Lots of tape to transcribe from this afternoon, but a couple quick notes.
Joe Girardi was officially introduced as the Yankees 32nd manager. He'll wear No. 27, as colleague Ken Davidoff reported last night, as the Yankees go for World Series title No. 27.
Hideki Matsui will have arthroscopic surgery on his knee. He should be fine by spring training.
Derek Jeter's knee will not require surgery.
Brian Cashman said he wants Robinson Cano to be his second baseman, but knows he could play third base, that he's capable of it. Cashman saw Cano yesterday working out at the Stadium, and playfully told him, "I know you are capable of playing third base. I want you to play second base and I know you want to play second base, so you need to make sure Wilson Betemit comes to spring training in tip-top shape."
Comments (156)
IF all else fails, give Betemit a shot and back him up with Phillips. We need to start looking at what is GOOD about this team. We have most of these guys back and I just have a gut feeling that Mo, Andy, and Jorge will be here too.
So there you have it - unless he's bluffing (remember when Cashman said he was fine with Bubba Crosby being the everyday CF) it sounds like Wilson Betemit will get a shot to be the everyday 3b.
Replacing Alex Rodriguez with Wilson Betemit....I think I just threw up in my mouth.
At least games will move along quicker w/ Betemit at third. He doesn't take any pitches so that will speed things up.
The best thing I read in Kat's post was that Cano was working out at the stadium. Last season he seemed a little "thick" in spring training and as we all know, got off to a really slow start.
Absolutely right BBB,
Between Betemit and Phillips (against tough lefties) we should be okay at 3rd for 1-2 years. Betemit just got to make sure to lose the innertube he's carrying around. After AFraud's accountant accused Mo of making him opt-out, you know Mo will be back, as well as Jorge. I just hope Pettite's elbow feels fine.
Jim,
I'm a little curious what effect no A-Rod and no Bowa will have on Cano. Those two seemed to be constantly lighting a fire under him to work harder. Now Girardi is a task master, but it obviously won't be the same relationship with the manager that it was with a teammate and a coach.
Dave S.
If you read between the lines. Cano will play second and Betemit Third if the Yankees can't make a deal of reasonable cost to the team in player pesonnell.
Betemit is a sleeper with a ton of talent. He's just has not been given the everyday assignment to showcase the talent in my opinion. As I've said before, we won the Hayes and Brosis at third and 28 other clubs will not have Arod. Every team that won the WS did not have Arod. He's 0-38 with runners in scoring position in October since the 2004 series with Boston.
Our goal is to shore up First and CF with Pitching numero uno.
As I see it the Yankees should explore the following to fill 3B:
1. A reasonable trade for Miggy Cabrera
2. Signing Mike Lowell to a deal NO LONGER than 3 years
3. Stealing a Hank Blalock or Adrian Beltre
If none of those work, Betemit should get the chance.
If we can get crede for only damon then we would be foolish enough not to go after that. If his back acts up then we have Betemit to take over and for insurance we should get mike lamb on a one or two year deal.
Jorge in the end will be back with the yanks for the simple fact that he knows his career will last long in the AL with the DH option and having molina as your back-up.
As for Rivera thats a close call but i think because we dont have an immediate solution in that position yanks will stretch there dollars to keep him. If Humberto Sanchez didnt get hurt last year and lived up to his potential i wouldnt see rivera back.
Abreu's option is going to be picked up
Somehow find out what is needed to get Santana or Bedard. If it is an arm and a leg forget about it. i rather get bedard anyway
Cashman bringing back Petitte at this point is a 65% chance.
I just hope the Yanks have learned their lesson from 2003 when they lost Pettitte. They, like most of us, assumed he would come back and they sort of left him out there and ignored him for a bit and he got a little insulted and ultimately left.
They simply cannot make the same mistake with Posada, they have to be aggressive. Same goes for Mo.
