12.30.2007 Happy New Year
12.30.2007 Favorites of 2007
Originally posted on 3/24/07: A little insecure, Curt?
For 15 years, I've been wearing labels that people have perceived me to have. I'll give you a great example. One of the nicknames that has always gnawed at me a little bit was the "Red Light" thing. People believe that someone called me Red Light because I like to be in front of the camera, which is not how it happened. (Source)
12.29.2007 Looking back at some of our favorite posts of 2007
Since baseball news has slowed, we thought it would be fun to look back at some of our favorite NoMaas headlines and graphics from 2007. Over the next few days, we'll be posting some of personal favs.
We'll begin with one which we probably received the most feedback on.
Originally posted on 4/19/07: The Demographics of Fenway Park (in %)
GREEN
- White Frat Kids
PURPLE
- People with the last name "Sullivan"
ORANGE
- African-Americans
MAROON
- Pizza throwers
BLUE
- Sober
12.26.2007 Prior
The San Diego native and University of San Diego High graduate has agreed to an incentive-laden, one-year contract with the Padres.
Prior's agent, John Boggs, would not discuss details of the contract, but The San Diego Union-Tribune learned only $1 million is guaranteed. Prior can make an additional $3.5 million through incentives, including $1 million for being on the Padres' 25-man roster throughout the 2008 season and up to another $2.25 million for making 30 starts.
However, Prior doesn't expect to be ready to pitch until mid-May at the earliest, which would limit the right-hander's incentive income to around $2.5 million. (Source)
According
to the article, Mark Prior is getting $1 million guaranteed and a likely
maximum of $2.5 million in incentives. That's essentially pocket
change to the Yankees and we sincerely hope they conducted their due dilligence
on Prior. It is an offer the Yankees could have easily trumped by
a sizable margin. We have seen speculation that Prior wanted to play
in his hometown, which has a pitcher's paradise for a ballpark. Maybe
it was just that simple. Money usually talks though and we hope the
front office took a hard look into this.
12.25.2007 Happy Holidays from NoMaas
12.20.2007 Hank, that's enough
"There's still an outside chance that we get him," Yankees senior vice president Hank Steinbrenner said by phone Wednesday afternoon. "We'll see. We've got to do things based on what we think is best. I think myself and [general manager] Brian are going back and forth. I think we're comfortable staying where we are, and I certainly think we'd be comfortable getting Santana, too."
In another personnel matter, Steinbrenner said he did not expect the Yankees to go after free-agent righthander Mark Prior. The 27-year-old was once one of the top up-and-comers in baseball but has been oft-injured. This season, he was 1-6 with a 7.21 ERA in nine starts for the Cubs before shoulder surgery.
"We kind of looked into it, but at this point, no," Steinbrenner said of the Yankees' interest in Prior. (Source)
At first it was interesting, but now Hank Steinbrenner's constant commentary is growing very tiresome. It's almost embarrassing to hear him continuously airing out Yankees business to the public. It's unprofessional. We get it, Hank. You took over for your dad. You're the man. Now, please be quiet.
12.19.2007 Bud Selig's requirements for an investigation
Evidence:
not required
Multiple
sources: not required
Witnesses:
not required
No
affiliation with a professional baseball team: not required
Speculative
name-dropping: required
12.18.2007 Material girl
A story about a baseball player appropriate enough to be reported by Variety Magazine:
Guy Oseary, the former record company executive whose personal management stable includes Madonna, has signed his first athlete, Alex Rodriguez.
The New York Yankees third baseman, considered by many to be the game's top player, has signed with Oseary, who personally manages Lenny Kravitz and magician David Blaine in addition to Madonna. He is also a partner in Untitled Entertainment, whose clients include Hilary Swank, Penelope Cruz, Naomi Watts and Ashton Kutcher.
"He's focusing on baseball and needs someone whose interests are aligned," Oseary told Daily Variety, explaining the rare move of an athlete signing with a manager whose expertise is music and film. "This is to help him have more control of his image and brand."
12.18.2007 Interesting non-tender
Here's the list and one particular non-tender caught our eye.
Everyone knows about Mark Prior, so we won't repeat.
Morgan
Ensberg: Career 116 OPS+, draws BBs, and sees lots of pitches; averaging
3.92 per plate appearance over his career. That #P/PA rate is better
than the career rates of Johnny Damon, Jorge Posada, and Derek Jeter.
Ensberg had a poor 2007 season, but could be a great addition for the bench.
Buy low.
12.17.2007 It's official: Mariano signs his ridiculous contract
Rivera and the club formally finalized a three-year, $45 million agreement on Monday. (Source)
Apparently the Yankees have the US Mint in the bowels of the Stadium because this contract is simply absurd. No closer, even the greatest reliever in baseball history, is worth this amount of money. Over the last 3 seasons, Mariano has averaged a touch under 75 innings per year. Assuming he's around that total again, he'll be making $200,000 per inning. Add on the fact that he's 38 and this contract becomes even more nutty.
We may not be able to quantify "intimidation" or "knows how to end a game" or "calm", but we could make an argument that there were 100 pitchers last season more valuable than Mariano. According to Baseball Prospectus, Mariano ranked 101st among all pitchers in VORP. Pitchers who ranked above him include such names as Bronson Arroyo, Orlando Hernandez, Noah Lowry, and Jarrod Washburn.
We may never see a reliever as special as Mariano, however it still doesn't change the fact that $15 mil a year for someone who throws 1 inning per game is crazy. To think, he wanted a 4th year?!?
12.17.2007 Human growth hormone
What is it and what does it do?
We did some research and here's what we found on MayoClinic.com:
Synthetic human growth hormone is available only by prescription and is administered through an intramuscular injection. It's currently approved to treat adults with true growth hormone deficiency — not the expected decline in growth hormone due to aging. Growth hormone deficiency can be caused by pituitary tumors and radiation or surgery to the pituitary gland, among other causes.
Human growth hormone is also approved for:
Children
with short stature
Children
with kidney failure
Children
with Prader-Willi syndrome
Children
with Turner's syndrome
Muscle
wasting associated with AIDS and HIV
Studies of adults with growth hormone deficiencies show that injections of human growth hormone can:
Increase
bone density
Increase
muscle mass
Decrease
body fat
Bolster
the heart's ability to contract
Improve
mood and motivation
Increase
exercise capacity
Because of those results, some people believe that synthetic human growth hormone can help healthy older adults who have naturally low levels of growth hormone regain some of their youth and vitality.
What can human growth hormone do for healthy older adults who don't need it?
Studies of healthy older adults taking human growth hormone are limited. Many involve a small number of people followed for a short period of time. The studies that have been conducted have found that human growth hormone injections can increase muscle mass and reduce the amount of body fat in healthy older adults.
That increase in muscle doesn't translate into increased strength. Though the study participants gained muscle, they weren't any stronger. One study compared older men who took human growth hormone with older men who went through strength training programs. The bottom line: Strength training can increase both your muscle mass and your strength, making it cheaper and more effective than taking human growth hormone. (Source)
Human
growth hormone does appear to have a true medical function for those who
suffer from a variety of diseases. Most of the HGH research we read
does state that the drug builds muscle, so it has an anabolic feature to
it. It also seems that healthy adults use it as some sort of anti-aging,
increased stamina mechanism. So, you can see why athletes would use
it, as it apparently may slow down a decline phase and aid in recovery
time. As far as Mayo Clinic concluding that it does not increase
strength, we have no idea. However, most sites we visited seem to
mention this "ageless" theme.
12.16.2007 Andy
It's very disappointing to hear that Andy used HGH. However, it wasn't illegal when he did it, and he supposedly used it while on the disabled list to aid his recovery. Since HGH was banned by baseball in 2005, we don't see why Pettitte would be suspended for using it in 2002. It still makes for a tough read though. An an aside, Clemens is now in some deep sh$#.
It's
a sad time in baseball, both due to a haphazard report and a drug culture
which seems prevalent in the game.
12.15.2007 Yanks choose draft pick over player
Cashman's
emphasis on the amateur draft has once again become readily visible:
:
The
Rockies are close to signing a multiyear contract with right-handed reliever
Luis Vizcaino, who went 8-2 with a 4.30 ERA in 77 relief appearances with
the Yankees last season.
By allowing Vizcaino to walk, the Yankees receive a sandwich pick in next year's amateur draft. Since Vizcaino is a type B free agent, the Bombers will obtain a selection between the 1st and 2nd rounds of the draft, thus the "sandwich." In 2006, Joba Chamberlain was a sandwich pick selection.
The organization's emphasis on the draft cannot be overstated. According to various sources, Vizcaino's contract will be somewhere around 2 years, $7 million total. That is a reasonable contract for a pitcher of Vizcaino's quality. Contrary to what may be popular belief, he has been an effective middle reliever over the past several years. If you look at his last three seasons, including his one year with NY, he has held hitters to a .243 BA / .329 OBP / .398 SLG / .727 OPS. Also, he was lights-out for the Yankees in July & August. You could make an argument that he would have been even more effective for NY if the Bullpen Maestro didn't have a man-crush on him.
The overall point is that the Yankees passed on a reasonable contract for a useful reliever in order to obtain a high selection in the upcoming draft. This further confirms Brian Cashman's control over baseball operations and the importance he has placed on building from within the farm system.
Look back to what Cashman said on June 4, 2007, right before the most recent draft:
There's no doubt, there was a period of time when we disregarded how important the Draft really is," Cashman said. "That's changed. There are players I passed on last year as free agents that had No. 1 picks attached to them. I wasn't giving up our No. 1 pick. We need that for our future.
"[The Draft] is huge. It's vital. One of the reasons we're struggling now is that we're paying for sins of the past." (Source)
And Cashman has everyone else on board with this strategy. On December 5, 2007, Hank Steinbrenner offered the following comments:
“Our goal is to be self-sufficient,” Steinbrenner continued, repeating a theme, “like the Yankees used to be, and do it through the draft and Latin America. Our guys are the best scouts in baseball, and they’ve proven that over the last few years. It’s unbelievable the job Damon Oppenheimer and his scouts have done. That’s what’s got to continue.” (Source)
This
is how the Yankees think now. Player development is front and center.
It also makes you wonder why certain people think Cashman has lost control.
They couldn't be more wrong.
12.13.2007 The Mitchell/Red Sox report
Here are our thoughts on the Mitchell Report:
If certain players cheated by enhancing their peformance with illegal drugs, then they should be called out for it. It's sad that people, who possess incredible abilities we all wish we had, felt the need to be deceitful.
However, after taking a look at the report, it's very obvious that it is severely flawed and thus, its credibility is in question. First of all, the main source of Mitchell's report is a former Mets clubhouse worker Kirk Radomski, who recently took a plea deal in exchange for cooperating with the "investigation." We put quotes around "investigation" because despite what MLB may want us to think, this was not a full investigation. Mitchell's #1 resource was a guy who agreed to provide information only after being faced with charges. Additionally, shouldn't a report of this magnitude have more than one source of information? Mitchell did not gather evidence from a diverse base. Rather, it was generated from one guy who used to work for the Mets. This report is not comprehensive in the least.
And now we have this headline from Boston.com: "No current Red Sox fingered."
Does this surprise you? We have always thought that it was utterly ridiculous that a Board Director and part-owner of the Boston Red Sox was appointed to lead this investigation. Apparently, the Red Sox are pillars of morality because there are no high-profile Boston players named (in fact, barely any players mentioned at all), either presently with the team or in their recent past. Those players which are named, we're sure the Boston front office could not care less about.
After the Mitchell report was released, the Red Sox issued this statement:
"The Boston Red Sox have supported and fully cooperated with this investigation initiated by Commissioner Selig and conducted by Senator Mitchell. The Senator and his staff should be thanked and commended for their dedicated and independent efforts in producing this important report. (Source)
A complete joke.
As
previously mentioned, any player who cheated in an effort to improve his
performance should own up to his actions. However, this report suffers
from a lack of credibility in its "sources" and clearly displays a major
conflict of interest.
12.11.2007 What Shelley Duncan does in the offseason
12.11.2007 Not for nothing, but...
If we were Boston fans (which would mean we'd have a small patch of facial hair, rosy red cheeks, and an aggression problem), we'd be wondering why our front office isn't pulling the trigger on a Lester + Ellsbury for Johan Santana trade.
Even the most recent reports are indicating that Epstein & Co. will still not include both players in a trade for the Minnesota ace:
December 11th: The Twins continued exploring potential trade options for Johan Santana on Monday, picking up where they left off at last week's winter meetings.
While no deal appeared imminent, there were indications that in their talks with the Red Sox, the Twins were focused on a package headlined by center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury. The Red Sox have offered Ellsbury and pitcher Jon Lester in separate deals, while refusing to include both in the same offer. (Source)
For whatever drug-induced reason, the Twins seem to want Ellsbury more than Phil Hughes, and it seems like an Ellsbury/Lester package would get a deal extremely close to being done. Our question: Why haven't the Red Sox done this?
Although Tommy from Malden, Mass may view Ellsbury as the next Willie Mays, we don't view him as an elite talent. He's a very good prospect as he has amazing speed, superb CF defense, solid contact rates, and good plate discipline. However, he suffers from an alarming lack of power. Before he was called up to Boston, he had a dismal .380 SLG in 83 games at AAA. In 250 minor league games, he only slugged .425, hitting a mere 10 HRs over three seasons. Now, slugging prowess isn't quite needed for a center fielder, but Ellsbury's lack of it serves as a significant deficiency. His very noticeable absence of power should make him expendable in a Santana deal.
With Jon Lester, we really don't need to elaborate too much -- Good stuff, but with significant control issues: 74 BB in 144 major league innings (4.625 BB/9) and a 3.78 BB/9 in the minors (compared to Phil Hughes 2.16 BB/9 or Clay Buccholz 2.43 BB/9). His ceiling is perhaps a # 3, but more likely he'll be a back end of the rotation starter.
These
are two guys we would like to have in the Yankees system, but both have
big question marks regarding certain aspects of their game. We'd
be email-bombing the front office to deal them both for Santana.
12.09.2007 Cain or Lincecum: A realistic opportunity?
Last Friday (12/7) Giants General Manager, Brian Sabean, chatted with the local sportstalk radio in the Bay Area, KNBR. He was extremely candid in his responses, and gave a lot of insight into the Giants’ thought process in potentially trading some of their youth. Below are quotes from the interview:
On the hosts asking about the rumored Lincecum for Rios deal:
“We are still looking for middle of the order help. We’re trying to maximize everything that we can do with a trade like that (Rios for Lincecum) with a convenient return, but the roadblock so far has obviously been the asking price."
Hmm…ok, good start. They’re looking for a middle of the order bat…
“[The offer is] still on the table, but for obvious reasons when you haven’t gone forward on something like this, acted on this by this time, you got some reservations. The greater “what if” is if there’s a way to expand things and ease our pain.”
Ok now! So he isn’t happy with solely Rios in return at this point, and is looking to see if there is a different way to approach the middle of the order bat problem. Keep talking, Brian, keep talking…
“Toronto has asked for Lincecum pure and simple.”
Ah-ha! So it seems that it wasn’t a case of the Blue Jays settling for Lincecum instead of Cain, as many media outlets initially reported. The Blue Jays prefer Lincecum, and that is who they asked for. We wonder though – from the Giants’ perspective, who do they prefer?
“One of the compelling discussions is we really feel because of his ability to throw strikes the way he attacks the strikezone, and the fact that he has out pitches, plural, that if we got into a situation where we thought Lincecum was being worn down by the 200 plus innings, we could use him as a closer. And no disrespect to Cain, but I don’t know Matty is the same animal, and I think also going back to how we scouted Lincecum in college – here’s a kid who could throw 120-130 pitches in a game on Friday, and if they had a game on Monday or Tuesday he’d close, and then start after that. He’s also somebody that is in such tremendous shape that the day after he pitches he’s out there playing longtoss at 120 plus feet on a line, and just has an incredible ability to bounce back."
So by the tone of his statements, as well as their content, it seems as though Sabean actually prefers Lincecum to Cain. At other times in the interview he makes reference to this preference, too, albeit subtle.
Ok, Brian has said that they’re apprehensive about dealing Lincecum for Rios straight up, but that the offer is still on the table from Toronto’s side. We wonder how long he’ll wait to make a decision?
“By the end of the weekend and maybe the first of the week, we’re going to have to flush this out one way or another because we are juggling some other things and we want to get on to other business if we’re going to pass on this.”
Very nice. By Monday or Tuesday we’ll know if this Matsui talk is going to grow legs.
“As an organization we’re still on the fence and that’s why I hold hope there’s a way to be creative. The way that you keep it alive in your own mind, or even with the other team, is that if there’s any way we can find, quote, a replacement for Lincecum. Not a Lincecum type, because that doesn’t exist in our organization at this point in time, and doesn’t necessarily exist on the outside, but while you gain a position player like Rios, what do you actually do with Lincecum’s loss – who goes into the rotation?”
If the Giants deal Lincecum, they’re worried about who takes his spot in the rotation. Interestingly enough, the Yankees have a guy by the name of Ian Kennedy who is cost-controlled for 6 years and Major League ready. Just saying, Mr. Sabean…Just saying…
Why he doesn’t just hold onto the two studs and let them anchor the future, rather than trading one for hitting help?
“One of the exercises we go through is realistically, how much is one player going to change our lineup? We actually need two players. Now, if you’re able to get a player without too much pain, that allows you to go forward to be somewhat better, even marginally better, this year, but puts you in a position because you have that player in the fold that you get the second player next year, then so be it. Right now the difficulty is in ANY combination. I don’t see us being able to make two trades for position players in the middle of the lineup, or a combination of two free agents, or even one trade and one free agent. That’s what we still have to flush out, that’s really what we’re trying to do, going through the alphabet, to exhaust that possibility.”
So Brian wants two middle of the order bats, and doesn’t feel as though he can get them in one deal this offseason. It just so happens that the Yankees have a few available, Mr. Sabean! Hideki Matsui, Shelley Duncan, and Wilson Betemit for starters - and we do mean "for starters." Are we setting the bidding too low for someone like Cain? Yes, but with good reason. We're under the impression from both Sabean's comments and his history, that he's doing exactly what it is he does best: undervaluing a young, talented player. If that's the case, why not start at Matsui+?
Listen to the interview and see why we got so excited when we heard it ourselves. Not only does Sabean seem to be willing to part with Lincecum or Cain, but he seems more willing to part with the latter, as he is desperately seeking lineup help. Objectively, the Yankees could put together a package that enticed the Giants’ GM, and even if he refuses it, Sabean is so hard up for bats that adjustments could be made to get a deal done in some shape or form.
12.09.2007 Thief
Carl Pavano spoke to Brian Cashman on Friday at the Stadium and said he is going to accept a minor-league assignment after the Yankees release him from the final year of a disastrous four-year, $39.95 million contract.
Needing room on the 40-man roster so they can add Alex Rodriguez, Andy Pettitte and Mariano Rivera, the Yankees hatched the idea of cutting Pavano. The right-hander had Tommy John surgery on his right elbow in early June and isn't expected to be ready to pitch until July at the earliest.
Under the release plan, Pavano would get the $11 million he is owed for the 2008 season and the $1.95 million buyout he would have coming to him, because the Yankees aren't going to pick up a $15 million option for 2009. (Source)
12.06.2007 The San Francisco treat
3:45
p.m., from Jayson Stark
•
A source says the Giants did call the Yankees about Hideki Matsui. They're
offering their starting pitchers (Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain or Noah Lowry)
for bats, but they are just exploring to see if there is a match. Matsui
has a full no-trade clause, and it isn't known whether he would waive it
to go to San Francisco or anywhere else. (Source)
Where do we sign up for this? Adding Cain or Lincecum would be utterly fantastic.
By signing Andruw Jones, the Dodgers threw a wrench into our offseasons ideas. First, we would have liked to sign Jones to a one-year deal. Second, we wanted to send Matsui to the Dodgers for some of their luscious and ripe prospects. But, now that the Colletti-Torre contingent succeeded in burying Matt Kemp and acquiring their veteran outfielder, Matsui to LA probably isn't realistic anymore.
However, this San Francisco development has us most intrigued. Why the Giants would trade two potential studs is beyond us, but we would love to ship Matsui there for one of them.
While Matsui has an excellent bat (123 OPS+ in 2007), his defense is horrible (but he has such a quick release!111!!). While his bat is not nearly as good, Damon could become the primary LF (which we believe Cash has announced anyway) and provide an immediate increase in run prevention. Also, since Matsui is supposed to share time at DH with Giambi next year, you just find someone else...perhaps a Duncan/Giambi platoon. Honestly, who cares? When you have the opportunity to acquire a young pitcher with the near-term potential to be a top of the rotation stud, you do it.
With all this being said, Matsui alone may not be enough to get Cain or Lincecum. So, we suggest adding Ian Kennedy to the mix. Kennedy is not at the talent level of those two, but he is MLB-ready. San Fran would get their bat, and a pitcher to replace Cain or Lincecum.
A Wang, Pettitte, Hughes, Joba, Cain/Lincecum rotation would make us wet ourselves.
Matsui
would be a big draw in SF.
12.05.2007 Peter Gammons: Boston's minister of propaganda
Tuesday
3:28 p.m., from Peter Gammons
•
The Twins and Red Sox could be getting closer to a Johan Santana deal.
Boston has sweetened its offer by adding a fifth player to the trade proposal
-- outfield prospect Ryan Kalish, a ninth-round draft pick in 2006 out
of Red Bank Catholic High School (Shrewsbury, N.J.). (Source)
Wednesday
1:16 a.m., from Boston Herald
The
Red Sox have told Ryan Kalish’s agent that his client’s name hadn’t come
up in talks with the Twins as of Tuesday night. (Source)
Whoops.
12.05.2007 Lester/Crisp/Masterson/Lowrie
We wouldn't trade Phil Hughes straight up for that combination of players. Good luck making us believe that Boston's offer was any more than a smokescreen. If Minnesota actually preferred that offer, why hasn't it happened yet?
12.03.2007 "I
will not have trade relations with that team."
Will
Hank stick by the deadline,
or will he create a credibility gap?
12.03.2007 The exodus continues as players cannot possibly handle life without Torre
As
of today, the odds of Andy Pettitte, Jorge Posada and Rivera returning
just got longer. Money talks but if at least one of those players walked,
it would not be a surprise now. All three of those players were Torre diehards.
(Source)
12.03.2007 So Hank, how do you really feel?
“How
can I go any higher?” Steinbrenner said. “What do they want — Hughes, Kennedy
and Cabrera? I can’t do that kind of thing. It’s crazy. It’s suicidal.
In the past 20 or 30 years, teams have always asked more from the Yankees
than they have of anybody else, and that’s going to stop. I’ve made the
best offer Minnesota is going to get, and the fact is, it’s an offer we
can go away happy and they can go away happy.” (Source)
12.02.2007 For those who believe the Yanks have returned to their old ways
In a Sunday article written by Bill Madden of the Daily News, he asked Hank Steinbrenner about the most critical thing he's learned while being around the Yankees:
"What was the most important thing you learned?" I asked him.
"The mistake of trading young pitching," he answered quickly. "It killed me seeing all those young pitchers we traded back then - (Scott) McGregor, (Jose) Rijo, (Doug) Drabek - who went on to have great careers because we just didn't have the patience. If there's one thing that's going to be different between me and my dad it's patience."
"Maybe," I said, "but it sounds like you're about to do the same thing - trading young pitchers - for (Johan) Santana."
"There's
a big difference," Hank countered. "Santana's only 28 and just coming into
his prime. I remember consoling Woody when my dad insisted we trade Drabek
for (Rick) Rhoden. Rhoden was 32 or 33, but back then that's the way we
did things. (Source)
12.01.2007 Twins GM does drugs
How else can you explain the following?
Minnesota has requested the Yankees surrender either pitcher Alan Horne or outfielder Austin Jackson as the third player...(Source)
Ok, that's just silly.
But the Twins have continued to talk with the Red Sox about center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury, a player they seem to covet even more than Hughes. (Source)
Ellsbury is a good prospect and all, but to value him over Phil Hughes? That's simply nuts.
Twins
GM Bill Smith
12.01.2007 Our thoughts on the Hughes situation
Like many of you, we were absolutely crushed when we saw the reports of Phil Hughes being offered to the Twins. It was like someone ripped our heart out and showed it to us before we collapsed to the ground. It's tough to remain objective when it comes to Phil Hughes. For the past several years, we have watched him go from draft pick to the best pitching prospect in baseball.
For us, it's more than that though. After nearly a decade of ignoring the farm system, Hughes became symbolic to many Yankee fans. He served as the biggest sign that the madness and inefficiency which ran rampant through this organization was coming to an end. No longer would the strategy focus on acquiring immovable contracts of players whose production didn't justify their cost. We heard terms from the front office that we hadn't been used to hearing -- like "cutting payroll", "roster flexibility", "youth movement", and "developing from within." In just a few short years, the Yankees went from having a joke of a farm system to one of the best in all of baseball. It was a breath of fresh air, and Hughes was at the forefront of the "new Yankee way."
That's why it's so difficult to let Phil go. Maybe it is the fan in us. After all, we would be acquiring Johan Santana. He's still in his prime. In March, he'll turn 29. Over the past 6 years, he's never posted an ERA+ of under 130. In fact, in each season from 2004-2006, he led the AL in ERA+. You know that you are getting premium quality production from him. You don't know that yet about Phil, despite his marvelous minor league numbers. If you are going to trade the top pitching prospect in baseball, the only player you would do that for is Johan Santana. It's not like the Yankees are trading prospects for past-their-prime declining stars, and thus abandoning their newfound methodology.
We will admit though that we are struggling with why Hughes was included in a potential deal so quickly. By all reports, the Twins are not interested in Boston's current offer. Like we said the other day, Coco Crisp makes no sense for them. So, why did the Yankees feel the need to up the ante so quickly? And if they really felt compelled to do so, did they try to build upon the orginal Kennedy+ offer? That is what is really bothering us. We would avoid trading Hughes until the moment we absolutely had to. We would explore every avenue. Maybe the Twins said bluntly, "If Hughes isn't included, you have no chance." Who knows? The timing just seems very odd to us.
I guess
all we can do is wait and hopefully some of these questions will be answered
for us...at least for the sake of our own sanity.
11.29.2007 Smokescreen
The Red Sox and Twins are discussing the framework of a Johan Santana deal that would have Boston sending four players to Minnesota in return for the two-time Cy Young Award winner, including center fielder Coco Crisp, pitcher Jon Lester and minor-league shortstop Jed Lowrie, the trio that would anchor the deal. (Source)
We don't believe this deal between Boston and Minnesota is real. We think it's propaganda that both teams are putting out to get the Yankees to offer more. We feel this way not because we have special sources, but rather we're just thinking about it logically.
First, you could make a strong argument that a Lester, Crisp, Lowrie-anchored deal would be trumped by a Kennedy, Cabrera, Tabata (or Austin Jackson) combination. And, we cannot conceive a scenario where the Yankees would not be willing to offer those players for Johan Santana.
But, disregard that position for a moment. For the sake of argument, call the packages "even."
If one looks at what Twins are doing, it is obvious they are slashing salary and entering a rebuilding phase. In our interview yesterday with Twins' beat writer Jim Souhal, he confirmed this and stated that the organization is gearing up for the 2010 opening of their new stadium.
It is this organizational direction which provides us with the biggest reason that this Red Sox-Twins deal is not legitimate. It makes zero sense for Minnesota to acquire Coco Crisp.
While Crisp may be viewed as "affordable" when compared to other recently signed contracts, he does not possess the same of amount of value or discount to the Twins.
Crisp, who recently turned 28, will be paid $10.5 million over the next 2 seasons, and has a 2010 club option for $8 million or a $500,000 buyout. (Source)
Why would the rebuilding Twins pay that salary when there are cheaper, younger, and comparable solutions available?
That alternative is Melky Cabrera. Melky is only 23, made $432k last season, and is not yet eligible for arbitration.
But, for the extra money, you think you would be getting a much better bat with Crisp, right? Wrong. Take a look at their lines from 2007.
Crisp:
.268 BA / .330 OBP / .382 SLG / .712 OPS
Cabrera:
.273 BA / .327 OBP / .391 SLG / .718 OPS
Both lines are terrible, but at least Melky is 23 and isn't close to his peak years yet. What's Coco's excuse?
So seriously, ask yourself this question. Does it make more sense for a team in a rebuilding phase to acquire a 28-year old CF due $10.5 million over the next 2 years, or a 23-year old CF who will make less than $500k next season?
The
Twins and Red Sox are trying to get the Yankees to up the ante. It's
simple logic.
11.28.2007 The view from Minnesota: Interview with Twins beat writer, Jim Souhan
Lane Meyer sat down with Twins beat writer and veteran journalist, Jim Souhan of the Star Tribune (Minneapolis - St. Paul) to discuss the Johan Santana negotiations. There is some very good insight here.
Click
here to read the interview.
11.27.2007 Is the best pitcher in baseball coming to the Bronx?
Does anyone find it interesting that the Yankees are the only team being seriously mentioned in trade talks with Minnesota? With Santana possessing a no-trade clause, is it possible that he has instructed the Twins to trade him to the Boogie Down?
Equally as fascinating is the following excerpt from an article on SI.com:
The Twins have opened trade discussions for Johan Santana by asking the Yankees for a package of at least three young players that would include one of their three top starters -- Joba Chamberlain, Phil Hughes or Ian Kennedy -- plus center fielder Melky Cabrera. (Source)
If Kennedy is being lumped together with Hughes and Joba, then Cashman is a magician. If Santana can be acquired for Kennedy, Melky, and any other prospect of the Twins choice, we will post a picture of Peter Abraham picking his nose.
We
would personally drive Melky and Ian to the Metrodome.
11.25.2007 Inside the mind of Hank Steinbrenner
On Sunday, the NY Post published an in-depth interview with the Yankees top dog, Hank Steinbrenner. Let's take a look.
