies.
    - http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos
      
      Seattle for Washburn. Straight up, Paula Abdul-style.
bill

That stat is a disgrace. 18-18 at the Stadium versus the Sox since they broke the curse. No championship pedigree, this group
- steve (different one)
  
  .500 ball against the other “powerhouse” is pretty good.
  
  going .500 against very good teams and beating up the weaker teams is how you get to 95-100 wins.
  - daneptizl
    
    Except you don’t go .500 at home.
    - steve (different one)
      
      and what is their record at Fenway over the same stretch?
      
      19-16.
      
      there is nothing “disgraceful” about any of this.
      
      it’s just 2 strong teams playing each other head to head and coming out almost evenly.
      
      Yankees played better in Fenway for some reason, who knows, it’s a small sample.
      - http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos
        
        Damn you with all your stupid rationality and historical perspective!
        
        A POX ON YOU!
        
        I DEMAND 36-0!!!
        
        bill
        
        Damn you. We’re getting owned by the Sox and you dont seem to care. 18-18 is not acceptable, but I never demanded 36-0. And youre saying my rationality is stupid, at least I’m rationalizing. All you offer to this site are stupid comments and corny jokes
        
        http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos
        
        Actually, bill, I was “damning” steve for his rationality (and my tongue was quite firmly in my cheek).
        
        It would have been impossible to damn you for your rationality, as it’s nonexistent on this matter. You’re frustrated with the lack of dominance; we all are. Steve and I are just saying it’s harsh to call it “disgraceful” to break even with what is clearly one of the best teams in baseball.
        
        Passion and rationality don’t often go hand in hand. That’s why they’re antonyms.
  - bill
    
    Not at your home park against a team the Yankees have traditionally owned. The Sox have always put good teams on the field, and you notice coming into the series the Yankees were 200 games over .500 against the Sox at Yankee Stadium. I’ll tell you, the championship teams wouldnt be 18-18 against the Sox on their home field. That’s why its a disgrace. There used to be constants in life: People die, and the Yankees beat the Red Sox. People still die, but the Yankees dont beat the Red Sox. Not like they used to, before the curse was broken. Disgraceful stuff
    - pat
      
      dude probably 150 of those wins came from 1900- 2002
      - jsbrendog
        
        lol
      - bill
        
        Yeah, and those were the glory days. Championship teams that beat up on the Sox. Thats what a Yankee team should be. I hope the Yanks are ashamed theyre letting the Sox turn the tables. It makes my blood boil watching those douchebags celebrating on our field
        
        Nady Nation
        
        “Thats what a Yankee team should be.”
        
        These are human beings, they can’t be programmed to beat up on the Red Sox every year just for your enjoyment. This isn’t a video game, you have to actually go out there and play the games against the opposition, who happens to be one of the best teams in baseball over the past 5 years.
        
        http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos
        
        up-up-down-down-left-right-left-right-b-a-start, baby.
        
        TIME FOR AN AMAZING YANKEE PLAYOFF PUSH!!!
        
        Joe
        
        select start if you want two players.
        
        bill
        
        I know but its frustrating to not win in 7 years, have the curse broken in an unbelievable choke, and have a midget put the nail in your coffin. Everything has taken a turn for the worse. I’m venting right now
        
        JohnnyC
        
        Buck up, it won’t last. The Red Sox will discover that it ain’t that easy to produce a dynasty, even a mini one like ours from 1996-2000. We’ve got a truckload of young talent on the way (even if it seems like they’re all catchers and right-handed pitchers), we’ve got the most financial resources on the planet, and John Henry’s hedge fund is bleeding hundreds of millions as we speak. Also, when Pedroia starts getting some respect from opposing pitchers, he’ll come down to earth.
    - steve (different one)
      
      oh yes, i forgot about the curse.
      
      carry on.
      - bill
        
        It was a proud part of our franchise and their fans. All you had to say was “1918” and the Sux fans would shut up. It was a strectch of dominance by us and bad luck for the Red sox
        
        steve (different one)
        
        i understand.
        
        but the economics of the game have changed to the point where it was going to be IMPOSSIBLE for that dominance to continue.
        
        the Yankees have the most money. but the Sox have the second most.
        
        eventually they were going to win. they have the money to get good players.
        
        the Yankees can’t stop that from happening.
        
        bill
        
        Yeah I guess, but it seems we’re the ones getting dominated and we’re the cursed ones lately
        
        cult of basebaal
        
        they weren’t cursed then, we’re not cursed now …
steve (different one)

optioning Robertson doesn’t clear a spot on the 40 man, right?

the logical move is just putting Posada on the 60 day DL, i think.

this is good news though.

it seems like they are going to use the rest of the season to evaluate players. why not?

Ponson will probably be released.
- Patrick T
  
  Now that would be Christmas in August.
Ivan

Look, All I want for the yanks to do is finish on high note.

Whether they make the postseason or not, just finish the season strong with some optimism. I just want them finish well at the end of the season and who knows, they might get in.
TurnTwo

well thats kind of cool, if Aceves gets the start Saturday. ive got tickets, and i wasnt all to keen about having to watch Rasner pitch.
- bill
  
  He’s available in the bullpen, which means he probably wouldnt start on Saturday if he pitches today. I want to see him replace Rasner. Get that bum outta here
  - pat
    
    lets hope moose goes 7 strong and aceves he doesnt get a chance to come in.
    - bill
      
      They did the right thing by bringing him up, but theyre using him wrong. Let Coke or Melancon pitch in the bullpen
      - cult of basebaal
        
        christ, they haven’t even used him yet. it’s clear they’re going to start him by the end of the year, it isn’t the end of the world to give him an appearance or two out of the bully to get his feet wet … further, how soon he starts may just be a matter of getting rid of hot carl pavano
- http://everythingbaseball.wordpress.com Aaron
  
  You have tickets to the game. Therefore, you don’t have the right to complain about who’s pitching.
  
  Most of us won’t get to Yankee Stadium before the season ends. I haven’t been able to be there all year.
Ivan

David Robertosn was option to AAA.
- pat
  
  i hope he comes back strong next year.. i like robertson
  - Ivan
    
    yea me too. I really like what I saw.
    - JohnnyC
      
      Ditto. But, Robertson’s curveball flattened out too many times and his fastball command was spotty. Don’t know if it was nerves or the scouting report catching up to him but, yeah, he looks like he’s the goods. Probably the first time in his brief pro career where he couldn’t throw strikes consistently.
- Joe
  
  I may have missed it, but how does Aceves, get on the 40 man roster? Who’s moving off?
Nady Nation

steve (different one): I notice most of your posts and views I agree with, so I wanted to get your opinion…what moves would you make next year? Who would you let walk and who would you try to sign, etc.
- steve (different one)
  
  Sabathia (obviously)
  
  i would look into bringing back one of Pettitte or Moose, not both.
  
  i would let Abreu and Giambi go. possibly look to trade Damon.
  
  sign Burrell or Dunn. make Matsui the fulltime DH.
  
  sign some sort of stopgap CFer or try to make a trade for a veteran CFer. i wish i knew who will be available in CF, but it shouldn’t be too hard to find someone who is an upgrade on Melky.
  
  i’d love to have Teixeira, but i don’t think they’d sign both Sabathia and Teixiera.
  
  i would be very happy with Sabathia, Wang, Moose/Pettitte, Joba, Hughes
  
  Damon, Jeter, A-Rod, Burrell/Dunn, Matsui, Nady, Posada, Cano, CFer
  
  so that’s my “plan”: 1 starter, 1 “bat”, and a CFer.
  - Ivan
    
    I too would let Abreu and Giambi go. I like Abreu alot offensively but I think it’s time to cut the ties.
    
