May
24

Memorial Day Eve Open Thread

By

That was a disappointing loss, but what can you do. We should all be very happy with an 8-2 homestand that was very close to being a 9-1 homestand. Anyway, it’s another slow night, so we’ll leave the floor open to you guys to talk about whatever you like. The Brewers and Twinkies play at 8pm on ESPN, and the Cavs and Magic play at 8:30 on TNT. Feel free to talk about whatever you want here, just be nice.

Categories : Asides, Open Thread

105 Comments»

  1. Express trains that go from Harlem to Greenwich in less than 30 minutes rule.

  2. pollo says:

    Anyone else watching the AAA game on NESN? Shelly just hit his 15th jack of the season..we seriously need to bring him up.

    • Some call me...tim says:

      What for? DFA Angel just so he can pinch hit in extra inning games instead of Cash, Pena, Gardner, Cervelli?

      That absurd!! I mean, rea…hmm…

      Nevermind.

      • The Artist says:

        I think we saw enough of Mr Duncan to last a lifetime.

        Call me when he can hit a curveball, slider, change, or anything besides a fastball.

        • Some call me...tim says:

          Oh ok, fair enough.

          It’s too bad we don’t have anybody on the 40 who isn’t on the DL or already in NY that hit, you know, those pitches.

  3. Moshe Mandel says:

    I think that some fans get wrapped up in young guys like Cervelli if they hit a bit. The fact that someone could even suggest that the Yankees pinch hit for Matsui and let Cervelli hit is ridiculous.

    • Arod, all the time says:

      From what I have seen, he is a fine catcher.

      You Yank fans need a wakeup call; not all position players should be required to bat .900+, for to do so you get stuck with crap, like now (well, not now but whenever this ridiculous streak ends).

      • Moshe Mandel says:

        That has nothing to do with my point. He is great defensively, but if I had to choose between Matsui and Cervelli, I know the answer to that one.

        • Arod, all the time says:

          “Great” is taking my comment too far. I said he looked like a fine catcher. And, so screw what he can contribute offensively today.

        • The Artist says:

          Moshe, I have a better and more pertinent question.

          Molina or Cervelli?

          I know the answer to that one, and it aint Molina.

          • For ’09, Molina. For ’10 and beyond: Cervelli.

            • The Artist says:

              To me, neither one is going to hit much and both are outstanding defensively-That’s a wash

              One is really fast and the other’s really slow-Cervelli.

              The only reason to keep Molina around is you’re still worried about Posada, which is an excellent reason. That’s why I think they’ll send Cervelli down. But comparing the two players side by side, its Cervelli.

              • Arod, all the time says:

                And that would be why you’re not a GM of a professional baseball club.

                If Molina has proven anything these past two years, it’s that he is well-endowed defensively but unable to handle the day-to-day as an everyday catcher, else his muscles explode.

                I’d make Cervelli the main man.

                • The Artist says:

                  I’m not GM material?

                  You make Cervelli the #2 catcher that means you have to DFA Molina. They can’t carry three catchers with a lefty DH (Matsui) who cant play the OF and a righty DH (Nady) due back in two weeks.

                  Then what happens if Cervelli/Posada get hurt? You’re screwed, that’s what happens. Stick to running the BoSox, please.

                • Arod, all the time says:

                  I don’t know the ins and outs of your roster so maybe I’m wrong about Cervelli sticking. But w/o roster considerations, if I were to make a decision between Cervelli getting the bulk of work or Molina it would definitely be Cervelli.

                  Forget about Po. He’s not a catcher anymore, just some hybrid stick him where he won’t get hurt anymore kinda guy.

                • In a vacuum, sure, I’ll take Cervelli over Molina for the rest of ’09; but since that isn’t the situation, I’ve got no problem with Cervelli getting some more seasoning at AAA before taking over the backup role next year.

              • Moshe Mandel says:

                I agree with you on all counts here.

    • The Artist says:

      That is, but Matsui has been very streaky this year. And the thought of having TWO DHs who can’t play the field once Nady comes back means our bullpen/bench will just be that much shorter, and both are short already.

