Open Thread: 10-0

January 21, 2011 by Mike Axisa 57 Comments

WHITE SOX YANKEES — (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

I think we all remember Aaron Small and the job he did for the 2005 Yankees, but here’s the interesting thing about that season: he won ten games, but only made nine starts. He didn’t strike anyone out (4.38 K/9), but he kept the walks down (2.84 uIBB/9) so his FIP was rock solid at 3.88 (3.20 ERA). Small did benefit from some major homerun luck though, since his ground ball rate wasn’t spectacular (43..9%) but his 4.5% HR/FB ratio was. His 4.79 xFIP was far more indicative of his true talent level, which he demonstrated in the 2006 season. The Yankees signed Small to a minor league contract six years ago today, and I think it’s safe to say they had no idea how important he would end up being. I think I speak for everyone when I say that we’re thankful for his service.

Here’s your open thread for the evening. The Isles, Knicks, and Nets are all in action tonight, but it’s Friday. Go out an live a little. Enjoy.

http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama

a. I cannot stop laughing at the Angels.
b. Yay Aaron Small. I will always be fond of him just because of 2005.
c. Sorry for the multi-post, but I really did think this was very interesting. Again, sorry it’s so long, and I probably should’ve saved this for this open thread, but here ya go:
http://riveraveblues.com/off-topic-9/#comment-1569863
http://twitter.com/steveh_mandaura Steve H

As @YankeeMegInPHL pointed out on twitter, a year ago the Jays couldn’t get rid of Wells even if they packaged him with the best pitcher in baseball. Now, as the contract balloons, he’s gone. I just don’t get it.
- http://ww.twitter.com/deanezag Zack
  
  Yeah but did they offer to send money last year or was it take Halladay and Wells’s contract and oh we want Hughes and Montero?
  - http://twitter.com/steveh_mandaura Steve H
    
    Even if the package was light on prospects, I don’t think they expected anyone to take on Wells’ contract even if handcuffed to Halladay.
Teh Comp Pick

Just heard about the Vernon Wells swap. Jaw dropped, cannot believe it. Had to come around these parts to see teh reactions. No matter how you cut it, competing for the division or not, there is no way you can justify this as a good deal is there???? Scosia has always preferred Mathis to Mikey Naps this deal is pretty awful. If I’m an Angels fan I’m devastated.
- Mike HC
  
  Maybe after seeing what Werth and Crawford went for they off season, they got so disillusioned they just said f’ it, we are trading for Vernon Wells at 86 million, ha. That is the only thing I could possibly imagine and even that does not make much sense.
  - Teh Comp Pick
    
    Your right about those things plus what I said: They never really liked Napoli it seemed. I’ve always been a fan even if his d sucks. His raw power is very impressive.
Rey22

I was doing some homework I have due tonight, then I thought Hm, lemme see what’s up in the baseball world. I went to mlbtraderumors and saw the Vernon Wells trade, now I can’t go back and concentrate cause I keep laughing in disbelief.
- Xstar7
  
  Am I wasted or did that really transpire? So many bad contracts my brain is on fire.
http://twitter.com/astrophunq Dax J.

The Angels just continue to amaze me. Thru the offseason they said they were going to spend on the top free agents. They don’t get any of the players they wanted, plus they end up trading for one of the worst contracts and they let go of a good player.

Wow.
- http://twitter.com/astrophunq Dax J.
  
  I bet Anthopolous can’t stop laughing either.
Poopy Pants

Is there any possibility of an article speculating on which GM’s might be available and a good fit IF Cashman leaves?
I’m not trying to be negative about it. It would kind of be like ‘what if CC opts out?’ or ‘what if Sori opts out?’. It would be good to hear about options.
I don’t know a lot about other GM’s or if the Yanks have someone already who could step up.
- http://www.twitter.com/ngoral Jake LaMotta’s Left Hook
  
  I think the next GM would have to come from within, because obviously they know how the Yankees work better than any outsider,
  - pete
    
    agreed. D-Opp, in my opinion.
Xstar7

You know who else went 10-0? The Mexican Gangster that’s who.
Accent Shallow

So, level of worry in re: the Jays?

(It’s not that high, but that will be a tough lineup.)
- http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama
  
  It’s not so much that the Jays got any great, great players (I’m a big Napoli fan though), as much as the Angels are just really fucking dumb.
  
  I’m weirdly happy to see Wells go, it seemed like he ALWAYS hit the Yankees well
http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama

A progression of Tweets in the last minute by me

1. HEAD EXPLODES RT @n_schaef: The Angels didn’t want to pay Adrian Beltre $83 million. Vernon Wells has $86 million left on his contract.

2. DOUBLE HEAD EXPLODES??? RT @ShiDavidi: Just heard Angels may not be getting any money from Jays in Wells deal.
- http://ww.twitter.com/deanezag Zack
  
  That can’t be true.
- whozat
  
  yeah, but the addition by subtracting that bum Napoli MORE than makes up for it! They recover HIS salary…and they get to play Mathis every day!
  - mbonzo
    
    Jeff Mathis had a gorgeous .497 OPS in 2010.
    - whozat
      
      That’s bad, even for a backup catcher. But Mike loooooves his intangibles.
      - mbonzo
        
        Like his 20% caught stealing rate last year.
        
        whozat
        
        Isn’t average like 25%?
        
        mbonzo
        
        Probably, but if you’re putting a guy out there who hits under .200 and can’t draw a walk, he better be above average catching. Mathis is above average at sucking.
        
        whozat
        
        Yes, I know.
        
