Ca$hMoney is making it happen.
12.27.2006 Yankees' farm system among MLB's best
According to Baseball America's Jim Callis, here are the top 10 minor league systems in baseball:
1.
Devil Rays 2. Rockies 3. Diamonbacks 4. Dodgers
5. Angels 6. Yankees
7.
Brewers 8. Royals 9. Tigers 10. Reds (Source)
Ca$hMoney
is making it happen.
12.26.2006 It's Arod's fault
12.26.2006 The Big Disappointment
Randy Johnson could be leaving the Yankees after just two seasons. The Yankees have started trade talks with several teams, including the Diamondbacks, although it is too early to tell whether the discussions will lead to a deal.
Alan Nero, one of Johnson's agents, said yesterday he was informed of trade talks by Yankees general manager Brian Cashman. (Source)
12.26.2006 From one of our visitors...
Both of these dogs were rescued from the organization we advertise on the lower left corner of this page. Looking for a new best friend? Save a dog (or two) at:
Rescued
dogs can be transported anywhere in the country.
12.22.2006 Merry Christmaas
12.22.2006 So the Yankees can't find a first baseman...
Let's
take a look again at NoMaas offseason idea #2
12.19.2006 It's Arod's fault
12.18.2006 Melky trade rumors
We've all heard the Melky Cabrera for Mike Gonzalez trade rumors. While we doubt this deal will go down, we would be completely against it if it were to happen.
Here's a quick list of what we think:
1. The performance of relief pitchers tends to fluctuate from year to year. We would rarely trade an average to above-average position player for a reliever.
2. Melky Cabrera is a very solid option as a 4th outfielder.
3. With an aging outfield, Melky may be needed due to an injury.
4. Melky is a good defensive replacement in late innings, especially for Matsui.
5. If Melky is traded, the Yankees' 4th outfielder likely becomes Bernie Williams, who has no offensive or defensive value.
6. Mike Gonzalez was shut down last year due to elbow problems.
7.
Although Mike Gonzalez strikes out batters at a high rate (10.58 K per
9), he does have control issues (4.3 BB per 9).
12.17.2006 It's Arod's fault
12.14.2006 Math lessons by Peter Gammons
Gammons on what the Red Sox are paying Matsuzaka:
Obviously, the combined $103.1M over six years is a $17.2M AAV...but because of the system, it is, in reality, far less than that because the posting process gave the Red Sox an exclusive right to negotiate. (Source)
Huh?
According to Peter Gammons, the Red Sox are paying $103 million total for Matsuzaka. However, because they were the only team to talk to Matsuzaka, Gammons claims the $103 million is actually not $103 million. Does that make any sense?
The lesson: $103 million is less than $103 million.
12.13.2006 Matsuzaka arrives in Boston, increases city's diversity by 35%
According to several news outlets, the Red Sox are close to a 6 year, $52 million deal with Daisuke Matsuzaka. We tip our cap to Boston's front office if he agrees to a $8.6 mil a year contract, especially when terrible pitchers like Gil Meche signed for $11 mil per season. We bet Scott Boras isn't happy.
However, the total cost for Matsuzaka will be $103 million once you include the mind-boggling posting bid. Luxury tax or not, this is $103 million Boston will not be able to spend elsewhere. It's gone. This is a huge sum of money. The total annual cost to Boston will be $17.16 million. That is more than the Yankees pay Alex Rodriguez on an annual basis. This is a big upside / big downside deal.
Sox
fans (gender unknown) greeting Matsuzaka in Boston // BostonHerald.com
12.12.2006 It's Arod's fault
Tuesday marks the day in which the list of non-tendered players will be released.
Non-tenders are players with more than three, but fewer than six, years service time. They are not yet eligible for free agency, but are eligible for arbitration. The players must be offered a contract by an established date in December. They don't have to sign it, but they must be offered a contract. If they are, they remain property of the offering team. If they are not, they become a "non-tender" free agent and are free to sign with any team, including the team that did not offer a contract. Essentially, this deadline is for clubs to maintain their exclusive right to the player. (Source)
There are some intriguing players who are rumored to be non-tendered by their respective teams. These include Marcus Giles, Morgan Ensberg, Toby Hall, and Ben Broussard.
One name being bantered about which we find interesting is Brad Wilkerson. Coming of shoulder surgery which caused him to miss the last two months of the season, Wilkerson has been an above-average hitter with a 108 OPS+. He has also posted a .358 OBP while the league average over his career has been .342.
Also of note is his ability to play all OF positions and 1B. In fact, he has played 161 games at 1B during his career. Don't the Yankee need a first baseman?
He's a lefty and all the news outlets have reported the Yankees are in the market for a right-handed first baseman. However, have a look at this. Wilkerson has actually hit lefties better than righties during his career:
vs.
LHP: .266 BA / .367 OBP / .446 SLG / .813 OPS
vs.
RHP: .247 BA / .355 OBP / .449 SLG / .804 OPS
If
Wilkerson is non-tendered, the Yankees should take a long look at him.
He's a better option than an Andy Phillips/Josh Phelps platoon.
12.10.2006 Boston alienating everyone
Negotiations between the team and the Japanese star pitcher have nearly broken down, the Boston Herald reported Sunday. A source familiar with the situation told the Herald late Saturday that unless "there is an abrupt change of course," the Red Sox will not strike a deal with Matsuzaka before the deadline midnight Thursday. (Source)
The signing of J.D. Drew could lead to an investigation by the commissioner's office into possible tampering by the Boston Red Sox. One baseball official said the commissioner's office would vigorously investigate the matter if it received a complaint, but added that no complaint has been forthcoming. "We haven't reached a decision yet," Los Angeles Dodgers GM Ned Colletti said by telephone yesterday. (Source)
Boy
Wonder is running a risky business.
12.08.2006 Ca$h brings back Andy
While mediocre-to-poor pitchers sign multiyear ludicrous deals, Ca$hMoney gets Andy Pettitte on a one-year contract. Amazing.
NoMaas' Brisco County Jr breaks down the deal.
12.08.2006 Will Pettitte's (ex)boyfriend follow?
12.07.2006 Cashman shows his support for Arod
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman sent a strong message to Alex Rodriguez in a long dinner meeting Wednesday night with agent Scott Boras:
"We love you, and you're not going anywhere.'' (Source)
12.06.2006 Let's make a deal
NoMaas offseason idea #7
NoMaas'
Lane Meyer says the Yankees should trade for 23 year-old 1B Casey
Kotchman. Why? How? Read
here.
12.05.2006 Pettitte returning?
The free-agent left-hander, who is strongly considering retirement, is said to be intrigued with the idea of returning to pinstripes and "could possibly have a deal by the end of the week" with New York, according to a baseball source familiar with the negotiations. (Source)
Although we would endorse a return to the Bronx for Andy Pettitte, it's not because he's a "winner", "knows how to pitch in NY", or "has four rings." Rather, we look at the following:
Andy
Pettitte
Age
34
2005:
222 IP, 33 starts, 174 ERA+
2006:
214 IP, 35 starts, 108 ERA+
He
is still an above-average pitcher. On a one or two-year deal, this
would be a great acquisition. In fact, if the parameters of the deal
are as forecasted, it could be the best free-agent signing of the offseason
in terms of value (actually, Moose's deal was pretty good too).
12.05.2006 It's Arod's fault
12.04.2006 Ca$hMoney: "I keep my friends close, but my rhymes closer."
From Peter Abraham of the Journal News:
Brian Cashman was wearing jeans, white sneakers, a yellow Winged Foot golf shirt and holding a football when he welcomed us into his suite. The football, he said, came from his office. He likes tossing it around as he thinks. Cashman also had a Bose Sound Dock set up so he could play his iPod Nano. "My hip-hop music is here," he said.
12.03.2006 Thank you, Braves
The Atlanta Braves signed right-hander Tanyon Sturtze to a one-year contract Sunday on the eve of the winter meetings, hoping he will be able to come back from rotator cuff surgery.
Sturtze is guaranteed $750,000 and would make another $350,000 if he spends one day on the Braves' 25-man roster. He also could earn another $450,000 in bonuses based on the number of appearances he makes as a starter and reliever. (Source)
Memory,
All alone in the moonlight, I can smile at the old days, I was beautiful
then, I remember the time I knew what happiness was, Let the memory live
again .
12.03.2006 Plan B starting pitchers
NoMaas offseason idea #6
NoMaas'
Marty McFly profiles the free-agent SPs on the market and why he feels
the Yankees should go after a familiar face. Click
here to read the article.
12.03.2006 Reader responses: Who is the worst GM of the offseason?
When
J.D. Drew's signing for $56 million over 4 years to Boston is
announced,
Epstein is guaranteed the top spot in the worst GM poll. 51 + 45
for Matsuzaka - 56 for Drew - Genius my a$s . -- Matthew
Yeah I just about threw up all over myself when I heard about Pierre @ $9mil per... -- Mike in Ontario about Ned Colletti (Dodgers)
Theo
Epstein – Because no matter who he signs, his team is and will always
be
a direct representative of Satan. -- Christopher
Can we nominate Theo for the J.P. Ricciardi Memorial Award for "Most senseless spending of huge amounts of money in the offseason by a third place team desperately trying to compete with the Yankees"? Some of my sources tell me that he paid $2M just to be *nominated* for this prestigious honor. -- Ed in PA
Just
giving Bubba Crosby a contract--a major league contract--merits the
award
for the worst GM ever. -- Derek in NJ on Wayne Krivsky (Reds)
Ned
Colletti, hands down. $45 million for a .330 OBP? That's an easy one.
