Sep
25

Game 159: Another scrub-filled game.

By Joseph Pawlikowski

Not that I’m complaining. I’m actually glad to see Frankie Cervelli behind the plate tonight. And no, I don’t mind seeing Melky’s cute little baby face patrolling left. Might as well get him some time while things don’t matter.

Ben wanted me to share this with you guys:


From someecards.com

A win tonight would solidify our spot in third place. In other words, our magic number is one. For a meaningless consolation prize. Though, as I’ve said, 90 wins would be nice, in an it-doesn’t-matter kind of way.

Most eyes will be on the Mets/Cubs game tonight. I know it’ll be on at the bar I’m hitting. I’d much rather see the Twins/White Sox, though. The Twinkies can go up a half game if they complete the sweep tonight, and have to face KC over the weekend, while Chicago gets the resurgent Indians, who have a chance to finish at .500 for the season. Imagine if they hadn’t dished CC.

Enough of that. Onto the lineups.

1. Brett Gardner, CF
2. Robinson Cano, 2B
3. Bobby Abreu, DH
4. Xavier Nady, RF
5. Jason Giambi, 1B
6. Wilson Betemit, 3B
7. Cody Ransom, SS
8. Melky Cabrera, LF
9. Francisco Cervelli, C

And on the mound, number forty-five, Carl Pavano.

Notes: Mo is back in New York getting a physical. Girardi says he’ll be able to pitch over the weekend. We’ll see about that.

Posted on Thursday, September 25th, 2008 at 6:30 pm in Game Threads.

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114 Comments »

A.D. says:

No reason to throw Mo this weekend, just let him get some rest

 
Steve says:

Brett Gardner is no scrub.

Playing his way onto the roster next year.

 
Steve says:

Why is Pavano starting a game? Do we really care that much if we win 88 or 89 games?

How about starting one of the kids, like Kennedy?

A.D. says:

prob deciding if they want to pick up the option

 
JRVJ says:

Pavano’s almost surely being showcased.

Let’s remember that the Yanks hold a $13MM option on him next year (there’s also a $2MM buy out, so it’s really $11M what with the $2MM being a sunk cost).

I figure Cashman is trying to see if there’s a market for Pavano.

The options as I see them are: (a) Trade Pavano for a bucket of used baseballs (the Yanks get out from under the $2MM buyout);

(b) Trade Pavano while picking up $2MM, and get some B-/C+ prospect out of it;

(c) Trade Pavano while picking up more than $2MM (say, an extra $3MM for a cool $5MM) and get back a B+/A- prospect.

Jack says:

I have a problem with (a). Wouldn’t the other teams just wait until the Yankees buy him out, rather than actually giving something up for him.

JRVJ says:

The Yanks control Pavano for one year. That means he’s a low risk trade item, especially if the Yanks toss some money into the deal.

Signing Pavano almost certainly means signing him for 2, probably 3 years.

 
 
 
Patrick T says:

I forsee them picking up the option and then seeing what they can get for him in the offseason, a la Sheff two years ago. In todays market, $13MM and one year is a decent trade chip for someone with Pavano’s upside. THat said, I’m sure they’d have to eat about half of it to get anything back.

JRVJ says:

Well, the Yanks have a sunk cost of $2MM, so they’ll almost certainly pick that up if they want to get anything of value.

The question is how much else do they pick up. Phrased differently, would you pick up an extra (say) $3 to 4 MM to get a Humberto Sanchez type prospect? (though in the Yanks case, I would think they should aim for position players).

Mike Pop says:

I would pay 10 million of his salary to get a good 1b or OF prospect in Triple A

JRVJ says:

Right, but I don’t think Selig would approve that trade.

 
 
 
 
 
 
mustang says:

“Most eyes will be on the Mets/Cubs game tonight.”

I don’t know which is sadder that or this line-up.

 
Mike A. says:

Wow the Mets suck. The Cubs are using their B lineup too.

mustang says:

At least they have a chance to make the playoffs we must walk softly my friend.
LOL

Ivan says:

Yea but if they don’t make it, it’s much much more painful for them than us yankee fans witnessing our team not the playoffs.

mustang says:

I’m sorry, but I would trade places with them in a minute we haven’t had a meaningful game since the Red sox series

 
 
Mike A. says:

But they have teh Johan, and he’s the bringer of greater things.

;)

mustang says:

Don’t start he is 8-0 since the break he has done all he can it’s not his fault his pen sucks ass. If he was on another NY team we would probably be talking CY Young and not looking at this line-up.
LOL

PS- Make sure you tell Ben you started this time.
LOL.

Mike Pop says:

i dont regret the trade at all.. look at the k numbers

mustang says:

I have a chance to look at all his numbers it’s not like have baseball to watch.

 
 
Mike A. says:

I’m just messin’ with you. Of course the Yanks would be in a better position this year with him, I think everyone knew that.

