Jan
14
Monday Night Open Thread
ByJust as a heads up, I’m going to be out of town for most of the week and will be pretty busy in general. Content is going to be a little light for the next few days, though I expect the Yankees to make a major move since I won’t be around to write about it. I hope you’re all ready for that massive four-team trade that sends Curtis Granderson to the Mariners, Boone Logan to the Nationals, and both Justin Upton and Mike Morse to the Yankees. Imagine that.
Anyway, here is tonight’s open thread. Neither of the two basketball locals are in action, so you’re on your own as far as entertainment goes. Talk about whatever you like here. Have at it.
120 Comments»
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The Tyler Austin Watch
Thankfully, I have a good imagination! Have a safe trip, Mike.
I personally am hoping for a return of stone cold Steve Austin tonight. Yes I still watch wrestling. Yes I know it’s fake.
So. I see that the Upton thread has grown to over 230 comments.
Was this mostly incidental as a result of discussion, or was there another brawl?
Some brawling but not as much as you’d think given 230 posts IMO.
I didn’t even read the thread. Can’t imagine much in there that hasn’t already been said, which increases the odds of lots of stupid comments.
I skimmed it and decided it wasn’t worth my time. I just went Charlie the Unicorn on it.
We’re on a bridge, Charlie.
I was thinking the same thing. Didn’t get to read it either.
AND, like Axisa, I’ll be out of town for the next week.
My mind is still blown by “Don’t let any Yankees play in the WBC bc Petit is injury prone and what hasn’t Cashman trades Cano yet?”
It’s been a wild, weird trolly day round RAB
Just read the Upton thread. Wasn’t bad at all.
This happened in the Tex thread last nite/this morning
Not bad, right.
Your boy controlled himself pretty well in that thread after going nuts and attacking Mike among others in the “Fan confidence poll” thread.
Rate yourself on 1-Me on the Nick Swisher thread?
Not sure what you’re asking.
I can’t recall a recent Swisher thread to be honest.
It was just peachy then
While there were some holes in what he was trying to say, I also enjoyed Moandesi. Hope he sticks around.
New blood is always welcome as far as I’m concerned.
Once he stops fixating on Stanton, fine.
Also… Wait, what? You and Mike are both out at the same time? Is this like when no one ever sees Peter Parker and Spider-Man at the same time?
Tilapia is Mike’s commenting ball busting alter ego
If I walk into my hotel room in Miami, and Axisa is there, I’m hitting him over the head with a shovel.
Wait, there are no shovels in Miami….
I’ll Fed Ex you one. There will be no connection.
Hah, I’ll be in Fort Lauderdale.
Pat, send that shovel over.
sand castle making shovels, indeed
I think “spirited discussion” is a better descriptor than “brawl,” but yeah, there was a bit of a brawl.
I didn’t read the brawl but I’m guessing it was because someone made fun of someone for a trade proposal. Which after the Red Sox/Dodgers thing I thought would cease but hey flame on.
Keep the prospects…Warren and JR Murphy for Alfonso Soriano with Yanks picking up $12 Million/2 Years…
Good thinking because since Warren is on the 40 man we wouldn’t have to DFA anyone and it would give us another reason to trade grandy. Soriano LF Gardner CF Ichiro RF. Then we could trade grandy to mariners for walker and Justin Smoak (who could be our DH). Also we would be set in the OF for next 2 years but the only bad thing is we would have them for ’13 and ’14 but Tyler Austin/Heathcott are going to be ready by then and Williams probably too.
Good thinking because since Warren is on the 40 man we wouldn’t have to DFA anyone and it would give us another reason to trade grandy. Soriano LF Gardner CF Ichiro RF. Then we could trade grandy to mariners for walker and Justin Smoak (who could be our DH). Also we would be set in the OF for next 2 years but the only bad thing is we would have them for ’13 and ’14 but Tyler Austin/Heathcott are going to be ready by then and Williams probably also.
Those are a lot of words. My rebuttal will be a lot Quicker
Yuck
I just had an image of the entire Yankee outfield hitting a combined 10 homeruns in 2014. Shudder
Nah. I think they can certainly hit 25 combined So, yeah, shudder!
Soriano will not be a Cub come Opening Day. 2012 was his best year in four seasons, and he’s down to two years remaining on his contract. The Cubs will move him for a some combination of salary relief and prospects, even B-level prospects. I can see a .240/.295/.430 year. Would not give up much for that.
