Dec
06

Melky & Cano strong in the Caribbean

By

I usually post the winter league wrap ups on Sundays, but I’ll be on my way to the most beautiful and romantic place on Earth tomorrow, so here you go:

  • Melky Cabrera: 15 for 46 (.326), 8 R, 2 2B, 5 RBI, 4 BB, 6 K, 1 SB in 12 games
  • Robbie Cano: 13 for 41 (.317), 12 R, 6 2B, 7 RBI, 5 BB, 2 K, 1 SB, 1 HBP in 10 games … 5 walks & 2 strikes? who is this man and what has he done with Robinson Cano?
  • Frankie Cervelli: 10 for 37 (.270), 8 R, 1 2B, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 7 BB, 9 K, 1 CS, 1 HBP in 17 games
  • Justin Christian: 42 for 143 (.294), 22 R, 7 2B, 3 HR, 17 RBI, 13 BB, 21 K, 12 SB, 1 CS, 1 HBP in 35 games
  • Reegie Corona; 15 for 56 (.268), 10 R, 5 2B, 1 HR, 9 RBI, 3 BB, 6 K, 1 SB in 26 games
  • Walt Ibarra: 14 for 70 (.200), 3 R, 2 RBI, 6 BB, 16 K, 3 SB, 1 CS in 32 games
  • Ramiro Pena: 16 for 63 (.254), 7 R, 3 2B, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 0 BB, 2 K, 1 CS, 2 HBP in 19 games
  • Jon Albaladejo: 10.2 IP, 6 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 7 K, 1 WP in 9 appearances
  • Wilkins Arias: 7.1 IP, 12 H, 14 R, 14 ER, 1 BB, 10 K, 1 HB, 2 WP in 13 appearances
  • Ian Kennedy: 28.2 IP, 14 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 10 BB, 25 K, 2 HB, 1 WP in 5 starts

If I have my dates correct, IPK will be starting for Mayaguez tonight. Here’s the scoreboard, which will eventually get you to the box score.

Use this as your open thread for the evening. You know the routine, don’t be a dick to each other.

273 Comments»

  1. Eric says:

    Totally unrelated but…will Tim Tebow be a successful QB in the NFL? I’m gonna say no. And go Giants.

  2. Eric says:

    Totally related—good to see Cano learning how to walk. I hope it translates in the regular season this year…. Frankie C. drawing walks is very nice, too…I think it’s pretty clear that Melky will never have any sort of power.

  3. SWB says:

    Is Kennedy facing stronger/weaker hitters than the AFL?

  4. Ben K. says:

    I’m glad to see Albaladejo overpowering hitters this winter. He’ll be quite the useful cog in the Bronx bullpen in 2009.

    • Eric says:

      Yea, I like Albaladejo a lot. I hope he stays healthy this year. If he does, I think he could be like Veras but better. Much better.

      How did Veras have a 3.59 ERA w/a 1.405 WHIP? Damn.

      • Mike Pop says:

        I always forget bout JA. He makes Veras and Edwar even more expendable

        • Steve says:

          Edwar is my boy. Trade Veras all you want, but leave my Eddie alone!

          • Eric says:

            I like Edwar a lot. If he could just figure out his fastball, he could be a great pitcher. Until he does, his change–despite its nastiness–well get rocked from dudes sitting on it all the time.

            • Ron says:

              Edwar has a fastball?

              • Steve says:

                When you have a change as good as his, you don’t need a great fastball. Ask Trevor Hoffman.

                You Edwar doubters will see. One day we will be in a huge jam late in a playoff game, with our fate hanging in the balance, and he will come out of the bullpen and get a key strikeout that will save our season.

                • Ivan says:

                  Agreed. Edwar has such a special change that if his control is good, he’s basically unhittable.

                • Bryan says:

                  “if his control is good” thats the key my friend, because if he loses control, he walks guys and they just sit on the fastball. But he is a good cog to have in the bullpen, especially if they have been seeing 96 mph fastballs from Joba all night and he comes in with a drop off the table changeup.

            • Mike Pop says:

              Ya but he needs to figure it out first before he becomes good enough to be on my team !!!!

              • Steve says:

                He doesn’t need more fastball, just adding a wrinkle to his fastball would keep it off the fat of the bat and make him almost unhittable. He fooled around with a cutter this year, maybe that or he changes the grip on his fastball a bit and that makes all the difference he needs.

                Edwar matches up very well against aggressive hitters, and there will be spots where he will be very useful.

    • MP says:

      The Clippard-Albaladejo trade IMO was very underrated. A great move by Cashman to deal a guy who’s never going to be anyone to acquire a young overpowering bullpen arm that could translate into a very successful middle reliever.
      Does that sound accurate?

      • Eric says:

        It was a good one, for sure. I think it’ll look a lot smarter if/when JA is healthy this year and has a good season.

        • Ben K. says:

          Limited sample size, I know, but Tyler Clippard’s career walk rates are terrible. I’d say that was a good trade.

          • Steve says:

            He didn’t even have a consistent delivery. He’d throw one pitch and land toward home plate, then throw the next one and be 3 steps toward the Yankee dugout. It was the most bizarre thing I ever saw from a MLB pitcher, and it drove me nuts.