On preaching patience with Joe Girardi and the young Yankee pitchers:
It doesn't mean we can't win. The Marlins did it in '03 with a bunch of young pitchers and they beat us. Detroit got in the World Series last year with a bunch of young pitchers. It doesn't mean we can't win right away... But you gotta give them a chance to get their feet wet.
Makes sense.
On Brian Cashman:
He's probably more frugal with money than myself or my brother are, or my dad was. The biggest thing he's done these last few years is these young pitchers (Joba Chamberlain, Phil Hughes, Ian Kennedy). Him and Damon Oppenheimer, and Mark Newman. Nobody gives you pitching. You gotta grow your own, and you gotta draft them, and they've done that. Nowadays, it's very tough to be able to get a (David) Cone or a (David) Wells when they were at their peak. You saw what (the Giants) paid (seven years, $126 million) for (Barry) Zito.
Sounds good.
His favorite actress:
Jennifer Love Hewitt.
What?????????
Hank
on his way home after a long day at the Stadium.
11.24.2007 Johan
The Johan Santana sweepstakes are about to start burning up the Hot Stove League, and the Yankees and Mets are expected to go all-out in attempting to acquire the ace lefthander.
The Twins recently offered Santana a four-year, $80-million contract extension that would have kept him in Minnesota through the 2012 season, a person familiar with discussions said Friday. The Minneapolis Star-Tribune first reported that talks had broken down. When Santana turned down the offer, the Twins indicated they would begin looking at trading the two-time Cy Young Award winner, although Santana has a full no-trade clause.
Someone close to Santana said he would be willing to waive the clause to go to a winning club. The friend said Santana would be open to playing for either the Yankees or Mets. Changing leagues would not be a problem, the friend said.
The Twins are believed to have more interest in Chamberlain and Hughes than Kennedy, but they also like second baseman Robinson Cano and centerfielder Melky Cabrera. (Source)
Of the players mentioned above, here's who we would trade in a deal directly between the Yankees and Twins (no third team involved).
11.24.2007 The return of Pettitte is critical
The coverage of the Yankees offseason has been overwhelmingly focused on players like Arod, Posada, Rivera, and Johan Santana. While all of these players certainly demand attention, no one seems to be addressing an issue of incredible importance to the Yankees: the uncertain future of Andy Pettitte.
In the 2007 season, Pettitte gave the Yankees 215 1/3 innings of 110 ERA+ ball. His innings pitched led the staff and his ERA+ was second only to Chien-Ming Wang (121) among starters.
If Pettitte does not return, it will be a devastating blow for the starting rotation. First, who would replace those innings? With the emphasis on innings-caps for young pitchers like Hughes and Chamberlain, we doubt that they'll supply them on an individual basis. Second, without Pettitte, the rotation lacks any significant depth. There would be no choice but to rely on Mussina and his non-existent fastball. Plus, if an injury occurs, the Yankees would have to choose from the usual suspects of Karstens, Rasner, Igawa, or maybe Clippard. Alan Horne is the next exciting pitcher for fans to follow, but we can't see the Yankees bringing him to the Bronx without giving him ample time at AAA.
Without Pettitte, the set-up would look something like: Wang, Hughes, Chamberlain, Kennedy, & Mussina. Even if a trade for Santana is made, you'd assume one of those pitchers would go to Minnesota, so you would still have a bare-boned rotation.
The return of Andy Pettitte would give the Yankees much-needed innings, an option with Mussina, a backup in the event of an injury (since everyone gets bumped down a spot), and a proven and still effective pitcher in the rotation.
The
future of Andy Pettitte should be of immense concern to both the Yankees
and their fans.
11.22.2007 .324 OBP = $18 million per year?
That's what the Angels paid for the mediocre Torii Hunter.
You don't think there's a market for the $13 mil per year Hideki Matsui or Johnny Damon?
You
bet there is. Let's make a deal happen,
front office.
11.20.2007 Happy Thanksgiving from NoMaas
11.20.2007 Andruw Jones update
One of our first ideas of the offseason was to take a look at Andruw Jones on a one-year deal. Today, Scott Boras insisted that his client isn't looking for that type of contract.
Despite Andruw Jones' struggles, agent Scott Boras said Tuesday that he does not expect Jones to sign a one-year contract in an effort to rehabilitate his numbers and file for free agency again next winter. (Source)
Although Boras maintains this position, Jones does not seem to be in significant demand, which would bode well in negotiations.
"Not only have I not heard what [money] Scott is looking for on Jones; I haven't heard anyone other than Washington talking to him about Andruw," said an executive with a big league club in the market for a center fielder. "I assume that Scott is just going to wait until Hunter and Rowand are off the board and then hope the other bidders for those players get desperate." (Source)
So
again, our position is to sign Jones to a one-year deal, add a right-handed
power bat to the lineup (if he rebounds), not give up a draft pick (Jones
is a Type B), and allow the Yankees to aggressively deal a surplus outfielder.
11.19.2007 NoMaas Prospect Evaluation: Why Alan Horne should not be traded
Alan Horne had a huge 2007 season, surging onto prospect lists and garnering the attention of General Managers across the game. His performance for the Trenton Thunder this past season was so impressive that he was named the Eastern League Pitcher of the Year, after leading the Thunder to their first ever Championship. However, the problem with Horne's ascension into the prospect ranks is that he often isn't held in the regard that he deserves, as prospect pundits seem to rely on outdated and inaccurate information when evaluating him.
Click here to read the rest of our article.
While
the Big 3 have dominated the headlines, Alan Horne deserves much more serious
attention.
11.19.2007 What a difference
Joe Girardi on Monday during a WFAN interview:
"I went to the Dominican Republic for a couple days to see the young players down there. There were approximately 55 Latin players from different countries and 8 players from the United States that were down there playing some instructional ball. It was great to see...such a great amount of talent at such a young age."
Joe Torre on August 5, 2007:
Yankees
fans are dying to see Joba Chamberlain pitch, but Joe Torre would simply
like to meet the young man first. "I don't even know what the kid
looks like," Torre said after repeated questions about the ballyhooed 21-year-old
right-handed prospect. (Source)
11.18.2007 The Panama Jack*** supposedly to re-sign
Mariano Rivera's icy negotiations with the Yankees may be reaching a thaw, as the future Hall of Fame closer appears primed to remain with the club. According to a report published Sunday in the New York Post, Rivera is expected to accept the Yankees' three-year, $45 million contract offer early this week. (Source)
11.18.2007 Replay Available - Top 10 Yankees Prospects on Gotham Baseball Live
Now available is the replay of Mike Silva's show of Top 10 Yankees Prospects with Baseball America's John Manuel.
And wouldn't you know, NoMaas' Lane Meyer made a surprise appearance.
To
listen, click below: 11.15.2007 Do
you want this too, jerk?
There
is a reason why Mariano Rivera has not accepted the Yankees' offer of a
three-year, $45-million contract.
Rivera,
according to major-league sources, wants a fourth guaranteed year.
Rivera,
sources say, believes he deserves the same length of contract as Yankees
catcher Jorge Posada, who is on the verge of re-signing for $52.4 million
over four years, and Mets closer Billy Wagner, who received $43 million
over four years after the 2005 season. (Source)
There
is no way the Yankees should give Rivera a 4th year. He's insane
for not already taking the 3/45 deal. That offer is ridiculous as
it is. He may be the greatest relief pitcher of all time, but no
closer is worth that much, nevermind one who is turning 38 in a couple
weeks.
The
Yankees should absolutely stand pat with their offer and let Mariano have
his little temper tantrum. If another team wants to top that, then
be our guest. We'll happily take the draft picks.
11.15.2007 We
repeat
Do
not sign Mike Lowell.
Even
though reports
suggest otherwise, we cannot possibly believe the Yankees will sign
Mike Lowell, with such obvious younger and cheaper alternatives available.
We also can't envision the Yankees willingly giving Boston a draft pick.
This would be a typical "old Yankee signing."
We'd
much rather see Wilson Betemit be given a shot at 1B than Lowell.
Betemit is seven years younger, millions cheaper, and in a regular role
could seize his power potential.
11.15.2007 Hopefully
Jeter's attorneys provide better defense than he does
New
York City's quintessential A-list superstar, Yankees captain Derek Jeter,
is in trouble with the taxman for claiming he resided in Florida during
some of the biggest years of his Big Apple career.
New
York state tax officials want Jeter to fork over what could be hundreds
of thousands — even millions of dollars— in back taxes and interest for
the years 2001 to 2003, when the baseball shortstop claimed residency in
Florida, despite his high-profile presence in New York’s sports and gossip
pages during that time. (Source)
11.14.2007 An
"emergency" Arod interview with Tyler Kepner of the NY Times
It
was 10
days ago when Tyler Kepner suggested that Alex Rodriguez could come
back to the Yankees if he offered them a "discount." It now appears
likely that Arod will be at the hot corner for the Yankees next season.
Sensei
John Kreese sat down again with the prophet that is Tyler Kepner to discuss
this breaking news.
Click
here to read the full interview.
11.14.2007 Our
blockbuster proposal
Offseason
idea # 5
A very
bold proposal.
Welcome
NoMaas' Prince Akeem, heir to the throne of Zamunda and his
three-way trading plan.
11.12.2007 Posada
gets his deal
Jorge
Posada, the 36-year-old free agent catcher, will remain a Yankee, sources
familiar with the negotiations told the Daily News Monday night.
The
Yankees offered Posada a four-year, $52 million contract - the same deal
they gave both Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui two years ago - to remain
in pinstripes. The deal will become official pending a physicial and final
contract language being ironed out.
In
a lunch meeting with Brian Cashman on Friday, Posada and his wife, Laura,
made it clear to the Yankees' GM that they were seeking a four-year
contract.
Cashman
had been holding firm to the team's original three-year, $40 million offer
throughout the negotiations, but after mulling over the issue this weekend,
Cashman, Hank and Hal Steinbrenner agreed during a morning conference call
yesterday that they would give Posada the fourth year. (Source)
One
year too long, but what could the Yankees do? They really had no
leverage in this situation. We are surprised that he "only" got $13
mil per year, considering he was MLB's best offensive catcher in 2007.
Hopefully, he'll be able to make his mortgage payment.
11.12.2007 Mo
& Po get increased offers
The
New York Yankees planned to make a new contract offer to Jorge Posada on
Monday in an effort to re-sign the All-Star catcher before he hit the open
market.
New
York also was trying to re-sign Mariano Rivera before Tuesday, when free
agents could start talking money with all clubs.
"Mariano
already has been given an improved offer, and Jorge's will be today," senior
vice president Hank Steinbrenner said. "We're kind of hoping to get an
answer at least on one of the two tonight."
Rivera,
an eight-time All-Star, was in the Dominican Republic on Monday. Rivera,
who turns 38 on Nov. 29, said Monday if he couldn't reach a deal with New
York, he would consider following manager Joe Torre to the Los Angeles
Dodgers. The closer is expected to receive a three-year contract.
"The
Yankees are my first option," he said in Santo Domingo. "But if that is
not possible, there is Joe with the Dodgers." (Source)
Bringing
back Posada and Rivera are absolutely necessary.
And
Mariano can be a bit of a prick at times.
11.11.2007 NoMaas
during the offseason
With
the games over and baseball news not as prevalent, we'll probably not be
updating the site with the same frequency we do during the season (although
last offseason, we seemed to post on a daily basis). We'll continue
to publish our roster ideas and stay current with any transactions that
are made, but we'd like to relax a little. Plus, we'd like to use
this time to implement some new features.
So
as a disclaimer, if we go a few days in between updates, give us a break.
11.08.2007 Baseball's
"independent" investigation into performance-enhancing drugs
Eleven
Major League Baseball free agents will be named in former U.S. Senator
George Mitchell's report on the use of performance-enhancing drugs in the
sport, the Boston Globe reported on its Web site.
Agents
who attended yesterday's union meeting in New York were told that all 11
players were notified by Commissioner Bud Selig's office, the Globe said,
citing two unidentified agents who confirmed the story today. (Source)
According
to numerous outlets reporting this story, Mitchell, who sits on the Red
Sox Board of Directors, will release the report by the end of the year.
Las Vegas has already begun placing odds on which players will be named
by the Red Sox board director. Here's a sampling of the action as
the gambling world waits for the findings of the Red Sox board director.
Barry
Bonds: -1,200,000
Offseason
idea # 4
Take
advantage of Joe Torre & Ned Colletti
From
NoMaas' Lane Meyer:
Any
deal for Cabrera, Santana, or Peavy is going to require the Brian Cashman
to deal from the collection of young talent he has cultivated since gaining
full power in the fall of 2005. While it is highly unlikely that he moves
Hughes or Chamberlain, a deal for one of the established stars will require
multiple selections from a group of Kennedy, Horne, Tabata, Jackson, Montero,
Sanchez, Melancon, etc. While a deal like that could conceivably still
be worth it, the Yankees should do whatever they can to improve the
talent and flexibility of their roster before trading any of those guys.
Joe Torre is the key to doing so.
Click
here to read the full article.
11.06.2007 Stating
the obvious
And
so begins our annual list of offseason ideas...
Offseason
idea # 1
It
is very obvious that the Yankees need to retain Jorge Posada and Mariano
Rivera (in that order of importance). While we typically shy away
from offering multi-year deals to older players, the Yankees really don't
have any choice in this situation.
There
is an alarming lack of catching depth around baseball and Posada is an
elite at that position. The difference in offensive production between
him and a replacement would be huge -- and Posada knows it. He is
clearly using other teams as bargaining power with the Yankees:
"I
won't sign anywhere this week," Posada told Newsday yesterday. "There's
no way we'll get something done this week."
"The
Mets are interested; they've contacted us," Posada said. "The Mets, the
Marlins, Toronto, all of them are interested." (Source)
The
Yankees might just have to bite the bullet on this one and basically give
Posada whatever he wants. Letting him walk would hurt the Yankees
much more.
With
Mariano, the Yankees need him to bolster a bullpen which was quite volatile
last season. Even at his age, Mariano is still one of the most effective
relievers in baseball. It's imperative to re-sign him.
Additionally,
the Yankees really need to convince Andy Pettitte to play. With him
declining his option and considering retirement, losing Pettitte would
be a huge loss for the rotation (110 ERA+ in 2007). Not only would
the Yankees lose one of their best starters, but having to replace Andy
could serve as a major hindrance to other offseason moves the front office
intended to make (like trading for Miguel Cabrera). Finding a starting
pitcher of Pettitte's quality would be very costly.
Offseason
idea # 2
Sign
Andruw Jones to a big money, 1 year deal.
With
the departure of Alex Rodriguez, the Yankees are in a need of a right-handed
power bat. Jones could provide that solution.
Here's
how it would work. Jones couldn't have picked a worse time to become
a free agent, as his 2007 campaign was possibly the worst of his career
(88 OPS+). In an effort to secure a lucrative multi-year deal, he
may be receptive to a one-year "prove yourself" deal. We would be
very open to the Yankees giving him a hefty one-year deal to entice him
to the Bronx. He's a career 113 OPS+ (.839 OPS) hitter, and one season
removed from posting a 49.3
VORP.
This
is the kicker though. Jones
is a Type B free agent, meaning the Yankees would not surrender their 1st
round draft pick if they were to sign him. This is what makes his
signing acceptable to us. If he was a Type A, we would not be advocating
this.
If
the Yanks were to sign him, this would allow the Yankees to shop either
Damon or Melky. Also, getting Matsui out of LF and into a DH role
would be a positive move.
11.06.2007 Do
not sign Mike Lowell
Offseason
idea # 3
This
isn't so much of an idea, but a proclamation. We do not want the
Yankees anywhere near Mike Lowell.
First,
he'll be 34 at the start of the 2008 season. Second, he's supposedly
looking for a 4 to
5 year deal. Third, he's a product of the little league field
called Fenway Park. In 2007, he had a .993 OPS at home and a .767
OPS away. Those are very
drastic splits.
Yes,
he's a "winner." He "plays the game the right way." He's "not
afraid to get his uniform dirty." He's "good in the clubhouse."
Despite
his Intangible Index being off the chart, we would not sign a player through
nearly age 40, who was greatly aided by his home park -- especially when
there are alternatives available. What alternatives? We will
put forth our proposals in the coming days.
11.05.2007 Damon
for Crede?
Buster
Olney of ESPN.com has mentioned a possible Johnny Damon for Joe Crede deal
between the Yankees and White Sox. (Source)
As
much as we didn't like the Damon signing, we would never trade him for
Joe Crede. If you like players who don't get on base, then Joe Crede
is the player for you. His career .305 OBP is simply putrid.
And any defensive value he could potentially bring is negated by the fact
that he's coming off back surgery.
Pass.
11.05.2007 Introducing...
11.04.2007 Interview
with Tyler Kepner of the New York Times
With
all of the speculation and rumor surrounding Alex Rodriguez, we wanted
to hear from someone who has direct sources into the Yankees. On
Sunday, the NY Times' Tyler Kepner wrote
an article suggesting that Arod is considering giving the Yankees a
discount on the front end of any deal. Sensei John Kreese spoke with
Tyler about the likelihood of such a discount, as well as other aspects
of the Arod situation and the Yankees offseason plans.
Click
here to read the full interview.
11.01.2007 A
different take on Arod
Introducing
NoMaas' Gilbert Lowell:
Now
that the dust has started to settle, I started thinking about this with
less emotion and more reason and I have come up with another possible angle:
the Yankees simply let Alex go. That's right. The Yankees had no intention
of ever re-signing Alex Rodriguez for the type of money the market would
demand they pay him.
10.31.2007 One,
two, he's coming for you - Three, four, better lock your door
10.31.2007 Oh
no, Torre's gone! Everyone will leave!!!!11!!!11!!
Andy
Pettitte has already come to one important decision this offseason. The
left-hander will either pitch for the Yankees in 2008, or he will not pitch
at all.
The
New York Yankees committed an awful lot of money to me and put it in my
hands, gave me a player option and trusted me with that option," Pettitte
told KRIV-TV. "It probably wouldn't be real honorable for me not to do
anything other than if I shut it down, shut it down or go back and play
for the New York Yankees."
Now
Torre is gone, leaving the organization after a 12-year run and potentially
on his way to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Pettitte said he was happy for the
new Yankees manager -- former batterymate Joe Girardi -- but said that
he would not let the managerial change influence his decision.
"It
won't," Pettitte told the television station. "I've got to figure out in
my own mind exactly what I want to do. I know a lot of speculation is out
there as far as with [Torre] losing the job and stuff like that -- what
effect it would have -- but the Yankees gave me the contract. That's the
organization that has committed to me, and it won't have any bearing."
(Source)
Atta
boy, Andy.
10.30.2007 Love
knows no distance
10.29.2007 Hail
to the chief
We
are very happy with the decision.
10.29.2007 It
really is Arod's fault
Since
our inception, we have established a reputation of being staunch Alex Rodriguez
defenders. In the face of unfounded fan criticism and yellow journalism,
we were always quick to point out the value of Arod's production.
We found it mind-boggling how imbeciles would unite to crucify the Yankees'
best and most valuable player.
Yet,
after this latest stunt, it is impossible for us to defend Arod now.
We
don't blame Arod for opting out. After all, the Yankees traded for
him knowing that he had this clause in his contract. Plus, he was
treated like crap by the fans and media here. Maybe he just had enough.
However,
we blame Arod for not being man enough to even have a conversation with
the Yankees, and specifically Brian Cashman. Cashman was one of the
few who publicly defended Rodriguez, and denied the countless trade demands
made by writers and fans. After telling us repeatedly during the
season that he wanted to stay in New York, Alex did not even honor the
Yankees' request of a face-to-face meeting. He reportedly broke up
with the Yankees in a voicemail left by Scott Boras. No dialogue.
No conversation. Can't we be a little more professional than that?
Is that how you really conduct business, Alex?
We
also blame Rodriguez for citing the reason of the departure as confusion
over the Yankees' direction. In two interviews we heard Boras give,
he stated that Alex's main goal is to win a world championship and recent
Yankees events have made him doubt the organization's focus. Are
you kidding us? This isn't the Pittsburgh Pirates. This is
the New York Yankees -- the same team who annually spends $200 million
towards winning a championship. If you expect us to believe that
you really don't think the Yankees' goal is to win and/or puts you in a
position to win, then you are truly out of your mind. Nobody is buying
it, Arod.
His
production will be near impossible to replace and the Yankees may have
to improve in other areas to compensate. He may end up on a team
who is in direct competition to the Bombers. What is certain though
is that sincerity and professionalism are two qualities which Alex Rodriguez
clearly lacks.
10.29.2007 Not
the best night to be a Yankee fan
Alex
Rodriguez opted out of his $252 million, 10-year contract with the Yankees
on Sunday in what appears to be the end of his tumultuous career with New
York.
Rodriguez's
decision, announced by agent Scott Boras as the rival Boston Red Sox completed
their World Series sweep of Colorado, makes the third baseman eligible
to become a free agent.
Boras
said he attempted to notify Yankees general manager Brian Cashman of the
decision but couldn't reach him, so he left a voice mail.
"He
was traveling and I was traveling," Boras said. (Source)
Hank
Steinbrenner's response:
"It's
clear he didn't want to be a Yankee," Hank Steinbrenner told the Daily
News last night. "He doesn't understand the privilege of being a Yankee
on a team where the owners are willing to pay $200 million to put a winning
product on the field.
"I
don't want anybody on my team that doesn't want to be a Yankee."
"We're
not going to back down," Steinbrenner said. "It's goodbye." (Source)
By
all reports, the Yankees were prepared to make Arod an offer of nearly
$30 million per year, and Rodriguez didn't even give them a meeting.
Instead, his agent apparently left Cashman a voicemail and then announced
it to the press...during Game 4 of the World Series. Classy.
Arod
on March 14, 2007 during a WFAN interview: "One hundred percent, my
wife and my daughter, we want to stay in New York."
Guess
not.
Seriously
though, is there anyone who will really exceed what the Yankees were planning
on offering?
10.27.2007 Chill
out
Sometimes
people should take a deep breath before they publish spiteful rants about
members of the Yankees front office.
Before:
(Source)
These
last two weeks were evidence of one thing: Nobody is really in charge
of the Yankees.
Joe
Torre got run out of pinstripes by two guys who couldn’t pick Phil Hughes
out of a lineup. One of their vice presidents is Felix Lopez, a landscaper
who had the good fortune to marry Steinbrenner’s daughter.
The
power over baseball operations Brian Cashman gained had started to slip
away.
Now
Torre has been pushed out and Cashman marginalized.
(Source)
In
other words, the Yankees would be better off without certain weasels
in the front office having personal agendas.
After:
(Source)
They’re
still in the decision-making process and no news is expected until after
the weekend. It’s up to Brian Cashman, although the family still
has a say.
(Source)
Brian
Cashman is back in New York and mulling over the decision. All indications
are that the choice is his and will be approved by the Tampa Trio.
My
choice would be Mattingly. But I don’t have a choice. Only Brian Cashman
does and he’s not saying yet.
We
told you that Cashman had not lost power. This isn't because we had inside
information, we simply paid attention. Cashman has been moving the organization
in a specific direction over the last two years, and Torre's departure
fits perfectly with that direction. It was simple common sense.
10.24.2007 Please
get your own material
http://yankees.lohudblogs.com/2007/10/24/c-money-takes-another-walk/
As
of Thursday 4:45am, the above site is currently down. However, if
it comes back online, you will clearly see what we're talking about.
10.22.2007 Before
the sympathy tour continues...
Have
a look at this:
Torre's
so persuasive, in fact, that after his emotional hour-long press gathering
the other day, he had half of New York believing that the Yankees insulted
him with their $5 million guaranteed offer (with incentive clauses for
another $3 million) and the other half believing that he was fired.
Torre
can feel hurt if he wants by the take-it-or-leave-it stance of Yankees'
decisionmakers. But for the record, it should be known now that their
recent offer was actually better than the one discussed in spring, months
before the team bowed out in the first round for a third straight postseason.
Back
then, SI.com has learned, the Yankees and Torre were talking about a one-year
$4.5 million extension with Steve Swindal, the son-in-law who signed
Torre to his lucrative $6.4 million-a-year deal,
and Torre was receptive
to the offer. But that extension fell apart after Swindal was arrested
for a DWI on Valentine's Day and Swindal's marriage to George Steinbrenner's
daughter, Jennifer, subsequently disintegrated. The Yankees hierarchy decided
it would be best to let all four of its major stars (including A-Rod, Mariano
Rivera and Jorge Posada) play out the season under their current deals.
At
the time, according to people familiar with those talks, Torre told his
bosses that it was his great goal to be able to close out the old Yankee
Stadium. Yet when his superiors gave him a chance to do just that
last week -- at $500,000 more than what had been discussed in the spring
-- Torre took it as an insult. An opportunity to close out the stadium
was offered as a one-year extension, but he wanted a second year that would
have guaranteed that he'd open new Yankee Stadium, as well. (Source)
And
for those who are whining and spreading
the idea that Cashman has lost power:
...the
GM said he agreed that the one-year deal was the right offer. And I
don't believe he's only saying that now to be a team player. Every Yankee
exec -- Cashman, included -- started to wonder about Torre's strategies,
especially the overuse of some relievers and the under-use of some young
position players. (Source)
10.21.2007 Replay
of Sensei and Lane interview
On
Sunday night, NoMaas' Sensei John Kreese and Lane Meyer appeared on NY
Baseball Talk with Mike Silva. The topic of Joe Torre was front and
center.
10.21.2007 We're
in love with Hank
Hank
Steinbrenner, who has begun to take control over the New York Yankees with
brother Hal from their fiery father George, shot back at former manager
Joe Torre's comment about the team's contract offer being an "insult."
"Where
was Joe's career in '95 when my dad hired him?" Hank Steinbrenner told
The New York Post. "My dad was crucified for hiring him.
"Let's
not forget what my dad did in giving him that opportunity -- and the great
team he was handed," Steinbrenner told the paper.
Hank
Steinbrenner believed the Yankees' offer was fair and that Torre needed
to accept some of the blame for the team's zero championships since 2000.
"You
can't take credit for success when you're going good, and then not take
at least some of the blame when things change," Steinbrenner told the paper.
"I'm sorry he feels insulted, but that was not the intent."(Source)
Truer
words have never been spoken and it's so incredible to hear someone finally
speaking out (besides us). Torre never
took responsibility for any type of losing, but always took credit
for the team's success. The same goes for his apostles.
When the team struggled, fans and media blamed the players. When
the team won, it was because of the magical abilities of Joe Torre.
10.21.2007 Sensei
& Lane on the radio tonight
NY
Baseball Talk with Mike SiIva is hosting a special Joe Torre edition, and
NoMaas will be representing to the fullest. Sensei John Kreese and
Lane Meyer will be appearing to discuss the departure of Joey Four Rings.
They'll
be on at 7:00pm and you can listen here: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/nybaseballtalk
10.19.2007 Two
quick thoughts
Everyone
in the media who is saying that Cashman has lost power is absolutely idiotic.
If anything, the managerial change shows that Cashman's vision is spreading
even further. To be innovative, you can't have a manager who thinks
it's the 1950s. This is just the latest example of the Yankees new
methodology.
We've
stated this already, but we'd like to repeat it. Our top two choices
for the next skipper are Bobby Valentine and Joe Girardi.
10.19.2007 Thanks
for proving our point
Joe
Torre never spent hours pouring over statistics or videotape like a lot
of young managers do these days. He wasn't a workaholic type who obsessed
about getting to work earlier than his peers. He would have a nice lunch,
and then he would shave cleanly after games -- wins or losses -- as he
prepared for a late dinner at a restaurant.
It
has never been his style to simmer in the aftermath of success or failure,
after all. In an era when managers seem to put in more hours than first-year
lawyers or hospital residents, Torre might've put in the fewest office
hours of any manager in the game. (Source)
Buster
Olney is one of the many sheep who are mourning the exit of Joe Torre.
He led off an article in support of Torre by first writing the above two
paragraphs. That's where we stopped reading. How can anyone
in their right mind read those excerpts and think that Torre deserved to
come back?
If
you're an employer, are you going to hire a person who puts in minimum
effort?
So
basically, the Yankees should have given a multi-year, multi-million dollar
deal to someone who doesn't do what's in their job description. Sure,
that makes sense.
10.19.2007 Run,
Felix Hernandez, run
The
Seattle Mariners have all but settled their coaching staff for 2008, and
an announcement is expected within days.
When
it comes, one of the hires is expected to be an old hand at handling pitchers.
Mel
Stottlemyre, whose New York Yankees staffs from 1996-2005 won four World
Series titles, is in line to become the Mariners' next pitching coach.
(Source)
Remove
Felix Hernandez from your fantasy teams.
10.18.2007 Thank
you, Mr. Torre
As
much as we loathed his decision-making in recent years and aggressively
campaigned for his departure, Joe Torre was at the helm for a wonderful
period of Yankees history. None of us will ever forget those championship
years.
Like
with everything in life, changes are needed to adapt to new situations.
Modernization requires updated strategies and tactics.
As
the organization moves forward, we would like to thank Joe Torre for his
contributions made as a member of the Yankees family.
10.18.2007 Yanks'
execs pull Jedi PR trick
This
is our theory.
The
Yankees' brass decided that it was time to move in a new direction, minus
Torre. Instead of announcing to the world that they did not want
him back, they gave Torre the option to save face. Thus, they offered
him a contract which he rejected, and let Torre go out on his own terms.
The
Yankees' front office doesn't look like a bunch of jerks (since they did
technically offer him a contract), which will limit PR damage with the
Four Rings crowd, and not alienate Rivera and Posada.
Conversely,
Torre doesn't look like he was "fired" by the Yankees and left by his own
volition.
We
could be totally wrong, but that's what it looks like to us.
10.18.2007 The
search begins...
10.17.2007 Is
Torre too powerful for the front office?
10.16.2007 Will
Red Sox fans call this bush league too?
