Jan
29

The RAB Radio Show – January 29, 2009, Episode 11

By

As it turns out, neither Mike nor I was available earlier this afternoon when we usually record the RAB Radio Show. We got together later on to put the show together, and here it is. We’re posting it now for the open thread.

The first topic is the Pettitte signing, and we talk about how it’s tough to see this as a bad move. We kind of wrote of Joel Sherman when he said the Yankees next offer would be under $10 million, but that turned out to be the case, at least as far as guaranteed money goes. It won’t take much for him to hit around that $10 million mark with his incentives.

Then it’s onto reader questions. We cite a Ken Rosenthal report which states that Nick Swisher is atop the Braves list of desirable outfielders. He notes that the Yankees want prospects in return. I’m not sure I dig this type of deal. Chances are, the prospect won’t be of the blue chip type so, again, the Yanks are probably better off holding onto the depth.

Onto the podcast. It is available in a number of formats. You can download it here by right clicking on that link and selecting Save As. If you want to play it in your browser, just left click the link. You can also subscribe to the podcast feed, which will send it to you every Thursday. You can also subscribe in iTunes. Finally, we have the embedded audio player below.

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We appreciate any feedback. You can leave it in the comments or email either of us.

Categories : Podcast

198 Comments»

  1. 27 this year says:

    Since it is tagged open thread:

    according to mlbtr, the mets signed Matt DeSalvo to a minor league deal. That is the Matt Desalvo that played for the Yankees, almost the same guy as Rasner, right?

  2. 27 this year says:

    “The Yankees should have talked to Tim Raines before signing Carl Pavano. Raines, the former Yankee who was coaching with the White Sox when Pavano signed, had played with Pavano in Montreal. During Pavano’s first Yankees season, Raines told Borzello: “He didn’t want to pitch except for the one year he was pitching for a contract. I’m telling you, he’s not going to pitch for you.”

    Of course, by then, the Yankees already had a bad feeling about Pavano — team officials were startled to see him rudely rebuke his mother in April, using a mild curse word. Why? He was angry at his mother for wearing a Yankees’ NY in face paint on her cheek to the game.”

    That is quoted from a Tyler Kepner article linked on the Bronx Banter Blog. What if we never signed Pavano, what if…

    • Arin says:

      I hate saying this, but Pavano is a tool. You’re getting paid large sums of money to play an awesome game, but you don’t want to pitch? I hate Pavano.

    • “The Yankees should have talked to Tim Raines before signing Carl Pavano. Raines, the former Yankee who was coaching with the White Sox when Pavano signed, had played with Pavano in Montreal. During Pavano’s first Yankees season, Raines told Borzello: “He didn’t want to pitch except for the one year he was pitching for a contract. I’m telling you, he’s not going to pitch for you.”

      Yet one more reason why Tim Raines is a Hall of Famer.

    • Drew says:

      Wow what a waste of blog space. Who is this Pavano you speak of? Can we ban his name from the blog? He’s super bummish

  3. Artist formerly known as 'The' Steve says:

    Everyone see the statement released by Pavano on the Torre book?

    “I am extremely disappointed that someone I had a lot of respect for would make these type of comments in his upcoming book,” Pavano said in a statement released to 1050 ESPN New York’s Andrew Marchand through Pavano’s agent, Tom O’Connell. “I wish nothing but the best for Joe Torre and my former Yankee teammates, but with that said it does explain why I haven’t received any Christmas cards from Joe the last few years.”

    http://mvn.com/giambimustaches.....funny.html

    If you’re Joe Torre, and you put a guy like Carl Pavano in a position to be the one who takes the high road, then you have to know you have completely screwed the pooch.

  4. Jamal G. says:

    Screw Carl Pavano, how about Boomer: http://www.nydailynews.com/spo.....ed_kn.html

    Asked what he’d say to Torre about the book, Wells replied: “I’d probably just knock him out.”

    Wells tempered the fighting words with laughter, adding: “I probably wouldn’t say anything. I’d probably laugh at him. It’s easy to say things when you leave.”