            • Lanny says:

              I don’t think we should be reserving spots in Cooperstown because he traded Tyler Clippard for a decent reliever.

              • steve (different one) says:

                point out the post that suggested anything of the sort.

                “Cashman made an underrated trade” now equals “Cashman is a Hall of Famer”?

              • Steve says:

                How about when he got Bobby Abreu for nothing?

                How about when he got Nick Swisher for nothing?

                How about when he got Nady/Marte for Tabata+garbage?

                How about when he got A-Rod for Soriano straight up AND got Texas to pick up 1/3 of A-Rod’s contract?

                How about when he got Jose Molina for Jeff Kennard?

                How about getting Sanchez/Claggett/Whelan for an old, banged up, malcontent Sheffield who had nowhere to play on the team?

  5. X-Man(Angel) says:

    IPK will face Melky todat, is a interleague game…(J.Peralta,Melky,M.Bourn..etc..)

  6. Mike W. says:

    I hope Melky stays in the Caribbean and decides to play baseball there full-time.

  7. Chuck says:

    I think Melky still has a shot to be a pretty decent/good player. Just maybe not on the Yanks.

    • Mike W. says:

      He is a 4th/5th OF on a good/great team. I guess he could start on a mediocre team.

      • Bryan says:

        How much better is Ellisbury than Melky?

        • Ben K. says:

          Eh, tough to say. Ellsbury’s better at getting on base, and he’s faster. Neither are going to hit for much power, and the jury’s still out on whether either can hit for average. I’d probably take Ellsbury for speed + OBP based on his CF defense, but I’m not enamored with either.

          • Lanny says:

            Melky isn’t as bad as he was last yr and either is Ellsbury. But Ellsbury is far and away the better prospect.

            • Ben K. says:

              What makes you say Melky isn’t as bad as he was last year? Nothing that Melky’s done so far in his career, both Majors and Minors, makes me think he’s ever going to be any good really.

              • jeff says:

                Melky was one of the most unlucky players in all of baseball on balls in play last year. With average luck his OPS would have been around .700 instead of .641. Still nothing great, but Yankee fans probably wouldn’t be calling for his execution.

              • steve (different one) says:

                i agree, but there is A LOT of room between “good” and “not as bad as he was last year”.

                there is plenty of evidence that he isn’t as bad as was last year, namely his two previous seasons.

                his future is likely as a fourth OFer, but that doesn’t mean his true talent is .249/.301/341 either.

              • jeff says:

                I should have put this in one comment, sorry.

                “Nothing that Melky’s done so far in his career, both Majors and Minors, makes me think he’s ever going to be any good really.”

                How does a .360 OBP over 524 PAs at 21 years old not make you think he could be pretty good eventually?

          • Chris says:

            Ellsbury’s career OBP: .346
            Melky’s career OBP: .329

            That’s not that big a difference. Obviously Ellsbury has much more speed, but I don’t think there is that big a gap between the two. Also consider that Melky is a year younger.

            • jeff says:

              I don’t want to defend Ellsbury because I think he was vastly overrated coming into this season, but that’s a pretty huge difference. A team OBP of .346 is something like five wins better than .329.

              However, I agree with your overall point that there isn’t much difference between the two when you consider their ages.

  8. stewman23 says:

    Beautiful thing to see Robbie OBP of .439. Although Melky’s putting up some pretty good in winter league, I’m liking what JC’s numbers are looking like. Assuming an outfield of Damon, Gardner, Nady; would you guys rather have Melky as the 4th OF, or let JC assume that position and give Melky more time in AAA to prove a sustained level of production. I don’t know if the kid will ever have his place with the Yankees, but I’m stubbornly optimistic that he rebuilds that damn trade value.

  9. Mike Pop says:

    Nick Sabean is a coward

  10. T-Dizzle says:

    do u guys like burnett cuz he is good but there are injury risks so its hard to decide how much u like him ya know

  11. Jacob says:

    Hypothetical question. I was just reading on MLBTR.com that the offers for Furcal are not exactly rolling in, many speculate it could be the economy. So my question is this, if you could get Furcal to play second base could the Yanks send Cano, Kennedy and probably another guy (not Ajax) to the Padres for Peavy? Is something like this possible? I like Furcal much better as a 2B option over guys like Grudz, O-Dawg, or anyone else that is really out there.

    • T-Dizzle says:

      i really like this idea too i think furcal is very underrated and we need peavey pretty badly since it looks like were not getting cc

      • Thomas says:

        Why does it look like we aren’t getting CC?

        There are only two known offers (Yankees and Brewers) and our offer is $40 million more and an extra year ( though the Brewers have thought about upping their offer to $110 million over 6 years). Many have said that those two mystery offers are fake. Additionally, the Angels want Teixeira more than CC and the Giants said any offer they make would be way less than the Yankees.

        Oh yeah, CC has never said he does not want to come to NY.

        • T-Dizzle says:

          actions speak louder than words if he wanted to play in ny he would have accepted his offer if you prefer to play on the west coast that doesnt mean you hte ny but it also doesnt mean you would enjoy playing there if he wanted to be here he would be

          • Thomas says:

            He may just want more money and is trying to get us to up our offer. This happens with most free agents and their agents. Very few free agents and even fewer major free agents sign before the winter meetings.

