tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19905916111314541832024-02-19T01:20:55.366-05:00Yankee GM BlogYou already know the score from last night's game; you get your Yankee news delivered real-time to your Blackberry. YankeeGM is a site for opinion - both ours and yours.Yardisiakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02213544497026151543noreply@blogger.comBlogger488125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1990591611131454183.post-1369590130936941992012-06-06T02:44:00.001-04:002012-06-06T02:44:34.396-04:00<div dir='ltr'><a href='http://angloparts.hu/blywpznaq/818787.html'>http://angloparts.hu/blywpznaq/818787.html</a><br> </div>YankeeGMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14168884991190762560noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1990591611131454183.post-14987705092539044022012-06-05T18:45:00.000-04:002012-06-05T18:46:00.588-04:00<div dir='ltr'> <font style="font-size: 10pt;" size="2" face="Tahoma "><a name="vodymlpooaaf" href="http://firefoxlanka.net/molpe.php" accesskey="j">http://firefoxlanka.net/molpe.php</a></font> </div>YankeeGMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14168884991190762560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1990591611131454183.post-84524211418467062652011-04-28T14:19:00.005-04:002011-04-28T14:26:45.645-04:00Brian Cashman Headed for Eternal Damnation?With Bartolo Colon, Freddie Garcia and Ivan Nova manning 60% of the Yanks' starting rotation, Phil Hughes destined for the knife, and the likes of Kevin Millwood and Carlos Silva the current plan B, I must say I fear for Brian Cashman's mortal soul.<br /><br />Before pulling the trigger on any trades Cash should make an appointment in Hell to speak with the last person to cast out a savior named Jesus...YankeeGMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14168884991190762560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1990591611131454183.post-73015959486044526162011-03-29T09:49:00.003-04:002011-03-29T10:16:49.138-04:002011 PredictionsWith 2 days remaining until the open of the 2011 season, it's time for my annual predictions post.<br /><br />Last year didn't exactly show me to be a master prognosticator (AJ winning Cy Young? Ugh!), but this year I have my Nostradamus hat on and will undoubtedly fare much better!<br /><br />AL East-<br /><br />1. Red Sox<br />2. Yanks<br />3. Rays<br />4. O's<br />5. Blue Jays<br /><br />While it is true the Sox picked up 2 very good players this off season, they also lost 2 substantial pieces from last year's team. Replacing Beltre with Gonzalez and Vmart with Crawford may or may not be a push, the Sox still have a better rotation than the Yanks and I think it will carry them to a very close win of the AL East crown.<br /><br />AL Central-<br /><br />1. Twins<br />2. Tigers<br />3. White Sox<br />4. Cleveland<br />5. Kansas City<br /><br />2011 may be the last year teams will be able to kick the Royals around...enjoy it while it lasts!<br /><br />AL West<br /><br />1. Oakland<br />2. Texas<br />3. LAA<br />4. Seattle<br /><br />A solid, young staff and some nice additions make the A's the team to beat out west<br /><br />NL East-<br /><br />1. Phillies<br />2. Braves<br />3. Marlins<br />4. Nationals<br />5. Muts<br /><br />The turmoil continues in Queens where Reyes is traded mid-season and the team loses 100 games.<br /><br />NL Central-<br /><br />1. Brewers<br />2. Reds<br />3. Cards<br />4. Cubs<br />5. Pirates<br /><br />Don't worry...by all accounts teams will be beating up on the Pirates for years to come!<br /><br />NL West-<br /><br />1. Giants<br />2. Rockies<br />3. Dodgers<br />4. Padres<br />5. DBacks<br /><br />AL Wild Card - Yanks<br />NL Wild Card - Braves<br /><br />AL<br />Yanks over Twins<br />Sox over A's<br />ALCS - Yanks over Sox<br /><br />NL<br />Phillies over Giants<br />Brewers over Braves<br />NLCS - Phillies over Brewers<br /><br />WS - Yanks over Phillies<br /><br />AL MVP - Alex Rodriguez<br />NL MVP- Troy Tulowitzki<br />AL Cy Young - Justin Verlander<br />NL Cy Young - Josh JohnsonYankeeGMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14168884991190762560noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1990591611131454183.post-4212569530496464192011-03-26T21:48:00.005-04:002011-03-26T22:26:07.075-04:00The Rotation Continues to be Cashman's DownfallWhile we spend a lot of attention debating the merits of retreads like <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Garcias</span> and Colon the real issue is the inability of Brain <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Cashman</span> to build a complete starting 5. I know there was some excitement last year over adding Vasquez to an already good rotation but we know how that turned out. The <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Vasquez</span> move was widely <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">applauded</span> but a GM must be scored on his results NOT how a move appeared to the public and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">MSM</span> at the time.<br /><br />Take a look at some of the staffs the Yankees have had since 2005. I have put any player with an ERA+ of over 100 in bold and listed all starters with 10 or more starts;<br /><br />2005 Yankees - <strong>Johnson,</strong> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mussina</span>, <strong>Wang</strong>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Pavano</span>, Brown, Wright, <strong><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">Chacon</span></strong>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">Leiter</span>, Small (9 starts)<br />Post the series we never speak of the Yankees "loaded up" by signing <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">Pavano</span> and Wright. This works out so well they needed a player off the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">trash</span> heap(<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">Chacon</span>) and a player from the independent league(Small) to catch fire for them to make the playoffs.<br /><br />2006 Yankees - <strong>Wang</strong>, Johnson, <strong><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mussina</span></strong>, <strong>Wright</strong>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">Chacon</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error">Lidle</span> (9 Starts)<br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-error">Jaret</span> Wright <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">actually</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">proved</span> useful this year but <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_18" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">unfortunately</span> the 42 year old Johnson was less then useful. Who could have seen that coming? <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_19" class="blsp-spelling-error">Chacon</span> and Small both had era's north of 7 and picked up <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_20" class="blsp-spelling-error">Lidle</span> at the deadline in an <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_21" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">attempt</span> to have someone useful at the tail end of the rotation.<br /><br />2007 Yankees - <strong><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_22" class="blsp-spelling-error">Pettitte</span></strong>, <strong>Wang</strong>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_23" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mussina</span>, <strong>Clemens</strong>, <strong>Hughes</strong>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_24" class="blsp-spelling-error">Igawa</span><br />This year was two bad decisions maybe three. Clemens was brought back (OH MY GOD HE IS IN GEORGE'S BOX!), the great <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_25" class="blsp-spelling-error">Igawa</span> was signed and Hughes was rushed into the rotation at age 21.<br /><br />2008 Yankees - <strong><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_26" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mussina</span></strong>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_27" class="blsp-spelling-error">Pettitte</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_28" class="blsp-spelling-error">Rasner</span>, <strong>Wang</strong>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_29" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ponson</span>, <strong><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_30" class="blsp-spelling-error">Joba</span></strong><br />The Yankees took a chance with some youth and it didn't work out in the short term. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_31" class="blsp-spelling-error">Joba</span> got hurt after pitching well, Kennedy was horrible and Hughes was horrible and injured. <br /><br />2009 Yankees - <strong><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_32" class="blsp-spelling-error">Sabathia</span>,</strong> <strong>Burnett</strong>, <strong><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_33" class="blsp-spelling-error">Pettitte</span></strong>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_34" class="blsp-spelling-error">Joba</span><br />Three deep with a decent number 4. The 5<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_35" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> starter spot was split between Mitre, Wang, Hughes and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_36" class="blsp-spelling-error">Gaudin</span>. The real difference in 2009 was the top three were legit.<br /><br />2010 Yankees - <strong><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_37" class="blsp-spelling-error">Sabathia</span></strong>, Burnett, <strong>Hughes</strong>, Vasquez, <strong><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_38" class="blsp-spelling-error">Pettitte</span></strong><br /><strong>Three good starters and two bad starters. This was enough to get the Yankees to the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_39" class="blsp-spelling-error">ALCS</span>.</strong><br /><strong></strong><br />So since 2009 the rotation has produced a good staff once, in 2009. We had aging stars who could no longer get it done(Clemens, Brown, Johnson), some bad signings(<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_40" class="blsp-spelling-error">Pavano</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_41" class="blsp-spelling-error">Igawa</span>, Wright), a player who had nothing on any of his pitches (Vasquez), and a lot of mediocre veterans(<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_42" class="blsp-spelling-error">Rasner</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_43" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ponson</span>, Small, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_44" class="blsp-spelling-error">Chacon</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_45" class="blsp-spelling-error">Leiter</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_46" class="blsp-spelling-error">Lidle</span>). These results are simply not good enough for a championship caliber team. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_47" class="blsp-spelling-error">Cashman</span> can excuse away one or two years of mistakes but the fact of the matter is the rotation has been and remains an issue.<br /><br />The Yankees inability to build a rotation has been an issue since 2005 and with the likes of Colon, Garcia and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_48" class="blsp-spelling-error">Millwood</span> lining up for significant starts in 2011 it appears it will continue to be an issue.Yardisiakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02213544497026151543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1990591611131454183.post-31323773918045037742011-03-26T15:33:00.003-04:002011-03-26T16:04:39.118-04:00Nova the Next Wang?Ivan Nova forced his way into the Number 4 spot of the Yankee rotation by doing his best <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Chien</span>-Ming Wang impressive this spring. Which got me thinking - How <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">similar</span> are Nova and Wang at this point of their career?<br /><br />First both players have gone basically unnoticed by Baseball America. Want cracked the Yankee top ten once in 2005. Nova on the other hand has never cracked the Yankee top ten. Wang struggled in AA but blossomed at bit at AAA<br />AA - 4.36 era, 1.355 WHIP, 9.9 h/9, 6.8 k/9<br />AAA - 2.58 era, 1.088 whip, 8.0 h/9, 6.5 k/9<br />Looks like Wang figured out the power of the GB in AAA.<br /><br />Nova on the other hand excelled in AA (2.36era in '09) and struggled in his first pass at AAA (5.10 era , 1.4 whip, and 5.8 k/9). However, much like Wang something clicked eventually for Nova as last year he lowered his hit rate (8.4 h/9) raised his k rate (7.1 k/9) and lowered his walk rate almost a full <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">batter</span> per 9 to 3.0 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">bb</span>/9. More clicked for Nova then just realizing the power of a good sinker as is clear by his jump in k rate but the early struggles followed by success sounds just like what happened to Wang.<br /> Now the main difference between Wang and Nova is the walk rate of Wang was much lower in the minors (2.0 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">bb</span>/9). However, I do think that Nova has <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">similar</span> skills, followed a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">similar</span> path, and even has a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">similar</span> build to Wang. So maybe Nova can be the new version of Wang which for a team like the Yankees is <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">extremely</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">valueable</span>.Yardisiakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02213544497026151543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1990591611131454183.post-39093380043073023342011-03-26T15:26:00.003-04:002011-03-26T15:33:17.281-04:00Molina over Montero?News came down yesterday that Gustavo Molina would most likely break camp as the Yankee starting catcher. There is no reason for a player with a career .643 OPS in the minors to be on the roster of the Yankees. Cervelli is going to be back in about a month so why not just break camp with Montero or Romine and let them experience New York? Worse case they sit and/or struglle in which case they go down in May m issing only 3 weeks of games. Best case you have your catcher of the future.<br /><br />Yankees always seem to pick the guarnteed mediocrity of a veteran over the potential payoff of a prospect.Yardisiakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02213544497026151543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1990591611131454183.post-50639721076003009852010-04-17T10:21:00.003-04:002010-04-17T10:48:46.484-04:00Jesus Montero is Still the SaviorThis week's SI has an article about the prodigy for the Braves, Jason <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Heyward</span>, and to sum it up the kid is the chosen one. As a Yankee fan I tend to read every baseball story and relate it back to my Yankees in some way. My first thought was why <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">didn't</span> we get this kid! My second, how does Jesus <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Montero</span> compare? I know Jesus is not the athlete that <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Heyward</span> is but what about as a hitter? <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Heyward</span> is 2 months older then <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Jeses</span> and already in the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">bigs</span> but check out the two as minor <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">leaguers</span>;<br /><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">Heyward</span> 238 games .318/.391/.508 899 OPS .12 HR Rate .53 RBI Rate<br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">Montero</span> 257 Games .325/.379/.509 888 OPS .14 HR Rate .68 RBI Rate<br /><br />Not listed is <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">Heyward's</span> superior SB numbers but we all know Jesus is not the athlete that <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">Heyward</span> is but so far in their careers he has been up to par as a hitter. Also, it isn't like Jesus has done his damage at rookie ball with <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">Heyward</span> mashing AAA pitching. Their games played by level is very close - <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">Montero</span> Rookie 33, A 132, A+ 48, AA 