I agree w/ Chris. I'm still high on a healthy Joe Crede at third. He's a 30 HR guy who will hit close to .300 and he has a really good glove.
I think they've made the first step with Mo now they have to throw some attention Jorge's way. They are scheduled to meet with him next week at the GMs meeting.
Interesting fact I picked up about WOOD, he isnt on may peoples radar but if he doesn't re-up with the cubs we should take a closer look at him:
What do we think of Kerry Wood?
The Chicago Tribune suggests that he could be brought (bought) out of Wrigley:
Wood's fastball was clocked as high as 98 m.p.h. toward the end of the season, and he was unscored on in 18 of 22 appearances. Now, with 4 1/2 more months of rest for his rehabbed shoulder, Wood's arm strength might give him the option of starting or relieving in '08.
Name recognition alone could make Wood a hot commodity, and with old friend Joe Girardi now managing the New York Yankees, the chances of Wood wearing dark blue pinstripes are probably decent if he bolts the Cubs.
There are a few things that interest me about Wood:
1. He could start or relieve. If Pettitte doesn't come back he's in the mix as a starter. If Pettitte returns Wood could fill the 8th inning.
2. His presence in the pen would push Farns, Edwar, Viz (if he comes back) up. He'd take pressure off rookies like Sanchez or Melancon, and he'd save us (for a couple days) from calls for Joba to pitch the 8th. While Wood never pitched back to back days in 2007, he pitched both ends of a double header on September 15th. His 8.88 K/9 and 6.67 H/9 would look mighty good coming out of the pen (his 4.81 BB/9, not so much).
3. He would only cost money, and he'd come cheaper than another Texan I could name.
Obviously, we'd need to think he was finally healthy, but isn't that talent worth the gamble?
Jim,
Unfortunately, according to MLB.com, no one is sure how healthy Joe Crede is. He hasn't been worked out and isn't slated to start until Spring Training.
I hope they can pry Crede from the White Sox. He reminds me of Brosius, with a little more power. I think they can get him without giving up top notch prospects.
Chris - I'm a fan of reaching out to Wood. If he works out, great, if not, well it isn't like the Yankees haven't shot and missed on relievers in the past.
I would say though that I wouldn't even consider letting him start. Given the fragility of his shoulder I would sign him as the 8th inning guy and leave it at that.
Larry, I don't see why there needs to be shoring up first base. Andy will be great there.
We need to go get Aaron Rowand. Let Posada go (getting old, just had his best year and not going to be any where close to that again) and resign Mo.
CHIP,
By no means I will start him, but knowing him that is what he'll want. i would love to have him as a long reliever a la Mendoza. Hopefully will see what happens. Posada is a gamble but regardless of his age theres a few factors that age wouldnt be a problem. For starters he converted as a catcher late in his career and secondly he started in that position at rather late so I think he is good for another 3 or 4 years. However that 5th year is pushing it
Eric,
While I am on board with you this season regarding Andy Phillips, I just don't see how the Yanks can let Posada go. They have no suitable replacement anywhere in their system and there isn't much out there on the free agent market. I think a switch hitting catcher is tough to come by and I'd like to see Jorge back.
If Abreu's contract will not be exercised that is a clear indication that the yanks will go after Rowand or Hunter. However if they pick it up, then ex those players out of your wish list.
Chris,
We discussed Wood a few threads back and I like the idea of bringing him on board. From what I understand, Dusty Baker really wants him in Cincy so there are probably suitors for him. Wood had his best year under Baker so they may have that rapport but Baker has also been accused of burning both Wood and Prior out so it will be interesting to see where he goes.
Chris,
The Yanks could pick up Abreu's option and trade him, didn't they do that w/ Sheff?
Chris:
Re: Abreu - don't be so sure of that. Picking up his option doesn't mean he'll necessarily be with the team next year (remember Gary Sheffield)
Jim:
I think you sign Posada up to a point. If he wants 4 years, you swallow hard and give it to him, but if he wants more than that I think you have to pass and possibly go with a Jose Molina, Ramon Castro tandem, or sign a Paul LoDuca or Michael Barrett or (gulp) Mike Piazza.