And
I like Nomar, but who doesn't expect him to get burned for giving him
$18.5
million guaranteed? -- Tom
12.02.2006 Winter meetings to begin in Orlando
11.30.2006 Maybe somebody is listening?
Craig
Wilson remains a possible option in the Yanks' pursuit of a righthanded-hitting
first baseman. Cashman has had a conversation with Wilson's agent, and
the two are expected to talk again at next week's winter meetings. (Source)
11.30.2006 It's Arod's fault
11.28.2006 You gotta lotta explainin' to do
Yanks
bid $26 million for Kei Igawa
Yanks
bid $32 million for Daisuke Matsuzaka
There is something wrong here. We bid $26 million just to talk to this:
"The downside to Igawa is that his fastball may be a little short for MLB hitters, in which case, he'll end up a reliever, and probably a good one with that plus curve as a lefty-killing weapon. (He does throw an occasional changeup, but prefers to use his curve to get righties out as well.) The upside would be if his quick delivery makes the ball hard enough for hitters to pick up that his fastball plays up to average, in which case he could certainly pitch in the back end of an NL rotation." (Source)
Twenty-six million to talk to a back of the rotation guy or a potential reliever? Hopefully, someone knows something we don't. We're not feeling this move.
Here's
a clip of him
from YouTube.
11.27.2006 It's Arod's fault
11.26.2006 Craig Wilson Craig Wilson Craig Wilson Craig Wilson
That leaves Shea Hillenbrand and Eduardo Perez as the most obvious free-agent options to play first base next season. (Source)
The most obvious option to play first base is Craig Wilson, not Hillenbrand or Perez. Wilson annihilates left-handed pitching and is serviceable against RHP.
Hillenbrand has been a slightly below-average hitter for his career (99 OPS+). He's been decent against lefties with an .802 career OPS, but that doesn't even compare to Wilson's .938 career OPS versus LHP.
Eduardo Perez has a lower career OPS+ than Hillenbrand (97), but has done better against lefties with an .863 career OPS. Still, that's not even close to Wilson.
The
Yankees would be a better team with Craig Wilson.
11.26.2006 Zaun, Greg Zaun
Although we have been trying to convince the Yankees' front office to sign Sal Fasano to a 7 year, $450 million contract (it would open up new revenue streams in Italy), it looks like the Bombers are looking to upgrade at backup catcher:
Finding a capable backup catcher is high on the Yankees' agenda this offseason, and the agent for Gregg Zaun said last night that he has been in "consistent" contact with general manager Brian Cashman.
A handful of teams have expressed interest in Zaun as a starting catcher next season, but agent T.R. Lewis said last night that Zaun has not ruled out signing with the Yankees as Jorge Posada's backup. (Source)
Zaun's
OPS+ over the last 3 seasons: 94, 94, 110
Zaun's
OBP over the last 3 seasons: .367, .355., .363
Zaun's
career OBP: .345
We would take any of those numbers for a backup catcher.
Update
11/29: Greg Zaun re-signed with Toronto. So much for that idea.
11.23.2006 Additional nominees for worst GM of the offseason
Ned Colletti (Dodgers) - Juan Pierre, 5 years / $45 million. Juan Pierre is not a good baseball player. He is significantly below-average. His career OPS+ is 86. When he attempts to steal a base, he gets caught 27% of the time.
Keith
Law on Juan Pierre: On a good team, he's a bench player -- even at his
current level of ability; if he can't run, he's a 4A player. The fact that
the Dodgers just committed five years and what will probably be way too
much money to a player whose ideal role is "defensive replacement/pinch
runner" is mind-boggling. (Source)
Bill Stoneman (Angels) - Gary Matthews, 5 years / $50 million. Another below-average baseball player with a career OPS+ of 96. He has a career OBP of .336.
Email
us with your vote.
11.22.2006 Mashed potatoes
11.22.2006 Craig Wilson
NoMaas offseason idea #5
According to reports, the Yankees are looking for a right-handed 1B so Giambi can become the permanent DH. We have read about interest in players like Wes Helms and Eduardo Perez. But, a better option exists, and he was on the team last season: Craig Wilson.
Wilson was acquired from Pittsburgh for Shawn Chacon in a Ca$hMoney carjack. NoMaas was very excited about the deal, but unfortunately, Wilson performed poorly in his audition with the Yankees, sporting a .613 OPS in 109 plate appearances. That sample size, however, is not reflective of Wilson's true ability. For his career, he has a 115 OPS+ and has destroyed left-handed pitching with a .395 OBP / .543 SLG / .938 OPS. He basically turns into Gary Sheffield when he faces LHP.
He's also decent against RHP with a .793 OPS.
Are you really going to find a better option? The only reason why Wilson won't be re-signed is because he might be in Torre's doghouse. Yet, we would rather judge a player on his career trends than just 109 plate appearances.
11.21.2006 Morneau wins AL MVP despite not being the MVP on his own team
Joe Mauer and Johan Santana, both more valuable to the Twins...yet, "baseball sportswriters" decided to give the MVP to Justin Morneau in a mind-boggling decision.
Meanwhile, the league leader in VORP, Derek Jeter, finished 2nd. Remarkably, Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times gave Jeter a 6th place vote. Bias?
Well, don't take our word for it. Look at what ESPN's Keith Law said:
" The AL's voters couldn't even correctly identify the most valuable Twin, never mind wrapping their heads around a whole league."
And what does Law say about Joe Cowley? He thinks Cowley "...should be removed from the voting process permanently."
Joe Cowley's email address: jcowley@suntimes.com
Let him know what you think.
Robbed.
11.20.2006 Which GM has had the worst offseason so far?
Jim Hendry (Cubs): Signing Alfonso Soriano to a whopping 8 years, $136 million contract.
Theo Epstein (Red Sox): Spending $51.1 million just to talk to a player who hasn't played in MLB and will eventually be paying him over $20 million per year.
Wayne Krivsky (Reds): Signing Alex Gonzalez (3 yr / $14 mil), Mike Stanton (2yr / $5 mil with 3rd year option), and Bubby Crosby ($400k).
Email
us and we'll post the best responses.
11.19.2006 Stay out of the market
NoMaas offseason idea #4
Seriously. Stay away from the free agent market. Let teams like the Red Sox and Cubs pay ridiculous prices. It will come back to haunt them.
Even league-average pitchers like Ted Lilly are asking for big bucks. According to the NY Post, Lily wants 4 years, $36 million -- that's $9 mil per year for a career 99 ERA+.
So for the Yanks, whose biggest need is starting pitching, let kids like Rasner, Karstens, and newly acquired Humberto Sanchez battle it out for the lower spots in the rotation. We'll likely get around league-average production, but for the MLB mininum salary. Plus, Hughes and Clippard should be ready at some point in 2007.
Let's
be smart, cost-efficient, and flexible...unlike Boston and Chicago.
11.16.2006 Interview with Keith Law
NoMaas' Sensei John Kreese recently sat down with one of ESPN's finest, Keith Law.
Click here to read the interview.
Don't
mess with the Law.
11.15.2006 If you don't believe us, take it from one of your own
Red Sox Nation member (we wonder if he has the bracelet), Sean McAdam:
Some four years ago, when the Red Sox lost out to the Yankees for the services of Cuban émigré Jose Contreras in a Nicaraguan hotel, a miffed Larry Lucchino, the team's CEO and president, bemoaned the fact that "the Evil Empire extends its tentacles even into Latin America."
Just three months ago, Theo Epstein stood on the field at Fenway Park, answering criticism that the Red Sox had ceded the AL East title by not dealing for Bobby Abreu -- as the Yankees had done -- and said the Sox were merely acknowledging the Yanks' edge in resources. "That's the reality. It's going to occasionally leave us short … every time there's a player who's available in a bidding war or taking on a contract or getting the best free agent."
But Tuesday night, in submitting the winning post for Japanese pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka, the Red Sox also forfeited the right to whine about their rival's economic might ever again.
No
more suggestions, please, that the Yankees are some financial superpower
capable of trampling the rest of baseball with their reckless and boundless
spending. No more talk about the Red Sox being the plucky underdogs that
somehow must make do with less...(Source)
11.15.2006 Boston fans celebrate Matsuzaka bid
From
L-R: Sully, Smitty, and Sully
11.15.2006 This is not a joke
"I am thrilled to be associated with a leading, well respected, and family-owned company like Bigelow," Torre said. "This partnership made a lot of sense since I've been drinking Bigelow green tea for more than six years for it's nutritional value and taste." (Source)
Special
thanks to NoMaas visitor Greg from Northern New Jersey.
