ByAs part of his GM Trade History series, Tim at MLBTR (with help from Brendan Bianowicz) has compiled all of trades Brian Cashman has made since becoming the Yanks’ GM way back in 1998. You can access the spreadsheet here. It’s fun looking back at all the names that have long since been forgotten, especially since we all know that Cash has never made a good deal, right? · (68) ·
ByAs reported at the Biz of Baseball, Derek Jeter is set to join Tiger Woods, Roger Federer and Thierry Henry (a soccer player) in the Gillette Champions ad campaign. As Chip Bergh, the vice president for global personal care at Proctor & Gamble, Gillette’s parent company put it, the shaving product giant chose Derek as their first baseball rep “not only for his outstanding sporting performances, but also for his performance off the field, in his charitable actions and his reputation as an icon of true sporting values.” I guess that means Derek, as a bachelor, is being rewarded for his efforts at dating every starlet around. As long as he stays away from Madonna, he should be a-OK.
Update: Jimmy Traina of SI.com caught up with Jeter at the Gillette announcement. Jeter talks about “hanging out” with Minka Kelly and that whole parking incident in Florida. (Hat tip to Mr. Belth at the Banter.) · (23) ·
ByLove it (somehow) or hate it (as most people do), the Yankee Stadium grounds crew rendition of the Y.M.C.A. has stuck around long past its expiration date. While we’ve advocated leaving this tired routine at the old stadium next year, the Yanks have other plans. According to an industry insider, the Y.M.C.A. will get the grand treatment at the All Star Game this year. The Village People, originators of this torturous song, will be performing the song live alongside the grounds crew during the All Star Game this year. I have no words. · (22) ·
ByThe Yanks got some good news yesterday, as Hideki Matsui’s knee showed signs of improvement after having it drained over the weekend. Joe Girardi even says that he might take BP sometime this week, which would indicate a better-than-expected forecast for the DH. He’s eligible to come off the DL on July 8, so you can count on him staying there until at least after the All-Star break. He’ll have to prove he can run on it first, and the Yanks figure to remain cautious in dealing with this. · (19) ·
ByWhile the Yanks’ offense looked absurdly uninspired last night, the Power of the ‘Stache was out in full force. Jason Giambi tripled for just the second time as a Yankee. The first came in the fifth inning of a 10-5 Yankee win over the Blue Jays on July 7, 2002, nearly six years ago to the day. I’ve always said that for Giambi to hit a triple, an outfielder would have to fall over, and that’s exactly what happened last night. The Big G sure flashed the wheels legging that one into third. Too bad the Yanks couldn’t plate that run. · (4) ·
Major comeback in Scranton
By · CommentsTriple-A Scranton (5-4 win over Buffalo, walk-off style) SWB scored 4 in the bottom of the 9th to get the win
Chris Basak: 0 for 4, 1 RBI, 1 K – walk-off sac fly
Jason Lane: 2 for 4, 1 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 K
Juan Miranda: 2 for 3, 1 2B, 1 BB – 18 for his last 45 (.400)
Shelley: 0 for 4, 2 K - 7 for his last 40 (.175)
Cody Ransom: 0 for 3, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 K – led off the 9th with a walk, triggering the comeback
Eric Duncan: 3 for 4, 1 R
JD Closser: 1 for 4, 1 R, 1 HR, 3 RBI – hit a 3-R HR in the 9th to tie the game up
Nick Green: 0 for 2, 1 R, 2 BB – scored the winning run after drawing a walk & going from first-to-third on a Greg Porter single
Dan McCutchen: 6 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, 1 HB, 6-7 GB/FB – 68 of 103 pitches were strikes (66.0%)
The Ghost of Kei Igawa: 3 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 2 K – 25 of 44 pitches were strikes (56.8%) … scheduled to start Friday
Game 83: Happy Gardner Day
By · CommentsSo we’re just a little excited about the debut of Brett Gardner. While no reasonable person thinks he’ll be the savior to the season, it’s always nice when a prospect, who is performing well, gets a promotion. And at the same time, he’s out there auditioning. We’re well aware of Melky’s poor May (.234/.270/.319) and poorer June (.212/.297/.263). Now he knows that his job is not guaranteed.
To make room for Gardner in the leadoff spot, Justin Christian was option to AAA, and Johnny Damon gets the night off. No word as I type this on the 40-man roster move, but one has to figure it’s either Wang or Hughes being moved to the 60-day DL. Update: Steward was designated. To jump off on a tangent:
Eventually, a number of players are going to have to be removed from the 60-day DL. Humberto Sanchez has started rehabbing in games, meaning he’s on a clock. Brian Bruney starts throwing in games this week or next, meaning he’ll have a limited time to be moved back to the active roster. With J.B. Cox a likely addition to the team later on this year, and with Scott Strickland pushing a promotion, they’ll have to find yet another 40-man spot. While Chad Moeller and Chris Stewart are likely casualties, the Yanks will need a few more spots. My short list:
LaTroy Hawkins
Shelley Duncan
Chase Wright
Kei Igawa
Sidney Ponson
Billy Traber
With Moeller and Stewart, that’s eight guys the Yanks could cut and I wouldn’t lose any sleep over it. Anyone else you guys would consider? I thought about adding Jeff Marquez, but I’d clearly rather keep him, and with eight guys on the list figured it was enough.
Back to Gardner, here are some interesting numbers, courtesy of our own Mike A.:
- He’s been on base 26 times in his last 10 games — 11 hits and 15 walks — with 9 stolen bases.
- His .412 OBP is second in the International League, trailing only a 35-year-old Andy Tracy by .001.
- In the 80 games he’s appeared for the SWB Yanks — including games where he entered late with a pinch hitting appearance — he has failed to reach base in five games. One of those was an 0 for 1 game as a pinch hitter. Is that freakin’ insane or what?
So, clearly, if he doesn’t go 4 for 4 with three stolen bases and an inside the park job, his debut will be a complete failure.
Your lineup:
1. Brett Gardner, LF — felt sooooo awesome to type that
2. Derek Jeter, SS
3. Bobby Abreu, RF
4. Alex Rodriguez, 3B
5. Jason Giambi, 1B
6. Jorge Posada, DH
7. Robinson Cano, 2B
8. Melky Cabrera, CF
9. Jose Molina, C
And on the mount, number thirty-five, Mike Mussina.
ByPosted by mobile phone: As we reported last night, the Yanks have called up Brett Gardner. They finally released the corresponding move as Justin Christian has been optioned back to AAA. Gardner is leading off tonight in left field, Joe will have more on the newest Yankee later on in the game thread. · (28) ·
ByShawn Chacon throws his GM to the ground, and gets released without pay. Manny Ramirez pushes a club official to the ground, and it’s just Manny being Manny. I fully understand the difference in status between the two players, but that shouldn’t matter when you physically assault someone. What if you or I pushed someone at work to the ground like that? What a bunch of crap. · (109) ·