10.16.2007 Who
will it be?
10.15.2007 If
the Yankees flipped over more water coolers, they would be more successful
In
Game 4 of the ALDS, one couldn't help but notice the "Paul O'Neill" chant.
It seems to be popular opinion among Yankees fans that recent playoff failures
can be attributed to a perceived lack of fire or passion -- qualities often
displayed by the former Yankees right fielder.
While
it is great to sometimes see players display the emotions we have as fans,
there are those who believe that throwing a bunch of helmets has a direct
correlation to player performance.
In
1999, Paul O'Neill had one of the worst postseasons that a player could
have:
11
for 44 with zero extra base hits: .250 BA / .312 OBP / .250 SLG / .562
OPS
Apparently,
his "caring" and "will to win" didn't help him hit.
10.14.2007 If
I ever need any guidance, who's a better consiglieri than my father?
Hank
& Hal now run their father's family business:
The
George Steinbrenner era is apparently all but over.
According
to a report in the New York Post, the “Boss” has handed over control of
the New York Yankees to his sons Hank and Hal Steinbrenner as he faces
up to declining health.
“George
has taken on a role like the chairman of a major corporation,” team president
Randy Levine told the Post. “He’s been saying for years he’s wanted
to get his sons involved in the family business. Both of them have
stepped up and are taking on the day-to-day duties of what’s required to
run the Yankees.”
“There’s
always been a succession — and that’s myself and my brother,” Hank Steinbrenner
added. (Source)
10.13.2007 How
do these people get paid to write this garbage?
Ladies
and gentlemen, we give you Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune.
Yankees
should let Rodriguez sign elsewhere
Recent
history has shown you can't buy a World Series title, and A-Rod has shown
he isn't worth the money it would take to keep him.
Rodriguez,
who will win his third Most Valuable Player Award this season, is the best
player in the game. But he hasn't brought any bang for the buck since agent
Scott Boras got him the 10-year, $252 million deal from Texas after the
2000 season.
In
terms of general managers, and especially owners, there's rarely a shortage
of suckers. Rodriguez probably will get his money from somebody this winter,
but if the Yankees are smart, they will go get Mike Lowell and see if the
Red Sox are silly enough to sign A-Rod. (Source)
So,
Phil Rogers calls Arod "the best player in the game" and thinks he'll win
another MVP. Yet, he argues that Arod has not "brought any bang for
the buck." Huh??
Then
this idiotic writer says the Red Sox would be "silly" if they signed Alex.
Really, Phil? Arod more than doubled Lowell's VORP this season (96.6
to 46.5). This would result in a significant swing in the standings,
as Arod would add wins to Boston and subtract from the Yankees. Good
idea, Mr. Rogers!
This
could be the stupidest thing we have ever read.
10.13.2007 Will
the front office finally stand up to Joe Torre?
Will
the front office do what's in the best interest of the organization; or
will they allow Torre to continue to hold them hostage?
It's
not 1998 anymore.
10.10.2007 Mariano:
"You've made me extremely rich, but I feel disrespected."
It
saddens us to read comments like this from the great Mariano Rivera:
The
pitcher, regarded by many as baseball's greatest closer, wanted to negotiate
an extension during spring training, but the Yankees decided to delay talks
until after the season. He made $10.5 million.
"I'm
going to be open to hear all offers," said Rivera, who wants a multiyear
contract. "The Yankees had the opportunity but didn't do nothing with it."
Asked
if the Yankees would be his first choice regardless of the decision on
Torre, he responded: "Right now, I can't tell you that." (Source)
Give
us a break, Mo. You will soon be 38. The Yankees just
dropped $30+ million on your latest contract. I think they have the
right to make an evaluation at season's end. The organization obviously
thinks the world of you, so dump the spoiled superstar attitude.
You sound like a jerk.
10.10.2007 The
search for a new manager
As
all NoMaas visitors know, we have been advocating the removal of Joe Torre
since our inception. We've critiqued him for a variety of reasons
and many of you have disagreed with us. However, even if you're like
us and want him gone -- or you're one of the four rings green tea drinkers
-- sometimes change for the sake of change is a good thing.
In
1997, Bill James researched the impact and effectiveness of MLB managers.
Here are some excerpts from his Guide
to Baseball Managers:
All
managers, as a group are most effective in their early years on the job.
I did a study of 103 managers who managed at least 600 major league games,
a group basically including all twentieth-century managers who had significant
careers and are now retired. The study documented something which is apparent
if you just look at the records. A huge percentage of managers have their
best seasons a) when they first get a chance to manage, and b) in their
first years on the job.
Nonetheless,
the most obvious fact about managers is that almost all managers become
ineffective after two or three years in a position.
The
most important question that a manager asks is "What needs to be changed
around here?" Any manager, over time, loses the ability to see what needs
to be changed.
There
is the manager's loyalty to his players. A new manager owes nobody anything.
He can bench or release unproductive players without apology. An established
manager can't do that - not only because of his own reluctance to break
faith with players who have given him their best efforts, but because of
what it means to the rest of the team.
Another
thing...the game of baseball changes, over time, much more extensively
than most people realize. The way the game is played now is very different
from the way it was played thirty years ago.
The
older a manager is, the more likely he is to fight those changes. Older
managers are trying to play the game the way it was played thirty years
ago, usually without realizing it.
10.10.2007 Who
we like
Of
all the managers who are rumored for the position, our top 2 picks would
be:
1.
Bobby Valentine: He's managed in New York, has had big name players,
is a good tactition, and has a reputation of exploring more modern baseball
methodologies.
This
info is a little dated, but we found a Sporting News article from 1999,
which cited the aforementioned Bill James' Guild to Baseball Managers:
Baseball
statistician and historian Bill James published a book in 1997 that attempted
to rank all-time managers, based on a formula that factored in how their
teams did vs. how they were expected to do over a three-year period.
In
the book (The Bill James Guide to Baseball Managers From 1870 to Today),
Valentine was ranked higher than a number of his well-respected peers.
Among those who didn't measure up to Valentine, according to James' figures
and rationale, were Tommy Lasorda, Jim Leyland, Tom Kelly, Cito Gaston,
Dusty Baker and Joe Torre, his crosstown rival in New York. (With a publication
date of 1997, James' rankings didn't include Leyland's World Series title
with the Marlins or Torre's second Series championship with the Yankees.)
James'
rankings included at least 20 managers who won World Series yet were rated
below the Mets' Valentine. (Source)
2.
Joe Girardi: He's very familiar with the Yankees organization,
he's young, and he has the facial structure of a Neanderthal. Additionally,
he's played with some of the Old Guard and was at the helm of a young,
overachieving Marlins team. But, the jury is still out on his strategic
abilities. The key for us is his age; he is young for a manager,
and thus more likely to be open to new ideas and fresh thinking.
Plus, he could soften the blow that certain sentimental Yankees may feel
with "Mr. Torre" leaving.
10.08.2007 Ballgame
over. Season over. The Yankees lose.
10.08.2007 See
ya!
10.08.2007 Let's
put this myth to bed
10.07.2007 Monday
10.07.2007 Staying
alive
However,
it was very dumb of him to use Joba for a second inning when the Yankees
were ahead by 5 runs. If Joba is unavailable or limited for Game
4, this could be a colossal error by Torre.
10.07.2007 The
Boss returns...with a vengeance
Joe
Torre's 12-year run as manager of the Yankees will likely end if his team
does not rally to beat the Cleveland Indians in the AL Division Series,
George Steinbrenner told The Record on Saturday night.
"His
job is on the line," the Yankees' owner said in a phone interview. "I think
we're paying him a lot of money. He's the highest-paid manager in baseball,
so I don't think we'd take him back if we don't win this series."
"I
have full control," Steinbrenner said. (Source)
10.07.2007 Now
there's a novel idea
And
Joe Torre finally said he will shake up his lineup tonight against the
Indians, probably using slugger Jason Giambi.
"I
am not sure where, but we are thinking maybe Jason," Torre said. "We'll
look and see what we are going to do. We'll look at matchups and stuff,
but we'll probably shake it up a little bit."
"I'm
just thinking about getting his bat in there and the fact of what he brings
to the table," Torre said of Giambi. "Just because he hasn't played doesn't
mean we necessarily ignore what he can do for us. But I think the fact
that we've been struggling a little bit offensively, you may want to adjust
either first base or DH." (Source)
10.05.2007 Same
sh**, different year
We're
tired of writing about it.
10.04.2007 Disgusting
Sabathia
walks 6 and is out of the game after the 5th inning. One would think
this would be a winning formula for the Yankees. Well, think again.
What fans witnessed instead was an embarrassing display of baseball.
1.
Wang could not have been any worse. It was a horrid, horrid performance
as he delivered his pitches on a pu pu platter.
2.
The Yankees failed to capitalize in several key situations. Our personal
favorite was when the Yanks had the bases loaded in the 5th with one out,
and a 3-0 count on Posada. No runs.
3.
Matsui looked horrendous at the plate. Getting your knee drained
right before a playoff series usually isn't a good sign. Give Giambi
ABs.
10.04.2007 So
many things went wrong, but let's critique someone who got on base 50%
of the time.
Peter
Abraham once again showing his journalistic integrity by leading with this:
Alex
Rodriguez, meanwhile, is hitless in his last 15 playoff ABs and 4 of his
last 43 with no RBI. Two ABs mean nothing, but it is what it is. The guy
needs a big hit in October. (Source)
Arod
walked twice, one of which was intentional, and both times he was stranded.
Perhaps Arod should have jumped over the plate, into the opposite batter's
box, and swung at those intentional balls.
10.03.2007 Now
that's a captain
Strong
and welcome words by Derek Jeter. Click on the image.
10.03.2007 Actual
roster
Per
our brother in arms, Peter
Abraham:
Johnny
Damon LF
Other
position players
Other
starting pitchers
Bullpen
Slightly
different than our roster, but we generally approve. Our only points
of contention are:
1.
Jose Veras is just awful. Minimal success at the minor league level,
terrible in his brief stint with the Yankees this season -- yet, somehow
he is "trusted" by the coaching staff.
2.
Doug M: While it's great to have his glove and it does have run prevention
value, we don't believe his current hot streak at the plate is in any way
indicative of his hitting ability. Bottom line is that Doug is a
bad hitter. We hope he doesn't take away all of Giambi's ABs.
10.02.2007 The
dynamic duo to make a tag team radio appearance
On
Wednesday night, NoMaas' finest, Sensei John Kreese (Batman) and Lane Meyer
(Robin), will be appearing on BlogTalkRadio with NY Baseball Talk's Mike
Silva. They'll be talking playoffs.
The
show starts at 7pm and you can listen by following the link below:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/nybaseballtalk
10.01.2007 Lebron
lays a steamer on Cleveland
LeBron
was asked who he would root for if the Indians and Yankees met in the playoffs
(which, it appears they will do in the American League Division Series).
LeBron's response: "Yankees."
He
then went on to say he'd been a Yankees fan his whole life and we all just
need to "deal with it." (Source)
10.01.2007 A
quick look at the series
Wang
(117 ERA+) vs. Sabathia (138 ERA+)
AL
Ranking for season:
Since
the All-Star Break:
Defensive
efficiency:
Definition
of Defensive Efficiency
09.30.2007 You'll
always play second fiddle
09.28.2007 Total
imbeciles
Sent
in by a NoMaas reader, this is an actual flyer that was passed out near
the Boston University campus.
09.27.2007 Our
recommended postseason roster
Here's
the official NoMaas postseason roster. We believe this is the team that
gives the Yankees the best chance of bringing home #27. Please keep in
mind, this is what we'd like to see, not what we necessarily expect. We're
sure Joe will make at least one personnel decision that will have us eagerly
awaiting spring training 2008.
LF
Damon
Bench:
Doug M, Betemit, Shelley, Molina
SP:
Pettitte, Wang, Clemens, Moose (Kennedy the rest of the way if Moose reverts
to Bad Moose).
Bullpen:
Mo, Joba, Viz, Hughes, Edwar, Farnsworth, Britton, Villone
09.27.2007 Interview
with ESPN's Jonah Keri
Back
from his hiatus, NoMaas' Brisco County Jr chatted it up on the phone with
baseball analyst and Canadian, Jonah Keri.
09.26.2007 Playoff
bound
On
July 8th, we asked our visitors if the Yankees would make the playoffs.
Fourty-seven percent said "no." At that point, the Yankees were 10
games behind Boston and 8.5 games behind in the wild card race.
What
a volatile season it has been. The season began as a nightmare.
The starting rotation was obliterated by injuries. Several notable
Yankee hitters looked like they had never swung a bat before. Kei
Igawa proved to be a horrendous signing. Damon said he couldn't play
center anymore. The Yankees' top prospect fell victim to a severe
hamstring pull. We became Phoenix Mercury fans. And the bullpen
was worse than it is now.
Then,
the pitching staff began to heal. Underperforming hitters reverted
to their career norms. The depth of the Yankees' farm system became
enormously important. A key acquisition was made (Clemens) and a
key decision not to make a move was made (Gagne).
In
one of the most draining seasons of recent memory, the Bombers now have
an opportunity to bring home another championship. Go Yanks.
09.26.2007 Vizcaino:
"My arm is tired." Torre: "You're pitching anyway."
Luis
Vizcaino was unavailable Tuesday. "His arm's a little weak, not hurting,"
Torre said. Vizcaino made his 75th appearance on Sunday.(Source)
On
Tuesday, Joe Torre acknowledges that Vizcaino's arm is fatigued.
So naturally on Wednesday, he summons Vizcaino with the Yankees leading
by 10 runs.
Absolutely
mind-boggling.
09.26.2007 You
don't look intimidating
Rather,
you look like you have a coin slot on your face.
09.25.2007 But
you need Mariano for the save!!1111!!
Absolutely
ridiculous. The Yankees lose with Jeff Karstens on the mound.
We repeat, the Yankees lose with Jeff Karstens on the mound.
What
is so difficult to understand? You use your best relievers in the
highest leverage situations. When you are faced with a scenario in
which allowing one run results in an immediate loss, why on earth would
you elect to pitch Jeff Karstens??
As
the away team engaged in a walkoff situation, you manage to get your team
another set of at-bats. You do not manage under the premise of "What
happens if we take the lead? Who pitches then?" -- Because
guess what, bright lights? If the opposing team scores, you'll never
have the opportunity to take the lead, because the game will be over.
09.25.2007 Cause
for concern
Yankees
right-hander Roger Clemens, dealing with a tweaked left hamstring, was
scratched from his scheduled start against the Devil Rays on Tuesday and
will not pitch for the remainder of the regular season, although the Rocket
is expected to be ready for the postseason.
Clemens,
45, was originally pushed back to Tuesday after feeling pain in the hamstring
while performing conditioning exercises last Thursday during the club's
off-day. (Source)
09.25.2007 Joba
Rules update
As
Torre confirmed in New York on Monday, the Yankees plan to use Chamberlain
on back-to-back days at some point in their final stretch to prepare him
for a similar assignment in the postseason. That could happen as
soon as this week, though Torre said he would wait until the Yankees clinched
a playoff spot before experimenting with the 22-year-old setup man. (Source)
09.24.2007 Yanks
don't show up, squander opportunity to gain ground on idle Boston
The
New York Yankees took a day off Monday. At least, that's how it looked.
The
Yankees' drive for a playoff spot paused, with Andy Pettitte falling behind
early and a smallish crowd watching Toronto rookie Jesse Litsch pitch the
Blue Jays to a 4-1 victory.
"It
definitely felt like a makeup game," Pettitte said. (Source)
Late
September, heat of the playoff race, division up for grabs...sure, it should
have felt like a "makeup game."
09.24.2007 Perhaps
winning the division isn't the best idea
NoMaas'
minor league correspondent Lane Meyer thinks that as long as the Yankees
are making the playoffs, perhaps not winning the division is a better outcome.
Click
here for Lane's interesting take.
09.24.2007 Open
house
It
remains unclear what it means to Curt Schilling’s future with the Red Sox,
but the Boston pitcher this week placed his Medfield, Mass., home on the
market.
He
declined to elaborate about his future plans or whether the house could
come off the market if he ends up re-signing with the Red Sox. (Source)
09.23.2007 Looking
ahead
Let
your voice be heard: Vote for President of Red Sox Nation
Over
the course of two months, the field of presidential contenders narrowed
from 1,200 to 11. Thus, even a political system built on loyalty to a single
party -- Red Sox Nation -- has candidates feeling the squeeze.
Six
of the 11 finalists for President of Red Sox Nation -- Cindy Brown, Rob
Crawford, Sam Horn, Cheryl Boyd, Jared Carrabis and Doris Kearns Goodwin
-- spoke publicly at a meet-and-greet for candidates at The Baseball Tavern
on Wednesday night. Two absent finalists, Rich Garces and Big Pupi, sent
representatives to appear in their places. The remaining candidates, Mike
Barnicle, Peter Gammons and Jerry Remy, could not appear due to professional
conflicts.
Finalist
Jared Carrabis has worn a different Red Sox shirt every day for four years.
(Source)
It's
probably a good bet that Jared Carrabis does not have a girlfriend.
09.23.2007 Have
you ever seen anything like this?
10
innings, 10 pitchers
Five
pitchers only pitched for 1/3 of an inning. Two pitchers pitched
for 2/3 of an inning.
Manage
a bullpen much, Joe?
09.20.2007 Think
happy thoughts
After
Tuesday night, Eric Gagne is looking at things differently. Negativity
is out, and positives are in.
“I
have to think positive because it happens,” the Red Sox reliever said one
day after allowing three runs in the eighth inning of a 4-3 loss to the
Blue Jays. “I have to keep fighting - fighting, fighting, fighting. This
game is unbelievable. Those check swings I had yesterday, sometimes they
go your way, sometimes they don’t. That time, they didn’t, and the reason
they didn’t was because I didn’t think positive.”
As
Gagne talked before Red Sox batting practice, sitting by himself on the
field along the wall just outside the visitors dugout, he preached his
new philosophy. Priority No. 1 for the reliever is to eliminate any
negative imagery. (Source)
09.20.2007 Interview
with Mark Feinsand of the Daily News
NoMaas'
Sensei John Kreese sat down for an intimate session with Mark Feinsand
of the Daily News.
Click
here to read the interview.
09.19.2007 Back
by popular demand...
09.19.2007 Apply
within
NoMaas
is expanding and we're looking to add a few enthusiastic and creative minds
to our staff. If you have writing or graphic design skills, and would
be interested in joining the infamous NoMaas brotherhood, please send
us an email. Please introduce yourself, tell us why you would
be a good fit, and how you would like to contribute to the site.
Also, we ask that you include an example of your work.
09.18.2007
Congratulations, you're a bunch of idiots
Nick
Cafardo of the Boston
Globe, 5/11/07
Too
early to call the American League East race over? Too early to say this
team could run away with it? After they won five of six against the Twins
and Blue Jays, how far-fetched is it to say the Red Sox are well on their
way to winning this in a landslide? There is no competition.
Kevin
Hench of Fox Sports,
5/31/07
The
Yankees will not erase a 14-game deficit and reel in the Red Sox, nor will
they catch the runner-up in the A.L. Central for the wild card. In what
seems certain to be his last season as manager in New York, Joe Torre will
miss the playoffs for the first time.
Chris
Russell of Sporting
News, 5/20/07
That
is why the Yankees are done. It's early, but go ahead and pin this up.
Take it to the bank.
Eric
Wilbur of Boston.com,
8/7/07
They’re
just a half-game out of the wild card lead, but let’s not overlook the
competition they’ve abused to get into this position. That’s about to change,
as it is for the Red Sox in a completely opposite manner. Before Boston
heads to the Bronx on Aug. 28, it will face teams that it is a combined
17-5 against this season.
The
Yankees have gone 19-7 against similar competition. But that’s coming to
an end. As is any lingering alarm that they might make a run at the division.
Call it obnoxious, call it foolhardy, call it a certain counting of fowl,
whatever. Six games might be as close as they get from here on out. In
just over a week, it might even be eight.
09.18.2007 Nice
trade, Theo
Gagne
loses
another game for Boston.
"The
bullpen is already a strength of the club," Sox general manager Theo Epstein
said yesterday, "but acquiring a pitcher the caliber of Eric Gagne only
makes us stronger and helps give us what we hope will be a truly dominant
bullpen for the remainder of the year." -- Boy Wonder on August
1, 2007
09.17.2007 Yanks
only 3 games out in the loss column to Boston
Wow,
the Yankees beat the Orioles. It's about time. With the victory
over Baltimore and losses by both Boston and Detroit, the Yankees are in
a good position. The Bombers now stand only 3 games behind Boston
in the loss column, and are up 4 games in the loss column over Detroit
for the wild card.
09.17.2007 A
difference in strategy
Not
to be nitpicky, but...
Bottom
of the 6th, no outs, runners on 1st and 2nd, Yanks up 5-2, Jeter at the
plate.
Jeter
gets the order to sacrifice bunt. This does not make sense to us.
You have a chance to blow the game open and you tell your # 2 hitter to
bunt?
Even
the Oracle of the Predetermined Outcome, Michael Kay, was baffled by this
-- while Kenny Singleton and Joe Girardi argued in favor of the move.
They said you need to "protect against the grand slam." What??
Fortunately,
Abreu and Arod picked up the runners, because Jeter struck out after two
missed bunt attempts.
09.16.2007 Please
remove your stomach from your throat
Does
anyone else feel like they just want to collapse after watching that game?
Dear God.
Led
by the stellar pitching of Roger Clemens, the heroics of Derek Jeter, and
a well-managed game by Joe Torre (happy now?), the Yankees pulled off a
critical and heart-pounding victory over the Red Sox. With Detroit
beating Minnesota, the Yankees badly needed the win to keep their cushion
in the wild card standings (2.5).
With
the win, the Yankees have won 8 of their last 10 against the Red Sox.
09.16.2007 He's
back!11!!!
09.15.2007 Terrible
performance
09.14.2007 F%#@,
F%#@, F%#@
While
Jonathan Papelbon screamed profanities from his slit for a mouth, the Yankees
were on their to way to what Arod called "the
biggest win of the year."
But,
don't blame Papelbon or credit Yankee hitting. According to some
Red Sox fans, the game was doomed for Boston because Papelbon did not have
enough warmup time:
From
one of our message board users who is also a Red Sox fan:
I'd
love to know how many warm-up pitches Papelbon threw. It's not surprising
Abreu and A-Rod crushed the ball (Jeter's was more of a flare than a hard
line drive), and then he returned to being his normal self. What
a joke.
These
people are amazing.
09.14.2007 This
is why we would welcome seeing Boston in the playoffs
Both
clubs have hit very well against each other's pitching this year.
Yankee pitchers have a 5.27 ERA versus Boston hitters, and Boston pitchers
have a 5.61 ERA versus Yankee hitters. But, keep in mind that during
the first half of the season, there was no Giambi; Abreu & Cano were
awful; Mariano was pulling his April blunders; there was no Joba in the
pen; and pitchers like Matt DeSalvo were making starts.
We
are very comfortable seeing Boston in a playoff series.
09.13.2007 The
Torre Rules: "I will not use Rivera on the road unless we are winning.
I do not care if we lose."
Nothing
new...the Yankees once again lose in a walkoff situation with Mariano picking
splinters out of his rear end.
09.13.2007 The
price was wrong
The
Yankees head into Fenway with both teams having
a high probability of making the playoffs. The Bombers will face
Daisuke Matsuzaka in the opener.
The
small-market, underdog Red Sox invested over $100 million into Dice-K,
blowing away the bids of all other teams. Simply put, he has not
been worth the money: 4.44 ERA, 103 ERA+
$100
million for average pitching.
09.13.2007 Projected
Boston starters vs Yanks in '07
Matsuzaka:
6.98 ERA, 19.1 IP, 19 H, 8 BB, 16 K, 3 HR
09.11.2007 Giambi's
opposite field GS leads Yanks to 6th win in a row
09.11.2007 Have
a look at this
Phil
Allard of WCBS 880 conducted a great interview with Brian Cashman:
http://www.wcbs880.com/pages/929954.php?contentType=4&contentId=903120
09.09.2007 Interview
replay
For
those of you who didn't hear the Sensei John Kreese interview on Saturday
night, you can listen to the replay by
clicking here. The discussion really gets going around the 13-minute
mark.
Special
thanks to Frankie the Sports
Guy for having us on his radio show.
09.08.2007 Give
the man his money
Alex
Rodriguez.
VORP:
92.4 (1st in MLB)
09.08.2007 Good
luck in Oakland, KT
Kevin
Thompson was waiting at home in Fort Worth, Texas, wondering where his
baseball future might take him next.
Turns
out, it took him just down the road to Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. The
A's claimed the outfielder Friday on waivers from the New York Yankees.
With Oakland in town to start a three-game series with the Texas Rangers,
Thompson made the short drive and was in uniform and meeting his new teammates
before the game.
"It's
a different situation I'm in," Thompson said. "Being with the Yankees the
last seven years, and to have a chance to be somewhere new, it's refreshing."
(Source)
It's
a shame you never got a shot in the outfield when the Yankees were using
players like Bubba Crosby, Terrence Long, and Kevin Reese.. You would
have been a good option for a 4th OF.
09.08.2007 Varitek
is better
What
an incredible season Jorge Posada is having. He doesn't get enough
love at NoMaas.
At
age 36, he's having the best year of his career. Imagine your catcher
putting up a 158 OPS+. That's better than Joe Mauer's 2006 season
(144 OPS+).
How
does Posada's season rank to the best seasons of other catchers?
Yogi
Berra: 142 in 1956
Posada
is having one of the best seasons for a catcher in MLB history.
Interesting
note: Posada's career OPS+ is significantly higher than Ivan Rodriguez
-- 125 to 112. And, do most people think Rodriguez will be in the
HOF?
09.08.2007 NoMaas
on the radio tonight
For
those of you who can't get enough of us, Sensei John Kreese will be on
BlogTalk Radio with Frankie
the Sports Guy. Sensei will be participating in a roundtable
discussion with some other Yankees bloggers. The show is tonight
(Saturday) at 9pm.
To
listen, go
here.
09.06.2007 Deep
thoughts
Join
NoMaas' Lane Meyer as he ponders the future career
of Yankees' first round pick, Andrew Brackman.
09.05.2007 M.V.P
Two
HRs in the same inning. A 1.069 OPS on the season. A 1.772
OPS in September. Where would this team be without Alex Rodriguez?
Fortunately, the Yankees front office didn't listen to the many Yankee
fans and sportwriters who wanted him out of New York.
09.05.2007 Torre
ruining another arm
How
can anyone defend this guy?
Luis
Vizcaino reported a shoulder issue after giving up two runs last night
against the Mariners. Tests showed inflammation, so the Yankees are shutting
him down until they open a series in Toronto next week. (Source)
Vizcaino
currently ranks #2 in the AL for games pitched.
Of
his 68.1 IP, he has pitched 48 innings on zero
or one day's rest.
In
2006, he pitched 34 innings on zero or one day's rest.
In
2005, he pitched 35.2 innings on zero or one day's rest.
09.04.2007 Seattle
suffers its wrath
09.02.2007 Here
comes Seattle
This
series could determine if the Yankees make the playoffs.
09.02.2007 Inexcusable:
Yanks drop series to Tampa
Swept
Boston, but trounced by Tampa Bay? The Yankees are now 12-15 on the
season versus the two worst teams in the AL East, Tampa Bay and Baltimore.
Boston
is 18-8 versus those two teams.
09.02.2007 Belated
congratulations
Congratulations
to Clay Buchholz on his no-hitter. You're a good kid, Clay.
Someone with your integrity deserves nothing but the best.
Clay
Buchholz, a righthander from Angelina Junior College in Texas, was taken
last summer with a first-round sandwich pick by the Sox, as other teams
passed because Buchholz had been arrested for stealing 29 laptops from
his high school and selling them. (Source)
09.01.2007 Ask
not what the Yankees can do for you
Ask
what you can do for the Yankees.
08.30.2007 Let
the whining begin
Seriously,
what is wrong with these people?
From
a Red Sox fan blog:
The
old against the young. The old Yankee regime of overpaying for other
teams' All Stars vs. the Red Sox regime of developing and holding onto
young talent. (Yes, we traded young talent to get Beckett, but it was youth
for youth, not youth for ancient history). The sinking Yankee Clipper against
the steaming Red Sox Destroyer. Bring it on.
We
debated posting an entry from this guy's blog, because we realize that
we'll probably get him more hits by being linked on NoMaas than he has
in the past year. But, we're charitable here and we had to highlight
the illness which exists among the Red Sox fanbase.
First
of all, it's humorous how he cites "overpayment." Was it not the
Red Sox who added over $200 million in new financial committments this
offseason? Right, we forgot -- the Red Sox are a small-market team.
Also,
we don't mean to bust your chops buddy, but the Yankees have one of the
best farm systems in baseball. You're really making a fool out of
yourself when you say the Yankees ignore youth. In December 2006,
Baseball
America's Jim Callis ranked the Yanks as having the 6th best farm system
in MLB. In February 2007, BaseballProspectus
ranked the Yankees as having the 4th best system. Boston checked
in at 11. We'd also tell you that the Yankees have the best collection
of young arms in baseball, but we feel a little embarrassed for you.
Rather, to the benefit of your self-esteem, we'll say THe YankEES buy WiNS!!11!!!
You
might not want to read what's below this line either.
Production
from homegrown Yankees during the 3-game sweep of Boston:
Homegrown
Yankee pitchers threw 19.1 innings with 9 H, 8 BB, 3 ER, and 16 K (WHIP:
0.88; ERA: 1.40)
Homegrown
Yankee hitters went 21-of-54 with 2 2B, 3B, 4 HR, and 6 BB.
Nice
try, though. Enjoy the site traffic.
08.30.2007 Rotoworld:
"Yanks' wins should not count because games were at Yankee Stadium."
