Report: Nady may need surgery

April 15, 2009 by Mike Axisa 224 Comments

There’s no official word yet, but PeteAbe is reporting that Xavier Nady will need surgery on his elbow and be out the rest of the season. Nady hurt himself during last night’s game, saying he felt a sharp pain in his elbow after making a throw. This would obviously be a major blow to Yanks’ offense and depth. More as it comes.

Update by Ben (1:58 p.m.): The beat writers say that Nady just spoke with them, and he’s not saying much. He’s going to talk to doctors in New York tomorrow when the team returns home. Nady however said that the MRI showed a tear that will probably need surgery. How much time he misses is up in the air.

Update by Mike (2:03 p.m.): Pete Caldera is reporting that Nady said he will be placed on the DL. Not sure if this will happen before this afternoon’s game, and who will replace him on the roster.

Update by Mike (2:08 p.m.): Not sure if it means anything, but Austin Jackson was lifted from Triple-A Scranton’s game this afternoon in the third inning. He was hit by a pitch in the second inning, but stayed in the game to run for himself and play another inning in center.

Update by Mike (2:12 p.m.): Kevin Russo was also pulled from the Triple-A game. He might be on his way up to play some third base. If A-Jax is in fact on his way up, he better play every single day.

KW

That…blows
- pounder
  
  Derek……Jeter.
- Statler
  
  KNEEL BEFORE SWISH!
giselle

i’d say it’s a major blow to the depth, not so much the offense.
- KW
  
  The two go hand in hand, right? Unless you think the dropoff from Nady to Melky for appx 100 games or so (projected off days and injuries, etc) isn’t much.
  - http://www.riveraveblues.com Benjamin Kabak
    
    100 games is far too many. This eliminates the platoon and pushes Swisher into the lineup in right on a permanent basis. This becomes a true problem if (1) Teixeira’s hurt; (2) another outfielder is hurt; or (3) Swisher returns to 2008 form.
    
    It kills depth, and it’s a blow to the offense. I don’t think it’s a major one though.
    - steve (different one)
      
      (4) Matsui is finished.
      
      Nady’s ability to crush LHP was an important strategic weapon for this team.
      
      it may not be a “major” blow, but it’s somewhere in between major and the casual dismissmal by Giselle.
      - KW
        
        Agreed. 100 is a bit much, but the dropoff eliminates a lot of possibilities. I’d figure…30-35 games off for Matsui and Damon just for rest and injury purposes, another 15 for playing RF and giving Swish a day off, 10 for giving Tex off, etc. we’d basically be shorting out at least 400 abs, which is what he was supposed to get and replacing it with the other position players playing with less rest, or melky/util IF. That’s a pretty fair drop off.
        
        Bo
        
        I wouldnt write off Matsui so fast
        
        KW
        
        Not trying to, just being realistic. Odds are that he’ll need rest or he’ll be benched to give Posada a day off to DH, and just for the nagging injury here and there, ala Teixeira.
        
        steve (different one)
        
        i was just listing that among Ben’s list of hypothetical scenarios where losing Nady would be really bad.
http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside

Fuck.

This is not good.

And yet, my confidence level remains a 10.

I got two words for you: Mike Cameron.
- http://ryanhandt.blogspot.com/ handtius
  
  I have 3 words for you: No Mike Cameron
  - Andy In Sunny Daytona
    
    I have two words and an acronym – Melky Cabrera – MVP
    - http://ryanhandt.blogspot.com/ handtius
      
      4 works. I want some pancakes.
    - Eric
      
      Five Words: It’s Austin Jackson Time, Bitches!
      - andrew
        
        I hope not…
      - http://ryanhandt.blogspot.com/ handtius
        
        6 words: Austin Jackson needs time to develop.
  - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside
    
    Come on, seriously, you’d still be anti Cameron?
    
    If Nady’s out for the year, our OF depth chart is:
    
    LF-Damon, _______
    CF-Gardner, Melky
    RF-Swisher, _______
    
    That’s it. Melky’s fairly worthless, and Gardner’s not much better. And when we rest Damon, that means Melky’s starting and we have no backup outfielders (unless you count John Rodriguez). Cameron would give us a solid bat and he can play all three OF positions, meaning we’re not forced to play one of the non-hitting youngsters on a daily basis. Adding Cameron allows us to put Gardner in the 4th OF role that he probably should be in anyway.
    
    Now that we just lost our actual 4th outfielder, You wouldn’t do Melky and a low-level throw in pitcher for Cammy?
    - Mike Pop
      
      I am all for Cameron now. Him, Byrd, or sizemore will be good.
    - Andy In Sunny Daytona
      
      As long as that pitcher isn’t Melvin. If I lost Melvin and Melky I’ll have to start watching MLS.
      SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC FEVER… Catch it.
    - andrew
      
      I would definitely live with Cameron in CF and then Gardner becoming our 4th OF. It’s certainly the way to go here. We may not need Cameron, but the depth would be tremendous, allowing us to use Gardner as a pinch runner and a couple starts per week, which he is probably better suited for.
    - Matt K
      
      before jetes home runs to seal it last night Gardner was far from worthless.
      - radnom
        
        Yeah, because the Rays were playing 7 infielders. Both those doubles were not really doubles if they were playing at normal depth.
        
        http://www.riveraveblues.com Benjamin Kabak
        
        For the second time, that’s where Bossman Jr. always plays. This isn’t some little league ‘outfield in’ situation.
        