            • B.George says:

              He may just want more money and is trying to get us to up our offer. This happens with most free agents and their agents. Very few free agents and even fewer major free agents sign before the winter meetings.

              Thank you! All you guys need to calm down with this CC hasnt signed yet so he dont wanna play hear garbage. No number one free agents have ever signed before the winter meetings to my recolation. Its called business. If you know you can make more money by waiting….wouldnt it make sense to wait??

              • T-Dizzle says:

                let me ask u this if the dodgers or angels or giants had the same offer out u think cc would still be unsigned?

                • Thomas says:

                  Yes. I’d think if the Angels, Dodgers, or Giants get involved, then CC will be a free agent longer than if we have the only offer out. If the West coast gets involved, CC know he can get a bidding war and drive up his price and years the longer he stays a free agent. With just our offer he knows we’re the only option, unless he wants to take a far lesser offer.

                  I’ll put it to you this way, if CC wants to sign with the West Coast so badly, why hasn’t he? He surely could give the teams a huge discount (for example 5 years $90 million) so that they would have to sign him.

    • Thomas says:

      I doubt the Padres want Cano, because of his contract. They are trading Peavy, because he is too expensive, why would they want Cano?

      • radnom says:

        Bingo. Now if you were saying Cano for Kemp and then replace him with Furcal, I would have to consider that.

        It would be pretty tempting actually.

        • Jacob says:

          Well if you can move Cano for Kemp (I don’t think you could do that straight up) then does that make AJax expendable? So lets say you do the following:

          Cano and someone else for Kemp
          Sign Furcal to play 2nd
          Ajax, Kennedy, Romine for Peavy

          Sure we lose arguably 2 of our 3 best position prospects, but in a 5 game series where you throw either Peavy, CC, Joba or if you don’t get CC it’s still Peavy, Joba, Wang. Thats the best in baseball either way, and it’s not even close.

          • B.George says:

            Sure we lose arguably 2 of our 3 best position prospects, but in a 5 game series where you throw either Peavy, CC, Joba or if you don’t get CC it’s still Peavy, Joba, Wang. Thats the best in baseball either way, and it’s not even close.

            First of all Peavy is not better then CC second of all Joba right now is not better theng Wang.

            • Jacob says:

              Well I wasn’t putting them in the order I would start them. But I do think by the end of the season you could flip Joba and Wang as far as the game 3 starter. Regardless of what order you start those 4 in, it’s still dominant.

          • Thomas says:

            I don’t know if Kemp would really have a huge effect on whether we would deal Jackson. I believe Kemp played RF primarily in the minors and is only an average centerfielder defensively. He will probably move to a corner in the next few years as he fills out.

            Now I would not be opposed to your trade suggestions though (however, I’d prefer to keep Romine).

          • JLLive says:

            I wish the yankees would make a strong push for Peavy along with Sabathia. Those two+Wang+Joba would let us make another run in the playoffs. But, if you get Kemp(hypothetically speaking of course), then you wouldn’t want to trade ajax b/c Kemp and ajax in our future outfield would be awesome.

    • jeff says:

      Why would the Padres want Cano when they’re trying to cut payroll? He’s guaranteed $27M over the next three years. It’s a good contract for the Yankees, but not for a team that supposedly wants to get the payroll down to $40M.

      Also, I think I read that Furcal doesn’t want to play 2B. Not sure about that.

  12. christopher says:

    Some rival agents…believe that Boras might be offering [Jason] Varitek in a “package deal” with the catcher’s friend and fellow Georgia Tech alum, free-agent first baseman Mark Teixeira. The Red Sox are pursuing Teixeira, and the Nationals are among the other teams that might have interest in both players.

    Step 1. Sox sign Tex & underpants

    Step 3: Angel’s profit (aka Sabathia)

    • T-Dizzle says:

      i dont get the package thing does that mean like whatever team signs one of them has to sign the other? cuz that doesnt make sense

    • Chris says:

      Wouldn’t that be the same as collusion (just from the other side)?

      And why would Boras do that? You’re driving down the value of the best asset you have in order to get an inferior player signed.

  13. Lanny says:

    You have to treat these results kind of like spring training. Sure its encouraging but don’t be seduced by any of it.

  14. eLnene.M360 says:

    I might be starting to like melky again. i keep reading good news bout him and i hope he could do the same in spring training so he could make the club even though im still rooting for gardner to get the CF Job

    • T-Dizzle says:

      i always like melky everyone always says cf is defense first so whats the problem? he plays good defense and so we should just bat him 9th so he doesnt bat that much and we can be fine especially if we get tex

      • Mike Pop says:

        But he killed us this past season

        • Chris says:

          We would have been fine with Melky if Jorge hadn’t been injured, Cano was up to par, and Jeter hadn’t struggled so much most of the season. All of them are far more important to the offense than Melky – or Gardner, or whoever is in CF. One automatic out in the lineup is ok (look at the entire NL), but 4 is too many.