Even
Sox-loving Rotoworld wants in on the whining action:
Cano
had been a little cold over the past 2 1/2 weeks, but he resumed going
the other way today, hitting both homers out to left field. Between Cano's
homers today, Alex Rodriguez's liner over the left-field wall Tuesday and
Johnny Damon's 316-foot blast to right on Monday, we wonder how much differently
this series would have gone had it been played at Fenway Park. Cano's homers
would have been doubles, and A-Rod's might have been a single. Damon's
homer would have been a fairly routine fly in any other park. (Source)
Apparently,
when it was the Red Sox turn to bat, they were not in Yankee Stadium.
This
commentary is as bad as their fantasy baseball "advice."
08.29.2007 Property
of the New York Yankees
Including
Wednesday's start, Josh Beckett has been owned by the Yankees this season:
19.2
IP, 30 H, 12 ER, 5.51 ERA
And
since he joined the Red Sox in 2006, Beckett has a 7.50 ERA versus the
Yanks.
The
Bombers are in his head.
08.29.2007 For
only a dollar a day, you can help feed Julio Lugo
08.29.2007 So
stupid
2-run
game, 2 outs, Posada on second, Giambi on first -- Torre sends in a pinch
runner for Giambi -- In the 6th inning
And
wouldn't you know Giambi's spot in the batting order comes up in the 7th,
with 2 runners on and a chance to blow the game open. But, instead
it's Andy Phillips who pops out to 1B.
Unreal.
08.28.2007 Andy,
bullpen shut down Scrappy Underdogs
Led
by the pitching of Andy Pettitte, Joba Chamberlain, and Mariano Rivera,
the Yankees scored a crucial win over the Blue Collar, Gritty, Spend $200
million in the offseason but pretend they're poor, Non-homegrown Boston
Red Sox.
And
the Angels put up a come-from-behind victory over Seattle.
A good
night had by all.
08.28.2007 Where
for art thou, Jason?
Under
the Four Rings regime, Jason Giambi has become a forgotten man, a seldom-used
player.
Apparently,
great power and tremendous plate discipline are two attributes which do
not interest Joe Torre.
08.28.2007 Britton
finally gets the call, Henn sent down
Long,
long, long overdue.
Britton,
who learned of his promotion Monday after Scranton/Wilkes-Barre completed
its 11-2 victory over Ottawa, had been the subject of much discussion among
fans on Internet message boards and blogs, citing his solid Triple-A numbers
as a reason to consider his promotion.
But
Britton, who appeared in 52 games last season for the Baltimore Orioles
before coming over in the Jaret Wright trade, said he was unaware of the
frequent posts, which gained momentum as Yankees relievers slogged through
a disappointing 2-5 road trip to Anaheim and Detroit.
"I
really don't use the Internet too much, except for sending e-mails back
home," Britton said. (Source)
Hmmmm.....
08.28.2007 Mussina
on the outs, Torre delivers amazing quote
Mussina
and Torre have both said they think the right-hander has more productivity
left, but the Yankees can't afford to wait long for him to find his form.
New
York heads into the final month of the season fighting for a playoff spot,
so every game is crucial. The Yankees began the day two games behind Seattle,
the AL wild-card leader, and eight back of first-place Boston in the AL
East.
"You
like to be loyal to all your players. But loyalty to all 25 comes before
loyalty to any individual," Torre said. (Source)
This
coming from a man notorious for playing favorites...
08.27.2007 Worthless
Let
us recall this quote from a few days ago:
Asked
if he carried any deeper concerns, Mussina said: "That they're going to
take me out of the rotation? Who were they going to replace me with?" (Source)
Any
other cute comments, Mike?
Please
remove him from the rotation, but don't replace him with another "Throw
sh*t against the wall and hope it sticks" starter. Look at Ian Kennedy.
08.26.2007 Yanks
look to Mussina for series split
08.26.2007 Hughes
continues to struggle
Since
returning from the DL, phenom Phil Hughes has pitched very poorly:
28
IP, 19 ER, 11 BB, 25 K, 25 H, 5 HR, 6.11 ERA
Not
the most opportune time to experience growing pains.
08.26.2007 This
is unbelievable
The
manager said he planned to speak with Henn, who has had two games end on
this road trip while he has been on the mound. Henn is expecting
the birth of his first child in the near future and has "a lot of things
going on," Torre said...General manager Brian Cashman inquired about stocking
the Yankees with another pitcher from the Minor Leagues, Torre said, but
the early-morning telephone offer was rejected. (Source)
08.25.2007 A
simple lesson
Sean
Henn is a bad pitcher. Chris Britton is a good pitcher. Good
is better than bad. Britton is better than Henn. What is so
difficult to understand?
08.25.2007 Mussina
continues to be the whiny b**ch that he is
He
doesn't like Posada as his catcher, so the Yankees sacrifice offense whenever
he pitches. And now he's unleashing sarcastic comments like this:
Asked
if he carried any deeper concerns, Mussina said: "That they're going to
take me out of the rotation? Who were they going to replace me with?" (Source)
08.24.2007 What's
the deal with Giambi?
Why
is Torre viewing him as a part-time player? In the last 16 games,
including Friday night, he's been out of the starting lineup 9 times. Nine
times.
This
makes perfect sense to us. In the heat of a playoff race, you should
sit your best hitters as much as possible.
08.24.2007 Brian
Bruney returns
Brian
Bruney rejoined the Yankees on Friday at Comerica Park, re-inserted as
a bullpen member after spending more than two weeks with the club's Triple-A
affiliate.
Part
of the Yankees' rationale for sending down Bruney revolved around his control,
which proved erratic at times. In 23 appearances from June 3 on, Bruney
walked 17 in 16 2/3 innings, striking out just eight.
The
Yankees briefly instructed Bruney to try throwing from the windup to help
his control, a tweak that he said he feels comfortable with, though he
bristled at the idea that he was having difficulty throwing strikes.
"I'm
a reliever," Bruney said. "I can't come in and set it on a tee for a guy.
If that's what you want, I can give up hits all day, but sometimes I've
got to try to get a strikeout.
"You
throw pitches that you think they're going to swing at, that not necessarily
are strikes. You try to make them look like them. The walks are high, but
it's not like I don't know how to throw strikes." (Source)
We've
been Bruney advocates because we think he has considerable talent, but
those comments are idiotic. It's hard to campaign for a guy when
he acts like a complete a-hole.
Bruney's
numbers at Scranton:
6 IP,
6.00 ERA, 1 HR, 5 K, 2 BB, 5 H, .656 OPS Against, .235 BABIP
08.22.2007 Red
Sox fans complain about Joba
From
a popular Red Sox message board:
Joba
looks a little obnoxious, he's a kid and he did strike out the side, but
hey dude, you have a 7 run lead, calm down a little.
That
fist pumping sh*t is the only thing keeping me from liking Joba. Christ,
its 7-1.
How
can these idiots seriously complain about Joba when they root for these
two clowns?
08.22.2007 Ortiz
selling his car on Ebay
David
Ortiz is using eBay to sell the car.
The
Sox clean-up man has his eye on a Ferrari F430, said friend Nima Karamouz,
who is handling the online auction. "He's moved to the exotic car world."
With
bidding due to close tomorrow, only three offers had been recorded as of
last evening - moving the price from $169,200 to $169,500.
"The
car is an absolute animal," Karamouz said.
According
to the eBay write-up, Ortiz paid $205,000 for the car before adding the
upgrades.
An
added bonus for any would-be buyer, according to the sales pitch: "This
car will be hand delivered at Fenway Park to the lucky winner of this auction
by Big Papi, himself. He will bring you your new car with keys and title
in hand." (Source)
08.21.2007 Moose
out, Kennedy in
That's
something that should be given serious consideration. Mussina is
a shell of a pitcher, and the stakes are too high to let him take the mound
with a batting practice fastball. He's clearly in major decline as
his K rates are down severely from last season (K/9 5.67 vs. 7.85).
He had a 90 ERA+ heading into Tuesday's game and hitters have a .796 OPS
against him, both career-worsts for Mussina.
At
this point, who gives you a better chance to win: Mike Mussina or Ian
Kennedy?
08.21.2007 Everybody
hates Chris
Explain
to us why Chris Britton is in Scranton:
56
IP, 57 K, 49 H, 2 HR, 14 BB, 2.41 ERA, .662
OPS Against
08.19.2007 Lethal
weapon
Wilson
Betemit: 2-5, 2B, 4 RBI
The
ability to play multiple positions -- the flexibility to rest players like
Derek Jeter and not sacrifice offensive production -- just a huge weapon
and a great acquisition.
08.19.2007 Joba
+ Edwar = not fair
While
we still hope Joba will not end up being a reliever (Damon called him the
"next "Mariano" in a postgame interview), his utter dominance of MLB hitters
is amazing to watch. And now, after the front office took some of
Torre's toys away (i.e. Proctor), we're finally seeing Edwar Ramirez get
his well-deserved chance.
On
Sunday versus the Tigers, Joba and Edwar combined for 3 innings of perfect
baseball with 5 K.
08.19.2007 ESPN
steals NoMaas' nickname for Joba
Some
guy on ESPN News has started using the "Mr. Loverman, JOBA!" nickname we
penned for Joba. Remember loyal visitors, you heard
it here first. And ESPN, please contact us so we can give you
the address to send our royalty check.
08.17.2007 Another
game, another Theo loss
Boy
Wonder's prize acquisition, Eric Gagne, has once again ruined a game for
the Red Sox. Thanks, Theo.
08.17.2007 Time
to make Jason the permanent DH
He's
back. He seems healthy. He's crushing the ball. He should
be getting as many plate appearances as possible.
08.16.2007 Perfect
time to have a 3-game losing streak
Mr.
Mussina, what you've just done is one of the most insanely frustrating
things we have ever seen. At no point in your sloppy, gutless outing were
you even close to anything that could be considered an acceptable start.
Everyone that is a fan of the team is now angrier for having watched it.
We award you a quarter of a run to your ERA, and may you never start another
important game for the Yankees.
08.16.2007 Ca$hMoney
spits venom
Brian
Cashman said today that the Yankees will not pursue Alex Rodriguez if he
opts out of his contract at the end of the season and becomes a free agent.
The
general manager said the reason has to do with the financial contribution
the Texas Rangers are making to pay off the contract. There are three years
left on the third baseman's deal, and Cashman said the Rangers' share comes
to around $30 million. The Yankees will have a window to negotiate after
the season, although Cashman couldn't confirm that the opt-out date reportedly
is Nov. 10.
"If
he opts out, the Yankees lose all that Texas money," Cashman said. "So
the time to have that conversation is before he makes the decision to stay
or go. We'll do that at the end of the year." (Source)
08.16.2007 NoMaas
to do hour-long spot on 1240 AM
This
Sunday night, NoMaas' Lane Meyer will be returning to 1240 AM's NY Baseball
Talk with Mike Silva -- this time for an hour-long breakdown of the Yankees
farm system. Don't miss it. Besides on the radio, you can also
listen online by clicking here.
08.16.2007 Giambi
in the "clear"
Giambi
escaped punishment from commissioner Bud Selig because of his charitable
work and cooperation with baseball's steroids investigator.
"It's
over and done with. I'm thrilled with it. He did what he needed to do --
now I can go forward," Giambi said before the Yankees hosted Detroit in
the opener of an important four-game series. "I can go forward and not
hurt the ballclub with a suspension."
"He's
doing a lot of public-service work, and I think that's terribly important,"
Selig said. "I think it's more important for us to keep getting the message
out. He was, I thought, very frank and candid with Sen. Mitchell, at least
that was the senator's conclusion. Given everything, this is an appropriate
decision." (Source)
08.15.2007 Oh
Mo
The
powers of superhero Shelley Duncan were not enough, as Mariano Rivera got
pounded in the 10th inning, allowing 3 runs and handing the Yankees a truly
deflating loss.
08.15.2007 Yanks
sign a bunch of picks, dish out the chedda
From
Baseball
America:
The
Yankees’ Deadline Day didn’t end with giving first-round pick Andrew Brackman
a $3.35 million bonus as part of a $4.55 million guarantee big league deal
that could be worth a staggering $13 million.
New
York was just getting started. The Yankees announced the signings of five
more picks in the first 10 rounds, for a combined total of $3.5 million.
California
high school catcher Austin Romine, second round ($500,000).
Texas
third baseman Brad Suttle, fourth round ($1,300,000). His bonus is a record
for the fourth round.
Georgia
high school catcher Chase Weems, sixth round ($450,000).
Louisiana
high school shortstop Carmen Angelini, 10th round ($1,000,000).
You
think we should get some credit for Angelini signing?
Hey, yo, Carmen! How about an interview?
Here's
some
quick points on the Brackman deal by our very own Lane Meyer.
08.15.2007 Yanks
brass smuggle Ramirez past Torre
The
New York Yankees tweaked their bullpen Wednesday, recalling relievers Edwar
Ramirez and Sean Henn from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. The club
optioned Jeff Karstens and Jim Brower to its top farm club one day after
they pitched poorly in a 12-0 loss to the Baltimore Orioles. (Source)
Hopefully,
Ramirez will be given a legitimate opportunity this time , and not buried
in the pen by Torre. We have no idea why Henn was recalled.
Chris Britton must be invisible.
08.14.2007 HRs
down, appettite up
"I
think David's got some extra weight," said Francisco Martes, owner of Los
Caballeros II Market on Centre Street, who recalled seeing David Ortiz
recently at nearby Miami Restaurant. "I saw this guy eating the other day,
and he was eating 15 pieces of pork chop. Fifteen pieces! That's too much."
(Source)
08.14.2007 Many
thanks, Jeff
Way
to step up, big fella.
08.14.2007 Welcome
to Boston
Angels
outfielder Gary Matthews Jr. made certain his visit to Boston this weekend
won't be overlooked, as he ripped Sox fans.
"They're
loud, they're drunk, they're obnoxious," Matthews told a cluster of reporters,
according to Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times. "They're one
of the few places you'll hear racial comments . . . it's just different."
(Source)
08.13.2007 Super
sub
Wilson
Betemit since joining the Yanks:
.333
BA / .400 OBP / .667 SLG / 1.067 OPS
And
he's played 1B, 3B, & SS
08.12.2007 Cowboy
up
Kevin
Millar puts the Yankees just 4 games back with a 3-run walkoff HR against
Boston. We would like to thank Terry Francona for not using Papelbon
in an allow-a-run-and-you-lose situation.
Standings
exactly one month ago, July 12:
Boston
fans are nervous. Look at this quote from a Red Sox message board:
I'm
almost in tears. I hope to god i am wrong. but i feel things are slipping
away. I'm gutted, so gutted i am going to have to go out and buy more food.
08.12.2007 The
wise words of Steve Phillips
"I
like Melky Cabrera for what he is. I think he's a good fourth outfielder,
a very good fifth outfielder. I don't see him as an everyday player. Now
on the Yankees he can be, because with their offense you can kind of work
around him a little bit, but I don't see him as an everyday player on most
other teams. He's a role player...Yeah, Melky Cabrera to me is not a reason
to not go to the playoffs...I would have explored every possibility of
finding a defensive guy to play center field if Melky Cabrera was the sticking
point. To me, I don't let Melky Cabrera keep me out of the playoffs if
I can bring Eric Gagne in." (Source)
Melky
Cabrera:
Eric
Gagne: Just plain awful
08.11.2007 The
best at what he does
HRs
38 & 39
The
Journal News' Peter Abraham on Arod, March 2007: "...the Yankees should
have traded him over the winter". (Source)
08.11.2007 Joba
torments his own people
Chamberlain
is one of a few Native American baseball players currently in organized
baseball. (Source)
08.11.2007 Gagne's
wicked good, dude!!
Jon
Heyman on July 31:
While
Gagne may pitch only 20-30 innings for Boston, he will combine with closer
Jonathan Papelbon to give Boston a formidable duo at the back end of their
bullpen, one of the most formidable ever. (Source)
Jon,
you should not be paid write about baseball.
Gagne
w/ Boston: 3.1 IP, 9 H, 6 ER, 4K, 2 BB, 16.20 ERA
08.11.2007 Please
make it true
The
San Diego Padres came close to finishing a deal for Kei Igawa in mid-July.
But they're taking another shot now, with the odds probably in the range
of 50-50.
San
Diego was awarded a waiver claim for Igawa, and now the Padres and the
New York Yankees have until 2 p.m. Tuesday to work out a deal for the left-hander.
(Source)
08.09.2007 Huge
series versus the Indians
08.09.2007 Edwar
Ramirez: "I dated Joe Torre's wife"
At
AAA
Scranton: 0.72 ERA, 37.1 IP, 18 H, 12 BB, 64 K
That's
right, 64 K in 37.1 IP. Why in the world is he in the minors?
Tony
(Brooklyn, NY): Edwar Ramirez seems to be dear to your heart (or at
Rob
Neyer: It's pretty obvious that Torre has no confidence in Ramirez,
08.09.2007 Yanks
should be in first place
...according
to BP's
Adjusted Standings. The latest figures show the Yankees about
a half game ahead of Boston. What does this mean? Boston
should be getting nervous.
Other
interesting observations:
Yanks
should be about 6 games ahead of Detroit, about 8 ahead of Cleveland, and
about 11 games ahead of Seattle.
08.08.2007 Shame
08.07.2007 Clemens:
"Eat sh*%, Canada."
After
the Toronto Blue Jays threw at Alex Rodriguez for the second day in a row,
Clemens drilled Alex Rios in the 7th. It was amazing to see the Yankees
actually protect their hitters. It doesn't happen often.
08.07.2007 Shelley.
Duncan.
Shelley
Duncan took out shortstop John McDonald so hard that the glove went flying
off his hand. (Source)
08.07.2007 A
flurry of moves
Miguel
Cairo DFA (finally)
08.06.2007 Fatality
Every
season, some people (like the moronic Bill Simmons) feel the need to proclaim
that Mariano Rivera is all done. Yet, every season he continues to
show why he is the greatest reliever ever to pick up a baseball.
Since
May 3, Mariano has posted the following line:
40
IP, 42 K, 2 BB, 32 H, 6 ER
08.06.2007 Shades
of Wayne Franklin
It
may be too early to make this call, but it is possible Joe Torre has found
another age 30+ journeyman reliever to love and cherish. The recently-promoted
Jim Brower could be the apple of the Bullpen Maestro's eye. Brower
is a 34-year old reliever coming off a 2006 season where he posted a fecal-quality
ERA+ of 36. He was signed by the Yankees as a minor league free agent
after being released by Pittsburgh. He's been very effective at Scranton
this year, so one could make the case that he should get a shot in the
pen. However, with the blatant neglect of Chris Britton and Edwar
Ramirez, it's hard to justify this guy getting the call over them.
What
we find most bewildering is Torre has apparently already accepted Brower
into his Circle of Trust. On Monday versus the Blue Jays, Torre inserted
Brower into arguably the most critical juncture in the game by using him
to replace Pettitte in the 6th inning with Toronto threatening and the
Yanks clinging to a 2-run lead.
Yet,
when Edwar Ramirez was called up, he didn't pitch for 2 weeks.
Why
does Torre "trust" Brower and not Ramirez or Britton? Brower is 34.
Simple as that.
From
a July 18th article written by Dan Graziano:
"To
me, experience playing in this uniform and this ballpark is important,"
Torre said. "Unless ability would absolutely dictate otherwise, I'm always
going to go with the experience." (Source)
Writing
about Jim Brower could be much ado about nothing, but at the very least,
we see a potential Wayne Franklin-like situation on our hands.
08.05.2007 Playoffs?!?
In
the midst of one of the toughest seasons in recent memory, the Yankees
now sit 0.5 games behind in the wild
card standings.
08.05.2007 Joe
Torre: Experience > results
Torre
said the team's upcoming road trip could help Farnsworth.
"I
think he just needs to have a couple of good outings," Torre said. "He's
been around a while, and you see signs of stuff. His slider and his
fastball are powerful pitches for him. He just needs to locate on a regular
basis, and I think once he gets a couple of good outings under his belt,
[he will be fine]. (Source)
08.05.2007 Wonder
year
Arod
continues his monster year, becomes youngest player to hit 500 home runs.
Remember
when it was cool for New York sportswriters to bash Arod?
08.04.2007 Red
Sox owner files for divorce, secret love affair revealed
Henry,
57, recently filed in a Delray Beach court against wife No. 2, Peggy Sue,
45, whom he married in Hawaii 14 years ago. They have a tow-headed 10-year-old,
Sara.
And
with the guy's worth estimated in the $800 million range, which includes
the famed Major League Baseball franchise and a 164-foot yacht, this split
will no doubt start drawing attention. (Source)
Rumors
indicate that at the root of John Henry's petition is a secret lover.
Our sources have forwarded us the following picture with Henry's supposed
love slave at an undisclosed location.
08.02.2007 A
simple request
08.02.2007 What
happens when you hit a HR in your Yankee debut?
You
get pinch
hit for. Welcome to Joe Torre's world, Wilson Betemit.
Also,
did everyone enjoy when Mike Myers was brought into the 2nd inning to match
up against one batter when the Yankees were down 8-0? Hilarious.
08.02.2007 Matsui
wins AL Player of the Month
Hideki's
July: .345 BA / .411 OBP / .735 SLG / 1.145 OPS -- 13 HRs, 14 BB vs 15
K
08.01.2007 A
new hope
The
Yankees are now only 2 games behind in the wild card - and Phil Hughes
returns on Saturday.
08.01.2007 Mr.
Loverman's father voices same concerns as NoMaas
And
make no mistake, Harlan Chamberlain is happy for his 21-year-old son, whose
name is pronounced JOB-uh. But Harlan was quick to admit in a telephone
interview yesterday that he has some health concerns about Joba coming
out of the bullpen at this stage of his career.
"They're
going to take you out of your zone that you're in and put you in something
that basically is real new to you. It's a whole different set of circumstances
as to the recovery of your body, arm, what have you.
Harlan
also made his son promise to him that he would speak up the very second
he feels a twinge of discomfort. "I stressed to him that he needs to be
vocal about it from the very beginning and not to let it fester," Harlan
said, "and he assured me he will do that." (Source)
08.01.2007 Johnny
Damon, we can't stand you
Damon
wasn't happy he wasn't playing and he wasn't happy Joe Torre didn't give
him a heads-up. He knows it's only going to get worse when Jason Giambi
comes back, maybe in a week. He said maybe the Yankees should trade him
if they're not going to play him every day now that he's feeling healthy.
"As
a player, you always want to know what your role is and what's happening,"
Damon said. "If I'm still out there on the margin, especially with Jason
coming back . . . Anything's possible. I know a lot of teams are interested.
With Jason coming back and a number of outfielders going down, the Yankees
could probably get a better player now than what they probably got offered
July 31."
"Obviously,
I feel like I'm producing and I'm doing my job out there. They see something
different." (Source)
Is
this guy serious? He can't play CF anymore. He's robbing the
Yankees of millions of dollars. He has a .709 OPS with a .359 SLG.
He has done anything but "produce." And now he's complaining and
suggesting he wants to be traded? This guy is an absolute joke.
08.01.2007 The
following writer makes you dumber after you read his articles
This
is Ian O'Connor of the Journal News. Ian wears some type of protective
barrier on his head. Ian doesn't understand baseball.
He's
[Gagne] the player who put a human face on the Yankees' official surrender.
It
only matters that Gagne waived his no-trade clause to make the deal possible,
and that Boston grabbed a win-now pitcher from the clutches of the ultimate
win-now franchise.
"We've
always been in a win-now mode," Cashman maintained.
They
weren't in that mode Tuesday, or else Gagne would be on his way to the
Bronx to answer Rivera's call. The greatest closer of all time knows the
Yanks aren't winning a title with the likes of Kyle Farnsworth in the role
of burning, crumbling bridge.
Rivera
claimed he doesn't care that Boston landed Gagne. He cares -- of course
he does. Rivera hasn't won a championship ring since 2000. Like Derek Jeter
and Jorge Posada, he's sick and tired of the waiting. Who knows, Gagne
might've ended the drought. (Source)
Quite
frankly Ian, you're an imbecile. How do you propose the Yankees *win
now* without a centerfielder? -- because
that's what Texas wanted. Additionally, why on Earth would
you trade a soon-to-be 23 year old, cost-controlled, outstanding defensive,
above-average hitting CF for a declining, oft-injured, slowing velocity
reliever. Gagne's still effective, but you're a lunatic if you would
trade Melky for him. You make the team worse by doing that deal.
You make it harder to *win now.* Do us a favor and retire from journalism.
07.31.2007 It's
so hard to say goodbye
And
I'll take with me the memories
07.31.2007 Wilson
Betemit
Young,
cheap, and versatile, Betemit
is a nice grab for the Yankees. At the very least, he adds significant
depth to the bench. He's only 25, switch-hitting, has some good power,
and is sporting a 116 OPS+ this season. He also has experience playing
3B, SS, and 2B.
This
is a clever pickup by C-Money.
07.30.2007 Update
on draft pick Brad Suttle
Here's
the latest on one of the Yanks' top draft picks:
Despite
what has been reported on some Internet sites, Boerne graduate Brad Suttle
has not signed a contract or come to an agreement with the New York Yankees.
Keith
Suttle, Brad's father, said they have remained in contact with the Yankees
this summer, but nothing has been hammered out, either in writing or in
principle.
“They
told us to stand pat and that they'll be in contact to get this thing knocked
out, but that was about a one-minute conversation,” Keith said. “They know
they have to go over slot, so we're taking them at their word and what
they've done in the past. If you're dealing with a team that has never
gone over slot, then Brad would have gone to the Cape (Cod League this
summer).”
“We
don't have anything set in stone, but they know he would have been a top-round
pick next year,” he said. “We'll just put the ball in their court and go
from there.” (Source)
Read
what Lane Meyer said about Brad Suttle right
after the draft.
07.29.2007 Joba
about to become a member of Torre's bullpen
Where
arms go to die.
The
Yankees today took a significant step toward making Joba Chamberlain a
part of their bullpen down the stretch when they took him out of the rotation
at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
Chamberlain,
who struck out 10 over five innings Wednesday in his Scranton debut, was
scratched from his expected start Monday night and moved to a relief role.
(Source)
This
is a move which reeks of organizational dysfunction. While many future
starters have broke into the bigs by first making relief appearances, there's
no need to mess with Chamberlain's development as a starter when Chris
Britton and Edwar Ramirez are dominating AAA hitters. Why are deserving
players being shafted?
Plus,
let us remember who makes the bullpen decisions with this team. Subjecting
Chamberlain to the tactics of Joe Torre is frightening. Remember
this quote from a few days ago when Torre was discussing the possibility
of adding Chamberlain to the bullpen.
"We'll
make sure we don't abuse him," Torre said. "Not that we willfully abuse
people, but you know, when panic sets in during a game, man, throw them
all out there." (Source)
Does
that make you feel comfortable? Chamberlain is one of the top starting
pitching prospects in baseball. Why do this, especially when you
have good alternatives? This is an unnecessary risk.
07.29.2007 What
the f*$#* with this team
The
Yankees are back! Here come the Yankees! Whoops, three-game
losing streak.
07.28.2007 Rumors,
rumors
The
rumor which seems to have the most steam is the Scott
Proctor for Ty Wigginton deal. We've never been huge advocates
of Scott Proctor, but we wouldn't be in favor of trading him for a utility
player who possesses a career .325 OBP. Despite having a secret love
affair with Joe Torre, he has been an effective reliever posting a 113
ERA+ this season. Plus, if he left and Kyle Farnsworth remained,
Farnsworth might be used more often than he is now. No thank you.
If Torre actually gave young pitchers a chance, we wouldn't mind seeing
Proctor traded, so that Britton and/or Ramirez could be used in the Bronx.
But, Torre favors experience over talent.
The
Yankees have also been rumored to be after every other relief pitcher in
baseball including: Dan
Wheeler and Chad Qualls of the Astros, Octavio
Dotel of the Royals, Jon
Rauch of the Nationals, and Eric
Gagne of the Rangers.
We
can only wait and see.
07.26.2007 Seriously,
do not allow Kei Igawa to pitch for the Yankees again
07.26.2007 For
all you hardcore gamers
There's
not a lot of baseball memorabilia in Curt Schilling's office in Maynard,
but you'll find plenty of swords.
In
fact there's long-bladed cutlery all over the place at 38 Studios LLC,
the entertainment start-up founded by the Red Sox pitching ace. The swords
set the right tone for a company that's developing a new massively multiplayer
online fantasy game, or MMO.
To
get into gamers' heads, to penetrate the market, you have to do something
significant," said Schilling, who is such an avid fan of the game EverQuest
that Sony Online Entertainment created an in-game character in his likeness.(Source)
In
addition, Sony was nice enough to send us an lengthy description of Schilling's
character:
"Lord
Creme Filling is a mighty warrior fighting for peace and justice against
the tyrannical King Salad, Destroyer of trans fats. Armed with his feared
fighting staff made entirely of processed cheese, Lord Creme Filling scours
the EverQuest landscape looking for pies and men holding speaking sticks.
Lord
Creme Filling has a magic rating of +5 and a cholesterol rating of +300.
His only known weakness is his right ankle, which is known to bleed butter
on occasion. Any loss of butter is dangerous to Lord Creme Filling.
Schilling's
greatest in-game achievement thus far was attaining the record of "Most
pixels used" after his character drained a river made entirely of gravy
using nothing but a straw and something known as The Mystic Biscuit.
07.25.2007Joba
goes nuts in his AAA debut
5 IP, 0 ER, 4
H, 1 BB, 10 K
As
Lane Meyer stated during his radio interview, the Yankees have the best
collection of pitching prospects in all of baseball. There is no
debate.
07.25.2007Can't
stand it
When
Milton Bradley was DFA'd by Oakland, we thought it would be a great and
cheap pickup for the Yankees. Little did we know that Benito Mussolini
is the manager of this team:
Yesterday's
organizational meetings in Tampa, Fla., focused more on the Yankees' need
to change the personnel in their bullpen and obtain a versatile, utility-type
hitter who could play some first base until Jason Giambi gets back.