11.14.2006 Oh yeahhh!
Boston Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein in August:
"We are not the Yankees. We feel our best way to compete with them year in and year out is to keep one eye on now and one eye on the future and to build something that can sustain success. We've gone toe-to-toe with those guys taking that approach. I think we're one or two games under .500 against them since '03 and have won one more World Series than they have. So we're not going to change our approach and try to all of a sudden build an uber-team." (Source)
Red Sox fans justify spending $51 million just to talk to a guy, but:
1.
Complain about the Yankees payroll.
2.
Don't say anything when the front office doesn't go after Abreu.
3.
Claim Johnny Damon was a sell-out.
4.
Praise the front office when they trade away the future NL Rookie of the
Year.
5.
Praise the front office when they trade Cla Meredith and Josh Bard for
one of the worst players in baseball, Doug Mirabelli.
11.14.2006 Yes, we wanted Matsuzaka...
But, not at A-Rod money. That's insane -- $25-$30 million per year for a guy who plays every 5 days -- $25-$30 million per year for a guy who has never pitched in MLB. Yes, we wanted him, but not at the cost of financial stupidity.
11.12.2006 One man's garbage is another man's treasure
Cashman trades the untradeable
by NoMaas' Brisco County Jr.
I honestly don't understand this. Jaret Wright posted an ERA of 4.49 last year, which put him just under league average.(ERA+: 98). Despite the fact that he averaged less that 5 innings per start, there's some value to that, if you can repeat it. However, Wright also posted a 1.52 WHIP, a 1.47 K/BB ratio, and a 0.97 G/F ratio. So, if I'm betting, he probably is not going to repeat it.
He was foolishly given a three-year deal after a career of mediocre performance and constant injury. If he got significantly injured, which he did, there was a clause in the contract that allowed the Yankees to buy out his third year. However, the contract stipulated a $7 million salary in 2007, and the buy-out was $4 million. So the deal was set up to ensure that if a crappy, injury prone pitcher proved over the first two years of the deal that he was still crappy and injury prone(he is), the Yankees could get him off the roster and save less than half of his salary. I really do not think I need to remind you that this signing came from George Steinbrenner, and not resident superpimp Brian Ca$hmoney.
Somehow, Brian Ca$hmoney made this work, anyway. Wright was just traded to the Baltimore Orioles, along with that $4 million buy-out, for 23-year-old reliever Chris Britton, a hard-thrower with a plus curveball. He's also fat, but that's neither here nor there. This is the same price it would have cost the Yankees to just cut Wright from the team, and somehow Ca$hmoney turned it into a young, quality relief arm. A young quality relief arm who put up a 2.41 K/BB ratio and a 1.17 WHIP last year, and in his last 179 minor league innings, totaled 214 strikeouts, 60 walks, and only 137 hits. Go back and read those stats I posted. I know that Wright sucks. You know that Wright sucks. Everybody knows that Wright sucks.
Apparently, Mike Flanagan does not know that Wright sucks. We love Mike Flanagan, and we wonder if he is interested in Carl Pavano.
11.11.2006 Time to say goodbye
NoMaas offseason idea # 3
"We certainly hope if Bernie wants to play, this is the only home he's ever known, and I like having him around," Torre said. "I've talked to Bernie several times this winter and I told him if I know something I'll call him." (Source)
In 2006, Bernie was about average at the plate with a 101 OPS+. He was excellent against LHP with a .936 OPS. In fact, one may entertain the notion of using him strictly as a right-handed pinch hitter.
However, since Joe Torre is our manager, we fear he will continue to use Bernie in excess. What happens when Damon needs a day off? What happens if someone gets hurt? If we could be guaranteed Joe would use Bernie solely as a PH, we wouldn't mind seeing him back. Given Bernie's veteranitude is off the charts, we believe Torre will play #51 much more than he should...and that isn't good for the Yankees.
Time
to say goodbye to Bernie Williams.
11.11.2006 Our GM is very good
We need to transition this organization and get the payroll down and get the talent up. Hopefully this will help do that.'' - Brian Cashman (Source)
Player profiles courtesy of MLB.com
Humberto Sanchez: Sanchez, 23, posted a 10-6 record and ranked second among all Tigers' minor-league pitchers with a 2.63 ERA and 129 strikeouts in 20 games (20 starts) with Triple-A Toledo and Double-A Erie in 2006 (123.0IP, 97H, 40R, 36ER, 47BB, 129K). He began the season with Erie, where he went 5-3 with a 1.76 ERA and held opposing hitters to a .190 batting average in 11 starts before being promoted to Triple-A Toledo in June. In his first five starts with Toledo, Sanchez went 4-1 with a 2.05 ERA and was named the International League "Pitcher of the Week" from June 12-18.
Sanchez, who attended high school in the Bronx, was named the Tigers' minor-league "Pitcher of the Month" in back-to-back months (May and June) after allowing just three earned runs over seven consecutive starts from May 17- June 18 (47.2IP, 49K). Sanchez entered the 2006 season ranked as the Tigers' sixth-best prospect, according to Baseball America.
Kevin Whelan: Kevin Whelan, 22, ranked third among all Tigers' minor-league pitchers with 27 saves in 2006, going 4-1 with a 2.67 ERA in 51 games for the Class-A Lakeland Tigers. He limited opposing hitters to a .178 batting average (33-for-185) and held right-handed hitters to a .158 average (18-for-114). In addition to being named a top prospect in the NY-Penn League following the 2005 season, Whelan also ranked as the 10th-best prospect in the entire Tigers' organization according to Baseball America.
Anthony
Clagget: Claggett, 22, posted a 7-2 record with a team-best 0.91 ERA
and 14 saves in 51 games for Class-A West Michigan in 2006 (59.1IP, 35H,
7R, 6ER, 20BB, 58K). He held opposing hitters to a .174 batting average
(35-for-201) and did not allow a run in his final 10 appearances of the
season.
11.11.2006 This GM is not very good
Looking to add some outfield depth and more competition, the Reds signed outfielder Bubba Crosby to a one-year contract worth $400,000 on Friday
"We're
getting a guy that's been on winning teams, that plays the game the right
way, that always plays it hard and can play all three outfield positions,"
Reds general manager Wayne Krivsky said. "We're happy to have him." (Source)
11.11.2006 "I'll take potbellied pitchers with mullets for $200, Alex."
Curt Schilling appeared on Celebrity Jeopardy Thursday night.
11.08.2006 Is anyone even listening to this guy anymore?
Gary Sheffield said he's being blocked by "middle men" from speaking with Yankees owner George Steinbrenner about his desire to stay in New York and will comply with the team's request to form a list of clubs he'd prefer to be traded to.
"My situation, honestly, the truth about it, I never was comfortable," Sheffield said Wednesday night at the opening of the Brooklyn Diner's Times Square location. "I was always feeling a little insecure about where I fit here and where I belonged, or do they want me here? And I had to play on those terms, and I was being a man about it and going out and trying to do my job under the conditions." (Source)
We
agree with you, Sheff. It must be very difficult playing under the
conditions of a $39 million contract.
11.08.2006 It's Arod's fault
11.08.2006 And the winner is...
Wednesday's 5 p.m. ET deadline to submit a bid for negotiating rights to Daisuke Matsuzaka has passed, and the Major League teams that placed bids must now wait to hear from the Seibu Lions, who have four days to accept or reject the top bid.
The 26-year-old right-hander, described by scouts as a top-of-the-rotation pitcher for practically any big-league team, was due to arrive in Los Angeles on Wednesday, uncertain where his journey across the Pacific Ocean eventually will take him.
It might be New York, Boston or Chicago, or maybe even Texas.
"He is very special," former MLB manager Bobby Valentine recently told The Seattle Times via e-mail. "He has a good fastball that he throws from 90 to 95 mph. He has very good control and can throw any one of three other pitches over for a strike at any time in the count.
"He likes to compete and is a good fielder. He would do very well in the States. He is going to pitch at 27 next year and has pitched more than any other pitcher his age. He might pay the price for that in the future, but you have to play now to find out about that later." (Source)
By
the way, we'd love Bobby Valentine to be our manager.
11.05.2006 It's Arod's fault
11.05.2006 Move Matsui to 1B
NoMaas offseason idea #2
Yeah, we know. His crappy range and crappy arm are made up for by his quick reactions and release -- Whatever. Melky Cabrera was rated the #1 defensive outfielder in the system until Brett Gardner and Jose Tabata came along for a reason, and shows better range in virtually every fielding statistic. In addition, he’s going to be 22 next year, and may still be improving as a fielder. Matsui is 32, and 32 year-olds do not get better in the field. The opposite happens.
So, by putting Matsui in a position where less athleticism is required, we decrease the defensive damage he can inflict on the Yankees. Furthermore, this gets Jason Giambi off the field, where he struggles to stay healthy and is one of the worst fielders in MLB. Matsui will have an entire off-season to learn first base, and I think we all know we do not have to worry about him putting in the necessary effort to learn the position.
11.01.2006 The wonders of technology
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to play for Joe Torre? Now you can find out.