      • Chuck says:

        We’re losing so the weakest links are always going to get some heat. If we were having a bit more success the last few seasons with Melky around maybe it would be a different scenario. But right now isnt the plan gardner vs. melky?

        • T-Dizzle says:

          my point for u and mike pop is than if we get tex it shouldnt even matter how they hit cuz runs wont be the problem so we can just focus on defense and bat them 9th and still score 900 runs anyway

          • Chuck says:

            yeah i mean if we’re winning then sure. But if we’re not and Melky isnt playing all that great, whether to luck or whatever then he is probably gonna get sent down just like last season.

      • Old Ranger says:

        But the Sept. CF is a better all around player then Melky, why would one play Melky over him?
        I did post yesterday (I think) about Melky; Saying (more or less); If Melky can put up his 2006 numbers he would be acceptable in CF. One must remember he is only 23. 27/09.

  15. eLnene.M360 says:

    People i have a question. If cano is a right handed why cant he Just bat from the right side agaisnt lefties. Like is it hard to learn how to bat right handed when Your naturally right handed. same Goes for abreu i just seriously dont get it.

    • dan says:

      who are you?

    • Eric says:

      “Is it true that if you don’t use it you lose it?”
      “Is that a serious question?”
      “No.”

    • justin says:

      Go into a batting cage and try and hit from your weak side and see how well that goes. Then imagine doing it against pitchers who throw upwards of 90mph with movement. It has a lot more to do with muscle memory and coordination you develop at a very young age, few people can just pick up a bat and rake from both sides of the plate. If everyone could do it…don’t you think everyone would? P.S. I hope you were joking.

  16. christopher says:

    wasnt mattingly right handed as well and i think dunn also. I think these guys are somewhat ambidextros and can use both hands to throw and or hit if needed, but found it more comfortably hitting from one side.

    i am pretty sure i remember reading a story once about mattingly that he learned to hit left handed because when he played ball with his brothers a homerun to left was over a house (or something) and they made him hit lefty so that it would be more difficult to hit homer runs.

    i could be totally wrong on the player, but somehow this story is stuck in my memory

  17. christopher says:

    and watch a lefty swing vs. a righty..i know nothing about human biology or physics, but for some reason a lefty swing just looks more natural

  18. B.George says:

    I was reading the past issued of Sports Illustrated and I read something very interesting about Texiera. It said….

    Out of High School in the 1998 draft Texiera was projected as a first round pick. But when the Red Sox asked him beforehand if he would accept $1.5 million signing bonus, Texiera thought he could do better. He tumbeled all the way to the ninth roun, where Boston finally grabbed him. “The Red Sox told everybody that I would’nt sign, and when it got to a late enough round they said “Lets take a flier on him,” Texiera told Baseball America in 2006. “So they spoiled me for everyone else.”

    I know that Texiera is an ideal Boras client but I found that kind of interesting.

    • Steve says:

      Only the bazillionth time I’ve seen that this off season.

      Sorry to be an ass, but that’s pretty common knowledge. He has since made comments about “knowing the business of baseball better now” and understanding these things.

      That won’t be a reason why he won’t sign with the Red Sox. Mike Lowell, hip surgery, 24 million dollars and Lars Anderson are why he wont sign with them.

    • Thomas says:

      Teixeira says he doesn’t hold a grudge against the Sox, especially since they have a different FO now than at the time. Too bad for us.

  19. Steve says:

    I have a question for you peeps. Lets say we land CC, we sign either Lowe/Sheets as our #2 starter. Now Andy Pettitte is still out there, but so is Peavy and there seems to be no market for him.

    Sign Pettitte or give 2-3 good prospects (A-Jax/IPK/Bruney) for Peavy?

    The easy answer is to sign Andy and hold on to the chips for future needs. But look at this rotation

    CC Sabathia
    Jake Peavy
    Ben Sheets
    Chien Mien Wang
    Joba Chamberlain

    With Hughes and Aceves if anyone gets hurt.

    I’m sorry, but that rotation might be the best one I’ve ever seen. And its doable, both in terms of payroll and talent.

    • Mike Pop says:

      That is a dominant rotation.. 5 Aces or 4 aces and a very good number 2

      • dan says:

        It also puts them almost $20mill over the reported 2009 budget. I know there’s supposedly a bottomless pit of cash, but if they say they’re only gonna spend $180, then it has to be taken into consideration.

    • T-Dizzle says:

      i say u go for peavey but try not to include hughes but if u have to oh well

    • Eric says:

      And it also reeks of what’s set the Yankees to go almost a decade with no World Series title: giving away 2 good prospects (one of whom is the only position player who’s even close to Major League ready) and a much-improved/needed bullpen piece for one veteran who a) has a history of injury problems b) some scouts assert is a ticking time bomb for another big injury because of his delivery c) pitches in an incredibly favorable atmosphere for pitchers, the exact opposite of to what he’d be coming d) costs a lot more than anyone else e) hinders the development of a pitcher (Hughes) who could possibly be the best pitching product of the Yankees’ farm system this side of Mariano Rivera f) has said he would prefer not to be traded to the AL/NY….

      /Dr. Cox rant.

