Sunday Night Open Thread

by 98 Comments

Fujikawa will come over to MLB this winter
Shohei Otani will come over to MLB this winter
Found this image from 2007 in our archives.

Sorry for the short thread, but it’s been a busy day. The Giants and Cardinals are playing NLCS Game Three (Vogelsong vs. Carpenter, 7:30pm ET on FOX) and the late NFL game is the Steelers at the Bengals. Talk about whatever you like here (except politics). Go nuts.

Fujikawa will come over to MLB this winter
Shohei Otani will come over to MLB this winter
  • Rey22

    Best free agent pitcher signing in baseball. Moose was awesome.

    • Jonathan

      Randy Johnson…4 years…4 Cy Youngs. Also, Greg Maddux and the Braves might want in on that.

      • Rey22

        Very true. Lemme rephrase, one of the best free agent long-term contract in baseball. And he did it in the AL East.

        • Jonathan

          There you go. That is definitely true.

    • RetroRob

      CC is one of the very best, along with Moose, when looking at longterm deals. Kuroda this year was great on a one-year.

      Then there’s the Pavano’s, Igawa’s, etc. I prefer not to remember them all.

      • JobaWockeeZ

        CC is only 4 years in his contract. You could say the same thing after ARod’s first 4 years.

        • CP

          ARods first FA contract worked out great. Seven seasons, three MVP awards. It’s his second contract that’s bad, and it was bad from day one.

          • RetroRob

            Correct. His hip started bothering him mid-way through 2008, the first year of the second deal. The first deal was fine since A-Rod was at the peak of his abilities, and the Yankees part of the deal was even better because the Rangers were paying part of his deal.

            Boras was correct in having him opt out.

  • pat

    It was magical when they didn’t hit it, though.

  • Wil Nieves Number 1 Fan

    Can anybody find a clip of Mike Mussina yelling at Joe Torre to stay in the dugout when Torre wanted to pull him during his complete game against Detroit (I think). I can’t find that clip anywheres.

  • FIPster Doofus

    He left a year too soon like Mattingly. For shame.

    • cr1

      I admired him for going out while he could still respect his own performance, before he started to embarrass himself, the team and the fans — hope that example will be remembered by some of our current guys when the time comes!

      • vicki

        he got his 20 win season and bailed.

        i kid. moose is cool. and unlike many a pitcher from the era he credits jorgie.

        cruciverbalist too.

        • Rooting for U.S. Steel

          I always get cross when someone uses the word cruciverbalist.

  • Get Phelps Up

    The Giants and Cards is actually at 7:30 ET, fwiw.

  • Jonathan

    I <3 Moose and hate Carl Everett

    • Pat D

      It was very satisfying to get that hit. Just ask Carl.

  • Jose M. Vazquez

    Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera and Andy Pettitte are the last of the so called winning ballplayers that the Yankees have. Those are as rare as a Dodo. You can’t find them easily. In the past, Tommy Henrich, Hank Bauer, Elston Howard were of that ilk and did not receive the publicity that other Yankees did. Once this trio is gone, unless someone steps up we will be in trouble. I was already fretting about this team fading away from the beginning of the season. To complete this, the Steinbrenners sell the team where it falls into the hands of a Loria and flounders forever. This would complete the cycle that occurred in the midsixties to which thankfully I was not present for. More recently, winning ballplayers were Reggie Jackson, Bernie Williams, Paul O’Neill and Jorge Posada + Scott Brosius, Cone and El Duque.

    • Dan

      yeah. That A-Rod guy is a total chump. all he has ever done is go out and put together one of the most “clutch” post-seasons ever in 2009. a 9th inning homerun off an elite closer to tie a game. another game tying HR in game 3 of that same series. oh wait, ANOTHER game tying home run in the ALCS. and then a game winning hit in game 4 of a world series…. he stinks. youre right. he isnt a winner.
      and Cano is awful too. 2010 post-season had to have been a fluke……
      CC on 3 days rest in 2009 world series. no good. not a winner. refuses to help team. got it.

      just because they dont win a world series every year it does not mean they arent winners. have some perspective.

      • RetroRob

        Perspective and Yankee fans have never had an easy relationship.

        • sevrox

          THIS – in retrospect, this was a(nother) good season to be a Yankee fan. Painful ending, but c’est le friggin’ vie.

        • LiterallyFigurative

          Easy relationship? Try any relationship.

    • jjyank

      Eh. It’s real easy to look back to the days of yore in hindsight and say “YEAH! Those guys were WINNERS!”

      Is A-Rod a winner? The Yankees don’t even sniff a World Series appearance in 2009 without him.

