Jan
29

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

By Joseph Pawlikowski

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.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 6 or above) is required to play this audio clip. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

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

Posted on Thursday, January 29th, 2009 at 7:15 pm in Podcast.

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198 Comments »

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?

Meh. DeSalvo > Rasner, IMO. But yes, it’s the same DeSalvo.

Artist formerly known as 'The' Steve says:

Matt “Mini Mussina” DeSalvo?

Jamal G. says:

No, Matt “Matty Ice” DeSalvo.

Ugh. One “Matty Ice” was enough.

BTW, I really thing Ryan should be the corporate pitchman for “Natural Light” and “Natural Ice” Beers.

“For Matty Ice, there’s no beer quite like Natty Ice!”

Matt says:

My roommates have that shit in our fridge all the time. It angers me more than slightly.

 
Joseph P. says:
Mike Pop says:

The Mick!!!!

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Mike A. says:

Mighty Matt!!!

I freaking loved that guy. He threw a million different pitches from a million different arm slots.

Matt says:

It was the wiffle ball training.

 
 
 
 
Drew says:

I liked him but he threw tooo many oitches for the bigs. Too many average pitches that is.

 
 
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.

Artist formerly known as 'The' Steve says:

Why on earth would you hate saying that? Pavano stole his George’s money (and as a paying fan, mine) for the past 4 years.

Arin says:

I know. Who am I kidding? I am behind a computer screen.

Mike Pop says:

Ya, your just a tough guy behind the computer screen. Let’s meet up and rumble punk.

 
 
 
 

“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

 
 
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.

 
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.”

Matt says:

Holy crap. I don’t even know how to respond to a lot of this, haha.

Stryker says:

i loved boomer (the 90s version) when he was on the yankees.

Matt says:

I saw you ask in the chat yesterday if Swisher is better than Nady defensively. I should smack you driving by on my way down to my GF’s this weekend.

Mike Pop says:

I suspect you only made this comment to mention you had a GF.

 
 
 
 
 
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

Mike Pop says:

Sox fans/blogs/red sox nation is going to shit on all Yankee fans over this.

Jack says:

He played for them, too.

Mike Pop says:

Red Sox players never do anything wrong.

Artist formerly known as 'The' Steve says:

Imagine you get 1st degree burns all over your body, your balls are on fire, and then . . . . . . you go out on the mound an get shellacked.

 
 
 
 
 
 
Brooklyn Ed says:

Cruz to the Yanks per Heyman. huh?

could someone confirm it?

Artist formerly known as 'The' Steve says:

Link? Just checked SI, and there’s nothing there.

Brooklyn Ed says:

it was on Hot Stove.

Manimal says:

I checked the TV, MLB network had nothing and ESPNnews not only didn’t have anything, but it said that the yankees will not sign any more free agents this year lol.

Brooklyn Ed says:

lol, I got clarifcation on it:

Cruz had hoped that he could go to the Yankees as because of all their signings and they would not have to give up a high draft pick. Heyman didnt say that the Yankess wanted him or were signing him.

Mike Pop says:

He will be a Yankee by next week. Bank on it !

Brooklyn Ed says:

lets hope so.

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christopher says:

Heard from Klapish and Heyman on both MLB Hot Stove and Yankee Hot Stove that Cruz will be a yankee, but to my knowledge neither has cited a “major league source”. It seems to be just a guess by both of them because of the draft pick situation

 
 
 
 
yankeefan91 Arod fan says:

but they reported cruz going to the yanks

 
yankeefan91 Arod fan says:

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

 
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.

Jack says:

I wouldn’t call Swish a spare part.

Matt says:

I will rant again. I swear I will. Swisher should be the starting RF over Nady for a variety of reasons. Both of them should be in NY come next year, but Swisher should be the starter.

 
 
 
Mike Pop says:

No thanks. Give me Schafer and we will expand the deal somehow or give me Kelly Johnson plus more. I’d rather keep Swisher though. Trading Nady would be better than trading Swisher at this point.

christopher says:

too bad they cant unload matsui

 
 
Mike A. says:

If I could have anyone in their system (non-Heyward/Hanson division), I’d want Jeff Locke. Dude’s a stud.

Jake K. says:

Briefly, what’s his story?

Mike A. says:

Big projectable lefty, low-mid 90s fastball, knockout curve, improving changeup. Lots of his moving parts in his delivery, so he struggles with his command but still keeps his walks low and piles up groundballs.

