Wednesday Night Open Thread

June 27, 2012 by Mike Axisa 221 Comments

Cleveland Indians v New York Yankees — (Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

So today kinda sucked. Yeah the Yankees won, but I would gladly trade a loss for a healthy CC Sabathia and Andy Pettitte. Both left-handers hit the disabled list today — Sabathia with an adductor strain, Pettitte with a fractured ankle — meaning that pitching depth we spent all winter talking about will be put to the test. Joe Girardi confirmed that Adam Warren will take Sabathia’s place on Sunday and Freddy Garcia will take Pettitte’s on Monday, but D.J. Mitchell and David Phelps are looming as well. It’s these guys’ time to shine.

Anyway, here is your open thread for the evening. The Tigers and Rangers will be on ESPN at 8pm ET (Fister vs. Oswalt), and that’s pretty much it for nationally televised sports. Talk about whatever you like here, go nuts.

aRX

Hope Betances can get himself straightened out on AA. (trying not to think about today)
OMG! Bagels!

Haven’t read anything about Warren in a couple of years. In 2010, I thought he’d be up sooner than this but didn’t keep up with him last year. Thoughts?
- Brian S.
  
  Warren is going to kick ass and improve his trade value immensely.
DERP

Please tell me someone else saw that Mike Trout catch.
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
  
  It was, as the kids say, stupid good.
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
  
  Video: http://deadspin.com/5921885/mike-trout-continues-to-do-ridiculous-impossible-baseball-things
  - http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com Raul Ibanez AKA Tom Marvolo Riddle
    
    That ball is like four or five feet out of the ball park.
  - Paul VuvuZuvella
    
    Sick
- Manny’s BanWagon
  
  He has to be the most freakishly athletic baseball player since Bo Jackson.
- BK2ATL
  
  I wonder if he’ll get a tongue-lashing for celebrating his play, and “showing up the opponent.”
  
  It was a pretty good catch. Lost cool points with me when he stood up straight with his arm extended and his glove was about even or over the fence.
- Kevin G.
  
  I don’t like the way he celebrated after the catch. Therefore he is a douchebag and I don’t like him. Actually, I don’t like him because he is an Angel
- MannyGeee
  
  That Trout kid is pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty good….
your mom

I’m excited to see what Warren has to offer. At least he’ll pop his cherry at home.
Dewayne is wise

Open thread
Yup borring night in yankee land nothing to talk about.
adjusts batting gloves

That Burnett guy on the Pirates is having a pretty good year, maybe the Yankees can get him to bolster the rotation.

/Whitson’d
Robinson Tilapia

Oh god…..I could not even get halfway through the Pettitte thread. Some folks here don’t have the stomach to the baseball fans.

The New York Yankees are going to go out there and win fucking ball games. They will rise to the goddamn occasion. They will DO THIS.

This is Freddy’s time to show the first month of the season was a blip and he can still be an effective MLB starter. This is Adam Warren’s moment to show he belongs in the big leagues. Go out there and grab that shit by the balls.

When this is all said and done, we will be standing tall in first place.

On a separate note, the only real injury I’ve ever suffered in my life was a fractured ankle and metatarsal. I was in a cast for……six weeks. Shit sucked. Get well, Andy. Probably not what you were expecting with the comeback.
- jjyank
  
  I was actually glad that I missed the game and most of the game thread. I guess different people handle things differently, but for me, baseball is a hobby. It’s something I do for fun and to relax. So while things may suck, I gotta remain positive because if I don’t, baseball isn’t fun for me. So in short, I agree.
  - Robinson Tilapia
    
    As long as you were around for the joys of the adductor machine, you were gold. I was back to actual work by the time the actual injury was revealed.
    
    I refuse to be negative about this. These are the ordeals you have to get through in a 162 game season. This is when you meet the players who are really going to get you through the toughest spots.
    - MannyGeee
      
      this… the adductor machine got a ton of attention today, especially from the lady-types. allllll-righhht!
      
      #giggity-giggity
- Erica
  
  “The New York Yankees are going to go out there and win fucking ball games. They will rise to the goddamn occasion. They will DO THIS.”
  
  ^^^ THIS.
  
  There are a great number of people who post here that could do with standing in front of the nearest mirror and reciting that sentence over and over and over and over. And over.
  - Robinson Tilapia
    
    and flex.
    - Erica
      
      These weak saps don’t have muscles to flex with!
      - Robinson Tilapia
        
        They can borrow your gym-fresh adductor.
- BK2ATL
  
  I stayed away from that. Kinda like how I try to stay away from game threads. Bad news brings out the nutjobs.
- mustang
  
  REMEMBER THIS:
  mustang says:
  May 22, 2012 at 12:31 am
  I think they have reached bottom I have no factual analysis to back this up, but I think they are going to turn it around soon.?I do enjoy some of our proud and faithful jumping ship with 120 games left to go.?So here they stand on May 22, 2012 5.5 games back our repost this WHEN they are in first place.
  
