On the Yankees beat

I thought this was as impressive a win as they've had all season... considering that they still aren't hitting... (besides Cano tonight...)

Mussina's been great!

That's all... just a couple of obvious observations.

DOC

Yes the Yankees played well except for the hitting. The lineup will strain for runs with the holes in it until Arod and Posada come back thus forcing pitchers to be perfect on more hitters.

Maybe its me but Cano was thrown out on the hit and run last night. He just doesn't do the little things in the game IMHO. And no coaching staff except for Bowa could get some response from him.

Anyone else with this observation? Is the kid dense?

don't look now but it is warm, plus they was in a dome.

does this mean that Robbie Cano is a warm weather player???

if so can someone tell when the WS or playoff's is played?

I saw last night Chip brought up the possiblity of options if Harden was to get traded and mentioned Kennedy along with OF prospects.

I would'nt do that deal.

Harden is a risk factor but one worth taking but not at that price the A"s would be doing what I said this team should be doing and that is trading middle of the road players either through Injury or age and trading away for prospects.

My response to that offer would be and OF prosect along with lower tier prospects.

I do like the frddy garcia option and it should be explored, Not to upset the GM but you have to be baseball smart or instinct to be in this business having smarts is good but when there is no instincts then you can have dead spells.

Cano's average is now over .200!!!

But what was fun to watch last night was Mussina (too old...;-) on the mound 'playing with their minds' as he put it afterwards, and the Captain (bad defense...;-) with his 'just in time' pounce for the dp.

Looking forward to Kennedy tonight. His second and third times through their lineup should tell us whether he had an epiphany in Scranton. Or not.

Willie couldn't resist pushing back Santana's start so he could show him off at the Stadium.

We're in Willie's head.

From the NY Post

"The Yankees continue to move minor league pitchers up. Alfredo Aceves and Eric Hacker will be promoted from Tampa (Single-A) to Trenton (Double-A), and Daniel McCutchen will go from Trenton to SWB. McCutchen could be a help in the big leagues before the season is over."

Yes Cano's average is above the Mendoza line.

The latest incarnation of Moose looked great.He's now 6-3 .

For anyone who didn't see my post last night - Much as I would like to believe that a May game can't be big or small, last night's win was very big. Not that we saw something special from the team, because the offense certainly didn't break out in any way; but instead because of how long this losing streak could have potentially been.

With the matchups in the next four games (Kennedy vs. Kazmir, Rasner vs. Johan, Andy vs. Perez - not that Perez is good but the Yankees can't hit lefthanded pitching right now - and Wang vs. Maine) there's a very real chance that the Yankees could lose all four of those games - that would be a 7 game losing streak. Now they still might lose all of those games in which case 6 out of 7 is not good - but at least they got the one win to stop the snowballing.

CHIP

Yanks will be trading relief pitching which they happen to be strong in throughout the farm system for power.Otherwise all these pitchers McCutcheon,Cox,Robertson etc. have no further to go than Scranton.

LARRY

I think the botched hit and run w/ Cano last night was more Girardi's attempt at being aggresive on the base paths then Cano's IQ.

CHIP

I took you for a glass half full kind of person rather than a glass half empty.

The Yanks have done OK vs. upper crust starting pitching this yr.

You can't really fault Cano for getting thrown out on a hit and run. It's the hitter's responsibility to make contact on that play.

Cano has never been a base stealing threat.

I think Larry Bowa's influence on Cano has been a bit exaggerated. I mean, is Cano really any different now than he was at this time last season?

I don't think so. He didn't start hitting last year until the middle of May either.

Here are Cano's current numbers:

.205 BA, 4 HR, 12 RBI, .578 OPS

Here's his numbers exactly one year ago (5/15/07):

.237 BA, 1 HR, 16 RBI, .599 OPS

Not much of a difference, is it?

That's not to say Bowa isn't a great coach because he is. But his influence on Cano has always been rather exaggerated. Bowa was more influential in Cano's footwork and other aspects on the defensive side of the ball far more than with the bat.

But still I think the answer to your question, Larry, is yes--
the kid is dense.

Fortunately he's got physical talent, and is apparently amiable.

I said many many times on this blog over the winter that the Yanks needed Moose to log innings for this team.

Little did I know that he would pitch this well.