Manimal says:
Steve H says:

Really? Which ones are you looking at?

Manimal says:

Well not “weak” stats, but weaker than Mike was talking about him.
http://minors.baseball-referen.....?pid=32066

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Steve H says:

Yeah, not dominating. But remember, this kid came from a school in New Hampshire, and hadn’t faced much in the way of competition until he got to the minors which must have been quite a shock. Despite that, he was dominant in 2007 in Rookie Ball(74/8 k/bb ratio in 61 innings), and went thru some lumps in 2008, but wasn’t bad by any means. He also was getting better as this season went along, not sure if I can find game logs, but I’ve followed his career closely.

 
Mike A. says:

They’re Low-A stats, so they’re only slightly less useless than high school stats.

 
Rafi says:

Not exactly a game log, but has a monthly split:
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.....?n=Jeffrey Locke&pos=P&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=502046
Doesn’t seem to have been “getting better”, but if you’ve been following him, I’ll take your word for it

 
Steve H says:

Well his best month was his last month, his worst month was his first month, and his ERA was 40 pts better after the All-Star break. I’d say that’s improving as the season goes along.

 
 
 
 
Jake K. says:

Future starter or reliever in your opinion?

Mike A. says:

Oh he’s a starter. Someone should teach that kid a cutter.

 
 
 
 
Mike Pop says:

Braves fans on MLBTR today were saying Morton/Reyes/Brandon Jones for Swisher. I laughed.

Mike A. says:

Hey, that’s not far off from what the ChiSox got for him. The only difference is that Morton/Reyes have already gotten a chance to show that they suck in the bigs.

Mike Pop says:

Morton is almost 26. I would never make that deal.

 
 
Artist formerly known as 'The' Steve says:

That’s the Braves fan’s version of Melky-IPK+a AA reliever for Yankee fans.

Mike Pop says:

IPK is alot better than both those guys.

 
Mike A. says:

Hah.

It’s funny cause it’s true.

 
 
 
Steve H says:

I used to work with Locke’s uncle. He told me he had a 14 year old nephew who threw 88 left handed. Hadn’t known him for long and thought he was totally bullshitting me. Turned out to be Locke. My uncle knows Locke pretty well too, worked at his HS, and was a quasi bodyguard for him his senior year with all of the scouts and coaches around.

 
 
A.D. says:

Expand the deal and get Schafer, if you’re doing a deal, might as well do it right.

 
 
Mike says:

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

Matt says:

Fangraphs has some good numbers.

 
Mike A. says:
Mike says:

Thanks. Thought I had it bookmarked but guess not.

 
 
 
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

Steve H says:

Actually, we are all wrong. Common freaking sense is forcing Joba to the rotation.

 
Mike Pop says:

Naaa, Robertson is filthy and is going to break camp with the club. Dominate in his first 12 appearances.

christopher says:

“The Force” is with him. It is telling him he belongs in the rotation

 
 
 
 
 
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.

 
 
Matt says:

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

 
Lissette says:

Would you trade Nady for Hicks and Soriano (Braves)

Mike A. says:

Aaron Hicks? He’s on the Twins. And I’d do that deal so fast Frank Wren would get whiplash.

 
Mike Pop says:

Wrong!

Brandon Hicks

Mike A. says:

Ah. I don’t know squat about the guy.

Lissette says:

Me either, just read it on mlbtr

 
Manimal says:

Me neither. Just googled “Hicks Braves” haha

Jack says:
 
 
Mike Pop says:

Me neither. Just googled “Hicks Braves” haha

Lol, exactly what I did.

 
 
A.D. says:

SS thats asset is power

 
 
 
 
Rafi says:

Brandon Hicks = Brandon Wood
Truth is, I think that I would do it if you switched Soriano for one of their younger RP. Soriano’s making 6.1MM this year. For that price, you can get Juan Cruz(who’s a better pitcher) and have money to spare. I’d prefer Kimbrel over Medlen, but don’t love either.

A.D. says:

that and we dont need a reliever and Soriano will probably get hurt

 
 
 
Manimal says:

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

Mike Pop says:

Marte won’t be traded.

27 this year says:

Signing Juan Cruz allow Juan Cruz to be traded.

