On the Yankees beat

Thanks for the list Kat. We discussed this list over at mvn.com. The issue people had with the above list was that Brackman and Sanchez were coming off of major injures, on top of that Brackman hasnt even pitched in the minors yet. I also love the Laird pick, I think he's gonna be a super stud. They disagreed with him being on the list because of his small sample size. Here is their list just for comparison sake =

1. Ian Kennedy, RHSP - Finally, he’s starting to get some recognition. Let the record show: I was high on him from the start.
2. Jose Tabata, OF - Don’t let the hand injury let you forget that he just turned 19 years old.
3. Austin Jackson, OF - Finally, the breakout came. Personally, I think that rating Jackson so high is a little bit of a gamble on my part. I think that there is a very good possibility that Jackson quickly becomes an all-star, but there is also a possibility that the breakout was due to a very small sample size.
4. Dellin Betances, RHSP - He’s still got the potential to be an absolute terror
5. Jesus Montero, C - Offense, Defense, Makeup Reports, everything went right this season.
6. Alan Horne, RHSP - He’s got me convinced. He tired a little bit late in the season, but Horne is a legitimate top-tier pitching prospect now.
7. Jeff Marquez, RHSP - Not nearly as good as Horne, but I place tremendous value upon an MLB-ready starter with upside.
8. Francisco Cervelli, C - If Jorge hadn’t resigned, the Yankees would have had to seriously consider making him the starting catcher straight out of the FSL.
9. David Robertson, RHP - Sleeper for the bullpen by August
10. Juan Miranda, 1b - Productive despite the long layoff. Reports range anywhere from Miranda being a MLB-average 1st baseman to an absolute slugger. Either way, he should contribute soon.
11. Kevin Whelan, RHP - Purely on ceiling. He was terrible at Trenton but still maintained a K/9 of 11.26.
12. Daniel McCutchen, RHSP - Done nothing but defy every expectation at every level.
13. Ryan Pope, RHP - I’ve never heard so much praise for a 3rd round pick.
14. Carmen Angelini, SS - Major talent on both sides of the ball.
15. Abraham Almonte, 2b/OF - He’s going to move quickly.
16. Jairo Heredia, RHSP - Its scary how good he can be.
17. Brett Gardner, CF - .280/.360/.380 in CF with great defense? Thats an asset - especially off the bench.
18. Tyler Clippard, RHSP - With a good pitching coach, he should excel in the NL East.
19. Ross Ohlendorf, RHRP - Can’t argue with 97
20. Steven White, RHSP - Starting to get old, but should be a replacement-level or better starting pitcher now, or a good reliever.
21. Alberto Gonzalez, SS - If only Derek Jeter would move, we could have good infield defense again.
22. Michael Dunn, LHSP - A lefty without glaring flaws?
23. Marcos Vechionacci, 3b - Its do or die time.
24. Zach McAllister, RHSP - In what kind of organization is this guy the 14th best pitching prospect? A stacked one.
25. George Kontos, RHSP - His control regressed a bit this year.
26. Austin Romine, C - Big candidate for a rise.
27. Brad Suttle, 3b - I want to see him in the minors first.
28. Reegie Corona, SS/2b - Underrated, but he’ll settle in at 2nd, not SS.
29. Chase Wright, LHRP - Notice, he’s not listed as a LHSP.
30. Prylis Cuello, 2b - Lots of potential, very undeveloped.
31. Colin Curtis, OF - Should be a good 4th OF option in 2009.

Here is the link to their site. Excellent site to discuss the future talent =

http://mvn.com/milb-yankees/

Thanks again Kat!

Looks like we won't lack for RHP.

Dru,

Their list must have had completely different parameters if Joba isn't on it.

Maybe it's a list like that, with 7 RHP's in their top ten prospects, that makes NYY FO willing to talk about a trade involving Hughes or Kennedy.

Thats right Diane, they considered Joba and Phil as MLB players.

Dru,

Thanks for the clarification. Thought that might be it.

Viewing the two lists provided. It defies the usual thought process of two or three prospects coming from any given Minor league team. IMO the team is usually set up for those stanouts to perform and get major league ready. If there is some validity to these lists then the yanks being in the hunt for that special lefty should become a reality. If the lists are valid then their are others to take the place of those who we loss.