Ruse: Upper crust pitching yes - left handed pitching NO

Unrelated note:

Did anyone catch the 3 minute montage of Manny-B-Manny moments on Baseball Tonight last night? It was inspired by his latest one where he went back on a fly ball, caught it, jumped up to high five a sox fan in the stands and then threw back to double up Aubrey Huff.

I'll say it right now, if Man-Ram played in the National League he would be one of my favorite players. Not because of his ability at the plate, but because in a league that is so corporate, so bent out of shape about celebrations, where you have guys like Sheffield and Bonds who act as if playing baseball and earning millions is some sort of hardship that they endure and we should thank them for it, Manny legitimately enjoys himself every day. Win a game, lose a game, Manny is either smart enough or dumb enough to keep it all in perspective. If his antics give the other team a run, he has the ability to get it back. Believe it or not, HE is part of what's good about the game.

And now I'm going to throw up.

Chip,
I saw the Manny thing and I, having always wanted him to be a Yankee (I'm not ashamed to admit that at all) came away liking him even more. Sure it's hard to like him when he's wearing the uniform he currently wears, but that guy is not only funny, but he laughs at himself better than any player I've seen in a long time. Oh and it helps that he will go down as one of the greatest RH hitters in baseball history.

Viper: Couldn't agree more on your Bowa/Cano post.

Baseball is a lot like football where in the fans eyes the best player on the team is the backup QB. It seems we are among folks who are in love with minor league players for what they might become more than what they are. Every time the team goes in a funk, and this happens at least a few times per season, it's "get rid of this guy, that guy and the other guy and call up all these youngsters, they'll get the job done!". Some call people fair weather fans, yet in their next breath they want everyone fired, released, traded or whatever. Hey, enjoy that weather!

Jim A.,

Manny is hilarious.

One of the biggest mistakes, in my mind, of NYY FO in recent years was not grabbing him when Boston was trying to give him away and Man-Ram came out and said he wanted to play in NY. Sigh.

And:

I agree with you completely about what I have referred to in the past as 'trade/fire/mutilate/kill' posts.

They're starting a little early this year, but are otherwise as usual -- boring, predictable and pointless.

Mr. Ruse

The youth can come up here if strategic movement was made.
again I will repeat you can be smart but you have to posess baseball instincts.

if the redsox was willing to place Manny on waivers then you can DFA a few guys on this squad , yes the return profit may not be as good but you can scour for mediocore talent at least.

Moose was and is a vital part of the rotation since the team could not move him and to bring up Miss Diane's point of age balance the case is proven in Ranser's ability to come in and fit right in.

My preference if I was GM was to make Andy the oldest in the staff but that was not realistic since Mosse was not going anywhere with that you build around that concept. In knowing moose was staying put the rotation should had been built in regards to that struture.

Kennedy's and Rasners starts from this day on is Vital due to it being a perfect balance if Kennedy fails or rasner fizzles then the strong possibility of a Garcia in pinstripes becomes a reality your not going to mortgage the future for a broken pitcher in Harden but you will chance the signing of freddy which like Mr. Chip said would balance the rotation for next season.

In my observation Hughes was prematurley rushed up due to the pitching crisis of last season he was and probally is still not ready for the big leagues he had to place himself in that mood due to the call for him to be a savior hughes should be inserted when either Moose or Andy is gone this makes the signing of a Garcia type pitcher important . it would insert a yonger but still veteran presence in the rotation.

Unlike last season when the team rallied the team ignored any chance of movement this should not be the case it is proven that this team is not full season performers and to repeat last season's 2nd half surge is premature .

Player movement should be considered as options occur.

nothing is impossible

Manny being Manny...I used to hate that guy, since he killed the Yanks his entire career going back to his monster years in Cleveland, BUT I really think I love him now. It was like MJ back in the 80's and 90's. Since Im a big Knicks fan, I hated Jordan because he killed my team, but when he was gone I missed him. Like Chip, Diane, and Jim A pointed out, he is what's good in the game ( sad to say ), which is just going out there and having fun. I will say though that he gets away with this kind of stuff because he's one of the greatest RH hitters of our generation and will be in the Hall. If a guy like JD Drew treid that stuff, he would be benched. Oh well, you know the Sox will resign him after this season, so we get to love/hate him for at least another couple years. I really feels weird to want the Sox to sign him for another 4-5 years...but its true.

