Top stories from last week:

• In the week following the Yankees’ World Series win, we found out that it brings an average GDP growth of 5%. Fans dumped tons of ticker tape at the parade, and tons of money on World Series merchandise.
• Mark Teixeira and Derek Jeter took home some hardware, both winning Gold Gloves and Silver Slugger awards. Meanwhile, the Elias player rankings came out, and Hideki Matsui was noticeably absent.
• The Yankees have five players eligible for arbitration, though they cut two others loose in Josh Towers and Freddy Guzman. The Yanks also have some decisions to make about the upcoming Rule 5 Draft.
• Matsui’s agent starting pumping up his client, even though his knees limit his ability to play the outfield. Scott Boras says Johnny Damon won’t take a hometown discount, though he and his client don’t appear to be on the same page. Andy Pettitte reportedly said he’d like to come back, and the team might be preparing to extend Derek Jeter’s contract. While the Yanks might bring back all three of their major free agents, they won’t extend manager Joe Girardi just yet.
• As expected, the Yankees were linked to several prominent players available in either trades or as free agents. They’re expected to inquire about Roy Halladay, and may have interest in Curtis Granderson. The Yanks supposedly have interest in John Lackey, though the case against him came two years ago. The market for free agent outfielders is pretty good, but the same can’t be said for setup men.
• Thankfully, it looks like Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes won’t have significant innings limitations in 2010.
• The demolition permit for the Old Stadium has been issued, and the building should be down by next summer. Meanwhile, the first season of the new Metro-North stop was a success.

Please take a second to answer the poll below and give us an idea of how confident you are in the team. You can view the Fan Confidence Graph anytime via the nav bar above, or by clicking here. Thanks in advance for voting.

Post from: River Ave. Blues A New York Yankees blog

Fan Confidence Poll: November 16th, 2009

Top stories from last week:

• With a chance to wrap up the Fall Classic, the Yanks lost Game Five after AJ Burnett imploded even though his track record on short rest was good. Despite the fact that their gameplan backfired, fans remained optimistic.
• Prior to Game Six, it was officially announced (to no one’s surprise) that Andy Pettitte would get the ball on short rest. The team also announced that Burnett would be available out of the bullpen if need be. Ramiro Pena replaced the injured Melky Cabrera on the roster.
• Despite all the concerns about Pettitte starting on three days’ rest, the Yankees took Game Six thanks to the amazing Hideki Matsui. The win gave them the franchise’s 27th World Championship, the first time a team won the World Series with a 35-yr old shortstop in over 50 years.
• It turns out that Mariano Rivera was nursing an injury the whole time. Brian Cashman also made sure to thank everyone behind the scenes. The parade was amazing, as you’d expect.
• World Series ratings jumped 42% from last year.
• We had some very light rumors at the end of the week, and most expect to see Pettitte back in pinstripes next year. Hideki Matsui, on the other hand, ruled out a return to Japan. Bobby Abreu re-signed with the Angels, setting the market for Johnny Damon. Jon Heyman mentioned that the Yanks may be willing to go two years for Johnny.
• Chien-Ming Wang will visit Dr. Andrews today to see how his surgically repaired right shoulder is progressing.
• RAB readers voted Damon’s double steal in Game Four their favorite moment of the postseason, aside from winning the whole thing, of course.
• Derek Jeter might be getting a bridge named after him, which is cool.

Please take a second to answer the poll below and give us an idea of how confident you are in the team. You can view the Fan Confidence Graph anytime via the nav bar above, or by clicking here. Thanks in advance for voting.

