Snowy Saturday Open Thread

January 21, 2012 by Mike Axisa 113 Comments

A couple inches of snow isn’t bad, and in fact I actually heard the plow drive by a few times today. That’s a rarity here. The snow is a big slap in the face though, reminding us baseball fans that we’re still weeks away from anything remotely resembling meaningful baseball. On the other hand, it sure is bright and sunny down in Tampa. Pitchers and catchers are 29 days away…

(Photo via @Julie_Stone)

statboy yankopherson

snow = good. more time for crawford to heal so he can make sure the sox lead the league in k’s
Griffey’s Grotesquely Swollen Jaw

“click to embiggen” = awesome. it is a perfectly cromulent word after all.
Soriano Is A Liar

Allow me to be the first to say: LOL SCUTARO
Johnny

It seems like the Red Sox keep getting weaker and the Yankees stronger this offseason. I don’t mean to jinx anything, but this season will pretty much be a piece of cake, right?
- http://twitter.com/steveh603 Steve H
  
  The move was likely to clear payroll and I’m pretty certain there will be a follow up move that will strengthen them. Plus they return a pretty damn good core.
  
  Remember, last year the Red Sox season was supposed to be a piece of cake.
  - Steve (different one)
    
    Agreed, they’ll prob sign Oswalt now. But….who is their SS? Pinto/aviles? I guess so. They traded Lowrie and now they trade Scutaro. They traded Reddick but now we know Kalish and Crawford had surgery? They traded all these guy to bolster their pen, because they are moving guys from the pen to the rotation….doesn’t it beg the question, why not just sign a starter?? Seems like they’ve moved a lot of their depth and there is a lot of risk moving their relievers to the rotation. Their moves are all ok in a vacuum, and I’m sure they’re not done, but I’m not seeing the master plan here.
    - Steve (different one)
      
      “Punto”
      - http://twitter.com/steveh603 Steve H
        
        I liked Pinto better anyway. I think Punto and Aviles can hold down the fort. I’d take Oswalt with those guys at SS as opposed to some other starter (Doubront? Tazawa?) while holding onto Scutaro.
      - infernoscurse
        
        PUNTO and PEDROIA make a cute DP combo……………
        
        Gonzo
        
        Someone on the radio said the Sox are going for the all Munchkin infield. I laughed.
        
        IVoted4Kodos
        
        I hear they’re looking at Eddie Gaedel to play third.
        
        Gonzo
        
        Can you do a Fangraphs or BRef sort on height? We need to know who they’re targeting next.
    - Tom
      
      Clearly Jose “I hit like Rnrique” Iglesias will take over…. he’s the SS of the future.
      
      Don’t be fooled by his sub .600 OPS in AAA, there was at least 1 or two balls he absolutely smoked right at someone.
      
      /Gammons’d
  - Sweet Dick Willie
    
    Right. This allows them to sign Oswalt now.
    
    If he remains healthy and puts up his typical #’s, I believe they will be formidable in 2012.
    
    Not saying the Yanks aren’t better, but piece of cake? No way.
    - Monterowasdinero
      
      Saw Oswalt pitch against us in ST last year. One game, ST, means nothing I know but Grandy hit an unusual opposite field HR and Posada hit a double off the wall in Left center and Nunez, iirc, took him deep too. We ain’t afraid of no Oswalt.
- http://twitter.com/#!/czm93 Craig
  
  Cody Ross is most likely headed toward being a Red Sox(ck?). Clearly, they’re going for the pennant.
  - Robinson Tilapia
    
    Apparently, the Mets are in on Ross as well. I could easily see something like that happen.
- CJ
  
  Maybe they are after Hanley Ramirez
  - Kevin Winters
    
    Good thing they don’t have the pieces to get him.
- http://www.bronxbombersreport.com Craig Maduro
  
  Hm…you think its funny, but the Red Sox actually COULD be better than the Yankees on paper heading into the season. Nobody here will believe that, but its not a stretch.
  