      What about in the future? Let’s say the Yankees make the playoffs again in 2013. Cano goes into full beast mode and hits .400/.500./.600 for the whole postseason. Yankees win #28. Is he a “winner” then? Was he a winner all along and nobody knew? Or did he only just then become one?

      And how about every team that’s made the playoffs? All those guys on all those teams that won the AL East are not “winning ballplayers” because of what, exactly? I’m sorry, Mr. Vazquez, but this just rubs me as waxing poetic about players from long ago (for the most part) and intangibles. I’m willing to bet the Yankees have quite a number of “winning ballplayers” on their roster right now.

      • Joe F

        He hit like 6 home runs in that postseason. OPS had to be over 1.000. Ridiculous.

    • Jose M. Vazquez

      Those are the types of ballplayers that are needed. But they are nowhere to be found.

    • Robinson Tilapia (I love the New York Yankees)

      THEY WILL NEVER WIN AGAIN. THOSE FOUR GAMES PROVED IT.

      You know better, Jose. That’s all I have to say.

      • LiterallyFigurative

        Are you sure he knows? His post argues otherwise.

  • McLovin

    Anyone here play MLB 2k12?

    • Ethan

      No but i sure do love the ads, especially the ones with Kate Upton.

      • McLovin

        lol Its fun to play was just seeing if a friendly RAB’er wanted to play

        • Ethan

          Yeah if i had a console and more free time I might get it. Sadly I have neither.

          • McLovin

            That sucks the only shitty thing about it is every time you hit a fly ball its caught

            • vicki

              maybe it’s you.

    • jjyank

      I used to buy the MLB 2K games, but I finally abstained this year. I would love a good baseball game to play, but frankly, EA Sports seems way too content with putting out the same buggy crap year after year because they have to competition. I’m an xbox guy, so The Show is a no-go for me. I would love it more than anything if another company came in and gave them a run for their money. Even if it wasn’t amazing, some competition might at least spur EA Sports to step up their game the following year.

      $60 a year for a game that’s a glorified roster update and a half-assed graphics tune up? *sigh*

      Sorry, /end rant

      • McLovin

        There is some BS in the game and yeah video games are really expensive nowadays

        • jjyank

          I don’t mind the price if the quality is there. I would gladly spend $60 for a quality MLB game for Xbox.

        • Mike R.

          And videogames are probably less expensive than they were in the past, accounting for inflation and such. Those $20 2K Sports games last gen were an anomaly.

      • Mike R.

        You realize that EA released the best baseball games ever (MVP Baseball) until 2K got the third party exclusive license, right? I’m not denying EA’s suckiness when it comes to Madden, but blame 2K for baseball games being bad.

        • jjyank

          I don’t give a shit. EA still produces it, and it’s been a long time since MVP Baseball.

          • 1stbase

            Ea has nothing to do with it, 2k sports produces it

          • Chris

            Still produces what? You must be confused. EA no longer makes a baseball game. They are the rival company to 2k, which makes that terrible Xbox 360 game every year. Sold my xbox and bought a ps3 just to play The Show. Best move ever.

            • jjyank

              Whatever. Point still stands, no matter who produces it. Xbox uses are stuck with a shitty game. And i will never switch consoles over baseball. Too much money for too little return.

            • Joe F

              The Show is the best sports game.

              2K basketball is amazing, yet their baseball is so bad.

              • Andrew 518

                Really never been a video game guy but someone gave me a PS2 last year. I’ve been playing the Show ever since. I really think it’s great, (even the PS2 version), but am I the only one who’s player is always hurt. I get so pissed. This is a game, it’s supposed to be fun I yell at no one in particular. Every time I get going He gets hurt. Not a little hurt, like torn calf miss 3 1/2 months hurt. Once is ok, but every season is pretty annoying.

  • sevrox

    The Lupica (f)article on the Steinbrenners only wanting a team to win during the season and not concerned about the postseason was laughable at best. Seems to me the Yanks beat some really good pitchers during the course of the year. Don’t know how to do it, but I’d like to see the Yanks record against pitchers in ’12 with an ERA under 4…

    • Pat D

      You still read Lupica?

  • Jersey Joe

    POLL:

    If Seth Smith and/or Josh Reddick are made available after Chris Young acquisition, who makes more sense for Yankees?

    • Raul Ibanez AKA Tom Marvolo Riddle AKA True Yankee(TM)

      Reddick, much younger, higher upside, and more natural power. Plus he’s a better defender and can steal a bag in a pinch.

      • Get Phelps Up

        And also to watch him rake against Boston.

    • Robinson Tilapia (I love the New York Yankees)

      Reddick. I’m sure the cost would be something else.