Many
in the organization favor seeing if Andy Phillips and Shelley Duncan can
provide the offensive answers. And there are also many in the organization
who worry that manager Joe Torre could stand in the way of the improvements
they try to make. Torre was opposed to the team's efforts to acquire outfielder
Milton Bradley when the A's put him on waivers, and he opposed a possible
deal for Houston infielder Morgan Ensberg. (Source)
Why
is Joe Torre still managing this team? Why do the Yankees employ
a manager who interferes with player acquisition and development?
Why is he allowed to push people around?
07.25.2007Giambi
on his way back
New
York Yankees slugger Jason Giambi is set to start a minor league rehab
assignment Friday night with Class-A Tampa and hopes to rejoin the team
next week.
The
designated hitter, who has been sidelined since May 30 after tearing tissue
in his left foot, said he will play two games with the Yankees' Florida
State League team before he is re-evaluated Sunday. (Source)
This
could be a very nice boost...if his body holds together.
07.24.2007The
most amazing Torre quote ever
Right-hander
Joba Chamberlain, selected 41st overall in the 2006 amateur draft, has
been impressive at Class A Tampa and Double-A Trenton. He was promoted
to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Tuesday and is under consideration
for a major league call-up.
Manager
Joe Torre did not rule out a bullpen assignment in the majors for Chamberlain,
who has been a starter this season.
"If
that is the case, we would take care of him," Torre said before Tuesday
night's game against the Royals in Kansas City.
"We'll
make sure we don't abuse him," Torre said. "Not that we willfully abuse
people, but you know, when panic sets in during a game, man, throw
them all out there."
(Source)
Torre
doesn't willfully abuse people? Paul Quantrill, Tom Gordon, and Scott
Proctor say hello.
For
the record, we would prefer for Chamberlain not to be used a reliever.
Just leave him alone and let him develop naturally as a starter.
We know Johan Santana and Francisco Liriano poke a big hole in our argument,
but we don't want to risk anything with Joba.
07.24.2007 Replay
of Lane Meyer's interview
You
can listen to Lane Meyer's interview on 1240 AM by clicking
here and then scrolling to the "Yankees Farm Report."
07.23.2007 Matsui
continues his tear, Yanks crush KC
Heading
into Monday's game versus KC, Hideki carried a July OPS of 1.142 with 9
HRs. His season OPS has increased
by nearly 100 points since the end of June. He knocked in two
more runs against the Royals as the Yankees continued their winning ways.
07.23.2007 Scott
Proctor gets a few days off for the birth of his child
However
upon leaving the clubhouse, Joe Torre instructed Proctor to throw 50 pitches
each day with the placenta.
07.22.2007 Hey
you guys
Shelley
Duncan continues his Kevin Maas-ian introduction, blasts 2 HRs in Yankees
21-4 beating of Tampa Bay.
07.22.2007 Adjusted
standings update
Let's
take another look at Baseball Prospectus' adjusted
standings based on runs scored and runs allowed.
Boston:
59.3 W - 37.7 L
Yankees:
56.5 W - 39.5 L
What
does this mean? The Yankees should be about 2-3 games behind Boston
in the AL East and about 3-4 games up on Cleveland for the wild card.
There
is hope.
07.22.2007 Nice
words by Nieves
"It's
just business and I really want this team to go all the way to the playoffs
and, hopefully, win the World Series. They're a bunch of great guys. I
love them, Torre and all those guys. They can improve the backup catcher
and they're bringing in Molina. He's a great catcher, too." (Source)
Classy
comments by Wil.
07.21.2007 Goodbye
Wil Nieves
We
have no idea why Nieves was put on the team to begin with or why he stayed
until after the All-Star break, but someone finally realized he should
be playing in a men's softball league.
The
New York Yankees announced Saturday they have acquired catcher Jose
Molina from the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in exchange for right-handed
pitcher Jeff Kennard.
Molina,
32, has a .224 batting average with 10 RBI in 40 games this season, also
hitting safely in 25 of his 37 starts. He has thrown out 7-of-25 base-
stealers this year, as well. Last year, he played in a career-high 78 games,
71 of which were starts, batting .240 with four homers and 22 RBI. (Source)
Jose
Molina brings a dismal 46 OPS+ to the Yankees. But hey, it's better
than Nieves -8 -- yes, that's a negative 8.
07.21.2007 Lane
Meyer in the hizzy
Reminder:
NoMaas' minor league correspondent Lane Meyer will be on Mike Silva's NY
Baseball Talk on 1240 AM this Sunday night. The show runs from 9pm-11pm.
You can also listen live by clicking
here.
07.19.2007 Johnny
Damon, you are an awful baseball player
Since
the inception of NoMaas, this could be the most bizarre thing we've seen.
Why do the Yankees refuse to put Johnny Damon on the DL? His body
is in shambles. He's useless both on offense and defense. He
missed a ton of games. Honestly, we don't know what to say anymore.
We can only ask, "Why?"
07.18.2007
Like clockwork
Arod
does it again, puts Yankees ahead in 7th with booming double
Edwar
Ramirez:(AA & AAA) 0.62 ERA, 43 1/3 IP, 80K, 17 BB, 16.62
K/9
Since
being called up to the Bronx on July 1st, he has made a grand total of
two appearances - the last being on JULY 6TH!
He
hasn't pitched in nearly two weeks. Even more ridiculous will be
if he finally enters a game again and doesn't pitch a clean inning, Torre
will fault his ability rather than the cobwebs on his arm.
Honorable
mention to Chris Britton, who is rotting away in Scranton:
(AAA)
2.45 ERA, 44 IP, 48K, 12 BB, 9.81 K/9
07.17.2007One,
two, three, four
07.17.2007Interview
with Sean Foreman of Baseball-Reference.com
NoMaas'
Sensei John Kreese recently sat down with the founder of Baseball-Reference.com,
Sean Foreman. Sean talks to us about the past, present, and future
of the internet's most extensive baseball statistical database.
07.17.2007Move
over Scott, here comes Kyle
Joe
Torre on Kyle Farnsworth remaining the setup man:
"Farnsy
has the most experience doing that," Torre said. "I'd have to see something
really bad from him where he's very inconsistent and I haven't seen that."
(Source)
24
K vs. 18 BB, 4.34 BB/9, 5.79 K/9, .361 OBP Against, 93 ERA+
You're
insane, Joe.
07.16.2007 Andy
breaks open tie game, Yanks win 3rd in a row
07.16.2007
NoMaas
to talk prospects on 1240 AM
NoMaas
is again returning to the airwaves, this time to talk about the Yankees
farm system. On Sunday, July 22nd, minor league correspondent Lane
Meyer will be on Mike Silva's NY
Baseball Talk on 1240 AM. The show runs from 9-11pm.
You
can listen online here.
7.15.2007 Who
would trade Cano, Melky, and Ian Kennedy?
We
would and here's why.
07.15.2007Oh
Joe, you poor baby
As
New York tries to work itself out of significant deficits in the playoff
races, Joe Torre said the current season has been the most difficult since
he became manager of the Yankees in 1996.
"It's
been the toughest one of the 12 years, no question," Torre was quoted as
saying in a New York Daily News story on Sunday. "My security blanket is
the players, because they care and they try. Sometimes they lose direction,
but that's been the thing I cling to all the time -- the baseball aspect
of it."
Nor
does Torre think his reputation would be tarnished if the Yankees don't
reach the playoffs this season. And the playoffs are an iffy proposition,
with the team at 44-44, 10 games behind the AL East-leading Red Sox and
8 games behind the Cleveland Indians for the AL's wild card berth as of
Sunday morning.
"When
I think about winning four out of five World Series, how the hell did that
happen?" Torre said, according to the Daily News. "This game is very tough
to be competitive all the time, and things like this happen. If it's my
last year and this is the way it ends, it's not going to put a damper on
my time here because so many good things have happened." (Source)
It's
amazing how Torre clings on to the World Series rings. He arrogantly
believes that he should receive a free pass because of them. He thinks
he should be immune to criticism. Sadly, many Yankee fans and media
feel the same way.
07.13.2007Sheffield
suggests Torre should manage in Boston
Gary
Sheffield has strong words about New York Yankees manager Joe Torre...Sheffield
says Torre treats black players differently from white players. (Source)
07.13.2007Crime
can affect all of us
Here’s
one reason the Sox are not dismissive about Daisuke Matsuzaka’s concern
for privacy. General manager Theo Epstein’s car has been vandalized and
obscenities were spray-painted on his condo, along with an admonition not
to trade Ramírez. (Source)
07.12.2007 Arod:
"No talky."
"I
think it would be selfish on my part to talk about my contract status when
our team desperately needs wins," Rodriguez said, responding to the reports
that the Yankees would like to begin extension talks with him. "My goal
is to win as any games as we can, focus on my teammates and really play
at a real high level in the second half." (Source)
If
people hate Arod now because of the monster deal he signed with Texas,
imagine what will happen if he asks for $30 million per year. He
better negotiate a set of heavy-duty earplugs into his next contract.
Whatever
happens, we hope he remains a Yankee. He's one of the best players
to ever step on the diamond.
07.11.2007 Ca$hMoney
and Arod to talk 'bout dat chedda
The
Yankees, in a departure from their customary practice of not conducting
in-season negotiations, want to schedule a meeting with Alex Rodriguez's
agent in the next few weeks to discuss a possible contract extension...
But
A-Rod's agent, Scott Boras, said he would prefer his client concentrate
on the season now, rather than on negotiations.
"This
is a performance time, a focus time," Boras said in a telephone interview
last night. "It's really not something he's wanted to address and it would
be my advice not to now.
"I
work for Alex, but it's been our position throughout that there are no
negotiations during the season," Boras added. "It's about keeping the ball
rolling.
"Alex
has always said he's comfortable in New York. It doesn't mean he's not
comfortable somewhere else, either." (Source)
Hopefully,
the Yankees will be able to get something done. How do you replace
the production of an Alex Rodriguez? It's critical though Arod doesn't
opt out of his deal, so that the Yankees keep the $10 mil per year which
Texas contributes towards his salary.
What
a turn of events though...many Yankee fans and just about every NY sportswriter
have been trying to run Arod out of town, and now the Bombers are desperate
not to lose him. Funny how things work sometimes.
07.11.2007 A
professional compared to a jackass
From
Peter
Abraham's blog (Hi Pete!) -- Mariano Rivera on closers who go berserk
on the mound:
Mariano
Rivera: “Well, i don’t know, everybody has their own thing. I think it
works for them … but personally I don’t like it. Personally, I like to
give the respect to every hitter. Because every hitter feels like they’re
insulted when they do all that kind of stuff. That’s their business and
I do not care. But I prefer to stay the way I am.”
And
now Jonathan Papelbon:
Jonathan
Papelbon: When I'm out there pitching, it's not Jonathan Papelbon pitching,
it's Cinco Ocho pitching. I get a little revved up some times, and Cinco
Ocho doesn't know how to control himself when he's out there. (Source)
07.10.2007 Players
enjoying their time off
07.10.2007 Joba
gets rave reviews at the Futures Game
From
ESPN's Keith Law:
Joba
Chamberlain, RHP, New York Yankees: That's JAH-buh. Get used to
He's
quickly becoming one of the best pitching prospects in baseball.
07.08.2007 42
wins, 43 losses
10
games behind Boston
Baseball
Prospectus' adjusted
standings show the Yankees should be about 12 games over .500.
The
main culprit for the discrepancy between their actual record and their
runs scored vs. runs allowed adjusted record? The Yankees are 6-14
in one-run games. Some argue that a team's record in one-run games
is largely influenced by luck.
You
decide. Will the Yankees miss the playoffs for the first time since
the canceled 1994 season?
06.30.2007 One-hit
wonder
"He
had one-hitter type stuff," Yankees captain Derek Jeter said. "He pitched
well, that's the bottom line." (Source)
No,
Derek, the bottom line is your team is an embarrassment. Stop making
excuses.
06.28.2007 How
would acquiring one of the worst players in baseball help this team?
Shea
Hillenbrand could become the next righthanded hitter to play first base
for the Yankees. The team is engaged in serious talks to acquire the 31-year-old
who is about to be dumped by the Angels, according to a person familiar
with the situation. (Source)
He
currently has a putrid OPS+ of 62, which is less than Miguel Cairo's 63
OPS+. He has the 11th
worst VORP in MLB, ranking 775 out of 785 players. He also has
a career OBP of .322, so forget about seeing him on the bases.
Shea
Hillenbrand is one of the worst players in MLB.
06.28.2007 Cash
speaks out
"I'm
not worried about saving my job," Cashman said. "I'm not worried about
doing my job. In doing my job, you have to balance both [now and the future.]
I don't think it is a tough call. You have to make the right call. I'm
not being paid to save my job. I'm being paid to do a job."
Cashman
said that Steinbrenner agrees with this stance on not trading prospects.
"At
the same time, [Steinbrenner] doesn't want to give up those young guys
either," Cashman said. (Source)
With
the team severely struggling, he has received harsh criticism from many
fans. However, we strongly believe that losing Cashman would be the
worst possible event that could happen to this organization.
If
you look at what has happened this season, how much of the blame could
you place on the GM? In the first couple months of the season, the
Yankees saw 6 starting pitchers head to the DL. And since the pitching
stablized, the offense has been marked by shocking underperformance.
Was there any person on the planet who thought this offense would be mediocre?
Did anyone think Bobby Abreu would go from a 129 OPS+ to a 91 OPS+? Or
Cano would go from a 116 to a 91? What about Damon falling completely
off a cliff resulting in Melky getting more playing time than he should?
And
Giambi is probably gone for the year.
Now,
there were moves with which we disagreed. For example, we thought
Igawa was a bad signing, and we pushed against inking Damon (although we
didn't think he would become as useless as he has this year).
However,
based on the existing data, there was no reason to believe this team wouldn't
be one of baseball's elite. That's the best a GM can do.
Analyze the data and make a forecast. It's very easy to critique
after-the-fact.
We're
not trying to ballwash Cashman. We are simply saying there's not
a person on earth who could have predicted this type of performance from
the Yankees this season.
In
the short time that Cashman has had "sole authority," he has turned the
Yankee farm system into one of MLB's best through great drafting and international
signings. He's making the organization younger, more efficient, and more
holistic.
Ca$h
still rules everything around us.
06.27.2007 NoMaas
to be on Long Island's 1240 AM
On
Sunday July 1st, NoMaas' Sensei John Kreese will be a guest on NY Baseball
Talk with Mike Silva. The show is on Long
Island's 1240 AM WGBB and runs from 9-11pm. You can also listen
online here.
06.27.2007 Jump
According
to Baseball Prospectus, the Yankees had a 17% chance of making the playoffs
before they entered Wednesday's game versus Baltimore.
The
Yankee offense has been pathetic, scoring 21 runs total over the last 8
games. That's an average of 2.65 runs per game.
06.27.2007 Good
thing Joe saved Mariano Rivera...
To
pitch the 8th inning of a game with the Yankees trailing by 4 runs.
06.27.2007 This
has to be a joke
We
received an email from one of our visitors berating us for our criticism
of Joe Torre. We're fine with that. Torre defenders email us
all the time. However, the conclusion of this email was beyond human
comprehension.
I
am huge Yankee fan and watch every game. For you (nomaas) to blame the
San Fransisco game and last night in Baltimore on Joe Torre shows how little
you really know about baseball. For example in the SF game only Rivera
was left in the bullpen, if Rivera was brought in on Saturday after he
threw 1 and 2/3 innings on Friday who was going to throw after him because
the Yankee lineup is horrid with Miguel Cairo in it. Last nights game the
umpire was squeezing proctor and and Joe didn't want to go to Rivera yet
because they might get a lead. I am always on your website and you advocate
Bruney, who was been atrocious recently walking everyone and their father.
Instead of blaming Torre for the bullpen you need to blame Cashman for
keeping Damon in the lineup (although he hit a HR), abreu, matsui, cairo
are all struggling, the yankees need a first baseman someone like Jeff
Conine of the Reds to come in and play, he has 2 rings and would serve
as right handed bat.
Oh.
My. Word.
06.26.2007 Joe
Torre hates you, Yankee fans
For
the second time in three games, Joe Torre has blatantly exhibited his complete
ineptitude. The Yankees lost again in a walkoff situation with the
greatest reliever in MLB history picking splinters out of his rear end.
If
a team is facing a scenario which allowing a run ends the game instantly,
you use your best weapons to get your team another at-bat. The Bullpen
Maestro is too incompetent to understand this.
Oh
yes, Mariano Rivera hasn't pitched since last Friday.
It's
just madness at this point.
06.24.2007 Dear
Carmen
Carmen
Angelini was selected by the Yankees in the 10th round of this year's draft.
He is a very talented high school shortstop who dropped in the draft due
to his strong commitment to Rice University. In our to attempt to
help Carmen arrive at the only logical decision, we have penned a letter
to him.
Our
letter to Yankee draft pick, Carmen Angelini
06.23.2007 You're
killing us, Torre
1)
Top
of the 11th. Kevin Thompson with a leadoff single. Bobby Abreu
at the plate. Arod on deck. Torre asks Abreu, who is supposed
to be one of NY's best hitters, to sacrifice bunt. That is dumb in
itself, but here's a question for Joe.
Q:
What happens if Abreu executes a successful sacrifice (which he didn't)?
A:
San Fran would have walked Arod with 1st base open, rendering the sacrifice
bunt to be meaningless.
2)
Torre
has an extreme aversion to using Mariano Rivera in a tie game, when the
Yankees are the visiting team. Apparently, he does not realize that
if the Yankees allow a run, the game ends. Once again, the Yankees
lost in a walkoff situation with Mariano rotting in the bullpen.
This
is a mistake the Bullpen Maestro has made often. Game 4 of the 2003
World Series is the most memorable example of this, when Mariano Rivera
sat while Jeff Weaver allowed a walkoff home run to the Marlins' Alex Gonzalez.
3)
Torre
completely gave up on the 13th inning. Two outs. Posada on
first. Scott Proctor due up. You would think a pinch hitter
would be used here. No, Torre elects to surrender the inning and
let Proctor hit.
06.23.2007 Posada
continues to rake
In
his walk year, Posada continues to put up superb numbers. Already
the best-hitting
catcher in MLB this season, Jorge went 3-5 with 2 BB in Saturday's
loss versus San Fran.
Re-signing
him is a no-brainer.
06.23.2007 In
all our years of watching baseball...
We've
never seen anything like this:
The
Yankees hope to avoid using Johnny Damon, even as a pinch hitter, in this
series. If his abdominal strain/rib cage still bothers him when they open
the series in Baltimore next week, they likely will place him on the disabled
list. "I'm just praying I'll be ready for Tuesday," Damon said. (Source)
Dear
Johnny Damon,
Your
body is in shambles. You have completely missed 9 games. You
have pinch-hit in 8 games. So, in reality, you have been inactive
for 17 games this season. You can't play centerfield anymore.
Your .690 OPS is attrocious. You have resorted to prayer to heal
your various physical ailments. You are currently a waste of a baseball
player. No one cares about your disabled list streak. We do
not think you are courageous. You are hurting the team. Go
on the DL.
06.21.2007 Rocky
Mountain low
Yanks
swept by Colorado. Rodrigo Lopez and his new facial hair send the
Yankees 10.5 games behind Boston and 6.5 behind Detroit for the wild card.
"I
don't want to see them again, how's that?" manager Joe Torre said Thursday
after the Rockies denied Roger Clemens his 350th win and completed a three-game
sweep of the suddenly stumbling Yankees with a 4-3 victory. (Source)
Good
attitude.
06.21.2007 This
would make too much sense
In
a very surprising move:
The
A's designated the outfielder for assignment on Thursday morning, a day
after general manager Billy Beane met with Bradley to let him know that
the transaction was coming. Bradley left the clubhouse upset, and he also
had expressed dissatisfaction on Tuesday after not being activated when
he felt he was ready to return from a calf injury.
There
was a good chance of more discontent in the future, with an increasingly
crowded outfield in the offing. Chris Snelling is likely coming off the
disabled list soon and he is out of options, while Bobby Kielty is also
expected to be available by the end of the month. Bradley, who will be
a free agent after this season, would have seen a decrease in playing time,
according to a source, largely because most of the rest of the outfielders
are part of the team's future, while Bradley was not. (Source)
We
were interested in Bradley a couple years ago when he was a free agent.
The Yankees should definitely investigate this. His OPS+ for each
of the last three years has been: 115, 121, 108.
But
not only can he hit, he's also a very good defensive outfielder.
Since Damon is a hobbled mess, the Yanks could DL him, DH Matsui and move
Bradley to the OF. An outfield with Melky and Bradley would be superb
defensively.
Put
Damon on the disabled list.
06.20.2007 Coors...light
Apparently,
the Yankees forgot that Coors Field is a venue known for offensive outbursts.
06.20.2007 Two
months too late
Johnny
Damon might be headed to the disabled list for the first time in his career.
The
New York Yankees' designated hitter and former center fielder has been
bothered since last week by a strained abdominal muscle, which he aggravated
Tuesday while taking cuts in the batting cage at Coors Field
"Obviously,
I'd like to be very healthy, but that damn voodoo doll that somebody has
of me, they're getting a pretty good laugh," said Damon, who grounded out
as a pinch-hitter in the eighth inning Wednesday night.
We're
glad Damon can crack jokes.
"He's
still a threat and has good at-bats," Torre said. "Now, is it going to
get worse? That's something I can't give you an answer to. Again, I think
if it keeps popping up and it keeps him from being able to do his work,
then I think (putting him on the disabled list is) something we have to
seriously talk about." (Source)
He's
still a threat? How's that below-average
OPS+ still threatening? And Joe, Damon hasn't been able to do his "work"
all season. He should have been put on the DL months ago.
Note:
Torre said in his Wednesday night postgame that Damon will start in CF
on Thursday. Ridiculous. This sounds like the whole Matsui
consecutive game streak, where personal records are given more importance
than the team's best interest. Big deal Damon's never been on the
DL...he looks elderly this season.
06.18.2007 Yankees
seeing red
The
New York Yankees announced today that they have signed left-handed pitcher
Kai Liu and catcher Zhenwang Zhang to minor league contracts, becoming
the first Major League team to sign a player from the People's Republic
of China with approval from the Chinese Baseball Association. (Source)
China
still has much work to do in creating a respected professional baseball
league. However, it's great to see the Yankees investing their resources
into untapped global markets, especially China. There has to be one
or two good ballplayers among the one billion people who live there.
It's this type of innovation and strategy which will maintain the superior
quality of the Yankees' system.
06.17.2007 Silent
but deadly
Wang's
monster
performance helps Yanks take two out of three from the Mets.
Interesting stat: 2007 K/9: 4.71 --- 2006 K/9: 3.14. Could Wang be
purposely mixing in strikeouts along with his vicious sinker?
06.17.2007 Alex
Rodriguez is putting up video game numbers...
Yet
at the beginning of the season, many Yankee fans, sportswriters, and analysts
believed the team was better off without him.
How
dumb were they.
1.110
OPS, best in MLB
06.17.2007 What
a waste
When
the Yankees play in the vast outfield of Coors Field in Denver, it's still
uncertain who will be roaming center field. The Yankees will not
have the DH when they play in National League parks, however, and Damon's
nagging physical ailments could keep him from returning to his old position
in center field for some or all of those games. (Source)
Waste.
Of. Money.
06.14.2007 Selig
to Giambi: "You need to cooperate with the Red Sox board director or else."
First
of all, it's ridiculous Giambi is being persecuted by Bud Selig for being
honest and admitting he made a mistake. Selig is encouraging other
players to keep quiet and/or lie about steroid usage.
Additionally,
it's absurd that the steroid investigation is being conducted by a Boston
Red Sox board director. Three words: Conflict of Interest.
06.14.2007 Don't
call it a comeback
Let's
take another look at those adjusted standings. When a team scores
more runs than they prevent, there's a good chance they'll have a winning
record. It finally looks like the wins are catching up with the run
production of the Yankees. In fact, the adjusted
standings now show that the Yankees should be about 2 games behind
Boston. It looks like the Yankees still have some room to run.
06.13.2007 Back
from the dead
6 games
off Boston's lead in 10 days
06.12.2007 Review
of the Yankees draft with Patrick Ebert of Perfect Game
Last
week, we were fortunate enough to get Perfect Game's Patrick Ebert to preview
the draft. This week, Patrick has graciously returned with a review
of the Yankees selections. This is really an amazing resource.
Enjoy!
06.12.2007 Wang
stiff against Dbacks, Abreu continues his revival
Wang:
7 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 2 K, 0 BB (2.08 ERA in his last 3 starts)
Abreu:
1-3, 3-run HR, 1 BB
Yanks
at .500
06.12.2007 Joba
the Hutt debuts in Trenton
And
he dominated.
Joba
Chamberlain: 5 IP, 0 ER, 3 H, 9 K, 2 BB
Here
comes another awesome Yankees pitching prospect.
06.11.2007 The
bizarre world of ESPN player ratings
New
NoMaas addition, Bobby Budnick, takes a look at the idiocy that is newESPN
Player Ratings.
06.11.2007 Fourteen
of the future
NoMaas'
minor league correspondent Lane Meyer has identified fourteen 2007 draftees
which will require above-slot money to sign, and explains why their signatures
are vital.
06.10.2007 Boogie
Down production
Arod:
2-3, 2 HRs, 2 BB, 5 RBI, 4 runs
06.09.2007 Here
I come to save the day
06.09.2007 1.80
ERA,
0.40 WHIP, .368 OPS Against: "Sorry son, back to the minors"
Needing
to make room on the roster for Roger Clemens, the New York Yankees optioned
reliever Chris Britton to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Saturday.
Britton
was recalled June 1 and was 0-0 with a 1.80 ERA in three appearances covering
five innings for the Yankees this year. His demotion kept left-hander Sean
Henn on the big league roster.
"That
was a tough decision,'' manager Joe Torre said. "We just felt Sean Henn
seems to be improving. He's probably closer to the long man that we want.''
(Source)
Sean
Henn seems to be improving? He hasn't made an appearance for the
Yankees since May 10th.
Meanwhile,
Luis Vizcaino (62 ERA+) and Kyle Farnsworth (82 ERA+) will continue to
be put into games at a high rate.
Mind-boggling.
06.07.2007 Don't
look now, the Yankees have won 3 in a row
And
seriously, how ridiculously good is Alex Rodriguez. Home run # 22
--a grand slam in the 9th. Give him an extension.
And
Bobby Abreu continues his awakening: 2-4, 2B, BB, 3 runs, 2 RBI
Oh
yes, Kyle Farnsworth should not be used as a set-up man. How much
more do we need to see?
06.07.2007 Tigers
snag Porcello at # 27, Yanks select Brackman at #30
Rick
Porcello, arguably the best pitcher in the draft, came so close to the
Yankees, but unfortunately was selected by the Tigers. Here's to
the Tigers not being able to sign him!
At
# 30, the Yankees drafted another Boras client in NC State RHP Andrew Brackman.
Physically, Brackman is a monster. He's listed at 6'10", 230lbs.
He throws fire as reports have his fastball sitting in the mid-to-high
90s, with it touching 99. He also features a knuckle-curve.
The
knock on Brackman is injury risk. Brackman split time between baseball
and basketball at NC State and this season was his first year devoted soley
to baseball. Late in the season, he was shut down to a tired
arm/arm soreness. This could be a red flag, but hopefully the Yankees
did their due dilligence.
The
reaction to the pick has been mostly positive. Keith Law loved it:
He
has a special arm with the chance to become a No. 1 starter, or at worst
a No. 3. (Source)
Peter
Gammons loved it (is that a good thing?). And in our interview with
Perfect Game's Patrick Ebert, he had high praise for Brackman:
Brackman
is just an unreal talent, and like I said earlier, based on pure talent,
there is no way he should fall to the 30th overall pick. Therefore, if
he does, and money isn't an object, you can't let him slide.
But,
Kevin Goldstein and Bryan Smith, both of Baseball Prospectus, didn't
like the pick.
We
think everyone would agree though that Brackman is a project and will probably
take a few years to develop. His upside is absolutely enormous.
He's physically imposing and is a fireballer. Yet, his injury issues
are indeed a concern and he's really still learning how to pitch.
Time will tell.
One
of the things we are curious about is why the Yankees didn't take a shot
at RHP Matt Harvey with their second round pick at #94. Harvey was
generally regarded as the 2nd-best high school pitcher in the draft and
dropped considerably, supposedly due to money and his high likelihood of
going to college. He went to the Angels at pick #118, who are going
to see if they can convince him to sign.
06.06.2007 Holy
crap, the Yankees only use 1 pitcher
Complete
game for Wang, Scott Proctor on suicide watch due to dismay over not pitching.
06.06.2007 Will
Porcello drop to the Yanks?
From
Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com:
I'm
talking at No. 2. I've learned the Kansas City Royals will most likely
not take Rick Porcello with that selection and instead will go with a high
school bat from California.
As
for Porcello, his ability is not in question. He's good enough to go No.
2 and there are even some scouts who'd consider taking him No. 1. But his
bonus demands, especially for a high school right-handed pitcher -- the
biggest risk pick there is -- could very well force him to slide really
far...maybe even as far as the University of North Carolina. (Source)
Porcello
is at least the 2nd best pitcher in the draft (behind David Price of Vanderbilt).
Some believe he's a better prospect than Price. He's 6"5 and throws
four pitches including a plus-plus fastball. He has great mechanics
too.
Porcello
is advised by Scott Boras and his bonus demand, supposedly $6 mil+, is
making him unaffordable to teams. Thus, draft experts are predicting
him to drop significantly. If he's around at #30, we have great
faith the Yankees will show him the $$ signs.
