| Posted by: blue hen
- Dude [710321114] Fri, Oct 07, 2011, 10:01
Like it or not, postseason baseball is more fun with the Yankees in it. Granted, I said the same thing about the Red Sox last week. |
| 1 | Perm Dude
ID: 4992510 Fri, Oct 07, 2011, 11:11
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Actually, it is more fun without the insufferable Yankees or Red Sox fans involved anymore.
First step: eliminate all AL East teams..
[Second step: get a box...]
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| 2 | Seattle Zen Leader
ID: 055343019 Fri, Oct 07, 2011, 11:14
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postseason baseball is more fun with the Yankees in it.
If you mean watching Derek Jeter with a guy on first, down by a run in the eighth, crushing the ball the opposite way, getting all of it and showing he only has warning track power, even to right in Yankee stadium. If you mean watching Alex Rodriguez REALLY show his age while knowing just how much the two of them will be earning for years to come, yeah, that is fun.
But I don't mind that the Yankees are out of the postseason after the first round, that is GREAT fun.
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| 3 | Great One
ID: 574139 Fri, Oct 07, 2011, 11:23
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7 more years of A-Rod, is that right?
I think Posada as a below average DH showed up a few times too. Is he done as a Yankee?
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| 4 | C1-NRB
ID: 564251210 Fri, Oct 07, 2011, 11:41
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But A-Rod is showing signs of improvement.
Last year he struck out looking to end the season; this year he went down swinging.
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| 5 | blue hen Dude
ID: 710321114 Fri, Oct 07, 2011, 11:53
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Who would you rather have for the next five years - Alex Rodriguez or Carl Crawford?
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| 6 | Great One
ID: 574139 Fri, Oct 07, 2011, 11:56
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Carl Crawford, no doubt.
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| 7 | Tree
ID: 41512710 Fri, Oct 07, 2011, 19:22
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Mike Napoli
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| 8 | Great One
ID: 418501919 Sat, Oct 08, 2011, 12:00
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well at least Philly sports radio will be interesting for a while... 2 weeks ago they did a half hour debate on if they had 2 victory parades in a 3 month span, were they gonna do them in the same location or mix it up
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| 9 | R9
ID: 2854239 Sat, Oct 08, 2011, 13:22
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Anyone else think Philly erred by not going with a 3-man rotation for the 5-game series? They have 3 aces, a legit #2 and a rookie pitching like a great #3. Why let the #2 touch the ball when you can toss out an ace every game?
I'm not even sure if it cost them the series, it just seems like the smarter thing to do...
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| 10 | Perm Dude
ID: 4992510 Sat, Oct 08, 2011, 17:10
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Say what you want about the Phillies in the last game, but they certainly didn't lose because of pitching.
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| 11 | R9
ID: 2854239 Sat, Oct 08, 2011, 19:05
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Agreed, but maybe they lost game 4 because of pitching?
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| 12 | Great One
ID: 418501919 Sat, Oct 08, 2011, 20:10
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They lost the Cliff Lee cause of pitching too.
They are gonna have some serious offense issues from here on out, especially if Ryan Howard misses next year. What a horrible night for that franchise.
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| 13 | Khahan
ID: 373143013 Tue, Oct 11, 2011, 12:42
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I think the Phillies should try to trade for Alex Rodriguez so they have somebody who can strike out to end their season just in case Howard is down for the count.
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| 14 | Da Bomb Donor
ID: 487112814 Tue, Oct 11, 2011, 12:49
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Fun fact: Arod had more stikeouts this postseason than the entire Red Sox team.
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| 15 | Great One
ID: 574139 Tue, Oct 11, 2011, 13:07
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Don't forget these too for NYY - Mark Teixeira: In 27 playoff games in his Yankees career, Teixeira has hit just .170 with a .578 OPS. Nick Swisher: His playoff record is practically identical to Teixeira’s. In 28 postseason games with the Yankees he has hit .160 with a .587 OPS.
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| 16 | chode
ID: 49223120 Mon, Oct 31, 2011, 21:22
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My sources inside new Yankee Stadium tell me CJ Wilson to the Bombers for $100mm is a done deal. Not much of a surprise.