Here's to you Manny, you crazy bastard!

BB, I agree with you about Hughes. Through no fault of his own the young man was rushed up before he had a chance to develop his mature strength and endurance. Quite likely if he had been brought along at a more measured pace he would not have been so injury-prone. But we'll never know.

As for Kennedy, though he moved quickly through the minors he already had college baseball under his belt, and is two years older than Hughes, so I continue to maintain that he was not that rushed. His problems are not physical.

Delving into strange stats:

Giambi when he bats

5th .132 7-53

6th .143 2-14

7th .323 10-31 5 HR

Yes Diane I use My new Power Name the luck seems to work in getting past this site issues with posting.

As for Hughes I admit will eat crow in my anger towards him and after reading in too it I say he was placed in a stressful situation at no fault of his own. seeing him walking with swagger you would have thought he was a 20 game winner but perhaps since he is back on earth with glasses we'll see. I would not dare put him in the rotation this season unless they have too. I am more poised in having Joba in the rotation at this time than hughes .

the offense has to change forget waiting for it to come around these players have to go if that means trades and promoting up youth and basically letting the season play it self out with the Youth then be it but do not try to salvage a season with inconsistant junk.

People say teams like the rays would not want any of our guys.

I laugh because I see cliff floyd running around in their uniform
that tells me they would jump loops if we offer Bobby Abreau for some prospects.

they have enough prospects to make deals

the Yankees need to be in the same thinking

Hey Jim, just reread your post. I will assume that the reference to someone saying "fair weather fans" or "bring up the kids" was directed toward myself since I made that statement yesterday. You guys all crack me up, alll these secondary references, just come out and say peoples names instead of "spyblog games". You guys are so clever...lol

Listen, no matter if the Yanks were winning or losing, I would still love to move....Giambi, Farnsworth, Moose, Matsui, Damon, Abreu if possible ( who will all be gone in the next two seasons ). Can we pull it together and win some games this year? Sure. Does it look like we have a squad that can go deep into the playoffs and win a WS? Maybe, anything is possible when you make the playoffs. I never said that a AAA kid is going to come up and carry the Yanks, or even do as well as the above players I would love to move. However, we need to get younger. My post yesterday listing the ages of our players indicates that we are a team averaging 33-35 years old. If we need "balance", moving these secondary parts would be a good option. Jim, you said it yourself that this is a transition year. So if you had the option to move the above players for young talent, would you? Or are you just covering your @ss by saying this is a transition year? Arod, Jeter, Posada, Mo...will all be here for at least the next 4 years. Thats more than enough players nearing 40 for 1 team. We need a young 1B, 2 OF's, 2-3 SP's and more bullpen guys. Do we have some prospects would "could" fill that roll, sure, but there's nothing wrong with having some more.

So to Jim and "I add nothing, but respond with little digs whenever I can..Diane"...I will enjoy the weather. Now Diane can go back to her snide general remarks.

You guys are the best! Dont go changing on me!!!!

Dru,
First, you don't know me and you will probably never see me so you can just continue getting all snotty and smart alecky and then accusing others of doing so. The fact is you are not the only person who accuses people of being fair weather fans when the going gets bad with the Yanks but if you were I would have addressed my post to you directly so I think you are being a little sensitive. Why would I be "afraid" to post something directed directly toward you? Like I said, we'll probably never meet so if I were a coward like some of our not so regular visitors, I could simply hide in cyberspace and say anything I want. It was a general statement. I've been hanging around this blog for a couple of years and I see patterns when bumps hit the road.

You started out on this blog as a pretty cool guy but lately, and frankly, you've been a dick. I don't know what crawled up in your goonya, but whatever it is, get over it and get back to treating people like.....people. Please. I still enjoy your posts dude, but like Sgt. Hulka said "lighten up, Frances".

Dru,

It's been a long (and mostly pleasurable) conversation for some of us, and sometimes we refer back to earlier parts of the discourse.

My attitude towards the periodic spates of 'trade/fire/mutilate/kill' brand of posts is familiar to those who are now seeing it on this blog for what? the third season? So they don't imagine it's addressed to any one blogger. You needn't do so, either -- unless you are getting too much pleasure imagining you are the center of something to give it up?

But perhaps the best way to deal with this sort of thing is to ignore it.

I'll respond to you again when you come up with something interesting about baseball.