The Yankees manager has teamed up with Van Wagner Sports Group to develop "Joe Torre's Virtual Baseball Academy," a CD-ROM licensed by Major League Baseball and available for purchase at MLB.com.
The interactive, animated 3-D CD-ROM features Torre's coaching method to teach baseball to youth baseball players, coaches and parents.
"This is a unique product, because it's done in 3-D animation," Torre said. "When you combine that technology with my method of teaching the game, we think we have created the best baseball training product in the market." (Source)
The game's features include:
Find Scott Proctor's Arm - a "Where's Waldo" type odyssey that involves multiple elbow surgeries!
An interactive "Mix Joe's Green Tea" minigame - minutes of fun for the entire family!
As the season progresses, monitor your Belly-Full-of-Guts Meter!
See how many times you can shove Bernie Williams into centerfield!
Watch 3D animated Joe sleep... in Real Time!
Play the Verducci Bonus Level - see how many private player conversations you can get on record before time runs out!
Unlockable characters include: Frank Torre, Frank Torre's Angry ex-heart, Bubba Crosby, and Don Zimmer!
Get to Enrique Wilson's locker before Nick Green can claim The Pictures!
10.31.2006 Everybody loves Derek
Critique
Derek Jeter? How dare we!!
10.31.2006 Boo
10.26.2006 Somebody is cranky
"What would you like me to do?" Jeter asked a group of reporters from New York, when the question of supporting Alex Rodriguez arose. "I'm trying to think."
"You're there. You support him. Everyone supports all your teammates at all times. I don't really know if there's anything else I can do. Maybe I'm not that smart. Maybe you can help me out." (Source)
10.26.2006 It's Lee Mazzilli's fault
You
knew somebody was going to be the fall guy for the Yankees' collapse against
the Tigers in the division series and if it wasn't going to be Joe Torre,
then it was surely going to be one of his coaches. And so it is Lee Mazzilli,
a victim of circumstances, who takes the hit as the Yankee high command
moves manager-in-waiting Don Mattingly into the bench coach position, in
which he can concentrate on game strategy instead of tutoring hitters.
(Source)
10.26.2006 Sheff insulted he'll only make $13 million next year
Gary Sheffield is angry that the New York Yankees plan to exercise his $13 million option for next season rather than allow him to become a free agent.
"This will not work, this will not work at all," was quoted as saying in Thursday's editions. "I don't want to play first base a year for them. I will not do that."
"I don't know what they're (Yankees) going to do," Sheffield was quoted as saying. "Maybe they picked it up just to trade me. If they do that, if I just (go) to a team for one year, there's going to be a problem." (Source)
10.22.2006 Bonzai
NoMaas offseason idea #1
We're definitely not the first people to bring his name up, but we're fans of Daisuke Matsuzaka.
He's 26 years old, has a plus fastball, and has put up excellent numbers in Japan. He also has an array of other pitches, some of which have mind-boggling movement. It is rumored he throws a gyroball, although Matsuzaka says he does not. Regardless, check this out.
The knock on Matsuzaka is he's thrown a ton of innings for someone his age. He's played Japanese pro ball for 8 years, and has already registered 1,402 innings. However, this could prove his durability as an innings-eater.
Here are some career numbers:
8.70
K/9 (9.10 K/9 over the past 3 seasons)
2.70
K:BB
7.07
Hits/9
0.72
HR/9
2.95
ERA
He was also named MVP in the World Baseball Classic. Here's a clip of him pitching in the championship game versus Cuba.
He's definitely a better option than other free-agent pitchers available, including Barry Zito.
10.22.2006 Arizona Fall League update
Brett
Gardner: .547 OBP / .514 SLG / 1.061 OPS, 3-for-3 SB, 13 BB vs. 8 K
Eric
Duncan: .320 OBP / .383 SLG / .703 OPS / 2 BB vs. 9K
TJ
Beam: 4 G, 6 IP, 9 K, 4 H, 1 BB, 0.00 ERA
Sean
Henn: 3 G, 6 IP, 6 K, 4 H, 3 BB, 3.00 ERA
Darrell
Rasner: 2 G, 6 IP, 6 K, 7 H, 4 BB, 9.00 ERA
10.16.2006 NoMaas offseason plans
As of today, NoMaas has received over 50,000,000 hits and been viewed by over 110,000 unique visitors. The NoMaas staff thanks you for your support.
In the next few days, we'll unveil our first of many offseason recommendations.
Stay
tuned. Eat corn.
10.16.2006 Don't go, Sal
Catcher Sal Fasano has elected to become a free agent. (Source)
10.10.2006 Joe Torre makes all the right moves
Jason Giambi led the Yankees this year with a 154 OPS+.
10.10.2006 Together again
10.10.06 Torre: "I never take responsibility for anything."
""I know what I am and I know how my coaches and players prepare ... John Wooden taught me this, not only personally, but from reading his books: you can only do so much as a coach or a manager."
"The wins and losses aren't always made by your decisions. There is another team on the field. Detroit shut us down and we weren't able to do that to them. ... I don't think about where did things go wrong."
On
not winning the World Series:
"I
don't want this to sound badly: It's been six years — it was 18 when I
got here..."
10.10.06 We just can't get rid of him
Torre will not be fired, has Steinbrenner's support
"He's
still alive. They hit'em with five shots, and he's still alive"
10.09.2006 Sheff tells the truth about Torre
Granted, Sheff isn't the most stable person, but he shows Torre isn't God's gift to managing:
Gary Sheffield told USA Today that Joe Torre's decision to bat Alex Rodriguez eighth in Game 4 ended up dooming the Yankees.
"We were worrying about all of that stuff, and we still had a game to play. If I'm on the other side, and all of a sudden they're putting Rodriguez eighth and putting me or Jason on the bench, you wonder what's going on. Those guys [the Tigers] were asking me about it. I think it boosted their morale. It gave them confidence they didn't have," Sheffield told the newspaper.
"[Tigers manager] Jim Leyland took advantage of that. He can make you believe anything. He can put a fire under your belt like you never had before in your life.
"Not
to make excuses, but we didn't have that." (Source)
10.07.2006 The most disappointing playoff loss in the past 10 years
"The greatest lineup ever" utterly failed. They went 20 innings without scoring a run. They went 5 innings without a baserunner in Game 4. They were dominated by an inferior team.
This
is a complete disgrace.
10.07.2006 Fire Torre
Enough is enough. Torre cannot continue to receive a free pass from the media and Yankees ownership. If he constantly gets credit for his four rings, then he needs to be held accountable for six years of playoff failures, including two straight ALDS losses.
Batting Arod 8th is one of the most ridiculous things we have ever seen. Yes, Arod had not performed, but neither had anyone else. Was it solely Arod's fault the Yankees were shut out in Game 3? By hitting Arod 8th, Torre is basically assigning blame to Rodriguez for the Yankees' poor performance. He's encouraging the media to continue their smear campaign. This manager is making a scapegoat out of a player who hit 35 HRs and letting him know he isn't in the Four Rings Circle of Trust. We find Torre's move disgusting.
Furthermore, why on earth was Giambi out of the lineup? How do you decide to sit a .971 OPS hitter, especially against a righty, in an elimination game? And before Torre-apologists rush to defend him and say Giambi was hurt, read the following:
Giambi got a cortisone shot in his right shoulder because of inflammation following Friday's game, but said he told Torre he could play if needed. Giambi, who played first base on Friday, said he got the injection so he would be ready for Game 4.
"I told Joe I was fine," he said. (Source)
Then, Giambi should have been in the lineup.
Lastly, many often say that Torre is a great manager of people, the players respect him, he knows how to motivate, etc. Well, where was the sense of urgency? The Yankees came out swinging at the 1st or 2nd pitch from Bonderman. They played like they all drank Torre's green tea. Where was the emotion? Where was the fire? This team needs someone who doesn't just sit in the dugout and look like he's asleep.
The job of a manager is to maximize his team's probability of winning. Time and time again, Joe Torre does not do that. It's time for him to go.
10.07.2006 We support Alex Rodriguez
In his three years with the Yankees, Alex Rodriguez has hit 119 HRs, won an MVP award, and been the best hitting 3B in MLB. The venom he has received from the media and fans is appalling. We at NoMaas feel very fortunate to have him on this team. We hope Cashman agrees.
If
he is traded, we will still root for him as he continues his Hall of Fame
career.
10.06.2006 Pathetic
There's
nothing else to be said.
10.05.2006 Embarrassing
1.
Verlander allows 11 baserunners in 5.1 IP, and this lineup only scores
3 runs.
2.
Sheff should not be batting 4th. He clearly isn't ready yet.
3.
Cano looks like he hasn't swung a bat before.
4.
Alex needs to hit.
5.
How does Mussina allow a triple on an 0-2 count?
10.05.2006 Who will it be?
Randy or Randolph?