 
 
Artist formerly known as 'The' Steve says:

Mike Stanton, Randy Choate, Sterling Hitchcock, Chris Hammond, Felix Heredia,
Gabe White, Jesse Orosco, Alex Graman, CJ Nitkowski, Donovan Osborne,
Al Leiter, Buddy Groom, Alan Embree, Mike Stanton-part deux, Wayne Franklin,
Sean Henn, Ron Villone, Mike Myers, Matt Smith, Kei Igawa, Billy Traber

Yeah, let’s trade Marte, because we’ve had so much luck finding good, reliable lefty relievers in recent years.

Manimal says:
Steve H says:

Let’s give Coke a chance to be a starter first.

 
 
Mike A. says:

I don’t care what hand they throw with, as long as they get outs.

Manimal says:

Seriously. Sure, LOOGY’s are good to have but they aren’t really useful and most of the time, they don’t really work out.

 
Artist formerly known as 'The' Steve says:

I agree, but way too many managers don’t look at platoon splits. They just play it by the book. You bring in a LOOGY, they pinch hit a righty. Burning 1-2 of their bench players and/or weakening themselves defensively for the later innings. For that reason alone, it’s useful.

Mike A. says:

In the chat yesterday someone asked Joe if we could see Tony LaRussa manage the team if Girardi flops and gets fired after the season. I cringed a little bit. That guy has patented the four reliever inning.

Ryan S. says:

The management of the bullpen is one of the most tangible effects a coach has on his team, and that’s the one place I saw Girardi really do well.

 
Artist formerly known as 'The' Steve says:

That, and he’s not a NY guy. Very testy in post game interviews with a kiss ass press corp of 3 beat writers in St Louis. Drunk driving arrests don’t burnish your image around here, either.

Mike Pop says:

David Wells, Yankees next manager.

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Artist formerly known as 'The' Steve says:

He’s certainly been begging for work. Says he’s bored out his mind being retired. Heard him on Kay today, and he was willing to do anything from coaching minor leaguers to being Mike’s co-host. They said he went up to Bristol to audition for ESPN’s Baseball Tonight.

 
 
 
 
 
 

Why did the Yanks let go of Hammond again?

Artist formerly known as 'The' Steve says:

Because he didn’t get lefties out.

 
Manimal says:

Dec 18, 2003: New York Yankees traded Chris Hammond and cash to the Oakland Athletics for Edwardo Sierra and J.T. Stotts.

Anyone ever hear about the people we got back?

Artist formerly known as 'The' Steve says:

No, but 37 year old relievers aren’t going to fetch much.

http://www.baseball-reference......ch01.shtml

BTW-Check out the year Hammond had for ATL before we signed him. ERA+ of 439. No, that’s not a typing error.

Manimal says:

wow, thats beastly. Mariano Rivera can’t even do that.

steve (different one) says:

he could, he just chooses to make it look fair for the other team by giving up a run every month or so.

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A.D. says:
 
 
steve (different one) says:

Sierra was later traded for Chacon, i think.

Artist formerly known as 'The' Steve says:

Yeah, and never made it out of the minors.

 
 
 
 
 
christopher says:

why trade marte? the point of getting cruz would be to have a righty/lefty combo i the th and 8th.

Be careful how much fate we have in coke. Remember Kennedy looked good in his first few months too

 
 
Kilgore Trout says:

When is the seat relocation going to be complete?

 
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.

 
 
 
 
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.

Mike A. says:

Yeah but it takes longer to get it. And you don’t get the cool supplement with each org’s #31 prospect.

Manimal says:

True. That must be some great reading material for uh… well, you know.

 
 
 
Lissette says:

Name a package where the yankees get Heyward..

A.D. says:

Way too much for a player in HiA…Nady + Kennedy, and then I’d ask for 0 probability/ridiculous upside-type guy.

A.D. says:

I didn’t say to do it, but it would get it done with that.

 
 
 

Montero + Snyder or Hacker?? Teams usually don’t swap prospects b/c each team usually overvalues its own. The exception is usually for out-of-options prospects or related instances.

christopher says:

old fashioned trades before money became such an issue

 
 
VO says:

a copy of joe torres book and a thank you card?

 
 
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

Artist formerly known as 'The' Steve says:

“Singing Adam Dunn”?

christopher says:
 
 
Mike Pop says:

Adam Dunn—Yankees DH 2010.

 
 
Ryan S. says:

So in 2010, if the economy continues to be in a slump and the baseball FA market is behaving like this year’s, I would hope we offer arb. to Damon … he’d probably accept.

