On the Yankees beat

I'm glad to see a player publicly challenge Pavano. I'm also glad it was Moose, who is now the oldest Yankee, and he needs to step up and be a leader for the pitching staff this year.
I like the little digs at Randy J. too.

I think our fantasy league's name is GREAT. You don't like it Jim?

I've been posting all off season about how Pavano is a joke with the team and has a problem with the guys in the clubhouse. That is why I said he should be traded. It's the best scenario for all involved. The Yanks can get him out of here (move on) and he can get a fresh start somewhere else. I still say he needs to go! Let Sanchez or a kid have his spot.

Mussina never has been shy about expressing himself when he's got something to say. He is a very intelligent man. Graduated from Stanford in 3 years I believe. I think he is the team rep also, is that correct Jim?

He is the team rep, Rick, and I do like the league name. Just poking a little fun at myself :)

Mussina's comments are good for the team. Mussina brings back the days when players were kicked in the butt because their lack of production is hurting the team.

Pavano's return to starting rotation form is neccessary to the Yanks for two good reasons. He may plug a hole in the rotation or bring some new talent to the club by way of the trade.

Also, I found the comments good to let the fans know a little of the clubhouse side of things.

Larry M

You're in the fantasy league right? Please send Jim B your E-mail address so we can get this thing started. Thanks alot!

Is the league full?

Doug

It is tentatively filled. However, if we don't hear from some of these guys fairly soon, we might need some replacements. I will put you on the standby list.

Bronx Bomber

You need to get your Email address sent in to Jim B for the fantasy league. Thanks!

Included in that Mussina story, was the news that the Yanks had "ordered" Melky not to participate in the Caribbean Series. They felt he "needed the rest". Why would a player that age "need rest"? I hope there is not more to this story than we are currently being told.

Rick: Doug can have my spot. I'm not sure if I can committ to the time necessary. I appreciate the spot but just may not be able to do a good job with the time.

Roy

I thought the same thing about the Melky news. More like they didn't want him to get hurt since there is probably a potential trade in the works. He's 21 for Pete's sake. And as a 4th OF, he'd be getting lots of rest this summer. Didn't make sense, unless...

Larry M

Will due with Doug. Sorry to hear you won't be in though.

Doug

If you want in the fantasy league, you can have Larry M's spot. Let me know ASAP and then get your Email address to Jim B.

New to the board but would love to join in the fantasy league if i could. Just email me at Outsidordinary@aol.com. Hope there is room left. thanks!

Yes I will take it.

Doug - Good, let Jim B know your email address.

Marc - Will let you know if an opening occurs.

AJ - have you gotten your E-mail address in to Jim B yet?

atticas and ruse - Are you guys still out there?

Morning gents.

Sorry I've been so infrequent lately, but I did want to comment on a couple of things.

First, Mussina is right, Pavano does have to earn trust again. But along the same lines, Mussina must be counted on to do something that I have yet to see him do as a Yankee...pitch without optimal conditions.

Mussina is a very good pitcher, and for what they paid to bring him back it was a good signing, but he is also a very predictable pitcher in the sense that he does not pitch through adversity. If someone behind him makes an error, he, more often than not, will get frustrated and allow a big inning rather than pick up the players behind him. A start getting pushed back or pushed up will often lead to bad games...heck it took him the better part of the first half of the season to stop sulking about the Yankees and Devil Rays opening things up in Japan a couple of years ago. And then there was the debacle in the ALDS this year.

With a rotation that is full of question marks, including Pavano; Mussina must be counted on to perform, possibly better, than he has as a Yankee.

As for the fantasy league...sounds like fun...let me know if a spot is available.

Chip - will keep you posted.

Whats Jim B email address again?

Doug - It's jim.baumbach@newsday.com

Thanks Rick.

I don't know about the rest of you but I am getting very antsy waiting for this season to start. Mostly because I'm really curious about how this "new look" Yankee philosophy is going to play out on the field.

I'm also guessing that if the first base platoon struggles out of the gate offensively, we'll see Giambi back at first, Matsui at DH, Melky in left, Doug M. as a defensive replacement and either Phillips or Phelps glued to the bench.