10.05.2006 Jeter's bunts drive us crazy
And ESPN's Keith Law agrees:
First
inning, Johnny Damon on first, Verlander already looking like his control
is shaky. So Derek Jeter tries to bunt -- for a sacrifice or a hit, I'm
not sure. Even if it was for a hit, it's incredibly foolish. Let Verlander
walk you, and even if the count ends up 0-2, you're Derek Jeter, one of
the best two-strike hitters in the game. (Source)
10.04.2006 Party over here
10.03.2006 MVP favorite Jeter leads Yanks to Game 1 victory
5 for 5
10.03.2006 Pitching moves
Bottom
of the 7th, 2 outs, no men on base, Wang at 93 pitches: Torre takes him
out
Bottom
of the 8th, Farnsworth in, throws 6 straight balls: Mariano doesn't warm
up
??
10.03.2006 What could be better than October baseball?
10.02.2006 Torre up to his old tricks
Leave it to St. Joseph to unveil a new lineup right before the playoffs begin. When the Yankees face the Tigers on Tuesday, Gary Sheffield will hit cleanup and Alex Rodriguez will hit 6th. Now, we realize the Yankees lineup is ridiculous. It could end up being the best lineup ever. It probably doesn't matter who bats where. But, is it really necessary to subject Alex to the "Torre thinks Arod is a basket-case, drops him to 6th" media speculation? Also, Arod had a 1.157 OPS in September. Is that worthy of a demotion? Plus, is Sheffield even fully recovered?
And then we have this from Torre:
Rivera appears to have recovered from the elbow problems that kept him sidelined for most of September. However, Torre said he will not use his closer for more than one inning.
"We're going into the postseason with Mariano being a ninth-inning pitcher," Torre said. "We feel we have enough support leading up with him to be able to do this." (Source)
Is
Joe telling us he will refuse to use Mariano before the 9th inning of a
critical game? If we need the greatest reliever in the history of
baseball in the 8th, will Torre not bring him in? Let's hope Joe
was drinking too much green tea when he made this comment.
10.02.2006 Predictions
ESPN staffers have unveiled their playoff predictions. Here are a few:
Peter
Gammons: Yankees over Mets
Rob
Neyer: Dodgers over Twins
Keith
Law: Yankees over Mets
Clubber
Lang: Pain
Steve
Phillips: A's over Mets
Jayson
Stark: Yankees over Padres
10.02.2006 Wang: "The only way we lose is if the Tigers turn into Ligers."
In a candid interview on Taiwanese television, Yankees pitcher Chien-Ming Wang expressed his confidence about the Yankees advancing in the ALDS: "I know we are the favorites heading into this series. We've been playing solid baseball and I like our chances. The only way we lose is if the Tigers turn into Ligers. Ligers are bred for their skills in magic. It would be difficult to beat that."
The
liger
10.01.2006 Yanks to face Detroit
Out of 14 AL teams, Detroit is:
12th
in OBP (Yanks 1st)
5th
in SLG (Yanks 3rd)
7th
in OPS (Yanks 1st)
1st
in ERA (Yanks 6th)
11th
in K (Yanks 4th)
5th
in BAA Against (Yanks 4th)
10.01.2006 Is there anything more embarassing than having a $125 million payroll and finishing in 3rd place?
09.27.2006 The best lineup ever?
Damon
CF
Jeter
SS
Abreu
RF
ARod
3B
Giambi
DH
Sheffield
1B
Matsui
LF
Posada
C
Cano
2B
09.27.2006 Video discovered in Pavano's house, new career apparently on the way
Sources
have leaked the video to NoMaas: Watch
here.
09.27.2006 Another solid outing by the "ace"
6.2 IP, 8 ER, 2 HR
09.25.2006 Global leaders meet to discuss world peace
09.24.2006 Robbie
Robinson Cano: .884 OPS, Best among AL 2B
09.21.2006 Farns lets 'em know
As
the celebration slowed, reliever Kyle Farnsworth took note of the fact
that the Red Sox would occupy the same sodden room..."The best thing is
Boston has to come in here next," he said. "It's the smell of victory they've
got to smell. You can print that." (Source)
09.20.2006 AL East Champs, plenty of baseball left in the Bronx
09.20.2006 Yanks clinch division, Villone throws 40 pitches in locker room
As
the champagne was flowing, Ron Villone allowed 1 run on 3 hits in 1.2 innings
of relief in the Yankees locker room. "I wanted to get him some work,"
remarked Joe Torre. "He needs to trust his stuff."
09.19.2006 Oh snap
09.19.2006 Popular excuses given by Red Sox fans to justify their team's dismal performance
1.
Sticking to the "long-term plan"
2.
Protecting their valuable prospects...except for the ones they have traded
away.
3.
Their payroll is small.
4.
Yankees suck.
5.
Jason Varitek's "C" is not big enough.
6.
Official membership to Red Sox Nation is too expensive.
7.
Need more gritty players with facial hair and hockey haircuts.
09.16.2006 Is Octavio Dotel even on this team?
Since
being activated on Aug 17, Dotel has pitched a grand total of 7.1 innings.
Yes, he's been ineffective in this small sample size, but how would you
expect someone to pitch if they're rarely used? Dotel was one of baseball's
elite relievers before his injury. I guess we'll never get the chance to
see if he can help the Yankees.
09.16.2006 Boston cuts lead to 10.5, fans celebrate
09.14.2006 Team with the 2nd highest payroll in baseball and no shot at the playoffs heads into the Bronx
09.14.2006 Arod stinks
.289
BA / .385 OBP / .522 SLG / .907 OPS
09.14.2006 Thank you, Melky
...Although Matsui has not yet played left field, both he and Torre envision his return.
“That’s Matsui’s job,” Torre said. And where does this leave Melky Cabrera, who has filled the position well and began last night’s game with an average of .286? “Melky did a good job filling in for him,” Torre said. (Source)
09.12.2006 Jeter fires back at Big Sloppi
"I'm not thinking about the MVP right now," he told reporters Monday. "We're thinking about winning a division. We've still got something to play for."
He
then added, "No one here's focused on individual awards." (Source)
09.12.2006 Matsui, XL batting helmets return
With
Sheffield to possibly return in a few days, how sick is this lineup?!?
09.11.2006 Shrek being Shrek
Self-promoter
David Ortiz cares more about the MVP award than his team's terrible play.
Now that's someone fans can be proud of:
``I'm right there," he said, ``but I'm not going to win it. They give it to Alex [Rodriguez] one year, even though his team was in last place, so now they can't play that BS anymore, just because your team didn't make it. They gave it to Alex that year because of his numbers. But they always have a reason to vote for whatever, so that's why I don't worry about it." ...
Rodriguez, incidentally, is the last AL player to hit 50 or more home runs in a season. Now it is one of his Yankee teammates, Derek Jeter, who is receiving considerable support in this year's MVP race. But he wouldn't get Ortiz's vote.
``I'll tell you one thing," Ortiz said, ``if I get 50 home runs and 10 more RBIs, that's going to be a round number that no one else in the American League will have [Ortiz has 127 RBIs after driving in two yesterday].
``But they'll vote for a position player, use that as an excuse. They're talking about Jeter a lot, right? He's done a great job, he's having a great season, but Jeter is not a 40-homer hitter or an RBI guy. It doesn't matter how much you've done for your ball club, the bottom line is, the guy who hits 40 home runs and knocks in 100, that's the guy you know helped your team win games. (Source)
09.11.2006 Signore Fasano
Kyle Farnsworth, the lean and muscular Yankees relief pitcher, spotted Sal Fasano across the clubhouse Sunday morning. Fasano is more everyman than Everlast, and Farnsworth needled him for his tight workout clothes.
Fasano took it with good humor, noting proudly that his shape was enhanced by doughnuts and pasta. “Don’t forget cannolis,” said a teammate from the chess table, and Fasano heartily agreed.(Source)
09.10.2006 10 games back
09.09.2006 Coming attractions?
While the Yankees began a four-game series against the Orioles yesterday, Gary Sheffield was at an indoor batting cage in New Jersey taking swings at a baseball on a tee...His physical therapist, Gary Flick, said yesterday that Sheffield will continue to hit off a tee this weekend, then do one more day of hard therapy on Monday before taking live batting practice with the Yanks when they return home on Tuesday...
That is good news for the Yankees, though if and when Sheffield returns it will create some interesting playing-time situations. Hideki Matsui, who has been rehabbing his own left wrist with Double-A Trenton, also hopes to be back in the next week or two... (Source)
09.06.2006 Anibal Sanchez throws no-hitter, we just laugh
09.06.2006 We couldn't have said it any better
Hideki Matsui is batting cleanup as the DH for Trenton. Joe Torre said in Kansas City that Matsui would only DH once he comes back. The Melkman is his left fielder for the rest of the year.
Most
of the reason is to protect Matsui. But the Yankees also recognize how
good Cabrera has been. "We were taking him out on defense when he first
got here and the other day we put him in for defense," Torre said. "Shows
you how smart the manager is."