 
 
 
 
 
Manimal says:

The office premiere in an hour and 15 minutes. I can’t wait.

 
Ivan says:

Boy those days are so long ago when Pedro was the baddest man on a mound. Geez now he’s batting pratice.

Manimal says:

Man, those days when the yankees were actually good were so long ago.

 
 
 
Jamal G. says:

Michael Kay is like a 4-year-old child, he just continually asks pointless questions.

Steve says:

Mommy, why are leaves green?

 
 
 
Manimal says:

Brett Gardner makes shit happen. He is really doing better, and against 2 tough pitchers (Burnett and Doc)

 
Manimal says:

Come on Abreu, get the damn RBI.

 
Mike Pop says:

BG is everyday CF nex year

Steve says:

Even if he isn’t, he’s making it VERY tough for the Yankee front office to give up anything major (re Cano) for a CF next year.

You can sell the idea of having Gardner keep the seat warm until A-Jax is ready.

 
 
Mike Pop says:

Ichiro is not well liked in the clubhouse i see a trade in his future

Manimal says:

doesn’ he give a hilarious but meaningful speach every allstar game? Just do a straight up trade, Ichiro for Matsui.

Mike Pop says:

id give up a good amount for ichiro

 
 
Steve says:

That would be like us trading Jeter.

 
 
Manimal says:
 
Ivan says:

It’s funny how people started to say that the Jays were a better team than the yanks. Well I guess that’s not the case.

Manimal says:

Until the recent 10-1 tear, they have been.

Ivan says:

And the Jays had a similar tear in the middle of Sept too so it evens out.

 
 
 
Mike Pop says:

We better pick up this guys option over signing burnett or sheets id def rather do that

Manimal says:

I’d rather ignore all three.

Mike Pop says:

Ya your right… i want the same rotation we had this season.. Wang Joba Muss Pettite Hughes

 
 
 

From Peter Gammons

http://insider.espn.go.com/esp.....mons_peter

What the fuck? Maybe Mauer, but definitely not Lidge

Manimal says:

veritek is going to be the worst catcher in the playoffs, how is that not expendable.

I was actually talking about the title, if I didn’t make that clear.

Manimal says:

oh INdispensible. nvm.

 
 
 
Mike A. says:

But Luis Ayala has teh grit and guts. Lidge doesn’t.

 
greg says:

actually lidge has been 6 wins better than an average closer this season. That is a lot. indispensable.

 
 
Steve says:

How hot is the asian girl in this commercial?

They show her twice. Yummy.

 
Steve says:

This guy Halladay only throws his fastball between 91-93 MPH.

He’ll never amount to anything.

 
Mike Pop says:

Will Tabata reach the majors next year with Pitt ?

Steve says:

He will make the team, hit .288 with 5 HRs and 42 RBIs in limited action.

Mike Pop says:
Steve says:

Ask a stupid question . . . .

Mike Pop says:

im jus sayin do u think he will cuz some people say yes but others say it wont be till 2010

 
 
 
 
 
Mike Pop says:

MElky Ipk horne and Wright for Ichiro

Steve says:
 
 
Ivan says:

What the fuck Harden.

 
Ivan says:
 
Ivan says:

Well Pavano didn’t have it today.

 
Steve says:

I’m so glad we got to see Pavano this one last time.

All the history we’ve had, the memories . . . . I’m sorry. My keyboard is full of tears right now.

 
A.D. says:

Pavano, not helping his next contract….suprising

 
A.D. says:

Giese, one year wonder, or made a real turn as a swingman?

 
Ivan says:

Hey didn’t Gallardo was pitching tonight.

 
A.D. says:

at least we have a redic bench for pinch hitting tonight

 
A.D. says:

I remeber being happy when we faced Halladay the first time he got called up…he would get SHELLED

 
A.D. says:

Have they announced any plans to what happens to the mets if they get rained out all weekend?

 
A.D. says:
 
Manimal says:

ill let someone else say it.

Manimal says:

Guess no one did.

Brett Gardner makes shit happen.

 
 
A.D. says:

ahhh, going hurt cano on that one

 

BG 3-3 against Roy Halladay. Damn.

A.D. says:
 
Steve says:

Making it very hard to give up a lot for a CF next year . . . . .

 
 
Manimal says:

Gardner is hitting .301 since his last call up.

Manimal says:
cult of basebaal says:

strange to say it, but pulling gardner from the lineup when matsui returned may have been the final nail in the coffin. i wonder how things would have turned out if we’d just played gardner in CF everyday. He might have been the sparkplug that this team needed (ala melky in 2007)

course he might have reverted to being Slappy McGirlyswing

guess we’ll find out next year …

Manimal says:

No one said slap-swings are illegal or bad. Gardner is the kind of guy you expect to have the swing so if it helps him then why not, use the slap swings

 
 
 
 
A.D. says:

pitching not so hot tonight

Steve says:

I’m actually going to put on the Mets over the Yanks for the first time this year.