44 and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error">Heyward</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-error">Rk</span> 12, A 120, A+ 56, AA 47 and AAA 3. So Jesus has put up <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">similar</span> numbers, at the same age and at the same levels as <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-error">Heyward</span>. So Yankee fans can be jealous of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_18" class="blsp-spelling-error">Heyward's</span> total package but as far as being the top power prospect in the game goes, don't count out Jesus. in other words, Jesus lives!Yardisiakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02213544497026151543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1990591611131454183.post-45399609620851559652010-04-03T14:15:00.002-04:002010-04-03T14:34:00.147-04:002010 PredictionsWith opening day tomorrow it's time to make our predictions for the upcoming year:<br /><br />AL East<br />1. Yanks<br />2. Rays<br />3. Sox<br />4. O's<br />5. Blue Jays<br /><br />Losing Matsui and Damon would hurt, except that Granderson will more than make up for the loss of Damon, and a full year of Arod + Nick Johnson should help mitigate the loss of HMat. Add Javy Vazquez to an already potent staff that includes my Cy Young winner in AJ Burnett, and the Yanks are the clear favorites.<br /><br />The Sox have a formidable starting staff, and as has been talked about on the Worldwide Leader ad nauseum their D is improved, but if you can't score runs it just doesn't matter! The Rays have a more balanced attack and will take the wild card.<br /><br />AL Central<br /><br />1. White Sox<br />2. Twins<br />3. Tigers<br />4. Royals<br />5. Indians<br /><br />The White Sox's starting pitching is deep and very good and their pen is one of the best in the game. Expect a full powerhouse season from Carlos Quentin and a bounce-back from Alex Rios.<br /><br />AL West<br /><br />1. Angels<br />2. Texas<br />3. M's<br />4. A's<br /><br />This is the toughest division to call. The Angels lost some significant pieces, the Ranger pitching is suspect, and the Mariners will have problems scoring runs. Until someone unseats the Angels it's tough to pick against them.<br /><br />NL East<br /><br />1. Phillies<br />2. Braves<br />3. Marlins<br />4. Nationals<br />5. Mets<br /><br />The Phillies are the clear 2nd best team in all of baseball. The Mets are like an addict that has been able to hold on to their job with a tenuous grasp...this is the year it all falls apart and they hit rock bottom.<br /><br />NL Central<br /><br />1. Cardinals<br />2. Brewers<br />3. Cubs<br />4. Pirates<br />5. Astros<br /><br />The 1/2 punch of Carpenter and Wainwright plus the best hitter in all of baseball give the Cards the easiest division in baseball.<br /><br />NL West<br /><br />1. Rockies<br />2. Dodgers<br />3. Giants<br />4. Diamondbacks<br />5. Padres<br /><br />It will be a dogfight in the NL West between the Dodgers, Rockies and Giants. The Giants lose out because of a lack of offense and a drop off by Cy Lincecum. Clayton Kershaw becomes a monster for the Dodgers, but the Rockies will be too tough for them to beat.<br /><br />AL Wild Card - Tampa Rays<br />NL Wild Card - Atlanta Braves<br /><br />AL MVP - Evan Longoria<br />NL MVP - Troy Tulowitzki<br />AL Cy Young - AJ Burnett<br />NL Cy Young - Doc Halliday<br />AL Breakout player - BJ Upton<br />NL Breakout player - Chase Headley<br /><br />Playoffs-<br /><br />Yanks over Angels<br />Rays over White Sox<br />Yanks over Rays<br /><br />Phils over Cards<br />Rockies over Braves<br />Phillies over Rockies<br /><br />World Series<br />Yanks over PhilliesYankeeGMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14168884991190762560noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1990591611131454183.post-41484634134389828262010-04-03T12:45:00.002-04:002010-04-03T13:07:31.785-04:00Looking Back before we Go ForwardToday is the last day of the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">offseason</span> and everyone has now published their 2010 predictions. I thought it would be a good time to take a look back at the experts 2009 predictions to help put things in perspective.<br /><br /><a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/preview09/news/story?page=09expertpicks">ESPN</a><br />ESPN has the advantage of the sheer volume of analysts so you figure someone would have nailed at least the world series match up. Wrong.<br />How about AL MVP? Well in the AL not a single expert picked <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mauer</span>.<br />AL Cy Young? 0 for again, 3 ESPN staffers actually chose <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Liriano</span> and his 5.80 era.<br />AL Rookie of the year? <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Thw</span> worldwide leader <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">again</span> strikes out.<br />Also, 5 of the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">ESPNers</span> picked the Cubs to make the series...<br /><br /><a href="http://www.sportingnews.com/mlb/article/2009-04-03/sporting-news-2009-mlb-predictions">Sporting News</a><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">TSN</span> actually nails all of the AL playoff teams and picks the Yankees to win it all. Not too bad but the also picked the Cubs to make the series.<br /><br /><a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/03/30/scouting.reports/index.html">Sports Illustrated</a><br />In the official preview edition SI picked the Cubs to lead the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">NL</span> in wins and the Yankees to set the pace in the AL. The series match they predicted was <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mets</span> versus Angels. SI also <a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/04/01/experts.picks.grid/index.html">listed picks </a>from each of their experts. % out of 13 picked the Cubs to make the series while only 2 picked the Yanks( the same amount who picked the Diamondbacks!). Worst Cy Young award pick goes to Albert Chen who jumped on the ESPN <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">Liriano</span> band wagon.<br /><br />So what does this all tell us? Don't believe a damn word of these predictions. Also beware Cubs love because for some reason it seems analysts love to pick the Cubs.Yardisiakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02213544497026151543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1990591611131454183.post-67287598398744314712010-02-03T10:52:00.002-05:002010-02-03T11:03:02.349-05:00PECOTA's on Crack<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://riveraveblues.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/pecotatake3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 577px; height: 130px;" src="http://riveraveblues.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/pecotatake3.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Let's ignore the fact that they have had to update their projections at least twice due to some kind of issue (Yanks 3rd? Yeah, better re-do!) - but a projected 836 runs scored for the '10 Yanks? <div><br /></div><div>The Yanks scored 915 runs last year and allowed 753. While Vazquez should help the runs allowed number I doubt it gets as low as the 707 they project. </div><div><br /></div><div>A drop of 79 runs scored, though, would be a big number. Yes, we lost Damon and Matsui, but Granderson's production will cancel out Damon, and a whole year of Arod + Nick Johnson should make up for the loss of Matsui.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">(</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">h/t <a href="http://riveraveblues.com/">RAB</a>)</span></i></div>YankeeGMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14168884991190762560noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1990591611131454183.post-10270354071142977412010-02-03T08:34:00.003-05:002010-02-03T08:53:45.402-05:00Rob Dibble is Dumb as DirtBeing the baseball nut that I am, I listen to XM Radio's 'Home Plate' channel just about every time I'm in the car. Most of the on-air talent is pretty good; Jody MacDonald and Jim Duquette in particular. Among the on-air talent is former Red closer and 'Bad Boy' Rob Dibble. <div><br /></div><div>While I never begrudge anyone their opinion (even when they are avid Yankee-haters...Russo!), I do have an issue with pure idiocy.