  Robinson Tilapia says: ?May 22, 2012 at 8:32 am ?Tonight feels like a much better matchup, even with Hughes on the mound. Yes, there will be signs of life soon. No, it actually isn’t as bad as it seems. Yes, it certainly does feel like complete rotten ass right now.?
  - mustang
    
    It’s the same deal I agree with all of you guys. Instead of focusing on them I rather focus on the people who actually bring some knowledge to the table.
    
    Thank you guys for that.
- The Irony Guy
  
  The first paragraph.
Karl Krawfid

If Philly made Lee available should the Yankees try to swing a deal?
- your mom
  
  If Philly eats half that contract
- Dewayne is wise
  
  And he leaves his fat wife in Philly.
- Robinson Tilapia
  
  We can make Seattle give them Montero.
- MannyGeee
  
  they wouldn’t… but I would. Anyone not named Sanchez, Manny or Mason and I would bite (considering the inevitible contract to be absorbed)
Erica

Tough day, guys.

On a cheesy note, I’m happy to have you guys to bs with here at RAB, especially when it comes to dealing with bad news – such as today. So uh, yeah.
- jjyank
  
  Likewise. RAB provides good therapy if you can dodge the trolls.
  - Erica
    
    Got my certification in Troll Dodging last week – you should be certified as well!
    - jjyank
      
      Heh yeah, I learned the art of Troll Dodging quite some time ago.
      - http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com Raul Ibanez AKA Tom Marvolo Riddle
        
        pft, you guys gotta learn to take the trolls head on. It can be just as therapeutic than troll dodges.
        
        Erica
        
        Calling DuhInnings…!
        
        Pat D
        
        See my comment below.
        
        jjyank
        
        Well I do that on occasion as well, I’m sure you know that :P
        
        Pat D
        
        Troll slaying is a much more difficult occupation than troll dodging.
        
        I’m going to go ahead and credit myself and Needs Pitching with successful troll slaying over a month ago.
        
        jjyank
        
        That was probably the most successful example I can think of, for sure.
        
        Get Phelps Up (formerly Freddy Garcia’s 86 mph Heat)
        
        I remember that. It got…ugly very fast.
        
        Pat D
        
        We Must Never Forget.
        
        Erica
        
        Valiant efforts!
        
        Pasta Stumbling Luis Sojo (formerly StanfordBen)
        
        Which thread was it? I missed it.
        
        jjyank
        
        It was awhile ago. Ask Pat D, he’s probably got it bookmarked.
        
        Pat D
        
        I actually don’t. I’ve never gone back to re-read it after the first or second day after.
        
        I believe it was the May 15 game recap. I know it was the second time they were in Baltimore, so I figure it had to be the game they lost.
        
        Robinson Tilapia
        
        We snack on danger and dine on death around here.
        
        Pat D
        
        I’ve always wanted to ask Mike exactly why he banned Duh, if it was for one particular post or just for everything, but I figured it was obvious and none of my business.
        
        I actually feel like I shouldn’t keep making reference to it either, but he offended me by accusing me of making fun of someone’s death. That’s where I draw the line for being personally insulted.
        
        jjyank
        
        Heh yeah, it was probably everything. He just couldn’t handle that you were making fun of his assertions about “some kid” and had to make it out to be something else.
- Manny’s BanWagon
  
  If it wasn’t for RAB, I’d guess you’d probably be in the gym on the hip adductor machine while getting checked out by Robinson.
  - Erica
    
    Psh, ever hear of multitasking?
    - jjyank
      
      Mobile devices FTW
      - http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com Raul Ibanez AKA Tom Marvolo Riddle
        
        haha, too true. However, I really dislike the mobile version of this site. We really need an App. I’d even pay 1.99 for it.
        
        Get Phelps Up (formerly Freddy Garcia’s 86 mph Heat)
        
        The mobile version’s not half bad if youre trying to just read the articles. When you get to the comments though, it becomes a mess.
        
        Get Phelps Up (formerly Freddy Garcia’s 86 mph Heat)
        
        *you’re
        
        Erica
        
        That’s a very specific amount. What if it costs $2.99?
        
        (I’m not a fan of the mobile version, either. Tough to keep up with.)
        
        http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com Raul Ibanez AKA Tom Marvolo Riddle
        
        I just shot a number out.
        