Ivan says:

Yea just to see the Mets spirit get killed uh.

 
 
 
Steve says:

BG average up to .225. Considering he’s always been a slow starter at every level, he appears to have turned a corner lately.

You can’t look at a player like him in terms of power numbers like SLG or OPS, just OBP and Runs Scored. He should also get credit for the doubles (and 1 HR) he takes away in the field. If he can hit 260ish, get on base 1/3 of the time and score some runs, you can live with him as your #9 hitter next year.

In the field and on the basepaths, anyone else would be a downgrade.

Manimal says:

look up two comments, hes hitting .307 on his recent call up.

Old Ranger says:

Real nice BA, for someone people said couldn’t hit. Just a reminder (to me) this is a small sample…again, but you’ll know I like him…he makes shit happen, as you and Mike say!

 
Steve says:

Sweet. Nice find Manimal.

 
 
Patrick T says:

If he can’t get an OBP of .350 or greater he’s a 4th OF. A guy like him with no power needs to get on base often to have value.

Steve says:

Not with the way he scores runs. Again, don’t look at his power numbers. He’s a table setter, not an OPS guy. Look at Runs scored and OBP to judge how productive he is.

He has been on base 35 times and scored 18 runs, including tonight. He scores almost half the time he gets on base, which is tremendous. Plus he plays ridiculous defense in a key position, CF. So if he was to get 500 ABs next year and get on base 1/3 of the time and score at the same rate, he would have 75 runs scored next year. That’s plenty from your 9th hitter. If he gets 600 ABs, he could score 100 and you would have to consider him for your leadoff spot at that point.

steve (different one) says:

you are completely ignoring how many outs he’s using up to get on base those 35 times.

like Patrick said, he has to have an OBP over .350 to be useful.

 
 
 
 
Old Ranger says:

Brett is one of the guys I like very well but, this is a small sample. Let’s not put him in CF yet, although I hope he makes it in ST next year. He always has had slow starts at higher levels, no different this time. If (and I think he can) he holds a ,275/.320/350+ I believe he can hold down the job, very well.

 
Ivan says:
 
Manimal says:

If youve never seen the office you should watch an episode. Its hilarious.

I personally don’t find the office all that funny. I prefer chappelle’s show-type humor.

yankees=warriors says:

I agree. I don’t get all the excitement about The Office.
I prefer action dramas like NCIS and Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles.

 
 
 
Capital T says:

I saw the congratulations about finishing ahead of the Blue Jays and O’s and was painfully reminded of the joke I keep hearing at work:

The Yes Network is changing channels.

Punchline: They will now be on the History channel

 
yankees=warriors says:

What’s with Sanchez? Too many days off?

he tends to get wild at times

 
 
Mike Pop says:

yo lets trade for micah hoffpauer on the cubs my god

I hope you’re not serious…

Mike Pop says:

im as serious as people wanting to pick up pavanos option

Steve says:

Oooof. Like anyone in Baseball would give him 11 mil guaranteed this year, or give up talent for the privilege of paying him 5X him market rate. Yikes.

Mike Pop says:

we should give him an extension cuz he pitched so well this eyar

 
Jamal G. says:

I see no big issue in picking up his option. You get a back-end starter that will give you some good depth in the rotation, I don’t see what’s the issue on a 1/11 deal.

Steve says:

Jamal . . . . if you really want him back, you let him go FA and sign him for what the market rate will be. With 2 years on the DL and a 5.77 ERA, he wont get more than 1-2 mil guaranteed with incentives. Now why on earth would you give him 11 when you dont have to?

Jamal G. says:

What precedent are you enlisting that would lead someone to say Carl Pavano’s market value is “1-2 mil guaranteed with incentives”?

(Comments wont nest below this level)
Mike Pop says:

im sorry i see your point but i dont want to see pavano in a yankee uni unless hes paying us to play for us…. plus hes cursed

 
Steve says:

To answer Jamal, the “precedent” is the type of contract that Mark Prior got, another pitcher who can’t stay off the DL.

Anyone who would give Pavano 11 mil guaranteed should be beaten, raped, hung, burned alive, thrown off a tall building and then fired on the spot. You could get a HEALTHY Mike Mussina coming off 19-20 wins for that money.

Jamal, I like you but you’re lost on this one.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mike Pop says:

aj stop huggin him u gottta be in the bronx next year

 
Steve says:

Mets tie the game, which means they just want to torure their fans some more before the bullpen breaks their hearts one last time.

Still 1-1 for MIL in the 7th

 
 
Mike Pop says:

mets just said fuck all u doubters

 
Jamal G. says:

Ryan Braun strong like bull.

 
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