Chip,
Agreed. I'd let the Mets deal with a 41 year old catcher at that point but I think 4 years will get it done. I hope. Piazza would be funny to see in 'stripes.
BTW - here's a prediction that should make your Met fan friends nuts:
Victorino - CF
Rollins - SS
Utley - 2B
Howard - 1b
Lowell - 3b
Burrell - LF
Ruiz - C
Bourn - RF
and a rotation of Schilling, Moyer, Mussina, Hamels, Myers with Francisco Cordero Closing.
Jim,
If the Yankees signed Piazza, they would almost need to carry 3 catchers I think. On the plus side he would provide some right handed pop.
Jim and Chip,
That is true in terms of possibly trading him, but you have to think it this way, Sheffield was tearing it up before he got injured and he is also a power hitter. With Abreu he is more of a finesse hitter who has good displince but lacks the punch he once had and one scout said that abreu lost a step or two in the outfield. Honesly i dont know who would want him.
As for wood, he'll go where the money is at. Even if Baker is in cincy. Also if Prior non-tenders he'll be a FA to. Problem with that, is his Agent is BORAS
A CHIP,
How in the world you have MOOSE at the Phillies. First of all i dont think the yanks will let him go and even if they do the phillies dont have anything to offer.
I like the idea though =)
One good mood the yanks did was to bring up Dave Eiland as the pitching coach. he worked well with those youngsters and will do a better job than gator did. I wish they brought back kerrigan though.
*Move
Chris:
If Pettite comes back then the Yankees have six starters with Andy, Wang, Hughes, Joba, Kennedy, Moose. They also have Igawa, Clippard, DeSalvo, Karstens, Rasner, Horne, Marquez, Steve White in case of injury. Moose will not be happy as a long reliever/spot starter all year - and at 1 year $11 mil is a relative bargain considering what else is out there.
If the Yankees could get back some prospects as they did in the Randy Johnson deal I would say make the move.
Here's an interesting tidbit for those of you that think we are doomed without the great AR.
Boston's Dice-K had TWICE as many RBI's in the post season than AR did!!! For all I care, Betemit and Phillips can platoon over there for a year.
Two different TV stations have broken the news that the Dodgers have announced Torre as their new manager.
Dice K has twice as many RBIs in the post season as A-Rod had in his last 16 playoff games.
Just saying
Good point Sully. TOUCHE!!!
If Crede is questionable at this point, I think it would be good to try to get him at a discount price. Kinda like a Jon Lieber deal.
Even if he isn't ready till June or so, then we have Betemit and Phillips to cover for him. But, IF he does return back to form, then we have a great replacement for A-Fraud. It's worth the gamble if we can get him for a reasonable price.
Diane
That's there problem! I feel their pain.
I see the rotation shaping up to be Pettitte, Wang, Joba, Hughes and Mussina with Kennedy starting out at AAA and coming up once needed.
If we make a move for Santana, then obviously Hughes would probably be out of there (traded in the deal).
I also like the idea of getting Rowand and Crede. Once Crede is back, he takes over at 3B and if Melky goes in a Santana deal, Rowand takes over there. We also need to keep Abreu. That's 100 RBI, 100 R, and 20 SB along with working oppossing pitchers to death.
I'm not a big fan of getting Cabrera from the Marlins, especially if we have to trade either Hughes or Kennedy to get him.
I know that he's a force on offense and he'd go a long way of getting back some of the production the the Yanks lost with A-Rod gone.
But, I like the idea that Girardi is stressing pitching and defense first and that if the Yanks pitch better and play defense better than they have in the past 5 seasons, they wouldn't need to score as many runs to win games and they'll win more of the 2-1, 3-2 type games that we didn't win last season. Cabrera's play at 3B leaves a lot to be desired.
