Thursday Night Open Thread

August 7, 2014 by Mike Axisa 131 Comments

I haven’t had a chance to read it yet, but I’m going to pass this along anyway: David Laurila at FanGraphs spoke to Derek Jeter recently about his approach to hitting. How it’s changed over the years, how he prepares, stuff like that. Laurila’s interviews are always top notch and I have no reason to suspect this one is any different, so head over and check it out.

Here is tonight’s open thread. MLB Network will carry a regional game plus there is preseason football on (Jets-Colts at 8pm ET on CBS, among others). Talk about those games, the Jeter interview, this afternoon’s win, or anything else right here.

Shame Spencer

This was a great win.
- Mick
  
  Glad to see you Shame.
  Thought you’d change your name to Greene by now…
  - Shame Spencer
    
    Good to see you mick. You’re the man! You, Trish, Hitman, and Pat M are the best!
    - Mick
      
      Shame, what is Tex trying to do above?
- Giuseppe Franco
  
  Hey Shame,
  
  Chad must be quite lonely at LoHud now without any of your advances. LOL.
  - Mick
    
    How’s it going GF?
  - The Big City of Dreams
    
    Not the real Shame.
    - Shame Spencer
      
      Nobody owns the handle Shame Spencer on this website. I am now Shame Spencer.
      - Giuseppe Franco
        
        Good for you, fucking asshole.
    - BKamm
      
      Right. Shame has her photo, or a photo of a female.
  - Shame Spencer
    
    I guess you will have to be the recipient of my future advances :)
- Keyser Soze
  
  This same poster posted as Tar during the game. you have all been trolled.
  - Shame Spencer
    
    I only saw 1 post from Tar during the game thread.
  - Mick
    
    Guess he registered before they did..
http://www.google.com Tanuki Tanaka

Fantasy question: Jeets and (Javier) Baez already, 1 SS spot, should I bother with Segura? (I’m doing horribly bad in every single hitting stat)
- forensic
  
  Yuck, is Segura really the best one available? I’m in a pretty deep league and still there are some guys at least a little better than him out there. Given those choices, though, I’d probably just stick with Baez and hope that at least his power helps you out (and maybe play Jeter periodically against lefties or on tough matchups for Baez). I don’t see where Segura is going to help much in any categories.
  - http://www.google.com Tanuki Tanaka
    
    Segura, Aybar, Asdrubal, Hardy, Lowrie, Danny Santana, Xander Bogaerts, Brad Miller, Yangervis and Rutledge are the top 10 SS available and active, not many enticing names. I’m not confident in Santana and SB is the only hitting category that I’m not horrible at (other than batter strikeouts).
    I’d feel bad for dropping Jeets for Aybar (who’s not a huge upgrade) so I guess I’m stuck.
    - forensic
      
      I would probably go with Santana, since he’s been doing much more than just SB’s for awhile (though I guess your specific categories could affect what you need/want).
      Other than that, Bogaerts could be a consideration if it’s a keeper/dynasty league, if you can afford to stash him for a bit. Rutledge is also intriguing (I actually just added him a week or so ago when I needed MI help). He’s hitting near the top of a sometimes good Colorado order (though they’re on the road for the next 6 games before 9 more at home) and there’s no real timetable for Tulo to return yet.
BKamm

Elizabeth: Good night, John Boy.
John-Boy: Good night, Elizabeth. Good night, Daddy.
John: Good night, Son. Good night, Mary Ellen.
Mary Ellen: Good night, Daddy. Good night, Mama.
Olivia: Good night, Mary Ellen. Good night, Jim Bob.
Jim Bob: Good night, Mama. Good night, Erin.
Erin: Good night, Jim Bob. Good night, Ben.
Ben: Good night, Erin. Good night, everybody.
- vicki
  
  new format doesn’t keep the coffee klatch from dicking up the place, i see.
  - bernbabybern
    
    “Open Thread”
    - vicki
      
      sure, fine. but it diminishes us all. the dry reserve was once the appeal of the place.
      - Betty Lizard
        
        “Keep, Jennings blog, your storied scoops!” cries she
        With lizard lips. “Give me your tired, your poor,
        Your LoHugging masses yearning to post free,
        Send these, the homeless, Facebook-tossed to me,
        I lift my emoticon beside the Discus door!”
        