I hope my refrain from using the other pitchers name was a comfort but the lists and his aquisition do go hand and hand.

It was 43 degrees in sunny Sarasota today did you guys leave the refrigerator door open.

Larry is so tactful! So was NSH!

:-)

Thanks for the fill in the _____ SPs, I appreciate it. You know I get all vaclemped when I see certain names in the same post. PH + JS.

I hear what you're saying, but just because you have a dozen screwdrivers doesn’t mean you should give away your power drill.

no..not a good analogy? I told you people...math & science! lol

I would be much more interested in a Top 10 list, by position, that included "all" players with less than 50 innings or 150 at-bats of major league experience. Comparing young Yankees, to other young Yankees, really doesn't give us a good "read" on how good a player may be, or how he compares to the young talent in other organizations.

Roy - I think Baseball America compiles such a list. I'll see if I can dig something up later today. Here was their top 20 from last year....

1 P Phil Hughes NYY
2 P Homer Bailey CIN
3 OF Carlos Gonzalez ARI
4 P Yovani Gallardo MIL
5 P Nick Adenhart LAA
6 P Matt Garza MIN
7 3B Josh Fields CHW
8 P Clayton Kershaw LAD
9 OF Cameron Maybin DET
10 SS Reid Brignac TAM
11 P Adam Miller CLE
12 OF Andrew McCutchen PIT
13 OF Carlos Gomez NYM
14 OF Jose Tabata NYY
15 SS Adam Jones SEA
16 SS Elvis Andrus ATL
17 OF Billy Butler KAN
18 P Mike Pelfrey NYM
19 SS Evan Longoria TAM
20 C Jeff Clement SEA

Notice anyone special on that list??? ; )

USA Today reports that the Yanks and Mets are talking to Mark Prior's agent. The Mets will probably need to overpay for Prior as they have much more of a need than the Yanks do.

I've been meaning to ask this question to our resident Minor League experts: Can someone tell me how Roger Clemens' kid (Koby?) is doing, where he ranks in Houston's list of prospects (if they haven't cut him).

Thanks in advance.

Dru: I noticed our powerdrill was desired but Boston has no powerdrill listed in the top 20.

If Phil is a power drill what is Johan?

Or Joba?

R we being played or have we realized the rules of this game. I sense this will be a very productive off-season for the boys in the Bronx. Hopefully, there are deals under the radar of the media and our Christmas surprise of a better functioning team both on the field and the bench comes to reality.

I don't believe in Santa Claus thats for the kids but giving and receiving gifts always brought me a smile.

If its not to be Christmas than I'll take and Easter gift.

I have no idea whether this will display intelligibly on the blog, but here's Koby Clemens's entry at baseballamerica.com:

KOBY CLEMENS, 3B

Proper Name: Koby A. Clemens
Born: Dec. 4, 1986 in Houston
School: Memorial HS, Houston Ht.: 5-11 Wt.: 193
Bats: R Throws: R

Individual Batting Stats
Club (League) Class AVG G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS SH SF IBB HBP GIDP OBP SLG OPS
Lexington Legends (SAL) Low A .252 115 413 65 104 21 0 15 56 53 112 8 2 4 6 0 8 10 .344 .412 .755
MINOR LEAGUE TOTALS .252 115 413 65 104 21 0 15 56 53 112 8 2 4 6 0 8 10 .344 .412 .755

If it's unintelligible, go to baseballamerica.com to get a look.

Here's another list:

1. Joba Chamberlain, RHP, Grade A
2. Jose Tabata, OF, Grade B+
3. Ian Kennedy, RHP, Grade B+
4. Alan Horne, RHP, Grade B
5. Austin Jackson, OF, Grade B-
6. Bradley Suttle, 3B, Grade B-
7. Dellin Betances, RHP, Grade B-
8. Austin Romine, C, Grade B- (hate grading guys who haven't played yet, could be C+)
9. Jesus Montero, C, Grade C+ (borderline B-)
10. Dan McCutchen, RHP, Grade C+
11. Brett Gardner, OF, Grade C+
12. Damon Sublett, 2B, Grade C+ (love this guy)
13. Andrew Brackman, RHP, Grade C+ (could slot anywhere from 9 to 20 depending on what you want to emphasize)
14. Jeffrey Marquez, RHP, Grade C+
15. George Kontos, RHP, Grade C+
16. Kevin Whelan, RHP, Grade C+ (check those K/IP and H/IP, but command?)
17. Frank Cervelli, C, Grade C+ (great glove, bat?)
18. David Robertson, RHP, Grade C+ (stunning numbers)
19. Jairo Heredia, RHP, Grade C+
20. Zach McAllister, RHP, Grade C+