    I wouldn’t trade Damon unless it’s very good. I like Damon alot and I think next season he can still be huge.
    
    I don’t like dunn, so I wouldn’t sign him at all. Burrell is interesting though.
    
    I would really like to have CC because then adding him then puts less pressure on Joba, Hughes and Ian. Wouldn’t be surprise if you see a rotation of CC, Wang, Joba, hughes and IPK.
    - http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos
      
      How do you like Burrell but not Dunn? Dunn is younger, a lefty, and a much better hitter.
      
      After Texy, Dunn should be target #2.
      - JohnnyC
        
        Agreed on Dunn. He could really blossom with the Yankees. I’m not that concerned with the K’s. He’s a younger Giambi with perhaps even more power.
      - Ivan
        
        Burrell might be more cheaper.
        
        Plus, Dunn is a very streaky hitter and would be a hefty price tag and wouldn’t age well. Never was a Dunn Fan. Plus, isn’t he like a career .230 n RISP.
        
        http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos
        
        Neither one of them will be cheap. If we’re talking about the difference between, say, 17M per and 19M per, why not get the better and younger player?
        
        And Dunn’s lefty bat will be more valuable than Burrell’s righty one. Remember, Cano and Gardner are the only lefties who figure to be here beyond 2009.
        
        Dunn’s RISP tripleslash: .227/.416/.482 – solid, not amazing, but remember he’s never had any good hitters behind him. He’s still a three true outcomes guy.
        
        Burrell: .265/.388/.470
        Texy: 325/.445/.625
        
        Ivan
        
        Well Burrell might be cheaper cuz of years though. Dunn is probably looking for a 7 year deal or at least 6. Burrell is probably 4.
        
        I know Tex is the best hitter in the market but boy the yanks are gonna spend big money on Tex and CC? I just don’t see it. Between the two, I will pick CC. Lefthanded with not lost in stuff and young. Tex just reminds me of Beltran. A terrific player but not great, getting superstar money.
        
        http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos
        
        Agreed on CC over Tex. But I’d still like to go hard for both. Tex is much better than the other two.
        
        And I just can’t see Burrell only asking for 4 years. If he does, sign me up, but I’m not holding my breath for that. Aaron Rowand asked for more than 4…
    - steve (different one)
      
      i don’t think they’ll start the season with IPK in the rotation. he’ll be penciled in as the 6th starter. first option when someone gets hurt.
      
      if Moose and Pettitte both leave, maybe they spend that cash on AJ Burnett.
      - http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos
        
        Burnett scares me. Even with all those K’s, he’s never been good at keeping runs off the board.
        
        Pass.
      - Ivan
        
        If both leave (which I doubt) I don’t think they sign Burnett who would be very expensive and lets face it, is a underachiever really. Sure he was alot of wins and he has a great arm but his ERA is quite high.
Ivan

Has anybody saw what NoMass did to diss Pete Abe. Pretty hilarious.
pat

i posted this a few games ago in the game thread but it got lost in the shuffle so im droppin it again before the game. These are fake instructional videos a la tom emmansky that feature real MLBers. They’re hilarious.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDZPN0mjaAA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJD8k2hgRmU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kH4KP6uqtMg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGI8swltOAM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SyyE2DLztA8
bill

03 and 04 between the Yanks and Sox were the best years of any sports rivalry. Both teams experienced the best highs and the worst lows. Great games, blowouts, curses, and broken curses.
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos

Alright, boys. Like Hank, Joe, and Barack said, it’s time for change. Change we can believe in. WE are the ones we’ve been waiting for, WE are the change we seek!

YES WE CAN!
- pat
  
  MUSSINA PERFECT THROUGH 2/3
  - pat
    
    not
A.D.

I like X in the 5 hole protecting A-Rod. Depending what happens this offseason, I’d like to see A-Rod in the 3 spot next season, with perhaps Tex in the 4, and else Matsui or X
- Ivan
  
  I don’t like X as a 5 hitter. To much of a free swinger and if he comes back to earth he’s a really a good 6 hitter.
  - A.D.
    
    compared to Giambi, sure Big G isn’t a free swinger, he also isn’t hitting
    - Ivan
      
      true. To me, the best option is matsui but he just came off the DL and obviously he’s rusty and need to be given time. Time the yanks don’t have.
pat

anybody know if u can listen to the game on the internet?
- Joe
  
  yup, but not for free. mlb.com
E-ROC

If Hughes, IPK, and Aceves start in the rotation in Sep., would u want Molina or Rodriguez catching them? Or does it even matter?
- steve (different one)
  
  Or does it even matter?
  
  nope.
- http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos
  
  Why not P.J.? He’s on the 40-man and healthy, no? Get him a September taste?
  - A.D.
    
    PJ isnt on the 40 man, Cervelli is
    - http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos
      
      Sorry, that’s what I meant. Cervelli, my bad. I know one of em was on the 40.
      
      Switch the names and repeat the question.
  - JohnnyC
    
    Put IRod on waivers and see if what you can get is better than the draft picks if you offer arbitration. Maybe the Marlins or Phillies will bite.
giselle

too bad this game isn’t on espn… i heard jon lester had cancer and i wanted to know more details from that story all throughout the game.
- A.D.
  
  he did?
- pat
  
  haha
pat

dammit i found the game online but its waaay delayed
because everybody cares abt my search
Patrick

I know we’ve been talking about this for a while, but what do we do with Bobby Abreu in 2009?
- pat
  
  offer arbitration hope he doesnt take it but if he does worse things could happen
- JohnnyC
  
  Offer him arbitration, hope he declines, and get draft picks.
  - JohnnyC
    
    He won’t accept because I am sure the Mets for one would offer him a multi-year deal.
    - pat
      
      Thats what we hope but just to prepare for worst case scenario it wouldnt be bad to have him 1 yr deal. (because this year has pretty much been worst case scenario)
- zzzzz
  
  the dude is sick with RISP, try to re-sign him for 2 years.
  - JohnnyC
    
    RISP varies randomly from season to season. It’s not a repeatable skill. On the other hand, Abreu is currently the worst fielding rightfielder in baseball…and that’s even counting the assists he can get with his plus arm. He has the range of a postage stamp.
    - zzzzz
      
      yeah, very true about the defensive stuff. not to mention his allergy to walls. i still feel like he still slots in very nicely as a #3 hitter though. its up to cashman. should be an interesting off-season to say the least.
zzzzz

watch a-rod, hes changed his batting stance a bit. he is waggling the bat faster.
Josh K

Sweet….a-rod picked up where he left off…
Pops

Trade Arod to Cincy for Bruce Volquez Encarnacion and Cueto
- pat
  
  LOGIC!
- http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos
  
  I’ve got a question, Samson… is that cocaine, or is that heroin?
  - pat
    
    heroin
- Joe
  
  Why would they want to do that?
  - A.D.
    
    They pick up two good looking young arms, the #1 prospect in the game, and a decent 3rd baseman, help set the team up for the long term
    - Joe
      
      I meant the reds
      - Patrick T
        
        Well, y’know they’re one piece away, especially after they trade all of their valuable assets not named Joey Votto. I’m sure A-Rod’s salary would be the only stumbling block.
        