One thing in his favor is I don’t see much evidence that Wrigley has helped him in his later years. In fact, his career splits are about as even as any player I’ve seen, even prior to Wrigley.
Raw 20th Anniversary tonight. Just something else that makes me feel old.
Remember “Prime Time Wrestling,” with the Brain and Gorilla Monsoon sitting around a table and showing matches from arena shows. I used to love how it was the only show you’d actually see two jobbers fight each other on.
Prime time wrestling before my time
Prime time wrestling before my time
Someone brought up Adrian Adonis name today. I never know he died in the late 80s in a car crash.
I remember when he had a biker persona and used to wrestle Pedro Morales and Don Muroco early one before he become unwatchable after he became known as “Adorable Adrian Adonis.”
Yea, Adrian had two really successful tag teams with that biker gimmick. First it was with Jesse Ventura as The East-West Connection in the AWA. Then he won the tag titles in WWF with the late Dick Murdoch.
But he kept getting bigger and bigger, so they camped him out with the Adorable gimmick. Definitely a guy who died before his time, unfortunately, and not even because of drugs, which makes it all the more sad.
It was punishment for getting fat. For a while, he would walk around with a suitcase, which supposed hid the new character. It was all silly and, in retrospect, quite embarrasing.
Vince embarrassing one of his wrestlers? Nah, couldn’t be.
It’s not like he had characters like Bastion Booger, Mantaur, The Oddities, Eugene……oh, hell, this will take forever.
I brought up Adrian Adonis because someone mentioned an article on Adonis Garcia. Its a trigger for me, as when I was young I had no idea what an Adonis was, and wrestling (as every 8 year old boy) was my window to new eye-opening experiences…
Oh, yea, always loved Prime Time Wrestling, even though I had to persuade my dad to let me watch it most nights, as I was only 9-11 at the time.
A few things I always remembered about that show: watching The Undertaker beating Col. Mustafa in about 10 seconds one time; when they did it in a studio with an audience that character Jamison stole the Million Dollar Belt and so Ted DiBiase locked off the studio until he got it back; and when they had the roundtable format and Randy Savage selected Mr. Perfect as his new tag partner for Survivor Series, which prompted Perfect to dump a pitcher of water on an irate Bobby Heenan.
Ah, good times.
What years was that around? Sounds like late 80s early 90s
It ran from 1985-1993 all together. The years I primarily watched were from 1990-1993.
Prime Time’s last show was seriously the week before Raw debuted.
Yea before my time I was like 7 when it ended
Apparently Sherman was on YES tonight and said that Morse is expected to be traded in the next 72 hrs and that the Yankees were NOT in the bidding heavily
That’s what a ninja would want you to believe
^Exactly, I barely listen too anything anyone says because cash lays in the weed. I did mean the weed
I’ve got a looney tunes type of proposition.
Three team trade:
Mariners acquire: Curtis Granderson, Ivan Nova, Angelo Gumbs
D-Backs acquire: Walker, Franklin, Logan (from Yankees)
Yankees acquire: Justin Upton
It’s not that crazy….I think both the Mariners and Dbacks would want a bit more but there could be something there if the teams are willing to deal
I wouldn’t be surprised to see the D-backs want Montgomery instead of Logan and the Mariners might want Adams/Nunez instead of Gumbs. Otherwise, that’s not the worst trade I’ve ever seen in the world. It depends entirely how strongly the Mariners want Granderson.
You’re basically upgrading (downgrading?) Granderson for Upton for the price of a 5th starter/reliever, a lottery pick infielder and a solid reliever. I’d do it
I’d hold onto Nunez unless Adams is really ready start of the year. I willing to bet 25 animal crackers that Jeter isn’t 100 percent opening day and even if he is, papa Girardi will be very liberal with playing him the first few weeks, especially if the temps are cold up here in the spring. We’re gonna need Eduardo opening day. Although Nix is an option, I suppose.
I’ll play Nix over Nunez for a month if it means we get Upton roaming the outfield for the next 3 years
Fair enough and don’t disagree.
I could see the Mariners throwing a guy like Pryor back into the mix and the D-Backs sending someone fringy back to the M’s. Don’t see the Yanks adding more to that particular deal. Unless they swap out Nova or Gumbs. I would even pitch the M’s on taking Pineda back, which isn’t so far-fetched either. However, considering the Mariners fan base is boarderline psychotic, I don’t see that happening. There would be riots or (hmmm..maybe a lot of pot smoking) in the streets. Can go either way.
