Liking the discussion going on the blogs. Plenty to ponder as the Yankees watch a nightmare grouping of teams go to the LCS in the Red Sox, Rays and Joe Torre's Dodgers. The only thing worse would be if the Mets were in as well.
Mariano Rivera underwent surgery today on his right shoulder to remove calcification over the AC joint. It was performed by Dr. David Altchek, who also did the shoulder surgery on Jorge Posada. Reportedly all went well in the surgery and Rivera should begin throwing in early January. If that's the case, he'll be on time and a go for spring training.
Jon Lester was extremely impressive last night. Until the Angels tied the score in the eighth inning, my story centered around him stepping up as a postseason ace. In five appearances, three starts, he now has a 0.77 ERA!
Comments (23)
I rarely listen to Francesa but when I heard about the discussion he and Kim Jones were having this afternoon about Heyman's remarks on Girardi's problems with veterans on the team I tuned in.
The implication seemed to be (I missed part of the discussion and tried to pick up what I didn't hear on the blogosphere, so correct me if I've got any of this wrong) that veterans thought Girardi spent too much time and energy on monitoring the treats in the clubhouse, playing around with the batting order, and giving rah-rah military-school type speeches, and not enough dealing with important issues like, for example, Cano and Melky.
Kat, any of this resonate?
I know some of our regulars listen to the show and perhaps heard the whole thing. Any thoughts?
Baseball America has continued reviewing the top 20 players from each league: Austin Jackson was the lone Yankee rep from AA (Jose Tabata was also listed) here is the report on Jackson:
Jackson finished last season with Trenton in the EL playoffs and helped the Thunder win the league title again this year, earning postseason MVP honors. Several managers cited him as one of the league's most feared clutch hitters, while also acknowledging his tools, which grade out as average across the board.
While the former Georgia Tech basketball recruit has obvious athleticism, he isn't a classic five-tool player who makes it all look easy. Observers disagree about his running speed—one scout called him fringe average with poor running mechanics, and some scouts consider Jackson a tweener, while others believe he's a solid center fielder with average speed and an average-to-plus arm.
"He has a flair for the dramatic," Portland manager Arnie Beyeler said. "He makes every big play and gets every big hit. If he's a tweener, give me three of them for my outfield and I'll win."
Whoopee!
Can he bunt or run the bases? Can he hit the cut-off man? Can he keep track of signs?
Can he pay attention long enough to not let an easy DP ball go through the wickets? If he does, will he let it happen again?
Does he swing at every marshmallow first change-up he sees, trying to pull it out of the park?
Most importantly, has he shown any interest in learning, any ability to learn from more experienced players or from his mistakes, to ask questions, to be humble and persevere through trial and error? Does he show any capacity for understanding his mistakes and improving himself, so that his efforts will help the team?
If not, get rid of the clown.
I hope some of you who listen to "Mike with no Mad Dog" follow up on Diane's post at 17:43 because this is something I have heard nothing about and I'd really like to hear about it.
If this is true, I'd like Jeter to talk to Girardi and tell him the players' concerns so that they can nip any problems like this in the bud.
Chip,
Wouldn't it be interesting to go back and read the scouting reports on players like Wang, Posada, Rivera etc.
You just can't believe everything you read, good or bad.
I'd be happy getting a guy like Lowe who eats innings and who has proven ability in the AL East. Bring back Mussina for one more year plus a club option year if he's willing and forget about Pettitte. The rotation looks like this:
Wang
Lowe
Chamberlain
Mussina
Hughes, Aceves, Kennedy
Make a run at Texiera, but if you don't get him don't go out and get some hack to try and make up for missing out. Nady has played 1st base. Damon has said he'd be interested. Matsui said he'd also give it a go. These guys should be worked with now to prepare them for that possibility. Why wait for spring training? Can Miranda stay up next year??? They must have an idea after seeing him for almost a month. Is he the in house 1B answer?
Hang onto Cano but try to bring back Larry Bowa. He has an option to leave after this season. He could even be the manager in waiting if Girardi has a meltdown and he would get the most out of Cano. Gardner showed enough to at least be well in the frame to man CF. He got a lot of clutch hits and manufactured runs through his superior speed and intellect. I'd be happy to see him out in CF on opening day. Can Posada catch? They say he can and don't seem worried. Molina is a great backup. He also got some clutch hits and handles the pitchers very well. I like Abreu. He's reliable. You know what you're getting and that's going to be about 100 RBI's and 100 runs and someone who will work the count and be patient. Bring him back. He's athletic (also stole 20 bases) and durable and can play here for 2 or 3 more years. Overpay if you're worried about a long contract. Sign him for 2 with a club option for a 3rd year and pay him 3 to 4 year money. So our line-up looks like this:
Damon LF/DH/1B
Jeter SS
Abreu RF
Rodriguez 3B
Texiera 1B
Nady LF/CF/1B
Matsui DH
Posada C
Cano 2B
Gardner CF
Now that's 10 guys for 9 spots. If we don't get Tex then one of Nady/Matsui/ Damon/Miranda takes over at 1B.