        Pops
        
        id do it for Volquez Cueto Bruce or Votto and Philips.. And id send them IPK and 25 mill maybe one other prospect if they want.. put philips at 3rd bruce in center votto at 1st obviously.. than we can package cueto or hughes in a deal for holliday so we have bruce nady holliday.. than a roatiton of Joba Volquez Wang CC Hughes/Cueto which one u dont deal
        
        Joe
        
        No, see what you don’t seem to understand is that there is not way in hell that the Reds would make a deal like that. Why would they want to wrap up that much salary in one player. That much young talent at the cost is worth ten times as much as Alex Rodriguez. Is this a real discusion?
        
        pat
        
        somewhere somebody missed the tongue in cheek
        
        Pops
        
        buddy im not being serious its a joke.. i know they would never do that but if we had to deal him wed need so many good pieces
Pops

i got here late but umm i think we should get burnett if we can.. sign 2 of those 3 big pitchers and wed have the best in baseball.. u put burnett on yanks his era is under 4 becuz he “loves to pitch where its baseball 24/7″ not in hockey filled toronto.. Imagine Burnett and CC we would strikeout more than anybody with Joba too… With CC Wang Joba Burnett Hughes/Pettite/Moose/ thats like 75 80 wins from the SPs alone hopefully.. and if we sign TEx thats such a boost compared to Giambi.. Idc what you say Tex is a huge upgrade over Giambino
- Patrick T
  
  So he’s going to lose a run off his ERA “becuz he “loves to pitch where its baseball 24/7??”
  
  That makes the comment about resigning Abreu because of his batting average with runners in scoring position look like groundbreaking analysis.
  
  The most likely thing to happen if the Yanks were to sign Burnett is he’d win the Carl Pavano award for worst IP to salary ratio.
  - http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos
    
    No, he was saying that his ERA will be lower because of the exchange rate.
    
    His Blue Jays ERA is calculated in Canadian dollars.
    - Patrick T
      
      lol
    - pat
      
      i beleive you mean looneys
  - Pops
    
    Burnett would be a great signing.. The due has better stuff than anybody we got besides Joba.. He would help our rotation so nicely… Burnett can be like our Beckett
    - http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos
      
      “Burnett can be like our Beckett”
      
      Darek Braunecker, is that you?
  - Pops
    
    but anyway patrick ? do you think if a player enjoys where he is playing makes him try harder ??? He knows Jays arent gonna be in the mix every year but will pitching for the yanks rejuvenate him to wkr harder and all that ?? I beleive if an athlte enjoys his enviroment more he will play better in his sport.. Look at Arod when he was in Texas great years every year becuz there was no pressure cuz they were 10 games out of first all the time.. What about Randy coming to new york and he struggled?? Im just saying I think if a player enjoys his enviroment more and is in the heat of a playoff race it can go either way.. He could struggle or he could do great things for his team
    - Patrick T
      
      If that gigantic paycheck can’t get him to try then coming to NY where the first time he gets smoked the media all compares him to Ed Whitson is going to motivate him. I think he’s already trying as hard as he can and at his age, he is the pitcher he is.
      - Pops
        
        I will defend to the death your right to say what you said but i will have to disagree with you.. Burnett is a better pitcher than his numbers indicate
Ivan

I will say this about this team, you don’t have to make drastic changes to this team. This team with a healthy Posada, comeback years of Cano and Jeter, with Damon and A-Rod, with Nady, the O just need to add a good bat. Doesn’t have to be Texiera.

As for the pitching, you got Wang and Joba and Hughes healthy. You add another pitcher like CC, your rotation is in good shape.

Just a couple tweaks that’s all.
- pat
  
  Definately, people are talking about how bad we’re going to be next year too. But then again they’re mostly assholes
  - Ivan
    
    Plus, with the draft picks the yanks will recieve, the yanks are in good shape.
    - pat
      
      i agree man, we have a bunch of chicken littles everywhere. Ill take the 3 picks for pudge and bobby and we only have to give up our first rounder if we sign tex then a 2nd round for cc and so on.
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos

I’m so disappointed that Handsome Cody Ransom got plunked. Now, he can only go 4 for 4 with 4 HR’s. That beaning cost him the ML single-game record.
Pops

or deal Arod for lincecum and buster posey lol
Pops

does anyone remember when beckett was almost dealt for blalock ??? who nixed that deal the rangers or the marlins ?
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos

btw, “watching” the game on ESPN GameCast… this Kevin Youkillis bearded headshot looks like a white Dmitri Young.
Axl

Rangers didn’t want Lowell I think it was…didn’t want his money.
pat

mooose cruisin baby
Pops

Trade him
Pops

jk
cult of basebaal

hmmm … 2 at bats for nady in the 4 spot … 0-1 w/RiSP

obviously, it’s not the player … somehow our cleanup “spot” became cursed …
Axl

Why is rod making 30 million a year again?

And why did WE sign him?!?

We have the worst luck with signing people…worst luck ever

Doesn’t make sense how EVERYONE we sign can under perform and never meet expectations
- pat
  
  becasue your expectations are rediculously high
  - Axl
    
    Hitting over .204 with RISP when making 30 million a year is too high?!? Jeeze…love to know what your standards are…LOL
    - Patrick T
      
      For the love of god, Batting Average with runners in scoring position is not an effective way of judging a player’s value.
      - http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos
        
        For the love of god, Batting Average with runners in scoring position ~~is not an effective~~ is not the only relevant way of judging a player’s value.
        
        —————————
        
        BA with RISP si not the end-all-be-all, but it’s damn important, and people need to stop pretending like it’s not.
    - pat
      
      YOURE LOOKING AT ONE CHERRY PICKED STAT.
      - http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos
        
        THAT HAPPENS TO BE A SUPER-IMPORTANT ONE.
- Ivan
  
  Yea cuz A-Rod is absolute bust. Best player my ass.
  - Pops
    
    Game Season Playoffs W.S. ————All over =[….. Break the bank !
Axl

Nady isn’t in the 4 spot is he? All the gamedays and online things says he’s 5
- cult of basebaal
  
  i say 4, you say “toe-mah-toe” … obviously, they’re *both* cursed!
  
  cursed, i tells ya!!!
Pops

Yanks lose more games in the stupidest way.. Rip to the season… say hello to the offseason.. Break the Bank !
- cult of basebaal
  
  what happened there? somebody screw the pooch on the pivot? gameday offers no answers, only questions …
  - Clayton
    
    The ball was just a bit too slow. Cano ran in and got it at the edge of the infield grass and flipped to Jeter. Got to first a second too slow.
Ivan

It’s pretty quiet here.
- Manimal
  
  school started. I just got back.
Pops

he was out i agree
Axl

Cano made another costly play to cost us the game huh? Why can’t we ever catch a break with anything?!? Our young stars are all busts…our players we buy all stink. its aggrivating. Meanwhile everything works out for the Red Sox
- Manimal
  
  I feel your pain.
- pat
  
  are you fuckin serious man?
  - Manimal
    
    Red sox have had one failure(Buccholz) while the yankees have had one success(Joba)
- Clayton
  
  Cano did nothing wrong on the play
  - Manimal
    
    That part I agree with but our homegrown players vs theirs is laughable.
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos

Fuck.

