Open Thread: Posada to catch on Sunday
By
We mentioned this briefly in today’s edition of the RAB Radio Show, but now we have some confirmation: Jorge Posada will making his catching debut this spring on Sunday. Kat O’Brien has the news at the end of this notebook (h/t Chris H.). The Twinkies will be in town for that game, so there’s a chance Jorge will have to test his arm if the likes of Carlos Gomez and Denard Span play and manage to reach base.
Getting Jorge back and healthy is a major step forward for the team in 2009, especially considering that non-Posada catchers hit just .230-.290-.335 for the Yanks last year. He’s obviously been feeling strong at the plate (.353-.421-.647 in seven games this spring), and by all accounts his rehab has gone well (minus a tiny setback), so I’m cautiously optimistic that Posada can catch 100 games this year. Dear Mo I hope he can.
Anyway, here’s your open thread for tonight. The Islanders, Devils and Rangers are all in action, plus Mexico will be taking on Cuba to determine the Pool B winner in the WBC at 9pm. MLB Network will carry the game. Cuba has reached the finals in 38 consecutive international tournaments, so my money’s on them. Anything goes, just be cool.
Photo Credit: Steve Nesius, Reuters Pictures
144 Comments»
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The Tyler Austin Watch
http://www.hulu.com/watch/4760.....n-my-pants
That’s a little premature…..
I’ll be doing that Monday when everything checks out fine.
How about a Jorge themed remix:
“Leave this place go back to yours
Our lips first touch outside your doors
A whole night what we’ve got in store
Whisper in my ear that you want some more
and I
PISS ON MY HANDS
This really never happens you can take my word
I won’t apologize, that’s just absurd
Mainly your fault from the way that you dance
and now I
PISS ON MY HANDS
don’t tell your friends or I’ll say your a slut
plus its your fault, you were rubbing my butt
I’m very sensitive, some would say that’s a plus
Now I’ll go home and change”
Keep reaching on this one.
http://tinyurl.com/3xbmqj
It’s just a rough draft.
Heh. I was just being a dick.
HIP HIP
SURGERY!!!
I’m still trying to get this one to catch on.
excuse me for being uninformed but is 2nd Ave Sagas related to this blog? Is Ben the author there and here?
It is Ben’s transit blog.
Yep.
damn…how does he find time for law school, RAB, and another blog?
Ben is a man. I don’t know either, Ben is really a machine.
I salute you.
It would be awesome if Jorge can catch opening day. I don’t like the idea of having both Cash and Monlina on the 25 man.
Jeter is teh Traitor!!!111!!!!
http://baseball.realgm.com/src.....iendships/
Clearly, that’s a shot at Jed Lowrie, Julio Lugo, Orlando Cabrera, Nomar Garciaparra, Dustin Pedroia, Taco Bellsbury, Theo Epstein, John Henry, Larry Lucchino, Jeffrey Loria, Johnny Pesky, Ted Williams, Carl Yaztremski, Oil Can Boyd, Peter Gammons, Larry Bird, Red Auerbach, Tom Brady, Gisele Bundchen, Mosi Tatupu, Matt Damon, Deval Patrick, Ted Kennedy, Barack Obama, George W. Bush, Patrick Henry, Samuel Adams, Samuel L. Jackson, Pericles, Zeus, Pliny the Elder, and Izzy Alcantara
Diffidently a shot at Varitek. Read between the lines, the Sox captain doesnt handle himself the way the yankees does.
Well, of course. He’s better. 4 no-no’s, bitch! All Jeter does is make errors.
Where’s Boldin end up?
I’ve been wondering that myself. Philly? They have TWELVE draft picks, including two first rounders and three fifth rounders, and plenty of cap room to renegotiate Boldin’s contract.
Ya, I was thinking them too. They don’t give up draft picks often but this is one they could manage. I hope it doesn’t happen. Zona should man up and pay him. Fitz, Boldin, and Breaston. Awesome, keep them competitive.
We need him on the Skins.
We gettin that fo sho.
Don’t hold your breath.
Pliny the Elder was full of shit and he knew it.
This is a shot at Mark Teixeira.
… “Before spending this time with him in WBC camp, I always thought he was a huge douchebag and a probable nutjob pervert. Now that I know him better, I realize he’s only a mild douchebag and an occasional nutjob pervert.”