    Wells admitted to clashing with the manager, saying that Torre would often turn off his music in the clubhouse without ever asking him to turn it down. How’d Wells respond? He’d blast the music again and tell Torre, “If you got a problem, go in your office and shut the door.”

    “I wasn’t there trying to make Joe’s life miserable, I was there trying to win,” added Wells, who used the loud music to pump himself up before games. “He fined me for wearing a Babe Ruth hat, that’s pretty shallow. I threw the money at him and said, ‘Go buy a pair of rims for your car.’”

    “Joe called guys out from time to time,” Wells said. “He always said you’ll never hear anything from him in the media or the papers, and that was BS … Joe didn’t respect a lot of people in my eyes.”

    “In my book I didn’t dog anybody. I made some jokes, but I didn’t really attack any one person,” Wells said, adding: “(Torre’s) pissing a lot of New Yorkers off. He’s going to have to deal with that. Maybe when he goes into Shea Stadium (now Citi Field) maybe all the Yankee fans want to go over there and rile it up for him.”

    “I just may go buy the book,” he said. “Just to see how much BS is in that or how much of it is fabricated.”

  5. Artist formerly known as 'The' Steve says:

    Has everyone seen the excerpt about the Roger Clemens/hot tub-liniment story?

    If you’re squeamish, skip over the next post. You’ve been warned.

    • Artist formerly known as 'The' Steve says:

      “The story comes courtesy of Yankee trainer Steve Donahue who told Verducci about what Roger Clemens did as part of his usual routine to get ready for facing the Mets in Game 2 of the 2000 World Series. Donahue said Clemens’ usual pregame preparation included taking a whirlpool bath at the hottest temperature possible.

      “He’d come out looking like a lobster,” Donahue said.

      But here’s the money quote:

      Then Donahue would rub the hottest possible liniment on his testicles.

      “He’d start snorting like a bull,” the trainer said. “That’s when he was ready to pitch.”

      http://www.faniq.com/blog.php?id=18521

  6. Brooklyn Ed says:

    Cruz to the Yanks per Heyman. huh?

    could someone confirm it?

  7. yankeefan91 Arod fan says:

    but they reported cruz going to the yanks

  8. yankeefan91 Arod fan says:

    nevermind they said hey hope hell go because they wouldnt give up a first round pick

  9. Artist formerly known as 'The' Steve says:

    Piggybacking on the Rosenthal Swisher-Braves rumor above, here’s a ink to BA’s top 10 Braves prospects.

    “1. Tommy Hanson, rhp
    2. Jason Heyward, of
    3. Jordan Schafer, of
    4. Gorkys Hernandez, of
    5. Freddie Freeman, 1b
    6. Cole Rohrbough, lhp
    7. Jeff Locke, lhp
    8. Julio Teheran, rhp
    9. Kris Medlen, rhp
    10. Craig Kimbrel, rhp”

    http://www.baseballamerica.com.....67345.html

    1-4 are going to be untouchable, #5 is a 1B. So forget about them. But they have some interesting guys 6-10 who could be available.

    -Kimbrel has insane BB/IP and SO/IP rates in the minors. He’s a reliever who they had starting some last year. Great control, great fastball.

    -Julio Teheran is an IFA who’s still a baby (17) and has tons of upside.

    -The Yankee farm system is light on left handed pitchers, so the 2 lefties have to get some consideration as well.

    If Wren will do 2 of those 6-10 pitchers for Swisher, do you make the deal? I think its a pretty good fit for a spare part like Swish.

  10. Mike says:

    Quick question. What is the website often used on here that calculates the players true salary value based on performance?

  11. Manimal says:

    Would signing Juan Cruz force Joba into the rotation?

    • Steve H says:

      Joba is forcing Joba into the rotation, for good.

      • Mike Pop says:

        David Robertson is the reason why people are going to stop talking Joba to the pen at first. Then when Joba owns in the rotation, it will be all said and done.