  Offensively, there is no way you can say that the Yankees have a decidedly better lineup. You’re lying to yourself if you say otherwise.
  
  As far as pitching is concerned, the Yankees obviously appear to be in good shape while the Red Sox are trotting out some new arms. It’s not like a front four of Lester-Beckett-Aceves-Bard is anything to scoff at though. Shit, if the Yanks didn’t have what they do have, we would probably choose the Red Sox’ front four over that of most other teams in the league.
  
  It’s fun to laugh at the Sox when they suck, but let’s not get too carried away.
  - http://www.youcantpredictbaseball.com bexarama
    
    It’s not like a front four of Lester-Beckett-Aceves-Bard is anything to scoff at though.
    
    You forgot Buchholz, who makes your point much better than the two dudes who, you know, have never really started.
    - MannyGeee
      
      Vincente Padilla takes offense that he was not mentioned anywhere in this thread of sox arms…
    - http://www.bronxbombersreport.com Craig Maduro
      
      Good point. I guess he’s spent so much time on the DL that I forgot to mention him. But yea, that just means Aceves and Bard can fill in a role in the back of the rotation.
JoeyA

I know this will NEVER happen, especially with the new financial goals of the NYY, but it would be AWESOME if we signed Oswalt simply to screw the Sox.

What the hell are they doing? This move is robbing Peter to pay Paul. Trade both your SS”s and sign a SP with constant back problems for a year, leaving your team with a platoon option for SS, no money, and still other holes to fill.
Steve (different one)

Just to be clear, the Sox just gave away a 3 WAR shortstop to save $6M. Seriously, I don’t get this at all.
- http://twitter.com/steveh603 Steve H
  
  Punto was worth 1.8 fWAR and 1.5 bWAR in significantly less playing time than Scutaro.
  
  I know Scutaro’s better, I just hate playing the WAR game. I hope the Red Sox don’t have another move coming, I hope they don’t get Oswalt, but I don’t want to analyze this trade in a vacuum quite yet.
  - Robinson Tilapia
    
    If you think the Mendoza Line just wasn’t enough of a challenge anymore, wait until you meet the Iglesias Line.
    - Bo Knows
      
      BUT BUT HE’s SO SMOOTH WITH THE GLOVE….IGLESIAS WILL BE THE BEST SS EVAH!!!
  - Gonzo
    
    Punto also OPS’d 1.346 in the 8 hole in the NL. He doesn’t have a pitcher hitting behind him in the AL. All stats are not created equal.
tony

Is anyone else waiting to see when we will finally get Damon? He would be a perfect fit as the dh
- nsalem
  
  I think the Yankees are seeking someone who also can fit there needs defensively. I think Damon is a safety option at this point. From strictly the fan in me it would be nice to see him back though.
  - tony
    
    I completely agree nsalem I think thats the main reason I want him back. But in Yankee Stadium I think he could still do some damage
    - nsalem
      
      Yes I think he would do quite well with the Yankee’s this year. Where he was a top of the order guy for the Rays he would be given a lot less attention at the bottom of the Yankee odrer.
      - MannyGeee
        
        Promise you he leads off against RHP this season.
- http://www.yankeeanalysts.com Mike E
  
  I’m waiting for Gordon Beckham.
  - http://www.bronxbombersreport.com Craig Maduro
    
    Interesting. I was actually wondering about him earlier today. If I remember correctly the White Sox have Brent Morel and Dayan Viciedo manning 2B and 3B respectively. That would seem to make Beckham available and perhaps worth consideration.
- http://www.bronxbombersreport.com Craig Maduro
  
  No, absolutely not waiting for Damon. I’ll be thoroughly pissed if the Yanks are forced to settle for Damon as their DH in 2012. He’s done. Stick a fork in him.
  - MannyGeee
    
    Damon’s noodle arms scares the shit out of me if he were in fact to get a glove on.
  - RetroRob
    
    He is? He had a 110 OPS+ for a quick league comparison, hit 16 HR playing half his games at the Trop, and stole 19 bases. Doesn’t sound done to me.
tomaconda