        Spaceman.Spiff
        
        My friend who is a Yankee fan happened to be in Florida for a vacation and got to see the Yankee game. (Lucky guy got to see AJ’s gem) He did say that the outfielders did shift in on Gardner’s first double pretty noticeably and a little less on the second one but still shifted in compared to some other Yankee hitters. I don’t know how accurate it is because I didn’t see it with my own eyes but I trust his word.
        
        KW
        
        Upton looked to be in a little shallower than normal on the double over his head, and you can see his frustration when it landed over the wall. Crawford was ridiculously shallow for Gardner’s first double.
        
        It’s called outfield shifting, it happens for every single player, and it’s not relegated to the little leagues. If you were coaching and brett stepped up to the plate, do you think he’s going to go opposite field over your head for a double?
        
        Chris
        
        The Rays were in bad positions, but that doesn’t change the fact that Brett got the hits. If he had hit a short pop fly that was caught because the outfield was playing in, I don’t think anyone would have been giving him credit for the hit.
        
        timrandle
        
        Was listening to Rays announcers on XM.
        
        They made a big deal of how Gritner ‘muscled’ those pitches into the outfield, and how that’s not something he’s ‘known’ for…
        
        steve (different one)
        
        the second double was legit.
        
        i think Crawford was comically shallow on the 1st one.
    - Count Zero
      
      Yes, I would do it. But you will still need a 5th OF if you trade the Melkman. Colin Curtis — the other CC. Ugh.
      - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside
        
        But you will still need a 5th OF if you trade the Melkman. Colin Curtis — the other CC. Ugh.
        
        However, Colin Curtis the 5th outfielder (or numerous other alternatives) have the advantage over Melky the 5th outfielder in that we can shuttle him up and down, so we could roll with just 4 primary outfielders in Damon-Cameron-Swish + Gardner and then only bring up Curtis for a series here or there where we want to give Johnny a breather or something.
        
        Or, we could call up one of the Duncan brothers who can play some IF and OF and call it a day.
        
        Man, imagine how perfectly Eric Duncan would fit this team’s needs if he could only manage to be a mildly crappy hitter instead of a profoundly crappy hitter.
    - tony
      
      What’s your prob with Gardner? He has potential. last night from what I saw he also is starting to hit. I think he is going to be our future lead of hitter. If you’re on that team you have nothing but respect for that guy. He’s doing a great job in the feild and he’s batting .295. Plus the guy will steal 20-30 bases if ever in the position to. 4th OF? Come on man. Really? I predict the kid is going to be an all-star at one point in his career. When you watch him play you just see no downside.
      - http://ryanhandt.blogspot.com/ handtius
        
        um, except lack of power, low obp, and he swings a wet noodle. I like him, but he’s got his holes.
- KW
  
  it’d probably be pretty tough to pry him away at this point…he’s had a great start and the brew crew will need offense
- pounder
  
  Four words…Jim Edmonds Derek Jeter.
  - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside
    
    As much as I’d love to put Jeter in CF, we can’t do it until we have an answer at SS.
    
    No, Ramiro Pena is not the answer at SS.
    - cult of basebaal
      
      however, i wouldn’t mind rolling the dice on Jim Edmonds.
      
      although it doesn’t really address the role that Nady could play as a strong RHB against LHP.
J.R.

This is the perfect example of why we didnt deal Swisher or Nady.
- Jake H
  
  Amen to that.
- Darth Stein
  
  Actually in hindsight I wish we had dealt Nady.
  - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside
    
    He’s got a point.
    - http://thebatshatters.blogspot.com (sic)
      
      If it turns out Nady needs another bout of TJ, I’m holding you and your handle directly responsible.
    - J.R.
      
      I was speaking more to the fact that we kept two outfielders. One got hurt. It could have easily been the one we kept had we traded the other.
      - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside
        
        No, I know what you were saying and for the most part, you’re right.
        
        I was just agreeing with Darth Stein’s point that while Nady’s injury means we largely did the smart thing by holding on to both players for injury risk purposes, the best case scenario (in hindsight) would have been to trade one of the excess players while we could get something of value for him, since now he’s injured and we’ve lost that excess.
        
        Trading Nady in the offseason would have been riskier (since we’re eliminating our fallback option, Boston-Red-Sox-dealing-Coco-Crisp-style), but it also could have paid dividends since Swish is apparently working out nicely.
        
        You’re both right.
http://ryanhandt.blogspot.com/ handtius

It definitely effects the team and the depth. Swish is hitting great, but it won’t be a 450 ave all year. It’s good to have swappable players, plus, swish is great cause he could play everywhere. No who plays 1st when tex needs a night off? (swish at first with melky playing right?)
- J.R.
  
  Or they call up Juan Miranda to use as the backup 1b.
- J.R.
  