  4. Chris says:

    Not to be picky, but the homestand was also very close to being 5-5, considering that 4 wins were walk off wins.

    • Arod, all the time says:

      Mostly vs MINN and BALT, at home, no less.

      Still, though, anytime this group of AARP members can put together a streak of 9 straight wins I’d call that impressive, almost as impressive as throwing down 9 straight on the shuffleboard circuit.

      • UWS says:

        You know, for a fan of a team that just lost 2 out of 3 to the freakin’ Mets, you sound awfully uppity ;)

        • Arod, all the time says:

          Apparently, the Mets are awesome.

          But shit happens, as well. I’m no fan of the Sox going anywhere without Ortiz and Lester. I ain’t naive.

          • The Artist says:

            Your Sox haven’t even started breaking down yet, and you know Beckett, Penny, JD Drew and Saito are going to spend at least a month on the DL this year, if not more.

            • Arod, all the time says:

              Who’s Penny? Who’s Saito?

              JD may, but even if he does his position is well covered. Beckett should not because he’s not injury prone, he’s just prone to walking into camp every off-year fat, and hurting himself. 2009 is not an off-year.

              • Zack says:

                RF is well covered? By Rocco?

                Beckett has had finger, back, side, and the mystery ‘slept on my elbow’ injury that kept him out what almost a month last year?

                • Arod, all the time says:

                  Rocco and others, sure. Together they are no worse than what the yanks bring, so why not?

                  Damon
                  Melky
                  Swisher

                  You’re out of your league here, dude. Give it up.

                • The Artist says:

                  That was all BS. The Sox were telling everyone that Big Papi and Penny were 100% all spring.

                  I suspect that shoulder that they were worried about when they traded for him is slowly disintegrating, right on schedule. They figured he would only hold up for a few years when they traded for him.

                • Zack says:

                  “Rocco and others, sure. Together they are no worse than what the yanks bring, so why not?”

                  That’s funny, considering Kotsay is still on rehab assignment and Rocco cant play 9 innings but yeah they’re definately better then the Yankees.

                • Arod, all the time says:

                  Well JD isn’t hurt either, now is he?

                  You guys are asking about what happens if JD goes down for “a month”, and I’m saying whatever does, brings no less downside than Swisher and/or Xady. And that’s a true story.

                • Zack says:

                  I didnt ask that scenario, I just responded to your response that Rocco/Kotsay are better then Nady/Swisher.

                • The Artist says:

                  And I’m not responding to either scenario, I’m just posting this clip anywhere and everywhere I get a chance.

                  http://thebuffetisclosed.com/2.....-papelbon/

                  Charming.

                  Where are all the Sox fans who hated Paul O’Niell so much? A guy who never directed his anger at anyone other than himself, unlike sweetie pie Papsy.

                • Arod, all the time says:

                  The question actually would become, who is better, Swisher/Xady or JD, Rocco, Kotsay, Van Every, Reddick, or some other corner outfielder not mentioned but whom could be obtained for chump change.

                  Seriously, dude, give it up. Swisher and Xady are nothing to brag about. Neither is your CF and LF.

                • Moshe Mandel says:

                  Our CF has an OPS of .866, our LF at .947. Swisher, with all his slumping, is at .865. Drew is at .886, not that much higher. If he gets hurt, Baldelli is at .577, and his career is at .765. Try to do some research before you mouth off.

                • UWS says:

                  DNFTT, people.

                • Arod, all the time says:

                  Yeah, Melky!

                  BTW, Swisher isn’t slumping, he’s playing as he always has: Appear for a month, disappear for two. Williams is no idiot.

                • Moshe Mandel says:

                  It’s fine, ignore the numbers that conflict with you. Putting that exclamation point after Melky’s name, that’s some convincing stuff. And with that, as UWS stated, it is time to stop feeding the troll.

                • That .645 OPS he’s getting out of Wilson Betemit is totally awesome, along with his -78.7 UZR/150 @ third (SSS alert, but it’s still funny).

                  Just looking up numbers on Swisher. He’s a hot starer (.909 OPS in April) and a hot finisher (.805 in Sept/Oct). May (.780), June (.788), July (.744), and August (.794) are all pretty even.