        Erica
        
        That sounds, like, insanely painful.
        
        Robinson Tilapia
        
        Especially if it’s, like, an 11.
        
        MannyGeee
        
        i would pay up to, but not a penny over…….
        
        $42.00 for a RAB app.
        
        jjyank
        
        Yeah, I’m not a fan either. Luckily between work and home, I usually have a computer around.
    - Manny’s BanWagon
      
      Multitasking on that machine sounds a little sleazy, not that sleazy is necessarily a bad thing.
  - Robinson Tilapia
    
    ……while I did kettlebell swings.
Grit for Brains

The way I feel on the rotation is go big or go with what ya got – You trade for a guy like Greinke or you just live with what you have in house…I’m not seeing the use in adding a Jeremy Guthrie
- Manny’s BanWagon
  
  It’s gonna cost the farm to land someone like Grienke. They have enough to survive 6-8 weeks between Warren, Phelps, Mitchell and Freddy
pat

Burn Notice is a pretty underrated show.
- 28 this year
  
  Yea, i find it quite entertaining. Jeffrey Donovan is a solid actor, he really portrays Michael Weston quite well. I like the spy shows where the guy does the impossible but makes it look easy, its really cool to watch him just mess with the bad guys’ heads.
http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com Raul Ibanez AKA Tom Marvolo Riddle

I’ve been watching way to much South Park lately.
- jjyank
  
  No such thing. I love South Park.
  - Pat D
    
    I only catch South Park once in a while.
    
    I thought they crossed the line several years back with the John Denver and Christopher Reeve jokes.
    - jjyank
      
      They cross all sorts of lines. I’m okay with it as long as they cross them all :P Equal opportunity offenders. It’s definitely not a show for someone with thin skin, though, for sure.
      - Pat D
        
        That’s the way I usually felt. But I didn’t care for making fun of the way someone died, like they did with John Denver, and the whole Christopher Reeve episode was totally tasteless. I mean, I think they were saying that themselves by having the main kids “stay out of (that) one,” but it was just so…disgusting.
        
        I did like the fake Hall of Doom, though.
        
        jjyank
        
        A show that provocative that’s been on the air that long is bound to have a couple tasteless episodes though. That’s how I look at it anyway. I personally won’t hold a couple of those against a show that’s been on since I was like 8 years old.
        
        My favorite is still Chicken Herpes. Classic.
        
        OMG! Bagels!
        
        My favorite is Succubus from like Season 3 with the Loch Ness Monster dressed up as a Girl Scout selling cookies to Chef’s mother and father.
        
        Tree fitty.
        
        jjyank
        
        Haha that’s a great one too.
  - http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com Raul Ibanez AKA Tom Marvolo Riddle
    
    Haha, I’ve found myself bored at work recently while nobody was here, so I’ve used my Netflix account wisely (by which I mean I’ve been watching it since the beginning. Seasons 1-5 are pure gold.
Yolanda

Isn’t Hughes due to start Sunday??
- Steve (different one)
  
  Yeah, CC’s turn is Friday, Warren should take that spot.
blake

anybody know if Banuelos and Campos are still alive?
- Pat D
  
  Yes, I know.
  
  No, I’m not going to tell you.
  - Erica
    
    Does Sergio Mitre have anything to do with this?!
    - jjyank
      
      My bet is on Stairs.
    - Andy Pettitte’s fibula (formerly Manny’s BanWagon)
      
      If you say his name 3 times, he might appear. Please don’t.
      - Erica
        
        http://www.hulu.com/watch/124875
        
        jjyank
        
        I see your link, and raise you this:
        
        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXqFTMBcwMU
        
        Erica
        
        HAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHA
        
        http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com Raul Ibanez AKA Tom Marvolo Riddle
        
        hahaha so much win.
- Cesar “Stairs” Cabral
  
  *lurks*
  - jjyank
    
    See, I was right!!
  - Erica
    
    Ayyyyiiii!!!
Get Phelps Up (formerly Freddy Garcia’s 86 mph Heat)

The Angles are up 4-1 with Weaver on the mound and if they win, then the Yankees will have the biggest division lead in baseball. If that’s not impressive enough, they will have done it in a division with every team over .500.
- http://fendersonandhampton.com Cuso
  
  That is a pretty good statistic right there. MSM prefers the Rangers interleague play record against the Astros, Padres & Rockies, however.
  
  That means they’re better than we are.
  
  /ESPN Power rank’d
Erica

On my ten-minute drive home from the bus stop earlier, I was listening to ESPN (98.7 FM) because the music choices were severely lacking.