  It really depends on who they think will be the most valuable player off the bench.
Jake H

This is huge. Matsui isn’t suppose to play the OF for some time. I know that Austin needs to stay in the minors but they probably will need to add an outfielder to the team.
- http://mantisfists.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/julius-carry-aka-shonuff.jpg The Honorable Congressman Mondesi
  
  I hope (and believe) that the Yankees F.O. does not share your opinion that A-Jax should even be mentioned in this discussion. There are other options. There is no reason to rush the development of your top position-prospect.
  - Mike Pop
    
    Agreed.
  - Jake H
    
    I’m sure someone will mention it. I do think he needs to spend all of the year in AAA. That means that they are goin to either acquire someone or promote someone.
- http://eastrutherfordrant.com donttradecano
  
  they wouldnt bring jackson up to add an outfielder to the team. only way jackson comes up if hes going to play, otherwise sitting on the bench will hurt his development.
- http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside
  
  Matsui is not an outfielder anymore. Dude can barely walk.
  
  He’s David Ortiz.
Cor Shep

Looks like no type A status for nady and draft picks for us if this is serious.. ugh
- Jake H
  
  I was wondering if this was goin to affect his status myself. I couldn’t remember if an injury kills his status or not.
  - Cor Shep
    
    Yea I’m pretty sure any time missed factors into that formula. I just want a loaded first couple rounds of the draft!!
  - Ed
    
    If you miss 10% of the season, your counting stats are increased by about 10% for the Elias rankings. But there’s a cap on how much DL time you can get credited for. I’d imagine that Nady would end up as a Type B.
AndrewYF

Maybe this means we can get Nady for cheap next year!
blee

sonofa $@#$! $)!(#$!#

.. grah.. angry outburst i felt after reading this post..

I thought we were supposed to be younger and more durable???
grah.. I cant have another injury plagued season..

Arod has to be healthy for the rest of the year..
Our injury concerns were Posada and Matsui.. instead we have lost Arod for a month, Teix has wrist discomfort, and now Nady’s out?? I hope the guys we were worrying about stay healthy.. danger.
Mattchu12

I don’t think this is nearly as big of a deal as we’re making it out to be. Many people were up for trading Nady during Spring Training, and even more people believe Swisher is the better all around player, and I’m one of those people. This means that Swisher becomes the everyday right fielder, and with him playing the way he’s been playing, that’s not a blow to the offense, it’s an upgrade. And even if he cools down and plays at his usual, non-2008 level, he is still an upgrade in my opinion.

Yes, our depth takes a hit. Melky isn’t the offensive threat that we would have had, but he’s got a great glove and plays all three outfield positions. But if it’s truly that big of a deal, I see little reason why Austin Jackson doesn’t move up to the big leagues, take over Right Field and put Swisher back on the bench. Or we do the obvious thing and trade/sign an extra outfielder. Luis Gonzalez is still out there, Jim Edmonds is still out there, Geoff Jenkins is still out there, Frank Catalanotto is still out there.

True, they’re no Xavier Nady. But we’re talking about outfield depth, not a starting outfielder.

And yes, we lose our backup first baseman. But let’s face it, how many nights is Teixeira going to take off? Not enough that this will make or break the season. And if Teixeira get’s hurt, then I’d be we will see Jackson in Right Field and Swisher at first base.
- pat
  
  If cashman didn’t suck we would have manny ramirez on standby. Loser.
- andrew
  
  Idk… He was going to get atleast 350 AB’s… having to hand those to Melky is a pretty decent blow to this team
- Mattchu12
  
  I forgot to throw out Jorge Posada as a backup first baseman solution as well. Obviously, it’s still on the table considering he saw some time there when Swisher was pitching, lol. That still makes me laugh. On days that Teix needs a day off, I see Posada at 1B with Molina behind the plate. Gets Posada a day off from behind the plate while keeping his bat in the lineup. Put Damon on the list as well, I’ve always thought he’d be a good first baseman with his arm as weak as it is yet his feet as good as they are.
  - J.R.
    
    Posada whines any time he has to play 1b.
    - Mattchu12
      
      Can’t say that I blame him, but I think that he’d rather have a day at first base than a day on the bench when it comes time for a little rest don’t you think? And like I said, I can’t see Teixeira taking a lot of days off. He played all but 5 games all year, and 162 in both 2005 and 2006, he only had 132 games in 2007, but that’s because of an injury.
    - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside
      
      So did Mike Piazza.
      
      Tell him to piss on his hands some more and suck it up.
- steve (different one)
  
  i forgot about Catalanotto. good call.
Andrew

Damn. Now we can’t trade him for relief. As for it being a major blow… nah, not really. We already have 4 very respectable OF’s, and one who hadn’t been playing as much as he should have been because of Girardi’s affinity for Nady. Just a hunch – but I think we’ll be OK.
- Mike Pop
  
  4 really?
- andrew
  
  We don’t really need any more relief pitchers
- Jack
  
  What do you mean by “trade him for relief”?
Mike Pop

Resign him to a cheap 3 yr deal.
- KW
  
  with potentially 2 TJ surgeries at age 30? i wouldnt think either side would do it.
  - Chris
    
    If he needs TJ surgery, that wouldn’t factor into the deal too much. He would be ready for the start of next season, and there’s no increased risk of another surgery just because he’s had the surgery in the past.
    - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside
      
      I’m sorry, but with
      
      Swisher, AJax and Gardner under team control for the foreseeable future
      +
      Johnny Damon’s probable willingness to reup on a short-term contract after the year
      +
      numerous free agent corner outfielders who are better than Nady both offensively and defensively on the market both this winter and next winter (like Holliday, Crawford, Bay, Ankiel, etc)
      +
      the possibility (or probability, depending on your viewpoint) of Jeter moving to the outfield eventually
      +
      Xavier Nady being a Boras client…
      
      … there was no way I was ever going to be cool with giving Xavier Nady a new contract next year. If he’s coming off serious surgery, there’s even LESS of a chance. Nady’s chances of remaining a Yankee in 2010 just went from slim to nil.
      