  • Raul Ibanez AKA Tom Marvolo Riddle AKA True Yankee(TM)

    I know RGIII just torched my team (thank god The G-Men pulled out the win[ELI!!!!!!]) but I wish the football pundits would hold off on declaring him the greatest thing since the forward pass…I mean they did the same thing with Mike Vick and Cam Newton as well as others and neither have exactly panned out to be “great.” I mean the dude has what? 6 or 7 games in the NFL…

    • Rivera Venue Blues

      Honestly though, barring injury, RGIII looks like he has the talent and smarts to exceed both those guys. His completion percentage + his ability to make plays with his legs makes it more likely that he’s legit and he’s doing it without a big time receiver to throw to. Not a Redskins fan but just what I’ve seen from him so far.

      • Raul Ibanez AKA Tom Marvolo Riddle AKA True Yankee(TM)

        I’m not saying that he can’t be great, just that 7 games doesn’t make you great.

      • Chris

        this. missing his #1 wideout basically all season and has a very average O-line. That team is getting blitzed with injuries on both sides too. the dude is the truth.

        • Raul Ibanez AKA Tom Marvolo Riddle AKA True Yankee(TM)

          People said the same thing about Newton last season and he’s taken a GIGANTIC step back last year.

    • Pat D

      I was ready to murder Eli during that game. They get the fumble in their won end, which all they needed to do was put together a FG drive to end the game at that point, and then Eli gives it right back. Much like in the Tampa game I couldn’t understand how the fuck he didn’t see the guy who picked the pass. Not to mention how he missed Cruz in the end zone in the first half, and missed a few other throws. Oh, and of course the defense went right back to not knowing how to stop the run, though they did pretty much stop Morris in the 2nd half. Not RG3 though.

      But then Eli goes and finds Cruz on that TD and all is forgiven.

      Until next week, that is. They have one option for next week’s game: DON’T FUCKING LOSE!!!

      • Pat D

        Own end, not won end. Maybe I should start proofreading.

      • Raul Ibanez AKA Tom Marvolo Riddle AKA True Yankee(TM)

        Eli, and the receivers (outside of Bennet), played like shit for roughly 58:30. But that one pass was such a thing of beauty.

    • Andrew 518

      One of the reasons I kind of walked away from the NFL. Just too much hype produced by the machine. It used to be a great sport, now it is more of a TV show.

      I remember when Romo came off the bench and within three games he was in one of the greatest ever conversation. Then why was he on the bench for so damn long?

    • vicki

      big12 fan here; that guy is LEGIT. not michael vick, not cam newton. i’m a giants fan and love me some white pocket passer. but rg will blow up what we thought we knew about (black) running qb’s.

      let’s take a moment to LAUGH OUT LOUD at vince young.

      ps. colts blew their pick.

  • Robinson Tilapia

    I’d say something about the Jets, but I actually think I’d resemble something rather stuart-like.

    Imagine if they actually cared about their offense.

    • jjyank

      Wait…did you throw a parade for the Jets?

      • Robinson Tilapia

        After the game-tying field goal, sure, but really……I knew better. Don’t bet against Brady there.

        • jjyank

          Give him a raise?

          • Robinson Tilapia

            Give Sanchez someone who can actually catch the ball and isn’t some sort of reclamation project or someone who peaked years ago?

            Honestly, I’m mostly detached from the NFL until the very end.

  • Mattchu12

    It’s absurd how much Moose looks like Jack from Lost.

  • CT Yankee

    So I was reading the articles today on Shohei Otani and Kyuji Fujikawa on various sites coming stateside to play ball. Both look like guys we can go after to fill in gaps. Shohei as a rising star in the farm system. I highly doubt he gets thrown into the bigs the minute he gets off the plane. Fujikawa as possibly an 8th inning guy or even closer if Soriano bails and Mo doesn’t come back. But I’m concerned that the Yankees are scared stupid of all asian players going to auction or straight to free agency ever since the Kei Igawa experiment backfired on us big time. We threw in a bid for Darvish but we knew it wouldn’t be enough.

    I guess what I’m wondering is, any chance these are the guys that will let Oppenheimer and Cashman jump back into the NPB pool?

    • Bo Knows

      It’s not the fact that he’s Japanese that scares them, I think it’s been more how the Japanese professional system practically abuses guys to the point they are almost useless (think college but to the nth degree)

      Shohei would be everything you could want in a young pitcher, he’s polished (the little league, and high school system is light years ahead of the prep work American junior ball systems do) he has a great arm, and best of all, he’s relatively fresh. He’d be a perfect player to sign, and someone the Yankees would never be able to reach in the draft. I hope they go big for him.