…”and as such, Joba will only throw at his head once a game.”
If Posada could catch three times a week in April and four times a week thereafter, as long as he could return to being a .850 to .875 OPS hitter, I’d sign for that now.
WHO NEEDS A-FRAUD!
I can’t figure out where to put the dashes separating the syllables in Krzyzewski.
Phonetically, the chant is
NAILS-SHUH, SHEFF-SKEE!
(clap clap clap-clap-clap)
But is that:
NAILS-KRYZ, YZEW-SKI!
(clap clap clap-clap-clap)
or
NAILS-KRYZY, ZEW-SKI!
(clap clap clap-clap-clap)
or
NAILS-KRY, ZYZEW-SKI!
(clap clap clap-clap-clap)
… where do you put the comma? Where the hell in all those damn consonants does the “shuh” end and the “sheff” begin?
it should be NAILS, SHUH-SHEFF-SKEE. You cannot combine the first name & the beginning of the last name. For instance it wasn’t SCOTT – BRO, SIUS its SCOTT, BRO-SIUS.
The comma must separate the first & last name
NAAAAAAAAAY-UHHHHHHHLS
NAAAAAAAAAY-UHHHHHHHLS
No.
“Nails” is one syllable long. “Krzyzewski” is three syllables long.
The chant is a four syllable chant. “NAILS, SHUHSHEFF-SKEE” doesn’t make sense.
To wit: The chant for Paulie was:
PAUL-OH, KNEE-UHLL!
(clap clap clap-clap-clap)
The way its playing in my mind, there is no comma.
NAILS-SHUH-SHEFF-SKEE
it could work,
Naaaaaaahhuullss, shu!shef!ske!
This is so wrong, but I’ll admit I laughed.
That Benny Hill video was so freaking funny…wow. I had to post it on another forum I frequent.
Ha. The video on noMaas is pretty funny.
Yeah, saw that earlier. Love No Maas.
Can anyone give me some fantasy help?
I just need to know if this trade is fair.
I’m giving
Albert Pujols
Victor Martinez
Random so-so reliever (I think we’re going with Matt Capps)
For
Aubrey Huff
Joe Mauer
Jonathan Papelbon
Note that I need a better catcher and another good closer since I only have Joe Nathan. Plus I have Hanley already so Pujols isn’t the only really amazing guy I have.
I wouldn’t do it but that’s me.
And I dont knwo how you ended up with both Hanley and Pujols. Keep them both, they will carry you to the championship. Forget about improving your catcher position, pick up someone.
My friend who got him knows nothing about baseball. He needed Sp so I offered Lance Berkman and John Lackey for Pujols.
Don’t make that trade. Pujols is too good to deal with that package.
Alright. Thanks
Yeah, don’t make that move.
No way, keep Phat Albert. Plus Mauer’s back is acting up, and I have no faith in Huff to repeat his 2008 season.
What’s the Yankee 2010 Outfield?
Here’s my guess
RF-Swisher
CF-Gardner
LF-Holliday
4th OF-Melky
I’ll guess they let Nady walk, they take the money they save with Damon/Matsui and sign Holliday, and that A-Jax still isn’t quite ready yet and Gardner has a good enough year to stick around.
I also feel pretty confident that most of this will be wrong.
I’d also love to figure out a way to get Jeter into LF, but that’s another pipe dream.
TSJC and I discussed this a few days or nights ago or whatever. We think he’ll be in LF in 2011 and Damon will be back in left for ’10.
That makes sense. No long term deal that ties your hands in the out years, which we know Cash hates.
Jeter in 2011: The highest paid utility player ever.
Jorge Posada in 2011: Highest paid backup catcher in Baseball history.
Mariano Rivera in 2010: Highest paid bullpen coach in Baseball history.
Tom Jones in 2010: Highest paid hotdog vendor in Baseball history.
Joba in 2010: Highest paid 1st year arbitration eligible player in baseball history.
Alex Rodriguez in 2017: Highest paid player who hasn’t played in 5 years, since he needed hip replacement surgery.
RF – Swisher
CF – Gritner
LF – Braun
DH – Manny
2B – Not Cano
RF-Swisher
CF-A-Jax
LF-Not Braun
DH-Manny
2B-Cano
I think if Cano bounces back they are going to sell high and trade him.
And have….Russo play 2nd.