      • Mike Pop says:

        He did not rule out NY

      • Steve says:

        CC Sabathia has said he would prefer to stay on the west coast and stay in the NL, do you think its a bad idea to go after him?

        • Eric says:

          Nope and here’s why:

          1. It doesn’t cost us IPK.
          2. It doesn’t cost us A-Jax
          3. It doesn’t cost us Brian Bruney.
          4. It doesn’t cost anyone but money and a draft pick.

        • Mike Pop says:

          CC has not said it publicly though

        • Ron says:

          “CC Sabathia has said he would prefer to stay on the west coast and stay in the NL”

          The key word in that sentence is PREFER.

          TSJC explained it yesterday. You may PREFER one situation, but would do another if the offer is right. It’s up to the Yanks to make sure the offer is right.

          • Steve says:

            And all that Peavy has ever said is he prefers to stay in the NL.

            Peavy has a no trade clause and the Yanks are on his approved list.

            His agent Barry Axelrod, has stated “Every boy grows up dreaming of playing in pinstripes”

            This notion that he wants no part of the Yanks is simply not supported by the facts.

            • christopher says:

              i dont think you are right on that. he has a full no trade and his agent has actually said he has not yet approved a deal to any team and he will decide if/when he is given the choice.

      • Steve says:

        Also, the ‘ticking time bomb stuff’ is utter nonsense. You talk to 5 scouts and you will get 5 opinions on what a good delivery is/isn’t. Carlos Gomez of the Hardball Times LOVES Peavy’s delivery, says he has great tempo and good mechanics. Others

        At age 27, he would be breaking down already if his mechanics were flawed, and he’s been one of the most durable starters in baseball over the past 4 years, averaging 200IP per season.

        • Eric says:

          That’s fair enough but I still don’t like giving up cheap, young guys who are pretty damn central to the future of the organization for a guy who a) isn’t as good as a guy we could’ve gotten in a similar trade last year, b) isn’t as good as a guy we could get in this offseason for only money and no players…

          Jake Peavy isn’t worth it when there are options out there on the FA market.

          • Steve says:

            Again, the question posed is Andy vs Peavy. I’m assuming its January and the FA’s are all signed at this point.

            Once CC goes, its assumed that many others will sign soon thereafter. So its a likely time line to follow.

            • Eric says:

              I’ll take Pettitte for a year because it allows the team to slide Phil Hughes into the rotation more easily the next year. Trading for Peavy is a short sighed solution that has got the Yankees in trouble for the past eight years.

              • Steve says:

                I would argue what got the Yanks in trouble was signing aging pitchers (Unit/Brown/Clemens part 2) and trying to out slug everyone else, which doesn’t get you anywhere in the post season.

                Trading for a 27 year old ace who’s durable and has a career ERA+ of 121 is the type of move they made when they were winning championships. Reminds me of the Cone deal, who’s career ERA+ is 120.

                http://www.baseball-reference.com/c/coneda01.shtml

                • christopher says:

                  that is a great comparison. in fact i would say that peavy is more advanced than cone was at that age, but thinking about him his stuff and body type are very remenisent of coneys

              • Mike Pop says:

                Peavy is less valuable to us in 2009 than Hughes/Ajax/Romine/Montero/IPK will be to us in 2010 and beyond

                • Eric says:

                  Yes, sir.

                • Steve says:

                  Really? So now all prospects turn into Cy Young award winners like Peavy?

                • Mike Pop says:

                  No but you need the depth in the farm man.. Plus you have all the pitching FA options out there like CC/AJ/Sheets etc

                • B.George says:

                  Its going to take 4 to 5 of our prospects to get Peavy. Padres are rebuilding and have a shitty farm and need to rebuild it. We arent getting Peavy everyone drop it.

                • Steve says:

                  Right, because the Braves . . . no. . . well the Cubs . . . . . no . . . . . who exactly are we bidding against again?

                • Mike Pop says:

                  You are wrong B George… Anything can happen.. They have to trade him now

                • B.George says:

                  Your telling me that the Padres will trade one of the best pitchers in baseball for a mediocre deal just to get rid of him???? Come on now.

                • B.George says:

                  Right, because the Braves . . . no. . . well the Cubs . . . . . no . . . . . who exactly are we bidding against again?

                  If a club says they are pulling out of it doesnt mean they are entirely out of it.

                • Steve says:

                  Yes, of course . . . its says right here in the tea leaves . . . . .

                  Do you know the Cubs are being sold?

                  Do you know their rotation is set, and they would have to trade Marquis to bring in Peavy? Jason Marquis who stinks, makes a lot (10 mil) and nobody wants?

                  Its not happening. They’ve only said so every time their name gets brought up.

      • Old Ranger says:

        Ok, you hit the jackpot. Good reasoning, and written. 27/09.