Post from: River Ave. Blues A New York Yankees blog

Fan Confidence Poll: November 9th, 2009

We already took a poll for the first half and second half, so surely you know how this works. Here’s some notable postseason moments:

ALDS Game Two: A-Rod’s game tying two run homer off Joe Nathan (video)
Twins starter Nick Blackburn kept the Yankees off balance all night, long enough for his teammates to push two runs across against Phil Hughes in the 8th. With a two run lead in the 9th, Rod Gardenhire turned to All Star closer Joe Nathan, who promptly gave up a single to lead off the inning. Alex Rodriguez, still dogged by his playoff choker reputation, took three straight pitches out of the zone before Nathan came in for strike one. A-Rod teed off on his next fastball, sending it deep into the Yankees’ bullpen to tie the game. The Yanks rallied to win the game in extras, but none of that would have been possible if not for A-Rod’s heroics against Nathan.

ALCS Game Two: A-Rod’s game tying homer off Brian Fuentes (video)
Nine innings wasn’t enough, as the the Yanks and Angels went into extras tied at two. The Halos pushed a run across off Al Aceves in the 11th, and turned to Brian Fuentes, another All Star closer. Alex Rodriguez, the first batter in the bottom of the 11th, took two straight fastballs over the plate for a quick 0-2 count, but turned Fuentes’ third heater around and parked it in the right field seats to tie the game. Much like Game Two of the ALDS, the Yanks went on to win, but it wouldn’t have been possible without A-Rod’s shot off Fuentes.

World Series Game Two: AJ Burnett dominates Phillies to tie series at one (video)
In their most important game of the year, enigmatic AJ Burnett went out and shut the Phillies down to tie the World Series at one game apiece. He pounded the zone and was dropping curves in at the knees for strikes when he wasn’t blowing his heat by batters. The uncertainty of middle relief was never a factor in the game, as Burnett handed the ball right off to Mariano Rivera. The Yanks carried the momentum into Philadelphia, where they won the next two games.

World Series Game Five: Johnny Damon singles and steals two bases on one pitch to ignite game winning rally (video)
After pulling ahead in the 5th inning before losing the lead thanks to a Pedro Feliz homer in the bottom of the 8th, Hideki Matsui and Derek Jeter went down with ease against Phillies’ closer Brad Lidge in the 9th. Damon fouled off five pitches as part of a nine pitch at-bat, eventually dunking a single into shallow left. On the very next pitch, Damon took off for second, and not only did he make it safely, he headed down to third because no one bothered to cover the bag. The go-ahead run was on third, and before you knew it the Yanks pushed some runs across to win the game.

Those are just some of the highlights in the playoffs. Vote on your favorite below, but if you think another moment was the best of the playoffs – maybe Mariano Rivera getting out of a bases loaded, none out jam in Anaheim, or Hideki Matsui’s homer in Game Six of the World Series, or CC Sabathia’s start on short rest against the Angels – use the “Add an Answer” button to write in your own favorite moment. Don’t add any bad words like the jerk who did during our first favorite moment poll, we’ll just delete it and ban you from ever even accessing the site, let alone commenting. Yes, we can do that.

Everyone knows that everyone’s favorite moment this postseason was winning the World Series, so keep it out of the poll so we can have a little diversity. Consider this a “what’s your second favorite moment” poll. Thanks.

Post from: River Ave. Blues A New York Yankees blog

Poll: What was your favorite moment of the playoffs?

Top stories from last week:

• The Yankees made a pair of roster moves before a World Series that featured the best of both leagues started, dropping Freddy Guzman and Frankie Cervelli in favor of Brian Bruney and Eric Hinske. Philadelphia, on the other hand, announced that Pedro Martinez would get the ball in Game Two.
• Game One featured a fantastic pitching matchup of former Indians and former Cy Young Award winners, but Cliff Lee outpitched CC Sabathia to give the Phillies a 1-0 series edge. We wondered if Joe Girardi would use David Robertson in a key spot, and sure enough he was on the mound when Raul Ibanez put the game out of reach by bouncing a single through the hole.
• Already down in the series, the Yankees turned to the enigmatic AJ Burnett in Game Two, and the righty didn’t disappoint. He threw his best game as a Yankee in the most important start of his career, helping the Bombers tie the series at one. Three runs was enough, but the Yanks could have built up a bit more of a lead had it not been for an ill-advised Derek Jeter bunt attempt. Mired in a deep slump, Nick Swisher was benched in favor of Jerry Hairston Jr.
• During the off-day between Games Two and Three, the Phillies announced that they would turn to Joe Blanton in Game Four, while manager Charlie Manuel took after his shortstop and ran his mouth. Prior to Game Three, the Yankees announced that Sabathia would get the ball in Game Four on three day’s rest.
• Game Three featured a pair of lefty starters, but in the end Andy Pettitte outdueled Cole Hamels for a 2-1 series lead. The offense came alive as Alex Rodriguez and Nick Swisher (thanks to a new stance) found their stroke, and the bullpen held down the fort late.
• Before Game Four, the Yanks announced that they would be turning to Burnett on short rest in Game Five. Joba Chamberlain blew the Yankees lead late, but the offense picked him up in the ninth thanks a megaclutch at-bat by Johnny Damon. The win put the Yanks just one game away from their 27th World Title.
• As has been the case throughout the postseason, the World Series television ratings have been strong. And I thought the Yankees were bad for baseball?
• Andy Pettitte said he wasn’t very happy with the contract he received for 2009, but something tells me he’ll get taken care of should he decide to come back. The Yanks met with Cuban lefty Aroldis Chapman during Game Six of the ALCS.
• Derek Jeter took home the Roberto Clemente Award for his work with his Turn 2 Foundation, so congrats to the Cap’n.

Please take a second to answer the poll below and give us an idea of how confident you are in the team. You can view the Fan Confidence Graph anytime via the nav bar above, or by clicking here. Thanks in advance for voting.

Post from: River Ave. Blues A New York Yankees blog

Fan Confidence Poll: November 2nd, 2009

As we await tomorrow night’s 7:57 first pitch, everyone and their uncles are getting in on the World Series prediction party. My favorite though is definitely this bit from a Jay-Z interview. Here’s what Shawn Carter had to say:

I actually predicted the Yankees in six with the Angels, so I think I?m like Jigga the Greek. I?m gonna say, Phillies are a bit tougher than the Angels. I?m gonna take Yankees in seven. Dramatic A-Rod walk-off at the end of the game redeeming him for all the time the papers and the media vilified him. Is that specific enough?

Personally, I’d rather not see the Yankees and Phillies go to seven games. I don’t think my baseball-loving heart could take Jigga the Greek’s prediction coming true. An A-Rod walk off would be quite dramatic, but that would mean the Yanks would either be down or losing Game 7 of the World Series.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the ball is a less disinterested crystal-ball gazer. Jimmy Rollins today predicted the Phillies in five, and the Yanks basically laughed in his face. I couldn’t care less about what he says, basically, because that’s not what’s going to happen,” Mariano Rivera said. “What he says and what’s going to happen is far from that. You know what I mean?” Indeed, I do know what you mean, Mo.

I’ll open up this thread, then, with my prediction. I say Yanks in six. I think the World Series plays out quite similarly to the ALCS. The Yanks will enjoy success in the new ballpark, but the Phillies will win a pair in Citizens Bank. If all goes according to plan, CC Sabathia should take home another postseason MVP award. But that’s hardly the definitive word. What do you think?

Post from: River Ave. Blues A New York Yankees blog

The RAB World Series prediction thread, hosted by Jay-Z

Top stories from last week:

• Already up 2-0 in the ALCS when the week started, the team headed to Anaheim feeling confident. The Yanks took the lead early, but ultimately dropped Game Three after some curious pitching changes by manager Joe Girardi. Many fans questioned Girardi’s bullpen antics after the loss.
• After suffering their first lost of the postseason the day before, everyone was wondering what happened to the vaunted Yankee offense. Well, any questions were answered when the Yanks blew the Angels out in Game Four, putting the Halos on the brink of elimination.
• Coming off their offensive explosion on Tuesday, the Yanks had a chance to clinch their first trip to the Fall Classic Thursday night. AJ Burnett put the team in a 4-0 hole before he even recorded an out, but the offense battled back only to have the bullpen blow the lead, and the game.
• After first being rained out on Saturday, Game Six went down last night, and the Yankees leaned on two veteran pitchers for their first pennant since 2003. Big bad CC Sabathia was a much deserving ALCS MVP.
• The Yanks were supposed to meet with Cuban southpaw Aroldis Chapman over the weekend, but the lengthy ALCS pushed that meeting back. They did meet with Japanese lefty Yusei Kikuchi however, but he’s staying in Japan.
• One club official said he’s “not absolutely positive we’re going to go for” Matt Holliday as a free agent after the season. Scott Boras started pumping up free agent to be Johnny Damon.
• Director of pro scouting Billy Eppler will be sticking around; he didn’t even get a chance to interview for the Padres’ GM opening.
• There are some cosmetic cracks in the ramps at the New Stadium, although there are no safety issues. If that’s not enough, the team is being sued over seat sales.

Please take a second to answer the poll below and give us an idea of how confident you are in the team. You can view the Fan Confidence Graph anytime via the nav bar above, or by clicking here. Thanks in advance for voting.

Post from: River Ave. Blues A New York Yankees blog

Fan Confidence Poll: October 26th, 2009

Top stories from last week:

• Before the ALCS even began, the Yankees were favored to win their matchup against the Angels in the spreadsheetiverse. Despite all the speculation, the Yanks made just one small change to their playoff roster, swapping out Eric Hinske for Fast Freddy Guzman. One person who is not allowed to be around for the ALCS is Ronan Tynan, who made some anti-Semitic remarks.
• After four long off days, the Yanks rode the broad shoulders of CC Sabathia to a convincing Game One win. Some second guessed the move to bring Sabathia back out for the 8th, but that’s exactly what the Yanks are paying him for and why he’s the anti-Unit.
• Despite the threat of rain, the Yankees and Angels played Game Two on Saturday and continued well into early Sunday, when Jerry Hairston Jr. crossed the plate on another Angels’ screw up. The Yanks were unable to take advantage of Mike Scioscia’s curious decision to start Joe Saunders, but they prevailed because the little guys helped too.
• The team announced late yesterday that they’ll go for the kill and start Sabathia on three day’s rest in Game Four tomorrow.
• On the offseason front, we’ve heard the first of what should be many rumors about the Yanks and Matt Holliday, as well as Japanese lefty Yusei Kikuchi. We also heard some talk about Kevin Towers and Rick Peterson possibly joining the organization, but it’s probably a long shot.
• Unsurprisingly, the Bombers were involved in the the five most watched games broadcast on FOX this season. And they say the Yankees are bad for baseball.
• Austin Jackson was ranked the second best outfield prospect in the Triple-A International League.
• If you’re around today, you can go to the Stadium to check out Game Three on the big screen.

Please take a second to answer the poll below and give us an idea of how confident you are in the team. You can view the Fan Confidence Graph anytime via the nav bar above, or by clicking here. Thanks in advance for voting.

Post from: River Ave. Blues A New York Yankees blog

Fan Confidence Poll: October 19th, 2009

Top stories from last week:

• The Yankees weren’t sure who they were going to face in the ALDS coming into the week, but they went ahead and chose the longer series anyway. Once the Twins beat the Tigers in Game 163 Tuesday night, the Yanks finally knew who’d be coming into town Wednesday evening. It was a favorable matchup for the Yankees both in terms of how each team’s roster stacked up, as well as in previous meetings this year.
• Joe Girardi and the Yankees finalized their Division Series roster, making two major personal decisions in the process. First, they decided to let Jose Molina catch AJ Burnett in Game Two, which caused plenty of animosity among the masses even though Burnett defended the move (somewhat). Secondly, they decided that Joba Chamberlain would work out of the bullpen, which wasn’t necessarily a bad thing.
• Game One of the Division Series featured a sterling pitching effort by CC Sabathia, as well as several clutch hits by Alex Rodriguez. Both players exorcised their October demons and the Yanks won in relatively easy fashion.
• AJ Burnett was shaky in game two, but A-Rod hit a megaclutch two-run homer off Joe Nathan to tie the game in the bottom of the ninth, setting up Mark Teixeira for the walk-off win in the 11th.
• Andy Pettitte locked up with ex-Yank Carl Pavano in a fierce pitcher’s duel in Game Three, but A-Rod and Posada went deep before the bullpen handled the rest. The Yanks won the game and the series, their first postseason series win since 2004.
• Jesus Montero and Austin Romine were ranked as the two best catcher prospects in the High-A Florida State League, then Montero made an encore appearance in the Double-A Eastern League list along with Zach McAllister.
• Based on a clinical exam, Dr. Marc Philippon thinks that A-Rod might be able to avoid the second, more serious hip surgery. If that’s not good news, I don’t know what is.
• The Padres are rumored to have interest in Yankees executive Billy Eppler for their vacant general manager gig.
• Attendance was down this year, but at least the YES Network is really popular in NYC, even more than ESPN.

Please take a second to answer the poll below and give us an idea of how confident you are in the team. You can view the Fan Confidence Graph anytime via the nav bar above, or by clicking here. Thanks in advance for voting.

Post from: River Ave. Blues A New York Yankees blog

Fan Confidence Poll: October 12th, 2009

Top stories from last week:

• The final week of the season began the same way as so many other weeks: with a win. The Yanks C-squad knocked around former #1 overall pick Luke Hochevar on Monday. The Bombers came back with a walk-off win off old buddy Kyle Farnsworth on Tuesday, but Joba Chamberlain struggled again in the final home game of the regular season and the winning streak came to an end.
• The Yanks headed down to their home away from home for the final series of the year, but CC Sabathia got knocked around as he chased his 20th win. Andy Pettitte wasn’t sharp the next night, but A-Rod hit two homers and drove in seven runs in the 6th inning on Sunday to close the season with a W.
• We may not like it, but it appears that Jose Molina may actually get a start behind the plate in the postseason because of the relationship he has with AJ Burnett. We still don’t have an answer to the “who will be the fourth starter” question, and there’s the David Robertson-Brian Bruney conundrum as well.
• At least Joe Girardi is one of the best at managing the bullpen, so they have that going for them.  He’s not a candidate for a contract extension yet, though.
• Manny Banuelos and Arodys Vizcaino ranked highly on the Low-A South Atlantic League and Short Season NY-Penn League Top 20 Prospects lists, respectively. The playing surface at Triple-A Scranton’s PNC Field is being replaced, so no more drainage problems.
• As if there was any doubt, the Yankees are still America’s team. They’ll also host a bowl game at the New Stadium in two years.
• RAB readers voted A-Rod 15th inning walk-off homer against Boston as their favorite moment of the second half. Also, friend of RAB Chad Jennings is taking over LoHud, so we’re in very capable hands.
• ALDS and ALCS tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. today. Hurry up and get yours.

Please take a second to answer the poll below and give us an idea of how confident you are in the team. You can view the Fan Confidence Graph anytime via the nav bar above, or by clicking here. Thanks in advance for voting.

Post from: River Ave. Blues A New York Yankees blog

Fan Confidence Poll: October 5th, 2009

But beyond that playoff, the Yankees will have to play someone on Wednesday in their hunt for an ALCS berth. Both the Twins and Tigers have their strengths and weaknesses. While the AL Central will be the worst, record-wise, of all AL playoff teams, we can’t count either out in a very short series.

So as the games begin and we await the time until the Yanks and Rays play game 161 tonight, let’s open this one up to a poll and a discussion. We’ll be back with the game thread in a few hours.

RAB Note: Feel free to use this thread to discuss the FOX game as long as it’s the Royals vs. the Twins. We’d like to keep this one somewhat on topic.

Post from: River Ave. Blues A New York Yankees blog

Choose your own ALDS Opponent