        cr1
        
        Love ‘Lohug’!!
        Fair warning: I’m stealing it.
      - bernbabybern
        
        Acting like a bunch of assholes is not appealing to me.
  - Keyser Soze
    
    The one thing needed is a button to ignor these types of lohudholics anonymus threads within a thread.
    - Too_Many_Idiots
      
      There’s a collapse button on the right end of the comment. Makes it disappear from regular view.
      - Keyser Soze
        
        When I refresh it comes right back. If it stayed collapsed it would be useful.
      - BKamm
        
        Yahoo, has a feature where you can block all the posts of an annoying poster from your view, pretty much for good.
  - BKamm
    
    I love that. “Dicking up the place.” Priceless.
    - HansDavenport
      
      Oh. She’s nasty Kamm. Like a Guidry slider.
      - AskMeAboutMyCandyBars
        
        Great line Hans, but please respect the quota limits.
        —–
        (left click to enlarge)
  - Farewell Mo
    
    I thought that Trisha was banned and here she is polluting another thread.
    - BKamm
      
      Yes, she will in general make every open thread about her and her personal life, as she did this evening. There will always be enough lonely middle aged men at a blog like this to comfort her. Notice she let it be known that she has the ability to drop 1500.00 on a ticket.
- http://www.google.com Tanuki Tanaka
  
  My first thought was the family guy parody.
  - BKamm
    
    Walton’s. Couldn’t resist.
    - IVoted4Kodos
      
      It’s endlessly appropriate.
    - Dos Luises
      
      And the lights go out…
- dickylarue
  
  Evening Bkamm. Evening Moon. Evening stars in the sky. Blech.
  - Jorge Steinbrenner
    
    Goodnight to the old lady whispering “hush.”
just_add_bacon7

I love Gardner trying to make eye contact w/Tex @0:35. It’s almost like he’s not in on the set-up.

It’s like Teixeira’s channeling an early Andy Kaufman is these Foul Territory bits.
John

I agree 1000% with Mike’s earlier point regarding Mitchell, and quite frankly I’ve been advocating for it since Phelps got hurt. Esmil can stay in the bullpen, Mitchell has great stuff.
- IVoted4Kodos
  
  I can’t understand why they would call him up if it’s not to give him the start. I’d rather see that than have him sit on the bench and get sent back down.
  - forensic
    
    They’re very slow to react to things like this. It was similar with Greene earlier this season, including seemingly being up and down and in and out of the bullpen several times with only the one appearance. Then, once he finally figured out where he was in AAA a couple months ago, it still took them a month to make the move to give him a chance to start.
    And really, I don’t even think Mitchell has had the nice run in the AAA that Greene had, so him starting a game is probably still an injury or two away (so, maybe about 2 more weeks…).
    - IVoted4Kodos
      
      That’s certainly true, he hasn’t had a real run of great success at any level, even with his stuff. I’m sure they’re calling him up so there’s someone on hand in case Rogers completely shits the bed, but it still seems odd to me to have called him up if it’s not to start. I think he’d be better off taking his AAA start than possibly getting into a game with the big club.
Trisha

Opinion – will tickets for DJ’s last regular season game (at fenway field) get more expensive the closer it gets, or go in the other direction. As much as I hate that venue, I am going to go to that game. I know I am going to pay a premium for the ticket, so I’m prepared. I want to pull the trigger now because I’m afraid that the prices will just keep getting higher.

So here are my choices. To sit approximately here, http://aviewfrommyseat.com/photo/32911/Fenway+Park/section-Field+Box+51/row-F/seat-1/ will cost me about $750 total.

Will I be close to friendly territory? Does it matter?

To sit here http://www.seathound.com/venue/fenway-park-99/baseball-seating-views/field_box_66.html, several rows back, will cost me closer to $1700. Of course I will be in friendly territory, but do I really care?

Money IS an object, but I guess I would pay high up for the honor of being at Jete’s last game. And I am someone who won’t go and sit in the bleachers for that particular game. I really want to be close to the field so I can really see what’s going on. If it were for Ichiro, maybe I wouldn’t mind sitting in RF.