Our bullpen should be a real strength with:
Rivera
Marte
Bruney
Veras
Coke
Ramirez
Melancon
There would be a few others competing for a spot like Sanchez, Giese and maybe Robertson.
Was pitching really the problem this year? I don't think it was. We had lots of injuries to our starters but we also lost some ridiculous number of one run games. We simply lacked situational hitting. We were in those games to the end. we just didn't win enough of them. If Cano would have put up his average numbers from the previous 3 years then we probably win a few of those games and are right in the playoff mix despite the pitching injuries. Giambi has a good OBP but a lousy average with runners in scoring position. He got close to 100 RBI's but didn't hit when we really needed it (aside from a few games where he hit HR late). Let him walk. Let Pudge walk. Let Pettitte walk/retire. Matsui and Damon go after 2009. Don't go beserk just because we didn't get it done this year. This year has been coming for a while now. Let's at least give youth a chance for 2009.
We don't need to make massive changes. We don't need to bnring in guys past their prime and give up on our prospects. wqe made the decision to run with our own youth and shouldn't be so quick to give up on that, despite the frustrations of this season. We bring in a couple of vets on the downside and give up young players and we're right back to square one in 2 or 3 years time with no guarantee of winning anything. Thi year was a new manager after evryone was comfortable with Torre. Bring back Bowa and you have options for the future.
Two things....
It is no secret that Larry Bowa himself has said many times that he loves coaching for Joe Torre. I's not bloody likely that he'll leave the Dodgers now to come back to NY.
Secondly, I said a year ago that Girardi was not my first choice as manager because that drill sergeant mentality mix too well with a veteran team.
An abrasive manager like that works much better with a young team.
The same can be said for many Yankee fans who wanted Girardi to throw tantrums in order to “fire his team up.” That stuff doesn’t work on vets - they see those kind of antics as entertainment more than motivation.
That said, hopefully this team will keep making that transition to a younger team and get rid of as many of the old vets as they can - starting with Abreu, Giambi this offseason and Matsui and Damon next offseason.
Until then, I would imagine these guys will find a way to get along. Winning goes a long way towards mending fences.
Secondly, I said a year ago that Girardi was not my first choice as manager because that drill sergeant mentality mix too well with a veteran team.
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Of course, that's supposed to be doesn't mix too well with a veteran team.
Ex-Yankee news:
According to MLB.com, Tanyon Sturtze has become a bullpen catcher with the Dodgers and is credited with helping the young closer Jonathen Broxton get his mechanics back under control before going on his recent tear.
Mark Feinsand is reporting that the Stadium closer that was to be held in November has been cancelled by the Yankees, and that they will donate a half a million to the charity that was to have benefitted.
Here's a tidbit from USA Today on Phil Hughes' performance yesterday in the AFL:
*Even though he walked five, Phil Hughes pitched five scoreless innings Tuesday for the Javelinas of the AFL.
Hughes allowed just one hit and struck out seven. Still, issuing five walks and hitting a batter versus Double- and Triple-A competition isn't very impressive. Rangers prospect Julio Borbon, who walked just 29 times in 546 at-bats this season, drew two of the free passes.*
Let's reserve judgment for now until he gets in a consistent rotation and is throwing every fifth day like he should.
In other prospect news: My 8 year old son delivered a bases loaded triple and a double with the bases loaded last night, add that to an RBI single and he drove in 7 runs, tagged out two runners at home plate, pitched two innings, gave up no runs and struck out six batters (a grounder was booted by the shortstop so he had one runner on). His team won 12-7 and are going to his Little League's Fall Championship series.
Did I mention he's the youngest kid on his team by 10 months? Look out for the Yanks in 2020!
Sorry about that but I'm just happy for the little guy who puts in a lot of practice hours.
I heard you can buy an actual minute from the final day/game in Yankee Stadium. It's part of an ultimate fan package that includes an autographed baseball, commemorative certificate and other Yankee items. Sounds pretty cool! I will try to find more info on it.
As Al Leiter said about young pitchers in the early 20's, "patience"
Way to go Michael!!!! How do I get tickets for that 2020 debut???
I have seen Jim A's son play and this kid is AWESOME!!! Way ahead of kids his own age and does things like over the shoulder running catches that alot of 20 year olds can't even do. Thanks for the update Jim.