From minor league baseball.com

http://www.minorleagueball.com/story/2007/12/17/14218/226

Joba is a jackhammer!!!

Thanks, Jon K.

Again, more than half the top prospects listed are RHP.

Got New Rings? How did your Giants and Jets do yesterday? How is their future with their current QB and Coaches?

Did the Rag$s play yesterday? How did that turn out?

Catch the Pats, Celtics, Bruins, Sox lately ????

Nice city...You should be proud!

LOSERVILLE !!!!

Yeah and we have 1 IF in the top 10 in John K's posted list and in many around the web there are 0 in the top 10-15. This scares me because as much as I love Jeter, he wont be a SS for ever. This'll be his what, 12th season in the Bronx? I can see him moving to 1B sometime if we get an IF prospect that could play in the MLB. Jeter is tall, athletic, with good footwork a perfect fit for a 1B, only he's not lefty but thats not that important. I'm not saying it's going to happen but it an't be outside the relm of posibilities. We need some strong LHP and IF prospects, the Yankee brass needs to make that happen.

Infielders have not been first priority, and we have not been a top destination for them either, with Rodriguez, Jeter and Cano firmly entrenched.

But you're right, the time is coming when IF prospects will have to become a higher priority.

Got New Rings? How did your Giants and Jets do yesterday? How is their future with their current QB and Coaches?

Did the Rag$s play yesterday? How did that turn out?

Catch the Pats, Celtics, Bruins, Sox lately ????

Nice city...You should be proud!

LOSERVILLE !!!!

**********************

Nice... what kind of tool has the time in his day to post something like this?

Jeter wants to play past his contract and he wants to be the hit leader of MLB. He's too bright to believe that this extended contract will have him at SS. Third base or 1st base are the options. I would prefer him at 1st because how many times will Arod move for the consideration of Derek.

He's coming to the end of the line at SS. I would believe 2009 is his final year at SS fulltime for the Yanks but his athletic ability still will have him playing for the Yanks at some position..

But can you imagine Jeter playing until he's 46 to beat Rose's record?

He's not far ahead of where Rose was at 33. But I don't know at what rate Rose was adding to his numbers in his later years.

I can only see Jeter passing him if he can keep his average up enough do so at an earlier age.

What do you think?

Lets remember that 3-4 years ago the Yankee farm system was ranked dead last in the league. Once Cash Money took control he worked with Gene Michael and Oppenheimer to stock pile as many power arms as possible. Thats why you see so many RHP's on the list. If there was a lefty available that they ranked equal to the RHP's, they would have taken them. The yanks weren’t in a position to reach so they took the best player available each time. It has worked out better than anyone could have expected. As far as the LHP and INF help, the last draft addressed some of those holes. They also have a ton of talent in the Dominican league ( shush Ant Colony ) that is not listed here. Give it another year or two and those players will be available.

Laird - 3B
Montero - C
Carmen Angelini, SS
Juan Miranda - 1b
Abraham Almonte - 2b

Those are just some of the new INF guys that will be up in 2-3 years. Gramps is right though; Cano, Jeter and Arod have at least 5 more years together so we have time with those positions. Next year we will most likely go after Mark Teixeria ( a switch hitting 1B ), so that may solve our 1B issues. In the OF along with Tabata, Gardner and Jackson we have another super star in the making with Kevin DeLeon ( In the Dominican league now ) . He looks like a teenage Alfonso Soriano, but can actually play D.

We have to give a lot of praise to the Yankee Brass that has transformed the farm system from the worst in the league to one of the best in the league in 3 short years. The Yanks invested tons of money in the scouting department over that time and it is paying huge dividends. We just need to stay the course here and not give these guys away.