        • Rafi says:

          Mark Melancon is the reason why people are going to stop talking Joba to the pen at first. Then when Joba owns in the rotation, it will be all said and done.
          Fixed.

          I know, I’m supposed to do the strike though Robertson’s name, but I can’t seem to figure out how to put the line through his name only and not the whole thing

    • Artist formerly known as 'The' Steve says:

      No, extending Brian Cashman for 3 years is forcing Joba into the starting rotation.

    • steve (different one) says:

      Manimal was making a joke, but NOSWHDT.

  12. Matt says:

    Why the fuck is my “Bones” not on right now? Matt’s gettin’ upset!

  13. Lissette says:

    Would you trade Nady for Hicks and Soriano (Braves)

  14. Manimal says:

    Signing Juan Cruz also allows Marte to be traded at the deadline, there is always demand for a lefty reliever.

  15. Kilgore Trout says:

    When is the seat relocation going to be complete?

  16. Matt says:

    So I’m looking at Gardner’s CHONE projections.

    .258/.341/.345, 33 SB, 9 CS (78.57%). If he can do that and add his defensive projection in CF, +5, I’ll be ecstatic.

    • greg says:

      I find offensive projections are really only reliable after the player has spent a few seasons in the majors.

      • Matt says:

        I hear ya, but at the same time, I feel like those are more than realistic projections for Gardner. He looked a lot better at the end of the year and he’s a good count worker/on base guy and while I don’t think the high average is gonna translate from the minors, I think he’ll be fine getting on base and getting steals. So long as he can provide good CF defense, though, I’m fine with him. When was the last time the Yankees had a solid defender in CF?

    • Artist formerly known as 'The' Steve says:

      That sounds about right to me. If he gets 500 PAs and gets on base at a .341 clip, he should score 80-90 runs out of the #9 hole.

      I’ll be very happy with Gardner if he gets on base 1/3 of the time, scores some runs and plays the shit out of CF. Stick thinks he can be a TOP defensive CF, and from what little I’ve seen of Brett I think its a good possibility.

      • Matt says:

        “…and gets on base at a .341 clip, he should score 80-90 runs out of the #9 hole. ”

        Word. I think he’ll provide ample RBI opps for Damon and Jeter at the top. If all goes right for the Bombers this year, I think they could put up 1,000 runs. I think.

    • Ryan S. says:

      A .341 OBP with 33 SBs for our #9 hitter? I’d take that in a cocaine heartbeat.

      • Andy In Sunny Daytona says:

        .280/.345/.402

        Melky’s CHONE predictions for 2009.

        • Ryan S. says:

          I’d be willing to give The Melk Man another shot too. It wouldn’t surprise me at all for Cabrera to beat out Gardner…but I’d probably give Brett the nod if it was up to me.

  17. Manimal says:

    Just finished the podcast, good stuff guys.
    For people interested in the Baseball America prospect hand book I suggest you go to Amazon they have it cheaper.

  18. Lissette says:

    Name a package where the yankees get Heyward..

  19. christopher says:

    as much as like both nady and swisher if you look at it from the perpective that they can:

    A. Restock what has become a fairly average minor league systemt

    amd

    B. With th down market they could replace them with only money and picks next year.

    Granted you lose a lot on defense, but Dunn and even Abreu are out there. Trading Swisher or Nady may allow them to sign Adam Dunn and his .400 OPB. Granted this is not ideal because Dun is not exactly a gold glover.

    C. Next years outfield class is aweful unless some of these guys take 1 year deals. Singing Adam Dunn now and backloading his contract a bit (because Matusi’s salary will most likely be gone) would be a good move for the future.

    Granted it causes a positional problem this year, but I think it is worth it espcially because free agents are on sale

  20. Kilgore Trout says:

    Any of you still at workt too?

  21. A.D. says:

    If Tek comes back on a one year deal, do the Sox go after Montero/Salty anyways for the future

  22. Manimal says:

    I’m pissed there is no Office this week, but the superbowl one is supposed to be the best office ever. Jessica Alba and Jack Black are in it!

  23. Mike Pop says:

    In response to the podcast.