                • The Artist says:

                  People, don’t mess with Nick Swisher’s #1 fan. It will get you nowhere.

                • Arod, all the time says:

                  Fine, just as long as you realize you have lost the argument, which you have. There’s no Yankee fan in this universe that would take the convoluted, wind aided numbers of your outfield against Bay, Ellsbury and JD. Not a one. And you know that as well as I.

                • UWS says:

                  By all means, ignore the wall-aided numbers of your outfield. Whatever.

                • Arod, all the time says:

                  Have you ever tried to hit over a 50′ wall 300′ away?

                  Thought not. Go back to your Cheetos.

                • Ellsbury is currently wOBAing .321 and EQA’ing .251. Both of those stats include baserunning. Melky’s wOBAing .374 and he’s also out-defending Jacoby in CF, 20.0 UZR/150 to 3.2 UZR/150. Right now, I’ll take Cabrera.

                  As for the home/away, Swisher’s actually hitting a lot better on the road than at home so your argument falls a little flat there. He and Drew, IMO, are a toss up. They’re very similar–patient hitters with good-but-not-overwhelming power who are above average fielders. I’d take either one.

                  Bay is raking right now, no doubt about that, though.

                • You think that wall hasn’t helped would be pop outs turn into doubles? Really? Come on, you’re better than that.

                • Spaceman.Spiff says:

                  Go back to your Cheetos, Matt.

                  /oaktag

    • Zack says:

      That can be said about any game- if this play happened this way or if he didnt make that one bad pitch. Yeah you take negative feelings out of games win won (bullpen blew a couple leads) but they also leads too and we just look over those games.

    • Rich says:

      I’ll have to remember to look at the standings of yours where they differentiate between close wins and actual wins.

  5. The Artist says:

    Was anyone at the game today?

    I’m already hearing reports from people who went to Sunday’s game that the Yanks are putting tarps up around the facility to try to cut down on the wind tunnel effect.

  6. The Artist says:

    We can stop the death watch on Phil Hughes, where every start he is pitching for his MLB job. Girardi made clear on the ‘Joe Girardi Show’ after the game that they are taking things very slow with Chien Ming Wang, and that they want to see him all the way back before putting him in the rotation. Phil Hughes is the Yankees 5th starter for the foreseeable future.

  7. The Artist says:

    Girardi also said the Damaso Marte has begun his throwing program, so figure he’s a few weeks away from being activated. I’d expect them to take the Wang/Bruney route with him and let him pitch a few minor league games before activating him. Figure he’s a few weeks away.

  8. Reggie C. says:

    TMZ is breaking this news: Jeremy Shockey was rushed to a Vegas hospital after he was found unconscious at 2pm at the Hard Rock. Tmz is saying that Shockey had been at a pool party.

    – I may have hated his antics while on the G-men, but i hope he’s okay.

    • Zack says:

      he’ll starting against the Indians

      • The Artist says:

        If there’s any surprise, its how spotty he was in AAA this year.

        • Zack says:

          they blamed it on the pitch/inning limit

        • Drew says:

          I don’t look at his AAA #’s as holding any weight. He’s a major leaguer, perhaps he was working on a new pitch. When a major leaguer is in AAA he is suppose to work on things, it’s not always just about getting outs. If that was the case he could just throw fastballs and changeups and get guys out left and right. Doing that would get outs but would provide no help for his major league career.

  9. WesternYankeeFan says:

    Can anyone get Joe Mauer out?

  10. Moshe Mandel says:

    I was looking at the ESPN pages for Melky and Ellsbury to look at the glorious numbers and noticed something interesting that I did not know. Melky is younger.

  11. rsam says:

    If i was the yankees i would inquire about peavy and sheets cant have too much pitching still worried about wang hughes and burnett.

  12. The Artist says:

    I’m really concerned about this ballpark. I’m just waiting for Brett Gardner to lay down a bunt, and have it go over the Right Field fence.

  13. Jon Miller just said the Metrodome is the only indoor stadium still in use. Apparently Tropicana Field is outdoors now.

  14. If Joe Mauer is hurt, so help me I will find this pitcher for the Brewers and rip his entrails out through his belly button.

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