THERE IT IS!!!! Thats the fire Im looking for, we need the Yanks to get this passion!

Jim, never said you were a coward my friend, but when someone make a general post, and refers to exact words in my post, I can only assume that it was directed towards me. I know Ive only been here for a short while, but I also see this same pattern over and over again. A person makes a post, and the the "regulars" indirectly address it in the same thread. Now you could have made a blanket statement, maybe I fell under that blanket, maybe I didnt. I will tell you this though, if I have an issue with someone's statement, and wanted to discuss it, I will address them directly. Maybe thats just the way I was raised. And hey, even though I didnt call you a coward, all is forgiven for calling me a dick...which actually made me laugh..lol

Diane, what else can I say to you that hasnt already been said by countless others. If anyone makes a statement that you dont like, you are the queen of making an indirect statement. How many of your posts start with "dont you hate when people...." Hiding and waiting for your chance to pounce on other's opinions. I guess thats why they gave you the name "ninja", as time goes on, it all becomes clearer. Guys like Nudge, Viper, Say Hey, Ant Colony, and several Anons seem to get run out of town so to speak by the regulars. They are deemed crazy or angry or just stupid, but at least they have opinions and stick by them.

Oh well guys, nothing personal, this is all just BS anyway. Lets get back to baseball. Let me start that off by saying....the Yanks need to get younger...I would love to debate that topic with anyone and come up with possible solutions. Oh, one more thing, if you would like to discuss that topic, you can direct it to...

DRU

Hugs and Kisses

xoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Diane,

Just have to state the facts as to an earlier statement you made about Willie having to push Santana back. To dat Santana has gone on 4 days rest only 2 time the entire season so not pushing him back would have been Willie taking unusual action where as him starting on 5 days is the norm.

Just so ya know.

ruse,

Also to correct inaccuracy commonly stated.....even though the Mendoza line is always quoted as below .200....thats the interstate.

Mario Mendoza of the Mendoza line fame was a SS that hit .215 so Cano has a little work to reach the Mendoza line.

Just a little historical perspective there.

Nudge,

Apologies if I took too much for granted in thinking Filip Bondi of the Daily News knew the Mets schedule (as I certainly don't).

Here's what he said:

"Here are the options for the Mets, when it comes to the immediate future of Johan Santana, franchise pitcher:

Option A: Keep him in rhythm on five days' rest, starting him Thursday in 70-degree weather against a division opponent and then have him ready to go again in six days.

Option B: Pitch Santana out of his normal rotation in wet, 50-degree weather tomorrow night against a team from another league, losing an extra day for his next start, and the start after that, and the one after that."

That's what I get for trusting the tabs ... ;-)

Poor Viper to be placed in such company. tsk tsk

Diane does her post and will give the person a chance to respond.

at the end of the day we are all fans.

Diane responds to people who think they know the answer and will be so sure of it that they will call you crazy if you try to voice your own opinion. I guess I am doing the not naming names right.

so here goes a few names..

Chip - I seen him call rick names on the regular

Ruse get hot once in ahwile

Michael Ptrs - well we all know this hot head LOL at least he admits it.

that names a few

Wrong, Nudge. The Mendoza line is below .200. You are correct that Mario Mendoza was a .215 career hitter, but in 1979 he hit a whopping .198. However, it is actually named for Minnie Mendoza who hit .188 in 1970 as a Twin. So if you are hitting below .200, you are known to be hitting below the Mendoza line. According to sources, The Sporting News started using that term in 1970 whereas Mario Mendoza wasn't playing ML ball until 1974.

So congratulations, Robinson...you are above the Mendoza line!

BB - I guess we are all guilty of blowing our lids from time to time. Hell, I was even barking at you a couple weeks ago.

I will self proclaim myself a hot head, please include me on your next list.