Ellsbury’s gamerness + Varitek’s grit + Alex Cora knowing how to win games = no way can crawl out of this 2-0 hole.
Axl

This team is absolute trash. Are you watching this?!? It’s almost embarrassing and comical. They should be ashamed of themselves
- Patrick T
  
  They’re down to 2-0 to a good lefty in a pitcher’s duel. I’d hardly call that embarrassing.
- Nady Nation
  
  I’m sorry, but you sound like a complete idiot. If you’re so embarrassed, go root for another team. Poor baby might not get to see his team in the playoffs ONE year. Take your whiny, spoiled attitude elsewhere.
  - bklynJT
    
    Hey that’s what fans do. It’s a very emotional with all the ups and downs of this long season. You can’t fault a fan for being upset with the players performance.
    
    Chill out, there is no need to call someone spoiled just because they thinks their team is playing like shit…which they are if you haven’t been paying attention.
    
    There is no right or wrong way to be a fan. People invest alot of time and money and they should be able to root how they choose.
IvanS

We had Lester against the ropes in the first inning. He was throwing meatballs and Jeter and Abreu got on base for the 4 and 5 hitters. What more can you ask for? When they didn’t come through I knew this game was over right then and there. That was the last oppourtunity they were going to have.
- Axl
  
  The Yankees are TRASH that’s why. They are overpaid fossils now who don’t care about anything but money. If I were getting 30 million a year, I would have a smile on my face when I lost too I guess.
  - pat
    
    then fucking leave man why sit here and talk on a message board about a team thats trash turn off the tv and go outside
Yankee1010

I guess they should have sacrificed the live chicken. Either that or hats for bats.
- http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos
  
  You have no marbles.
  - Yankee1010
    
    Unforunately, it looks like the 2008 Yanks don’t. If they do, they’re in short supply.
Pops

Cano is a success man
Pops

That explain yanks season right there
- Clayton
  
  it is a pretty good way of summing it up on several levels
Bill N

How the fuck do the umps not get together and make that call. That is horrible. Fuck you blue fuck you
- Nady Nation
  
  Wow, a vast difference from the standard “You’re my boy Blue! You’re my boy!”
Pops

If we got Johan would things be that much diffferent?
- Yankee1010
  
  He can’t hit, can he? When the obituary is written for the 2008 Yanks, the cause of death will be listed as “Anemic Offense” with a “Heart Failure” contributing.
- http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos
  
  Yes. Johan would be publicly bitching out his teammates for constantly failing to score more than 3 runs a game.
NYFan50

This team needs to score some #$(&% runs for Moose and get him to 20 wins.
Ben C

1st and 2nd no out 3 4 5 hitters up
………………………………….
Dimaggio5

Um, just curious how many “Save the Big 3″ t-shirts are selling these days? Can you change the t-shirt slogan to “Take IPK, please!” This season is a disaster and these guys have NO heart. It turns my stomach seeing Red Sox fans gloat.
- http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos
  
  If Joe Dimaggio were alive, he’d be pissed at you for dishonoring his name by associating it with such reactionary, shortsighted hatred towards a Yankee player.
  - Dimaggio5
    
    IPK can’t cut it.
    - http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos
      
      IPK doesn’t turn 24 until the end of the year.
      
      In Joe Dimaggio’s first 6 seasons, his Yankees won 5 world titles. The ace of those title teams was Red Ruffing.
      
      Ruffing was a righty who was of average size and didn’t have overpowering stuff, relying on control and deception. He started with the Red Sox before being traded to the Yankees for Cedric Durst. Since the Sox sucked pretty hardcore during the second half of the 1920’s, they brought Ruffing up as a 19 year old kid and let him take his lumps at the ML level.
      
      Red Ruffing’s ML stats in the six years up to his 24th birthday:
      0-0, 6.65 ERA, 1.652 WHIP
      9-18, 5.01 ERA, 1.509 WHIP
      6-15, 4.39 ERA, 1.428 WHIP
      5-13, 4.66 ERA, 1.560 WHIP
      10-25, 3.89 ERA, 1.370 WHIP
      9-22, 4.86 ERA, 1.629 WHIP
      
      That man, Joe DiMaggio’s teammate, went on to 6 All Star games, 6 World Series Rings, 273 major league victories and a plaque in Cooperstown.
      
      “IPK can’t cut it.”… we have no way in hell of knowing that yet.
      - Dimaggio5
        
        I hope you are right but I’m not holding my breath that he turns into anything of any worth.
IvanS

If the sox are smart, they’ll walk abreu to get to rodriguez…
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos

Okay, here comes a redeeming ARod lead-changing HR.

YES WE CAN!
- Ben C
  
  NO WE CANT
  - http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos
    
    … what is left to say?
- CJ
  
  We really can’t. We really didn’t.
Bill N

Is it me or does Damon look like he is the only one that gives a crap ?
- http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos
  
  It’s you.
- Ivan
  
  when ya struggling everything looks worse than it really does.
JohnnyC

Great arm on Chief Noodlebat.
http://yankeesfuture.wordpress.com Pablo Zevallos

I mean what the fuck is going on??
Yankee1010

Care to save the season, A-Rod?
- Yankee1010
  
  Guess not. Can’t even get the runner in from 3rd. Hey, at least it wasn’t a DP.
JohnnyC

NO WE CAN’T!
pat

hahaha arod please one day make us look good for defending you
Stephen

At least it wasn’t a double play.
- http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos
  
  Sadly, this is what it’s come to.
IvanS

That was absolutely scripted to perfection…
JohnnyC

He would have driven those runners in…if it were 2009.
CJ

So freaking pathetic it’s unreal.
JohnnyC

September 1st can’t come soon enough. I’d rather watch suspects from the minors lose than this.
Bill N

Holy hell. It is laughable.
Nice Arod that was the lamest “flip out” ever, what a priss.
Patrick

Ugh!

And the quote from Papel-Nuts just pours salt in the wounds…

“That’s the nail in the coffin.” — 08.27.08, Jonathan Papelbon, after Dustin Pedroia’s seventh-inning grand slam
Yankee1010

Man, they sure do look pretty in big spots.
Axl

Hahahahaha! These guys AREN’T trash?!? Look at them!! They sent 3 batters up with 2 men on and NO OUITS and got NOTHING!!! They are a DISGRACE!!! They should all be FIRED!!! EVERYONE!!!
- Ben C
  
  yea! cut ARod’s head off!
- pat
  
  ill say it again GO THE FUCK AWAY IF YOU HATE IT SO MUCH
- Nady Nation
  
  YOU ARE TRASH
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

This comment from SoSH is priceless:

Maybe Lester could put the secrets to his intestinal fortitude in a file on his laptop and, you know, just sort of leave it out in the open in the Portland clubhouse.
- Hybrid Moments
  
  Say what you want about Lester but I would rather have him than Hughes or Kennedy at this point. He’s shown more ability at the ML level than either of them.
  - JohnnyC
    
    He’s also 25.
    - Hybrid Moments
      
      When do the excuses end for Hughes? Wasn’t his maturity supposed to be one of his strong points? How about his inability to stay healthy or his recent struggles in AAA? Is this alright to cite or will the Hughes Brigade get offended that Hughes might be a #4 or #5 starter.
  - http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
    
    ??? Jesus, this one went right over the head of you guys, huh? The joke was that Lester should create a file on his laptop of how much guts he has on the mound and leave the laptop in Portland’s clubhouse unattended so Clay Buchholz can steal it.
    - Hybrid Moments
      
      No, I got the joke. I just decided to talk about Lester instead of Laptops.
- JohnnyC
  
  Eh, Bucholz would just steal the laptop.
  - http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
    
    …That was the joke.
  - Reggie C.
    
    thank you for the laugh.
Ivan

If the yanks don’t make the playoffs, it’s going to be because of this inconsistent offense and the poor hitting in RISP.