Larry, I agree, his range is dropping each year. 2nd or 1st will be his future. Cano was a 3B early in his career so maybe we can shift him over and stick Jeter at 2B and A-rod at 1B/DH. Some of the young SS's listed above are Gold Glove caliber defensively and ready to play now. That would strengthen the D big time.

Marianne, this is what Rose did from 34 on.

34 = 210
35 = 215
36 = 204
37 = 198
38 = 208
39 = 185
40 = 140
41 = 172
42 = 121
43 = 72
44 = 35
45 = 107
46 = 52

That's pretty impressive from age 34-39, averaged over 200 per season. The thing to rememeber was that Rose didnt have the power that Jeter did or the basestealing ability.

Rose in 14,053 AB's
HR = 160
SB = 198

Jeter in 7,429 AB's
HR = 195
SB = 264

Those numbers really dont matter with the hit crown, but Derek was more well rounded than Rose. Its going to be very difficult for Derek to get that record since he's not a slap hitter.

It doesn't seem realistic, and Jeter is less likely to play as long. I think Rose needed to as a result of his lifestyle. Jeter makes more and supposedly invests and saves because he wants to establish an ownership group when he retires from playing.

Marianne: I won't sit here and write Derek can play until he's 46. He does take great care of himself but we are talking about MLB. The baseball players of today are truly physical speciments. Be able to play 130+ games a year takes mental toughness plus physical. When Derek hits 35, we'll know better about his ability to play top notch baseball. IMO he will not play if he feels that the game is passing him by. He'll be able to tell when athletes of lesser quality are doing what he can't do in the field, especially at SS. I believe he'll have enough ability to hit and run but not field at WS shortstop play. Third base or First no problem into late 30's beyond this I don't see him in the field that much DH. All things come to an end.

DRU: Another tought on Jeter's power numbers. He's bated 1 and 2 throughout his career. He could have had a bunch more if batting 5,6, or 7. This is why I believe he can be a DH into his early 40's.

Yeah its gonna be a reach to get there for Jeter. We have to remember that Rose needed to leave the Reds 79-84 before finishing up with them again. I doubt that Jeter will ever leave the Yanks. Also remember, these are the Yankees we're talking about here. They will want to win the WS 10-15 years from now just as much as they do today. To keep a 45 year old Jeter just for the hit record is going to be difficult. The Yanks have a track record for letting fan favorites go after they pass their primes.

Keep in mind too that Rose didn't make $18M per season (and he liked to play the ponies I hear) so he was in it for the money longer than his body wanted to play and I don't think Jeter will have that desire (or addiction).

I'd like to see Jeter move to the OF in 2010 or so. He has always handled fly balls very well and he has the arm to play a corner OF spot.

Damn...it seems like yesterday we were thinking "this kid is awesome, he's going to be our shortstop for the next 15 years!"....where does the time go?

Jeter won't catch Rose for most hits but should be able to play until 40-41 yrs old. Give 'em another 1,000 hits and Hall of Fame it is. Jeter and ARod may be approaching milestones at the same time (HR, 3,000 hits). That will be something to watch.

Pete Rose is a guest on the Dennis Miller Show today
I'll see if I can get Dennis to ask a Jeter question

If I can, than I personally credit this illustrious board for helping me do my job

Sully, you're a rose amongst thorns, no pun intended. Go get em killer!

Sully,
You can have Dennis ask Rose if he bets Jeter will break his record or if playing so long is too much of a gamble for him.

Jim, dont bet on it.

Jeter has too much fire in him to be a DH , he will surpass rose , the odds are with him.

Ichiro would have been the corwned king had he played at least three years earlier

Nespn- Jemellie Hill- Pettitte's apology was a joke

[quote]
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=hill/071217&sportCat=mlb

I'm confused. Was Andy Pettitte's admission that he used human growth hormone supposed to be an apology, or an insult to everybody's intelligence?

Don't be so quick to give Pettitte credit for coming forward.
It came off as the latter -- as something so disingenuous, it's laughable. It's hard to take any apology seriously when it contains this loaded statement: "If what I did was an error in judgment on my part, I apologize. I accept responsibility for those two days."