        I was kidding…I figured that was obvious.
Poopy Pants

Kenny Williams must be thinking:
“Damn those Angels!”
- mike hc
  
  Haha
mike c

in hindsight if it meant taking wells to get halladay would you have done it? his contract is crazy but the yankees have/had the extra money, plus wells actually had a decent one last year
- mbonzo
  
  I don’t know if the Yankees could take both contracts. They’d have to add $40m to the payroll at least, to handle those 2 guys and lost Montero. I wouldn’t have done it, but there is a case for that kinda deal.
  - mike c
    
    well minus granderson gives you around 10MM back.. plus we wouldn’t have signed raffi @ 12MM so that would have freed up some dough. I could see jesus being a deal breaker though
    - mbonzo
      
      If you remove Soriano and Grandy from the payroll, it still leaves the Yankees with a $210m payroll for the next few years considering what they’d need to do to replace them. Yes, Vernon would replace Grandy, but I doubt the Yankees would have run out Gardner every day if they knew their outfield was already a question mark. Cliff Lee probably would have wanted to pitch in NY if this deal happened. The team would have been amazing, but it would be complete crap in 2 years.
      - mike c
        
        correct about gardner, although ajax might have been an option too
http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama

Rays just signed Manny and Damon lol what the hell today is so weird.
- mike c
  
  manny’s going to love tampa
- http://twitter.com/steveh_mandaura Steve H
  
  If the Rays are good they’ll stay, if not they’ll probably flip one or both of them at the deadline. Love the moves for the Rays. Manny getting to face the Sox and Yankees might just have a big season.
  - mbonzo
    
    That might also bring in some attendance from the Tampa Yankees fans wanting to see both Damon and Manny play.
- Erica
  
  http://www.sportsrageous.com/johnny-damon-reportedly-getting-close-to-signing-with-tampa-bay-rays-01-21-2011
  
  WHAT IS THIS SHENNANNERY????
  - Erica
    
    I am going to dramatically flail around. WHAT is going on?
- mbonzo
  
  Wow, if Manny really signed for $2m, that makes me think the Yankees should have tried to get him instead of Jones. Obviously they would need another outfielder for defense, but I don’t think Manny is finished.
  - mike c
    
    his attitude would not be appreciated
    - Monteroisdinero
      
      Do we allow dreads and do-rags? Manny-In The Heights-Ramirez..
      
      /not
  - http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama
    
    $2M for Manny is a friggin’ steal. Probably too much for Damon though and what the hell is an “attendance bonus”
    - mbonzo
      
      Maybe he’s not expected to attend every game?
      JK
      I bet they meant to put appearance bonus.
Teh Comp Pick

NYY has money to burn where was Cash on Manny???? I really don’t want to be the consumate hater, and I think the offseason hasn’t been terrible, but Manny would have been a great move. The Yanks can make the highest bid for the Duke, whose son lives in Jerz, that would be a very legit pickup. He wants to start, and he most certainly can in NY.
- http://youcantpredictbaseball.wordpress.com/ bexarama
  
  Manny is the better player when compared to Jones, but Jones was the better fit. They needed someone who could pick up a glove and have a fuckin’ clue what to do with it.
  - Mattchu12
    
    This.
Wil Nieves #1 Fan

Excellent choice for the obscure Yankee memorable moment.
Jimmy McNulty

The Jays made some odd moves this year. None of the moves were bad, by any means. In fact, most of the moves were very very good ones. I don’t know what strategy they’re going to take for the rest of the tenure of AA.
http://ww.twitter.com/deanezag Zack

Can’t wait for the first Saturday Fox game where Buck & McCarver drool over Wells and act like the Angels actually made a good move.
- Wil Nieves #1 Fan
  
  +1 LOL
mbonzo

Cashman should offer the Angels Burnett for Trout at this point.
mike c

carl crawford = vernon wells II
lucky for boston they can just trade him to the angels in 3 years
bonestock94

Hahahahahahahha Angels Hahahahahahahahaha. Worst trade I can think of in a while. omg wtf
Anthony

Aaron Small was very good in the relief role. Which is a major reason for his 10 wins he got that year. He wasnt very effective in the starting role, when Torre moved him there for 9 starts. Didint have overpowering stuff. If he hit 90-91 with the fastball that was alot. He kept the ball down in the zone and worked the corners. Maybe he was just a 1 yr wonder, who knows. It would have been nice to just leave him in the pen and let him do his thing.
Anthony

In response to the Jays/ANA deal, the Jays couldnt wait to rid themselves of the 84 mill left on Wells deal. ANA just doesnt have the right people running things. Im glad we dont have to face Wells for the 17 meetings we would have played him in the AL East.
http://none Aaron

Hahahahah.. I cannot contain the laughter! Ohmy God.. did this just happen????!!!

Get over yourself. Vernon Wells, is every bit as good as his contract. You jokers think you know something about baseball… HAHA.

FINALLY, Wells is in a place that will appreciate him. Stand the Fu(K By!!

Sure, join every swinging toronto dick in the “wells sucs” bandwagon.. good job! Kudos to you, for being mainstream.

I am sooooo glad that he is in a city, where he will be appreciated.

F Toronto,and F Anthropawhatever, he is no better than the previuous GM. TRADE all the talent you have.. no need to build around the best pitcher in modern times (halladay); no need for Wells, Rios, Halladay, AJ Burnett, Marcum… Fook it, we have 1st and 2nd rdrs in the Minors. DIPSHITS.