      I don’t want to give a healthy Xavier Nady a contract extension. I’m damn sure not going to give an injured Xavier Nady a contract extension, even if it comes with an “I’m injured” discount.
      - Evan S
        
        Well put.
zack

This pretty much sucks, really no other way around that. Its not the worst thing that can happen, but already this season the Yanks have seen three major players get injured and another two suck it up (Wang and Matsui).

While they can certainly survive and flourish without Nady, it puts them dangerously close to real problems. Another injury or failure to perform and the Yankees offense could seriously be affected.

Without anyone in the system to fill in, loosing Nady for the whole year could really really hurt down the road
JeffG

Melky had better get his act together.
Okula67

We have an immediate in-house candidate that can mash lefty pitching…Shelley Duncan! Check out the projections at http://www.fangraphs.com!(http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=3620&position=1B/DH/OF)
Cor Shep

The outfield now of Damon – Gardner – Swish with Cabrera as backup is still better than last year’s outfield of Damon – Cabrera – Abreu with Duncan as back-up.. so although it hurts the depth it’s not the end of the world – we’ll still have good starters out there.
Yanks27

Who do you think they’ll call up in his place. Shelly ?? I can’t see Miranda coming up because Swish can also play first base and Miranda is left handed. They’ll want a righty to balance out the offense.

I also think a way to max your defense/offense is to use Jorge more against lefties as the DH. This way you can give Molina the chance to catch and pick up a better defensive catcher without losing Jorge’s bat. Remember the main reason they traded for Nady last year was because Jorge was out.

Arod will be back soon and that will balance out the lineup.
Nady out not that big of a deal.
coach

before we make a bad trade for cameron, why not try some internal options?

It isnt like the Yankees have had a good or even average RF defender in years past, so why not try someone like Juan Miranda?

He is on the 40 man, gets on base at a decent rate and actually has pop in his bat, unlike Melky.
- A.D.
  
  Well I don’t think Miranda can play the OF, he could come up and be the back-up 1B/DH though.
  - http://eastrutherfordrant.com donttradecano
    
    Miranda cant even play first, what makes you think he can play RF? like A.D said miranda would be the backup 1B, you wont ever see him in the OF.
  - coach
    
    Miranda can’t be much worse than Bobby, Bobby was ranked #27/30 of RF last year by the fielding bible.
    - andrew
      
      Bobby was ranked 27/30 out of guys who were good enough to make it to the MLB. Miranda can’t make it to the MLB playing the easiest defensive position on the field, I doubt he’ll be anything other than terrible in RF.
    - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside
      
      Miranda can’t be much worse than Bobby.
      
      Bobby was god-awful*, but yes, Miranda can be worse than Bobby.
      
      *I was about to write “Mo-awful”, but then I realized that that phrase doesn’t make sense. It’s an oxymoron.
    - http://mantisfists.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/julius-carry-aka-shonuff.jpg The Honorable Congressman Mondesi
      
      That’s the catch though… Of course he could be worse than Abreu. Abreu might not be a good defensive outfielder, but the guy played his entire career out there. Miranda, as far as I know, has never played in the outfield, and all we know about his defensive play is that he’s a defensive liability at first base.
      
      This is a bit out of left field, but what if I were to say “well Giambi couldn’t be any worse in RF than Abreu.” Sounds a bit ridiculous, right?
- http://ryanhandt.blogspot.com/ handtius
  
  you want Miranda in RF? He has issues at first. not happening. plus he’s a black whole against lefties.
A.D.

Well, this is why you have OF depth. Interesting thing is it frees up some space on the roster, and some OF playing time, where the Yankees could potentially make a trade similar to Nady last year and get an OF that can provide depth this year and slide in LF/DH next year.
Bo

With so many teams needing to cut salary there will be plenty of RF, right handed bat options on the market for cheap.
Reggie C.

Are the Athletics out of the AL West race yet??

Anyways … if the issue is one of depth, then lets see what J-Rod has to offer.
- http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside
  
  Are the Athletics out of the AL West race yet??
  
  No, but that’s a moot point, because WE’RE NOT TRADING FOR MATT HOLLIDAY.
  
  Get that crap out of your head right now.
Cor Shep

Jim Edmonds??
- Mike Pop
  
  Yes.
  - http://actyankee.blogspot.com Matt
    
    No.
A.D.

Eric Duncan finally getting his shot, has he actually played LF at all yet?
- whozat
  
  a couple games, yeah.
MattG

Frank Catalanotto…I was always a fan. Is he done?