In
Baseball
Prospectus' latest mock draft, they have Porcello going at #27 to the
Tigers and the Yankees selecting 1B Matt
LaPorta, also advised by Scott Boras. LaPorta, from the University
of Florida, is also forecasted to drop due to bonus demands.
He is generally regarded as the best college hitter in the draft.
We would be thrilled to get him too. Porcello would be truly amazing
though.
06.05.2007 Yanks
hammer White Sox, 7-3
The
biggest story here is it seems Bobby Abreu is starting to come alive.
Entering Tuesday's game, Abreu had a 1.417 OPS through the first four games
of June. That will only improve as he went 2-4 with a BB in the Yankees
win over Chicago.
You
know that Jermaine Dye for Abreu rumor? No thanks. Abreu is
too talented to hit so poorly. It looks like he's on his way back.
Note:
Arod hit his bush-league leading 21st home run.
06.05.2007 Who
removes a starting pitcher after 5 innings of 1-run ball?
Joe
Torre does.
06.04.2007 Cashman
on the draft
"There's
no doubt, there was a period of time when we disregarded how important
the Draft really is," Cashman said. "That's changed. There are players
I passed on last year as free agents that had No. 1 picks attached to them.
I wasn't giving up our No. 1 pick. We need that for our future.
"[The
Draft] is huge. It's vital. One of the reasons we're struggling now is
that we're paying for sins of the past."
"The
strategy is just to get the best player available at that moment, period,"
Cashman said. "We want the best baseball player possible, regardless of
position. We don't draft by projected needs in five years. We've got a
lot of pitching prospects, more than position player prospects, and that
doesn't bother me. If the best player is a pitcher, we're taking a pitcher.
If the best player is a position player, we're taking a position player."
(Source)
06.04.2007 Papelbon
comes back down to Earth
06.03.2007 Shhhhh
06.03.2007 The
dumbest fans in all of sports
Beckett
tips his hat to the congratulatory fans after letting up 4 runs, 8 hits,
and 3 walks.
06.03.2007 Great
Yankees draft preview coming Tuesday
Make
sure to visit this site on Tuesday for an interview with an amateur baseball
expert.
06.03.2007 In
year two of a four-year deal
With
Jason Giambi on the disabled list, the bulk of Johnny Damon’s playing time
is going to come as the designated hitter. However, the Yankees are making
plans to turn Damon into a jack-of-all-trades player, The Post has learned.
Spotted
taking ground balls and making throws at first during batting practice
yesterday at Fenway Park where he wasn’t in the starting lineup, Damon
was asked if he was doing it to kill time or with designs on playing there.
“He
told me to work there and in the [outfield] corners,” Damon said of Joe
Torre. “I am going to play [first] eventually. I am OK with it.” (Source)
Damon
hasn't even played two seasons for the Yankees and he's already transitioning
out of centerfield. His value diminishes significantly if he's no longer
capable of playing the important position he was signed to play.
Did anyone keep the receipt?
06.02.2007 Yankees
forget how to play baseball in the 7th
Clutch
errors by Jeter, a horrible toss from Cano on the botched double play,
and a putrid play by Bobby Abreu led to the Yankees being trounced by the
Red Sox, 11-6.
Joe
Torre's favorite son, Scott Proctor, should not have started the 7th as
he's now been used in 6 of the last 8 games and was clearly gassed, but
the defense was utterly abysmal.
This
team is embarrassing to watch.
06.02.2007 Schilling
vs. the Yankees
Here
are the lines of Schilling's starts versus the Yankees this season:
April
20: 7 IP, 8 H, 5 ER, 2 HR
18
innings, 29 hits, 14 earned runs, 6 HRs, 7.77 ERA
06.01.2007 Inexcusable:
Torre publicly calls out Arod
Everyone
seems to have an opinion on Arod yelling in the Toronto game. After
initially supporting Rodriguez in his post-game interview, Yankees manager
Joe Torre has changed his mind and felt the need to make his thoughts public.
"They
were angry," Torre said. "Oh, there's no question. I can't say I blame
them, but what are you going to do about it? What's happened has happened."
Torre
said he spoke with Rodriguez after the game.
"It's
probably something he shouldn't have done," Torre said. "I don't sense
he's going to do it again." (Source)
Torre
has every right to have his own opinion of what Rodriguez did. However,
what would possess him to broadcast his thoughts to the media? That's
like pouring gasoline on a fire. Rather than sticking up for his
player or offering no comment, Torre has once again added to the polarization
of Alex Rodriguez.
Oh
yes, we forgot, Torre is a great manager of people. He knows how
to handle the clubhouse!111!!!
06.01.2007 Britton
called up, but apparently his 0.78 ERA isn't good enough
Right-hander
Chris Britton was summoned from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to offer
additional relief if needed during the Red Sox series, but his time is
limited. Britton will be optioned back to the Minors on Monday, when the
club activates right-hander Roger Clemens for his start at Chicago. (Source)
It's
mind-boggling that Britton will be sent back down after the weekend.
DeSalvo was finally demoted, but Vizcaino will somehow still occupy a spot
in the pen. There's no way Vizcaino should be ahead of Britton.
05.31.2007 You
may think it's cool to look like this...
But
sooner or later, it will catch up to you:
Jason
Giambi will be sidelined at least three weeks and possibly far longer after
tearing tissue in the arch of his left foot while rounding the bases on
a home run.
The
latest setback in a tumultuous season for the New York Yankees designated
hitter occurred Tuesday night in Toronto. Giambi was examined in New York
on Thursday by Dr. William Hamilton and will be placed on the disabled
list before Friday's game at Boston.
"I'd
say it's a severe injury," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said.
While
the best-case scenario likely would have Giambi returning in three-to-six
weeks, Cashman couldn't rule out that Giambi could miss the remainder of
the season. (Source)
05.31.2007 Cashman
& Matsuzaka
In
recent weeks, many sportswriters have been criticizing Brian Cashman for
either bidding low or miscalculating the market on Daisuke Matsuzaka.
These baseball oracles include John Donovan of Sports Illustrated:
They
underestimated the importance of getting Daisuke Matsuzaka. You bid $32
million for the right to talk to Matsuzaka, the phenomenal right-hander
from Japan, and you figure you're doing plenty. As it turned out, the Yanks,
in their new conservatism, badly miscalculated. Their offer was nearly
$20 million less than Boston's. And the decision to go low is killing them...Matsuzaka
is exactly what the Yankees need...(Source)
Apparently,
John Donovan does not look at statistics. Matsuzaka has been anything
but "phenomenal." In fact, he has been below-average. He currently
sports a 4.83 ERA and has an ERA+ of 93 (100 being average).
His ERA+ is good for 34th
best in the AL.
Hey,
we wanted Matsuzaka, but how on earth can you critique Cashman at this
point for not trumping Boston's $100 mil investment? Based on his
performance so far, Boston should look for a rebate.
05.30.2007 Wow,
they won
The
Yanks finally won a game, but with NY already leading Toronto in the 9th
inning, the Blue Jays infield fell for a Little League trick.
Rodriguez
hit an RBI single with two outs in the ninth that made it 7-5. Jorge Posada
followed with a high pop and Rodriguez ran hard, cutting between Clark
and shortstop John McDonald.
It
seemed as if Rodriguez said something, and Clark backed off at the last
second. McDonald was only a few steps behind Clark, but couldn't make the
catch and ball dropped for an RBI single.
McDonald
started jawing with Rodriguez, and third base umpire Chad Fairchild got
between them. Toronto manager John Gibbons came out to argue, and exchanged
words with Rodriguez and third base coach Larry Bowa before leaving the
field as plate umpire Eric Cooper intervened. (Source)
We
have to give credit to Joe Torre in his postgame interview in which he
said that when a catcher comes near an opposing dugout to catch a popup,
everybody in the dugout screams "I got it!". And according
to the close-up shown on TV, Arod didn't even yell "I got it!" - he just
yelled. Blame Arod all you want (it seems to be the cool thing to
do), but it's rather funny that a professional infielder would fall for
that.
05.30.2007 Don't
steal on Sal Fasano
Hopefully,
Robinson Cano learned his lesson.
05.30.2007 Why,
God?
Phil
Hughes, one of baseball's top pitching prospects, has a Grade 3 sprain
of the left ankle that is expected to set the hurler back an additional
four to six weeks in his efforts to rejoin the Yankees' Major League roster.
Hughes,
a 20-year-old right-hander, rolled his ankle while performing conditioning
exercises Friday at Legends Field in Tampa, Fla., where he was rehabilitating
a strained left hamstring.
The
Grade 3 diagnosis is considered the most severe possible strain, in which
one or more ligaments are stretched and completely torn..
Yankees
officials had hoped Hughes would return in mid-June. But now with the setback,
the hurler won't even throw off a mound until somewhere from late June
to early July. (Source)
05.29.2007 Tarausi
wins Western Conference Player of the Week
Phoenix
Mercury guard Diana Taurasi was named the WNBA's Western Conference Player
of the Week for the first week of the 2007 season, the league announced
today. (Source)
We
expect great things from Taurasi. She was the league's scoring champion
last season, her third in the league, and she's opened the 2007 campaign
on a tear. She's also protecting the ball better averaging 1.67 turnovers/game
versus her career average of 2.75. The future is bright for Lady
Di.
BASERUNNING
05.29.2007 Joe
Torre: "Brian Bruney has leprosy"
Tonight's
game was an illuminating illustration of Joe Torre's managerial incompetence.
With the game tied 2-2, Andy Pettitte gave up a lead off double in the
8th inning. The Blue Jays followed that by sacrificing the runner to third,
after which Torre (correctly) pulled Pettitte for the bullpen.
The
situation was such that a sacrifice fly would have scored the run. In an
ideal world, one would use a pitcher who could either strike a batter out
to take away the sac fly possibility or a pitcher who at least tends toward
groundballs to potentially keep the runner from leaving third.
As
a matter of fact, the Yankees have just such a pitcher: Brian Bruney. Although
he tends to be a flyball pitcher (.59 G/F on the season), he more than
makes up for this disadvantage by his excellent K/9 of 9.00.
However,
Scott Proctor, recovering from the flu and sporting both a worse G/F ratio
(.49) and a significantly worse K/9 (5.47), was inappropriately brought
into the game here. Throughout his career he has had flyball tendencies,
and so far this season he has not struck out enough batters to potentially
make sense in a situation where a strikeout is needed. Predictably enough,
Proctor then surrendered the sacrifice fly to the Yanks' own center field
noodle arm, allowing the winning run to score.
05.28.2007 Torre
inspires Yankees to 7-2 loss and last place in AL East
Sensing
an attitude problem on his struggling team, Torre held a lengthy meeting
before Monday night's game in Toronto. The session ran so long the Yankees
were nearly a half-hour late taking the field for stretching and batting
practice. (Source)
The
Yankees have told sore-legged Johnny Damon to put his feet up for a while.
But he's not going on the disabled list.
Damon
is not expected to start today's series finale and is questionable for
the three games starting tomorrow on Toronto's artificial turf.
Damon,
who left Friday's game after 6½ innings, said about not going on
the DL: "It's not taking 15 days. I told them it's not 10. It won't even
be five." (Source)
Perhaps
we were correct when we campaigned
for the Yankees not to sign Damon. He's been absent this year and
the reason why noodle-bat Melky Cabrera has been in the lineup so often.
To think Damon's under contract for another two years is disturbing.
For
kicks, take a look back at what Scott Boras had to say about then free-agent
Johnny Damon in December 2005:
“He’s
the ironman of baseball,” Boras said yesterday from Dallas. “What Cal
Ripken used to represent, Johnny Damon does today.”
“Johnny
Damon is the most durable major league player in the game today,” Boras
said.
“Johnny
Damon is a model physical athlete with a body type that no one else has."
False
advertising.
05.27.2007 NoMaas:
Phoenix Mercury fans since 2007
Diana
Taurasi scored 37 points, including 10 during a key three-minute stretch
of the third quarter Friday night, to lead the Phoenix Mercury to a 111-85
victory over the Houston Comets.
Taurasi,
who has scored 30 points 10 times in her three-year WNBA career, hit two
3-pointers and made four throws during the third-quarter stretch during
which Phoenix (2-1) opened a 69-59 lead. The Comets didn't get closer than
nine the rest of the way.
Taurasi
was 11-of-18 from the field, making six 3-pointers. She had four assists.
(Source)
Go
Mercury!
05.27.2007 Torre
should be on a "big hook"
Time
and time again, Joe Torre has demonstrated a neurotic refusal to trust
his starting pitchers. If a pitcher has cracked the mythical 90 pitch/6
inning barrier, they are given the slack of a disobedient dog before he
starts ripping through the bullpen. Mike Mussina began the sixth inning
with a strikeout, his sixth of the game, an indication that, despite his
inferior fastball mileage, he still knew what he was doing. He followed
that with a walk to Casey Kotchman. Forgetting his green tea, Torre walked
out of the dugout with his hand pointing to Scott Proctor.
Although
Brian Bruney, a far superior reliever, had also been warming, Proctor has
been mostly effective this year. But why exactly does Torre think Proctor
had a significantly better chance than Moose of recording the inning's
two remaining outs? And why was Scott Proctor then handed a rope long enough
to hang himself?
The
first batter Proctor saw doubled. His inherited runner had not scored,
so no harm no foul as yet. Then, however, Proctor loaded the bases with
a walk. This was not a nibbling walk, where strike three was missed by
a centimeter or the umpire blew a call: Proctor was missing the zone by
a mile and was clearly ineffective. Bruney and Myers, two of the team's
better relievers, were already warming.
But
Proctor was given more slack than Mussina yet again. And, in an 11 pitch
battle against Erick Aybar, Proctor inexcusably walked in the tying run
with balls that were feet out of the zone. After Proctor walked Aybar,
Torre left him on the mound to next pitch to Figgins. Proctor then walked
him on 5 pitches, bringing in another run & making the score 3-2 Angels.
Only then did Joe emerge from the dugout to call for Bruney. And, for perhaps
the first time ever as Yankee manager, he was jeered by the Yankee Stadium
crowd.
The
boos are beginning to attach to Torre now. His complacent offense is no
longer capable of masking him for the incompetent manager that he is.
05.25.2007 Torre
puts game out of reach, Yanks lose
Would
you pull a starter out of a one-run game because he allowed 3 runs in 4
innings on 76 pitches? That's what Joe Torre did when he removed
Tyler Clippard. Granted, it wasn't a great performance by Clippard,
but Torre's hook was completely unneccessary. Clippard should have
pitched at least another inning. It's not like he was at a high pitch
count. No need to pull a starter at that point.
What
made the move even worse is that Torre removed Clippard to bring in the
horrible Matt DeSalvo...in a one run game. We have no idea why DeSalvo
is even on the roster with Chris Britton still rotting in the minors, but
he is, and Joe brought him in. DeSalvo couldn't record an out and
allowed 3 ER on 2 hits and 2 BB. Then, the right-handed version of
Felix Heredia was brought in and just like that, the game was over.
Nice
job, Joe. Way to put your team in a big hole.
05.25.2007 For
the love of God, bring up Chris Britton
He's
dominating
AAA and he's a better option than DeSalvo, Vizcaino, and Farnsworth.
Seriously, what is taking so long?
05.24.2007 Class
organization
The
New York Yankees made a $1 million contribution to the Virginia Tech "Hokie
Spirit Memorial Fund" prior to playing the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium
on Wednesday.
The
Yankees, who are also honoring the victims of the massacre by wearing the
Virginia Tech logo on their caps, plan to play an exhibition game on or
near the campus in 2008.
"The
events that took place this spring in Virginia have deeply affected us
all," Yankees owner George Steinbrenner said in a statement. "But the Virginia
Tech community has shown great spirit and resolve during this difficult
time, and the New York Yankees are proud to join so many others in supporting
the healing process." (Source)
05.23.2007 NoMaas
obtains rough draft of Schilling's next entry on 38pitches.com
After
being lit up again by the Yankees, Curt Schilling sat down next to his
locker, surrounded by cupcakes, to type his next entry on his personal
blog, 38pitches.com. Through our sources, we were able to obtain
Schilling's first draft.
5/23/07
vs. New York
Well,
that didn't go well. First, I found out my jeans don't fit me anymore
and now I have to buy some size 44s. Second, I once again failed
to make 55,000 New Yorkers shut up. I've now allowed - wait a second,
spilled some mustard on the keyboard.......Ok back. I never thought
the SHIFT key could taste so good. Good thing I have two of them.
Anyway, I've now allowed 10 ER in 13 IP versus the Yankees this year, including
tonight's upper deck blast from Doug Mientkiewicz. That's good for
a 6.92 ERA. But then again, I've never really been that good against
the Yankees. Over the last 3 seasons, I have a 4.35 ERA against them.
Nothing to write home about, or better yet, do an interview about.
But, what can you do? Just sit back and enjoy the catered spread in the
locker room. LOL! : ) TTYL!
05.23.2007 How
good is Derek Jeter?
3-4,
3B, 2 RBI, 2 R -- OPS now at .944
He
entered the game with a whopping 154 OPS+.
Tangible.
05.22.2007 Mussina
stinks up the stadium, Yanks can't hit world's ugliest man
He
whines when he's pushed back a day. He whines when his start is delayed
due to rain. After allowing seven earned runs, what will he whine
about this time?
Meanwhile,
the Yankees couldn't hit burn victim Julian Tavarez, who entered the game
with a 78 ERA+.
05.22.2007 Thief
All
that remains between Carl Pavano and reconstructive elbow surgery is permission
from the New York Yankees.
The
pitcher is awaiting word from the team on whether he can go ahead with
an operation that would sideline him for most if not all of what remains
on his $39.95 million, four-year contract.
Pavano
believes surgery is the only way to repair his elbow, and Yankees general
manager Brian Cashman has been awaiting written diagnoses from the three
specialists who looked at the 31-year-old right-hander's arm.
"We've
received all the written reports from all the doctors that examined Carl
over the several weeks," Pavano's agent, Gregg Clifton, said Tuesday. "I'll
be reaching out to Brian tomorrow in an effort to get all of us moving
in the same direction with regard to Carl and the proper steps for his
recovery."
(Source)
05.21.2007 Yanks
rough up Wakefield, Sox
Damon:
3-4, BB
We
were ready to compliment Torre for his handling of the staff during this
game. He extended Wang into the 7th, brought in Bruney in a high-leverage
situation, and looked like he would pitch him more than one inning -- as
opposed to using multiple relievers on consecutive days.
That
was until he decided to take Bruney out of the game with 2 outs in the
8th after he allowed a soft dribbler back to the mound, in which Bruney
made a throwing error to first. Torre removed Bruney for allowing
this 50 foot tape-measure shot and brought in Proctor, who threw 27 pitches
against the Mets on Sunday.
Scott
promptly hit the next hitter and got out of the inning on a nice play by
Robinson Cano. Way to burn Proctor for no reason and not let your
most effective reliever finish the inning.
05.21.2007 Jeter
gets beaned, Yankees once again "too classy" to protect their hitters
Ridiculous.
05.21.2007 Meyer's
minors, Issue #4
A weekly
recap of the Yanks' farm system.
ESPN
Page 2 writer Jonah Keri believes so:
Based
on their 19-23 record, the Yankees look like one of the worst teams in
baseball. They may turn out to be one of the best.
With
27 more runs scored than allowed (227 to 200), the Yankees' combination
of offense and run prevention points to a team that would figure to be
three or four games above .500 instead of four games under. One of the
biggest reasons for the divergence? The Yankees are just 2-8 in one-run
games, the second-worst mark in the majors. Teams rarely fare so much worse
in one-run games than they do the rest of the time. When you see a team
post such a bad record in one-run games, it's usually the result of two
factors: a lousy bullpen and bad luck. There's no denying that the Yankees'
relief corps has been lousy, with Mariano Rivera uncharacteristically struggling,
and a band of would-be set-up men failing to do the job. But bad luck can
often turn for the better, especially over a 162-game season. (Source)
Add
Hughes & Clemens and the margin between runs scored and runs allowed
likely becomes wider. And keep in mind the Yankees have scored more
runs than they've allowed without contributions from Damon, Cano, or Abreu,
and very limited SLG from Giambi.
6 IP,
6K, 3 H, 3 BB (1 IBB)
We
asked for him at the end of April and
we told you last week: Clippard should have been up earlier than
this. Yes, it's only one start, but his minor
league numbers indicate that this 22-year
old can flat-out pitch. We hope to see him and Phil Hughes in
the Boogie Down for many years to come.
05.20.2007 Dear
Peter, at least try to hide your manlove
For
a pitcher who has had a long history of blister problems, we've found it
funny how the Sox propaganda machine has insisted Beckett's latest finger
problem is an "avulsion."
On
Sunday night's ESPN broadcast, Peter Gammons brought the hilarity to another
level explaining to viewers that Beckett injured himself on a "defective
baseball."
He's
the only player to admit he did steroids and believes he was wrong for
doing so. He also thinks an apology should be issued to the fans
by Major League Baseball.
MLB
is looking to punish him for his comments. Why? Because he
told the truth? Now, let's celebrate Barry Bonds!
5.20.2007 And
I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance
Darrell
Rasner left his outing against the Mets with a broken index finger Saturday
that could sideline him three months, becoming the latest New York Yankees
starter to go down with an injury. (Source)
05.19.2007 How
can anyone make an argument that he should still be the manager?
Joe
Torre after Friday's loss to the Mets:
“I’ve
been very proud of this ballclub, the fact they’re coming to play,” he
said. “We’re just not firing on all burners right now. I really don’t have
any issue with anything other than the final score.” (Source)
Are
you serious?!?
05.18.2007 Garbage
05.17.2007 They're
right
05.17.2007 Tyler
Clippard, come on down
You're
the next different pitcher to start a game for the Yankees.
Tyler
Clippard was pulled from his start today for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre
after one inning, apparently to save him so he can be called up Sunday
to face the Mets. Tuesday's rainout left the Yankees without a rested starter
for Sunday. (Source)
Clippard
should have been up earlier than this. He's better than DeSalvo,
Wright, Rasner, and Karstens. He actually has the
potential to be a productive major league starter. He's a real
prospect.
We
hope this isn't just a spot start. DeSalvo's performance on Thursday
was much more indicative of his true abilities. He should not be
in the rotation. Insert Clippard.
05.16.2007 Johnny
Damon: Age 33 going on 43
He's
missed five games so far this year. In four games, his only appearance
was as a pinch-hitter. He's been the DH three times. So, in
38 Yankee games, he's been inactive for 9, plus three more in which he
hasn't been in CF.
It's
unacceptable to wonder each day if Johnny Damon is going to play or not,
so put his fragile body on the DL and let him heal.
05.15.2007 Villone
up, Henn down, Britton invisible
Villone
joined the Yankees at U.S. Cellular Field on Tuesday, his contract having
been purchased from the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre club. In accompanying
moves, the Yankees optioned reliever Sean Henn to Triple-A and transferred
injured reliever Jose Veras to the 60-day disabled list. (Source)
We're
not upset Henn has been sent down. We think some Yankee fans were
way too quick in annointing Henn as a good reliever. He can take
his 80 ERA+, 11K, and 11 BB back to the minors.
Villone's
arm is definitely not fresh though. He's pitched in 17 games at AAA
and has thrown 23 2/3 innings, a total more than any reliever currently
in the Yanks' pen. And we all know Villone developed into one of
Torre's boys last season.
Bottom
line is that Chris Britton should be called up. His arm is fresh
as he's only pitched 11 innings at AAA. He has a 0.77 ERA.
And last season he produced a 135 ERA+ in 52 games with the Orioles.
What more does he have to do?
05.13.2007 Where's
the sense of urgency?
05.13.2007 Meyer's
minors -- special edition
Every
once and a while our very own Lane Meyer will take a look at prospects
from other organizations, just to keep our visitors "in the know."
This week he takes a look at RHP Bryce Cox.
05.13.2007 Like
a fine wine
Derek
Jeter seems to be getting better with age.
.376
BA / .447 OBP / .475 SLG / .922 OPS, 158 OPS+
05.10.2007 Coaches
order players to watch video after being thrashed by Texas
With
Posada and Arod not knowing how to conduct a rundown -- with Bobby Abreu
misplaying flyballs, missing cutoff men, and making Damon's arm look decent
-- and with Miguel Cairo looking like the worst kid on the Little League
team who is stashed away in the outfield, the Yankees coaching staff ordered
all players to watch the following video (endorsed by superstar Fred McGriff):
05.10.2007 A
lesson on the strike zone
This
is a regulation strike zone:
This
is Robinson Cano's strike zone:
.250
BA / .296 OBP / .339 SLG / .635 OPS
05.09.2007 Yanks
starting to roll
"The
Yankees have no pitching!!!111!" "The Yankees are done!!!!111"
It's
funny how things work when your pitchers are healthy.
05.09.2007 The
Circle of TrustTM
Could
the leash on Brian Bruney be any shorter? Even though he has been
the Yankees best reliever so far this year (186
ERA+), Joseph Torre has been reluctant to use him in high-leverage
situations. Rather, the Yankees manager believes Kyle Farnsworth
is better (78
ERA+).
However,
in Wednesday's game, Joe actually used Bruney in a non-blowout situation
with the Yankees having a 4-run lead in the 7th inning. It wasn't
really a high-leverage situation, but we'll take it. Bruney first
let up a hit to Sammy Sosa. Next, Hank Blalock flied out. Then,
Bruney walked Ian Kinsler.
Keep
in mind though that it's a 4-run lead and Bruney has been excellent so
far this season. You would assume that he would be given a chance
to work out of the jam.
Apparently,
the Bullpen Maestro thought differently and promptly removed Bruney from
the game, only to use two more relievers in the same inning to get the
two remaining outs. 7th inning - 3 relievers - 3 outs
Furthermore,
the Yankees used 5 relievers from the 7th-9th innings. Five relievers
to get nine outs. Wow.
05.09.2007 Wil
Nieves gets his first hit since 2002
And
somehow he is the backup catcher for the most celebrated franchise in professional
sports. How does that happen?
Seriously...since
2002.
05.08.2007 NoMaas:
Now serving you for two years
When
we started NoMaas in May 2005, our goal was to create a site which would
advocate ideas and opinions not being represented in the Yankees organization,
nor in the mainstream media. Most importantly, we wanted to do it
in a way which was creative, dynamic, and effective.
Two
years have passed and we're amazed how widely followed NoMaas has become.
We've been cited in newspapers around the country. We get traffic
from all over the world. When you do a search on Google, nearly 30
results pages show up. We're praised. We're hated. We
have a huge audience.
Since
our inception, we've registered 204,476 unique visitors and 71,156,098
hits. In April of this year, we had over 7,000,000 hits for the month.
From
all of us at NoMaas, we would like to extend our sincere appreciation for
your support. We hope you keep visiting.
05.08.2007 Yanks
beat up Texas, 8-2
These
types of games are what this team is capable of -- the consistency will
occur. When it happens, keep in mind we told you that there would
be a correction.
05.08.2007 Carl
Pavano, you are pathetic
The
Yankees want Carl Pavano to be examined by yet another doctor, and the
oft-injured pitcher certainly sounds annoyed about it.
The
Yankees said they'd like to send Pavano to see one more renowned doctor
before determining if he needs season-ending elbow surgery.
"We'll
pull out all the stops," general manager Brian Cashman said. "Clearly,
I want to make sure that we have a really accurate reading on this."
The
team was trying to schedule an appointment for Pavano with Dr. Lewis Yocum
in California. Pavano has already been examined by three doctors, including
Dr. James Andrews.
"I
got three professionals telling me what to do, and now I'm supposed to
go to a fourth?" Pavano said. "There's ligament damage. ... I don't want
to have surgery. But if that's what it takes to get my arm better, that's
what I'm going to do."
Pavano
was examined by Dr. Andrews on Friday. While damage was found in the elbow,
the ligament was not torn, a Yankees official said Sunday, speaking on
condition of anonymity because the team didn't make any announcement. The
team would like Pavano to try to rehabilitate without an operation, but
the pitcher was leaning toward surgery, the official said. (Source)
05.07.2007 Umpire,
Yanks give Seattle a gift
Umpire
Gerry Davis made one of the worst calls we've ever seen and it was a huge
factor in the loss.
Pinch-runner
Willie Bloomquist then stole second, though replays showed he was clearly
out -- by at least a foot -- on a strong throw by catcher Jorge Posada.
(Source)
Here's
Gerry
Davis' website. Feel free to find a way to contact him.
The
Yankees also played a role in the defeat by leaving 10 men on base, while
Mariano delivered another pedestrian performance.
A very
disappointing night.
**Note:
We really liked how Mattingly stretched out DeSalvo into 7 innings.
Only 2 relievers were used. Kudos to Mattingly. Here's to Torre
being suspended more often!
05.07.2007 Igawa
heads to the minors
We
suggested
Scranton. He went to Tampa.
We're satisfied. He needed to be sent down.
05.07.2007 Meyer's
minors
Weekly
recap of Yankees' farm system:
05.07.2007 Proctor
suspended 4 games, will be the only games he doesn't pitch in this year
Yankees
reliever Scott Proctor was suspended four games and manager Joe Torre was
penalized one game by Major League Baseball on Monday, a day after a skirmish
between the Seattle Mariners and New York.
Proctor
appealed his suspension, meaning he can pitch until a hearing is held and
a ruling is issued. (Source)
Hopefully,
he'll lose the appeal and get some rest.
05.06.2007 Absolutely
huge
A
few days ago we suggested the Yankees immediately go to Roger Clemens,
offer him a blank check, be as aggressive as possible, and blow the competition
away.
It
looks like they did just that:
Roger
Clemens returned to the New York Yankees, making a dramatic announcement
to fans from the owner's box during Sunday's game against the Seattle Mariners.
At
the end of the seventh-inning stretch, Yankees public address announcer
Bob Sheppard told fans to turn their attention to the box, where Clemens
was standing with a microphone. As the video scoreboard in right-center
showed Clemens, the seven-time Cy Young Award winner made the announcement
himself.