Just spoke to Torre. He hates the Yankees now and he and his Dodgers want to beat them in the series!!!
For everyone terrified at the prospect of not having a superstar at every position, let me ask you a question..
What do the following players all have in common?:
Mark Bellhorn
Chris Duncan
Juan Encarnacion
Carl Everett
Brandon Inge
Jason Lane
Kaz Matsui
Doug Mirabelli
Reggie Sanders
Ramon Santiago
So Taguchi
Tony Womack
Preston Wilson
They have all been in the starting lineup in the World Series since 2003, the Yankees last pennant.
They can win with Wilson Betemit at third just as those other teams could win with the not exactly Hall of Fame bound players listed above.
Timely hitting, a good rotation and steady bullpen trumps all stars at every position if the end game is to win the pennant
Great point, Sully (the Sea Monster). Been trying to tell this "ladies" this very thing all day.
these "ladies"
It's going to be a long long winter of Who's on First, What's on Second, and I Don't Know Who is on Third. Yeah, it's going to be a long, long winter.
Jim, don't get me wrong. I would like to see Posada back but at what price?
I don't want the Yankees get stuck with another long, expensive contract with another aging star.
I read someone said this before and I agree that the Yankees tend to cut ties with their players one year too late instead of like the Red Sox, who regardless how emotionally tied to them, are let go sooner rather than later (see Damon, Nixon, Pedro, etc.).
It's time the Yankees learn to do the same thing. If you want to win, then let's get less sentimental and more business savvy.
You are right about the Sox, Eric.
They are not the most sentimental organization under Theo.
Schilling probably isn't coming back (and he won't because the Sox will be content with his 6-1 post season record for Boston and not be saddled with his contract when he realizes he is over 40)
If and when that happens then the Sox will have parted ways since the beginning of 2004 with:
Nomar Garciaparra
Pedro Martinez
Derek Lowe
Johnny Damon
Trot Nixon
Curt Schilling
You can't think of 6 players more associated with the club than them.
But since then, Nomar has been hurt, Pedro has been hurt, Lowe has been inconsistent, Damon got hurt and might get dealt and Nixon lost his starting job.
And yeah, the Red Sox did OK this year.
There's something to be said about that mindset. Theo has made some SERIOUS f--- ups (Arroyo for Pena, Clement, letting Cabrera go, signing Renteria, signing Lugo) but how serious could they have been with 2 parades in 4 years and a flourishing farm.
The one the yankees NEEEEEEED to sign is Rivera. There's no replacing him.
Don't forget Kevin "cowboy up" Millar.
sully, the yankees must have heard you...
http://www.nj.com/sports/ledger/index.ssf?/base/sports-2/1193809256226530.xml&coll=1#continue
hopefully its true
Good call on reminding me about Millar...
They DID extend Varitek's and Papi's contract.
Larry "Lucifer" Lucchino: We Showed Them
From the Bostonist -
http://bostonist.com/2007/11/01/sox_continue_ce.php
Your 2007 World Champion Red Sox continued their celebratory tour with a visit to the State House yesterday. The event was hosted by Governor Patrick and numerous elected officials. Both (!) trophies were prominently displayed on the front lawn of the State House, the golden flags matching quite nicely with the gleam of the famous golden dome.
Governor Patrick kicked off the event, and while his oddly-accented proclamations made some chuckle (JAAYYsun VARRRiTECCKK), his enthusiasm was genuine. NESN's Tom Carron emceed the event and subsequent speakers included John Henry, Tom Werner, and Larry Lucchino. Red Sox President and CEO Larry Lucchino gave the most rousing speech of the bunch, at one point proclaiming that "We showed everyone that we aren't no stinkin' Yankees!"
the WCVB website:
http://www.thebostonchannel.com/sports/14469746/detail.html
Despite the team's success winning two World Series titles in four years, Lucchino vowed that the Sox organization would remain "hungry" for more.