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| 17 | Perm Dude
ID: 549411117 Mon, Oct 31, 2011, 21:26
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CC agreed to a one-year extension. $25 mill?
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| 18 | Mith
ID: 23217270 Mon, Oct 31, 2011, 23:33
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Wow the Yankees dodged a bullet. CC must really love NYC. He likely could have done a lot better and he didn't even test the waters.
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| 19 | Mith
ID: 23217270 Sat, Nov 05, 2011, 13:30
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NY Daily News reported Tuesday that the Yankees only considered CJ Wilson as a plan b in case they couldn't bring Sabathia back. With that contingency nixed, they'll look for a less expensive option to fill out the rotation, Buehrle and Oswalt being the more preferred candidates, Edwin Jackson and Yu Darvish on the next tier.
All the top farm talent is still there so a trade for a better option might be possible. And with several former Yankee pitching prospects enjoying success outside of NY (Kennedy, Karstens, Melancon, Clippard) the Yankee farm system is likely in good standing with opposing GMs, if it doesn't also make Cashman more reluctant to move his top pitching prospects.
Id like to see one of the Betences, Banuelos or Brackman win the last spot next March but I think they'll try to add an established arm rather than go into spring training with a competion among prospects, preferring to award a promotion to the best performing farmhand when the need arises during the season, which was the approach that developed Ivan Nova.
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| 20 | blue hen Dude
ID: 710321114 Mon, Nov 07, 2011, 14:13
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Brackman was released, so that's out. I do think it's worth seeing what Betances and Banuelos can do, although if they struggle (a la Ian Kennedy) and get moved, it could come back to haunt later.
SF traded Jonathan Sanchez to KC for Melky Cabrera today. I guess the Yankees could use him, if they had held onto Melky.
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| 21 | Mith
ID: 23217270 Mon, Nov 07, 2011, 14:18
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That's too bad. I have a soft spot for underdog prospects.
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| 22 | Species Dude
ID: 07724916 Tue, Nov 08, 2011, 00:47
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RE: 20
Brackman I believe had a clause in his contract requiring him to be on the 25-man roster by now or receive some bonus that he's unworthy of.
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| 23 | Perm Dude
ID: 39961218 Tue, Nov 08, 2011, 07:01
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Brackman was pretty wild when he was here in Scranton. As in, "tossing a no hitter, but issuing nine walks" kind of wild.
The Yankees didn't pick up his option. I'm not sure about the requirement to be in the 25-man roster. I'd thought the last year or two of his original contract was strictly a club option deal.
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| 24 | Great One
ID: 574139 Tue, Nov 08, 2011, 09:20
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AJ Burnet could have mentored Brackman - a perfect match in wildness heaven.
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| 25 | Mith
ID: 23217270 Fri, Nov 25, 2011, 15:32
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Yanks re-up with Garcia. 1 year between $4m and $5m. That gives them 5 starters. They'll still likely look for 1 more but won't be overpaying for one. Probably stock up on retreads again either way.
Supposedly Atlanta has approached Cashman about trading Jurgens for a package starring Nunez.
NYDN suggested back in August that the Yankees and Mets could both potentially benefit from swapping Jason Bay for Burnett. The respective parks they play in and each players' history of success in the opposing league makes it sound like a good idea. They make the same salary ($16.5m per) and both have 2 years left on their contracts.
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| 26 | Perm Dude
ID: 3210201915 Fri, Nov 25, 2011, 16:27
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AJ is a clubhouse cancer. If I were the Yanks I'd throw in some cash just to move him.
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| 27 | Mith
ID: 23217270 Sat, Nov 26, 2011, 00:14
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I'm not sure what makes you say that. He doesn't seem ostracized at all. He's definitely a headcase who loses control of his emotions on the mound which does make him look like a bit of a prick but I don't recall any issues where he's been a personality problem in the clubhouse. Certainly never complains to the media about his teammates or manager beyond showing his competitive side and admitting he was mad about getting pulled. I've never heard rumors that he was a chemestry problem, unlike Posada for example. Seems to say the right things in public to whatever extent such an unreliable player is able to, anyway. I wouldn't be surprised if it turned out his clubhouse prankster schtick has gotten kind of old, which is supposedly why Swisher didn't get along in (I forget if it was) Chicago or Oakland.