Using only the two choices I gave, which would you do? (I’m hoping for a lot of FB 51 votes because I really don’t want to pay that kind of money. But don’t let that influence you, ha ha.)

TIA
- Shame Spencer
  
  Good to see you Trish!
- Pete22
  
  A lot of folks were hoping to catch Mickey Mantles last game (suspected although not announced ) which was also at Fenway and were disappointed since he hopped on a plane home before the game. I actually watched his last full game which was played Friday night II think, long time ago)
  
  If the Yankees clinch the playoffs by that time, Jeter does not play. If the Yankees are out of the race like last year, he may not play like Rivera.
  
  The only scenario in which Jeter definitely plays the last game is if the Yankees need to win to clinch a playoff spot
  
  I would go for all 3 games, or one of the first 2 games before I would go for the last one alone. However, ultimately it will be Jeter who decides. Maybe he goes for the last game but pulls a Mantle and comes out after one AB (in Mantles last game, the day before the last game of the season, he made a cameo appearance and was pulled after the first inning in game 161)
  - Pete22
    
    Perhaps the most important point is that if the Yankees make the playoffs, none of those games will be Jeters last game and prices will plummet
    - Trisha
      
      Pete – totally tough to know how to play it. I think I’m going to buy the $750 ticket and hope for the best. I know I’ll kick myself if I let it go and tickets skyrocket even more, and then I can’t get a decent seat for what I can afford. Don’t get me wrong. I know I’m paying a lot for a seat that costs about $135 ordinarily.
      
      But it’s Derek. :(
- Mick
  
  The $750 seat has the better view of the game but still isn’t worth it…
  - RhapsodyInBlue
    
    750 for a seat in Fenway? Only to see it demolished.
    - IVoted4Kodos
      
      If they let me bring in a single implement of destruction, I would pay that.
    - Trisha
      
      HA HA HA HA HA! :)
      
      I hear you. One of my least favorite venues for baseball, a pea-green cesspool – truly I don’t like fenway and it isn’t just because of the team. The seats are wicked uncomfortable, you’re linking arms with the people next to you, seriously a crummy ball park IMO.
- Richmaur
  
  Some one made the point that if the yanks were out of it he might want his last game to be at Yankee Stadium . You have got some tough decisions to make
  - Trisha
    
    Richmaur, exactly. It’s a total crapshoot. I’m just afraid that if I don’t do it, and he does play his last game of the regular season there, I won’t forgive myself that I had the opportunity to do it. If I knew that I could wait until September and still have the same tickets hanging around, I would. But I’m afraid to chance it.
Cool Yankees Dude

That Foul Territory episode left my sides split into a million pieces.
- Jorge Steinbrenner
  
  One of your sides slightly grazed Teixeira. He’s on the DL now. Hey-o!
  - IVoted4Kodos
    
    The Carl Pavano Memorial DL.
    - W.B. Mason Williams
      
      Next to the Pedro Feliciano Annex.
  - Cool Yankees Dude
    
    8/10 good effort, nice post
Trisha

You know, you all make great points. But I think it’s going to be Murphy’s law. If I buy the ticket, Jeter won’t play in the game for one reason or another. If I don’t, he’ll play. If he does play, it will be his last regular-season game ever. And when the Y’s make the postseason (notice I said when), I likely will catch all the games from home anyway.

Decisions, decisions.
- Jorge Steinbrenner
  
  There’s not going to be a “Derek Jeter Day” like there was for Mo? Just go to that game. I was at the Mo/Metalllca game last season and, even though it wasn’t technically his last, I don’t regret it for a second.
  - Trisha
    
    I’m with you. I’m going to get the tickets. I’d rather take the chance of losing the money than take the chance of possibly not seeing him. And it would be great if they chose that game to honor him! (at fenway)
    - Pete22
      
      For that money you can take a taxi to NY from Boston, stay in a decent hotel and watch his last regular season game in NY, or next to last
      - Trisha
        
        There will be nothing on this earth like his last game at the Stadium. Still no way to know whether it will be postseason or regular season.
    - Pete22
      