; )

Jim A: Much like you came to defend Rick since you've met him, etc., I can say much the same for DRU. He's a guy with a lot of passion and is sick of the status quo. He's a guy I'd enjoy having a beer with and watching a game anytime, and it wouldn't have to be just a Yankee game as he's a baseball fan, not just a Yankee fan, and he's a sports fan. He may have some outbursts, but they're outbursts in passion. During the preseason, many people acknowledged that the Yankee team was basically the same team that had an amazing run after a slow start in 2007 and without pitching problems like this past year, should perform better. I know Diane was a big proponent of this idea. The problem that has become evident is that the theory there was that because we'd be plugging in more talented pitchers at the 4/5 spots that it would translate to increased success. The thing that I know I wasn't ready for, but can see as obvious now is the damage that has been done to some of our more talented young pitchers by being rushed into MLB action. Kennedy and Hughes were each rushed in different ways, but both will still be successful. The counter was that other teams (most notably Detroit, Seattle, and Anaheim) had gotten better around us. Tampa was on that list, but were looked at as a year away. I still think they're a year away, but I'd put my money on the Rays making the playoffs in 2009. No one thought anything of Baltimore though and Toronto was a team that didn't make a big move, but was counting on the return of their closer and growth of young pitchers. Maybe that's a model we can follow for developing our rotation, but that's another conversation.

As far as turning over our roster, it depends on how literally you take it. I for one haven't liked Giambi since day 1. I didn't want to give up Tino and now that it's Giambi's final year with the team, I kind of want to start a countdown to when he's gone. Farnsworth, so far, as I predicted, is pitching mostly effectively. My preseason prediction was an ERA of 3.88 siting a contract year, a new manager, and his history of inconsistency, both good and bad as my reasons. Sully laughed at me for several threads in a row, but I didn't back down on that. Even still, he's the kind of inconsistency I don't want on the team at the end of the year. As far as Abreu, I've never floundered on the idea that he should be let go at the end of the year. In fact, last year I was looking to make 2008 a REAL transition year. I wanted to pick up Abreu's option and then trade him, hoping to get a Sheffield type return or prospects and to trade Moose in his final year, figuring if someone took RJ, someone would give us something for only one year of Moose since his contract at ~$11 million was reasonable. I'm in favor of Gardner in CF and Melky in RF next year and have gone well into stats on why I think it could work. This comes despite the fact that in general, I say that steals are overrated and statistically, trying to steal a base does more harm than good. We had this debate last year on here since I started it. Basically, if you don't steal at above 80%, you're hurting your team. As far as getting rid of Damon or Matsui, I'm for letting them play out their contracts and then let's re-evaluate. Let's see how AJack, Tabata, Carson, Curtis, Gonzalez, and Battle are doing. I'm sure I just named some names you're not familiar with and that's ok. I went as far down as Tampa naming OFs. There's a good chance that in 2010, none of those guys are ready, so you want to be open to options in LF. At the same time, since I wanted a real transition year, if the right deal came for Matsui and more so Damon, you take it and deal with the team losing this year, since with my full transition plan, it's what probably would have happened. Matsui has value that is much greater to the team because of the Japanese market. I still don't know how I feel about Tex and that's because of Jeter. He annoys me at SS. He can't play defense and those (I'm vague here because I can't remember who is on which side of this arguement) that argue against it are only doing so because you never call somebody's baby ugly.

Unfortunately all of this comes in the final year of the stadium and the step down of the Boss. That has complicated things quite a bit. The way the Yanks played their hand, this year is not a transition year, it's trying to win and incorporate a little bit of change on the fly. I have been told many times that my hopes were too high for the kids and that my hopes were too high for all of the bullpen arms, but that doesn't change what I think and what I see.

Chip: I saw the same report, but was a little surprised about Hacker, because I thought he was pulled from his last start due to injury. Dan actually had one of his worst outings for TT 2 days ago, but is definitely the most deserving SP in their rotation for the promotion. After another atrocious spot start by Heath, they had to do something. There just aren't enough bullpen arms in SWB for them to send a RP out as a starter every 5th day, especially this week when one of their starters was pulled after one inning (IPK, obv). I think the next move will be a swap of Wright and Marquez. Marquez is not handling AAA competition well. He's pitching up in the zone much too often. Throw in the fact that Nardi Conteraras was with TT yesterday and it all makes sense.

HYD:

Yes, I was one of those optimists. Or should say, still am -- too early for me to say these guys can't do what they did last year, especially when you remember that they were considerably further out of first at this point last season.

You definitely can claim kudos for predicting a better season for the bullpen! They are a bright spot for us now, instead of a dark corner that one didn't want to look into too closely for fear of seeing something too yucky.

Regrettably I have severely overcommitted myself this afternoon so I won't get to see the game in real time, and in order to come to Mason country innocent to enjoy the replay I'll have to avoid your company until after it's over.