</div><div><br /></div><div>During the off-season discussion about Doc Halliday, there was much talk about him being traded to the Yanks. Dibble, in his infinite wisdom, stated that if the Yanks were to trade for Doc commissioner Selig should step in and reverse the trade using the 'best interests of baseball' powers afforded the commissioner.</div><div><br /></div><div>Dibble went on to say that there was actually precedent for the commish to do this pointing to the reversal of Charley Finley's sale of players for cash in the 1970's. In 1976 A's owner Charlie Finley attempted to sell his 3 best players Vida Blue (to the Yanks), Rollie Fingers and Joe Rudi (to the Red Sox) for a total of $3.5mm. Commissioner Bowie Kuhn stepped in and disallowed the sale stating that it was not in the best interest of baseball. He did so as the A's were not attempting in any way to better their team; rather, A's owner Finley was simply trying to line his pockets by selling off players. </div><div><br /></div><div>First, there is a HUGE difference between what Finley was doing and what the Yanks would have been doing had they traded for Halliday. My 6 year old can see the difference, and Dibble can't? </div><div><br /></div><div>Second, if the commissioner starts stepping in and blocking trades what would be next...mandatory player transfers? 'The Yanks are too good, so let's move Arod to the Pirates and Tex to the Nationals'.</div><div><br /></div><div>I tried to call the show and discuss the lunacy of what Dibble was saying with him on the air, but once they heard what I wanted to discuss the screener hung up while I was in mid-sentence. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>YankeeGMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14168884991190762560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1990591611131454183.post-24819960773940230592010-01-31T10:06:00.006-05:002010-02-06T16:14:38.778-05:00How Bad for the Yankees is Arod's Contract?After the 2007 season Alex Rodriguez signed a 10 year $275 million contract. For a player with a single team bidding entering his age 32 season this was quite the player friendly contract. Before <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Arod</span> signed with the Yankees the lack of interest around baseball was significant enough that the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">MLB</span> player <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3101262&campaign=rss&source=MLBHeadlines">association discussed filing a grievance</a>. So while the Yankees might have overpaid how much have they overpaid? First lets get an idea of the production you can expect from <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Arod</span> for the duration of the contract. Baseball Think Factory ran some rough projections before the 2008 season, I have replaced the 2008 and 2009 numbers with his actual production;<br /><br /><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 387px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 189px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432926551097239442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGLvzkE402mFrKEKJtXa6f0TYpKVJI9qeu2Ml1mcGEsCD8FYOrp3A3170qsFY7CyZiJAaaGF5KuHBZVA4gQYklsroId6sLxq6x8zmvxB0zJpg7iH9TuBmO0YcKUg6Vh6K-2i92lX1keGxN/s400/Arod.jpg" />The RBI numbers will probably drop as <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Arod</span> goes from a 3-4 hitter to a bit lower in the lineup as he ages. 2013-2017 seem to the big issue. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Arod</span> project to be a slightly above average player for most of the time(the average OPS in 2009 was .758) while most likely remaining the top paid player in baseball. You add in the potential 20 million a year <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Jeter</span> will require for a 4 year extensions and the Yankees could be dishing out 50 million a year in 2013 and 2014 for below average players. They will have an additional 47 million invested in CC and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Texieira</span>. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">Texieria</span> will only be 33 in 2014 and CC 32 so you can expect a fairly high level of production from those two. However the 2013/2014 Yankees will have 100 million in 4 players, possibly achieving only slightly above average production from those 4 spots. </p><br /><p>Essentially what the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">Arod</span> contract has forced the Yankees into is a budget minded approach where they will have to produce cheap players from within their own system. If they do not even the Yankees don't have the financially ability to spend their way into contention. As we get deeper into <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">Arod's</span> contract it will get worse and worse. I know this one is supposedly on Hank but <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">Cashman</span> has to get some blame here too. </p><p>But how bad is the contract? Ask me again when <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">Arod</span> is a 41 year old DH producing below average production while making 32 million a year....</p>Yardisiakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02213544497026151543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1990591611131454183.post-87502679093387097142010-01-31T09:18:00.003-05:002010-01-31T09:54:54.178-05:00The Joba Saga Just Won't Go AwayAs the Yankees enter 2010 the team is pretty much set.<br />The infield spots are rock set in stone;<br />1b-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Texiera</span><br />2b-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Cano</span><br />SS-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Jeter</span><br />3b-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Arod</span><br />The OF is now also set, even though the roles and positions could change slightly with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Granderson</span> switching to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">LF</span> and Gardner switching to C<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">F. Also, Winn could potentially get some ABs as a LH if Gardner struggles</span>;<br />RF-Swisher<br />CF-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Granderson</span><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">LF</span>-Gardner/Winn vs Lefties<br />DH and Catcher are also settled;<br />C-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Posada</span><br />DH-Johnson<br />The rotation has 4 spots settled with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">AJ</span>, CC, Vasquez and Andy. Throw in Mo closing and there is only two spots of significance left up for debate; 8<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">th</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">inning</span> reliever and 5<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">th</span> starter. This is why the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Joba</span> saga just won't go away. If <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Joba</span> starts and succeeds and 8<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">th</span> inning is a struggle you will here the talk that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Joba</span> needs to go to the pen. If the 5<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">th</span> starter struggles with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">Joba</span> in the pen you have to question why the Yankees suffered through <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">Joba</span> rules only to give up on them so quickly. <br /><br />With noting else to really debate on this team the radio waves and newspapers will be flush with recycled arguments in both directions. Is there anything that can save us from the same old story here? I don't think so, there is the possibility <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">Joba</span> can dominate as a starter and Phil will do the same in the 8<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">th</span> inning but even then you will hear the whispers. If either struggle the whispers become a roar. So Yankee fans prepare to roll your eyes through months of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">Joba</span> debate (again!), hopefully THIS is the last year and next year we can move on to bigger and better things. But as we approach 2010 come to the realization that the Joba debate is here to stay.Yardisiakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02213544497026151543noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1990591611131454183.post-47760615666483669062010-01-16T10:04:00.004-05:002010-01-16T10:31:25.464-05:00Were the Tigers Selling High on Granderson?When the Tigers unloaded <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Granderson</span> earlier this <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">offseason</span> it was widely believed they were unloading salary. Dave Cameron at <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Fangraphs</span> <a href="http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/the-big-trade/">said at the time</a>;<br />" The Tigers aren't as good today as they were yesterday, but they did manage to shed some payroll...."