Anyone think James Loney would be an interesting platoon with Andruw?
hits righties very well. Was a non tender candidate and makes around 7 mil I believe.
- tony
  
  I also think Casey Kotchman would be a good fit. Hes a very good defensive player as well
  - nsalem
    
    Good point. Damon though could potentially supply more power than Kotchman. It’s a tough call. In the end I’m sure we will wind up with another productive bat before the start of the season. There are plenty of choices in the aging former star department who will wind up signing cheap. Though I don’t think I would want him back Abreu is still out there. Though a shell of his former self he was still a .350 OPB out there. I didn’t check his P/PA from last year but if it was still close to what it used to be a line up with Abreu, Gardner, Granderson and Swisher would give them 4 of the top 15 or so P/Pa guys in the league. I think having 3 of the top 11 or 12 last year plays some sort of factor in the Yankees great offensive. I have been told that P/Pa is not factored in WAR nbut I do think it has some kind of effect on outcome of games.
- CJ
  
  He’s damaged goods with his arbitration salary decking production and car wreck.
P

Banuelos romaine and Hughes for wieters. Boom
- P
  
  Before I get grammar burned… “romine”
- P
  
  Before I get burned for the spelling….. “romine”
- tony
  
  Why? I think martin is a great catcher and offensive player already. Romine is going to be an impressive player. Plus Hughes is an 18 game winner. No reason to trade a number 3 starter for a little above avg catcher
  - Kevin Winters
    
    Plus Hughes is an 18 game winner.
    
    —————
    
    It was one season.
    - Gonzo
      
      But you had to see it!
      - Kevin Winters
        
        lol yea I saw it was ok for like the first month and a half.
        
        Kevin Winters
        
        Let me correct that it was outstanding for like a month and a half. Didn’t want to sell him short
    - http://www.yankeeanalysts.com/ Steve S.
      
      More like half a season, and he had the run counter of all time. Nick Swisher could have won 10 games with that run support.
  - http://www.twitter.com/tomzig Tom Zig
    
    Wieters will only be 26 next year, a whole 3 years younger than Martin. Wieters is also better all around than Martin too. Not that it’ll happen though.
    - http://www.bronxbombersreport.com Craig Maduro
      
      Not a chance in HELL the O’s are trading Wieters within the division and even less of a chance that they trade him to the Yankees.
- Robinson Tilapia
  
  Swap out Banuelos for a nice arugula and you’ve got a deal.
  - MannyGeee
    
    well played Mauer
nsalem

Perhaps Boston may not be a popular destination for free agents with a choice as might have been the case several years ago. The pressure will be on up there. No playoffs in 2 years and no playoff wins since 2008. Brand new GM and an intelligent but volatile manager.
http://twitter.com/#!/KChinmaster KenC

We pray for Joe Paterno!
- Billion$Bullpen
  
  To go to jail or die?
your mom

Yay Scutaro gone. That bastard hit us well last year. Didn’t realize he was Venezuelan.
- tony
  
  Ya I think Scutaro is the only guy that can hit Rivera
Gonzo

Rumormongering!

http://sports.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981044034

This better not happen. I would be upset.
- Greg
  
  Who in the world could they give to get Cole Hamels?
  - Gonzo
    
    Dunno. They’d have to clear out the system. It’s one year of Cole at $15mm. It would have to be less than what Pineda brought back, right?
    - Gonzo
      
      Looking at their top 10, I could see it. They’d have a crappy farm going into a new CBA agreement that hinders their advantage in the draft and IFA, so I wouldn’t say it would be the best move.
      - JMK
        
        Let’s hash it out – they don’t really have the top-end ‘can’t-miss’ prospects like a Montero. But there is talent, much of it from the 2011 draft class.
        
        The Phillies too don’t have much of a farm system, particularly in position players. Would a package of Ranaudo, Middlebrooks and a B- prospect be too much?
    - IVoted4Kodos
      
      Iglesias + a picture of Casey Kelly oughta do it.
      - Gonzo
        
        Signed picture?
        