Go Yanks!

You can place Giambi on DFA it can be done and guess what a team will come and talk,

You can trade Matusi or Damon the angels for one would jump on this deal as would the Tigers if the Yanks are out of it.

the pen is good but lets not get it twisted if a deal for Kyle comes along you pull trigger.

Abreau should be heavily pushed feelers should be out there that this man is avail.

robinson cano is safe until a 2nd baseman with more promise becomes avail. this current team needs not seasonal hitters this is not bernie era yanks when such a thing was possible plus we all knew how bernie was come OCT.

As I stated Kennedy and Rasner starts are key and if they fail no you do not place a hughes back in the rotation you go out and sign Garcia or one like him in age and etc. if you can get an roy oswalt for cheap then do it.

Chip: Kris Benson could become similar to Garcia. There's an opt out in his contract for June 1 and the Phillies might let him go since he's not progressing as quickly as hoped.

HYD,
I have nothing but love for Dru and most everyone on here, even the Nudger! I like it when people come on here and express their thoughts and so forth and I have absolutely no problem with that or anyone else. I didn't mean Dru is a (rhymes with sick) so much as I meant he'd been acting like one lately but hey, I've been known to do that on occasion myself (just ask Rick about the parking garage in Cleveland) and to be honest, Dru is one of my favorites on here, along with you, Rick, Bomber, Diane (who was busting my b*lls the other day), BossTrots (Islander fan, good man!), John G., Ruse, Nudge, Viper, Michael Z., Chip...heck, most everyone. I even catch myself reading Ant's posts which is sort of like touching the plate after the waiter says "this plate is really, really hot so don't touch it", and then you do and you burn your hand and you think "why the heck did I just do that?".

We all have our moments right?.

So Dru, I apologize if you thought I was trying to single you out, it wasn't the case.
I'm still hoping we can get some type of "Yankees Beat" get together sometime, maybe next summer at a S.I. Yanks game or something....that would be great.

Back to baseball: If Mike Mussina continues to pitch the way he has been, I'm hosting a crow BBQ at my house and I'll see if I can get Mike to come and throw baseballs at me. What the heck got into this guy and better yet, where would this team be without him right now? I know Chip and I have been outspoken about our dislike of the Moose, but he has been great lately. Let's hope the youngsters are soaking up some knowledge while he is still around.

Third attempt to post....I had to edit out some bad words.

If the Yanks really wanted to be rid of Giambi, Matsui or Damon, they would have to eat almost their whole salaries (maybe not so much Matsui) and if they made that offer, I think Seattle would take one of them and Oakland might take another.
I don't see any of that happening until or if the Yankees raise the white flag because they have to think they would rather have those guys on the team if they are going to pay them anyway.

I read somewhere the other day that Sandy Koufax, who I think is about 70 right now, can still throw a ball in the mid-80-'s. I'd give him a two year deal in a minute right now!

Diane: I appreciate your reply. I'm just amaze at how the Red Sox's play a kid named Pedroia at second base who many scouts have indicated did not belong in the majors and get a return of 150% from his talent.

Cano on the other hand appears to have talent in abundance especially hitting. I watch him at second base and for a guy who played second base in college. His arm is unbelievable and his hands are so soft but the mental aspect of some things that he does just drive me insane. If he ends up with 5 triples for the year he should have 20. He just doesn't bust it out of the box. His strike zone knowledge should be better. I understand guys at the big league level have breaking picthes that would defy physical science to the human eye but he should know height of the strike zone botht high and low.

I wish your boy Johnny D. would get it together real soon.

Larry,
When Cano and Wang came up a couple years ago, wouldn't you say the Yankees got 150% of what was expected back then? How about Melky last year? especially after his debut the season before when he had that awful game against Boston and not many Yankee fans ever wanted to see him again. Sometimes teams get lucky and sometimes they don't. Keep in mind that hopes were extremely high for Craig Hansen in Boston and as yet, he has not been very good.

Nice interview w/ Joba here:

http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080514&content_id=2697823&vkey=news_nyy&fext=.jsp&c_id=nyy

the best part about cano is that he was an under the radar prospect. so much under the radar that BC was going to throw him in a offer for Jamie Moyer which seattle then turned down.

he is a good player and possibly a star here or potential trade bait

Jim A: and anon: you both bring out a good point with Cano and Melky's return coupled with their bright future's. I guess its my perception with the Sox's winning 2 of 4 that their younger players and older players have produced beyond a fans expectations thus the WS victories.