At least Nady will be on the 60 day DL, freeing up a 40 man spot.
- steve (different one)
  
  i am on the F-Cat bandwagon.
http://www.puristbleedspinstripes.com Rebecca-Optimist Prime

This hurts.

It could be a lot worse.

And hey, if the NJ Devils can get the three seed without Martin Brodeur for most of the year, I’m not really all that worried here.
- http://www.puristbleedspinstripes.com Rebecca-Optimist Prime
  
  That came out wrong.
  
  I’m worried, sure. But I won’t let it ruin my season.
  - http://mantisfists.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/julius-carry-aka-shonuff.jpg The Honorable Congressman Mondesi
    
    Scott Clemmensen’s not walking through that door! j/k This Devils season was pretty miraculous though, and it’s pretty irrelevant to this discussion. (As I’m sure you know, I know you were speaking in jest.)
    
    And, dude… Every issue isn’t a referendum on whether the season is ruined. Let’s please put that entire way of thinking to bed.
Muel

DOn’t know what to make of this, but Jackson was taken out of the game today…
- pat
  
  Noway no way no way
- Will
  
  I think Jackson is definitely on his way up here…wouldn’t be surprised to see Melky traded too (perhaps to the White Sox).
- Muel
  
  in the third inning…
  - andrew
    
    I really hope they don’t bring him up so that he can sit on the bench. I’d rather trade for Cameron and have AJAX spend all year in AAA and then join the squad next year.
    - Muel
      
      well, the game is in buffalo, so even on a concorde he’d never make it to tampa. so maybe that’s the good news
      - andrew
        
        Well, my concern isn’t just for tonight. Even if he gets called up tomorrow, as Mike said in one of his post updates, he better play everyday, or this is will just be a big hindrance to his development. Even if he does play everyday, it might be a hindrance to his development.
        
        Muel
        
        agreed. assuming he were to play everday, gardner’s a hell of a pinch runner.
- C.Panella
  
  Yeah was just going to say the same thing he was his with a pitch in his first at bat but wasnt taken out right after so…Any ideas?
  - Muel
    
    as you said, he didn’t come out right away, so who knows.
- http://actyankee.blogspot.com Matt
  
  Calling up Jackson would be a worse move than putting Chamberlain in the bullpen to begin with. I will not be pleased if that happens.
Will

The loss of Nady would be a decent sized blow if the Yankees were planning to use him correctly (i.e., against lefties only). Because they were likely to use him against a number of righties (instead of a lefty like Swisher, Matsui or Damon), the loss of Nady could actually result in the Yankees fielding a better lineup on a more consistent basis. Of course, that all depends on the health of Damon and Matsui.
- MattG
  
  Wow, you perfectly summed up my feelings on this issue, that being, I should be upset, but for some reason, I don’t care all that much. You nailed the reason.
  - http://actyankee.blogspot.com Matt
    
    I agree with it, too, but Nady’s a much better 4th OF option than Melky or Shelley or J-Rod.
Scott

A-Jack has been removed from his game….
- Reggie C.
  
  I hope Ajax isn’t hurt from that HBP. I’d rather the reason for his quick exit be a promotion to the bigs rather than a ambiguous hand injury.
Reggie C.

Guess Nady won’t net the organization a 1st round pick next season…

If Jim Edmonds has stayed in shape and is willing to take a part-time corner OF role, he wouldn’t be a bad option. he’s coming off a better season than Sheffield and adds something positive to the clubhouse.
- http://actyankee.blogspot.com Matt
  
  I think we’d rather have a righty hitter since there’s concern about Matsui’s ability to hit lefties at this point.
- whozat
  
  I read an article on hardball times (or baseball-analysts) that actually tracked his extra base hits and concluded that he hit a lot of just-enough homers to left and left-center. Which would have meant that he’d have been flying out to death valley in the old stadium. In the new one, who knows, but…it doesn’t seem promising. I’d take a flier for the minimum, I guess.
http://www.puristbleedspinstripes.com Rebecca-Optimist Prime

Word is Russo and AJax have been taken out of the game
- Spaceman.Spiff
  
  Lol. Could this mean?
  
  SS Derek Jeter
  LF Johnny Damon
  1B Mark Teixeira
  RF Nick Swisher
  DH Hideki Matsui
  C Jorge Posada
  2B Robinson Cano
  3B Kevin Russo
  CF Austin Jackson
  
  But I doubt they would be bringing those up until I know for sure.
  - http://www.puristbleedspinstripes.com Rebecca-Optimist Prime
    
    Calling up Ajax is an awful idea unless he’s going to play every day. Even then, I don’t think he’s ML ready.
    - Spaceman.Spiff
      
      I don’t either but if he’s up here, he better be starting. Which is why I put him in the hypothetical lineup.
http://deleted Tseng- Rename Cy Young the “Swisher” award.

Damnit. Prob won’t get compensation for Nady now.