If what I did? Way to be contrite, Andy. Sorry, but this was more than an error in judgment. This isn't throwing to third base when the play was at first. This is your credibility and your reputation.

Some people are racing to pat Pettitte on the back for being one of three players thus far to fall on their swords after being fingered in the Mitchell report. But Pettitte's apology for taking HGH is totally meaningless, and the excuses he offers for his misdeed rank right up there with, "I was just smoking weed for my glaucoma."

Last year, the Los Angeles Times reported that former Yankee Jason Grimsley told the feds Pettitte was one of the players who used performance-enhancing drugs. This is how Pettitte responded to that allegation at the time: "I haven't done anything," he said. "I guess reports are saying I've used performance-enhancing drugs. I've never used any drugs to enhance my performance in baseball before. I don't know what else to say except it's embarrassing my name would be out there."

Now Pettitte wants us to believe he took HGH only twice in 2002, and only because he wanted to heal faster for his team's sake?

Riiiiiighhhhttt.

The only thing Pettitte has demonstrated is that he can lie under duress and then craft an apology that would make any public relations expert proud.

Already the apologists are circling around Pettitte, just as they circled around Rick Ankiel, another PED user who got a free pass because he supposedly used HGH to heal faster. For some reason, that's been framed as selfless, even though the end goal is no different than anyone else's.

Most of us, when trying to heal, go to doctors, who prescribe us legal medication. We don't go to strength trainers. The reason Pettitte went to Brian McNamee, a trainer he shared with Roger Clemens, is because he knew no doctor would ever prescribe him HGH.

"I wasn't looking for an edge. I was looking to heal," Pettitte said.

Sure. And an alcoholic puts whiskey in his/her morning cup of coffee only to prevent the shakes.

There are a lot of legal things that can make you heal faster. But Pettitte happened to pick the one healing remedy that has side effects that include creating new muscle cells, reducing body fat and strengthening bone mineralization. But Pettitte made HGH sound as benign as extra-strength Tylenol.

Athletes are taking HGH like it's candy because they're addicted to how it transforms them. They are risking their careers and their reputations because the payoff is potentially huge. HGH is extending careers, making it possible for pitchers like Pettitte to stay powerful into their 40s. Yet we're supposed to believe Pettitte is the one athlete on Earth who, despite knowing the drug's power, had the self-control to use it for just two days?

Riiiiiighhhhttt.

Every athlete who has admitted using performance-enhancing drugs has a sob story about it, but it usually boils down to a few simple self-serving goals. They want to play. They want to defy nature. They want to be loved. They want to keep their spoils and add more. Pettitte, who put off retirement earlier this month to sign a one-year, $16 million deal with the Yankees, is no different.

But give Pettitte credit for taking a page from Jason Giambi's guide to admitting PED use. Nothing works better than the halfhearted, phony apology.

Page 2 columnist Jemele Hill can be reached at jemeleespn@gmail.com.[/quote]

"You can have Dennis ask Rose if he bets Jeter will break his record or if playing so long is too much of a gamble for him." -Jim A.

HAH !!

Very clever Jim ;-)

Rose...a slap hitter? Do you ever watch him play? He was a one man wrecking machine. He had a motor that never went off. He would beat you anyway he could (ask Bud Harrelson and Ray Fosse). Rose didn't hit in the poor pitching, band bao ball park, juiced ball era. And you can never compare anyones HR stats to a player hitting in Yankee HR Stadium.

Dereks good but no Pete Rose and won't come close to beating his hit record. Focus on the AL record, thats a better chance.