I understand the Yankee transition and back it 100% but I want it done overnight just another crazy fan who watches practically everynight.

Larry M you are 100% correct and what the org. has to realize is what true value does this team holds in terms of talent and which talent is worth keeping one that performs ok may still be tradeable.

one of the key trades for the Yankees was the Chuck Knoblach trade (people may remember his latter years) in all honesty this was a Big trade that help shape the dynasty. the '96 team in no way was going to be a dynasty so they added the parts and knobby was a big part that still suffers today. if knobby have given us another 3 years of good baseball this team would have won at least two more addtl WS. Johnny damon is not a leadoff hitter anymore that is a cold reality , however he could be a productive number 2 hitter.

when this scene was played out on Comp Sim. damon stats were actually better as a number two hitter, the key may be to again find a number 1 hitter . could that be Gardner or Jackson?

Jim A: I was at SI a few weeks ago for the Back to Baseball Bash. Unfortunately, the weather was poor, but it was still nice all the same. This year, all of their food is going to be freshly grilled and they were letting us sample the burgers, hot dogs, and chicken. I liked it. It had a fresh, crisp taste. I bought a 7 pack of tickets, mainly because you get to go to their Old Timers game as a gift when you buy a package, but also to see those kids play as we have had some good prospects play their in recent years (Wang, Betances, Cervelli, Sublett just to name a few). Anyway, while I was at the event, they offered a brief tour. I think the main purpose of the tour was to show you the luxury boxes that they offer. For a single game, you can pay $1,000 for 20 people and it includes beer and wine. I can't remember if it included food or not. I want to say it does, but that might just be because my tickets include an all you can eat package. Anyway, it seems like a pretty good deal if we ever wanted to play a get together there. It includes less than 20 outdoor seats in front of the box though, so not everyone could be sitting and watching at the same time, but I doubt everyone would want to anyway.

How soon we forget that Knoblauch greatly underachieved in Yankee pinstripes. He was never even close to the same player with the Yanks that he was in Minnesota.

Another example of someone whose individual status has been elevated because the team won rings with him. He only hit .265 in his first season with the Yanks in 1998.

You'll also remember that Knoblauch was a DH often during his last couple of seasons with the club because he was such a headcase and couldn't play the field.

The Yanks got rid of him when he was still young (32) and he was out of baseball altogether after a final horrific season in KC when he hit .210. He retired at 33.

Johnny Damon has unquestionably had the better individual career.

HYD,
I wonder if those boxes sell out early? I think it's too late to try to plan it this year, but a gathering of this gang next year, in one of those boxes, sounds awesome to me.

I don't know if another stadium might make a get together more attractive (Trenton?) but the reason I chose S.I. is I figured most people on this blog live in and around NY. I haven't lived in NY for over 20 years but I'd drive there for a meeting like this.

How about this, what if everyone were to add their state designator to their blog names for a while, just so we could see where everyone hails from as we try to plan something?

Weird, I added "VA" to my name and it got stripped off. I'll try again.

I'll try to make whatver you guys put together.

Viper..

Knobby was the better TEAM guy while Damon had higher hr's the avg was the same while Knobby had the edge in walks and in steals with that said it's also worth noting that knobby steals for example was achieved in prime moments. Get on in the 1st steal a base and was scored.

lets also not forget that the team was in the WS every year he was here.

Damon should be a number two hitter and a get on base guy via walk etc and steal a base immediatley should leadoff

Bomber,

You can't compare the Yankee teams of the late 90s as opposed to now. That's absurd.

I think the immense depth of their starting pitching had a little more to do with those rings than Knoblauch at the top of the lineup.

Cone, Clemens, Wells, Pettitte, El Duque, etc, etc.

Pitching is and always will be the name of the game.

Give last year's Yankee team that rotation depth and I guarantee they don't lose in the First Round against the Tribe, especially a team that scored 968 runs.