If they’re promoting A-Jax to replace Nady, that’s a horrible move. He needs to play every day, not be a bench guy.
- whozat
  
  Nah, they’re trading him for Juan Pierre. He’s got ringzzz.
  - Count Zero
    
    OMG — don’t even say that name in jest! It’s like mentioning some horrific demon in a Lovecraft book or something — it could open a gateway to another plane and cause him to appear in Pinstripes. /shudder
http://actyankee.blogspot.com Matt

Fuck. I know I wanted Swisher in the every day lineup but not this way. I’m not the biggest Nady fan but he’s a much better option than Melky and better than Shelley D. and J-Rod. Dammit.
Rich

Suboptimal.
MattG

I think the answer is Frank Catalanotto, who can play some third base for 2-4 weeks, fwiw.
http://forums.projectcovo.com/images/smilies/e6omir.gif Expired Milk

I won $20 because I made a bet with someone that Nady would not have a better OPS than Beltran. I didnt want to win it this way.

Out of worst things that can happen it gets a 3/10, it reduces the depth and bench but it forces Swisher into playing everyday which is not a bad thing.

Jim Edmonds????
- Cor Shep
  
  what idiot would make that bet with you?
  - http://forums.projectcovo.com/images/smilies/e6omir.gif Expired Milk
    
    Someone who thought Nady was turning into an allstar and Beltran was on the decline
    - Cor Shep
      
      hah and gardner will hit more homeruns than grady
    - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside
      
      Someone who thought Nady was turning into an allstar and Beltran was on the decline
      
      Beltran’s “decline” >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Nady’s zenith
      - Spaceman.Spiff
        
        So I take it you’re a huge Nady fan, huh?
        
        Spaceman.Spiff
        
        Not saying that your statement above is incorrect. Because it’s correct.
      - radnom
        
        tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside says:
        
        Beltran’s “decline” >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Nady’s zenith
        
        Beltran 2008 OPS+: 129
        Nady 2008 OPS+: 128
        
        That would be Nady’s zenith (so far, probably overall). Considering Beltran isn’t in his decline yet, methinks you used a tad too many “>”….actually 1 is probably going to be too many..
        
        radnom
        
        I’m talking specifically OPS because of the bet, obviously if you factor in defense, position and other offensive peripherals Beltran is going to be superior to Nady’s 2008 for many more years.
A.D.

If Russo & AJAX were coming up then Ransom + 1 would have to be DFA
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
  
  Nah, just Ransom. Putting Nady on the 60-day DL clears up a 40-man spot.
  - A.D.
    
    I figured they would be that quick on the 60-day designation
    - Spaceman.Spiff
      
      Looks like he’ll miss 60 days minimum, maybe more if something is wrong with his elbow.
  - JeffG
    
    Or it could be Pena after not getting the bunt down. Plus of course young guys could be better served with every day play.
    - A.D.
      
      Eh I don’t think that they’re DFAing a 23 year old that made the team for his glove.
      - KW
        
        Well, they wouldn’t need to DFA him, simply an option will do
        
        A.D.
        
        Yeah, but it was in response to a question on DFAing, since Russo & AJAX aren’t on the 40 man.
Brooklyn Ed

now aren’t we glad that Swisher wasn’t traded this offseason? as for that, where’s J-Rod?
- Will
  
  J-Rod was playing fastball softball in Brooklyn this past fall. Now, he could be a member of the NY Yankees. Crazy.
- http://mantisfists.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/julius-carry-aka-shonuff.jpg The Honorable Congressman Mondesi
  
  I still don’t like playing this game, even though I know what you mean. But you know what the flipside of that argument is: Are we glad Nady wasn’t traded this offseason?
  
  Whatever… of course Swisher being in a Yankee uniform is a good thing, especially now. But the whole discussion, along those lines, is kind of silly/pointless.
pat

John Rodriguez is the outfield version of Cody Ransom. Everyone who now hates handsome ransom are gonna hate j-rod soon enough if he is indeed called up.
- http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside
  
  Probably right.
  - http://mantisfists.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/julius-carry-aka-shonuff.jpg The Honorable Congressman Mondesi
    
    “Probably right.”.. except Ransom has been pressed into everyday duty, while Rodriguez would, at least under the current circumstances, be a bench-player.
    - radnom
      
      Exactly my thoughts. No one hated Ransom last year when Arod was out and he was the bench player and Betimet the starter.
timrandle

One Word: Lastings Milledge.

One More Word: Barry Bonds.
- Spaceman.Spiff
  
  Lastings Milledge and Barry Bonds are two words each. And I got another two words for you: No Thanks.
  - pat
    
    I think that was the joke.
    - http://mantisfists.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/julius-carry-aka-shonuff.jpg The Honorable Congressman Mondesi
      
      I wouldn’t be so sure timrandle knows that.
      
      http://instantrimshot.com/
- http://actyankee.blogspot.com Matt
  
  The ship has sailed on Bonds, sadly. It’s just been too long since he’s played.
  - timrandle
    
    The ship has sailed on ~~Bonds~~ Wang, sadly. It’s just been too long since he’s played.
    
    THCM: ouch. That’s a shot against me!
- A.D.
  
  Lastings got demoted today.
- Chris G
  
  What no Bernie Williams love.
Rob in CT

Damn. Not good.