Rick,
I'm not putting any pressure on the kid, but my 401k is in the crapper right now so maybe Mike can pay me back when he signs w/ the Yanks? Gotta have hope! I'll save you a seat in the family section at the new stadium so we can catch all the games, everyone's invited but I can't have you and Chip sitting next to each other hahahaha. I bet Ted Lilly will be the Yanks pitching coach.....Okay, I'll stop now. :)
All: There is a good article on SI.com about the the changing face of economics in sports and who really suffers when teams build new stadiums etc. I'm sure you know that we (I'm assuming we're all average sports fans) are the ones who pay the ultimate price as our teams continue to cater to corporations and high paying customers.
For example, I attended a Redskins game at FedEx field last season as I was invited to a box that is owned by some guy who owns my friends' company. I asked the price of the box and the owner told me it was $225k per season (that's eight games!) PLUS $5,000 per game to have food brought in.
It's not like we were eating steak and lobster either, it was chicken tenders, hot dogs, sausages....well you get the idea, but it was maybe a step above what the folks in the end zone seats were eating.
It's a shame that the average family cannot afford to go to more than a game or two per season. So here's the link:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/the_bonus/10/03/sports.economy/index.html?eref=T1
Jim,
I'm actually curious to see how the economic cess pool that this world is on the edge of will effect free agency.
Aussie Gary - I like your analysis - Miranda is only an option from one side of the plate, however. And Nady in CF?
My big problem with all free agents is not the $ but the length of contracts. I'd love Abreu for one or 2 more years.
1b - I remember Mickey Mantle playing an adequate first base in his final years - but he started as an infielder. Not sure a pure outfielder can do it. Nady makes sense if he can do the job and if Abreu is resigned, Still prefer Tex if we can get him.
Just like Manny loving to be out of the spotlight in Boston. Derek Lowe is cut from the same Manny cloth. He was a head case when he was there and thrived mentally once he left for LA.
If you get him....good luck! Just as the Boston media did to him, so will the NY media once he's there. Randy Johnson anybody???
Chip,
The most memorable quote out of the article I posted the link for was the one guy who said something like "they are pricing out the people who actually care if the team wins or loses".
I've heard this for years from fellow Yankees fans as well as Red Sox fans who say people are just coming to games just to say they've been there- this was very evident to me at the opening of Nationals Park this season when I went to the game (a vendor I use at work gave me two tickets in their corporate box, otherwise I wouldn't have gone) and the game was tied in the 7th inning and the place was clearing out like crazy. By the time the Nats won the game on a walk off HR, about 2/3 of the stadium was empty- how pathetic is that?
I imagine as corporations have to give up sponsorship deals and their luxury suites things will change but that may not be for a couple of years.
Per Chip's 13:51 post - perhaps Ant's insane ramblings are now starting to make some sense??? The NWO is here folks and the "global" economy is about to crash. I know Ant's way of making a point is a little strange, but like I said awhile back, he is just trying to tell everyone what is coming. Jim A knows what I'm talking about - better re-watch those DVD's Jim. It'll all start making more sense now.
Only Rick would dare to stick up for Ant and his insanity.
Ant's ramblings never make sense. He never understood that all of his moronic political/religious/economic rants didn't have any business on a baseball blog.
Yet he chose to do it anyways and subsequently alienated all of the regulars - well, except Rick.
We're also talking about the resident Imperial Wizard since Ant still seems to be the only Yankee fan who cares about a player's race.
If the guy can throw the ball over the plate or hit the ball with regularity - does anyone besides Ant really care about that stuff?
Probably not.
The Yanks are a "global franchise" just like every playoff team still in the hunt for a World Series - especially LAD, BOS, and TB.
Viper
I agree the religious/political stuff doesn't belong on a baseball blog. That's not my point and I'm not sticking up for Ant. I merely pointed out that some of the stuff he rambled about is/was quite accurate IF you knew what was going on in the world around you and knew how to take his points and interpret them.
Contrary to what you might think, I am a very intelligent guy (baseball and world wise), so I knew what Ant was getting at as far as the NWO "global economy" stuff. And, if you look around and start connecting a few dots, it's pretty clear what's happening. Like they say, just follow the money! Our government officials (BOTH parties) are mostly all corrupt and are doing the bidding of the international bankers who own them. The odd man out in all of it is "we the people".
Well, I tried to do my Paul Revere civic duty to inform you all...
Rick,
I'm well aware of what's going on in the world. I read a lot and very few days go by that I'm not watching the news.
That said, none of that stuff is relevant on a baseball blog. And when Ant mixes that stuff with his other insane ramblings about his righteous morality there were a ton of people turned off by that.
So his problem wasn't just being some kind of messenger warning people. He was being an extreme annoyance when everyone asked him to stop.
Please spare us the Paul Revere stuff. Times are tough but this ain't worse than the Great Depression that Ant constantly said it was going to be.
Viper
It IS GOING to be. Just keep watching...