RICK-

Did Jim B get my email address?

RICK-

I sent my email address to him yesterday in the afternoon. JIM B did you get it?

AJ:
I didn't get it. Please email me again. jim.baumbach@newsday.com

JIM B-
Just sent it to you again. I emailed my hotmail one.Maybe my yahoo mail is not working good. Let me know if you got it.

Hey, I have ripped Pavano and his ridiculous injury track record with the Yankees as much or more than the next guy. But, go back and look at that picture of him getting conked in the noggin at Yankee Stadium two years ago with that line drive. He not only looks hurt he looks scared. Do you think it's too much for him to overcome as a Yankee? A change of scenery would do him well.

Jim B
Just sent my email. Let me know if you got it.

Even IF Pavano is perfectly healthy physically, I really believe he is another one of those guys that just can't handle NY MENTALLY (see A-Rod, RJ, Kenny Rogers, Ed Whitson, etc.)

It is best if he is traded!

Excellent. I'll email Jim my addy just incase but definitely keep me posted.

Chip,

Even though that might look good on paper it is a disaster in logic. first off you do not simple REMOVE a player from their position especially if they are not that bad in that positition. and especially if you placing or allowing a WORSE DEFENDER (GIAMBI) to go to theirs, MAtsui had no problems in the latter season with melky in the field, but to say you are now my DH, uhh uhh that would not fly, his agent would be on somebody's a** that would be disrespectful towards a model player. especially if melky can't repeat or increase last season's numbers. Matsui should be left alone period. that is full of class, and even with class you still have pride and to say your a DH just because some kid had a decent offensive year and did some nice DEFENSE does not constitute one being Wally Pipped.

And, except for a game or two here and there, Giambi is going to be the DH only. He wears down too much when playing the field. Also, the Yankees are not going to do anything with Matsui that would cause him to "lose face". He is from Japan, where those things are REALLY important.

here are some stats lets see if you true fans can identify. one stat is a starter the other a reserve

263-12- 71 - starter

267-13-65 - reserve

why i'm posting this? now even though the reserves minor legue # were better than melky's way better , they both had simular rookie numbers, now hold on melky did make an apperance a year earlier,

also it shows that even though the numbers were simular in no way was the STARTER who was a nice player be unseated from his position. lets see if ya'll can identify the people of these stats.

Hey, I agree that Giambi should not touch a get anywhere near the field except in inter-league and maybe a couple of games down the stretch to keep him in the flow for the World Series. My comment was more a reflection of what I believe to be a weakness that has manifested itself in Torre the last couple of years.

I alluded to it in yesterday's blog, but (and I am a Torre fan) I believe that since Luis Gonzalez knocked in Tony Womack in 2001, Torre has become a very reactionary manager. And also a manager who has two types of player on his team, the guys he trusts completely and the guys he doesn't trust at all.

This most manifests itself in the way he handles (some would say mishandles) the pitching staff, but it has also shown up in his lineups and personnel moves as well.

In part, I truly believe that is one reason Brian Cashman felt he had to let Bernie go. To remove the crutch of Bernie's presence from Torre. Look, if Bernie were on the team and the first base platoon struggled, how long would it be before Torre's lineup had Giambi back at first and Bernie as the every day DH?

Cashman knows this is still a possibility, but by removing Williams from the scenario he accomplishes one of two things, either Torre will feel compelled to leave Giambi at DH and let Doug and Phillips/Phelps work through any early struggles they might have at the plate while still providing better glove work, or at the very least, if Giambi is moved into the field it opens the door for Melky to play and thus grow.

Chip-

Understood but you do not DISS Matsui and pamper a Giambi in order to let melky play , the stats above is of MAntle and Joe D. and in no way was Casey sitting Joe D and starting Mantle , (eventhough Joe d retired season end) he just was not going ot START a drama , MAtsui is a good guy , we should never allow for such a situation to start where he may be righfully angered, and may want out and cause club house drama, melky did not do enough to UNSEAT anyone in the OF, had one LEFT and a spot WAS OPEN then cool

Chip

Melky is NOT going to be a regular on this team in any shape or form. They have 3 veteran high priced star OF's who will all be the regulars.