    • B.George says:

      ajax and bruney will not get peavey keep dreaming

      • Mike Pop says:

        Gomez, Humber, and Mulvey got Johan.. Deolis too

        No1 thought that kind of package would’ve gotten teh Johan

        • B.George says:

          Thats because there were two better offers on the table and theytook the worse one for some reason and that GM is a moron because he traded Garza a future ace for delmon young

          • Mike Pop says:

            Heh it was a decent trade at the time.. Young’s tools are great.. Plus they have so many young arms.. Im sure he wanted to trade Perkins or Blackburn instead of him but he wanted Young and you have to give to get

          • Chris says:

            There weren’t other offers on the table. They overplayed their hand, and all of the offers got withdrawn. At this point, it seems the same thing is happening to San Diego – especially if the Braves sign Burnett.

        • christopher says:

          but the twins were asses for saying they were going to trade him and painted themselves into a corner…oh wait, what was that thing Towers said about a train and a station

          dont be surpriseed if come february if he makes a trade that makes everyone in baseball collectively say – is he a moron?

  20. pat says:

    I’d love to see stephen curry running the floor in mike d’antoni’s system.

  21. christopher says:

    the more that i think about this offseason the more I have to hope that the yanks will not cut back on payroll as much as predicted, speding the majority of the 80 million coming off of it. That and cashman getting a little creative with the roster.

    To compete with the Rays and Sox the yanks need to put together a starting staff containing four starters that can compete with or better theirs. First, the team needs an Ace for reasons discussed ad nauseum, hence CC and another guy for me Sheets more for cost than anythinig.

    The offesnse cannot depend on Matsui (who missed the majority of the past 2 years) and Posada to replace Giambi and Abreu. We are underestimating Bobby and think his value to the team wont be felt until it is gone. The guy has been a given for 100 RBI. His consistancy is almost unmatched. He, ARod and Pujols are the only three guys to get 100 RBI in each of the next six straight seasons. Couple his loss with Giambi’s offensive production in an already slipping offense and where does that place us next season?

    IMO the money that would go to Pettite would best be spent on an offensive player. Wish they could add two, but I don’t see where they would fit in unless the team would be willing to make Swisher a very expensive Utility player and employ some type of 1B/OF/DH rotation. Dunn would work well in that scenario.

    In another scenario

    The team could still let petitte go, but also move Nady and sign Manny. That would increase payroll, but I still think manny can adequetly play RF for at least 2 more seasons and his addition would instantly make this offense one of the best in baseball. Would also go along way toward eliminating the teams problems vs. lefties.

    • Ivan says:

      I think your giving the Rays and Sox more credit than they deserve and the yanks less. I mean the yanks did win 89 games despite a average offense and average staff. The Sox are not that much better and can I see the Rays do it again.

      Hey do the yanks need to add a piece or two sure, but it’s doesn’t need an absolute reconstruction.

    • Steve says:

      Every off season the Yanks talk about cutting back payroll.

      Every off season some fans and some media types buy into it.

      Every opening day they have a 200 mil payroll.

  22. Manimal says:

    Mike, do you see Albaladejo playing a role in our bullpen? He is owning fallball. His injury hurt us big time IMO (then bruney went down and made things even worse).

  23. Manimal says:

    Put your bias away for this one.

    True or false, Letting V-tek walk will hurt the sox more than they think.

    • Ivan says:

      True, cuz his grittiness, toughness, man of steal, neva give up mentality, hard as nails, grinder, always gettin dirty, loves tha game, and etc. He’s the most valuable .200 hitter in baseball even more valuable than Mo.

    • Old Ranger says:

      I don’t think it will hurt them in the long run. The team lost Manny, now V-tek, hurt somewhat, but is a blessing because they have ST to work it out.
      Let’s face it guys; the Rays, Rsox, Blue Jays and O’s are going to be tougher in 2009. We desperately need top pitching, defence and hitting to move out of the also rans. 27/09.

  24. Mike Pop says:

    Uh-oh… Could be bad news on MLBTR regarding CC

  25. Mike Pop says:

    I bring back Pettite in all plans

    • T-Dizzle says:

      so do i people keep overlooking him and underrating him but they neeed him more than peeps realize

      • Steve says:

        He gives you innings, no doubt. But his ERA for the 2nd half of last season was 6+, and he wants 16 mil again this year.

        I love Andy and hope he comes back, but anything over 12 and I look elsewhere.

        • T-Dizzle says:

          ya they really need peavey and cc and maybe burnett then if you get those guys get tex or manny and then we have no holes in the lineup and we can focus on a championship and then next offseason

        • Old Ranger says:

          The word was; Andy was hurting somewhat, that’s why his numbers were so bad. If true, I would think 2009 would be a good time to have him pitch for us. What say you? 27/09.

          • Steve says:

            Yeah, they think if he gets in better shape he’ll be fine for next year.

            But he will also be 37 next year, and he’s never had the biggest margin for error. When he goes, its going to be fast and its going to get ugly. Its reasonable to assume we saw the beginning of the end for him last year. Its risky at his age.

  26. T-Dizzle says:

    u guys think if the brewers make that deal he will go to them?

    • Steve says:

      Only if they put a McDonalds in the bullpen.

      I hear he loves that new Chipotle burger they got.

    • Thomas says:

      No. If I was CC, I’d rather have the 5 year $100 million than 6 years $110 million. Essentially, you can look at the deal as 5 years for $100 million with a 6th year at $10 million. I think in 5 years CC can get a deal worth more than $10 million.