      • Preston

        Well we can’t go to big for him, the new international FA cap applies. That probably lost this kid a ton of money. How much money under this seasons limit do we have left to try an sign him? Or will he wait until next season to come over? I actually think this gives us an advantage since the Yankees are definitely the highest profile team in Japan.

        • Robinson Tilapia

          There’s an Otani thread now. I gave my thoughts there. Interesting reading, though.

  • Mike R.

    Do I dare mention Melky as a possibility? Judging by his team not playing him even when the AS MVP is eligible, he’ll be signed by somebody else. Hopefully he lost himself a big money.

    • Need Pitching & Hitting

      I think they should consider it, depending on price.
      But I doubt they will.

    • Robinson Tilapia

      Absolutely mention him. It’s a risk, though.

  • pistol pete

    Don’t like the smell of the CC injury, I’ll bet he ends up with TJ like all elbow troubles usually do. That leaves us with only Hughes Nova Phelps amd Pineda as signed pithers and that group scares absolutely nobody. Hughes has a bad back, Nova’s had his share of shoulder troubles, Phelps is unproven and what can we say about Pineda’s dependability. The outfield situation is anything but settled, the left side of the infield looks like Jurassic Park and our catching is seriously subpar. This will be Cashman’s most difficult offseason. An aging team with big contracts and many health concerns. They’re more likely to perform in 2013 like the 2012 Red Sox than be a serious contender especially if Hank sticks to his budget. It might get a little ugly in the Bronx for a while.

    • Need Pitching & Hitting

      Yankee catching this year was actually about middle of the pack. MLB catching overall is mostly bad.

  • Bo Knows

    Shohei Otani sounds like an interesting pickup here’s the espn article for those who haven’t seen it:

    http://espn.go.com/mlb/conversations/_/id/8532919/shohei-otani-japanese-high-school-fireballer-opting-mlb

  • Robinson Tilapia

    Would love to see the Giants force a Game 7 here and save any interest I’d have in the World Series.

    • Pat D

      What is this World Series of which you speak?

      • Robinson Tilapia

        I’d watch if the Giants were in it. Too many friends from the area. Love the stadium. Love the town. Love Philz Coffee across the street from the stadium.

  • Eddard

    And if you’re the Jets I just don’t know how long you can go with Mark Sanchez as your starting QB.

    Quick quiz- Which QB has the 3rd worst QB rating, ahead of only Brandon Weeden and Matt Cassel?

    Sad answer- Mark Sanchez. Weeden is a rookie and Cassel was so despised by his fans that they booed him off the field after he had just suffered a serious injury.

    Tim Tebow can get you Ws. He proved that last year. Tim Tebow doesn’t shrink in the 4th quarter and OT, he shines. He showed that last year, especially in the Pittsburgh playoff game. Sanchez choked again today fumbling away the ballgame. Rex, you’re a goner if the Jets don’t make the playoffs so put Tebow in already. He’s your best shot to turn this sinking ship around.

    • Robinson Tilapia

      They do MORE drugs during football season in Eddardworld?

      Jets defense, as will as that ridiculous dropped pass by Hill, lost that game.

    • Pat D
      • Raul Ibanez AKA Tom Marvolo Riddle AKA True Yankee(TM)

        So. Much. Win.

        • Pat D

          You can always count on me for Star Wars references and YouTube clips.

          • I am not the droids you’re looking for…(I believe that children are our future)

            Hi

  • Zack

    It stinks that not only could Moose not get his perfect game,but he couldn’t get a World Series ring in the two chances he had either.

  • Joe F

    Doing projects suck. I wanted to be in an open thread this weekend. Oh well. Next time guys.

  • Andrew 518

    Pretty dissapointed in Cashman’s comments about Nunez today. Have to think that they will try to deal him the offseason as Cashman essentially says there is no potential everyday role for him as long as Jeter is around.

    I don’t think this guy is our savior. I don’t think he is the missing piece to the puzzle (but I think he is a piece) or a future hall of famer, but that said I think he is the sort of player that this team needs to find a role for. He’s young, he’s afordable, he’s a multi dimentional hitter (able to make contact with speed, but can also have some occasional pop)

    His glove is below average his arm accuracy is terrible (often mental)but to essentaially say that the team has no interest in trying him at positions other than SS seems to be in denial of the vast weaknesses that this team displayed over the last few weeks.

  • Darren

    The Mike Mussina love is misplaced. He was such a douche. He basically single handedly lost the Detroit series from 07 with his amateur weather forecasting. Dump laptop. Nothing more frustrating than being at that game and they cancelled it and it never rained. I hate him.

  • http://franklance godfather

    be nice if nyy’s ichiro connection could get them some clout with otani