Also, Bernie has been invited to ST and rumor has it that he will be there, so BC has not "got rid of" the "crutch" just yet.

Bomber - I'm not talking about sitting Matsui, I'm talking about DHing him (and I'm talking about it hypothetically at that.)

The way I'm looking at it, in the ideal situation, Giambi is DHing almost every day, he gets one or two starts in the field every couple of weeks whereupon Torre can give either Matsui, Abreu, or Damon a half day off as DH and Melky plays the field in their stead. That's the ideal.

The reality is, between players who will get nicked up; players who will struggle; and Torre's reactionary nature I could conceive of a situation where Giambi plays the field way more often than he should because Torre would lack confidence in Doug M. or Phillips/Phelps to get the job done.

Also, not sure if any of you saw it or not but Foxsports.com's Ken Rosenthal has thrown his two cents in, calling this "one way or another, A-Rod's last year in pinstripes." Saying, "if he struggles he won't want another year of New York hammering him and if he has a great season then his value will skyrocket."

Rick -
I had heard Bernie was mulling over a decision, but had not said one way or the other whether he will go to ST on a minor league deal. Even if he is there I believe it is more of a symbolic gesture than anything else, akin to the way Joe Girardi got an invitation to spring training even when it was clear that John Flaherty was going to be the back-up catcher.

The only way Bernie would make the team out of spring is an injury to one of the four outfielders, or Giambi, or the team deciding at the last minute that they will go with 11 pitchers and not 12 - and even in those cases I don't think they would use Bernie to fill the vacant spot. No one wants to see him go, but better this way than the indignity of being designated for assignment in May so the team could promote someone from AAA.

Chip,

That sounds much more ideal to PREPARE him for a DH role later on , but in no way do you say DH Full time at this point. some players take offense to DH'ng. and if 280 10-15 hr's all melky can do then he won;t be starting out there as well, the issue is that it is GIAMBI that needs the process of fading out the reality is he became a bust subpar at best.

Chip

You can read the Bernie story on SI.com
I'm just saying this story is not over yet and the "situation" still looms.

i don't care if he hits 70 hr's AROD will NOT see 24 mil year again

BB

How is 37 HR and 112 RBI a BUST?

Bomber -

The way I see it, Melky's best shot at being an everyday player isn't until after the 2009 season when Damon and Matsui are no longer on the team...and lets be honest, lots can happen between now and then.

After this year the Yankees will probably pick up Abreu's option and then try to trade him for young pitchers like the did with Sheffield; and promote Jose Tabata to take his place - so Melky will remain a 4th outfielder.

RIck,

The yankees got no where the player they thought they was getting when he left oak. this man was the next mantle in terms of numbers so his contract was for such otherwise a no trade clause request would've been laughed at. yes had those numbers but was a cripple for most postseason games yes he had some Hr's but really has he really had a full injury free healthy postseason for the yanks?

BBB Update

If I don't hear from some of you regulars soon (ruse, atticas, etc.), I'm going to go to the standby list to fill out our league. Several people are clamouring to get in.

Chip -

Honestly i think the crop coming up and maybe a FA signing will doom Melky's chances in being a yankee starter. i believe the Yankee farm system outfielders on the rise will be better options than melky i hope he bust his butt and proves me wrong

Anonymous -

You're right, he won't get the same Annual Value on his contract, but what he will get are more years at likely 20 mil.

only big dawg yankee haters will pay 20 mil per for him so yes he could simply go to the sox . if they not talking aready. saying NEW YORK is showing you no love some come up here after the season yes he will cripple their payroll but that lineup would be hell to pay

BB

I agree he isn't the same guy he was in Oakland (that's what happens when you're off the juice) and he currently isn't worth the salary he now gets. However, he is not a totally worthless commodity. He is still a formible bat in the heart of the lineup and opposing pitchers will tell you so.