Anyway, the topic at hand was, of course, Yankees pitching. I’m fairly certain a troll called in talking about how they’d get Cole Hamels and give up “Nova and a couple-a prospects.” I don’t know who the host of the show was, but he pretty much slammed the guy for having three lefties as the 1-2-3 starters and for not specifying which prospects he’d trade.

The best part? The host said to the caller, “You’re a typical Yankees fan.” It was beautiful.
- Steve (different one)
  
  Don’t get the 3 lefties comment. Why should that matter?
  - Erica
    
    The host seemed concerned that if you had 3 lefties going against a right-handed heavy lineup, it would be Very Bad.
    - MannyGeee
      
      since the opposite affected Hughes last night. so at least his example was relevant if not recently (like 24 hours) disproven…
- Robinson Tilapia
  
  Funny you should mention that…
  
  I was listening to Kay at about 5:00 or so, on the way home, when “Sully” calls in. “Sully” wanted to point out to Michael that the Yankees have two dark horses in AA he should know about named Brett Marshall and “Vee-dahl Noo-no.” Kay politely listened.
  
  There’s a “Sully” somewhere either on here or on LoHud, right? I wonder if that was him.
  - Erica
    
    Hahahaha! This has to be confirmed.
    - Robinson Tilapia
      
      Sully had a thiiiiiiiiiiiiick Long Island accent too.
  - OMG! Bagels!
    
    Shelley Duncan fist bumps all around.
Pat D

The Mets score 17 runs today and Chase “Surely My Career Is Over” Utley homers in his first at bat?

Well, Suzyn, no matter how many times I say it…
- Erica
  
  SAY IT!
  - Pat D
    
    YOU JUST CAN’T PREDICT BASEBALL!!!!
    - Erica
      
      *lightning and thunder noises*
      - MannyGeee
        
        muah-hahahahahahahahahahaaaaaaaa!!!!
Andy Pettitte’s fibula (formerly Manny’s BanWagon)

That cushion is exactly why there’s no reason to panic over these injuries, neither of which involves a shoulder or an elbow.
- jjyank
  
  Haha I approve of this handle change.
  - Andy Pettitte’s fibula (formerly Manny’s BanWagon)
    
    I thought it was a better choice than CC’s groin.
    - jjyank
      
      Probably true.
  - A-Rod’s Slugging Percentage (formerly known as Brian S.)
    
    What about me?
    - jjyank
      
      Nope.
    - Andy Pettitte’s fibula (formerly Manny’s BanWagon)
      
      Sorry but I Gotta say I’m not loving it.
    - Robinson Tilapia
      
      It’s not supposed to be mean-spirited. Maybe a crack at his women?
      - A-Rod’s Slugging Percentage (formerly known as Brian S.)
        
        I’m actually making fun of stuart a
  - CC’s Adductor Ride (formerly, and soon to be again, MannyGeee)
    
    OK, I’ll play along too…
BK2ATL

The way I see it, we’re fine. CC will miss 2 starts. Pettitte a minimum of 6 weeks. Between Garcia, Warren, Phelps/Mitchell, and the rest of the bullpen, we’ll be fine. We’ll need CC and Andy in the dugout for guidance, but now it’ll be up to Kuroda, Nova, Hughes, and Garcia to keep us in games. The Warren/Phelps/Mitchell spot will be interesting, but I’d rather let these 3 fight it out. The team WILL rally around them.

This is what Sweaty Fredy is still around for. Today, he showed what he still has left. Looked pretty good. Looked like Sweaty Fredy of 2011. He has pitched well since he’s been in the bullpen. I think he’s back to what was expected. Here’s to hoping.

Either way, it’s time for the offense to pick it up, esp. in RISP situations.

We’ll be just fine. Just one of those bad-luck days. And even in that, the Yanks came from behind and won today!!!!!
- Erica
  
  Exactly! Oddly, I’m not worried about Freddy anymore. I didn’t see how he pitched today, but from what I’ve seen out of the pen, he’s restored my faith in him. Freddy is a guy who knows what he’s doing — he just stumbled a bit coming out of the gate this season. He’s got this.
  - http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com Raul Ibanez AKA Tom Marvolo Riddle
    
    Not even I’m this confident…good on ya Erica :) I think the offense is going to have to win Freddy’s games but I think we CAN win them.
    - Erica
      
      Well, after today… it’s just exhausting to feel negative about anything else, ya know?
      - http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com Raul Ibanez AKA Tom Marvolo Riddle
        
        long day? :/
        
        Erica
        
        Another soul-sucking day in New York City! Yeehaw!
        
        http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com Raul Ibanez AKA Tom Marvolo Riddle
        
        Sounds about right…How you afford to live in the city is beyond me…I’d have to give up eating to afford rent over there.
        
        jjyank
        
        I got around that in DC by living in a studio apartment that’s a glorified basement that is pretty much in Maryland anyways. City livin’.
        