Moundtalk Community Top 100 Prospects 2008

http://www.moundtalk.com/prospects/moundtalk-community-top-100-prospects-2008/

#6 - Joba
#39 - Tabata
#42 - IPK
#46 - Ajax
#93 - Alan Horne
#100 - Betances

[quote]

From Idiot Biased MoundTalk writer says- Are The Yankees Really Building a Farm System?

http://www.moundtalk.com/prospects/are-the-yankees-really-building-a-farm-system/

Praises are often given to the New York Yankees for rebuilding their farm system. Instead of ?buying? their players, G.M. Brian Cashman and crew are developing homegrown talent. But a closer examination reveals something different. I went through the Yankees top prospects and looked at how they were acquired. Philip Hughes- Hughes wasgiven $1.4M and in line with slot money. *Joba Chamberlain- Picked 41st overall in 2006, Joba was signed for $1.1M and over slot money. *Dellin Betances- He was picked in the 8th round of the 2006 draft and signed for a cool million dollars. He received a record amount of money for an eighth round draft pick. *Jose Tabata- signed as an amateur free agent from Venezuela for a half million dollars. *Ian Kennedy- Drafted 21st overall in 2006 and signed for 2.25 million. He was paid more than slot money. *Andrew Brackman- Brackman was taken 27th overall this year and most definitely paid more than slot money getting $3.35M Humberto Sanchez- Was acquired via Sheffield trade Tyler Clippard- signed for 75 grand as a 9th round pick. Not over slot money but at the high end. *Jesus Montero- signed as an amateur free agent from Venezuala for $2M Christian Garcia- drafted in the third round for 390K. Eric Duncan- First round pick from 2003. Signed for 1.25 million. *Mark Melancon- 9th round pick from 2006 for $600,000. That?s over slot money by about a half-million. *Alan Horne- Drafted in the 11th round but given third round money. Francisco Cervelli- I was unable to find out his signing information. JB Cox- Cox was signed for a mere $55,000 as a second round pick in 2005. Jeff Marquez- Signed for $790,000 as a supplemental pick. *Marcos Vechionacci- Signed as an amateur free agent for a quarter million dollars. *Austin Jackson- Signed as an 8th round pick for a then-record $800,000. Shelley Duncan- Second round pick signed for $655,000. *Bradley Suttle- 4th rounder from this year signed for $1.3 million. *Taylor Grote- 274th pick this year signed for a quarter-million dollars. *Carmen Angelini- 334th pick this year signed for a million dollars. Extending this thought a little further, I analyzed the first ten rounds of the 2007 draft and took the signing bonuses (as reported from perfect game cross checker) and regardless of quantity of picks, the Yankees had the third highest total. The Yankees had ten selections in ten rounds. By contrast, the teams who spent more (Washington and Baltimore) selected 13 and 8 players. Baltimore spent 6 of their 7.67 million dollars on Wieters. Not that this is a perfect analysis or a condemnation of the Yankees, but I am trying to highlight that the Yankee?s aren?t building a farm system through scouting and the draft. Instead, they are building it by drafting and paying buys that wanted more money than other teams were willing to give them. Essentially, they were buying their way into a good draft. 13 of their (roughly) top 20 prospects were overpaid. If this is a long term trend, the Yankees are heading into a big game of roulette, but that?s not necessarily bad. It?s paid off for them already with Joba Chamberlain?s recent success. Are the Yankees doing it the ?right way?? No. While they are building one of the better farms systems in baseball, they are doing it by buying players. The list of top prospects that they?ve overpaid is long and if baseball had more legislation over this matter, things would be different. The Yankees wouldn?t have such a great farm system. But baseball doesn?t and the Yankees do. So for now, we?ll have to live with a new era of the rich get richer

A summary of Rose records....

Major League records:
Most career hits - 4,256
Most career games played - 3,562
Most career at bats - 14,053
Most career singles - 3,315
Most career runs by a switch hitter - 2165
Most career doubles by a switch hitter - 746
Most career walks by a switch hitter - 1566
Most career total bases by a switch hitter - 5,752
Most seasons of 200 or more hits - 10
Most consecutive seasons of 100 or more hits - 23
Most consecutive seasons with 600 or more at bats - 13 (1968-1980)
Most seasons with 600 at bats - 17
Most seasons with 150 or more games played - 17
Most seasons with 100 or more games played - 23
Record for playing in the most winning games - 1,972
Only player in major league history to play more than 500 games at five different positions - 1B (939), LF (671), 3B (634), 2B (628), RF (595)
National League records:
Most years played - 24
Most consecutive years played - 24
Most career runs - 2,165
Most career doubles - 746
Most career games with 5 or more hits - 10
Modern (post-1900) record for longest consecutive game hitting streak - 44
Modern record for most consecutive hitting streaks of 20 or more games - 7