Haha, okay, dude.
I was with you until you said LF-Braun. Good luck with that pipedream.
I forgot to mention:
GM: Jack Bauer
I’d rather have him in left than Braun. He’d find a way.
If our left fielder is Braun, than Joba is getting to know the strip clubs in Milwuakee REAL well.
I think Damon on a one-and-one is more realistic than Holliday, unless Holliday absolutely mashes in Oakland this year.
I’m with ya. I’m real soft on Holliday especially with the long term deal it looks like it will take. Yanks have too many of those. I’d rather see Manny opt out and give him a 2 year deal.
/Fantasy
Yeah, Manny could take Hideki’s DH spot if/when he opts out.
Yup.
2010 Yankee Outfield
LF-Damon
CF-Gardson
RF-Swisher
4th OF-Jacksner
2011 Yankee Outfield
LF-Jeter
CF-Jackson
RF-Swisher
4th OF-Gardner
2012 Yankee Outfield
LF-Jeter
CF-Jackson
RF-Melvin Croussett
4th OF – Christopher Smith
Hahaha – Gardson / Jacksner … its never too early to make up amalgam names for our competing young outfielders, is it?
What year is BJ Upton going FA? 2012?
Melvin will play all 3 OF spots by himself.
Here is my guess, which I too am confident will be wrong:
LF – Damon
CF – AJax
RF – Swisher
4th OF – Gardner
Brewers CF – Melky
I forget where I read it, but someone predicted that by 2011 or so, Melky will be out of baseball.
Nostradamus?
Yeah … that might have been me,
I’m sure he could catch on as an everyday OF in the NL…
LF Gardner
CF AJAX
RF Swisher
…Best UZR outfield ever?
Baltimore’s.
Yeah Seattle & TB should be pretty damn good defensively too
Unless Gardner gets a .400 on base skills or develops some major power, putting him in left is not a smart move. His bat most likely will not justify LF.
Its not really a long term move. Its that they choose to sign no one, they go with what they got, and they want to play AJAX in CF, because that’s what they’re grooming him for.
Can an UZR expert explain to me how on the 05 Mets LF Cliff Floyd had a better UZR than CF Beltran and RF Cameron??
Well Cameron & Beltran collided in the OF that year, that effected both of them. If I remember correct Beltran had knee issues which sapped some power & range, and Cameron was playing in RF, out of his natural position, and missed some time from that collision.
plus just like anything, players have have up & down defensive years. Floyd had an up one in an easier position (at least compared to CF) and Beltran & Cameron had down ones, likely aided by an on field collision.
Cameron didn’t play after the collision.
Shattered his cheekbone and broke his nose, if I remember correctly.
Damn, that’s gotta hurt like heck for a long time.
Yeah, it was brutal. It still doesn’t explain how in a Floyd/Beltran/Cameron outfield, Floyd has the best UZR. I’m dumbfounded by that, it’s not like it was a tiny sample size. Hell, Beltran in a wheelchair can cover more ground the Floyd.
LF has far fewer zones to cover than CF, so hence, it’s easier for an average/poor fielder to post a positive number there than it is for an average/poor fielder to post a positive number in CF, and, hence, harder for an elite CF to post an elite number there.
Think degree of difficulty.
The more I think about it, Jeter HAS to go to LF. Not just for himself, but so Alex will move out there when Jeter’s done.
Alex isn’t going to stay at 3B for his entire deal, which runs through 2018. Figure Jeter’s done around 2013, Alex will be 38 and ready to make the move to LF to finish his career. Could even happen a year sooner if Derek is a bench player for the last year or so.
Why can’t DJ be a utility player, honestly? Let him play all over the field so he gets 300ish ABs a year, get his 3000th hit and 7th ring, and then let him go.
He can, I can see that happening towards the end.
But he’s still only 34 (turns 35 in June) and his bat will still be good enough to start, but he will need a spot other than SS to play. Figure another 1-2 years at SS, 2 years in LF and then finishes up on the bench and plays till he’s 39.
That does indeed make sense, especially if we get HanRam. His extreme production from the SS position would more than compensate for below average production from LF (I’m obviously assuming Jeter goes into a normal decline phase as he goes into his mid-to-late 30s).