(Source)
09.05.2006 This is not photoshopped
This is an actual screenshot of an MLB.com headline:
Arod's
hot steak recipe: 2tb red wine vinegar, 2tb sherry, 2tb soy sauce, 2tb
brown sugar, 2ts seasoned salt, 2ts red pepper flakes, 1ts Worcestershire
sauce, 1ts paprika, 1ts chili powder, 1/2ts garlic powder, 1 1/2lb flank
steak
09.04.2006 Seriously Joe, stop using Villone all the time!!
How will we know if Dotel can be a serious contributor when he's pitched a grand total of 4.1 IP since he was re-activated? With Villone obviously fatigued, why does Torre continue to use him in inappropriate situations?
Need
proof Villone is hurting? Villone's July ERA was 2.12 (17 IP). His August
ERA was 6.04 (22.1 IP). And he's been terrible so far in September. You
would think a big division lead and expanded rosters would end this madness...
09.04.2006 We like Rasner
6 IP, 4 H, 2 K, 1 ER
And
we told you back in May.
09.04.2006 Boy Wonder?
Hanley
Ramirez: .351 OBP / .463 SLG / .814 OPS, 44 SB, $327,000 salary
Josh
Bard: .404 OBP / .500 SLG / .904 OPS, $353,000 salary
Josh Beckett: Worst K/9 of his career, Worst K/BB of his career, Worst OPS Against of his career, 33 HRs allowed, signed to $30 million extension??
Doug Mirabelli: We won't even list his stats -- they are just horrendous.
09.01.2006 Guess who's heating up
Alex
Rodriguez in his last two games: 6-9, 3 HR, 2B -- Be afraid rest of baseball.
Be afraid.
09.01.2006 Damon is sticking it to us
22 HRs, .370 OBP, .513 SLG (highest of his career), .883 OPS (3rd highest among AL CF)
09.01.2006 Ca$hmoney: "Arizona got jacked."
Why did Arizona drop Brian Bruney? He's only 24. He throws a 97-98 mph fastball. He averaged nearly 10 K/9. He's a little wild, but so what? He's still very young. Since Cash picked him up, he's averaged 15.00 K/9!!
08.31.2006 Team with $120 million payroll giving up on the season
Bravo, Greg Doyel of CBS Sportsline:
A team with such an (unfair) payroll advantage over most of baseball has no business going into September with little postseason hope, but that's the way it is. An 8-21 August means Boston's playoff hopes are bleak at best.
If the Red Sox don't make the 2006 postseason -- if they don't even come close -- they will belong aside some of the game's most ridiculous losers, including Boston's massacre in 1978, the Philadelphia Phold of 1964 and Brooklyn's 1951 collapse.
Boston entered this season at $120 million, well behind the Yankees ($194 million) but far ahead of everyone else. The closest AL team, Chicago, was at $103 million.
The Red Sox have the No. 2 payroll in the AL, but are sixth of 14 teams in winning percentage -- and could end up in eighth or ninth. Their payroll is almost double that of Minnesota, yet Boston trails the Twins by six games in the wild-card standings. Not counting interleague play, which took place before Boston began gargling, the Red Sox are five games under .500 against the American League.
History
revisionists will say Boston was undermined by injury and bad luck, that
the August ailments of Ortiz and Ramirez took away the best two run-producers
in the American League. Let the record show that Ortiz and Ramirez played
for most of August, combining for 165 at-bats. Boston's unraveling has
coincided with catcher Jason Varitek's knee injury, true, but that's the
thing about Boston's enormous payroll -- For that kind of money, there
should be high-quality depth. (Source)
08.28.2006 Get this guy out of here
Brian Cashman has just informed the media via conference call that Carl Pavano cracked two ribs in a car accident on Aug. 15 while in Florida on a rehab assignment. Pavano did not inform the organization until late Saturday night. That is in violation of his contract.
Cashman has said several times how "disappointed" and "frustrated" he is. Pavano apparently faces disciplinary action.
"Of course I'm angry," Cashman said. (Source)
08.26.2006 Hey Yankees, you still have to beat other teams besides Boston
Yankees are 1-3 on their current West Coast trip.
08.24.2006 Phil Freakin' Hughes
5 IP,
0 H, 9 K, 1 BB -- Are you serious?
08.24.2006 The Eye
Here's
what The Eye has done since coming over from Philly:
23
G, 19 BB, 7 SB, .393 BA / .505 OBP / .562 SLG / 1.067 OPS -- and to think
Philadelphia paid him to waive his no-trade clause.
08.24.2006 Who's the master
7 IP, 5 K, 7 H, 0 BB, 11 groundouts, 2 ER
08.24.2006 Torre: "I eat bullpen arms for breakfast." p>
Villone leads the league in appearances since the All-Star Break with 22 (Proctor is second with 21, of course).
In the last week, Villone has tossed 7.1 innings, making appearances in 6 of the Yankees' last 9 games, while throwing 157 pitches.
This includes a 40-pitch outing in a blowout loss to the Orioles, followed by a 32-pitch outing the very next night in Fenway, then 40 more pitches 2 days after that, and an additional 29 two days later (last night). He has an 8.59 ERA in that span.
Overall,
the top 3 leaders in AL appearances are Yankees.
1.
Proctor 64
2.
Farnsworth 59
3)
Villone 58 (tied with 3 others)
Rivera is tied with 3 others for 9th, so 4 of the top 10 in the AL in appearances are Yankees.
Further
proof that Joe Torre is a poor bullpen manager.
08.21.2006 Complete annihilation
08.21.2006 It feels good to be a gangsta
08.21.2006 Boston exposed
From NoMaas discussion board member, pacewon:
The Red Sox are 16-2 vs. the weak National League and 11-1 vs. the awful Orioles. Against everyone else, they're 42-52, a whopping 10 games under .500.
They're 16-22 since the All-Star Break. This includes a 12-14 mark at home. Of those 12 wins, 3 of them are vs. Kansas City, 2 are vs. Cleveland, and 3 are vs. Baltimore. Eight of the 12 Fenway wins came against crappy teams.
It
gets better -- 7 of their 12 wins were by 1 run, and an additional two
wins were by two runs, so even the wins they have tallied at home were
nail-biters.
08.21.2006 Thank you, Terry Francona
For batting Coco Crisp leadoff: .319 OBP
08.21.2006 Giambi steps on Boston's throat
08.21.2006 Boston slipping away
08.21.2006 Schilling falls asleep on mound...
Dreaming of bacon.
08.21.2006 How dumb are Red Sox fans?
08.21.2006 One of several bad moves Theo Epstein has made
08.19.2006 "Coco's better", Damon & Co. take first two
Damon: 6-12, 2 HR, 3B, 7 RBI, .507 SLG% (would be highest of his career)
Abreu: 6-9, 3 BB, 2 2B, 2 RBI, 1.023 OPS since joining the Yanks
Melky:
3-7, 3 BB, 2 RBI, .370 OBP on season
08.17.2006 Huge series in Boston
Pitching matchups:
ERA+ numbers are from The Hardball Times. What is ERA+?
Friday:
Game 1 - Wang (ERA+ 118) vs. J. Johnson (ERA+ 65)
Friday:
Game 2 - Ponson (ERA+ 51) vs. Lester (ERA+ 115)
Saturday:
Unit (ERA+ 92) vs. Respect the Game Beckett (ERA+ 93)
Sunday:
Mussina (ERA+ 128) vs. Schilling (ERA+ 122)
Monday:
Lidle (ERA+ 98 w/ Philly) vs. Wells (ERA+ 77)
08.17.2006 Cash delivered, can the Yankees?
Brian Cashman schooled Theo Epstein at the trading deadline. Can the Yankees follow suit as they begin a 5-game set in Red Sox uriNation?
08.17.2006 Yanks make Baltimore pitchers look like aces
First Adam Loewen, then Rodrigo Lopez -- the Yankees made two 6.00+ ERA pitchers look like studs as they could only muster up 4 runs combined in the last two games of the Baltimore series. Let's hope the Bombers pack their bats as they head into Fenway with a 1.5 game lead.
08.16.2006 'Stache
08.16.2006 Dotel's up
08.15.2006 Torre on Bernie
"That's the toughest thing for me right now, figuring out some kind of regular work for him," Torre said. "Bernie and I talked about it the other day and I said to him, 'Just give me some time to get the lay of the land.'
"Bernie is the one that's kind of up in the air right now. He's come in and asked me and wanted to get my thinking, and I told him, 'I'm trying to formulate that right now.' And he accepts that. (Source)
Hopefully, the lay of the land will show Joe that Bernie shouldn't be playing.
08.14.2006 Jeter continues his fantastic season
3-5,
2B, HR, 2 RBI
Now
at .344 BA / .421 OBP / .486 SLG / .907 OPS
08.14.2006 What was up with all the bunting?
Sacrifice
bunting with Bobby Abreu in the 7th inning with no outs and 2 men on could
be one of the stupidest things we have ever seen. Yes, a run later
scored, but why would you give up an out with one of your best hitters
at the plate? Talk about a rally killer.
08.14.2006 Postseason odds
Before
Monday night's game, Baseball
Prospectus gave the Yankees an 82% probability of making the playoffs,
with a 76.5% chance of winning the division. Boston has a 33% probability
of making the playoffs, with a 21.5% chance of winning the division.
08.14.2006 Phil Hughes: A Review
We took this graphic from one of our discussion board users, Jelly Doughnut. He has logged Phil Hughes' Trenton starts.