I’d rather roll the dice on Pineda than Nova at the moment
I think the mariners particulary would need more in that deal….
Depends what they really think of Walker. Like I said, they do seem to like both Nunez and Adams so maybe replace Gumbs with one but it’s not crazy. I’d do backflips if I were the Diamondbacks and were still able to get that much for Upton though
At most, one additional “on the edge” type prospect. Walker’s value has dropped a little. I mean the kid is well, still a kid, so I’m not putting much stock in it and Franklin is middle of the pack. It’s not like the Mariners are trading Seager or Ackley. Granderson, although 1 year, if of great value to them. Plus, he’s a pretty solid character. He might like it in Seattle and resign there. Frankly, it’s the best shot the M’s have at getting a big bat to stay for a while. Players don’t want to do, because they don’t know the place that well as much, the M’s don’t know how the player will respond, so it’s tough for them to hand out big dollars. If Granderson has a .270 season with 32 homers and 95 rbi’s the M’s need to lock him up for 2-3 years.
That’s true, I suppose if they really think this is the only way to get a hitter of his caliber there then it’d be a good idea for them. I’m pretty sure the fans would riot when he inevitable left for a ballpark he can actually hit homers in.
For a city that smokes a lot of pot, they’re fans are by far the most ridiculous. I mean seriously, have you ever read one of their message boards or comment sections on USS Mariner? Good grief. Makes Red Sox fans look like good in comparison.
seems about as sane as here
I would be very down for that trade.
Why would the Mariners do that? 1 year of Granderson? They know they’re not competing this year so I doubt they would take that. They can probably get more (years primarily) out of trade involving Walker and Franklin (see attempted Upton trade).
The Mariners face one of the most unusual and unique situations in baseball. A team that is constantly in rebuilding mode and can’t land big free agent players. What they need to do is go after a Porcello and Granderson. They need to make a real run at something. With Seager, Ackley and a few others, including Montero, the balance of weight could be just a few pieces and yes, for only 1 year. Maybe if they can win 85-86 games and maybe have a player who hits 38 homers (like Granderson), maybe soon to be free agents will say “hey’ they’re money is good and the team ain’t so bad either.” As it stands now, they are 1 notch above a AAA squad, which I don’t think they really are. I think they are better than that, they just need a few pieces to balance it out. They should be using their assets, while they can. I mean, for the love of god, they only have the best pitcher in baseball as their #1.
This is a team that could win 65 games or 85 games in 2013 and I know it’s silly to suggest that only 1 or two players can make that much of an impact, when Grandson’s war is what? Around 3?, but again there are these intangible values of having a cohesive unit. I don’t envy the Mariners situations. You can’t buy them and it takes a really long freaking time to grow them. Not even the O’s have that honor and at least the O’s have some history to market themselves by…
The range is more 81-91. They’re not going to only win 65, which basically puts them at a near 100-loss team.
The main difference between this Yankee team and prior ones of recent is a little too much hope is required. The Yankees usually build a roster that has enough back-up and certainty that even with a variety of players having off years they can still see a path to 91 wins, and if things go as planned then they’re in the 95+ range. (They’ve averaged 97 wins a year since 1996.) This year, there is too much uncertainty. Yup, they can win the division, but in the AL East this year, they could also play .500 and finish last in the division.
Just for the record, I was referring to the Mariners. Point noted.
Ahh, got it. Couldn’t figure out how you got to 65 wins, but with the Mariners that’s a different story.
One question, outside of one speculative article, when have the Mariners ever expressed interest in Granderson? And why on Earth would he give up a shot at free agency and a year on a sure contender to sign with the Mariners and that ballpark?
Well they’ve expressed plenty of interest in outfields that can hit at all, so Granderson does make sense there. That said trading top prospects for a 1 year guy doesn’t seem to make sense, though I understand Nova is also in there.
It’s really more of a leap of faith the Mariners and quite frankly, if you were ever going to do that with one player, Granderson is that guy. This isn’t Milton Bradley we’re talking about here. Granderson is one of the finest ambassadors to the sport and has incredible character and integrity. If the M’s make that trade and the union works for a year, then there is a lot of good for both parities long term. They get a perennial 30-40 homer bat and Granderson gets paid well. The M’s could resign him in 14 for 4 years and $48mm. Rather have him over spending $140mm on Jacoby freaking Ellsbury.
Good point. I suppose they could just blow him away and basically convince him to ignore how terrible his numbers are going to be by overpaying him. If they did something stupid, like Jayson Werth stupid, then he’d probably have to take it.