        IVoted4Kodos
        
        Only if they insist. No reason to lead with such a huge offer.
    - Bo Knows
      
      Do the Sox even have anyone in there system to use a chips? Seriously, that farm has got to be barren after all the deals they’ve pulled over the past three years.
      
      But this is Ruben Amaro Jr., the man who traded not only traded Cliff Lee for a spare tire and some pocket lint.
      - JobaWockeeZ
        
        Lol that system isn’t barren at all.
        
        http://www.yankeeanalysts.com/ Steve S.
        
        There’s not much at the upper levels that would break the BA top 50. Middlebrooks? Who else?
        
        JMK
        
        Xander Bogaerts, SS/3B is up there.
        
        GardnergoesYardner
        
        Ryan Lavanahway should be #1, according to Peter Gammons.
      - Robinson Tilapia
        
        They absolutely don’t have what it takes to acquire Cole Hamels. However, Cole Hammels, Coal Hammer, and Kole Mahels would come cheaper.
  - Danny
    
    I wouldn’t trust that site. That was were the Billy Butler to the Yanks rumor started. As well as these rumors in the past few days:
    
    Johan to the Yanks: http://sports.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981041028
    
    Hamilton to the Blue Jays: http://sports.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981029660
    
    Lincy to the Yanks:http://sports.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980997125
    - Gonzo
      
      Yeah, just rumormongering.
    - Guns of Navarone
      
      Just wow.
      
      “…but the back-half of their (Yankees) starting rotation could still use some work…”
      
      Yeah! The Yankees only have three starting pitchers to fill that spot. Let’s fill it with Johan Santana and his contract!
      
      I never lol. But… LOL.
- http://www.twitter.com/tomzig Tom Zig
  
  Why would Philly trade Cole Hamels anyway?
  - Gonzo
    
    They traded Cliff Lee when he didn’t want to sign a club friendly extension with one year remaining. They did get an ace that wanted to sign an extension in Halladay to replace him, but they have two aces now.
    
    In other words, Ruben Amaro Jr.
- http://www.yankeeanalysts.com/ Steve S.
  
  Apparently this guy got it from Bleacher Report, which is two steps below hearsay.
- http://www.bronxbombersreport.com Craig Maduro
  
  Isn’t that the same amateur site that was talking about a Phil Hughes for Billy Butler rumor?
- MannyGeee
  
  this wont happen, as mentioned about 15 times above. this would absolutely RAPE whats left of their farm (Iglecias/Lavahhhnnawhey ah the fuuuteah!!!!)
  
  But its cold and boring this morning so I’ll bite… it would be those two guys to open the bidding, right? maybe a ‘AAAA arm’ like Doubront thrown in? 36 hour negotiation window thrown in?
  
  more importantly, what are Coles feelings on fried chicken and Natty Light?
CJ

Prince fielder to Texas rumors continue yet I read Texas is operating at a deficit till 2015. The Yankees 2014 austerity budget precludes prince fielder but operating a club at a deficit does not?
- http://www.bronxbombersreport.com Craig Maduro
  
  Texas will be a big time problem if they find a way to pull a Fielder deal out of their Texas sized cowboy hats.
  - CJ
    
    Texas is already a big problem 2X AL Champs. Angels are also a big problem now. Yanks really don’t need to see prince and pujols in AL West
    - http://www.bronxbombersreport.com Craig Maduro
      
      True.
Eirias

The Mets are “making a run at signing” free agent outfielder Cody Ross, reports ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick.

For some reason, this sentence almost boggles my mind. It made my night. Cody Ross simply seems almost the antithesis of a player you would ever need to “make a run at” to sign, and that it is the Mets pursing him is so very, very apropos.
- http://www.yankeeanalysts.com/ Steve S.
  