Anon - what did you want Andy's response to be? Did you want him to break down and cry, pinky swear it will never happen again? All the apologies from these athletes are halfhearted and phony, from HGH to dog fighting. People in general are only sorry for doing something wrong after they get caught. Then the press comes down on them, their agents say "you better make a statement", the fans are up in arms...so they are forced to hold press conferences and read written statements about how it was wrong what they did and they are sorry. 40 years ago players didnt have to say sh*t about beating up their wives, cheating on their wives, going out and getting drunk and high, getting their girlfriends pregnant. Obviously all those things are wrong, but do we have to hear press conferences about them? Is a public apology necessary? Don’t apologize to the fans, apologize to your damn ( got it right that time Jim ) wife and kids. I dont care to see Koby Bryant apologize to his wife for infidelity, I dont need to see Jason Kidd apologize for slugging his wife, I dont need to see Mike Vick say that he's sorry for killing dogs, or Mark McGuire cry in front of congress about juicing. I dont need to see any of these things, however we live in a time that has several 24x7 news channels along with several 24x7 sports news channels…ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN news, ESPN the ocho, fox news sports, YES and the list goes on and on. These are the only ones screaming for the press conference..know why? BECAUSE THEY ARE THE ONES BROADCASTING IT! They want the rating, they love the controversy so they milk it till the utters are raw.

So don’t get caught up in Andy’s press conference. He did it, we all know, he admitted it so lets move on. When he goes back to the Bronx he will get a standing O the 1st time he pitches. The Yankee fans love him no matter what.

DRU,

With Selig announcing his intent to punish on a case by case basis, I took that to mean that those that moved forward honestly and above board would be spared and those that took the hardline would be subject to reprisal. Andys response seems in the middle so do you think Selig will dole out a suspension to Pettitte?

Nudge - Rose was the man, but many of those records were set just by him being around so long...games played, most AB's. Its like Farve these days breaking Marino's passing records, he's just been around much longer than anyone. His slugging percentage indicates a singles hitter, not taking anything away from him because he was one of the best ever. Jeter does have a shot though at besting his hit record. Even if he gets close, Jeter will have better all around numbers than Rose and has to be considered a better player. Those are big if's though.

By the way, Yankee stadium is the hardest place to hit HR's for a right handed hitter. A-rod just broke the all time Yankee record this year. That's why Teddy Baseball was almost traded for Joe-D, Teddy was a better fit for Yankee stadium and Joe was a better fit for Fenway.

Paris Hilton is looking for 'a nice boy'

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/paris_hilton

BERLIN - Paris Hilton is looking for a boyfriend and knows exactly what qualities Mr. Right should possess.

"Right now I'm single but I am looking for a nice boy," she told reporters in Berlin on Wednesday. "He should be funny, smart and loyal."

The celebrity heiress, author, singer, perfume designer and reality TV star was in the German capital to take part in an advertising campaign for Rich Prosecco — a sparkling wine that is to be sold in cans.

Hilton said she was planning to visit one of Berlin's Christmas markets, the city's famous museums and had already been partying at Berlin's trendy Cookies club.

Hilton, wearing a black glittering dress and a golden chain and cross around her neck, also told reporters that she is making an effort to personally contribute to protecting the environment.

"I changed all the light bulbs to energy safe light bulbs and I'm buying a hybrid car right now," Hilton said, adding she also turned off the lights at home, didn't leave the TV on or the water running when she left the home.

"Little things that people can do every day to make a huge difference."

Nudge - I think that has a lot to do with the press conference being held. Its going to be hard for Bud to punish players based on the evidence they have on the guilty parties. A suspension based on this report would cause the players association to go nuts. There would be a huge trial with big shot lawyers on each side dragging it out. I dont see it happening.

I am looking for a nice boy = check
He should be funny = check
smart = check
loyal = working on it.

Do I get K-Fed money when I dump her?

Sully,

That would be something! Lol!!!

As far as Jeter reaking Rose's records............it is possible not probable , imho. They share alot of the same qualities regarding hitting and playing the game correctly.

4,000 plus hits............that's alotta hits....whew!