      • T-Dizzle says:

        but if he really liked it there maybe he takes less money just like everyone said he would for la

        • Thomas says:

          That could be true, but what I was trying to say was that I personally see the 5 year at $20 million per a more attractive offer than 6 years at $18+ per.

          Hence, I would feel if he wanted to stay in Wisconsin he would have taken the first offer.

          Additionally, if CC only takes the five year offer instead of the 6 year deal, when that deal is done, he may be able to get another long term deal easier.

        • Mike Pop says:

          Ya he liked it in Cleveland and wanted to stay there too

    • mustang says:

      No. Money talks and bullshit walks I want see him walk away from 30 million. This is going to be a long week patience my friends this is only the first inning.

  27. T-Dizzle says:

    u guys think phil is ready to be in the rotation going every 5th day? cuz i kinda think its about time for him to put up or shut up in the majors

    • Mike Pop says:

      If he stays healthy you really don’t get a better 5th starter then him

    • Old Ranger says:

      He is ready now, much more so then last year. Will he have bad games, you bet-cha! Will he have very good games, you bet-cha! Think about it; Joba and Phil will have their ups and downs throughout the year…they are both very young and still on the learning curve. Will they be impact pitchers for the team this year? Damn, I really hope so. 27/09.

    • mustang says:

      I rather him start the year in AAA and come up when someone goes down in the rotation (and you someone will). However, I have no problems with him being the 5th starter that’s the way they should of brought him along in the first place.

      • mustang says:

        ( and you know some will)

      • Old Ranger says:

        I have no problems with him being the 5th starter that’s the way they should of brought him along in the first place.

        Agree with that, the team exacerbated the problem with both IPK and Phil starting…the pressure was on for them to preform at a higher rate then they were ready for. In 07, when they did well, they were just call-ups filling in (more or less) no pressure at all.
        I am not sure of your thoughts but, I believe IPK can be a serviceable # 4-5 starter and Phil a #2 or 3 starter with the team for years to come.
        I am going to watch them with a very discerning eye in ST this year. Them, along with Cervelli, Melky, Cano, Coke, Albaladejo, our CF and Swish.
        The one guy you and others will enjoy watching (if you haven’t) is Melancon, he is the next big star. 27/09.

  28. DonnieBaseballHallofFame aka they guy who has well documented history of belligerent thickheadedness and anti-intellectual character assassinations says:

    First OPEN THREAD post I think for me. Although some will say all my posts seem openthreadish.

    Alex the Purple Lipped Princess is a joke and shows how much of a joke all this WBC Classic thing is. Switching teams? Dude you were born in America. Get over yourself. What a sissy head case this guy is.

    Damn man I really wished the Yanks actually stood tuff last years and let him go sign with the Angels or whoever. How bout we trade Alex to the Dominican team and we get back Manny? Can we do that somehow?

    • Mike Pop says:

      We get back Manny ? This team would of won 70 games without Alex on it..

      Take that to lohud

      • DonnieBaseballHallofFame aka they guy who has well documented history of belligerent thickheadedness and anti-intellectual character assassinations says:

        So Alex’s replacement value or whatever the stat heads call it is like 19 games? Wow that is impressive. Well then I change my whole mind, let us get more Alex types.

        • Mike Pop says:

          Do you just post dumb things now to try to be funny or make people annoyed with you ?

        • Steve says:

          Yes, he’s worth 19 games. To whoever were playing in the playoffs.

        • Thomas says:

          His WARP (wins above replacement player) was 8.9 good for 6th in the AL, while missing 17 games. Over a full season it would be about 10 wins better than any everyday player in the AL. So he is very valuable.

          • Thomas says:

            *Over a full season it would be about 10 wins, better than any everyday player in the AL

            • Mike Pop says:

              We saw what we were without him for 25 games.. That is not a team i want to see again

              • Thomas says:

                NO WE WON 27 WROLD SERIESS WITHUTO HIM AND ZERO WITH AFRAUD1?1!!! HE IS SUX0R!11!!ELEVENTY1!!(!)

                • Mike Pop says:

                  ZOMG !?!?!?!?! YOUR RIGHT !?!?!?

                  SUPERSTARS DONT WIN CHAMPIONSHIPS, ITS ALL ABOUT THE TEAM..

                • DonnieBaseballHallofFame aka they guy who has well documented history of belligerent thickheadedness and anti-intellectual character assassinations says:

                  How bout we just got a superstart that can hit good to great pitchers when we need it the most. Say a guy who is a free agent like Manny?

                  NNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDS!

                • Mike Pop says:

                  He atttacked me so can I call him a tool ?

              • DonnieBaseballHallofFame aka they guy who has well documented history of belligerent thickheadedness and anti-intellectual character assassinations says:

                I would have liked to have seen a team without him and that 25 to 30milli he pulls in a year put to use for say some pitching and a few other players.

                Oh yeah I forgot he is the only player in the world that can put up any numbers and he plays for free for us.

                • Mike Pop says:

                  “I would have liked to have seen a team without him and that 25 to 30milli he pulls in a year put to use for say some pitching and a few other players.”