Anonymous

Angels owner would give him new blockbuster contract right now!

Bomber,
Although Giambi is not the "for average" hitter he was in Oakland, the Yankees knew his average would suffer because the park he played in with Oakland was vastly different from Yankee Stadium. Giambi has hit more HR's as a Yankee because that right field porch is so inviting so he stopped going to the opposite field as much as he used to. I would in no way call the OBP and HR leader on our team a bust. He still gets on base, he still hits HR's and still drives in a lot of runs. Don't kid yourself, the Yanks knew this guy wasn't a good defender when they got him. They were talking about DHing him the moment he was signed.

he is subpar my friend his homers and streaky and right field friendly and due to the lineup. if he was off the juice in OAk his #'s would have tanked. 37 112 was typical tino years , Jason now is subpar at best. I would not use him to build a team around on his diminished skills. he is a cool guy but in no way the yankees got their money worth and it was his signing that prompted investigations further. (people was nervous that if he brought that Oak magic to the Yankees the dynasty never dies)

As I said yesterday, A-Rod will get 20 mil a year to either play SS for the Cubs or 3b for the Angels next winter.

Boston will get him to sock it too the yanks and he would accept so he can "give it too the yankees" honestly i do think he would stay, just the thought of this team making it the WS after he leaves would hurt him.

I apologize anom was me , i'm here at work rushing

By the way Cubs is NOT GOING TO PAY 20 mil and let ZAmbrano walk. and where is their salary at now??

He would leave to get revenge on the yanks as well as paper, so the redsox and their sneaky butts would bid high

Doug

Did you ever get your email in to Jim B?

I did not. You sent it to jim.baumbach@newsday.com?

Did anyone with partial ticket plans try to get tickets on the pre sale on monday and did not get any? Well myself and three other friends got screwed. All sold out!!! then to go on stub hub and see all those tickets for those crazy prices. So what about those of us who go to these games for years."scalpers win" again

What If the Redsox won the World Series this year, and Terry Francona will manage the All Star Game next year and pick his players to play in yankees stadium? Francona Didn't pick Jeter and choose Arod instead? Does it bother you as a Yankees fan that Francona will be seated in Yankees dugout where Joe torre always seated and manage? Also Ortiz will be sitting his fat ass in Yankees homedugout

I found it very intersting that Theo Epstein just got married in NEW YORK! No wonder they kept it a secret. Wait till the Sox fans find out.

Alvaro

Are you out there? I notice you don't post much on this site. My concern is are you still interested in our fantasy league and are you going to be around to run your team?

damm that would be horrible. if the sox won

Doug

Still no email address reported to Jim B.

Yes Rick, I'm here. I'm more of a reader than a poster and most of the times somebody else has posted what I think about the topic that is being discussed, so I don’t feel the need to post. But I read everyday and just “refresh” the page every 10mins or so to stay updated. I do have the time at work or at home at nights to run the team. So if you pick me to participate I would be very interested to tell you the truth and nervous about it. So let me know if there’s a spot available and I will email my address ASAP to JIM B.

Alvaro

You are in, send in your address.

Already did, thanks!!

RICK-
I sent my stuff to Jim.I am just confirming with you. Do you know what day we are setting up the draft?

Here's a thought; A-Rod opts out of his contract and is named a 2008 All-Star and gets to come back to Yankee Stadium. Now I'll grant you, the All-Star game crowd is quite different from a game day crowd...but just imagine the reaction. Especially if he leaves to sign with an NL team and the All-Star game would mark his first trip back.

Rick,

Sent email twice. Could you let me know if Jim got it?

doug - yes we did, thanks!

AJ - I will be getting a hold of everyone soon to set that date up.

I think it's embarassing that the Yanks have offered Bernie an invitation to Spring Training, with no roster spot. The guy is a legend, and is being treated like a utility infielder. Cashman should just tell him "The Inn is full", and treat the guy like a man. To continue this charade, is really "death by a thousand cuts". Make the guy a Major League "Latin liason\outfielders coach", and tell him to stay in shape, because anything can happen.