Dru,

You can do better than Paris ;-)

Anon - 14:18.....always haters around to bash the Yanks even when they try to build from the draft. I see those as good investments. ; )

DRU,

These days good hitters go the opposite field with power. In Rose's days it was all about pull hitting for power. Even a RH hitter in Yankee satdium standa a better chance than someone playing in Forbes Field, 3 Rivers, Candlestick Park, Shea Satdium, Veterans Field, Busch Stadium etc etc etc. These NL stadiums rank as the tougher stadiums in the history of MLB for HR's

As for Jeter vs Rose, its always hard to compare players from different eras using lifetime stats. You have to look more at their relative place among their contemporaries. Rose was a monster of his time at the things he did well. Jeter is "one of the better" SS of his time. He has a way to go to be in the same tier of players as Rose was in his time.

Dru,

That anon post makes me laugh! Players have been acuired that way for years. Plus , how does 6 players in their top 100 make NY's farm overrated?

here's a link that had the Top 100 prospects in MLB going into the 2007 season (alot of these guys made BIG splashes in '07) ...

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/features/263445.html

Certainly not perfect ... they had Dice-K 1st (ummm, I don't think so) and Joba #75 (below Humber ... once again, swing and a miss!!!)

Fun to look back though ... on this list they have Hughes #4, Tabata #27, Sanchez #57, Joba #75 and Betances #100

No Kennedy, no Jackson and no Horne.

Regarding overpaying for draft picks:

Its smart. Look at the numbers the Yankees are paying, 1-3 million. Can you even get a major league backup infielder for that? By "buying" players when they are draft picks, you save millions on free agents, who also might not pan out (see Pavano, Carl) but who will be much, much more expensive.

If you pay a player 2 million and they are a bust, you can live with it, 20 million hurts a little more.

Seth,

Excellent point and so true! Plus , as I posted before , this is nothing new. I remember the 80's Blue Jays having a seemingly endless pipeline to The Dominican Republic.....doing exactly the same thing.

Nudge - very true my friend, Im just a wh*re for stats. Like I said it would take some BIG IF's to have him surpass Rose.

Realist....All your team blow donuts.....

Greetings from TITLETOWN!!!

PATS,SOX,CELTICS......CAN U DIG IT ??????????? SUCKAHHHHHHHHSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

Bri - yeah those minor league rankings are moving targets. The top 20 I had before was from scout.com, not baseball America...my bad.

http://yankees.scout.com/

Its a great site if you spend a couple bucks. Might be a nice X-Mas gift to purchase a year’s subscription for someone.

Lol....all my TEAM blow donuts???

Wow , how will I ever come back from that??? Wow , just wow is all I can say. ALL MY TEAM BLOW DONUTS........geez the humanity...........

Lol....all my TEAM blow donuts???

Wow , how will I ever come back from that??? Wow , just wow is all I can say. ALL MY TEAM BLOW DONUTS........geez the humanity...........

Btw, TitleTown Anon,

I have been a Celtic fan longer than you have been alive......so I guess that means they blow donuts as well?

I love to blow donuts, especially with cream filling. Wait a second..Boston Cream....hmmmmmm. Thats how he knew about blowing donuts...sicko

Seth,

One has nothing to do with the other. Your draft picks are your draft picks. The payment is what you negotiate with them after drafting to bring them to contract. It has no effect on the ML rostaer and player move at the big league level. It as a simple as this...Yankees draft ......DRU as their #1 pick, 24th overall in the draft as a Sophmore out of ....HGH University. The Yankees say to DRU, we offer you 500,000 as a bounus and the standard contract for a #1 pick in the draft. DRU says go pound salt I'll stay in college. Yanks then say OK we'll up that to $1.5M since you are a pitcher and we have claimed we are rebuilding our farm system. DRU says OK thats better I will sign as long as you promise to overhype me and move me high into the ranking lists that you guys put up on blogs so it looks like I may really stand a chance at being a big league star. Hank Steinbrenner says DONE! and thats what happens.

Meanwhile at the big league level, Hank and Cashman are signing Kei Igawa and trading for Vizcaino independant of DRU's high profile signing.

Im famous!!!! YO ADRIAN..WE DID IT!!!!