"Well,
they came and got me out of Texas and I can tell you it's a privilege to
be back," Clemens said. "I'll be talking to y'all soon." (Source)
This
is tremendous news. Any person trying to spin this like it isn't
a big deal suffers from a mental deficiency. The Yankees have acquired
a dominant pitcher who will give them high-quality starts. It's a
one-year deal too, so there's very minimal risk. When healthy, the
rotation will look something like this:
Wang,
Clemens, Pettitte, Mussina, Hughes
That
is mighty good.
05.06.2007 Yanks
win two in a row (wow!) and get first shutout, but why was Rasner pulled
so early?
When
Joe Torre decided to take him out of the game, Darrell Rasner had allowed
0 runs on 3 hits on 80 pitches through 5 2/3. Four relievers were
then used to finish off Seattle.
Torre
defenders, please explain to us how that makes sense.
05.06.2007 Keep
an eye on "Adjusted Standings"
We've
mentioned Adjusted Standings before, but we thought it was worth highlighting
again.
Baseball
Prospectus' Adjusted Standings are a great way to to gain perspective
on whether your team is underperforming or outperforming in relation to
its actual record. It allows you to make a reasonable forecast on
what you expect a team to do in the near future.
Before
Sunday's game against Seattle, the adjusted
standings showed that the Yankees should be around 16-12 based on their
previous play, as opposed to their actual 13-15 record.
So
what can you take from this? There should be a correction coming
soon.
05.05.2007 We'd
still really like to take a look at Brett Myers
When
the Phillies made their # 1 starter a reliever, we thought it was one of
the most idiotic moves we have ever seen. Over the last two years,
he's had ERA+ numbers of 122 and 118, while pitching a total of 413.3 innings.
Recently,
Myers has been named
the closer since Tom Gordon is on the DL.
We
still think the move is laughable and we wonder if the Yankees have inquired
into the availability of Myers. If the Phillies are looking for relievers,
we would gladly offer some of ours for Myers. Chris Britton is in
AAA and he could easily replace anyone who was traded.
Myers
could be a solid addition to the rotation and we all know the Phillies'
leadership smokes crack.
05.04.2007 Yankees
score 11 runs and lose
Mainly
due to another terrible performance by Kei Igawa.
4 IP,
8 ER, 3 HR, 9 H
05.04.2007 **Correction**
We
made our entry immedietely after Thursday's game -- before the news broke
which explained Mussina asked out of the game after the 5th inning.
It turns out we made a mistake in our initial evaluation, as we went to
sleep right after the game ended and did not see the post-game interviews.
It was an error on our part.
However,
we will not apologize for our criticism of Torre using 5 relievers from
the 6th inning on. That was absurd.
05.03.2007 Seriously,
please fire Joe Torre
The
longer Joe Torre is kept around, the more damage he is doing to this pitching
staff. He is a truly horrible manager. He needs to be removed
immediately as he is jeopardizing the health and effectiveness of the bullpen.
Who
in their right mind removes Mike Mussina after allowing 1 run through 5
innings on 64 pitches?!?!? 64 pitches!
And
then, Four RingsTM
uses 5 relievers to finish off the game. From the 6th inning on,
Torre brings in Bruney, Henn, Proctor, Farnsworth, and Rivera.
Are
you kidding? Six total pitchers in a game in which the Yankees allow
2 runs?!?
How
can anyone defend this guy? This insanity needs to be stopped. He's
killing the bullpen.
05.03.2007 Wil
Nieves should not be in professional baseball
We
don't care how thin the catchers' market is, there has to be someone better
than Wil Nieves. He is utterly horrendous.
05.02.2007 Pavano's
season & career done?
From
the Hartford Courant:
The
Pavano news is bad. He had been throwing on the side, and got up on the
mound on Sunday, but though the team kept saying he was getting better,
he didn't seem so optimistic. He is going to see Dr. James Andrews in Alabama
and may, in fact, need Tommy John surgery, which would finish him for this
season and probably next season,too, possibly ending his career. (Source)
05.02.2007 Matt
DeSalvo?
Rumor
has it that Scranton SP Matt DeSalvo may be getting a start for the big
club on Sunday.
DeSalvo
is off to a hot start with a 1.05 ERA in 25.2 IP.
Maybe
the Yanks are trying to catch lightning in a bottle, but one thing you
can expect from DeSalvo is a ton of walks. He gives away base-on-balls
like they're going out of style.
First
of all, he has a career minor league BB/9 of 4.59. In 2006, between
AA & AAA, his BB/9 was a whopping 7.17. He had more walks than
strikeouts.
We're
really not sure why Tyler
Clippard hasn't been given more focus.
Phil
Hughes has a no-hitter going through 6 1/3 -- then he hurts his hamstring.
Baseball
sucks.
Clemens
will decide, according to Hendricks, "sometime during the month of May,
but certainly, not very soon." Of course, he first has to decide whether
he wants to pitch, and while Clemens is playing coy, few in the industry
believe he'll retire.
Last
year, Clemens signed on May 31. It's likely the same ETA can be expected
this year. (Source)
The
Yankees should go to Roger Clemens now, ask him how much he wants, and
just give it to him. Money talks. Simple as that. This
team needs high quality starting pitching and Clemens will provide that.
He was the best
pitcher in the National League from 2004-2006...by a very big margin.
It's
a pro-rated one year deal. Empty the wallet. Take out a loan.
Give him whatever he wants. Blow the competition away.
04.30.2007 Interview
# 2 with ESPN's Keith Law
Last
week, NoMaas' Sensei John Kreese sat down with Keith Law for a quick interview.
When
everyone is healthy (and we're close to that happening), the rotation will
look like this:
Wang
We
don't count Pavano. Additionally, we would like to see Tyler
Clippard given a shot at the 5th spot. However, with that front
4, this is a formidable rotation.
Don't
jump off the GW yet.
04.29.2007 Jeter
speaks out for Joe
“It’s
unfair,” Jeter said. “It shouldn’t be questioned. His job should never
be questioned. Like I said, he is in no way responsible for us not playing
well. He puts the best players out on the field for every game, and then
it’s up to us.” (Source)
Unfortunately
Derek, there are many occasions when Torre does not put the best players
on the field.
Weekly
recap of the Yankees' farm system
04.29.2007 Why
is our bullpen emptied every game?
The
Yankees starting pitching has been very, very bad. And it must be
difficult for any manager to deal with three of his starters going down
to injury at the same time. No one could have anticipated this.
However,
what we don't understand is why the Yankees' skipper feels the need to
use at least 3-4 relievers in every game.
When
the bullpen is extremely overworked, Torre should recognize the importance
of stretching out starters when he does get a decent performance.
He also needs to realize that using a tired bullpen to mix and match against
hitters just adds to the problem. He also needs to learn that relief
pitchers don't always have to pitch in their Torre-designated inning.
In
Sunday's game for example, Wang was removed after 84 pitches. He
had only allowed 6 hits in 6 innings. It wasn't a great start, but
he could have started the next inning. Yet, the Yankees ended up
using 4 different relievers from the 7th inning on.
This
has been a repeated pattern this season. The classic example is when
Torre removed Darrell Rasner on April
19th after 81 pitches in which he allowed 1 run. Five relievers
were used after Rasner was pulled.
With
the bullpen suffering from overusage, there is no excuse for these tactics.
The manager has to look for any chance to reduce their workload.
No matter how bad the starting pitching has been, you simply cannot use
every reliever in every game.
04.29.2007 This
is your brain on drugs
04.29.2007 What
about Chris Britton?
Yankees
are likely to recall righty reliever Colter Bean to take Jeff Karstens'
spot on the roster. Karstens fractured his right fibula yesterday when
he was hit by a liner on the first pitch of the game. (Source)
While
we're
happy to see Colter Bean finally getting opportunities, why isn't Chris
Britton getting a nod in his direction?
Britton
had a very good season last year for the Orioles, posting a 135 ERA+ in
53 2/3 innings.
Kyle
Farnsworth, for example, posted a 100 ERA+ last season.
In
his brief time at Scranton this season, he's pitched 5 innings of scoreless
ball with 4 K and 4 saves.
Britton
should be in the pen.
04.28.2007 At
last...
04.28.2007 There
is hope
Before
Saturday's win, the Yankees record stood at 8-13. However, based
on runs scored and runs allowed, their record should have been 11-10.
Take a look at BP's adjusted standings:
http://www.baseballprospectus.com/statistics/standings.php
So
what does this mean? There should be a correction.
04.28.2007 Three
players who look really bad
(other
than Doug Minadasdgsk)
Robinson
Cano: .279 BA / .323 OBP / .349 SLG / .672 OPS
04.27.2007 Awful
Nothing
else to say.
04.26.2007 When
does football season start?
04.26.2007 Looking
at Phil's debut
He
pitched better than his line
shows, as he struck out five and walked one in 4 1/3. He also
had five groundouts versus three fly outs. He was very impressive in the
2nd through 4th inning.
Although
his fastball was hit at times due to mislocation, his fastball (probably
his 4-seamer) sat from 92-94 mph (according to the Stadium gun) and on
occassion, showed his well-known ability to spot it. His curveball
is going to be devasting as it has a huge 12-6 break and drops in at least
20 mph slower than his fastball. He also threw his developing changeup
and got some swings & misses. We don't think he threw any sliders,
as he indicated in a pre-game interview that he's just starting to re-introduce
that pitch into his throwing sessions.
This
kid is the real deal and deserves to be in the rotation. Now that
his first game jitters are out of the way, he'll hopefully be able to get
in ahead in counts more, build up his endurance, and be able to fully display
his arsenal. Although Hughes still has a good amount to learn, he
will be a very significant upgrade in a battered rotation. He can
still develop while pitching in the Boogie Down. We expect great
things from him in the near future.
04.26.2007 Hitting
second for the Yankees...
Doug
Mientkiewicz
Coming
into Thursday's game, Doug was sporting a .506 OPS, 43 OPS+, and a - 2.6
VORP. His VORP
rating was ranked 479 out of 533 players.
Saint
Joseph felt he was worthy of hitting between Damon & Abreu.
04.26.2007 Igawa
bumped out of the rotation
Igawa,
27, will be skipped in the Yankees' next turn around the rotation, manager
Joe Torre confirmed on Thursday. The left-hander was scheduled to have
pitched on Saturday, but instead will be replaced by rookie Jeff Karstens,
who pitched last weekend against Boston.
"I
thought Karstens pitched a more controlled game the last time he pitched,
as opposed to Kei," Torre said. "Kei really struggled the other night.
His stuff was fine, except that he just couldn't command it. We figured
this would give him a couple times in the bullpen to work on some stuff
with [pitching coach] Ron Guidry." (Source)
53
ERA+, 5.65 K/9, 3.91 BB/9, 2.17 HR/9
04.25.2007 Finally,
the Yankees don't lose
Game
versus Toronto rained out.
But,
how fantastic is this:
04.25.2007 From
the vault: The Decline of the Sports Guy
We
originally posted this article in June 2006, but Bill Simmons is once again
showing how little he knows about baseball. If you are a fan of "Yah,
dude!" baseball analysis, stick with Simmons. If you're not, check
out what NoMaas' Lane Meyer had to say about the ESPN writer who once
annointed Keith Foulke as the "premiere money reliever in baseball."
04.24.2007 Please
get him away from this team
Joe
Torre's in-game management skills are truly a joke. Once again, his
decisions did anything but maximize this team's chance of winning
a game. Let us look at the numerous errors he made in the Yankees
5th straight loss.
1.
Taking out Damon & Phelps with a 1-run lead in the 7th inning...and
replacing them with automatic outs, Melky & Doug M. These substitutes
each came to the plate in the 9th inning with the Yankees losing, and did
what they do best -- make outs.
2.
Pulling Chien-Ming Wang after 81 pitches with a bullpen on life support.
3.
Bringing in Vizcaino to issue an intentional walk to Rocco Baldelli.
Why would you ever bring in a reliever and have his first action be an
IBB?
4.
Bringing in Vizcaino in the hopes of inducing a double play (after issuing
the IBB to load the bases), when Viz has been a flyball pitcher throughout
his career (0.88 G/F). What makes it even more crazy is that he took
out one of the league's premiere groundball pitchers (Wang) to do this.
Please,
please, please get rid of Torre.
We
questioned
this move from the beginning and so far, it looks like we were right.
4.1
IP, 8 H, 3 BB, 3 K, 7 ER, 2 HR allowed -- his ERA now sits at 7.84.
04.23.2007 Phil
cometh
The
Yankees' top prospect, Phil Hughes, is headed to Yankee Stadium. Hughes
will make his major-league debut Thursday night in a start against the
Blue Jays.
"We
have a need, and he's the best guy to fill that need," Yankees general
manager Brian Cashman said by phone.
Hughes
pitched six scoreless innings, allowing just two hits and striking out
10, in his last start at Syracuse Wednesday. (Source)
04.23.2007 New
feature: Meyer's minors
In
a new feature we're very excited about, our very own Lane Meyer will be
providing a weekly recap of all the notable happenings in the Yankees'
farm system. It's designed to give you a quick and easy way to stay
updated on the kids. From now on, we'll be running this feature every
Monday. We hope it's a great resource for you.
04.23.2007 Melky
needs major work
Melky
Cabrera looks horrid at the plate. Everything about his approach
is ugly. He has no discipline. His swing is putrid.
At this point, we he needs to be sent down to AAA. Let him attempt
to regain his 2006 form there. He's an automatic out right now. Call
up Kevin Thompson.
The
red-cheeked Red Sox fans will probably set cars on fire and destroy public
property in celebration, but there's an upside to this series for Yankees
fans.
With
a decimated rotation and and some key pieces in the lineup missing, the
Yankees were in a position to win every game and most notably, hammered
Boston's front three starters.
Against
Schilling, Beckett, & Matsuzka: 15 ER in 20.2 IP.
That's
good for a 6.55 ERA.
Insert
Wang & Mussina. This series would have been much different.
Again,
we're very comfortable.
04.22.2007 Jon
Miller: "The rookie, Phelps."
During
the bottom of the 4th inning, when Nieves was injured, ESPN's Jon Miller
referred to Josh Phelps as "The rookie, Phelps."
Josh
Phelps has 1,353 plate apperances over 7 MLB seasons.
04.22.2007 Red
Sox last team to honor Jackie Robinson
Wow,
that's a surprise.
04.21.2007 If
there's anything we can take from this...
The
Yankees are hitting Boston's starters. Five earned runs versus Tubby,
and four earned runs versus Playing the Game the Right Way....If Karstens
isn't starting and the Ghost of Felix Heredia leaves Mo's body, there is
a good chance the outcomes would be different. Oh yeah, no Matsui,
and no Damon & Posada for the 2nd game.
Keep
in mind the Red Sox are at full strength.
We're
comfortable.
04.21.2007 Even
Boston writers can't stand the "dudes"
Click
here and then go to the Bob Ryan interview called "Sox fans have
spoiled the rivalry." It's currently on page 3 of the video selections.
04.20.2007 Shocking
performance by Mo
Perhaps,
you can take some solace in Mariano's tough April of 2005. Then,
hitters had a .778 OPS against Mo for the month. His career OPS Against
is .559.
In
2005, he finished the season with a 1.38 ERA and a 323 ERA+...both of which
were career-bests.
04.20.2007 Message
to Joe Torre
This
first game of the Boston series was very close to being a Torre loss, but
when you give the ball to Rivera, and he allows 5 runs to score, we just
can't pin the game on Torre.
That
being said, Torre is horrible and we have a message for him.
1.
Brian Bruney should not be below Vizcaino, Farnsworth, Proctor, and Myers
on the bullpen depth chart. He should be in front of all of them.
2.
Stop
pinch running for Giambi in every game. You keep taking his bat
out of the lineup and once again, it came back to hurt the team.
3.
Stop sleeping in the dugout.
04.19.2007 Boy,
the Arod haters are looking rather foolish
We
wonder what all the anti-Arod sportswriters will do now, like the one who
called us fanboy.org.
04.19.2007 Bombers
to face Schilling
04.19.2007 Demographics
of Fenway Park (in %)
GREEN
- White Frat Kids
04.18.2007 Yankees
crush Indians, go for sweep on Thursday
Yeah,
so, Alex Rodriguez hit another HR. Whatever, we'd rather have Scott
Brosius.
The
Yankees offense unloaded on Cleveland pitching, but the story to us was
the performance of Kei Igawa. Igawa had his first good start of the
season:
6 IP,
5 H, 5 K, 1 BB, 2 ER
04.18.2007 The
Phillies are run by idiots
On
Wednesday, Manuel indefinitely moved struggling No. 1 starter Brett Myers
to a set-up role in the bullpen and promoted right-hander Jon Lieber to
the starting rotation.
Manuel
plans to use Myers mostly in the seventh or eighth innings, as a set-up
man for Phillies closer Tom Gordon. He also could see work as a closer
when Gordon isn't available. (Source)
Moving
a 26 year old with ERA+s of 122 and 118 over the past two years to the
bullpen...to make a spot for Jon Lieber??
This
is at least worth a phone call by the Yankees.
04.17.2007 Back
up the truck
If
this guy wants an extension to stay in New York, give him one.
04.17.2007 Why
use Bruney in a 5-run game?
Could
Brian Bruney be Torre's next victim? Joe felt the need to use Bruney
for 1 1/3 when the Yankees led Cleveland by 5 runs. Bruney has now
logged the most innings of any Yankees reliever. This is a pattern
Torre has displayed over the past few years: use your best relievers regardless
of what the score is.
Why
not use Sean Henn in this situation? Let him throw for a couple innings,
especially considering how hard the bullpen has been worked this season.
Henn is the longman and he hasn't pitched since last Saturday.
Here's
to another season of Torre burning out high-quality relief pitchers.
04.17.2007 What
was Bobby Abreu doing?
Bottom
of the 2nd, two outs, Damon on third... Abreu BUNTS? Fortunately
it went foul and Abreu singled on the next pitch.
Don't
do that again, Bob.
04.16.2007 A
sad day
On
behalf of all of us at NoMaas, our hearts go out to all those who lost
family members and friends at Virginia Tech. May you all find the
comfort and courage you will need to move forward. Our prayers are
with you.
04.15.2007 More
starters to the DL
With
Chien-Ming Wang already out of action, Yankee starters Mike Mussina and
Glass Carl have
also joined the disabled list.
See
you in 2008, Carl!
04.15.2007 Very
funny
Click
image to watch.
04.15.2007 If
Carl doesn't grow a set...
Torre
said the inexperience of Chase Wright would not preclude him from starting
for the Yankees, if needed, on Tuesday. Wright, 24, has been dominant in
two starts for Class AA Trenton. Carl Pavano is scheduled to start on Tuesday
if he feels good in the bullpen on Sunday. (Source)
Chase
Wright at Trenton: 14 IP, 0 ER, 19 K, 1 BB, 4 H, 0.36 WHIP, 12.21 K/9
04.15.2007 Sorry
Yankee fans, but we do not have a good defensive SS
Already
having the 3rd
worst Zone Rating among AL SS, Jeter is now tied for the most errors
in MLB (5) with Tampa Bay's BJ Upton.
04.14.2007 Torre
beats Yankees for first time this year
Yes,
the Yankees' hitters failed in key situations with the bases loaded, and
yes, Abreu made a costly error...but sometimes in baseball, you have close
games,and when the manager makes ridiculous decisions which impact the
outcome, his idiocy needs to be highlighted.
Let
us begin:
1.
Torre apparently hasn't realized that Doug Mientkiewicz cannot hit.
We'll ignore not pinch hitting for Doug in the 6th inning with bases loaded.
However, in the 8th inning of a tie game, again with bases loaded, Torre
allows Mientkiewicz to hit again. Doug does what he does best and
hits a 60 foot bomb.
Top
of the 10th, Cano on first base with two outs -- Torre again allows Mighty
Mientkiewicz to bat. Cano steals second. Doug fouls out to
third base.
2.
Torre also believes Kyle Farnsworth is more effective than Brian Bruney.
In the bottom of the 7th in which the Yankees led 4-3, Joe has Farnsworth
pitch and he promptly allows a HR to tie the game. Then, Farnsworth
walks the next batter on 4 pitches. Naturally, Joe leaves Farnsworth
in the game to face Piazza.
Even
though Bruney has been dominant and his K/9 is off the chart, Torre would
rather have a struggling reliever with reduced velocity pitch in the high
leverage situation.
3.
Top of the 8th, potential winning run on 3B (Arod) and Giambi on 2B, Torre
pinch runs for Giambi. Giambi's bat is lost for the rest of the game.
4.
Once again, the Yankees lose an extra innings game as the visiting team,
with the greatest reliever in MLB history sitting on the bench.
04.12.2007 It's
Arod's fault
04.12.2007 Why
"wins" are a terrible way to judge a pitcher
When
the Yankees play Oakland on Friday night, they will be hitting against
Dan Haren. Haren is 0-2 this season with a 0.69 ERA.
Is
it Haren's fault he doesn't have a win on the season? "Wins" are
too team dependent.
04.12.2007 Tabata
dominating High A ball
.444
BA / .500 OBP / .722 SLG / 1.222 OPS
Trenton,
anyone?
04.11.2007 No
juice
Giambi
has a .552 OPS through 8 games.
04.11.2007 Incredible
quote
Rodriguez
spoke mostly in platitudes, smiling when an agitated Mike Mussina joked
that his locker stall was crowded with reporters waiting for Rodriguez.
“Come
on!” Mussina wailed. “Six home runs in seven games? He’s supposed to do
that, just ask you guys!” (Source)
04.10.2007 Alex
continues to show that the media is a bunch of tools
Another
game, another home run (6)...
04.09.2007 Who
knew? Starters can go more than 5 innings
And
believe it or not, it was Carl Pavano.
7
IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 2 K, 0 BB
04.09.2007 Thank
you, Philadelphia
3-5,
HR, 4 RBI
And
to think, Philly fans booed this elite offensive performer. Yankee
fans would never do that.
04.09.2007 Thank
you, Arizona
Brian
Bruney: 17.21 K/9
We
just hope Torre doesn't run his arm into the ground.
04.08.2007 Starting
pitching has been awful...
...and
everyone's talking about it. No need for us to analyze it.
We're not worried yet. It's hard pitching in freezing temperatures.
However,
another significant reason why the Yankees have dropped three out of five
is defense.
The
Yankees have made 7 errors in their first five games, but let's break it
down even further by looking at the individual Zone
Ratings of some key regulars:
Cano:
.625, worst among AL second basemen, 2nd worst among MLB 2B
It's
hard to prevent runs when your position players aren't getting to batted
balls.
04.08.2007 KT
With
Matsui going on the DL, it's nice to see the right people being called
up from the minors. Welcome back, Kevin Thompson. We've been advocates
of KT for a long time. (Source)
04.08.2007 Boooooooo
04.06.2007 Wanted:
Pitchers who can go at least 5 innings
Pavano:
4 1/3
Way
to go.
04.06.2007 Lousy
pitching, defense doom Yankees
Andy
Pettitte's homecoming turned into a disaster as Yankee pitching couldn't
find the plate, and the team defense was terrible for a second straight
game.
Yankee
hurlers issued 6 walks and 3 wild pitches, while the defense committed
3 more errors to bring their total to six in the first two games of the
season. Jorge Posada was also charged with a passed ball.
On
defense, no one has looked worse than Derek Jeter. He committed two
more errors to bring his total to three in just two games. In addition
to his errors, Jeter has shown the range of a 75-year old woman.
There were several balls on Thursday night which Jeter could have made
a play on, but his lousy first step prevented him from doing so.
How he wins Gold Glove awards is beyond our comprehension.
Yanks
begin a 3-game set vs Baltimore tonight at 7:05pm.
04.05.2007 We
kid, we kid
After
we made our entry last night, MLB struck a deal with cable TV:
After
negotiations that went into extra innings, baseball struck a deal to keep
its "Extra Innings" package of out-of-market games on cable television.
IN
Demand began making games available to cable systems in progress starting
at 8 p.m. ET Wednesday, president Robert Jacobson said. The package will
be available for $159 this year through a free preview period that will
extend into next week...(Source)
Now
what about those people who ordered MLB TV? Refunds or just an "oops,
sorry?"
04.04.2007 MLB:
"We take away Extra Innings and make you use a product which is terrible."
Since
announcement of the DirectTV deal, which took baseball off the televisions
of many fans, MLB has touted the capabilities of its new online TV
product, MLB Premium. What a great product indeed.
From
the MLB TV blog, a service of
MLB.com:
We've
had some reports, and have confirmed that a few of you may have had issues
with multiple credit card auths for purposes of address verification, possibly
as a result of some of the early issues we had with the form. To
put you somewhat at ease, we're not actually charging your cards...
For
anyone still having trouble with player tracker, i understand and appreciate
the frustration with putting in a roster, and not having it appear. as
of yesterday afternoon, we believe we've resolved this.
Sorry
we've been a bit off the air, needed to focus more on some specifics of
some of the technical issues we're working through...
If
you launch the player on the PC and see just black, or frozen video, give
it 15 or 20 seconds. We're having some stream startup related issues, and
are working through them. It will start up, it just takes a few minutes.
We know this isn't a great experience, and will have it resolved.
Today,
our developers are split between working through all of the audio/video
playback issues we've seen reported, fixing more application bugs (making
sure player tracker is working well, cleaning up game specific stats feeds,
etc.), and addressing the stability and installation issues that some of
you have reported.
Thank
you again for your patronage and support, we're working to get baseball
to all of you as quickly as possible.
Go
Bud Selig!!
04.03.2007 The
encore
04.02.2007 Sick
offense + dominant bullpen = Yankees Opening Day victory
Giambi:
2-5, 3 RBI
Nice
debut for Josh Phelps who walked twice and saw 13 pitches in his 2 AB.
Bruney
- Henn - Vizcaino - Farnsworth - Greatest Reliever Ever:
We're
looking at a very good bullpen.
Pavano
pitched OK. He was really hurt by errors by Jeter and Phelps, but
at least he pitched better than Curt Schilling.
04.02.2007 This
is getting ridiculous
The
Journal News' Peter Abraham has provided Yankees fans with great access
to the clubhouse via first-hand reports and audio clips. His blog
has been the best of all the Yankees' beat writers. However, his
hostility towards Alex Rodriguez is now reaching the realm of the ridiculous.
In
the 7th inning, Arod hit a laser to Tampa Bay SS, Ben Zobrist. The
ball reached Zobrist on a very short hop and went into left field.
It would be a very difficult play for any SS to make as the ball was absolutely
scorched. Arod stole second base and was then knocked in by a Jason
Giambi single.
Solid
contribution in the inning by Arod, right?
Abraham,
who ran an in-game commentary on his blog, decided to post this:
Yankees
catch a break and lead 6-5
Ok,
I know some (most) of you believe I don’t like Alex. But in the major leagues
that should not be a hit.
You
hit a grounder at the shortstop, he’s supposed to make a play.
(Source)
Are
you serious, man? Give it a rest, will you?
And
then when Abraham was challenged by some of his readers in his "Comments"
section, he replied, "You guys have no reading comprehension." (Source)
How
nice.
04.02.2007 American
League predictions
NoMaas
staff picks:
Sensei
John Kreese: Yankees, Tigers, Angels, WC: Indians
As
you can see, none of us picked Boston to win the division, unlike "experts"
Peter Gammons, Jayson Stark, and Buster Olney. In fact, only one
of us picked Boston to make the playoffs (Walter, you're a loser.)
Is
this because we're biased? Sure. But, we try to remain as objective
as possible. The Yankees have major advantages over Boston.
First, the Boston bullpen is a complete mess (nice job Theo) and the Yankees
probably have one of the best pens in the AL.
Second,
go ahead and compare lineups. Look at Boston's bottom four hitters:
Lowell, Varitek, Crisp, and Pedroia -- the Yankees: Matsui, Posada, Cano,
Phelps. Which set would you like to have? Also, Boston's leadoff
hitter, Julio Lugo, sports a below-average career OPS+ of 92.
We
will not mention how awful Beckett was last year, Boston's 5th starter
situation, or their 40-year old overweight #1 starter.
03.31.2007 Can
Glass Carl finally contribute?
03.31.2007 Joe,
is that you?
So
the Yankees'
opening day roster was released, and believe it or not, we generally
like what Torre did. God help us though if Posada goes down to injury
because Wil Nieves is horrible.
Also,
as you know, Yankees homegrown pitcher Sean Henn has made the bullpen and
this is what Torre had to say about him:
"If
you have young pitchers," Torre said, "and you don't reward when they do
well, you shouldn't have young pitchers." (Source)
Joe?
03.28.2007 Goodbye
Steve Swindal
His
[Steinbrenner's] other daughter, Jennifer, filed for divorce from her husband,
Steve Swindal, in the family law division of Hillsborough County Circuit
Court on Tuesday.
...The
pending divorce ends any chance he had of succeeding Steinbrenner in running
the Yankees, as Steinbrenner had said he would do in June 2005.
With
Swindal soon leaving the family, he is also leaving the Yankees. According
to an individual with direct knowledge of the matter, Steinbrenner no longer
plans on promoting him. But removing him altogether from the Yankees is
complicated because Swindal owns a stake in the team and the specifics
of that must be unraveled. (Source)
Steve
Swindal was a strong advocate of Brian Cashman and moving the Yankees to
a more modern methodology of player evaluation and development. We
hope this doesn't change the new direction of the organization.
03.28.2007 MLB/Direct
TV update
Sen.
John Kerry urged Major League Baseball on Tuesday to hold off on a deal
to put the sport's "Extra Innings" package of out-of-market games exclusively
on DirecTV Group Inc. A top baseball official declined to agree, with opening
day less than a week away.
Kerry,
D-Mass., made the push at a Senate Commerce Committee hearing on behalf
of subscribers to cable TV and EchoStar Communications Corp.'s Dish Network
who had received the package previously.