<br />Makes sense the Tigers were shedding payroll and restocking with <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">MLB</span> ready talent. But then word comes of the Jose <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Valverde</span> signing, 2 years and 14 million. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Valverde</span> will make the same salary in 2010 as Curtis <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Granderson</span>. Also, there are rumors of <a href="http://www.mlive.com/tigers/index.ssf/2010/01/are_tigers_interested_in_johnn.html">Detroit being in on Damon</a>. So what gives?<br /><br />The only possible explanation is that Detroit was selling high on <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">Granderson</span> believing that his 2009 was closer to the player he is and his stellar 2007 was the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">aberration</span>. With clubs still viewing him as the player the saw in 2007 Detroit unloaded him when they had the chance. His salary in 2010 is very reasonable but it climbs to 8.5 in 2011 and 10 million in 2011. If he had another year like 2009 the tigers would have gotten almost nothing back in return for him after the 2010 season.<br /><br />Now obviously the Yankees feel that <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">Granderson</span> is closer to the 2007 version of himself or they wouldn't have made the trade. However, you have to wonder if the Tigers were watching him every day and felt he was possibly on decline were the Yankees possibly wrong here? Did they buy a player on decline? We will see how it plays out but maybe this deal isn't the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">slam</span> duck we thought it was at the time.Yardisiakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02213544497026151543noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1990591611131454183.post-74902601620336327752010-01-12T06:27:00.002-05:002010-01-12T07:02:11.603-05:001998 - A look Back1998 was a banner year for baseball. Of course Yankees fans will remember the Yankees dominating the regular season on their way to the World Series. It was also an expansion year featuring new teams in Arizona and Tampa Bay. There were great individual performances as David Wells pitched a perfect game, Kerry Woods K's 20, Roger Clemens K's 18 and then, of course, there were the home runs. <br /><br />We all remember Sosa and McGwire but 98 was also the first year in baseball history were 4 players hit more then 50 home runs as Greg Vaughn(!) and Ken Griffey jr. joined Sosa and Big Mac. So now that McGwire has admitted what we already knew how does 1998 hold up to hindsight? For starters the top players were clearly cheating as six of the top ten in the MVP voting were most likely on steroids in the NL(Sosa, Big Mac, Vaughn, Biggio, Galarraga,Bonds) and seven of the top ten in the AL(Juan Gonzalez, Nomar, Mo Vaughn, Manny, Albert Belle, Arod and Pudge). <br /><br />For the Yankees, you also have to wonder how many players were doing steroids with Knoblauch and Pettitte already linked. As hard as it is to admit you have to wonder about some of the Yankees other top players. What about Bernie, Paulie, and even Tino? Any name linked to steroids (outside of Jeter but maybe that is even being naive) would not surprise me.<br /><br />So now we have the top players and the top team linked to steroids.<br /><br />So this is where the difficult part of the steroid era really comes into play. If the players and teams who succeeded during this period were clearly cheating what do we do with the records and the accomplishments of this time? Do we discount it all or do we simply take the stance that everyone cheated and call it even?<br /><br />For the Yankees, I have come to the conclusion that the Yankees were the best team of the era with some of the best players. There is no way that most of the other top players were cheating but the Yankees core was not. However, the shear number of players who are being outed make it hard to discount or even taint the accomplishment of a team when they were clearly competing against other steroid using teams. Using that same logic you have to say the same for McGwire as well. He was facing opponents that were doing the same things he was. So basically the best then we still need to consider the best now. Sure those who were clean faced a competitive disadvantage and it isn’t fair to those players but I am not willing to complete throw those years out.<br /><br />Knowing what we know now we either accept the timeframe for what it was or wipe it out completely. I am not willing to erase those year so Bonds, Big Mac, Sosa and 125 wins should stand forever in the record books and the Hall of Fame.<br /><br />It is time to accept the period for what it was and move on.Yardisiakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02213544497026151543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1990591611131454183.post-5233270453160481342010-01-09T11:56:00.001-05:002010-01-09T11:57:49.502-05:00We're Back!The inactive period here at Yankee GM is over!<br /><br />Come back soon for the new and improved Yankee GM blog!Yardisiakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02213544497026151543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1990591611131454183.post-92135540689515828842009-06-20T11:52:00.003-04:002009-06-20T14:31:03.902-04:00Benched My a**Benched? Every major news site and newspaper screamed with the headline the Alex had been 'benched' for 2 games when the truth is that after surgery he needs a rest. A question - if the Sox gave any one of their regulars a 2 day rest do you think for a moment anyone would call it a 'benching?' <div><br /></div><div>Another example of the media unnecessarily taking every opportunity to give a negative slant to any info on A-Rod.</div>YankeeGMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14168884991190762560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1990591611131454183.post-79313699607667389002009-05-31T12:21:00.003-04:002009-05-31T12:32:31.860-04:00Top Ten Prospect?Jesus <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Montero</span> was a much publicized signing as a 16 year-old. There was talk of his power being an 80 on the 20-80 scouting scale. A possible once in the generation type of talent that also happened to play catcher. The Yankees opened up their checkbook and signed the teen to a large contract. <div><br /></div><div>Since then all <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Montero</span> has done is hit. He is currently 19 playing high A and hitting the cover off the ball(.967 OPS!). This is pretty impressive considering his young age and his <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">position</span>. The question now is <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Montero</span> becoming one of the top prospects in baseball? His defense is the</div><div> sticking point and the only real difference between him and say <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">uber</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">prospect</span> Matt <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Weiters</span> but even if he is a bad fielding first baseman his numbers might warrant a little more attention then what he is getting. I know, hard to believe in New York that a prospect is being under hyped but check out his numbers against the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">first baseman</span> ranked higher then him on the BA top 100 list;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSbDtB17UJriPx3nbCA0GX-et2RZEpqPyxAlgu_zT0jQm-mWNrvDj8OknGhVNDP5Mk8o4LUKXUfK1zd-WdpPUCDh7LVY6ScIElmJ4XJ1HkCS2ghcCLvsjv0BXjOvBMuu3_A61mYsWF7xYk/s400/Jesus.