That said Bay looks like a much
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| 28 | Mith
ID: 23217270 Sat, Nov 26, 2011, 00:18
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Er... Bay looks like the typical low-key type player you see in clubhouse leadership roles on a lot of Yankee teams - Mattingly, Randolph, Jeter, Rivera. Some people say that's one of their problems.
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| 29 | Mith
ID: 23217270 Sat, Nov 26, 2011, 00:43
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All that said, with the plans to move the fence in at Citi Field, I do think Bay has a better chance to rebound with the Mets in 2012 than Burnett does with the Yankees next year. And of course as maddening as a completely unproductive middle-order hitter is, in my opinion it's even harder to watch a starter melt down every other start. If I were a Mets fan, Oliver Perez might be too fresh in my memory to think about bringing in Burnett.
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| 30 | chode
ID: 511150512 Thu, Dec 08, 2011, 17:18
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Well so much for my inside source about where CJ Wilson was headed ... I figured my source was credible, since it was straight from Wilson himself. And I can't even chalk it up to the Pujols signing since the number was so far off too. Oh well, what does he know.
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| 33 | Mith
ID: 23217270 Sat, Jan 14, 2012, 11:57
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Yanks trade Montero and Noesi to Seattle for Pineda and Jose Campos. They also sign Kuroda for 1 yr and $10m.
Yankees currently have 7 starting pitchers (though 1 of them is AJ Burnett) no DH, no backup 3B (except utility infielder Nunez, who looks like he'll never reliably throw from any position unless they let him stay there) and no good left-handed hitters on the bench. Jeter and Rodriguez put them in a position where a strong, versatile bench would be preferable to having a true middle-order DH.
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| 34 | Seattle Zen Leader
ID: 055343019 Sat, Jan 14, 2012, 13:08
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Two excellent moves by the Yanks. The M's got ripped off, I'm not convinced Montero is going to be special, Pineda already is.
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| 35 | Perm Dude
ID: 3210201915 Sat, Jan 14, 2012, 13:40
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Montero is a great pickup for the M's. I heard the Yankees (smartly) offered another year contract to Russell Martin. I guess, given their lineup, they are willing to trade offense for defense behind the plate.
With both Jeter and ARod at 37, I'm not sure that this is as good a bet as they would like.
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| 36 | Mith
ID: 23217270 Sat, Jan 14, 2012, 14:23
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Fortunately a full season of high-level production wasn't necessary from either player (or Teixeria) last year to rank a close 2nd in total runs scored and 3rd in OPS, thanks to Cano and Granderson. But there's obviously room to significantly improve on the bench.
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| 38 | Great One
ID: 13046197 Wed, Jan 25, 2012, 13:14
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Posada was a great player and should have his number retired by the Yankees. But he's not a Hall of Famer.
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| 39 | Skidazl
ID: 264181116 Wed, Jan 25, 2012, 20:33
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@GO, agreed 100%...
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| 40 | Mith
ID: 23217270 Thu, Jan 26, 2012, 13:28
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Easily among th top 10 hitting catchers all time. His work behind the plate is another story. My recollection is obviously skewed in his favor and I haven't taken a close look at the numbers. How many poor defensive catchers are in? Piazza, obviously. Anyone else come to mind?
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| 41 | blue hen Dude
ID: 710321114 Thu, Jan 26, 2012, 13:43
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I think I'm pretty impartial here, and I put Posada in. Easily among the top 10? Who are the top 10?
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| 42 | Perm Dude
ID: 3210201915 Thu, Jan 26, 2012, 13:52
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There aren't a lot of HoF catchers--only 16, I believe. Probably because many teams have to choose between offensive catchers (and then move them to 1B or DH as they age to keep them in the lineup) or defensive catchers (who don't accumulate the offensive stats to get into the Hall).