RISP yes is a stat that yes relies on some luck, but still don’t dismiss it as with pitchers with the win-lost stat. I love A-Rod but that’s pretty inexcusable that he hits less that .250 in that department.

I will say this, just watch the yanks in 09 hit like .300 in RISP and A-Rod’s hitting like .340. I garantee it.
- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
  
  And the Twins wont even rank in the top five in the stat after be #1 this year. The stat is so unpredictable and fluky it its ludicrous to think that fans actually base a player’s worth on it.
  - Axl
    
    So under .230 with RISP but over .300 with out is just coincidence?!?!?
    
    So we’re cursed then is what you’re saying?
    - http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
      
      No, what I’m saying is that we are having an unlucky year w/RISP. There is no real explanation on why a guy can hit over .310 with no RISP, but hit under .250 w/RISP. Just like how the Twins don’t have the talented offense the Yankees do, but somehow they lead the league in BA w/RISP.
      - Ivan
        
        Hey Jamal was is the twins BABIP as a team compare to the yanks?
  - Ivan
    
    A-Rod this year is 1 for 10 in bases loaded situations. Yes it’s fair to blame A-rod for that lack of production cuz he’s too good for that., at the same time, what are the chances that A-Rod goes 1 for 10 in those situations? It’s very very small and unlikely, so yes luck does play a factor.
  - Yankee1010
    
    I agree that it’s somewhat fluky, but nobody can watch A-Rod and not think that he’s pressing with runners on.
Reggie C.

A-Bombination needs to be sent to LA for Billingsley and Andre Ethier. Sign Tex and trade for Garrett Atkins.
- JohnnyC
  
  Torre would bat him 9th.
- http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos
  
  “A-Bombination needs to be sent to LA for Billingsley and Andre Ethier.”
  
  Stop smoking.
JohnnyC

Jason Kidd at the stadium.
Greg C

Moose going out here and throwing 113 pitches and not really making any mistakes and no one bothering to hit again really pisses me off.
JohnnyC

You’re pissed? What about Moose?
- Greg C
  
  Well by 2000 he got used to it with the Orioles and 2001 I’m sure he realized the Yankees were no cure for the disorder.
JohnnyC

Cano doesn’t even take a pitch well. Just stands there with his bat on his shoulder instead of getting into his stance in order to set a strike zone for the umpire.
Hybrid Moments

Fire Cashman.
Axl

If I were the Moose I would NOT sign another contract with the Yankees…they’re cursed and it’s a waste of time apparently
- JohnnyC
  
  If the Yankees aren’t going to offer him a multi-year deal this offseason, they ought to try to trade him to Philly now.
  - Greg C
    
    I would like to see him go there so he can learn how to pitch like jamie Moyer..
JohnnyC

Hire who?
- Hybrid Moments
  
  I am pretty sure there is someone out there that is qualified for the GM position. The change this team needs extends from the field. It goes to the front office.
  - JohnnyC
    
    A name, any name.
    - http://yankeesfuture.wordpress.com Pablo Zevallos
      
      Oppenheimer? (NOTE: I support Cashman staying with the Yanks)
      - JohnnyC
        
        Oppenheimer’s a good judge of talent but can he build a major league roster? Better than Cash? I’m not doubting him just looking for evidence that he could.
    - Hybrid Moments
      
      You realize you’re advocating keeping someone whose not very good at their job because there doesn’t *appear* to be any immediate replacement?
  - pat
    
    If you think cashman is to blame then frankly youre an asshole and dont know anything about baseball.
    - Hybrid Moments
      
      Yeah I am an asshole for thinking a guy who put all his eggs in the prospect basket with only shit for back up plans should be fired. Nevermind that Cashman has never shown the ability to put together a competent pitching staff and that he passed on Santana so he could hope that Sabathia decides to sign here.
      - pat
        
        he passed on santana because they were asking for a rediculous package of prospects, overplayed their hand, and had to settle for a lesser one from the mets. And just wait until that contract is looked at as one of the worst in baseball in a few yrs.
        
        Hybrid Moments
        
        Hughes, Melky, Marquez, and Hilligoss is ridiculous? Give me a break.
        
        pat
        
        that was definately not one of the options either hughes+ipk melk and another or wang +melk and 2 lesser
        
        Hybrid Moments
        
        You’re definitely wrong.
        
        Link
        
        pat
        
        According to sources familiar with the entire negotiations, after the Red Sox removed Lester, the Twins called the Yankees back and proposed a scenario in which Hughes would not have to be part of the deal. Instead, they asked for Chien-Ming Wang and Ian Kennedy. The Yankees flatly rejected that, leaving the Mets as the Twins’ only alternative.
        i was wrong abt cmw and melk it was cmw and ipk
        jan 30 2008
        http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/mets/2008/01/30/2008-01-30_mets_strike_deal_with_twins_extension_aw.html?page=1
        
        Hybrid Moments
        
        Yeah, that was the deal if Hughes wasn’t involved. Not if Hughes was involved.
      - Ivan
        
        Dude this team is not winning cuz of the offense.
        
        Just watch, Hughes will breakout in 09.
    - bklynJT
      
      The best thing a GM can do is put the best team out there on paper. Albeit there were alot of question marks going into the season, but the reason the team is so bad is because the player who EVERYONE thought would be producing, aren’t. Not Cashman’s fault.
      
      Maybe for just giving starting spots to Hughes and Kennedy, but we aren’t out of it because of our bad pitching, but our worse hitting.
      - Hybrid Moments
        
        Yeah its really hard to see guys in their mid to late 30s declining and being injured.
Smitt Dog

Amidst all the negativity, its always exciting to hear the good Dr. Ronan Tynan’s rendition of God Bless America, while trying to disregard the fact that he played the part of Sloth in the Goonies
Axl

FIRE EVERYBODY! THEY’RE ALL WORTHLESS! I HATE THEM ALL! WE’RE A 200+ MILLION DOLLAR WORST TEAM IN BASEBALL. IT’S EMBARRASSING AND IT’S MIND BOGGLING!
- Nady Nation
  
  And we all hate you. YOU are the reason why all Yankee fans get a bad name.
  - bklynJT
    
    I support fans right to voice their opinion… but NN has a point.
    
    It was ok in the beginning, but now its just getting tiresome and repetitive. Someone replace the broken record.
Ivan

Not to take any credit from the sox pitching but yankee offense has been just below average right now and to be honest it’s really more yankee Offense than sox pitching.
Bill N

The look on their faces say it all……. way to battle fellas way to show some heart.
Pops

would u rather have just CC or would yoiu rather have Tex/Burnett or Tex/Ben
- Yankee1010
  
  I’d take CC, just because Burneet and Sheets will be hurt a lot. Tex would be nice, but having a lot of money tied up in Sheets or Burnett would not be prudent.
  - Pops
    
    we need a 1b so bad thoo.. it has to be stressed so bad.. if you think hank is gonna go into 09 with a platoon of miranda and giambi i dont think you will be right .. and tex would be a hell of alot more than nice look what he has done for the angels
Bo

This team has no startin pitching besides Moose. And who thought Moose would have an ERa under 4?