Nady has his faults, but he’s a useful player.
jon

Kevin Russo has played 41 games at 3rd base and 6 in the outfield
dkidd

hope i’m wrong, but i think this will hurt more than people expect: not enough rest for posada/matsui, rushing ajax and/or more at-bats for melky, overspending on a corner outfielder next year
- jon
  
  why would we overspend on an outfield
  
  we were never going to keep nady he was going to walk this year
  
  outfield next year
  
  Crawford/Holliday/Damon
  
  Ajax
  
  Swisher
  - pat
    
    Damon, who can’t play cf THIS year is gonna be our cf NEXT year?
    - Yankee1010
      
      In Jon’s scenario, why wouldn’t AJax be the CF next year?
      - pat
        
        hmm i guess the triple slash was supposed to represent left field?
      - johnny
        
        I believe his scenario is EITHER crawford, holliday, or damon in left
        
        ajax center
        
        swisher right
        
        i think
        
        I would love to have crawford but I’m pretty sure the rays have an option on him for ’10
    - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside
      
      I don’t think you’re seeing his implied labels. Allow me to help.
      
      outfield next year
      
      LF: Crawford/Holliday/Damon
      
      CF: Ajax
      
      RF: Swisher
      - pat
        
        Ima imply my label all over ur grill Crump.
      - Reggie C.
        
        Who’s Dh’ing then?
        I’d much rather keep Swish as full-time DH/back-up 1B/4th OF. Flank Gardner with Ajax and Crawford/Holliday.
        
        MattG
        
        Why do people insist Swisher is a 4th OF? It’s got to be the .219 BA.
        
        radnom
        
        full-time DH
        
        Don’t forget we have to replace Matsui next year too. It would be nice if the regular DH next year could, you know, play the field every once in a while too.
      - Cor Shep
        
        I’d love either crawford or damon, pref crawford. Even though his obp isn’t as high as damon’s, i love his athleticism, speed, and defense.
        
        I’m really hopin for Crawford – Ajax – The Savior (Swish)
        
        radnom
        
        Why not both? I would gladly take Damon on a short deal as the DH in this senario. Adds depth in the OF too.
pat

The yankees blew it open on Jackson’s granny. That pretty much means he’s ready for the show.
http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside

All numbers 2008:

Frank Catalanotto (L) – 35 y.o., wOBA .329 (278 pa), RF UZR -10.2 (168 in.), 4.0M salary last year
Jim Edmonds (L) – 39 y.o., wOBA .353 (401 pa), CF UZR -14.1 (840 in.), 8.0M salary last year
Geoff Jenkins (L) – 34 y.o., wOBA .297 (322 pa), RF UZR +5.8 (642 in.), 5.0M salary last year
Jacque Jones (L) – 34 y.o., wOBA .204 (134 pa), LF UZR +2.7 (192 in.), minimum (0.6M 2009 salary, just cut by CIN)
Daryle Ward (L) – 33 y.o., wOBA .309 (119 pa), OF UZR +0.1 (42 in.), minimum (MiL 2009 contract, just cut by CIN)

OR?!?!?!

Wily Mo Pena (R) – 27 y.o., wOBA .227 (206 pa), LF UZR +3.7 (408 in.), minimum (2.0M 2009 salary, just cut by WAS)

That just happened.
- MattG
  
  Just cut by Washington?
  
  Too late. The Ajax era begins.
http://www.puristbleedspinstripes.com Rebecca-Optimist Prime

Just heard Yanks purchased Jackson’s contract

True?
- pat
  
  WHAAAAAAAA???????
- Yankee1010
  
  A commenter on Chad Jennings’ blog said they purchased Russo’s and AJax’s and demoted Ransom. He also said that Nady is on the 15 day DL. That can’t be right though because they would still need one more 40 man spot. Nady would have to go on the 60 day DL.
  - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside
    
    This seems like an overreaction.
    - steve (different one)
      
      it also seems like our “source” is a COMMENTER ON A BLOG….
      - http://ryanhandt.blogspot.com/ handtius
        
        i think i’m a good source for viable information.
        2 + 2 = 5. see
        
        steve (different one)
        
        i learned all my math from radiohead, so this seems like a proper equation.
        
        http://ryanhandt.blogspot.com/ handtius
        
        woh…where did you go to highschool? Yorke was my teacher too.
      - MattG
        
        I just read that the Yankees just traded CMW for Matt Kemp, and promoted Hughes.
        
        http://8thinning.blogspot.com VO
        
        OD REALLY?
      - Yankee1010
        
        Who also happens to be batshit insane. And dumb.
- http://8thinning.blogspot.com VO
  
  False Nady isn’t going to the DL until tomorrow. This would make it a 41 man roster? Correct me if I am wrong.
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Benjamin Kabak
  
  Can we seriously keep source perspectives in mind here? A commenter on Chad Jennings’ blog doesn’t count as a “just heard” source. Normal tenets of journalistic integrity should apply.
  - http://www.puristbleedspinstripes.com Rebecca-Optimist Prime
    
    I didn’t know that at the time. Sorry man.
jon

look likes ajax isnt coming up, so does that mean he got hurt when he was hit by that pitch today?

UPDATE, 2:47 p.m.: Joe Girardi said the news on Nady was bad but they’re hoping that the team doctor says something different. But the MRI wasn’t good. Nady will be going on the DL tomorrow. No word yet on who will get called up.