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| 43 | blue hen Dude
ID: 710321114 Fri, Jan 27, 2012, 10:05
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Bench, Berra, Campanella, Cochrane, Piazza, Pudge, Dickey, and Josh Gibson are definitely better than Posada. That's eight.
Fisk, Hartnett, and Carter are probably better. That's eleven.
I'd probably put Posada ahead of Munson, Torre, Parrish, Daulton and Simmons.
One more twist: Is Jorge Posada better than Joe Mauer, who has already won three batting titles and an MVP?
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| 44 | Mattinglyinthehall
ID: 37838313 Fri, Jan 27, 2012, 19:31
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For the record I said one of the 10 best hitting catchers.
Posada played 86% of his games at C. Overall: 275hr/1065rbi in 6092ab, going .273/.374/.474
Bench played 79% of his games at C. 389hr/1376rbi in 7658 ab, going .267/.342/.476.
Ivan Rodriguez played over 99% of his games at C. 311hr/1332rbi in 10270ab, going .296/.334/.464.
I don't know that I'd call either of those two "definitely better" hitters than Posada. Depends on how you want to look at the numbers.
I didn't think about Josh Gibson, who never played in MLB.
Fisk played most of his games at C. 376hr/1330rbi in 8756ab, going .269/.341/.457
Again depends on how you view the numbers.
Carter played 90% of his games at C. 324hr/1225rbi in 7971ab, going .262/.335/.439.
I don't think you can call Carter a better hitter than Posada.
I also didn't think about Mauer, who will pass Posada in a few years if he hasn't already.
But the point is well taken. Posada isn't easily among the top 10 hitting catchers all time.
I'd revise to easily in the top 15 and possibly in the top 10.
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| 45 | Khahan
ID: 373143013 Mon, Jan 30, 2012, 16:30
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I think this is where catchers get the short end of the stick. Posada certainly compares well in the top 15 catchers of all time.
Think about that for a moment. Who are the top 15 pitchers of all time and how many eligible are in the HoF?
how about 1st basemen? 2nd? 3rd? SS? OF?
Even if it was proven that Posada statisically was the 15th best ever...thats one heck of a feat when you consider the number of teams, years in existence 1-3 catchers per team at times. 15th best out of hundreds if not thousands. But when you compare his numbers (or any catchers) to the rest of the hall it doesn't add up to him making it.
I think he'll be on the ballot and garner a lot of support for a long time but ultimately won't make it. Right or wrong, voters like their statistical numbers. I doubt I'd vote for him. Part of my personal evaluation is how the player comes across to me. Posada just smply never struck me as a HoF. He just doesn't have that 'greatest ever' feel to him.
This can be changed. It was for Larkin and for Biggio recently. But right now for Posada I just don't think of him as a HoF candidate.
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| 46 | Razor
ID: 551031157 Mon, Jan 30, 2012, 17:02
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Just going on gut after following the game his entire career, I don't think Posada is a HoF'er. After a cursory look at the numbers, I'd go with borderline. I think a deeper examination (when you account for having played in a hitter's era) might tilt him back to Hall of Very Good.
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| 47 | Mith
ID: 23217270 Tue, Jan 31, 2012, 11:23
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7 pennants and 5 World Series championships surely helps. His career postseason stats probably don't. Though he did pick it up in the last 3 years.
So I started a blog. Guess I should really name the thing before showing it to people but whatever.
Anyway a trade of Travis Hafner and some cash for Phil Hughes would seem mutually beneficial. I wonder to what extent, if any, Cashman and Antonetti have explored that possibility.
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| 48 | Perm Dude
ID: 3210201915 Tue, Jan 31, 2012, 15:09
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Didn't they just re-sign Hughes?
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| 49 | Mattinglyinthehall
ID: 37838313 Tue, Jan 31, 2012, 17:05
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They avoided arbitration in his last year of eligibility.
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| 50 | Perm Dude
ID: 3210201915 Tue, Jan 31, 2012, 17:18
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Ah. Good idea--especially if they got him cheaply.