101
IP, 121 K, 30 BB, 5 HR, 69 H, 2.50 ERA, 10.78 K/9, 6.14 H/9, 0.44 HR/9,
2.67 BB/9
08.13.2006 We hath returned
We have returned from our hiatus, fresh and re-energized. As a token of our appreciation for your patience, we present to you this picture of hot love.
08.13.2006 Oh Bobby
Since joining the Yankees:
Bobby
Abreu: .347 BA / .418 OBP / .469 SLG / .887 OPS, 4.33 pitches per AB
08.13.2006 Pavano talking smack despite never pitching
A Tampa-area fan reportedly filed a complaint with the Yankees after Carl Pavano allegedly made a derogatory comment referring to the fan's sexual orientation during a heated dispute Thursday night. Apparently, the fan was heckling Pavano during his rehab stint for Tampa, and Pavano became locked into a verbal altercation. He's still on tap for another start in Tampa on Tuesday. (Source)
Glass
Carl is still on the DL recovering from such injuries as a bruised buttocks.
08.03.2006 We're taking some time off...
The NoMaas staff will be recording their first studio album from August 4-13. Thus, the site will not be updated during that time. The discussion board will still be open.
While we're away, have a look at this. If you're at work, you might want to turn down your speakers.
We'll
see you on August 13th.
08.03.2006 Yankees up 2 games over Boston in the loss column
Yanks sweep Toronto, new guys chip in:
Abreu:
3-5, 2B, 2 runs
Wilson:
2 RBI
Lidle:
6 IP, 1 ER, 4 H, 5 K, 2 BB
08.03.2006 Our Captain
Derek Jeter leads MLB in VORP.
Value
Over Replacement Player. The number of runs contributed beyond what a replacement-level
player at the same position would contribute if given the same percentage
of team plate appearances. VORP scores do not consider the quality of a
player's defense. (Source)
08.02.2006 Wang carries Yankees to win
Another start, another groundball frenzy (16 GB to 4 FB): 8 IP, 4 H, 0 ER
08.02.2006 Same old, same old: Phil Hughes dominates again
vs. the Reading Phillies: 5 IP, 8 K, 2 BB, 0 ER
His
season
numbers are simply outstanding.
08.02.2006 Boston loses their Captain
We have already established that Jason Varitek is a poor hitter and poor defender. However, the Red Sox don't pay him $10,000,000 per year to do these things. Rather, they made him a multi-millionaire for what doesn't show up in the box score. With their Captain out at least a month, Boston must now find another source of the following:
1.
Leadership
2.
Heart
3.
Soul
4.
Grit
5.
Running like you have a load in your pants
6.
Facial hair which shows you're blue collar
7.
Superior game-calling to lead a pitching staff in the bottom
half of AL Team ERA
08.01.2006 Interview with Rob Neyer
Just before the trading deadline, NoMaas' Sensei John Kreese sat down with ESPN's Rob Neyer to discuss his Big Book of Baseball Blunders, Mr. Myagi, and the Yankees.
Click here to read the interview.
07.31.2006 C-Money pistol-whips WFAN
To
listen, click here and then
go to the July 31st chat with Cashman on the Mike & the Mad Dog show.
07.31.2006 So to summarize...
07.31.2006 Ca$hmoney takes Littlefield to school
Shawn Chacon to the Pirates for Craig Wilson? When we first heard this, we thought it was a joke. How could a pitcher with an ERA of 7.00 be traded for a hitter with an .817 OPS? Somehow, Brian Cashman pulled it off. We are amazed.
Not only is Wilson a solid hitter, but his career production is in the vicinity of Hideki Matsui's. Wilson has a career OPS+ of 120 versus Matsui's 125.
This is a jaw-dropping trade. We're still in shock.
07.30.2006 Ca$hmoney takes Gillick to school
As you all know, the Yankees have acquired OBP-Machine Bobby Abreu from the Phillies. NoMaas' Brisco County Jr shares our opinion on the deal.
7.30.2006 Boston counters Yankees by acquiring a guy nobody has ever heard of
As Red Sox uriNation gears up for a potential blockbuster deal leading up to Monday's 4 p.m. ET trade deadline, general manager Theo Epstein made a much quieter transaction on Sunday, acquiring right-handed reliever Bryan Corey from the Rangers for right-handed prospect Luis Mendoza.
Before his 16 games with Texas this season, Bryan Corey had not appeared in the Majors since pitching for the Dodgers in 2002 (Source).
07.26.2006'N Sync's Lance Bass says he's gay, rest of band blames Arod for breakup
Bass, who formed 'N Sync with Justin Timberlake, JC Chasez, Joey Fatone and Chris Kirkpatrick, tells People magazine that he didn't earlier disclose his sexuality because he didn't want to affect the group's popularity.
"I knew that I was in this popular band and I had four other guys' careers in my hand, and I knew that if I ever acted on it or even said (that I was gay), it would overpower everything," he tells the magazine.
However, the other members of the now defunct boy band say that the discovery of Bass' sexuality would not have been an issue, because the group was doomed anyway.
"This band was being held together by paperclips and duct tape. Alex Rodriguez was ripping us apart, " explains Justin Timberlake. "I remember one night when we were practicing and found out that Arod went 2-5 with a double. That means he made three outs! How are we supposed to choreograph dance moves when that happens!"
Joey
Fatone expresses similar sentiments. "I'll never forget it.
I'm watching the Yankees on TV, while I'm cybering with some teenage girl
who has my poster on her wall. All of a sudden, Alex Rodriguez hits
a home run in the first inning. Are you kidding me? Why couldn't
he wait until the 9th inning to do that? From that point on, I could
never get my hair right."
07.26.2006 Yanks fans irate over Pavano's Olive Garden photo, demand real Italian
Italian-American fans flooded the Yankees executive office with phone calls on Wednesday, apparently upset over Carl Pavano's visit to the Olive Garden.
"All these people kept calling me up, threatening to throw cannolis through my window," said Yankees General Manager, Brian Cashman. "They told me that Pavano was an insult to Italians. Frightened to death, I went out and got Sal Fasano."
07.26.2006 Proctor for Betemit? Yes, please.
Wilson Betemit's hitting surge helped bolster the Braves' offense, and now he might be dealt for bullpen help.
A person familiar with negotiations said Wednesday the Braves and the Yankees are discussing a deal that would send the versatile infielder to New York in exchange for hard-throwing setup man Scott Proctor. (Source)
This would be a perfect example of selling high. Proctor's perceived value has increased significantly this year, especially since the All-Star break. As we noted earlier this season, we're not sold on him.
Wilson Betemit is a good young infielder. He's just about to turn 26 years old. He put up a 104 OPS+ last year in 115 games. He currently has an .844 OPS this season. This would be a dynamic acquisition as the Yankees would be adding a young cheap player with considerable talent. These are exactly the types of moves that the Yankees should be making.
Proctor
for Betemit straight up? Most definitely.
07.25.2006 Subs lead Yankees attack
Guiel:
3-run HR
Cairo:
2 RBI
07.24.2006 Melky, Unit lead Yanks over Rangers
Unit:
6 IP, 7 K, 7 H, 2 ER
Melky:
3-4, 3B, 2B, BB
Daisuke Matsuzaka, who gained international acclaim during the World Baseball Classic, figures to have the most dramatic, most secretive battle - between the Yankees and Mariners - for his services.
The Seibu Lions could post the 25-year-old righthander this winter...
Which is why Japanese insiders have taken note of a recent Yankees hiring. As first reported by Sankei Sports, the Yankees have taken Shoichi Kida aboard as an associate scout, who will be based in his native land. Kida went to the same high school as Matsuzaka, although the two men are four years apart, and the former infielder spent time in Seibu as Matsuzaka's teammate.
"He knows the people there," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said. "We're building a network. We're going to hire more." Cashman said he wasn't aware of any connection between Kida and Matsuzaka, and Kida does have bona fide credentials for the job. (Source)
NoMaas photographers caught a rare glimpse of Yankees pitcher Carl Pavano.
07.24.2006 Eric Duncan putting on a show at Trenton
Twenty-one year old Eric Duncan continues his assault on AA pitching:
.286
BA / .380 OBP / .558 SLG / .938 OPS
21
BB vs. 18 K
07.23.2006 Toronto takes 3 out of 4
Bubba
Crosby has no baseball value. Where is Kevin Thompson?
07.23.2006 Finally, someone steps up for Arod
Mike Mussina doesn't think that Jeter has the responsibility to defend A-Rod, but the Yankees' pitcher does think that the fans have been far too harsh on Rodriguez this season.
"It's hard to be looked upon to help carry a team and at the same time, be the lone target of ridicule when we don't do well," Mussina said. "That's what he is. He's expected to go 3-for-4, yet he'll be booed when he makes the one out. If he misses one ball or makes one mistake and we end up losing the game, it becomes his fault that we lost the game.
"Leave this guy alone for a while, let us see if we can get him to play," Mussina said. "The way he's being treated right now, it's not going to make it any better. It's making it worse -- and we can't win without him."