                  How could you of spent that money better? What were you going to get Silva, Lohse, and pedro feliz? Ya thats a better way to spend the 27.5 mill

                • DonnieBaseballHallofFame aka they guy who has well documented history of belligerent thickheadedness and anti-intellectual character assassinations says:

                  I think pretty much everybody on earth agrees from a baseball standpoint wrapping up 300 million in Alex for ten years was a bad baseball move. Now if it is a good business move for the Yankees, that could be argued by people who know more about their business than I do, but from a baseball standpoint it was bad BI homebwoy.

          • DonnieBaseballHallofFame aka they guy who has well documented history of belligerent thickheadedness and anti-intellectual character assassinations says:

            I will remember that the next time he hits into two double plays and fails to swing at a ball down the middle of the plate to end a close game as he seems to every time we need that win.

            I could root for this guy a lot easier if he just shut up and stopped being such a fairy.

            • Thomas says:

              He had less GiDP than Cano and Captain Clutch Jeter. Additionally, Matsui and Posada (and Betemit) were on pace to have far more GiDP.

              Though he did lead the team in strikeouts.

              While he was less successful in high leverage and clutch situation compared to low and unclutch situations, he was still well above the major league average in those situation. Also clutchiness and leverage stats vary year to year, because of the sample size and luck. Hence why Alex was great last year and “horrible” this year.

              • Eric says:

                I think the whole A-Rod is unclutch thing is overrated but it’s worth noting that he was 88th in WPA this year–still ahead of Jeter, though.

                Also, go look at the career leaders in GIDP. The first five guys are all HOFers.

                • DonnieBaseballHallofFame aka they guy who has well documented history of belligerent thickheadedness and anti-intellectual character assassinations says:

                  “Also, go look at the career leaders in GIDP. The first five guys are all HOFers.”

                  This is why net stats heads bother me. I have seen this brought up tons of times now. So it is great to hit into double plays?

                • Eric says:

                  I’m not saying it’s great. I’d rather have a K than a GIDP but I’m just saying it. Over the course of one’s career, it doesn’t seem to affect production that greatly.

                • DonnieBaseballHallofFame aka they guy who has well documented history of belligerent thickheadedness and anti-intellectual character assassinations says:

                  I think the way you are looking at the data is making you draw the wrong conclusions.

                  Just because some HOFers hit into a lot of double plays does that not effect their production. Obviously it has to. I also know a lot of line drive hitters who hit the ball very hard can hit into a few double plays a year that maybe a guy who slaps at the ball would not. But one of the reasons I think it is more important to watch the games and the players instead of blindly believing in stats is because each at bat, play etc is unique in some way and means different things in different times and places in the game.

                  I know that stats are meant to break down things into nice easy categories, but I do not believe our game is just about neat and easy categories.

                  And for the record I would much prefer at hit to a K or a GIDP lol.

  29. Eric says:

    “I will remember that the next time he hits into two double plays…”

    Just like Captain Clutch Derek Jeter who was among the league leaders in GIDP.

    • Eric says:

      Woops, forgot the reply button.

    • DonnieBaseballHallofFame aka they guy who has well documented history of belligerent thickheadedness and anti-intellectual character assassinations says:

      Jeter’s GIDP this year was alarming that is for sure. But when Jeter opens his mouth I usually hear things like what he said at the end of the last game at the Stadium. Hence me talking about how much I like or dislike Alex.

      Anybody that takes anything I say on here fully serious might need to step away from the computer and hang out with a humaniod woman once in a while.

      • Mike Pop says:

        Your the one talking bout hanging with a woman when you have Jeter’s cock down your throat

        • DonnieBaseballHallofFame aka they guy who has well documented history of belligerent thickheadedness and anti-intellectual character assassinations says:

          A lot of class you have sir.

          Sorry I like baseball and enjoy it and have players I like and do not like. I was not implying you were gay, I was implying you might spend too much time in the cyberworld.

          But with thoughts like that maybe it is both.

          • Mike Pop says:

            Well saying the team is better off without A-Rod is idiotic

            • DonnieBaseballHallofFame aka they guy who has well documented history of belligerent thickheadedness and anti-intellectual character assassinations says:

              Where did I say that you utter maroon?

              I SAID I DO NOT LIKE HIM!

              ME!

              THE NERVE OF ME. Having an opinion to either like or not like a person or ballplayer (sometimes the same thing)

              I also said that the money he makes could be spent better to help this team. Please stop drinking the cough syrup and switch to drano.

              • Mike Pop says:

                Bro you were implying it. Saying shit like I wish we let him go and we should of used that money elsewhere.. W.e Im done arguing with you cause your just being ridiculous

                I stand by what I said though.. you say some dumb shit

      • Eric says:

        I would hope everyone knows you’re being sarcastic.

  30. Mike Pop says:

    Oklahoma is just owning this game

  31. Chuck says:

    So do you guys think this is going to be a crazy winter meetings where everyone signs or do you think it is going to drag out even longer?

    • pat says:

      Looks like the dominoes are in place. When they fall is anybody’s guess but when the first one signs I think the rest fall in place pretty quickly.

  32. pat says:

    I would not be surprised to see mayweather come out of retirement to fight Pacquiao.

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