        Erica
        
        Oh, I don’t live there and never would. I still live at home in Jersey, which is equally as charming.
        
        Actually, Jersey is awesome and don’t let anyone ever convince you otherwise!
        
        jjyank
        
        Born and raised a Jersey boy. Loved it. Cape May = best place in the world.
        
        Andy Pettitte’s fibula (formerly Manny’s BanWagon)
        
        Cool. I live in Monmouth county.
        
        Robinson Tilapia
        
        Born in Jersey City. Raised in Union City til 14, then moved to Florida, then back to NYC in my 20’s.
        
        Robinson Tilapia
        
        I married well. That’s why they let me stay.
        
        Andy Pettitte’s fibula (formerly Manny’s BanWagon)
        
        How did you become a fan of that unspeakable NBA team if you lived in Jersey till you were 14.
        
        Robinson Tilapia
        
        I didn’t care about the NBA at all while young other than video games.
        
        The year I moved was ’88, which was the Heat’s first year.
        
        Dude, would you hate them this much if Lebron wasn’t there? Well, maybe because of the 90’s and Jeff Van Gundy grabbing onto Zo’s ankle like a sad little puppy….
        
        Andy Pettitte’s fibula (formerly Manny’s BanWagon)
        
        I hated the Heat since 1997 when the Knicks got shafted in the playoffs for having players leave the bench when that piece of shit PJ Brown picked a fight with a guy half his size. The most bullshit rule in all of sports.
        
        LBJ is just the icing on the cake.
        
        Cesar “Stairs” Cabral
        
        I noticed you skipped over l’il Van Gundy grabbing onto Zo for dear life. One of my favorite visuals of all time. Little troll that guy was.
        
        It goes without saying that Alonzo Mourning is my favorite non-Yankee sports figure of all time.
        
        Andy Pettitte’s fibula (formerly Manny’s BanWagon)
        
        JVG deserved to get stomped by Zo for that stunt. I was a Hoya fan before College BB sucked so I always like Zo too.
        
        Robinson Tilapia
        
        Uh-oh.
        
        Ignore that last post.
- Pat D
  
  I don’t think Garcia will perform well in Fenway next weekend, though.
RBC

Is it me or does it seem like everyone in baseball headed for the DL??
- OMG! Bagels!
  
  That’s what I said in the game thread. Eli Manning, can you throw a baseball?
  - jjyank
    
    ELI TO TEH 6THHH!!!
    - http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com Raul Ibanez AKA Tom Marvolo Riddle
      
      ELI MANNING IS A STAHTING PITCHA!!!!!!
    - CC’s Adductor Ride (formerly, and soon to be again, MannyGeee)
      
      stuff plays better out of the bullpen
- Andy Pettitte’s fibula (formerly Manny’s BanWagon)
  
  It seem Just everyone on my fantasy team is on the DL.
  - Erica
    
    Ugh, it’s your fault you know.
    - Andy Pettitte’s fibula (formerly Manny’s BanWagon)
      
      Longoria and Kemp are killing me. They both got hurt a 2nd time as soon as they came back from their first injuries.
      - Erica
        
        TRADE EVERYONE!
        
        Andy Pettitte’s fibula (formerly Manny’s BanWagon)
        
        I’m hoping for a 2nd half charge like the 78 Yankees.
      - jjyank
        
        Bummer man. I feel really good that biggest problems are Gardner and Feliz.
        
        Andy Pettitte’s fibula (formerly Manny’s BanWagon)
        
        Between those 2 and Dan Haren and Mat Latos pitching like dogshit, this hasn’t been my year.
        
        jjyank
        
        If it makes you feel better, I have both of those pitchers too. I feel ya.
        
        Andy Pettitte’s fibula (formerly Manny’s BanWagon)
        
        I dumped Latos a while ago but I’m still holding Haren and hoping for a strong 2nd half.
        
        jjyank
        
        My waiver wire sucks, I gotta stick with Latos I think.
        
        Andy Pettitte’s fibula (formerly Manny’s BanWagon)
        
        I was able to pick up Wainright when someone got impatient and dumped him.
        
        jjyank
        
        Well you’re a lucky one. Jose Quintana is my best replacement option haha. Maybe Jarrod Parker.
        