Girardi feels they have enough coverage in the infield with Melky Cabrera around. I asked him about Austin Jackson, who is off to a hot start at Scranton. But as I expected, Girardi said they felt it more important that Jackson play every day in AAA than ride the bench in New York.
- http://8thinning.blogspot.com VO
  
  I hope they were just being cautious with A-Jax, looks like Russo is looking at a call-up.
- Yankee1010
  
  Good news on AJax not being brought up yet.
  - http://actyankee.blogspot.com Matt
    
    A-Mo to that.
    - http://mantisfists.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/julius-carry-aka-shonuff.jpg The Honorable Congressman Mondesi
      
      Yeah that just doesn’t work. That would be the equivalent of “Amen.” Come on, you can do much better than that. lol. Just make it “Thank Mo” and you’re golden.
- Jack
  
  Maybe he wasn’t hurt, but they took him out just in case.
  - Yankee1010
    
    He was hurt. I was watching it on Milb.tv. The trainers looked at him for a while and he was grimacing and clutching his elbow for a few minutes. He was probably taken out because it began to really swell.
    - Brendan
      
      Does mlb.tv always have AAA games on? That might make me buy it.
      - whozat
        
        MiLB.tv and MLB.tv are different; MLB.tv doesn’t show AAA at all, I don’t think. MiLB.tv, I’ve never used.
        
        Brendan
        
        Oh I see… I missed the “i.” Thanks.
      - Yankee1010
        
        It’s milb.tv. It’s $30 for the season and they have a decent amount of games available. I’d guess there are at least 80 SWB games on during the year.
KW

I’m not sure I agree with the whole “AJax needs time to develop” bit. He does need to get regular ABs, that way he doesn’t just sit there and rot on the bench, but I’m not sold on the idea that he needs more seasoning. He made good progress last year in cutting down the K total, showing improved power and upping his BB rate, and I’m not sure another year of AAA pitching is going to help that much more than him getting regular ABs in the majors. That being said, he’d better get regular ABs in the bigs if they would call him up.
- giselle
  
  agreed. if he’s coming up to the bigs he should get regular playing time.
- http://www.new.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/profile.php?id=594331910&ref=name Jamal G.
  
  … and I’m not sure another year of AAA pitching is going to help that much more…
  
  That would imply that he’s had previous experience at Triple-A.
  - KW
    
    That’s a way of using semantics to describe it. Another way to look at it is that since some don’t think AAA is all that different from AA in terms of competition quality, he doesn’t necessarily need “seasoning” at AAA any more than he does at the bigs.
    - MattG
      
      Scouts are pretty much in agreement that Jackson can use more reps before being tossed to major league hitters. It is not a question of talent or playing time, it is a question of experience. He needs more to be successful (at least that is the consensus).
- pat
  
  I see where you’re coming from, but all those things did last year, cut down on K’s, show more power, upping the BB rate were done against AA pitching. Double A is good but a far cry from MLB caliber guys. Unfortunately not every guy who can work a walk or drill a mistake fastball in AA has what it takes to jump to the bigs.
  - KW
    
    I hear ya. I’m just of the belief that AAA doesn’t mean much more than AA, so I agree with you. I’m just saying maybe the bigs is a better way of conditioning youths more than a season at AAA. I haven’t seen many instances of players mashing AA but not mashing AAA, but plenty of players mashing AA and AAA and then hitting well in the majors.
andrew

If it’s any consolation, DiceK will be hitting the DL today as well. DiceK was far more important to the Sox than Nady was to the Yankees, so hopefully this helps ease the pain a bit. Although DiceK should only miss a few starts.
- http://heavysoundsandtheabstracttruth.files.wordpress.com/2008/12/alg_burnett-sabathia-3.jpg Mike Pop
  
  DiceK-Buchholz>>>>>>>>>>Nady-Melky though ;(
johnny

I feel kind of bad for Nady right now. Like him or not, the guy has put his time in and was just about to get a decent pay day with a good year. this injury is literally costing him millions. not saying he should cry poor, as he still makes more this year than most of us will make in a lifetime(I assume since we’re all obsessing over baseball at 3pm on a workday) but it has to burn a little.

heres hoping he doesn’t have some crazy, money hungry wife and kids.
- pat
  
  I agree. This is an inopportune time to get injured. Nady seems like a pretty good guy.
southernyankeefan

man this fucking blows not what you want to hear at all.
K.B.D.

This just cosmically corrects the mistake of “starting” Nady over Swisher. I still wish it weren’t true though.
http://www.onedayonejob.com/ Willy

One of my biggest worries about the Nady injury is that Swish no longer has X breathing down his neck. You have to think that part of Swisher’s performance was driven by the fact that he wasn’t given the starting job. I know Swish has a great attitude, but he no longer has that motivation.
LiveFromNY

I feel bad for Nady but I thought that a deep bench was a problem of luxury that most teams would envy. And we didn’t rush to trade anyone in case there were injuries. Here’s one of those worst case scenarios we planned for though injuries are a lot less scary when they’re hypothethical. Still, there’s no need to go into panic mode and rush up Ajax. The world is not on fire. Perhaps Ian Kennedy could play right field (j/k).
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