      Fear of a rainout probably means they won’t schedule the last game as the ceremony game, and he may choose not to play in the game after the ceremony game. Go for Saturdays game if you must go for any, but don;t blame me if I’m wrong lol
      - Trisha
        
        Saturday’s game will probably have tickets a lot more reasonably priced. Maybe I’ll get tickets for both days. OH I DON’T KNOW! :(
      - Trisha
        
        Pete, I am also guessing they will not choose the Sunday game to honor him just because I don’t think it will be politic. It would probably anger a lot of RSN if the last game of the season was devoted to honoring Jeter.
  - Trisha
    
    Well there’s going to be a DJ game at the Stadium in September, but I’m far enough away that I won’t be able to get to that.
- Pete22
  
  Last regular season game is simply not as valuable if there is a post season game. Its just isn’t. Maybe last regular season game at YS is since there is no guarantee he gets home again in the playoffs. But Fenway is not YS, and a road game in the playoffs beats his last game against a last place team.
  
  Also, don’t confuse asking price with market price. In most games so far the asking price has been much highers pre-game a week or so out than the actual price post-game.
  
  Then you have the injury risk
  
  If you have that kind of throw away money to just be able to say you saw his last game at the park, if you are lucky, for a worse view than you get from in front of your large HDTV, then go for it. But if you have to worry about the price, and what if, then you should probably save your money,
  
  Also consider you are enriching some Red Sox fan pocketbook by buying a ticket at that price
  - Trisha
    
    Pete, all good points, and of course I know that last regular season game isn’t as valuable if there’s a post season game. But either way I’m tossing the dice. And it’s a lot more convenient for me to go 50 miles than it is for me to go 360 miles. Add to it that there will be a lot of Yankee fans there, it makes it worth it for me to risk it.
    - Pete22
      
      Enjoy the game. If the Yankees have clinched a post season spot rubbing it in to the Red Sox fans who will be out of the playoffs for the 4th time in 5 years is always fun
      - Trisha
        
        Thanks. :)
        
        Keeping fingers crossed that no matter what happens with the Ys, DJ decides to play in that last game.
Dos Luises

Not sure if this was mentioned already, because Disqus is a bit annoying with the “Load More Comments” feature, particularly on a tablet….but…5 Years Ago tonight YSIII truly became HOME during one of my favorite games ever and most definitely one of the best games I ever attended…who remembers it?
- IVoted4Kodos
  
  Beckett vs. Burnett, A-Rod takes Tarzawa deep to break a scoreless tie in extras?
- Jorge Steinbrenner
  
  Tablet’s the only place I haven’t tried this yet.
- Dalek Jeter
  
  If IVoted4Kudos is right then I remember it, only because I went to the game the next day. Nova started and was hitting like 95 all game and I had no idea he could throw that hard, Robbie hit a triple off the left centerfield wall that nearly got out and the Yankees won but I was still upset with myself because I was offered tickets to both games and chose the Saturday game instead of the Friday game.
  - IVoted4Kodos
    
    I was at a wedding during the Friday game. I kept checking my phone for updates and finding it was still scoreless. I couldn’t find it on TV in our hotel room, and the hotel charged for WiFi, so I leeched onto the wireless of a nearby hotel and followed on MLB.com on a signal that kept coming in and out. Damn, that was a satisfying game.
  - Get Phelps Up
    
    I’m pretty sure that CC started the game after that one.
    - forensic
      
      Yup, CC started it. Nova wasn’t in the majors that year.
    - Dalek Jeter
      
      Huh, maybe I’m getting games confused.
- forensic
  
  As an unabashed A-Rod homer and even an AJ fan, that was absolutely one of my favorite games in recent years (especially since it was part of a 4-game sweep and the 2009 Championship season).
MG

I understand that many of you like seeing prospects get called up but the Yankees are in the middle of a pennant race and Mitchell has made 5 starts at Scranton and only pitched past the 5th inning once. This is a one shot deal for Rogers, he’s pitched well for the Yankees, has good stuff and major league experience. Mitchell will eventually get his chance and if his stuff is as good as many of you say he has a great chance to stick with the Yankees because they seem to be in a mode of giving these kids a shot when they think it’s appropriate (or they are somewhat desperate).
- Jorge Steinbrenner
  