        Thought someone did drop Ryan Zimmerman, who just went 3-5 for me yesterday after I picked him up.
        
        Andy Pettitte’s fibula (formerly Manny’s BanWagon)
        
        Parker is pitching out of his mind though he’s short on wins since the A’s suck.
        
        jjyank
        
        I’m keeping my eye on Parker, but I just can’t bring myself to drop Latos after he pitched a complete game 4 hitter. I’m hoping he’s turning things around.
OMG! Bagels!

Nothing matters. They’re not going to catch us. We’re on a mission from God. (who went down early in the season)
- http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com Raul Ibanez AKA Tom Marvolo Riddle
  
  Win it for MO….and CC, and Andy, and Gardner, and Pineda…and Campos…
  - Pat D
    
    and Moose Skowron.
    - Robinson Tilapia
      
      aaaaaaand Nora Ephron?
      - Pat D
        
        If she has a Yankees connection, sure.
      - RI$P FTW
        
        And the people in Mo’s pool.
  - Bo Knows
    
    can’t forget grandpa Von Wolfhaus, gam gam, Landfill, AND America
- Erica
  
  Mo works in mysterious ways…
OMG! Bagels!

Casey Kotchman. The Tonya Harding of 2012.
- Erica
  
  OH MY GOD.
  
  I love this reference. I want to frame it. And hang it on my wall. And gaze at it, chuckling to myself.
Kevin

The Texas Rangers also have rotation issues and are doing fine for the most part.
No reason we can’t do the same.
- CC’s Adductor Ride (formerly, and soon to be again, MannyGeee)
  
  funny, i was just thinking how much of a bum out it is that if this was going to happen to Andy, how it happened about 2 weeks too late.
  
  B/c Oswalt would have been IDEAL for a 1 year deal for us.
mustang

I don’t understand the panic is kind of stuff always happens in a baseball season. I rather it happen now with a nice lead when they can evaluate what they have with the kids a month before the trading deadline.

Give it up for Cashman because he has the pieces in place.
A-Rod’s Slugging Percentage (formerly known as Brian S.)

I asked this question in a previous thread but I don’t remember which one but when is Nunez going to start playing in AAA again?
Kevin

On a side note..if Montero hadn’t been traded before the start of the season,you can bet he would be a goner now.
- mustang
  
  Shhhhhhhhhhhh !
  
  You can’t say his name when he went 0 for 4 with 2 SO.
- Erica
  
  I don’t know who this Montero kid is. Should we have a second look at him?
  
  (Sorry guys… eesh.)
  - Andy Pettitte’s fibula (formerly Manny’s BanWagon)
    
    Thank Mo he’s been mediocre this year. Imagine if he was playing like Trout.
    
    These threads would be unreadable
    - Erica
      
      The threads border on unreadable sometimes, already! Yikes!
  - Robinson Tilapia
    
    Never heard of him either. Sounds like a real shitty player.
    - mustang
      
      How dare you!!! You know that in the minor leagues he was a second half player and once we hit the heat of the summer months the lightning in his bat will blind us all.
Robinson Tilapia

How can this and the Grienke thread currently exist in the same universe?
- mustang
  
  I have to leave only 11 comments in Grienke thread and I already had enough. That guy TomH acts like Pineada had his whole pitching arm removed and replace.
  
  I HAD ENOUGH FOR ONE DAY.
  - Andy Pettitte’s fibula (formerly Manny’s BanWagon)
    
    No way in hell is Grienke coming to NY. I can’t see Cashman paying twice, once with top prospects and then with $100+ million contract after the season.
Dewayne is wise

Hey Sergio Mitre is still out there in FA land.
CUYanks

Just sit back, relax, and enjoy Juan Pierre’s trek at counterfeiting the 3000 hit plateau. Just 913 to go!
- Pat D
  
  Only 1001 to go for Carlos Beltran.
  
  At least Omar Vizquel announced he’s retiring at the end of the year so there’s no way he’ll reach.
  - CUYanks
    
    Haha, yeah, though Beltran will definitely have legitimate HOF credentials even if he falls wells short of 3000, and Vizquel has an argument based on his defense.
    - Pat D
      
      The argument Vizquel supporters try to use is “he was just as good as Ozzie Smith all around” which is pretty much nonsense.
      
      Vizquel, as of now, is .272/.337/.352 with 2854 H, 1437 R, 451 2B, 76 3B, 80 HR, 946 RBI, 402 SB, 165 CS, 1024 BB, 1075 K, 82 OPS+, 3 All-Star Game appearances and only received MVP votes once, when he finished 16th in 1999.
      