If he can get his velocity up, he might be a very good bounce back player. What's he like 24-25?
The Tribe made 2 offseason trades for SP, but Hughes would almost certainly be in the running for a SP slot if they got him. Hafner is well loved in Cleveland but his injuries have sapped the strength he once had.
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| 51 | Mattinglyinthehall
ID: 37838313 Tue, Jan 31, 2012, 17:32
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Hughes is 25. With the Carmona situation in DR I'd think the Tribe would be eager to add a starter. And while Hafner makes for a terrific lefty DH in a platoon, that's not a very productive role for $13m, particularly on a lineup that's already lefty-heavy.
Both players are in walk years. The Indians could send Hafner and $4 or $5m to the Yankees for Hughes and then either save the cash they save or sign Vlad Guerrero. Seems like a really good match to me.
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| 52 | Mattinglyinthehall
ID: 37838313 Tue, Jan 31, 2012, 17:34
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Hughes 2012 salary is $3.2m. Hafner gets $13m in 2012 and a club option for $13m next year with a $2.75m buyout.
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| 54 | Perm Dude
ID: 3210201915 Wed, Feb 15, 2012, 00:22
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Smart non-move for the Tribe. Adding a head case like Burnett on a rebuilding pitching corps would be incredibly stupid. And his salary would pretty much force them to put him first or second in the rotation.
Assuming Carmona/Hernandez is out (should be anyway, for performance reasons) they Tribe has a decent (and quite inexpensive) top 3, and three more guys battling for the 4-5 spots.
I still think that this is the kind of deal to go down--both teams needs are complementary, IMO.
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| 55 | Mith
ID: 23217270 Wed, Feb 15, 2012, 00:59
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I don't see how that discussion could have even started in the first place.
Hughes for Hafner and cash made sense until I read that the Yankees will only add another $2mil. To make it work Cleveland would have to kick in like $10.5mil, which barely saves them more than the cost of Hafner's 2013 buyout option. Is 1 year of Phil Hughes worth that to them?
If they move Burnett in a deal that doesn't bring a left handed DH, then they'll use the money they save to get one. Not sure if Hughes stays on the table if Burnett goes. Maybe. If not, maybe the Indians would take a mid-level pitching prospect like Adam Warren for Hafner and around $5mil.
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| 56 | Perm Dude
ID: 3210201915 Wed, Feb 15, 2012, 01:21
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Yeah, its hard to speculate, but if I were the Indians I'd have seen about the Yankees doing an "extend and trade" agreement to lock in Hughes. If they could get, say, 3 years out of Hughes they would save money on the back end.
But I'm sure the Yanks were worried about getting a part time DH with a fat contract even in the Tribe were to pony up some cash up front. They've got plenty of good bench power hitters already--if Hafner wasn't a guy who could step in for 100 games he probably wasn't worth it.
However, a DH platoon of Jones & Hafner might be interesting. Jones hit well against lefties while Hafner hit well against righties. The Yanks would jump on the chance to get Hafner at Jones' salary, that's for sure!
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| 57 | Mith
ID: 23217270 Wed, Feb 15, 2012, 01:34
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I doubt Hughes would sign an extension now. This is his walk year and his value is currently at a low after his last 1.5 seasons.
The Yankees surely think Hafner is an attractive option if they can find a way to make the numbers work. But I think they'd sooner take a suitable lefty DH in the right deal for Burnett and be done with it.
Hafner would only be expected to DH against RHP.
Against LHP, Jones will see DH starts, as will ARod, Teixeria and Jeter. They have no interest in a true full-time DH. One of the reasons Montero was expendable was that he really isn't a good fit for their short term plans.
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| 59 | Mith
ID: 23217270 Sat, Feb 18, 2012, 00:07
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And reportedly $13mil. Jon Heyman tweeted earlier that the Yankees sights will now be set on signing Eric Chavez and Raul Ibanez. Not in love with either player but at the end of the offseason you don't expect many hidden gems to turn up. I think Brandon Laird looks like a reasonable 3rd string option at 3B but there aren't any lefty bats close to ready in the system in case Ibanez doesn't work out.