  Except a rookie started today for the Yankees.
  - MG
    
    Greene got a shot earlier this season (as did Whitley) because the Yankees had no one else to slot in there and both did well. This time they have a guy with major league experience who is also stretched out. Pineda is coming back for the next start in this spot so it’s just one game-like I said,it looks like they are willing to give the kids a shot, just be patient and hope Rogers throws a gem.
    - Jorge Steinbrenner
      
      I’m plenty patient…..and I’d start Mitchell tomorrow.
      - HansDavenport
        
        In a heartbeat.
  - n0exit
    
    Apples and oranges. Greene is clearly the better pitcher right now and was the better pitcher when he got his first start. Calling Mitchell up is smart, he can eat innings in garbage time and therefore you can save huff, Whitley etc if it isn’t close. That’s his only job, and the only job I’d trust him with.
    - Jorge Steinbrenner
      
      Greene was a late-blooming prospect riding a hot streak at the time. Let’s not make Shane Greene, prospect, into something he wasn’t.
      - Havok9120
        
        Exactly this. Greene was not on the radar as someone that would be coming up this summer and giving the kind of performances we’ve seen so far.
- IVoted4Kodos
  
  I don’t necessarily have a problem with starting Rogers, I just don’t understand why they called up Mitchell to sit the bench on the chance that Rogers gets lit up and need someone to eat a bunch of innings. I’d rather he make his scheduled start and have someone else serve as a caddy.
  - MG
    
    So he’ll be up for a few days and go back to Scranton to pitch in the rotation, I don’t think one missed start is going to change much in his development.
  - n0exit
    
    Who is available at triple a to eat innings? Tomorrows starter is pineda.
    - IVoted4Kodos
      
      I hadn’t thought about it, but you’re right, there is no one else. I just hate seeing guys go up and down and as a fan, I’d rather see the prospect get the start, even if it’s not the most logical decision.
  - Madrugador
    
    I would guess that Mitchell was called up to be the long man for Rogers. I mean how good can Rogers be if Toronto let him go? He has had a few good outings but you can’t guarantee he is going to pull a Shane Greene type performance tomorrow.
    - n0exit
      
      They think he’ll be better than Mitchell, I think that’s a safe bet.
      - Madrugador
        
        If it comes down to a pitcher with big league experience vs the raw rookie, count on the Yanks always going with the experience. I am not sure Rogers is better but I hope he pitches like a healthy Tanaka.
        
        Jorge Steinbrenner
        
        Except for the two rookies who’ve started games for the Yankees this year.
        
        MG
        
        They had nobody else at the time, since then they’ve added both McCarthy and Capuano. I think it’s great that they gave Greene and Whitley shots in the rotation but it’s reached the point in the season where you have to put your best guy out there, whoever you think it is. Girardi and Rothschild picked Rogers for tomorrow, I think they’ve done a good enough job with the pitching staff to respect their choice. I also hope Mitchell becomes a 20 game winner for the Yankees, these points are not mutually exclusive.
        
        Jorge Steinbrenner
        
        I respect their choice…..and I’d start Mitchell tomorrow.
        
        nycsportzfan
        
        I’d go with Whitley, but whatever.
    - MG
      
      I think the Yankees like Rogers’ arm and he impressed them with the 3 innings against the Sox when they pounded Phelps and Whitley all over the park. He has really good stuff, I think it’s just a matter of location with him. I’m guessing he is on a very, very short leash tomorrow night and guys like Huff, Whitley, and Mitchell are going to be getting up very quickly if he gets in trouble-this is a must win series for the Yankees (as they all are) and the bullpen got a pretty good rest the past two days.
    - Jorge Steinbrenner
      
      Hard thrower. Yankees feel he made some adjustments after a subpar season this year.
      - dkidd
        
        i’m excited to see mitchell, but i no longer question our pro scouting department
- Pete22
  
  Rogers might fall into the category of failed starter, anf although he has also been a failed RP’er he has done well out of the pen thus far, so why mess with him for 1 start.
  
