Comments on: Pettitte sounds like he’s ready to return next season

By: River Ave. Blues | Andy not so dandy as Yanks drop another

River Ave. Blues | Andy not so dandy as Yanks drop another — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 22:53:04 +0000

[...] ERA and has many Yankee fans and team officials wondering if Pettitte should return next year. We know he wants to come back, but how would Pettitte fit into the Yanks’ plans? As long as the team doesn’t consider [...]

By: tommiesmithjohncarlos

tommiesmithjohncarlos — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 18:37:17 +0000

If it please the chair, I rise to a point of personal privilege.

By: The Honorable Congressman Mondesi

The Honorable Congressman Mondesi — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 18:15:55 +0000

The Chair does not recognize the baseless accusations from Mr. Smith-Carlos. Order on the floor, please.

By: Rob

Rob — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 17:27:40 +0000

Halladay just signed an extension this year with the Jays, he isn’t moving.

By: Rob

Rob — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 17:25:13 +0000

I agree. Enough with signing players over 30! Have we not had enough of that!
Furcal?!?! Cabrera?!?! Come on! Seriously!

By: Rob

Rob — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 17:22:50 +0000

Don’t trade Cano, he is our only starting player under 30. They signed him to a decent deal andhe has value to this team, especially with players aging around him. Please let Pettitte walk, sign Mussina only if he’ll take a reasonable 1 yr deal. Say goodbye to Abreau, Giambi, Pudge, move Matsui at all costs. The bottom line is they must get younger! Resigning any of the above palyers is just a step back and a year further past their prime for each.

By: tommiesmithjohncarlos

tommiesmithjohncarlos — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 17:02:24 +0000

Exactly. The only realistic option I see for the Jeter question is the outfield. Jeter is still a great athlete, he just doesn’t have the outstanding footwork and quickness anymore that’s needed to man SS. Virtually all the problems he’s having there (bad range, inaccurate arm, problems going to one side, problems getting down on the ball) will also plague him at 3rd or 2nd.

1B also isn’t a great idea, because Jeter doesn’t have the bat that you need from that spot to field a balanced offensive lineup. We’re best served leaving 1B available to play better power hitters who would likely be more defensively challenged than the 34-35-36-37 year old Jeter would be, or for the occasional half-day off for our various DH/C players we’ll have.

Since the OF requires more speed rather than just quicks, Jeter should be able to have great range for an outfielder, and similarly, his arm is strong rather than accurate. I don’t think it would be shocking to see Jeter, if he works at it and trains for an offseason, be a damn good defensive outfielder, even at his age.

I’d say, after he christens the new park for 2009 as the everyday SS, next fall (when Damon and Matsui disappear) we should give him the LF or CF job immediately after the season ends, so he can spend the winter training with Gerald Williams (who is supposedly Jeter’s good friend) learning all the nuances.

By: Old Ranger

Old Ranger — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 16:43:28 +0000

Moving from SS to 2nd base is like taking a CF and moving him to 2nd (well, not really). The footwork, throwing (hurt his arm), movement of the ball off the bat, and turn are completely different…he has played SS for over 20 years. If he moves to the outfield that would be ok, he has the knack of getting a read on the ball as it’s hit (most OF don’t) quickly.

By: steve (different one)

steve (different one) — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 16:39:52 +0000

what’s so civil about war anyway?

By: tommiesmithjohncarlos

tommiesmithjohncarlos — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 16:34:39 +0000

I’d agree with most of that… but Toronto will give Roy Halladay ALL the maple syrup in Canada to never leave. Plus all the mooseburgers he can eat. I don’t see him coming free. Especially if they free up that Burnett money.