Yep. It’s actually not so far-fetched. You get a fine person and player and name brand. Even if he puts up 25 homers and 85 rbis for the next few years, Granderson can ad value when courting other players to build the team. Problem they have now is that they really have no one that is a name brand. Putting an MVP candidate on the team, only if for a year, has its own value. As a business owner myself, I can’t tell you have much intrinsic value there is too stuff like this. Unfortunately, many baseball GM’s don’t apply this type of logic. Cashman is actually very good as this and while I am bias being a Yank fan and stroking the hammer, the Red Sox for example, are by far, one of the worst evaluators of intangible value. To the point where is it has been laughable for years. Then again, that’s what you get from a bunch of saber-oriented, frat head, staticians, so I’m not surprised. Why my bubble bursts every time I read an article on ESPN or somewhere that the Red Sox are the best at cultivating talent, best at this and that. No, they are not and I generally have no idea what these people (writers) are talking about. End of rant.
2 World Series in 4 years is what the Red Sox got from a bunch of “saber-oriented, frat head, staticians.” They were the best team in baseball from 2003-2008. As bad as they have gotten in recent years, they had a hell of a run.
Having Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz batting 3 and 4 would make pretty much any team look good. Can you imagine if the Yankees had picked him up instead? That would have been insane with the short porch
I just don’t think the Mariners would ever do it for just one year of Granderson, they were hoping for a younger more cost controlled player, not one they’d have to try to resign at a higher salary who would be older starting that contract than the player they were hoping to get at the end of his contract. I also don’t think Granderson would ever resign for 12m.
On a contract year, Granderson would rather play in NY where he can showcase power. I would imagine at least…
He would prefer that, sure, but unless I’m mistaken, that’s not his decision to be made with out a no trade clause.
Well Granderson doesn’t have a say in the matter. I’m just wondering why he would ever want to resign with them instead of hit free agency
Am I the only person that sits on the fence and consequently is impartial either way about Justin Upton? I mean, yeah nice player and would be a great add for this team… But could be an overpay and will certainly spool up resentment when whoever he’s traded for becomes a starter of any sort of success (see: Austin Jackson or IPK)
But everyone else seems to be sitting on the “Upton sucks” side or the “Trade teh farm for J-Up”. With very very few in between.
I am very meh about the situation. Maybe it’s because I hate how people are shitting all over one of the nicest guys in the sport right now because he was one of the 7 starting position players in Pinstripes to look like shit last October. Quite frankly, some of the fans we know DON’T DESERVE a player like Granderson or Upton.
Maybe it’s time to take my meds….
I AM NOT WORTHY! I AM NOT WORTHY!
I’m closer to the “Trade teh farm for J-Up” mainly bc of the albatrosses that are the A-Rod and Tex contracts. Neither guy can really be counted on in the way they are paid and the Yanks have a chance to pick up 3 yrs of a legit (very legit) middle of the order bat…If he shows up he bats between 3-5. You let Grandy walk but him and Cano could be the foundation for quite a lineup (if you want to come near whatever Robbie will sign for which may not be ideal)
Meh, I don’t give a shit about the fan reaction. I want to do the most likely thing to make the team better.
I’m completely ambivalent about it. I’d like to have a young stud outfielder who’s already had some success. I also want to keep Sanchez and two of the single-A outfielders.
I will root for whatever team is on the field on Opening Day with every bit of my fandom.
Honestly, I just don’t think that anyone in our farm system is physically capable of being as good as a healthy Justin Upton unless Gary Sanchez reaches his absolute ceiling.
Tyler Austin really seems to be the best candidate to project even remotely in the same range as Upton, but I do agree with what you are saying.
I’d love to have him, but it does come down to price. I’m not in the “trade the farm” camp for him, but the Yankees certainly should be in there checking the market and his price.
I remember last offseason I argued that Andrew McCutchen was what he was. A fine player, but unlikely to reach the level some were predicting. Then he went out and made me a liar. Upton could be this year’s McCutchen…or not.
I’m about there too. I think he’d help, but I also think he’s become very overrated and not nearly enough is being made of his home/road splits. It’s not one year as Mike tried to imply in his post, it’s a career long thing with a more than .200 point OPS split. That’s huge.
There’s a definite limit as to how far I’d go to try to get him.
If we are pipe dreaming on some big 4 team mega deal to get Upton and Morse then maybe we can get a catcher from somebody while we are at it huh
I hear the Giants have a pretty solid catcher, maybe they want one of our relievers?