He’ll be below average for LF, but I think Jeter’s game will age pretty well. It’s not like he’s a power hitter that relies on bat speed and needs to pull the ball. He just has to get the hands out and is perfectly happy to go the other way with a pitch. I can see him playing everyday until he’s around 38 or thereabouts.
As long as he can maintain his current level of speed / baserunning ability and can keep his OBP above .365, we will be okay.
I’d also like to suggest that once Jeter moves positions, as a symbolic changing of the times, he gets a new freaking haircut.
I think when DJ moves out to LF, he should grow everything out all Grizzly Adams-like in honor of Johnny Damon.
I nominate that Jeter style his hair in the vein of another former Yankee outfielder:
http://sportslifer.files.wordp.....gamble.jpg
http://www.checkoutmycards.com.....53/07F.jpg
A “Jeter curl” would be quite amazing. He could always go the executive Yankee route as well:
http://assets.espn.go.com/medi.....renner.jpg
http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.....renner.jpg
I dunno about Alex moving to left, if Cal could hold out at 3B I imagine Alex can. He just made his switch in his prime, due to his teammate situation.
I know, but its a 10 year deal we’re talking about. He’ll be 42 by the end, even Cal retired at 40, and those O’s teams didn’t have anything to play for. The Yanks are trying to win WS, there’s more pressure for them to make a move.
I can see Arod playing 3B till he is ready to just DH full time.
Maybe this was posted elsewhere, maybe not, but man, you just have to love Peter Gammons. On Papelbon’s comments:
“Jonathan’s very emotional. He’s not Abraham Lincoln. But there’s a lot of hard feelings. It was very telling in Colleen Dominguez’s interview with Manny that he doesn’t talk to anybody on the Red Sox. She said David Ortiz? He said no. … and it’s kind of too bad but Manny became obsessed with the money and there were things that happened like stiffing all the clubhouse kids, and stuff like that that left very bad tastes in his teammates mouths. And also the fact that Manny made it very clear. Winning is not important, my contract is. That’s the way he left. And that’s the way the players felt… I find it really distasteful for anyone to use the word “cancer” in relationship to a human being because it just, it doesn’t fit. Jonathan did not use his words well.”
Amazing what the man will say to make the Red Sox look like angels…
I’d like to go back and find what he wrote when steroids were found in Red Sox Manny Alexanders car. Probably nothing, since it was largely ignored, but he is so biased you can’t take him seriously, which is a shame. If he wasn’t such a Sox asskisser he might be useful.
Guess he couldn’t say anything to take the sting out of Pedroia’s 0-5 and Youk’s 0-4 (sandwiched around Jete’s 2-4).
“Fine Peter, Manny was an aneurysm in the brain of the clubhouse. ” – Papelboner
Whew! That’s a relief.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/.....id=3974885
Now, the Bills are good until Week 5 when they’re 2-3 and Trent Edwards has thrown to Lee Evans 38% of his attempts and to T.O. only 31% of his attempts.
And then the weather starts sucking, and T.O. doesn’t go all out and gets 24% of pass attempts to Evans’ 43%. I can’t wait for this to happen. Of all 32 teams, the Bills are towards the bottom of teams that should have gotten him. Established QB? Nope. Established coach? Nope. And then the weather, which drives down the passing game, it’s going to be great.
Okay, so this is the pipe dream to end all pipe dreams, but bear with me.
The Broncos have already done two tremendously stupid things this off-season (firing Shanahan and letting word get out that they were pursuing Cassel), so could they hit the trifecta by trading Cutler to the Jets for Clemens and a 1 and a 2?
I SAID IT WAS A PIPE DREAM!!!
Seeing as how the Patriots just traded Cassell AND Vrabel for a 2, there’s no way we’re paying both a 1 and a 2 for Cutler.
I’ll give them a 1 and a 3, at the absolute most.
Really? I think the Jets would make that deal in a heart beat if the Broncos were dumb enough to offer it.
Cassel was undrafted, and started his first game since HS in 2008, and while he has a very good season, he played for a very good team (and didn’t take them to the play-offs).
Cutler was a first round pick, is 25 (a year younger than Cassel) with 3 years as a starter under his belt, and a great arm.
Yes sir, if I’m the Jets, I make that trade. The real question is why would the Broncos do it?
The real question is why would the Broncos do it?