  Callups seem to do pretty well against many team who have never seen them. Only asking for 5 IP. Frankly, some of these teams even I can get outs, since if Adam Dunn can get outs anyone can,
  - HansDavenport
    
    Cleveland would be a nice 1st start for Mitchell.
  - MG
    
    I went back and looked at Rogers’ record vs Cleveland and it’s really good-2 relief outings this year, 4 innings, 1 hit, no runs, 6 K’s and 1 start last year, 6 innings 4 hits 1 run 7 K’s. You know Girardi and Rothschild have looked at that and figured he has a pretty good chance against the Indians.
    - Jorge Steinbrenner
      
      Ten innings across two seasons. Ok.
      - HansDavenport
        
        It is? Kind of a SSS don’t you think?
      - MG
        
        There are actually two more relief appearances in early 2013, I ignored them because they were brief. I’m not saying it’s right or wrong but you know Girardi is a big stats guy and has to like the way Rogers has pitched against Cleveland. It’s a small sample size but what do they have with Mitchell, who has only pitched past the 5th inning 1X in Scranton?
    - HansDavenport
      
      That’s not a very big sample size.
    - Pete22
      
      Probably everyone has a good shot against Cleveland now, only scored 5 runs the last 3 games.
      
      Maybe Cashman struck gold again with Rogers. His stuff looks better in pinstripes than it did with Toronto. Maybe McCann-Rothschild combo are pretty good at getting the most of these guys
Pete22

3 way tie for the 2nd WC now with KC and Tor . Mariners 1/2 game behind. Both KC and Seattle playing tonight.
- Keyser Soze
  
  As much as I love to follow the race, I can’t bring myself to change the channel on a 1-1 games in the 5th in LLWS regionals. Dam’n, Washington just scored 2.
- HansDavenport
  
  Seattle up early. Ackley HR.
  - Pete22
    
    Scary thing about Seattle is we have no games left with them. With their pitching they could go on quite a run if they get some hitting to go along with Canos MVP season
    - Pete22
      
      Cano with 2 run HR. Now 5-2 Seattle. KC up 5-2. If these scores hold up, KC takes possession of lead for 2nd WC and 3 teams behind by 1/2 game.
      
      Bit early for this I guess, and I would rather shoot for the division in any event
ZachA

Yankees and Orioles are 13-7 (.650) since the All Star break, tied for best record in AL.
- Pete22
  
  Orioles have had the tougher schedule though. Look forward to the next series with them which could get the Yankees within reach of the division.
- Get Phelps Up
  
  We’re going to win the fucking division.
Jorge Steinbrenner

Anyone struggling with getting images to show on here? I up something, don’t get it to show, delete it, then it magically shows up under “guest.”
- Betty Lizard
  
  I posted one for you in DOTF but have no idea why it sorta worked. (iPad, Camera Roll.) I wish they would view without clicking though. I’d jettison words.
Get Phelps Up

Alright, disqus experts…is there a way to not get an email every single time somebody replies to one of your comments?
- forensic
  
  I wanted that out as soon as I checked my email after the changeover too. I can’t tell you the exact sections to look for (since it won’t work on my work computer) but if you go to your name in the upper right of the comments section with the arrow next to it, click on it and go to edit settings. I believe in there was a section for notifications or something like that and email notifications was in there to be unchecked.
  - Get Phelps Up
    
    Hooray. That seems to have done the trick.
n0exit

I just want to say that I recommended that LOHUD get disqus, not RAB. So don’t blame it on me ;). Anyway, I actually like the ability to edit and sort comments so thanks mike for the upgrade.
- AskMeAboutMyCandyBars
  
  As I am King Luddite (so nicknamed by Ms. Lizard), is there a way to keep the comment thread fully expanded after refreshing without needing to click “show more comments” a million times?
Pkyankfan69

Plotting our next series win over the Indians
Austinmac

Are they going to do anything with the Thornton savings as suggested by Cashman? If so, what area? Any starters available will either be claimed before us(Hamels, e.g.) or unhelpful.
- Deep Thoughts
  
  What I got from his comments were “This move gives us flexibility” presumably with both payroll and roster; and “We’re always open for business if we think it improves the team.” Just generalities. I did not get the sense he was saying, “Just wait and see what happens next!”