They quit the day Joba left the mound in texas.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

RISP you fucker.
Pops

Rejuvenate the season lol !!!!!
http://yankeesfuture.wordpress.com Pablo Zevallos

YES!!!
Greg C

OK , 1 more run idiots.
Bill N

I have put mt foot in my mouth thank you Big G, jack daniels all around…..
Pops

i feel like the superfan from major league …. Dont worry they’ll blow it in the 9th
- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
  
  I feel like the two fans sitting next to you who wants the kick your ass. ;)
- http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos
  
  I’m trying to figure out whether the pitch Giambi hit was the Humiliator or the Eliminator.
  - Whitey14
    
    Clearly, it was the Masturbator!
Pops

Ill still take Mark over Gman
- Yankee1010
  
  I think anybody whose last name isn’t Giambi would agree with you.
  - Pops
    
    not jamal
    - http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
      
      Just because I wasn’t declaring a guy with a career 146-OPS+ and .200-IsoP dead at the start of the year does not mean I would advocate having him over Mark Teixiera. I don’t want Tex because of the contract he will demand.
      - Ivan
        
        Agreed. Would you pay big money to a player who at his position, there are 4 or 5 players having better years.
      - http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos
        
        But Jamal, think about this: What if we let all the expiring money (except Marte) walk? I mean Moose, Pettitte, Pavano, Pudge, Giambi, Abreu. That’s, what, 85M, give or take? (80M minus Giambi’s buyout)?
        
        Even if Tex and CC get, say, 22M and 25M per, that’s still a net savings of 33M in payroll to swap the declining production of those 6 for the stable, younger, healthier production of those two, and we don’t really have that many holes to fill.
        
        2-Posada
        3-Tex
        4-Cano
        5-ARod
        6-Jeter
        7-Damon
        8-????? (Gardner, Melky, or some other upgrade)
        9-Nady
        DH-Matsui
        
        CC, Wang, Joba, Hughes, Kennedy
        
        Pops
        
        Tex is worth a 7 or 8 yr deal if he has 5 or 6 prime years ahead of him… Gimme a break who cares bout the extra 2 years we did it with giambi and he worked out okay for us but he was 30 when we signed him right ??? ill give tex a 7 or 8 yr deal
      - Hybrid Moments
        
        Tex is an young, an elite defender, and can switch hit. Giambi’s contract worked out good for the Yankees (in my opinion) and Tex is a way better athlete then Giambi ever was.
- http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos
  
  Well, obviously…
http://yankeesfuture.wordpress.com Pablo Zevallos

Feel that grit!!
http://yankeesfuture.wordpress.com Pablo Zevallos

These are the moments Marte gets $6M for.
Ivan

Cano showing he’s better than Pedrioa. Or at least more talented. The guy has a SS arm.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

Why the fuck is Tito sticking with Okajima?
Ivan

Ellsbury range is pretty overrated.
Ivan

Im calling it. A-Rod GW Homerun.
Bill N

Does that flammer really have to dive or slide for everyball ?
- Ivan
  
  the more you dive/slide for plays indicate the lack of range.
  - pat
    
    i dunno abt that man u could run 50 yds and have to slide to make the catch or u could run 5 yds and slide to make the catch
    - Ivan
      
      Siezmore would of caught that ball Ellsbury slide for without sliding.
      - JohnnyC
        
        Ellsbury dives as often as Lenny Dykstra did. And Dykstra had no range.
Yankee1010

It would be great if A-Rod could come up big here. Who knows, maybe it could start a miraculous run.
- http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos
  
  I damn sure hope so.
JohnnyC

ARod gets another chance here.
Ben C

WOW .206 in 7th or later since june 6th…. wow
Pops

god he looks bad
Yankee1010

That seemed about right.
Bill N

Shocking……. No defending that.

Boooooooo
- CJ
  
  That was the most unshocking at-bat in the last month.
- The Fallen Phoenix
  
  But is the booing going to make him play any better?
  - http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos
    
    GET ME AROD AND CANO’S NON-UNION MEXICAN EQUIVALENTS!!!
- The Fallen Phoenix
  
  What is this, the 100th time Cano smoked a ball right to a defender this season?
JohnnyC

What was the name of that sports psychologist the Mets used and can someone give his number to Girardi now?
Ivan

Rough day for A-Rod.
- CJ
  
  Let’s go with month.
Yankee1010

In the biggest series of the year, A-Rod is 2-13, 1 RBI, 0 BB, 5 K, 2 GIDP, 1 error. Fun.
- CJ
  
  And expected.
  - Yankee1010
    
    I’m not an A-Rod hater, but I do think he presses way too much in big spots.
    
    When A-Rod said that the Yanks had to treat the last month and half like the playoffs, I didn’t know he meant it this literally. The man needs to settle down and let the game come to him.
    - CJ
      
      Bingo. It’s a vicious cycle.
  - usty
    
    Expected my balls. Without him carrying the team they don’t even sniff the playoffs last year…but as usual with him it’s what have you done for me lately with Yankee fans who for some reason don’t want him to succeed.
    - CJ
      
      You’re absolutely right that w/o him they wouldn’t have come close to the playoffs last year. And he’s still a fabulous, fabulous player who can do things no one’s ever seen before in terms of all skills put together.
      
      But it was still expected. Look at the numbers over the last week and this entire year. He doesn’t produce late in the game with runners on. He has int he past–and he should get mad props for it. But numbers are numbers, and those numbers made that result expected. Combine that w/ how hard he’s pressing and how much he’s struck out over the last couple of weeks, and there’s no denying it.
MikeKU

Just shut him down. Cali it a horrific season.
- pat
  
  .308 ave 396 obp 28 HR 78 RBI while missing about 25 games, very horrific indeed
pat

slowly turning into a lohud msg board…..
- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
  
  Yes, it really is.
CJ

Giambi so graceful.
Ben C

draw a walk and PR gardner cmoooooooooon
- Ben C
  
  pr gardner pr gardner pr gardner pr gardner pr gardner
- Ben C
  
  steal second bunt him over to third let giambi drive it in
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos

Things Alex Rodriguez needs, like right now:
-A psychologist
-A slumpbuster
-A new nickname
-A publicist
-Some of Wade Boggs’ good luck chicken, beer, or sex (preferably not from Wade)
-For it to be 2009 already
-For it to be 2007 again
-For the early 2000 Rangers to have been an actual title contender so he could have stayed put and won rings and cashed fat checks in relative anonymity
-Lineup protection
-Doug Mientkiewicz
-Johnnie Cochran
-A time machine
-Self assurance
-Some sort of catastrophe or natural disaster to take off some of this heat
-Some lucky breaks
-Testicles
-Grittiness, guttiness (see also, Pedroia, D.)
-A wife
-A prayer
-A fucking big hit
-A ring
pat

bring in bgardner baby
Hybrid Moments

Bring in Gardner so he can be stranded.
Ben C

it is joe girardi’s fault and joe girardi’s fault alone that gardner is not on second right now
- Ben C
  
  thank god
CJ

Cano’s lack of fundamentals baffles me.
- http://yankeesfuture.wordpress.com Pablo Zevallos
  
  A player like Cano doesn’t need to bunt
  - CJ
    
    Um. Wow.
  - Ivan
    
    thank you.
  - CJ
    
    When he’s hitting over .500, feel free to make that argument.
IvanS

This is awful. Why is cano faking bunting, gardner not running, and putting yourselves in an 0-2 hole?
- Stephen
  
  he smoked that ball though
  - CJ
    
    He did, but it’s still less than a 1 in 3 chance he’ll get a hit. A sac bunt, though, is nearly a sure thing if you’re fundamentally sound.
    - Chris
      
      1 in 3 chance of 1st and 3rd none out, or 100% chance of runner on second one out… I’ll take the chance of the hit.
      - CJ
        
        That’s fair, although I mistakenly put 1 in 3, when w/ Cano this year, it’s almost 1 in 4.
        