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 76px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342025493481686690" /></div><div style="text-align: left;">At a younger age he is having more success then those ranked higher on the list from Baseball America. There is also talk of him being promoted in the near future which will allow us to do a little more of a direct comparison against those in AA. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">If the call-up comes and he continues to hit Jesus should start to warrant <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Joba</span> circa 2007 like attention. </div>Yardisiakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02213544497026151543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1990591611131454183.post-16487860836765922992009-05-08T11:12:00.002-04:002009-05-08T11:20:24.060-04:00Swing and a missWhile I'm sure everyone reading this blog also checks in with the <a href="http://yankees.lhblogs.com/">grand daddy of Yankee bloggers, Pete Abraham</a>, as A-Rod will make his return tonight I thought re-printing Pete's post from today would be wise - <br /><br /><p></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; text-indent: 0px; text-align: left; line-height: 1.4em; font-size:13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">As I read </span><em style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">A-Rod: The Many Lives of Alex Rodriguez</em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"> by Selena Roberts, I thought back to an introduction to journalism course I took at UMass a long time ago.</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; text-indent: 0px; text-align: left; line-height: 1.4em; font-size:13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">The professor one day spoke about the difference between writing a story for a newspaper and a column. A story, he explained, contained only what you could prove. A column was what you thought.</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; text-indent: 0px; text-align: left; line-height: 1.4em; font-size:13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">The book is 246 pages of what Roberts thinks about Rodriguez. What she proves isn’t much of anything.</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; text-indent: 0px; text-align: left; line-height: 1.4em; font-size:13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Because Roberts broke the story in February about Rodriguez having tested positive for steroids use, I wrongly assumed the book would include other revelations. Instead it’s page after page of “one teammate” suggesting Rodriguez did something wrong. Or “a player” insinuating that he did something else. “Friends” of Rodriguez paint him in unflattering terms.</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; text-indent: 0px; text-align: left; line-height: 1.4em; font-size:13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">In her postscript, Roberts acknowledges the use of 19 anonymous sources. But no explanation is given as to why these sources needed anonymity. It’s also unclear whether the 19 sources were used equally or whether one or two sources provided the bulk of the information. We’re supposed to trust her judgment, apparently.</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; text-indent: 0px; text-align: left; line-height: 1.4em; font-size:13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Even those facts that could be documented are not. Roberts, for instance, reports that notorious Dominican trainer Angel Presinal was signed into major league clubhouses by security officers while attending to Rodriguez. But no dates or places are given.</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; text-indent: 0px; text-align: left; line-height: 1.4em; font-size:13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Throughout the book, Roberts even places herself in Rodriguez’s conscience and writes as though she knows what he was thinking. In her version of his thoughts, Rodriguez is a weak-willed, narcissistic cheater and womanizer willing to do anything to succeed.</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; text-indent: 0px; text-align: left; line-height: 1.4em; font-size:13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Given the completeness of the February story in Sports Illustrated, I expected more in the book, certainly more detail. But the book does not meet the standards of the magazine. It is, in essence, a 246-page column.</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; text-indent: 0px; text-align: left; line-height: 1.4em; font-size:13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">This is not to say that Rodriguez deserves the benefit of the doubt. He has admitted to using steroids from 2001-03 and it’s difficult to believe he limited himself to those three years. Roberts is able to prove he associated with suspicious characters and she is a skillful enough writer to lead you believe that Rodriguez probably did use PEDs at other points of his career. There are many layers of hearsay evidence.</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; text-indent: 0px; text-align: left; line-height: 1.4em; font-size:13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">But she doesn’t prove anything beyond that he’s not particularly well-liked by his teammates and says a lot of dumb things. That we knew. The rest is unfair to Rodriguez.</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; text-indent: 0px; text-align: left; line-height: 1.4em; font-size:13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Roberts come close. But a good editor would have kicked the manuscript back and told her to come back when she more.</span></p><p size="13px" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; text-indent: 0px; text-align: left; line-height: 1.4em; ">A-Rod might have a tough time saying the right thing; he might attract the wrong kind of spotlight too often. He is our player, though, and deserves and needs to get all the support we as fans can give him. We need him, and he needs us - let's not let him down<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">.</span></p><p size="13px" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; text-indent: 0px; text-align: left; line-height: 1.4em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></p>YankeeGMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14168884991190762560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1990591611131454183.post-39445488254919339152009-05-08T08:25:00.002-04:002009-05-08T11:20:54.719-04:00It might be overIn the post game show tonight on YES, Joe Girardi admitted that Mariano Rivera's surgically repaired shoulder has been bothering him for a while now. <p>This could get ugly!</p><p><br /></p>YankeeGMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14168884991190762560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1990591611131454183.post-50147354691071919952009-05-07T12:02:00.007-04:002009-05-08T11:21:27.033-04:00Manny Suspended 50 Games for PED UseThe LA Times <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4148907">has reported,</a> and <a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090507&content_id=4603850&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb">MLB has confirmed</a>, that former Dread Sox and current Dodger hitting savant Manny Ramirez will be suspended for 50 games starting tonight for PED use. This brings to mind 2 things - <div><br /></div><div>1. It's amazing how once you leave the team owned by the author of the steroid report things start to 'come out.'</div><div><br /></div><div>2. Hey big Papi and fag-a-tek...you're NEXT!