      Smith, in over 1000 fewer PA’s, hit .262/.337/.328, which was an 87 OPS+ for his career, with 2460 H, 1257 R, 402 2B, 69 3B, 28 HR, 793 RBI, 580 SB, 148 CS, 1072 BB, 589 K, made 15 All-Star games and got MVP votes in 6 different years, including 1987 when he finished 2nd and (probably) should have won.
      
      Vizquel was a little better at getting hits, but that could have been a product of the times. Smith was much better at taking a walk and was a far better base stealer. Looking at defensive WAR, according to BRef, Vizquel is 12th all time at 28.1. But Ozzie is #1 all time at 43.4.
      
      So anyone who tells me that Vizquel was just as good a fielder is just plain wrong.
      - CUYanks
        
        I agree with you, but I still see an argument to be made for Vizquel. You are comparing him to the best defensive SS ever. I don’t have a problem either way with him. He is a relatively unique case.
        
        Pat D
        
        The problem is that his defense IS his only case, and most of his supporters try to compare him favorably to Ozzie. Is he better than some of the shortstops in the HOF? Probably, but a lot of the shortstops in the HOF don’t belong there.
        
        I count 20 shortstops in the HOF, including this year’s inductee, Barry Larkin, but not counting John Montgomery Ward, Ernie Banks or Robin Yount, who all spent as much time at other positions.
        
        This is taking a narrow view, but in terms of just OPS+, Vizquel’s would be tied for dead last amongst all HOF shortstops. The two guys he’s tied with are Rabbit Maranville and Luis Aparicio, who both rate higher using BRef’s defensive WAR.
        
        My opinion on Vizquel for HOF is this: Elect Alan Trammell, then I’ll give Vizquel some consideration.
    - Fin
      
      I dont see that. I cant see how Beltran gets in over Bernie. Very similar numbers, it could be argued Bernies are better and Williams has all those rings.
      - Pat D
        
        Beltran has more home runs, stolen bases and, if you go by BRef, much better WAR than Bernie.
        
        Fin
        
        I dont buy into war as it based on uzr which i think is basically crap. I dont think the writers buy into either.
        
        Berinie has a higher BA, OBP and OPS+. Like I said the numbers are very similar and I think they are both very good players but neither is a HOF’er.
        
        Pat D
        
        The OPS+ numbers are close, something like 125 and 123.
        
        I agree with you, though. Neither is a HOF player. I thought Bernie would poll a little better last year than he did. By not cracking 10% last year, with the added names and the 10 maximum voting stipulation, I don’t see Bernie cracking 5% this year.
        
        CUYanks
        
        Bottom line is you are both probably right, that if their careers were both over today, neither would make it. The voters have not fully transitioned to more advanced statistical measures. However, Carlos Beltran’s career is not over yet. If he makes it to (or near) 3000 hits, I don’t see how the voters would keep him out, and if Bernie had, the same probably would have been true. Juan Pierre, on the other hand, could make 3000 hits and still be an abominable HOF choice.
        
        CUYanks
        
        Even if you don’t buy into UZR, I’m pretty sure Carlos Beltran’s fielding and base running are demonstrably better than Bernie’s. Not to mention that when it’s all said and done the traditional counting stats will be better for Beltran as well. I love Bernie, but it’s not that close really.
      - CUYanks
        
        Beltran’s career WAR is in the 60’s, and counting. Bernie finished in the 40’s. Obviously, WAR is not the be-all-end-all, but you have to factor in beltran’s fielding and baserunning.
        
        CUYanks
        
        http://www.fangraphs.com/graphsw.aspx?players=857,589
Pat D

I don’t know if I made mention of this last week or not, but the proposed mental health facility in my area had a zoning hearing last week. It ended up going “late” with no decision, and so it was postponed again until tonight.

Well I just read a breaking news story that it was unanimously approved, so a victory for progress, I guess.

Now in case I didn’t make mention of this last week, some people got a lawyer to try and block this from happening. I found out that the main guy used to be my family’s dentist. He stopped being my family’s dentist when one of his employees lost a payment my parents made several years ago because there was a change in insurance, and then he threatened to sue over it. Well he lives across the street from the place in some way, diagonally I believe, not head on, so he’s trying to sue to prevent it. Why, I wondered. I realized it must only be to try and protect his own property value. Then I heard from someone else that he’s been in the process of moving anyway! “Fucking asshole” is the term that springs to mind. I’ll think of worse if he continues with his litigation, especially if someone comes knocking on my door asking to participate.
- http://thecarsboneblog.tumblr.com Raul Ibanez AKA Tom Marvolo Riddle
  
  Wow, frivolous lawsuits are the one thing I hate about our justice system. I mean seriously…I understand your property value is going to go down slightly, but at the same time it’s in the shitter anyway, you probably shouldn’t be selling in this market to begin with.
  - Pat D
    
    People were up in arms about there having to be a fence and things like that. According to the details released tonight, the place is going to be fitted for 12 beds, but they only expect to start with 8. Also, there will be 3 people staffed overnight every night.
    - Robinson Tilapia
      
      No Happy Hour?
      