Why would they trade for Kenard Lang, Ebenezer Ekuban, and Gerard Warren?
http://www.theonion.com/conten.....uire_final
Hey, NBA fans, when your team drafts Hasheem Thabeet and he’s a total train-wreck, um, I told you so. Don’t have any expectations for this dude.
Hasheem Thabeet’s ceiling is what, Samuel Dalembert?
That may even be too high.
On bad nights, he’s the next Manute Bol.
His absolute ceiling is Mutombo, but Dalembert is the most likely scenario.
Agreed. I’ve always thought his best case scenario is Mutombo. What do you think AJ Price’s ceiling/most likely is? I’m having a hard time thinking of it ’cause I don’t know the NBA that well anymore. I’m thinking…good shooting but not great driving PG with above average passing skills. Anyone like that?
What do you think AJ Price’s ceiling/most likely is?
Hard to say, I don’t really know the names of the guys playing in the Russian professional basketball league.
http://www.instantrimshot.com
http://members.airsoftcanada.c.....h_snap.gif
Hasheem Thabeet is like the old version of Tiki Barber–he can’t hold on to the damn ball.
HAHAHHAHAHAHHAHA
THREE FUCKING TIMES IN A ROW, I came back and beat my brother in the show in the ninth, this time it was 4-2 with Tex hitting a HR off of K-rod in the top of the ninth. He was NOT happy but boy did I rub it in his face.
So does anybody know if Anquan Boldin is available? There was an internet rumor going about today that the Cards decided to shop him around. If the G-men could acquire either Boldin or B. Edwards, which one would best fit our #1 receiver need?
Boldin as their Number one and Harrison for their number two. I wish.
I’ve given some more thought… I’d prefer Braylon Edwards. Gotta love Boldin’s toughness , but the man has taken alot of licks than Edwards has endured. Doesnt hurt that Edwards is the better vertical threat. The asking price for Edwards probably is somewhat lower too.
Again, its all speculation. But if Edwards hits the trade block b/w now and the draft, Reese should be right there. If Reese is skipping out on trades, and decides not to trade up in the 1st …. then he should have his choice of Kenny Britt or Brian Robiskie.
The run on WR in the 1st round is almost definitely going to happen before the G-men make their pick. Nicks, Maclin, Bey, and Harvin are all definitely going to be selected earlier. IF so, selecting Britt wouldn’t be too much a reach.
Maclin and Heyward-Bey will definitely be gone.
But I wouldn’t be surprised to see Nicks or even Harvin still there at the bottom of the first round.
Edwards is younger and has more ability, though his salary is a cap-killer.
Yeah. I’m not up on the NFL salary cap in ’09, but i’ve heard that either Boldin or Edwards would put a strain on future G-men teams. still … Reese built this team to reach the next couple of Super Bowl games. We’re one receiver away.
Ok, sabermetricians in the RAB army, one of the writers at my blog posed an interesting question and I was wondering if anyone had heard of a stat that does the following, or had ideas about how to calculate something like it- calculates a hitters stats based on the quality of the pitching that he faces? Basically a formula to “translate” a players stats to see which guys are beating up on the bottom feeders and which ones can hit good pitching. It may help build a team that wins in the postseason when talent levels are generally higher. I’m not sure how it would work, but it would basically be some form of weighing each AB differently based on the pitchers stats. Anyone?
Not sure if it would help a lot, but on player’s splits pages on B-R, there’s a breakdown of how they do vs. power pitchers, finesse pitchers, and neutral pitchers.
http://www.baseball-reference......pptp-power
It is definitely a start. I’m looking to find a way to engineer a stat that would go by talent rather than by style, but it would be a similar idea. Also, it couldnt be done as splits, bc then you would need to create a cutoff point. i would rather have a formula that can weigh each AB differently and then create something like a triple slash line contextualized for pitchers talent.
Yeah, the only way you could really do something like that is try and separate all the pitchers into different tiers and collect a ton of batter vs. pitcher data.
Yuliesky Gourriel just had a sick homerun to opposite field. I hope he defects!
Everyone’s been hoping that for years.
team Cuba have some ridiculas talents.
http://www.theonion.com/conten.....rd_baseman
Heh, Jon Stewart just called Bernie Madoff “Arthur Ponzarelli”.
This game is going to make me pull my fucking hair out and have a heart attack and a half.
Somebody fucking kill me.
haha i hear ya
i felt like i was stuck in a buffalo wild wings commercial