    Gordon Beckham for the White Sox at 2b. That is what they are waiting for. Him and Alexei, that is a nice middle infield combo.

  24. A.D. says:

    Did Alexei Ramirez never play in the minors?

  25. Manimal says:

    Wow, all PS3 owners should SERIOUSLY consider Killzone 2. Freaking amazing.

    http://ps3.ign.com/dor/objects.....12909.html

  26. The Evil Empire says:

    Hey will anyone here be getting season tickets? Does anyone know how much they go for?

    • A.D. says:

      i want to get the saturday package

      • The Evil Empire says:

        Wow, i didn’t know there was such a thing. How does it work? Or is it self-explanatory, you get tickets to every saturday games?

      • Matt says:

        I’m just hoping to get a few single game tix at this point. Def hopping all over the Phillies series when single game tickets go on sale.

        • Artist formerly known as 'The' Steve says:

          I’ll usually have an extra pair, available (at cost) a few days before the game. Let me know what games you want, and I’ll keep you in mind.

          • Mike Pop says:

            Come on buddy, we are RAB buddies. Ya know, I hook you up, you hook me up. (I hook you up by giving you a case of beer)????

            • Artist formerly known as 'The' Steve says:

              A case of beer? For $70 seats in the Main Section?

              That’s like trading Jake Peavy for Melky+IPK!

              • Mike Pop says:

                Well, I am one hell of a GM. My Fantasy Baseball team was stacked!

              • Jay CT says:

                You have good seats Steve? I had legends for the last couple years, but couldnt afford them now. I figured I would just buy second hand the games I want to go to.

              • The Evil Empire says:

                I feel left out haha, I live near Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, we already know that means I can’t even afford bleacher seats. But i was just asking the prices of season tickets or a package of any kind;I’m mulling over on whether or not i should take some of my college loan money to get a package of some sort.

  27. Dave says:

    So only visible to a few thousand girls?

  28. Matt says:

    Alright I’m out for the weekend with a semi-PSA.

    I know we’re all going to be partying this weekend and drinking, especially Sunday, but if you have even a drop of alcohol, please think like 600 times before touching your keys. A family friend of mine was just killed by a drunk driver. So, please, don’t be fucking stupid.

  29. Dave says:

    Coke = if we are desperate after all of Hughes, aceves and kennedy are in the rotation or ineffective and AJ, Pettitte and joba are all down with injury/reached innings limit. That would give us CC, wang, two of the young guys lets say Hughes, Aceves and Coke. That would be a terrible situation and fall deep into the season most likely after joba is on the bench or in the pen. Luckly, our three bigger risks out of the rotation is the third, fourth and fifth starter and our two least risks are likely one and two. At least the way i see it.

    I cant see any possible scenario worse than that above but if there was, I seriously doubt hacker would be my choice. At this point, we are talking about almost the entire rotation going down to injury and a rotation of one of them, Hughes, Aceves, Kennedy and blank. If that happens, we probably already lost grip of the AL East or are going into the playoffs with our rotation in tatters. Either way, it doesn’t much matter who the heck our fifth starter is but no way it would be hacker.

    Last year, I realize that four of our five opening day starters were injured/ineffective and on the dl in AAA at some point and five of six were injured throughout the season but we started the season with PAVANO, KENNEDY AND HUGHES in our opening day rotation which was a HUGE mistake. Then, we were ravaged even more with wang’s very flukey running injury and to top it all off, pettitte’s shoulder issues resulting in a bunch of horrible games. I think we wont have five out of six injured starters next year and only one of the top five not injured. if that is the case though – the rotation goes back to one of the top five, Hughes, Aceves, Kennedy and ???? but we have to be as unlucky as we were last season which i doubt.

  30. Dave says:

    Im sorry that last line was supposed to be one of the top five, two of Hughes, kennedy and aceves, Coke and ????. Its late and im not thinking straight but the point was we would have to have the exact same situation we had last year in order to require a tenth starter on the totem pole. I just dont see it happening again with this staff.

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