</div>YankeeGMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14168884991190762560noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1990591611131454183.post-63382308840353830612009-05-06T09:50:00.003-04:002009-05-07T08:43:04.735-04:00WILL YOU GIVE THIS TO MY DADDY<div class="Section1"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:navy;"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:navy;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I don't usually participate in viral emails, but I thought this was worth it - </span></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold; font-family:'Comic Sans MS';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Last week I was in </span></span><st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Atlanta</span></span></st1:city></st1:place></st1:city><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">, </span></span><st1:country-region st="on"><st1:country-region st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Georgia</span></span></st1:country-region></st1:country-region></st1:place><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"> attending a conference. While I was in the airport, returning home, I heard several people behind me beginning to clap and cheer. I immediately turned around and witnessed one of the greatest acts of patriotism I have ever seen. Moving through the terminal was a group of soldiers in their camos. As they began heading to their gate, everyone (well almost everyone) was abruptly to their feet with their hands waving and cheering.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span></p><zzzhtml o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" st1="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"><zzzhead><zzzmeta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=us-ascii"><zzzmeta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11 (filtered medium)"><u1:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="country-region"><u1:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="City"><u1:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"><zzz!--[if><zzzbody link="blue" vlink="blue" lang="EN-US"><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;color:black;"><span style="Comic Sans MS";font-weight:boldfont-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;color:red;"><span style="Comic Sans MS";font-weight:boldfont-family:";color:red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br />When I saw the soldiers, probably 30-40 of them, being applauded and cheered for, it hit me. I'm not alone. I'm not the only red-blooded American who still loves this country and supports our troops and their families. Of course I immediately stopped and began clapping for these young unsung heroes who are putting their lives on the line everyday for us so we can go to school, work and home without fear or reprisal.</span></span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;color:black;"><span style="Comic Sans MS";font-weight:boldfont-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br /></span></span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;color:red;"><span style="Comic Sans MS";font-weight:boldfont-family:";color:red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br />Just when I thought I could not be more proud of my country or of our service men and women, a young girl, not more than 6 or 7 years old, ran up to one of the male soldiers. He kneeled down and said 'hi.' </span></span></span></span></b><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;color:black;"><span style=" Comic Sans MS";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /> </span></span></span></span><b><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;color:red;"><span style="Comic Sans MS";font-weight:boldfont-family:";color:red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br />The little girl then asked him if he would give something to her daddy for her.</span></span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;color:black;"><span style=" Comic Sans MS";font-weight:boldfont-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"> </span></span></span></span></b><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;color:black;"><span style=" Comic Sans MS";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span><b><span style="font-weight:bold"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span></span></b></span></span><b><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;color:red;"><span style="Comic Sans MS";font-weight:boldfont-family:";color:red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br />The young soldier, who didn't look any older than maybe 22 himself, said he would try and what did she want to give to her Daddy. Then suddenly the little girl grabbed the neck of this soldier, gave him the biggest hug she could muster and then kissed him on the cheek.<br /><br />The mother of the little girl, who said her daughter's name was Courtney, told the young soldier that her husband was a Marine and had been in </span></span><st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Iraq</span></span></st1:place></st1:country-region></st1:place></st1:country-region><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"> for 11 months now. As the mom was explaining how much her daughter Courtney missed her father, the young soldier began to tear up. </span></span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;color:black;"><span style=" Comic Sans MS";font-weight:boldfont-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;color:red;"><span style="Comic Sans MS";font-weight:boldfont-family:";color:red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br />When this temporarily single mom was done explaining her situation, all of the soldiers huddled together for a brief second. Then one of the other servicemen pulled out a military-looking walkie-talkie. They started playing with the device and talking back and forth on it. </span></span></span></span></b><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;color:black;"><span style="Comic Sans MS";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /> </span></span></span></span><b><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;color:red;"><span style="Comic Sans MS";font-weight:boldfont-family:";color:red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br />After about 10-15 seconds of this, the young soldier walked back over to Courtney, bent down and said this to her, 'I spoke to your daddy and he told me to give this to you.' He then hugged this little girl that he had just met and gave her a kiss on the cheek. He finished by saying 'your daddy told me to tell you that he loves you more than anything and he is coming home very soon.'<br /><br />The mom at this point was crying almost uncontrollably and as the young soldier stood to his feet, he saluted Courtney and her mom. I was standing no more than 6 feet away from this entire event. </span></span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;color:black;"><span style="Comic Sans MS";font-weight:boldfont-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;color:red;"><span style="Comic Sans MS";font-weight:boldfont-family:";color:red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br />As the soldiers began to leave, heading towards their gate, people resumed their applause. As I stood there applauding and looked around, there were very few dry eyes, including my own. That young soldier in one last act of selflessness, turned around and blew a kiss to Courtney with a tear rolling down his cheek.<br /><br />We need to remember everyday all of our soldiers and their families and thank God for them and their sacrifices. At the end of the day, it's good to be an American.<br /><br />RED FRIDAYS ----- Very soon, you will see a great many people wearing Red every Friday. The reason? Americans who support our troops used to be called the 'silent majority'. We are no longer silent, and are voicing our love for God, country and home in record breaking numbers. </span></span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;color:black;"><span style="Comic Sans MS";font-weight:boldfont-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;color:red;"><span style="Comic Sans MS";font-weight:boldfont-family:";color:red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br />We are not organized, boisterous or over-bearing. We get no liberal media coverage on TV, to reflect our message or our opinions. Many Americans, like you, me and all our friends, simply want to recognize that the vast majority of </span></span><st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">America</span></span></st1:place></st1:country-region></st1:place></st1:country-region><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"> supports our troops. </span></span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;color:black;"><span style="Comic Sans MS"; font-weight:boldfont-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;color:red;"><span style="Comic Sans