Once again, you have elevated a player's individual status because the team won rings with him. Put Damon on those teams in place of Knoblauch and they would not have skipped a beat.

that is what you assume

what is factual regardless of wether of not it's ABSURB (Note) is the fact that Knobby did his leadoff duties more so than Damon has on a consistant basis. we are not ness. talking stats here we all talking getting it done. even in a slump once Knobby was on base his play answered in true leadoff form.

the last week gave us solid pitching while our offense continues to slump even in victory and that is becasue the play of the offense is weak even while they slump.

the 2000 SP was not great but we had a bunch of get it done guys that filled in gaps when needed we had the likes of nagle in our rotation and while he never did what the team envisioned he pitched his innings. the Offense was scrappy but got it done and more creative trades were performed. 02' should have been the rebuild year but it was'nt

This year you simply placed pitchers in the rotation who was not ready this move was not logical and a reserve plan should have been in place to place two unprovens in a rotation with question marks to begin with was an ABSURB move and were paying for it

and yes You was one of the one's who supported this move so if everyone else is mannin up to cropw sandwich there is some for you as well. Midwest style lol.

I'm in Jim. I live in NJ until July, but will be moving back to NY. Working in NYC, it's not too hard to get to games anywhere though. I look at it as after a day at work, you can get to Yankee Stadium, Richmond Park (SI), or Waterfront Park (Trenton) easily. Granted SI or Yanks are considerably shorter commutes. Trenton would be ~1 1/2 hrs from penn to trenton and then either light rail or cab to the park. The subway to the bronx or ferry to si are much quicker.

HYD, my hero, thanks for nice comments brother! My passion does get the best of me on occasions.

Jim A, no hard feelings my friend. Im from Northern NJ, so any game in Scranton, Trenton, SI or at the Stadium is good for me. Maybe we could even go down to Baltimore and meet up for a Yankee game there? Lets try and work something out.

Well it's been a long day at the office, Ill talk to you guys tomorrow.

Bomber, you make no sense.

Yeah, the Yanks have had pretty good starting pitching the last week and the offense has struggled. Never mind they are without the best player of our generation and one of the top catchers in the game.

You don't think that makes a big difference with this team? Think again.

Pete Abe had a great stat last night:

"The catchers (Molina, Moeller, Stuart) and third basemen (Ensberg, Gonzalez and Betemit) are 17 of 92 (.185) with 5 RBI since Alex Rodriguez and Jorge Posada went out with their injuries."

Take any team's two best hitters from last season out of the lineup and see how their offense reacts. No offense can overcome losing that much production.

I was firmly on the kids' bandwagon and I'm still on it. That hasn't changed. You are ready to dismiss them and tell everyone they were over hyped, which is ridiculous considering they've made only 10 starts between them.

I've also said many times that the long term success of the team is more important than just 2008. It's about weeding out the old timers and underachievers and continue building a stable of young talent for the next 5 years.

This team needs to get younger. That can't happen overnight because they need time to develop and the GM can't just drop or trade older players not producing up their capabilities.

Sometimes you have to take a step back before you take two steps forward. The Red Sox took a hit in 2006 and obviously came back strong in 2007.

My thought process has always been long term. That has never changed.

Dru,
The only reason I didn't choose Yankee Stadium for a game for us to meet at is the availability of tickets. I just didn't think we'd be able to get a whole section for us to sit together so I think S.I. might be a good alternative.

If you are ever in Baltimore, let me know and I'll head that way. I'm about an hour from Camden Yards, I might even buy you a few beers. By the way, they've upgraded the scoreboards at Camden Yards to HD and they look awesome.

No Viper, your arrogant and think you know it all but that is neither here or there. at the end of the day we are all FANS not experts.

what i do know is that the creativity even in a year like 2000 when our SP was flawed and offense was flat was high, deal were made to bandaid these handicaps.

it would be unrealistic to think Arod can put up last years numbers and to think Posada can continue to produce like he has in the past. that is the Risk you take with aging catchers and that is understood. Ido believe AROD and posada played some games this year together to no avail. yes they are hurt but in posada's case that is an alarm especially for next season since you want to forcast.

what was ignorged was the obvious holes in the lineup Bobby A could have been traded for prospects over the season but his 2nd half performance led BC to believe hsi option should be picked up

Another SP should have been obtained Chip spoke of this long ago .

again the season was mortgage on a shaky SP and shaky options at 1st base. Injury bug happens true

BU T IT IS MORE COMMON AMOUNG OLDER PLAYERS.

Again I used 2000 Ws team due to the fact that was scrapped together.