We already got Stewie
This one?
It was exactly this time last year during the off-season, approaching the one-month countdown to Pitchers and Catchers, that Cashman pulled off the Montero to Seattle deal. Had those two pitchers worked out, things might seem very different right now. This goes not only for the result of the 2012 Season, but also for the self imposed salary cap issue.
Pineda and Campos are both young, would have represented lower cost outlay over time, and perhaps have enabled other pitchers to be part of trade deals.
Either the team is going to just tough it out with whatever can be pieced together from within and via low cost moves, or Cashman will surprise the haters and pull off a deal that nobody saw coming. The team making the economic decision to get below the penalty in order to lessen the Luxury Tax by a degree of magnitude bodes well for the coming years … just not the immediate two coming years.
Hal’s statement that the team will remain committed to the fan base by offering a championship level team, remains to be seen.
Whatever happens, there will be no shortage of comment and argument about each and every move.
Of course there’s no saying that Pineda and Campos can’t come back strong and still be huge next year
We really need an edit option with the comment section. If any of you are professional writers, I apologize in advance if you spontaneously combust after reading my comments.
They’re…..their…..O NO!!!! WORLD ENDING!!!
With a 39 year old shortstop and no reasonable solutions at the position in the farm, is anyone else intrigued by that Cuban SS aledmys diaz? Some of the reports call him almost MLB ready with some pop in his bat.
If the Yanks can get Upton for prospects and don’t they’re nuts. With the possibility of losing Granderson and Cano next year and Arod and Jeter at career ends a middle of the order major league power hitting outfielder is absolutely necessary. If we can’t get Stanton get Upton, now.
Just saw the Direct TV Genie commercial and was like, wow, who is that actess/model? So I google “who is the model in the direct tv genie commercial?” and search around and get a name…Hannah Davis…so I google her and get the good news…The Cap’n has been hitting that ?? Damn, it’s good to be Derek Jeter.
I love the Who is that Hot Ad Girl site.
Is my beloved Carly Foulkes on there?
She’s like a WITHAG all-star.
I follow her on Twitter.
…and I follow Hannah now too…
Captain Gift Basket strike again.
Seriously, what I would give to spend just a few weeks in that man’s place. It’s not for everyone, but at least for those my age or younger…the thought of being a single, baseball star and noted ladies man is the stuff I dream about at night.
I could be wrong JJ, but I think the gift baskets are just for the one night conquests…I think the ones he keeps around through an off-season get a Mercedes.
Not a bad consolation prize. Especially if it does skyrocket her career, as the article Rob posted below implies.
Nobody ever said those give baskets didn’t occasionally contain keys to a luxury sedan
I wonder if he gives out Zovirax too.
HIYOOOO!
Never heard of her…that is until now. I wonder if this man will ever think there’s a need to get married. He’s probably right.
http://www.thefrisky.com/2013-.....ate-upton/
hah, wow, good find…and that will be kind of cool if she’s on the cover of SI in a few weeks just because of all the Derek’s Girlfriend MSM BS we’ll hear….although I’ve always been partial to Izabel Goulart and hope shes on the cover this year but I don’t think it’s going to happen because she’d be considered a thin model vs. a curvy model and they’d get all kinds of slammed for perpetuating the thin model image with Izabel.
Probably an unpopular opinion, but her face seems a little off too me.
Hotter than anyone I could ever dream of getting with, but definitely a downgrade from Lyla Garrity.
I know one wants to talk about Lance Armstrong, but I noticed people keep saying Livestrong has given hundreds of millions to cancer research. I saw Mike bring this up on Twitter recently even.
I’m pretty sure this it not the case. I would recommend this article if you are interested in reading more.
http://www.outsideonline.com/o.....l?page=all
DISCLAIMER:
I’m not taking a stance here. I just would rather have the correct information. I know Livestrong has helped many people.
Scott Proctor signs with the Giants….
Anyone ever heard of this Justin Upton guy? His name keep up popping up.
He’s no Antonio Cesaro or Big E Langston in terms of upside.
I love me some Claudio Castig…..Antonio Cesaro.
Not sure it was a good idea to have him punked out by Ric Flair tonight.
Curtis Granderson , Gary Sanchez, Eduardo Nunez to Seattle
Slade Heathcott, Boone Logan, Corbin Joseph, Dellen Bencentes, Tijuana Walker to Arizo
Jesus Montero, Justin Upton, VVinny CalCalsacola and Tyler Skaggs. To New York