  Yeah, I agree. The Mets situation is way past being funny or worth mocking. Now its just sad and pathetic.
  - JMK
    
    Now it is? When did we cross the threshold?
    - http://www.yankeeanalysts.com/ Steve S.
      
      Personally, it was when they stopped trying to win and failing to do so (which was funny) to now when they’ve admitted they’re broke and giving their fans no reason to hope.
    - MannyGeee
      
      for me, we crossed that line riiiiiiiight about here:
      
      http://gothamist.com/2009/10/21/former_mets_gm_starring_in_fatal_at.php
      
      Tubby Temptress FTW!
Robert

Joe Paterno has died.
- Eirias
  
  Wow. Being fired must have really taken out a lot of his will to fight.
  
  I’m not a fan of college football and I certainly feel he badly mishandled the situation at Penn State, but this isn’t how you want anyone to fade out and wink away.
  - JMK
    
    …Or he has serious cancer and his firing had little impact. Hard to say; the guy’s 85.
- bonestock94
  
  That’s a pretty sad end. I’m not sure he had the facilities to know exactly what he had been involved in.
- JMK
  
  AP reporting family spokesman says he’s not dead.
  - Robert
    
    Bruce Feldman,CBS Sports ,Onward State dozens of others say different.
    - JMK
      
      That’s cool – all I said was the AP reported a family spokesman said he’s not dead.
  - JMK
    
    With all the “Paterno’s dead! No he’s not!” going on, I expect this is going to be a brief Weekend at Bernie’s redux.
    - Robert
      
      Now every news organization that broke Joe Pa’s death is now backing off their reports.
- Rainbow Connection
  
  Good.
Michael Hairston

Joe Paterno’s family spokesman just denied that Joe has died.
ThatstheMelkyMesaWaysa

Guys Joe Pa isn’t dead NBC and AP and ESPN are all saying serious condition. NBC just reported literally less than a minute ago that reports of his death were incorrect.
http://www.yankeeanalysts.com/ Steve S.

Since were posting fake news tonight

NEWPORT BEACH, CA—After meeting with his agent Monday to discuss his free agency prospects, Prince Fielder told reporters he was left wondering if he or any man can ever say his agency is truly free.

“Free agency suggests I am able to make a choice void of any constraint, but right from the get-go, that premise is problematic,” said Fielder, adding that it isn’t as if he can just get a job as an acoustical engineer, or even as a professional athlete in another sport.

“In the end, I am not an autonomous entity who can choose a path based on multiple options. Instead, I am one link in a causal chain, so my actions are merely the inevitable product of lawful causes stemming from prior events. What I’m saying is, I’m essentially limited to the 30 baseball organizations in North America; realistic, long-term socioeconomic factors have already decided which cities can support a team that pays the kind of salary I demand; and roster decisions dating all the way back to the invention of the game have determined which teams are in need of a first baseman today—so there are only a few clubs that could logically take me. And human nature will compel me to pick the one that offers the best, highest salary.”

Fielder concluded the press conference by saying that he is essentially a determinist, and that he enjoys hitting baseballs.

A Determinist? I would have pegged him as Objectivist, no doubt.
- CJ
  
  Wow.
  -2
- Manning to Manningham
  
  Way too articulate to have been uttered from the mouth of a professional athlete.
- MannyGeee
  
  they left out the part at the end where he said, “uhhh…BABA BOOEY BABA BOOEY HOWARD STENRS PENUS!!!!” and ran off the stage
J. Scott

Notwithstanding the many amusing aspects of the Mets present situation, I would still like to get my hands on Daniel Murphy. That guy is a tough out.
- CJ
  
  Agreed. Murphy is a very good fit. I thought Seth smith was too. I don’t like the Pena Damon ibanez Matsui JoVa types
  - Plank
    
    That’s a disparate list of players, not a type.
Monterowasdinero

So ARod on espn.com praises Pineda as having “3 plus pitches”. Can we now stop the 2 pitch pitcher nonsense?
- http://www.bronxbombersreport.com Craig Maduro
  
  I love it when A-Rod gives scouting reports.