"...When
Jeter went 1-for-April a couple years ago, how long did it take people
to actually boo him?" Mussina said. "And even then, it was a smattering.
It wasn't lethal booing." (Source)
07.20.2006 Alex Rodriguez appears in Boys & Girls Club commercial
What
a jerk.
From an ESPN chat earlier in the week:
Brent (Grand Forks, ND): Jason Varitek is really struggling this year with the bat, and some of his pitch calling has been suspect, especially with Beckett. Do you think the Red Sox are being too loyal to Varitek by continuing to throw him out their everyday and bat him high in the order?
Steve Phillips: You can't blame the catcher for the pitch selection. The pitcher is the one that controls what pitch is thrown. It's been a down year for Varitek, no doubt about it, but he still leads and is the heart and soul of the team now.
According to former GM Steve Phillips (and many Red Sox fans), Jason Varitek's Intangibility Index is off the charts. However, does his Leadershipatude make up for the following facts?
Varitek's
.719 OPS is 2nd
worst among qualified catchers in the AL.
Varitek
has thrown out the 2nd
lowest percentage of basestealers in the AL (25%).
One could make the case that Jason Varitek is the worst starting catcher in the American League.
Jason
Varitek makes everyone around him better.™
07.18.2006 Melky wins it on the celebration of Torre's birth
Melky Cabrera's 11th inning walkoff HR gave the Yankees a 5-4 win over the Mariners on Joe Torre's 66th birthday. Since it was his birthday, we will overlook the fact that Joe hit Miguel Cairo 2nd and started Kelly Stinnett despite Alex Rodriguez being out of the lineup.
Hopefully,
we'll never see Joe's Bikini Bottom.
07.18.2006 Out of control
On Tuesday, this poll was on ESPN's main page.
Would it be in the Cardinals' best interest to trade Albert Pujols? Would it be in the Mets' best interest to trade David Wright? Would it be in Cleveland's best interest to trade Travis Hafner? Would it be in Boston's best interest to trade David Ortiz?
And speaking of Boston, let's see how Massachusetts voted in this poll.
I wonder
why?
07.17.2006 5 IP, 3 H, 9 K, 0 R
Just another Phil Hughes performance.
He
is ridiculously good.
07.16.2006 Yanks sweep White Sox, pull even with Red Sox in loss column
Jeter
continues his great season: .344 BA / .425 OBP / .475 SLG / .900 OPS
Arod
hits a 2-run HR (but it was in the first inning so it doesn't count --
see AIC rule)
Mariano
pitches 2 innings to pick up his 400th save
Guns
down another runner at the plate (8th assist)
07.15.2006 Yankees beat ChiSox again, go for sweep
07.14.2006 Boston's lead cut to 1.5 games
A Yankees win, combined with another lousy pitching performance by Josh "Respect the Game" Beckett, has the Bombers within striking distance of Boston.
Look who leads MLB with the most HR allowed:
07.13.2006 Throwing a bunch of $#*% against the wall...
Right-hander Sidney Ponson, who became a free agent when he was released by the St. Louis Cardinals, has reached an agreement on a deal with the New York Yankees.
...the Yankees will be responsible for the pro-rated portion of the minimum salary -- between $150,000 and $175,000 -- for the rest of this season. (Source)
Do we expect anything from Ponson? No. But, we see nothing wrong with this signing. There aren't any options at AAA (Darrell Rasner is hurt). The Yanks might as well see if they can get a few decent starts from Ponson -- he has had a couple good years. Why not give him a try? Are there any compelling alternatives?
Ponson:
"I hope the Yankees have a good caterer."
07.12.2006 Bravo, Daily News, bravo
Anthony McCarron of the NY Daily News has released his Yankees midseason grades. In his thoughtful analysis, he gave Alex Rodriguez a C+. We would agree that Arod is capable of better things than what we saw in the first half. His current OPS of .895 is below his career average of .959. However, it still leads all AL Third Basemen.
If the AL's best hitting 3B received a C+, one must assume that McCarron is a tough grader. Nothing wrong with that, right? We've all had teachers who were like this.
Though upon further examination, it seems that Miguel Cairo also received a C+. That's interesting considering Miguel Cairo and his .609 OPS should be playing for a men's softball team. Yet, according to baseball expert McCarron, Alex Rodriguez = Miguel Cairo.
Who else received grades in Arod's range? Bubba Crosby (C-), Jaret Wright (C+), Kelly Stinnett (C-, who McCarron said was "brought in to add offense"???), and Nick Green (C).
So
then the next time someone tells you how good Alex Rodriguez is, you tell
them about Miguel Cairo.
07.10.2006 Jose Tabata: Baseball's best prospect?
ESPN columnist, Keith Law, had this to say about Jose Tabata at the Futures Game:
The clear star of batting practice was 17-year-old Yankees phenom Jose Tabata. With a more developed body than your typical high school-aged player, Tabata doesn't have a teenager's physique. He starts with a high setup and has a strong, furious swing that produces good power to all fields. He also took fly balls in center field, and if he can legitimately play there, he'll be a contender for the title of the top prospect in baseball this winter. (Source)
At Low-A Charleston, Tabata has the following line:
.321 BA / .393 OBP / .454 SLG / .847 OPS
He
turns 18 on August 12th
07.09.2006 First half completed, can the Yanks catch Boston?
07.06.2006 Bombers beat up on Cleveland again
07.06.2006 What does Thompson have to do?
Former KC Royal Aaron Guiel started in RF for the Yankees on Thursday night. Guiel is 33 years old and possesses an awful career OPS+ of 84.
Meanwhile,
Thompson continues to rot in Columbus. Let it be known again that
we don't believe that KT is a high profile prospect. After all, he
is 26 years old. But, he would provide better production, both at
the plate and on the basepaths, than these waiver-wire veterans that are
being brought in.
07.06.2006 More on the Yankees' international activity
The "Garrett" referred to in the following article excerpt is Lin Garrett, the Yankees director of international scouting.
The Yanks went for quality and quantity when the July 2 international signing date arrived. Not only have the Yankees signed catcher Jesus Montero...but they have signed eight players total, three from Venezuela and five from the Dominican Republic. And Garrett said he hopes the organization is not done yet, as general manager Brian Cashman authorized the international scouting department to be aggressive this summer...
While two scouts from National League organizations said they believed Montero's future lies elsewhere on the diamond, Garrett said the Yankees have confidence he can remain a catcher as he moves up the ladder. And Garrett enjoyed hearing one of the two scouts had touted Montero's raw power as pegging the 80 on the 20-80 scouting scale...
One of the NL scouting directors said of Montero..."He looks like Travis Hafner at age 16." (Source)
07.05.2006 Say hello to my little friend
Revenge proved to be sweet as Melky Cabrera went 3-4 with a Grand Slam to lead the Bombers in an 11-3 pounding over the Indians.
3-4,
Grand Slam, 2B, 5 RBIs
07.05.2006 Hughes dominating AA
In his last start on Monday, Phil Hughes went 4 2/3 and struck out 9. Yes, that's right...9 Ks in less than 5 innings.
Hughes' line at AA Trenton looks like this:
72 IP, 52 H, 76 K, 23 BB, 2.75 ERA
All
this at barely 20 years old...He is going to be a very special pitcher.
07.04.2006 Yankees get lit up
We hope that people had better 4th of July plans than to watch the Yankees.
Chacon
has been horrific in 2006: 6.71 ERA, 0.97 K/BB, .931 OPS Against, and he
wears his hat crooked.
07.02.2006 Yeah so, Alex Rodriguez is really good
And Yankee fans who boo him are morons.
3-5,
Grand Slam, 3-run HR, 7 RBI
07.02.2006 Yankees have a 10-run lead and guess who Torre brings into the game...
SCOTT PROCTOR
07.02.2006 Yankees sign the top international free agent
According
to PinstripesPlus.com,
the Yankees have landed the best prospect in the 2006 International free
agent class, 16-year old catcher Jesus Montero. Montero is a right-handed
power hitter from Venezuela who was scouted heavily by both the Mets and
Red
Sox.
07.02.2006 Durazo opts out
We were big fans of his signing, but apparently he elected to leave the organization in search of another opportunity:
The
Yankees released veteran DH/first baseman Erubiel Durazo from Columbus,
apparently because of an out clause in his contract. (Source)
07.02.2006 Is Eric Duncan reclaiming his status...
As one of the organzation's top prospects?
He had a subpar season in 2005 at AA Trenton (.734 OPS, 136 K in 126 games). He was then named MVP of the Arizona Fall League. He started off 2006 in AAA Columbus, despite only being 21 years old. Many claimed that he was rushed and his numbers proved that to be the case (.534 OPS in 110 AB).
He was recently sent back to AA Trenton where he has been making more contact and putting up solid numbers. In 22 games, he has a line of .360 OBP / .560 SLG / .920 OPS. He has also walked 9 times while only striking out 10 times.
Good
to see and hopefully he'll keep it up.
07.01.2006 AL beating up on the NL, except for the Yankees
Randolph:
6 IP, 8 ER