        You’re right, though; the swinging away is just fine by me. What really bothers me is that he *can’t* bunt, skill-wise. It’s unacceptable.
- Yankee1010
  
  They haven’t played good baseball all year. I’m not expecting them to kick into high gear on August 28th. But you never know. If they win this one, it could be the kickstart they need. And yes, I recognize that it’s highly unlikely.
  - CJ
    
    It’s crazy, isn’t it? We’re all still hoping. The chances are seriously less than 1 in 20 that they come back and get in the playoffs, but our love and hope won’t die. Kinda sad, kinda beautiful.
Stephen

They tied it? I’m shocked I tell you, I’m shocked!
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

Alex Rodriguez had a OPS of over 1.000 in the months of May, June, and July. But forget that shit, he is bad in one situational stat that focuses solely on the dumb Batting Average stat so he sucks this year. Boo this man!

Nine more years of the guy who has at least 35-HR and 120-RBI in the past three seasons?!?!?! Noooooo!1111!!1!
- Pops
  
  i know jamal 9 more years of no rings… fuck that guy a rod
- http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos
  
  Jamal, I’m still trying to figure out if you’re actually trying to convince us or yourself that RISP production really doesn’t matter.
- Stephen
  
  he’s not slugging well in those situations though. .413 with RISP, .474 with men on, .375 with a man on 2nd, .444 with a man on 3rd, .286 with runners on 2nd and 3rd. Yea, he’s getting on base, but he’s pretty much only walking in those situations.
  - http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos
    
    Sadly true. And yes, Jamal, RISP fluctuates year to year, but 3 of ARod’s 4 worst seasons in RISP happened here in NYC. That’s scary.
- bklynJT
  
  Dude, you can’t deny that this guy sells out in pressure situations. You can throw all the stats you want, but he doesn’t get the job done in the big spots, small sample size or not.
  
  According to fangraphs, ARODs clutch stat is -2.32 this year.
  Unfortunately I have no idea how that stat is calculated or what the league average is. =)
- usty
  
  HAHA. Exactly. What frightens me is that it still seems like there is this contingent of Yankee “fans” who seemingly take pleasure in the smallest of A-rod’s failures. I don’t understand the constant need of some people to throw him under the bus all the time. I, for one, will love watching the best player in baseball play 3b for us for the next 9 years. It just drives me crazy that some people don’t.
The Fallen Phoenix

My comment got eaten, so I’ll say it again:

Is this the 100th time this season that Cano has smoked a ball right at a fielder? It sure feels that way.

If that ball is hit maybe four feet to the right, left, or up, Gardner’s probably on third with no outs.
- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
  
  His BABIP is .050 points off his career mark. He is having a horribly unlucky season. But people are dumb so they’ll blame it on the lack of Larry Bowa’s presence and Cano being “too cool”.
  - Stephen
    
    he was just so bad in april it’s screwed up his stats. he’s been fine since then.
  - The Fallen Phoenix
    
    I mean, his LD% and K% are both at or around where it’s been the last two years; it’s simply unbelievable how unlucky Cano’s been this year.
    
    Not increasing that BB% does concern me; I’m not sure Cano will ever learn plate discipline. And despite all his talent, Cano hasn’t ever really shown the home run power that Vlad has, so a little more plate discipline from Cano would go a long way to making him a more complete offensive player.
    - Stephen
      
      can plate discipline be taught though? Vlad never has learned it. it’s a skill, either you have it or you don’t.
      - bklynJT
        
        Some stats for Cano (from fangraphs)
        
        2008 3.39 pitches/pa
        2007 4.41 pitches/pa
        
        2008 29% of pitches swung at were out of the zone
        2007 34% of pitches swung at were out of the zone
        
        This just means he is making better contact, or good enough contact to put the balls weakly in play. But the stats says he isnt swing at as many pitches out of the zone.
        
        Unfortunately, the ones he does swing at he pops up or grounds weakly to 2nd.
  - bklynJT
    
    His LD% is up almost 3% too.
    
    At the beginning of the year it seemed as if he was popping up quite a bit, but now it just seems as if he has been lining out quite a bit.
Ben C

not gonna lie, i know its risky, but i wouldnt mind a double steal right here
- http://yankeesfuture.wordpress.com Pablo Zevallos
  
  stealing with Matsui?
- IvanS
  
  wait for a wild pitch
http://yankeesfuture.wordpress.com Pablo Zevallos

This is why bringing in Garnder was a bad move. Nady isn’t bad on the bases, and they should have waited for Matsui, due up 3rd, to bring Gardner in.
Ivan

Is there a play more overrated than the bunt?
- The Fallen Phoenix
  
  The intentional walk probably comes closest.
  - http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
    
    How is taking the bat out of a player’s hand overrated? What Joe Maddon did was genius. Down by four runs, bottom of the ninth, two outs, Josh Hamilton at the plate, and Marlon Byrd protecting him. Why in God’s name would you let Hamilton swing the bat there?
    
    I can see how the IBB can be overrated in a specific situation, but as a whole? No way.
    - Ivan
      
      word. the old story in sports don’t let the best player beat you.
      
      The GIAMBINO.
    - The Fallen Phoenix
      
      Most managers don’t really use the IBB that way, though.
      
      I can see using it to set up a double-play situation, for example, or using it when the drop-off between players in a batting lineup is huge.
      
      But in most cases, it doesn’t seriously increase your chance of winning the game when using it, and like the bunt, can sometimes decrease your chance of winning the game.
      
      When you consider the best players still manage to get themselves out ~60% of the time, I just think that – in general – it makes a lot more sense to just pitch around them than just to give them the free pass. Again, it definitely depends on the situation, but we were speaking generally.
      - The Fallen Phoenix
        
        Let me re-state my first sentence: most managers use the IBB, like the bunt, in a wider frequency of situations than they should.
      - Ivan
        
        the bunt is still worst. you barely gain an advantage and outs are very precious and you said it yourself, a good hitter, 7 out of 10 times he’s out. Why give one up then.
    - Chris
      
      Except the chances of Byrd hitting a 3 run double and tying the game after the walk are quite a bit greater than the chances of Hamilton hitting a home run and tying the game.
  - Ivan
    
    yea but the bunt is so dumb. Unless it’s obvious, the bunt make little sense.
Pops

does hilligross project to ever be a yankee like to help us
- The Fallen Phoenix
  
  No, he projects to be a Yankee like to not help us.
  