Mike Pop says:

I would hope so too. But I think if Dunn was smart, he would sign a one year deal. Yankees could come knocking next year. Even other teams.

Artist formerly known as 'The' Steve says:

I would hope so, too. I hope the economy in 2010 is a disaster. Let people be out of work, homelessness skyrocket, and have soup lines stretch around every Church and Synagogue in the country.

As long as the Yanks get Adam Dunn, it will be worth it.

Mike Pop says:
 
 
 
 
 
Kilgore Trout says:

Any of you still at workt too?

Matt says:

I consider reading Chaucer work so, yes.

“Whan that Aprill with his shoures soote[...]”

Middle English ftl.

Matt says:

Yeah, I already had to recite the first 18 lines. I find that shit stuck in my head ALL the time.

 
 
 
 
A.D. says:

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

Mike Pop says:

Yeah dude, no doubt. They need a guy for the future.

Mike Pop says:

Also MLBTR says it.

christopher says:

what does peter gammons say — hears a lot of rumors while onn his knees under theo’s desk

Mike Pop says:

Gammons might be a total homer but he is a good reporter.

 
 
 
 
 
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!

A.D. says:

Damn, thats going to be excellent

Mike Pop says:

Won’t beat Tom Petty!

 
 
Manimal says:

http://www.officetally.com is a good office fan site, it has tons of stuff, any fan of the show should check it out.

 
 
A.D. says:
Artist formerly known as 'The' Steve says:

Rich Hill has often been described as “A Poor man’s Barry Zito”

. . . . . . . I have nothing to add to that.

A.D. says:

current Zito, or back in the day Zito?

I guess its kinda both at this pace. Zito was a Cy Young winner, Hill had a great ‘07.

Zito now kinda blows for the bigs, Hill got sent to the minors

Mike A. says:

Hill might have The Thing too. And he’ll be 29 on Opening Day, he’s no spring chicken.

Matt says:

Lol @ “the Thing.”

 
 
 
 
 
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.

A.D. says:

Yeah but Alexi will probably be atrocious at SS, given he wasn’t that good at 2B.

Beckham is probably the better SS

Rafi says:

But the Web Gem he made!!!

 
 
 
A.D. says:

Did Alexei Ramirez never play in the minors?

 
Manimal says:

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

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

Mike Pop says:

Come on bro, this is the game right here..

http://tinyurl.com/azzarh

Mike Pop says:

N64 was the best man, haha.

Memories, I miss it.

Manimal says:

I agree, I think I like the present day consoles better but the memories I have with N64 are unbeatable. One word.
Goldeneye.

Mike Pop says:

The level where you hijack the plane… Oh man.

Mario Kart, Super Mario, Mario Golf, Mario Tennis, Super Smash Bros, DK Racing, Wave Race, 1080, Ken Griffey Jr Baseball, Rush, NFL Blitz, NBA Hang Time, and Star Fox. ….

For me, nothing will ever replace the N64. Has alot to do with the age thing though, no doubt.

Manimal says:

I owned… 5 of those. I was too young for sports games(I did have Mario Tennis though). I still think Zelda Ocarina of Time is the greatest game ever created.

 
Matt says:

Ken Griffey Baseball was awesome.

The All Star Baseball series with Jeter on the covers wasn’t bad either. My favorite baseabll game:

http://content.answers.com/mai.....3e727e.jpg

 
 
 
 
Matt says:

Wow. What a wonderful, wonderful game that was.

Mike Pop says:

The soundtrack was “the bomb” too.

 
 
 
 
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?

Artist formerly known as 'The' Steve says:

The Sunday package is better, you get Opening Day and Old Timers included.

A.D. says:
 

No opening day included in the Sunday package this year (Sunday plan holder myself).

A.D. says:

no longer intriguing… i stick with trying to get sat

 
 
 
A.D. says:

There is Friday, Sat, and Sun. 15 games, 2 weekdays the rest weekends. And yeah every sat unless opening day lands on a sat. You get to see most of the AL and a couple interleauge. Im anxiously awaiting the email that ticks are available.

Jay CT says:

Hal said on Mike Francesa this week that it won’t be till closer to end of Feb. early March that tickets like that are open, but there will be single game tickets available.

 
 
 
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!

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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.

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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.

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Dave says:

So only visible to a few thousand girls?

 
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.

The Evil Empire says:

R.I.P

Are you going to Tampa?

 
 
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.

 
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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