"We are not finished. There's a long journey ahead. We're going to celebrate this moment but we will be as hungry as ever, as passionate as ever, as competitive as ever, trying to continue this streak. We're not trying to be no stinkin' Yankees. We are going to be the Boston Red Sox. Not the Boston Red Sox of your grandfather, but the Boston Red Sox of the 21st century," Lucchino said.
Somebody get this Old man a sleeping pill.
I hate Redsox... Go Dodgers... I'm happy with my new Job
I know you guys are Crying inside and really Wish you were part of RSN !!! Unfortunately the Bandwagon is pretty FULL of Ex-Yankee Fans and getting Fuller by the Moment! As Anonymous said "It's going to be a long long winter of Who's on First, What's on Second, and I Don't Know Who is on Third. Yeah, it's going to be a long, Long winter." Best of luck with that Betemit Thingy (LOL) !!! This just in.....Mo Signs with the Dodgers (LOL) !!! Oh to be a True World Champions Fan!!! Keep Dreamin Stanks...Keep Dreamin !!!
All I know is that you "Fans" better do something fast because soon there will be no "House that Ruth Built"!!! That will be Knocked Down Soon Enough! Maybe you can call it the House of Joba (Sounds like a Bad Indian food joint) or better yet The Cemetary...the place where Good, Sound Baseball went to Die (LOL) !
Red Sux fans are truly the mental midgets of the universe.
I will NEVER play for the Spankees.
Remember, Yankee fans, patience. 200 million dollar payroll notwithstanding, PATIENCE!
Remember, Redsox Fans !! Be Crazy and arrogant. 160 million dollar payroll notwithstanding, be cocky
Yes, I will play for Anabolics Redsox.. I might inject some Hgh on Ortiz buttocks.
A-Rod...Why did you leave?!? You were my Most Favorite Player! Now I have Nobody on the Yanks to Root For! Now when you accept your MVP Trophy next year I can't go watch because you'll be in another park...maybe Los Angeles, Boston or Queens. I'm Really Crying my eyes out over this! I keep listening to this song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHm1el3Sze8
I Just can't believe or get over the Fact that you're Gone! My eyes are red from crying. A-Rod we hardly knew Yee, But Loved YOU just the same! Now Who's gonna hold up this team when the going gets Rough. We have Nobody to Lean On, like We Leaned on YOU All Season! You're Our Very Bestest Player! A-Rod We Love You and Miss You...Please Come Back!!!!! Waaahhh!!!
Well its a Dark, DARK Time to be a Yankee Fan! We just Lost our Bestest Player in A-Rod! A Great, GREAT Manager in Joey T. and a Top-notch, Top-Class Man in Don Mattingly (Donnie Baseball)! Don Is the type of Man (A True Yankee Legend) like a Gehrig, Ruth, Berra and DiMaggio! I just Can't Stop Crying!!! Here's another song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOkkYqF3YPQ
Oh God, Help me get through this Hard, HARD time in My Young Life!!! I just Wanna Cry All the Time!!!
I would like to know on the record ...
Who EVER PLAYED THE GAME ...
and at what level ...
Brian Cashman
Mark Shapiro
Theo Epstein
All of them. From T Ball on to Little League to all their philosphies ...
Shouldn't you guys be worried about beating Tampa Bay next year?
"The House that Ruth built" is the same place that gets bulldozed any time the Devil Rays come around.
Perhpas you Yankee 'admirers' should think of that before responding.
Alright Yankee land...
I am off to Las Vegas to shoot some stuff involving bullriders and rodeo clowns.
I expect everyone to be on their best behavior.
Red Sox fans coming onto this site... don't make my life difficult please
I would like to know on the record ...
Who EVER PLAYED THE GAME ...
and at what level ...
Brian Cashman
Mark Shapiro
Theo Epstein
All of them. From T Ball on to Little League to all their philosphies ...