DuPuy
[MLB's Chief Operating Officer] said that fans who have gotten the out-of-town
games on other providers will still have the option of receiving them this
year: by switching to DirecTV or subscribing to MLB.TV to watch the games
on the Internet. (Source)
03.27.2007 Nooooooooo
Joe
Torre yesterday gave a beefy indication he wants to return next year to
manage the Yankees.
On
the way out of a Legends Field bullpen where Andy Pettitte had thrown 25
pitches to start a perfect Florida morning, Torre was asked by The Post
if he wanted to work in The Bronx beyond this season.
"I'm
enjoying myself," said Torre, beginning his 12th season at the helm of
George Steinbrenner's collection of expensive players with super-sized
egos. "If that tells you something, then that tells you something." (Source)
The
Yankees finished 97-65 last year. Based on runs scored (930) versus
runs allowed (768), their adjusted
standing was 96-66.
What
will they do this year? Here are our staff predictions:
Brisco
County Jr: 98-64
03.26.2007 Buster
Olney, stick to reporting news and stop offering analysis
Your
baseball analysis is absolutely moronic.
Olney
on the Yankees rotation:
This
year, they probably have the least rotation depth since Joe Torre took
over as manager. Jeff Karstens moves into the rotation as Wang's replacement,
and the Yankees feel very good about Karstens, about the way he has thrown
this spring, about his future. But it says a lot about where the Yankees
are now and where they are going, philosophically, that they will ask an
unproven pitcher, rather than a former All-Star, to plug a rotation gap
for them. (Source)
A response
from one of our forum members, Bruce:
This
might be the stupidest thing I've ever read. Yes, Karstens will likely
step in, though you could make arguments for Rasner, Sanchez, Hughes, and
several other guys.
And
really, this is the least rotation depth since Torre took over? What about
2004? In 2004, there were 21 starts distributed between Tanyon Sturtze,
Esteban Loaiza, Brad Halsey, Donovan Osborne, Jorge DePaula and Alex Graman.
In 2005, they started the season with a rotation of Johnson, Mussina, Pavano,
Kevin Brown, and Wright. They were tossing starts around to anyone they
could get a hand on: 38 starts went to Leiter, Chacon, Sturtze, Proctor,
Small, Henn(3 starts!), Darrell May, and Tim Redding. And then last year.
A mid-season signing of Sidney Ponson and Jaret Wright getting postseason
starts.
This
team has a ton of rotation depth...
(Source)
03.25.2007 Rotation
shuffle
Right
after Jeff Karstens appeared to be the 5th starter (in Wang's absence),
this happens:
Six
runs were already in for the Tigers on Sunday when Todd Pratt took a seat
next to starting pitcher Jeff Karstens...
"Man,
I'm hurting," Karstens told Pratt, pointing to his stiff right elbow.
It's
probable that right-hander Darrell Rasner -- who has allowed two earned
runs in 12 innings this spring, compiling a 1.50 ERA -- has vaulted into
serious consideration for the roster spot. (Source)
Tough
break for Karstens, but we like Rasner better anyway.
2006
at AAA:
Rasner:
58.2 IP, 2.76 ERA, 7.21 K/9, 1.69 BB/9, 0.61 HR/9
03.25.2007 Gritty
Bubba
Crosby on his time with the Yankees, 2/21/07:
"I
hit every spring training. I got to the big leagues with the Dodgers because
I could hit," Crosby said. "I was ready to see what I can do, hitting.
I knew I could go out there in spring and lead the whole camp in hitting
and it wouldn't matter, I'd still be the fifth outfielder. It's nice to
go to an organization that if you produce, you're going to play." (Source)
March
24, 2007:
Outfielder
Bubba Crosby was sent outright to Triple-A Louisville (Reds) on Saturday
afternoon.
(Source)
03.24.2007 A
little insecure, Curt?
For
15 years, I've been wearing labels that people have perceived me to have.
I'll give you a great example. One of the nicknames that has always gnawed
at me a little bit was the "Red Light" thing. People believe that someone
called me Red Light because I like to be in front of the camera, which
is not how it happened. (Source)
03.22.2007 Hmmmm...
Today:
"I
haven't been sleeping well because there's been that feeling deep down
in my heart that I wanted to close," Papelbon said after the Phillies and
Red Sox played to a 4-4 tie in 10 innings on Thursday. and "This is something
I want to do for the rest of my career," he said. "It has nothing to do
with Timlin's health or us not having a closer or my shoulder. I broke
into the league as a closer. They drafted me as a closer. In college, I
learned to pitch in the bullpen. It's where my heart is." (Source)
February
7, 2007:
While
it's always been Papelbon's goal to be a starter, he doesn't believe every
pitcher shares that dream. "There are a lot of pitchers I know whose
goal it is to be a closer. Or to be a middle reliever," he said. "For me,
my entire makeup is to be a starting pitcher. That's what I know. Since
I've been in the Red Sox organization, I've been a starter until last year."
(Source)
*thanks
to NoMaas forum member, yankeebot, for the find.
03.21.2007 Jeter:
"I voted for Sanjaya."
03.21.2007 The
greatest reliever of all-time may be getting scarier
Mariano
Rivera may actually be serious about adding the changeup he has talked
about putting in his repertoire for years. He threw two changeups in a
row to last year's home run king, Ryan Howard, striking him out with the
second.
"That's
what spring training is for, just trying to get confidence on that," Rivera
said. "I'm throwing it more. I'm just putting it in [batters'] minds."
Said
Joe Torre: "He was tickled, obviously, after he struck [Howard] out."
Rivera's
perfect inning with two strikeouts gives him a 0.00 ERA in seven innings,
with three hits, no walks and seven strikeouts. (Source)
03.20.2007 Our
apologies: Varitek is a good receiver
We
received several emails from Red Sox fans complaining about our recent
entry in which we used Curt Schilling's blog to imply Jason Varitek
is a bad game-caller. From all of us at NoMaas, we offer our sincerest
apologies. We did not mean it. For the record, we strongly
believe Varitek is a good receiver.
03.19.2007 Was
signing Igawa necessary?
Jeff
Karstens has created a bit of a story in spring training. Through
13 1/3 innings, he's K'd 11 hitters, allowed 11 hits, and has not walked
a batter.
Darrell
Rasner has pitched 7 1/3 innings, while allowing 8 hits, striking out 4,
and also has not walked a batter.
Kei
Igawa has pitched 7 innings, while allowing 8 hits, striking out 12, and
walking 7.
Now,
we don't put much stock in spring training numbers, so let's look at historical
performance.
Karstens:
4 seasons in the minors, 7.43 K/9, 2.29 BB/9, 0.72 HR/9, 9.31 H/9
Based
on those numbers, no pitcher has a glaring advantage. Japanese professional
baseball is generally regarded to be at a talent level between AAA and
MLB. However, for the difference in expected production, was it necessary
to spend $45 million on Igawa when the Yankees could have used Karstens
or Rasner at $400k a piece? We're talking about a 5th starter
here.
03.18.2007 Phelps
vs. Phillips
The
battle for the right-handed side of the 1B platoon with Doug Minkesadfasdeh
is between Andy Phillips and Rule 5-acquired Josh Phelps. Joe Torre
has made numerous references that Phillips is the favorite to win the position.
As long-time NoMaas visitors know, we've been a big advocate of Phillips
since our inception in May 2005. However, when a better option presents
itself, we are not too proud to admit our defeat. Josh Phelps should
be the man who makes the roster, not Phillips.
In
442 PAs vs MLB left handed pitching, Phelps sports a line of .292 BA /
. 357 OBP / .500 SLG / .857 OPS.
In
107 PA (albeit a much smaller sample size) vs. MLB LHP, Phillips has a
line of .186 BA / .224 OBP / .265 SLG / .489 OPS.
They're
both around the same age (28 & 29) and their minor league numbers are
similar. So, we'd rather have the guy who has proven he can hit LHP
at the major league level.
03.18.2007 And
the beat goes on
ESPN's
Buster Olney is also a card-carrying member of the "It's Arod's Fault"
club. In a recent mailbag, after he explained how Arod is the anti-Christ,
he dropped this gem:
...remember
that it wasn't the media's decision to bat him eighth in the lineup in
the playoffs last year (that would be Joe Torre, after a summer's worth
of frustration with A-Rod's inconsistency)...(Source)
Arod's
inconsistency?
2006
VORP: 51.6 (1st among AL 3B)
Sure
thing, Buster.
03.14.2007 Another
day, another Arod hackjob
Let's
recap Alex Rodriguez's interview yesterday on WFAN.
"I
want to get into the city more, do more New York things, do more charity
things...feel the vibe of the city..."
"One
hundred percent, my wife and I, my daughter, we want to stay in New York."
Yet,
the Journal News' Peter Abraham leads with, "A-Rod hints he might
opt out of his contract."
Huh?
And
he continues with, "The revelations marked the second time since spring
training started that Rodriguez thrust himself into the spotlight...But
now he seems intent on paving the road for his departure. (Source)
It
gets even worse on Abraham's blog:
"What
a lot of the A-Rod Forever crowd doesn’t understand is that this has nothing
to do with the Yankees or Jeter or Torre or the media. It has everything
to do with Alex Rodriguez, Inc.
Given
what the market was like last winter, what would a player like Alex be
worth next winter? Starting the bidding at $33 million a year for seven
years. But Alex wouldn’t want to make it look like he ran away from New
York, because that would hurt his marketability. So now he drops it on
your doorstep.
Alex
can backtrack all he wants. He knew what he saying, he knew how many people
were listening and he knew it would blow up." (Source)
And
Honest Abraham also tries to reignite the "Everyone on the Yankees hates
Arod" rumor by stating that an unnamed Yankee laughed at Alex following
the interview.
So,
the only question we can think to ask Honest Abraham is, "Did Arod steal
your lunch money?"
Wow,
man, this is one of the most brutal hackjobs we have read in a while, and
it was done with very apparent anger. Move over Lupica. Here
comes Peter Abraham.
03.14.2007
The
new Arod continues his candid ways
Quotes
from his Tuesday
interview on WFAN:
"The
notion that I don't have any friends on this team is the most ridiculous
thing I've ever heard."
"This
is not tennis or golf. I can't judge myself on if we win the World
Series...That is ridiculous. This is such a team game. I can't
judge myself strictly on winning on World Series."
"One
hundred percent, my wife and my daughter, we want to stay in New York."
(On
hitting eighth in the ALDS) "I was very embarrassed. I was crushed
to be honest with you. I couldn't believe it."
"I
don't think the fans have been fair all the time."
"People
pay too much attention to me."
"I
want to get into the city more, do more New York things, do more charity
things...feel the vibe of the city..."
"Do
I look like a jerk to you or something?"
03.13.2007 Backup
catching option?
Rookie
catcher Chris Iannetta received a strong endorsement from the Rockies on
Monday. The team released veteran catcher Javier Lopez, who conceded he
had lost the No. 1 catching job.
>(Source)
The
article also states that if Lopez can't be a starting catcher, he'd like
to go back to the Braves. However, it's worth having a conversation with
him. He's forecasted to have a 9.5 VORP by PECOTA and he had a 110 OPS+
year in 2005. He'd be a terrific backup catching option.
03.12.2007 Protect
ya neck
Cano
signed a new one-year contract worth $490,000 yesterday while Wang's contract
was renewed for $489,000.
Among
the other players to sign yesterday were Scott Proctor ($442,000) and Melky
Cabrera ($430,000), who were both major contributors to the Yankees' division
title last season.
"We
need to have more guys like that," general manager Brian Ca$hmoney said.
"That's
the method to the madness that we're going through, trying to find as many
young players that are (not yet eligible for arbitration) that can come
out and be productive for you on a daily basis, rather than having a veteran
with a high amount of money committed at every position."
(Source)
03.12.2007 Schilling:
"Varitek is a lousy game-caller."
From
Curt Schilling's new personal blog:
So
we're into the fourth inning, and the inevitable happens. I start Cuddyer
off with a curve ball-strike one. My thought as the pitch is being called
is, "OK, anything but a fastball here." Tek puts down fastball in, I shake
no. Tek puts it down again, which means he feels great about the pitch.
At this point the ONLY thing to do is commit to the pitch and throw it
as I called it or step off. I do neither. Mentally I think no, but physically
I nod yes. In the middle of my windup I'm thinking, "OK, you idiot, why
the hell are you throwing this pitch? About ten seconds later, when the
ball lands over the left-field wall, I'm dropping words I'd put soap in
my kids mouths for saying. (Source)
03.12.2007 Yankees'
brass pointedly ignore hanger-on Bill Bellichick
03.10.2007 Steinbrenner
reaches out to victims
The
New York Yankees have voluntarily committed to paying the funeral costs
for victims of a Bronx house fire that killed nine people Wednesday.
Yankees
principal owner George M. Steinbrenner addressed the club's commitment
in a statement released Friday through spokesman Howard Rubenstein.
"The
horrible tragedy in the Bronx which has resulted in the loss of life of
nine of our neighbors has touched our hearts and those of all New Yorkers,"
Steinbrenner said.
"The
New York Yankees have tremendous sympathy for the families and friends
of those who have lost their lives or have been injured. We hope that by
paying for the funerals, our assistance will be able to ease some of their
burden."
(Source)
Great
gesture by the Yankees.
03.08.2007 MLB
is run by scumbags
Major
League Baseball has announced an agreement that will give satellite giant
DirecTV what looks to be exclusive rights to the sport's Extra Innings
package of out-of-market games. The agreement, announced formally at a
press conference Thursday afternoon, is reportedly worth $700 million over
the next seven years...
Under
the deal, DirecTV will be the exclusive carrier of the Extra Innings package
if Dish Network and In Demand, before the start of the season, do not match
the rates and requirements to carry Extra Innings and the MLB Channel at
the same level of commitment that DirecTV has agreed to in the deal. Baseball
officials would not publicly disclose what terms that DirecTV has agreed
to and what terms Dish and In Demand would have to meet.
Baseball
commissioner Bud Selig has downplayed the controversy over the deal, calling
it "ridiculous," and claiming that only a small number of consumers who
previously received the Extra Innings package through cable will be unable
to get a DirecTV satellite signal
"Of
course we're sensitive to our fans," MLB president and chief operating
office Bob DuPuy said. "But we're happy with our arrangement with DirecTV."
Said
Tim Brosnan, the executive vice president of MLB: "This has been [done]
with months of open, competitive negotiations. That choice, to whether
these ... end up on cable, will not be ours, but cable's." (Source)
Email
these guys and let them know what you think. It doesn't matter if
you're a fan of the Yankees or not. This affects all fans.
Flood their inbox. And make sure you send a very special message
to Tim Brosnan. Remember this?
bud.selig@mlb.com
Also,
the number for the commissioner's office is 212-931-7800.
03.08.2007 $4
million a month
A
source on another team said Clemens is believed to be seeking $4 million
a month, which would represent a slight raise over the pro-rated $22 million
he made in 2006. (Source)
03.08.2007 Four
Rings vs. Arod
What
stood out more, from the ugly ending to the Yankees' 2006, was the way
Rodriguez's relationship with manager Joe Torre appeared to unravel.
While
always outstanding with the media, Torre usually has known where to draw
the line when it comes to sensitive inside information. That line moved
when Torre told SI's Tom Verducci about his one-on-one conversation with
the slumping A-Rod in Seattle. The manager gave up such details as Rodriguez
playing with his wedding ring while listening to Torre's stern words. (Source)
03.07.2007 Hughes
to NYC: "Bring it."
We've
seen enough players get overwhelmed by New York to know it isn't for everybody
(not mentioning the names of any 6-foot-10 left-handers here). But it doesn't
seem to faze Hughes, even though he grew up nearly 3,000 miles away.
"I'd
rather be in a situation like the Yankees," he said, "where there's all
this attention and media coverage. Some people think it's added pressure.
But I just try and enjoy it." (Source)
03.06.2007 Backup
catcher wanted: apply within
With
the Sal Fasano era coming to an unfortunate end, the Yankees are left without
a backup catcher. Let's take a look at some of the backstops currently
in Tampa.
Wil
Nieves - Age 29, on the 40-man roster, 11 minor league seasons, .288
BA / .339 OBP / .398 SLG /.737 OPS, Forecasted
VORP: -8.8
Todd
Pratt - Age 40, non-roster invitee, last 3 years .240 BA / .319 OBP
/ .370 SLG / .689 OPS, Career 95 OPS+, Forecasted
VORP: -1.7
Ben
Davis - Age 30 (on March 10th), non-roster invitee, has seen time with
5 different MLB teams, last MLB appearance in 2004, signed by Yankees in
January 2006, Career 78 OPS+, Hit .222 BA / .254 OBP / .333 SLG / .587
OPS at Columbus last year, Forecasted VORP: Unavailable
Raul
Chavez - Age 34 (on March 18), non-roster invitee, 16 seasons in the
minors, 435 PA over 9 MLB seasons, Career 39 OPS+, .212 BA / .253 OBP /
.284 SLG / .537 OPS, Forecasted
VORP: -15.2
So
who do we want as backup catcher? It doesn't matter because all the
candidates stink. Gun to our head: Pratt, because he's forecasted
to suck less, and he's pulled a good season out of his rear end every now
and then.
If
anything, this situation shows how important it is to develop catching
depth in your farm system. This is a problem all around baseball.
Hopefully, the Yankees will be able to solve their own dilemma.
03.05.2007 The
debut of Kei Igawa
Igawa
showed good strikeout ability, fanning all three batters he retired in
his exhibition start against the Tigers, but he struggled with his command
and issued three walks. He left the game after surrendering a leadoff single
to Sean Casey opening the second inning.
"The
result was not good, but it was something I can learn from and move forward,"
Igawa said through interpreter Yumi Watanbe. (Source)
03.05.2007 Prospect
Watch: Tyler Clippard
Monday's
Line: 2 IP, 1 K, 0 BB, 0 H
The
Good: Clippard consistently hit 91 with his fastball, a few ticks better
than he was last year, and showed plus command with good lateral movement
on his weakest offering. His curve had good break and average control.
His changeup, typically his best pitch, had movement similar to his fastball,
only about 10 MPH slower.
The
Bad: He started overthrowing a bit towards the end of his 1st inning, which
led to a changeup getting away from him and hitting Brent Clevlen in the
head. While his fastball was better than expected, it's still average at
best, and he'll have to pitch off of his secondary stuff to be successful
in the majors.
What
we expect: Clippard will almost certainly start the year in AAA. If he
pitches like this, a mid to high 3's ERA seems reasonable. Right now he's
behind Hughes and Sanchez on the depth chart, but if Sanchez' health problems
continue he'd likely end up next in line for a promtion after Hughes. His
raw stuff translates to a #4 or 5, but his plus command gives him a good
chance of becoming a dependable #3.
Summary
by NoMaas' Marty McFly
03.04.2007
Carl
Pavano
makes his spring debut:
"Sometimes,
you're out there just trying to survive instead of trying to win the battle,"
Pavano said. "I've definitely dealt with both those emotions. It's not
always going to be perfect, it's not always going to be in your favor.
But what I've dealt with in the past, hopefully, I can keep that behind
me."
Pavano
said that his consistency in the strike zone could have been better, but
all things considered, he was pleased. His fastball had good downward plane,
catcher Wil Nieves said, and Pavano's slider was darting around the zone.
"He
looked great," Nieves said. "He looked like he's been pitching for a while.
I liked what I saw, and I know he's going to get better. I'm going to keep
praying for him to stay healthy all year." (Source)
03.02.2007 Bob
Raissman, you are a hack
This
was on the back cover of Friday's NY Daily News:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/nybaseballtalk/2007/11/18/Top-10-Prospects-
Signing
Lowell would be a waste of Yankee resources.
Derek's
license plate
Posada
preparing for the regular season...
Julio
Franco: -150
David
Eckstein: +185
Miguel
Cairo:: +175
Any
Red Sox player: OFF
In
other news, Ronald McDonald has been appointed head of an investigation
into trans fat in the fast food industry.
Po
is going to be rolling in dough.
Kepner
arrived at the interview dressed to impress.
The
pimp and his...
Hank
to Torre: "Don't ever take sides with anyone against the family again...ever."
"This
is not the contract you're looking for."
We
would be happy with Girardi.
It
didn't work for Arod either, lil' fella.
Hank
is already exercising his power and said that Joba will be a starter next
season.
Mo,
if you continue to act like a spoiled brat, you'll turn into a gigantic
blueberry.
Torre's
job is safe at least for one more day.
...
Will
Arod and the rest of the offense wake up?
Wang
laid a huge egg.
Derek
Jeter SS
Bobby
Abreu RF
Alex
Rodriguez 3B
Jorge
Posada C
Hideki
Matsui DH
Robinson
Cano 2B
Melky
Cabrera CF
Doug
Mientkiewicz 1B
Chien-Ming
Wang RHP
INF
Wilson Betemit
1B
Jason Giambi
OF-1B
Shelley Duncan
C
Jose Molina
OF-3B
Bronson Sardinha
LHP
Andy Pettitte
RHP
Roger Clemens
RHP
Mike Mussina
RHP
Phil Hughes
RHP
Mariano Rivera
RHP
Joba Chamberlain
RHP
Luis Vizcaino
RHP
Kyle Farnsworth
RHP
Ross Ohlendorf
RHP
Jose Veras
Pettitte
(107 ERA+) vs. Carmona (145 ERA+)
Clemens
(104 ERA+) vs. Westbrook (102 ERA+)
Mussina
(84 ERA+) vs. Byrd (96 ERA+), if necessary
Team
OPS - Yanks 1st (.829), Cleveland 4th (.771)
Team
OBP - Yanks 1st (.366), Cleveland 5th (.343)
Team
SLG - Yanks 1st (.463), Cleveland 5th (.428)
Team
OPS - Yanks 1st (.869), Cleveland 11th (.746)
Team
OBP - Yanks 1st (.376), Cleveland 8th (.336)
Team
SLG - Yanks 1st (.493), Cleveland 12th (.411)
Yankees
- 69.6% (5th in AL)
Cleveland
- 69.3% (7th in AL)
SS
Jeter
RF
Abreu
3B
A-Rod
DH
Matsui
C
Posada
1B
Giambi
2B
Cano
CF
Melky
Source:
Sports
Illustrated
Will
Roger really be ready for the postseason?
Schilling's
home in Medfield, MA
09.23.2007 Honestly,
is there a more pathetic fanbase in all of sports?
The
Diabolical Viz Markie since the All-Star Break: 2.63 ERA, 27.1 IP, 27 K,
9 BB, 19 H
Beckett:
5.49 ERA, 19.2 IP, 30 H, 6 BB, 18 K, 1 HR
Beached
Whale: 5.76 ERA, 25 IP, 35 H, 3 BB, 14 K, 8 HR
Breaking
News: Giambi belongs in the lineup
EqA:
.342 (1st in AL, 2nd in MLB to Bonds)
OPS+:
189 (1st in MLB)
OPS:
1.093 (1st in MLB)
We
campaigned for Thompson on March 7, 2006.
Bill
Dickey: 158 in 1936 (112 games)
Ivan
Rodriguez: 135 in 2004 (best full season)
Johnny
Bench: 166 in 1972
Carlton
Fisk: 162 in 1972
Roy
Campanella: 159 in 1951
Mickey
Cochrane: 157 in 1933
Mike
Piazza: 186 in 1997
Arod
crushing a home run off the Lovely Ladies.
You'll
fit right in with Boston.
IPK:
7 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 6 K, 2 BB
(.389
BA /.450 OBP /.630 SLG / .980 OPS)
In
any other park, Jason Varitek would not have thrown a ball into left field
and allowed 2 runs to score.
Take
the hint, Mike.
Mussina's
fastball abides by most highway traffic laws.
Ortiz
showing off his car
Thanks,
Mike.
Plus,
when he's not giving a regular a rest, he should be at 1B everyday.
Sorry, Andy Phillips.
mid
80s fastball is better...no, hanging knuckle-curve is better.
Brian
Cashman and advisor Ice Cube discussing 40-man roster moves.
Source:
ESPN.com
7th
highest OPS amongst qualified Major League Center Fielders
5th
highest Zone Rating amongst qualified Major League Center Fielders
2
IP, 4 K
Travis
Hafner and Grady Sizemore studying game footage.
least
how he was found). Any thoughts on having Karstens and Brower
promoted
before him?
who's
continued to absolutely dominate minor leaguers since being
returned
to Scranton two weeks ago. If Torre's going to be around next
season,
some team should try to trade for the guy, because he's going to
be
good. (Source)
2.2
IP, 9 H, 8 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
Brian
Bruney optioned to AAA (hopefully just temporary)
Joba
Chamberlain promoted
Giambi
activated from the DL
1.35
ERA, 9.45 K/9, 0.45 BB/9, 21.00 K/BB
Aw
yeah.
To
be my sunshine after the rain
It's
so hard to say goodbye to yesterday.
Get
rid of Kei Igawa.
Schilling's
in-game character embarks on his latest quest
Normal
Giambi's
3
HRs in his first 14 plate appearances
Cleveland:
53.7 W - 43.3 L
Cano's
walkoff single gives Yankees 4th win in a row
Oh
yeah, Alex went out and hit career HR #495.
Scott
Proctor relaxing at home with a refreshing beverage
it,
because as long as he stays healthy he's coming quickly. Big,
imposing
guy with about as broad a set of shoulders as you'll see on
anything
smaller than an elephant, and big league stuff -- 92-96 mph
fastball
with an out-pitch 83-85 mph slider that had good tilt. (Source)
Mr.
Loverman, Joba!
8.5
games behind Cleveland for the wild card
Carmen,
do you really want to give up your chance at this?
Posada
keeps this in his locker.
189
OPS+, best in MLB (before Sunday's game)
Abreu:
4-4, 2B, 3B, BB, 3 RBI, 4 runs, OPS has increased by .132 since May 30th
6
IP, 3 ER, 7 K, 5 H, 2 BB -- Good first start and it definitely beats Matt
DeSalvo pitching.
(AP
PHOTO)
May
23: 6 IP, 12 H, 5 ER, 2 HR
June
2: 5 IP, 9 H, 4 ER, 2 HR
We
miss you, Sal.
And
the Yankees lost again.
05.29.2007 When
you thought it couldn't get any worse...
SB:
A Rios (5, 3rd base off A Pettitte/J Posada); A Hill (3, Home
off A Pettitte/J Posada)
This
man knows how to motivate a team.
Oh,
and the Yankees got swept by the Angels
May 23, 2007
by Curt Schilling
Jeter:
1-3, BB, RBI
Arod:
1-3, HR, 2 BB, 2 RBI
Giambi:
1-2, HR, 2 BB, RBI
Cano:
2-4, 2B, 3B, 2 RBI
T-Clip:
Thug
This
is the ball which caused Beckett's latest finger problem.
10
games back and truly embarrassing
Yankee
trainers have designed a new protective coat for Damon's aging body.
8
games back
Bruney
isn't in Joe's Circle of Trust.
Doug
E Fresh and Pettitte led the way for the Yanks.
Screen
capture from NoMaas message board user, Unfrozen Damon Lawyer
Thanks
a lot, Gerry.
The
beast returns to New York.
Igawa
looks like he should be pitching somewhere else.
Broken.
Pettitte
Mussina
Hughes
Igawa
(Source)
NY
Post
Still
too many walks, but a valiant effort and an end to the losing streak.
Bobby
Abreu: .253 BA / .364 OBP / .310 SLG / .674 OPS
Johnny
Damon: .242 BA / .367 OBP / .348 SLG / .715 OPS
Save
us, Phil
"The
clothes make me look fat."
PURPLE
- People with the last name "Sullivan"
ORANGE
- African-Americans
MAROON
- Pizza throwers
BLUE
- Sober
8
home runs so far in April
#
1
Suck
it, media.
Pavano
arriving at the Metrodome before his start.
Jeter:
.538, worst among MLB shortstops
Arod:
.727, 3rd worst among AL third basemen
Matsui:
.727, 5th worst among AL left fielders
Pettitte:
4
Mussina:
4
Can
Igawa give the bullpen a rest?
Arod:
2-5, SB, HR, 2 RBI
Posada:
2-4, HR
Abreu:
2-5, SB, RBI
4.2
IP, 0 ER, 5 K, 0 BB, 3 H
With
his HR on Opening Day, Arod is trying to win over New York.
Lane
Meyer: Yankees, Indians, Rangers, WC: Twins
Lili
Von Shtupp: Yankees, Indians, Angels, WC: Tigers
Brisco
County Jr: Yankees, Indians, A's, WC: Tigers
ChaCha
DiGregorio: Yankees, Indians, A's, WC: Tigers
Brian
Shute: Yankees, Tigers, A's, WC: White Sox
Walter
Penbigh: Yankees, Indians, Rangers, WC: Red Sox
Chet
Steadman: Yankees, Indians, A's, WC: Angels
Lacey
Underall: Yankees, Tigers, Angels, WC: Indians
Pavano
last pitched for the Yankees on June 27, 2005.
Lane
Meyer: 95-67
Lacey
Underall: 94-68
Lili
Von Shtupp: 99-63
ChaCha
DiGregorio: 96-66
Jimmy
Two Times: 100-62
Sensei
John Kreese: 98-64
Karstens:
73.2 IP, 4.28 ERA, 5.86 K/9, 3.67 BB/9, 1.10 HR/9
Karstens
will undergo medical tests on Monday.
Varitek
prepares to receive Schilling's split-finger.
Rasner:
5 seasons in the minors, 6.87 K/9, 2.39 BB/9, 0.52 HR/9, 9.19 H/9
Igawa:
8 seasons in Japan, 8.49 K/9, 2.86 BB/9, 0.84 HR/9, 8.39 H/9
2006
OBP: .392 (1st among AL 3B)
2006
SLG: .523 (1st among AL 3B)
2006
OPS: .914 (1st among AL 3B)
bob.dupuy@mlb.com
tim.brosnan@mlb.com
Torre:
"I like what I see in this kid."