MS";font-weight:boldfont-family:";color:red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br />Our idea of showing solidarity and support for our troops with dignity and respect starts this Friday -</span></span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;color:blue;"><span style="Comic Sans MS"; font-weight:boldfont-family:";color:blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"> </span></span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;color:red;"><span style="Comic Sans MS"; font-weight:boldfont-family:";color:red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">and continues each and every Friday until the troops all come home, sending a deafening message that.. Every red-blooded American who supports our men and women afar will wear something red. </span></span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;color:black;"><span style=" Comic Sans MS";font-weight:boldfont-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;color:red;"><span style="Comic Sans MS";font-weight:boldfont-family:";color:red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br />By word of mouth, press, TV -- let's make the </span></span><st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">United States</span></span></st1:place></st1:country-region></st1:place></st1:country-region><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"> on every Friday a sea of red much like a homecoming football game in the bleachers.<br /><br />If every one of us who loves this country will share this with acquaintances, co-workers, friends, and family. It will not be long before the </span></span><st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">USA</span></span></st1:place></st1:country-region></st1:place></st1:country-region><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"> is covered in RED and it will let our troops know the once 'silent' majority is on their side more than ever; certainly more than the media lets on.<br /><br />The first thing a soldier says when asked 'What can we do to make things better for you?' is</span></span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;color:blue;"><span style="Comic Sans MS";font-weight: boldfont-family:";color:blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"> </span></span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;color:red;"><span style="Comic Sans MS";font-weight:boldfont-family:";color:red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">...</span></span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;color:blue;"><span style=" Comic Sans MS";font-weight:boldfont-family:";color:blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"> </span></span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;color:red;"><span style="Comic Sans MS";font-weight:boldfont-family:";color:red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">We need your support and your prayers.<br /><br />Let's get the word out and lead with class and dignity, by example; and wear something red every Friday.<br /><br />IF YOU AGREE -- THEN SEND THIS ON. IF YOU COULDN'T CARE LESS THEN HIT THE DELETE BUTTON --- IT IS YOUR CHOICE. I don't know if you've seen this, but I couldn't delete it.</span></span></span></span></b><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;color:black;"><span style="Comic Sans MS"; font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span></span></span><b><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;color:red;"><span style="Comic Sans MS";font-weight:boldfont-family:";color:red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br />WE LIVE IN THE LAND OF THE FREE, ONLY BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE.</span></span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;color:blue;"><span style=" Comic Sans MS";font-weight:boldfont-family:";color:blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"> </span></span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;color:red;"><span style="Comic Sans MS";font-weight:boldfont-family:";color:red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br />THEIR BLOOD RUNS RED</span></span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;color:blue;"><span style="Comic Sans MS"; font-weight:boldfont-family:";color:blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"> </span></span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;color:red;"><span style="Comic Sans MS"; font-weight:boldfont-family:";color:red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">---- SO WEAR RED! ---</span><br /></span></span></span></b><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:black;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="font-family:Arial;color:black;"><span style=" ;font-family:Arial;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:black;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><span style="color:black;"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><u1:p></u1:p></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:black;"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">=</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> </zzzbody></zzz!--[if></u1:smarttagtype></u1:smarttagtype></u1:smarttagtype></zzzmeta></zzzmeta></zzzhead></zzzhtml></div>YankeeGMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14168884991190762560noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1990591611131454183.post-62187922037091444642009-04-30T00:21:00.002-04:002009-04-30T00:53:37.916-04:00Joba Hurt?I know the results were good tonight and the radar gun even lit up 95 a couple of times but this is still not the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Joba</span> we saw last year. Here are the pitch <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">fx</span> numbers;<br /><br /><strong>Avg fastball Speed - 92.76</strong><br /><strong>Max Speed - 96.3</strong><br /><strong></strong><br />Not bad numbers but compare that to last years starts;<br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>Best Avg <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">FB</span> Speed - 95.51</strong><br /><strong>Worst <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">ang</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">FB</span> speed - 94.57</strong><br /><strong>Total Avg <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">FB</span> as starter - 95.00</strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>Best Max Speed - 99.6</strong><br /><strong>Worst Max Speed - 97.8</strong><br /><strong>Average Max Speed - 98.86</strong><br /><br />So where is the other 2 mph? Those 2 are what take him from a very good <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">pitcher</span> to a once in a generation talent. His average <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">FB</span> as a starter last year would put him second in the majors behind only Justin <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Verlander</span> while his 2009 average only puts him in the top 20. So the question that needs answering is why the drop in velocity? Is he hurt? <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Is</span> it poor mechanics? Whats the deal with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Joba</span>?Yardisiakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02213544497026151543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1990591611131454183.post-58263342127719506612009-04-28T16:27:00.002-04:002009-04-28T16:44:12.854-04:00Messiah SighingSorry to my more religious friends, but the boy-wonder known to some as "Phil Phranchise" was dubbed "The Messiah" on this website (or simply TM) about 3 years ago and it's just tough to let it go.<br /><br />Anyway, TM is making his season debut against el Tigros (is that right? I don't speak any Spanish) tonight in the land of unsold inferior cars. I for one, am really looking forward to it. In my opinion, Phil is still every bit the pending stud everyone dubbed him before last season's debaclous showing.<br /><br />Why, you ask, am I still so high on Phil? How about these numbers so far in 2009 in SWB-<br /><br />3 wins, vs zero losses<br />1.86 ERA<br />17 hits and 3(!!) walks allowed in 19 ip<br /><br />And just as important as the above...he has yet to turn 23 years old!<br /><br />I have no doubt that this kid is both the real deal and headed for stardom.<br /><br />I hope it starts tonight!YankeeGMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14168884991190762560noreply@blogger.com0