Posted by: Ant Colony | November 1, 2007 11:23 PM
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Probably little leauge for all. My question is who had the best Bar Mitzvah party? I say Shapiro.
Get Crede!!!!!!
Sully who are you kidding.You haven't had a job in the last three years.You time is spent either on this blog or over in Sausalito with the drag queens. The Mrs. says that she is going to lose 50lbs and find a real man.
Lukee Tyler,
If your wife is going to lose 50lbs and find a real man, you should not be on this blog but either begging her to stay or being her spotter, depending on which way you want her to go.
You get who ever fits into your format -
AGE , BUDGET , FUTURE
Crede is good but not an MUST have. many options avail. People forget the logic when discussing the Wade Boggs / Hayes situation
1 batters around them.
2. Wade Boggs factor - yes this is the biggest factor. Wade is his decline was a better option than we have now and even better than alex had he had the same at bats this playoff his mindset is brilliant. so just assuming these players would just slide in is crazy.
You have to either get a YOUNG player and fine tune him or really study and know the player your getting , Crede is not back until June, Did we forget our record LAST JUNE? so no we are not going that road again.
Once again, please flush the toilet and get rid of some of this Bosox stench. It is killin' us in here.
And light a candle before you go!
Down with The Nation!
26 on our way to 27!
So I couldn't sleep last night and caught a lot of sports stuff.
First of all there was Jayson Stark pointing out that the Yankees were offering Alex a 5 year extension that would have brought the total deal to 8 years $224 mil ($28 mil per) Boras wants 12 years $360 mil. the difference, combined with the money Texas owed and the luxury tax payments (Yankees have to pay 40 cents for every dollar) was around $250 mil.
I then flipped over to SNY where there was a roundtable discussion going on regarding the Mets and whether they should go after Alex - the decision was they should and probably will and then it was further speculated that if they got Alex they would move Wright to 1B and do the following deal:
Delgado, Pedro Feliciano, a prospect to the Yankees for Matsui and Farnsworth.
I don't necessarily like the idea of Delgado and Giambi on the same team, what with them being essentially the same player at this point, but I can see the logic from both sides of the deal. Delgado's bat in Yankee Stadium should help take up some of the slack from Alex and he isn't a long term commitment.
Picked up this link to Onion's funny article on A-Rod's October on two other blogs this morning (Tyler Kepner and Pete Abraham):
http://www.theonion.com/content/news/slow_month_in_baseball_saved_by_a?utm_source=EMTF_Onion
Chip,
So Matsui would play LF for the Mets? I know Alou is hurt all the time but I can't imagine Matsui being healthy at this point either. Is Shawn Green a FA or are the Mets stuck with him too? This doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me.
Wright would be crazy to give u 3b, but that would be a helluva team with A-Hole on it.
Prediction: It won't happen.
Jim A.
A fat ass like yourself and the blimp your married to ought not try to spin for your little pal Sully.
The fact is that Sully's wife is almost as big as you.
Trolls like this are one of the main reasons this is no longer the blog I go to first.
Jim A saw the photos you posted of the family and BBB Chump at the Indians game. Looked like the circus was in town.
Jim:
Green is a FA for the Mets - I think the idea is that the Mets have enough depth to deal with the fact that at some point during the season Alou and Matsui will both miss time - plus getting him enables the Mets to trade Lastings for a starting pitcher.
Marianne/Hughes Your Daddy
Who are you kidding. You got run off this blog because of your bigot remarks and now use a AKA.
Marianne -
Do what I do, tune them out. Think about it, here's a person who is so obnoxious and irrelevant that he has to come onto this site to find people to annoy because the people he knows in life have already realized what a moron he is and don't pay any attention to him at all.
BTW the Joel Zumaya injury is worse than was first reported. He needs the entire shoulder joint reconstructed - his career could be over.
Chip,
I've done that for a long time in order to be able to enjoy the tasty discussion that you and a small handful of other regulars