      In all seriousness, there’s very, very little to be worried about, if anything. Inpatient facilities can be very good things. Your state isn’t Florida, where people actually can be placed in mental facilities for up to 72 hours against their will.
      
      (One of the things my lovely former city of Miami used to do was “Baker Act” the homeless when they needed to clear the streets out for a parade or something.)
      - Pat D
        
        I’ve never been worried. I just love the attitude of my “neighbors.” All NIMBY. They help prove my belief that the vast majority of us look out for ourselves always and others seldom.
        
        Jesus would be proud.
        
        Rocky Road Redemption
        
        Actually, I can see having legitimate concerns if you have children.
        
        I’m not saying that the concerns are well-founded, but having them doesn’t necessarily make you a selfish bastard.
- jjyank
  
  Egg his house. Worked for me in high school.
  - Pat D
    
    I’d like to think I’m beyond high school pranks, but maybe I’m not.
    
    I’ll wait to see if someone rings my doorbell in the next week or so.
    - Robinson Tilapia
      
      We’d all like to think that, but have you seen the threads on here?
      - Pat D
        
        I do recall a few…
- RI$P FTW
  
  Holy shit. Who cares?
  - Pat D
    
    People other than you, obviously.
    
    Just keep on trollin’ on.
christopher

Days like this are why I’m glad i’m a natural born Yankees fan. The team will find a way, they will not fold. some of these players will rise to the occasion, because (and I can’t explain it, but I’ve seen it so many times) when you put on the pinstripes and show up to play in the Bronx there are players that become great players right before our eyes. Not every player, but somebody always shows up and discovers a new level of game.
- jjyank
  
  +1
  - Tom
    
    +2
    
    The CC injury seems pretty minor and that basically means 2 spot starts. Losing Pettitte is a blow to the rotation, but Garcia/Phelps/Warren/Mitchell/Ortiz?/… should be able to patch together as the 5th starter for 2 months.
    
    The bullpen looks like it will get an internal upgarde or two between Aardsma/Joba and if Gardner comes back (sometime) it once again deepens the bench, and adds some defense and speed to the lineup.
    
    At some point maybe the Yankees look for a backup infielder in place of Nix (or maybe Nunez puts it together?), but even with the injuries, the roster is pretty solid.
    - Get Phelps Up (formerly Freddy Garcia’s 86 mph Heat)
      
      +3
      
      When the backup infielder, fifth starter and last few guys in the bullpen are your biggest problems, you’ve got a pretty damn good team.
- Robinson Tilapia
  
  …..and, even when there’s, sure, no factual basis to this, why people choose to be fans of the team, to the point in which they post here, and don’t believe that, is just beyond me.
  
  That was a run-on sentence.
CUYanks

Look at it this way. Today, knowing it will be 2+ months before Pettitte comes back, we are still in better shape than before he came out of retirement. Plus, having gotten a taste of how he is capable of pitching this year, we are in ever better shape than could have been reasonably expected. We know we have a legit impact player coming later in the year, instead of the wildcard he was before he started pitching this year.
https://twitter.com/#!/MattMontero1 Matt Montero

Is anyone else getting nervous that Hensley won’t sign? He was supposed to sign “shortly” after the draft but there are no reports that it’s imminent.
- Pat D
  
  No.
- http://fendersonandhampton.com Cuso
  
  Not too much, although I did see a Twitter post saying it was a “big decision.”
  
  That translates as a yes/no not a how much/details comment.
  
  Interesting.
Alex G

Why is everyone saying Andy for 6 weeks? I have heard the more realistic timetable is 8.

https://twitter.com/Buster_ESPN/status/218104445291077633
Rocky Road Redemption

TRADE PROPOSAL:

Derek Jeter, Robinson Cano, and Curtis Granderson for Justin Verlander, Roy Halladay, and Felix Hernandez. Three team trade. Let’s fucking do it and never look back.
- Pat D
  
  Yea, but Halladay’s hurt, so…
  - Rocky Road Redemption
    
    Dammit…Cliff Lee?
    - Pat D
      
      You mean the guy with no wins?!?!? Are you mad???