  …in all seriousness, he doesn’t seem like a very high-upside player to me. So I think his ceiling is as a utility bat/glove.
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos

I’m trying to avoid visualizing the impending I-Rod GIDP here…
- http://yankeesfuture.wordpress.com Pablo Zevallos
  
  now do it for Giambi
  - http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos
    
    SHUTUP, PABLO! I’m nauseous enough as it is…
Yankee1010

Bases loaded with one out. Not winning this would just be cruel.
Pops

uhoh g bomb from gman.. jamal wishes arod was up right now
IvanS

i am shocked that pudge didn’t swing at that pitch a foot outside…
CJ

Just want to state, for the record, my distaste for Papelbon. That is all.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

Tommie, I’m not saying it doesn’t matter. I’m saying is fucking ridiculous that people would actually rate a player based on a singular situational stat. It’s fucking stupid beyond epic proportions.
- http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos
  
  Agreed. It is fuckingly stupid beyond epic proportions.
  
  And yet, to simply dismiss it as a stat that is “fluky” or “unpredictable”, and therefore, somehow off-limits as a valid criticism of a player if he performs differently in those critical situations is also stupid.
  
  All I’m asking for, Jamal, is a middle ground. I agree with you that tools who think we should cut/trade/never have signed ARod because of him having a bad year in RISP are, by and large, knee-jerking morons. But saying that you’re not at all concerned by his repeated struggles in RISP by claiming that there are no trends that can possibly be evaluated from the stat, or that the knee-jerkers don’t have a point at ALL about his RISP stuggles is just as naive and disingenuous.
  - Chris
    
    The problem for me is that whenever people talk about RISP, they only look at batting average. I thought we realized that batting average is a horrible stat back in the 80s.
    
    A-rod currently has a (slightly) higher OBP with RISP than he does in all situations, but everyone focuses on his BA.
    - http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
      
      I hate the stat in-general, but what tips me over the edge is the focus on Batting Average solely.
      - Chris
        
        I go back and forth on the value of situational hitting. When you look back on the season, I think it’s important to understand how players and teams did in specific situations. For the MVP for example, I don’t think it’s wrong to consider hitting with RISP and other such stats. Of course they’re largely based on luck, but doesn’t luck play a part in the game? Why should we completely discount something just because luck was involved?
        
        On the flip side, if I’m a GM planning for the future, I throw those stats out completely because they fluctuate from year to year and over a career will generally equal out to a players career numbers.
      - http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos
        
        I’m 100% with you there.
        
        That’s why when I complain, I give you the tripleslash. I’m less concerned with BA and more concerned with his inability to slug over .500.
        
        e.g., both ARod and Adam Dunn have cruddy RISP BA’s, but Dunn’s still mashing. He either draws a walk or turns on a pitch for a 2B/HR. ARod either walks or pops out.
        
        Dunn, 2008 RISP: .260/.418/.596
  - http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
    
    My point is, what can you draw from a player who hits w/RISP? The stat for these players fluctuates so much year-to-year that it makes zero sense to me that people come to any conclusions based on it. I do not see how this stat can be used for any type of evaluation at all, I really don’t.
    
    David Eckstein has a .306-BAw/RISP. What does that mean? Would you rather have him on your team than Jericho Scott?
    - http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos
      
      Jericho Scott. He’s cost controlled through like 2030.
  - Ivan
    
    Jamal, he makes a good point.
IvanS

great bunt situation….
Bill N

Please G, comeon and win this
http://yankeesfuture.wordpress.com Pablo Zevallos

If this drags out it’ll remind me of the 2004 5-4 win (Halsey v. Pedro, anyone?)
Pops

o god
http://yankeesfuture.wordpress.com Pablo Zevallos

YES!!!! YANKEES CLASSIC!
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

Eat it, Papelblown.
- The Fallen Phoenix
  
  You know, the Yankees have gotten to Papelbon so (relatively) often these last three years; I never feel uncomfortable when he comes into the game for Boston.
  
  He still has incredible talent, don’t get me wrong, but he’s nowhere near as automatic as Mariano Rivera is.
  - pat
    
    I completly agree
  - andy
    
    I also agree, but most Red Sox fans I know feel the same way about Rivera- automatic for others, but not too threatening against the Red Sox. It’s totally anecdotal of course, and I’m too apathetic to look up the stats, but that’s what I’ve been told- though I’ve got all the confidence in the world.
    - Whitey14
      
      Provided Papelbon remains a Red Sox for most of his career he’ll have the same problem against the Yankees that Rivera has had against Boston (and I think Baltimore too), it’s called familiarity. It’s why pitchers like Pedro and Wakefield struggled against the Yankees too. Once you’ve seen a pitcher 20+ times you better have a clue how to hit him at least decently.
Pops

comeback kids
Yankee1010

Mortimer, we’re back ….
- http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos
  
  Shows what you know… we’re only MOSTLY dead.
  - Whitey14
    
    Now I’m going to have a nice M.L.T. Sandwich. You know Mutton, Lettuce and Tomato. Oooh I like it when the mutton is so lean ;-)
CJ

Wow, Giambi. I didn’t see that coming. Love it. Won this game almost single-handedly.
Stephen

i’m shocked. they’re still done for this season, i think.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

Alex Cora is such a moron. You see him trying to tell Jacoby Ellsbury to throw the ball in? It was tied moron.
- http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos
  
  He never gives up… because Alex Cora Wins Games. (C) (TM)
Bill N

Pssssst Alex take notes.. That’s how you hit in the clutch.
- Chris
  
  You do realize that for his career, Alex has been just as clutch as Jeter? They’ve both done just as well with RISP and other situational hitting as they do in every single at bat.
  - bklynJT
    
    What about career as a yankee ???
  - bklynJT
    
    I checked fangraphs and it says
    
    Arod career clutch stats -8.41
    Jeter career clutch stats 2.48
    
    Thats a difference of 10!! I’m not sure how these values are calculated or what the median is, but thats definitely not “just as clutch”
    - Chris
      
      I looked at their career splits on baseball reference. They both have basically the same OPS in their career as they do with RISP.
      - bklynJT
        
        Oh i see, but clutch stats also take into account late game scenarios. Not completely sure what accounts for a clutch ab, but i think it has to do with 7th inning or later being down by runs, etc.
Smitt Dog

Walk off win for the Yanks in their last home game aginst the Sox. We can at least be proud of that.
pat

if anything was to give us momentum it has to be that. Unfortunately this season after big wins we seem to come out and play like shit again for a few games. Lets hope this gets their heads out of their collective asses
Ivan

Great win.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.

I know it wont be at The House That Ruth Built, but I really want that final series at Fenway to decide one of these club’s October fate.
Pops

we go in the final series 1 game back of boston that would be great
- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=594331910 Jamal G.
  
  If a team is tied with another team for a playoff spot in both their overall records and head-to-head records, what does MLB go to next? A one game playoff or do they look at the respective divisional records of the two teams?
  - Chris
    
    If it decides who is in the playoffs, and the records are tied, they play a one game playoff. Head to head records and other tie breakers only matter if oth teams are already assured of playoff spots.
  - Andy In Sunny Daytona Beach
    
    If its for a playoff berth, it always goes to a one game playoff.
Andy In Sunny Daytona Beach

Sooo….Anything exciting happen today?
JC

Only seems right that Mo gets the win the last time we meet the Sox at the stadium… great stuff, may not be enough but great stuff all the same
Pops

FELLAS BECKETT WAS SCRATCHED FOR TOMORROW AND HE IS GOING TO SEE DOC ANDREWS ?? IS JESUS HELPING US OR WAHT LOL