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| 60 | Perm Dude
ID: 3210201915 Fri, Mar 16, 2012, 20:41
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Andy's back!
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| 61 | Da Bomb Donor
ID: 487112814 Fri, May 04, 2012, 00:04
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Really sad news to hear about Rivera. Big upset if he throws another pitch. End of an era most likely.
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| 62 | Perm Dude
ID: 3210201915 Fri, May 04, 2012, 02:23
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Damn--it looked bad when it happened, but I was hoping it was just a strained knee.
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| 63 | loki SuperDude
ID: 4211201420 Fri, May 04, 2012, 10:13
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Unfortunately it is very easy to tear the ACL. All it takes is jumping and landing the wrong way. Da Bomb your comment is right on. It is sad to see his career end in this fashion.
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| 64 | barilko6
ID: 4941158 Sat, May 05, 2012, 09:11
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Knowing what I know about Rivera, I would bet that he comes back. I've always seen him as a guy who wants to end things on his own terms, not be forced out like this.
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| 65 | Da Bomb Donor
ID: 487112814 Sat, May 05, 2012, 12:48
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Rivera did say yesterday he's coming back from this. Most thought he was planning to retire at the end of the season, and when you add an injury and rehab, I thought it would only push him further in this direction. But it does seem apparent he doesn't want to be forced out of the game like this. It is really amazing that right now today (if he were healthy) he is the best closer in baseball.
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| 67 | Khahan
ID: 39432178 Fri, Jan 11, 2013, 13:49
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MITH - I think it will take a lot of bad stuff happening for the Yankees not to contend in 2013.
Boston is out of it already I hate to say. I don't think Baltimore is nearly as good in 2013 as they were in 2012. The Rays still have some good young ball players but they've lost overall.
The Jays have done A LOT this offseason but I can't help but think there's problems. RA Dickey has been excellent the past 3 years with a sub 3.00 ERA and a sub 1.2 whip over that time. But at his age you don't just add 100K's by pitching 25 more innings.
And Josh Johnson and Mark Buerhle are closer to the pitchers they were last year than the pitchers they were when they made names for themselves.
Jose Reyes is a walking hospital and bonaficio hasn't been much healthier. They have the potential to blow away the AL EAST, but the Jays also have the potential to be cosmic flops.
All in all, if I'm a Yankees fan I'm happy that a) I'm not a sox fan in 2013 and b) that the yankees have a legit shot at contending for the post season.
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| 68 | GO
ID: 811442813 Fri, Jan 11, 2013, 13:56
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The Sox will be better than last year, I guarantee it! The arrow points up from the bottom of the pit :0
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| 69 | Perm Dude
ID: 201027169 Fri, Jan 11, 2013, 14:03
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The dead cat bounce!
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| 70 | Da Bomb Donor
ID: 487112814 Fri, Jan 11, 2013, 14:34
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I'd pick the Yankees to win the division.
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| 71 | Mith
ID: 1311443016 Fri, Jan 11, 2013, 18:59
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Yes they're clearly contenders on paper (the only measure we have until April) if not the favorites (I'd call Toronto the paper favorites right now).
But the greater point was that this team management appears to have no direction, whatsoever. Any successful business has a short, medium and long term plan.
The Yankees have spent this and the previous offseason focused on putting the best product on the field possible while sticking with a medium-term plan of getting under the threshold. But there seems to have been very little focus on setting themselves up to fill out a competitive roster in 2014.
Is Kevin Youkilis really that good a bet to outhit Jeff Keppinger in 2013? The Yankees would have had to overpay for Keppinger (more than Chicago overpaid for him) but the $13.5 over 3 years it might have taken still seems smarter than giving Youk $12m for 1 season.
Even if Keppinger didn't work out as ARod's stand-in they'd still have a capable utility infielder locked up through 2015. One who fields three positions much better than Nunez and who hits better than everyone else they've tried since as far back as I can remember.
Nunez is a coveted offensive asset who might still develop into a decent infielder, even if he doesn't have the versatility to play in a utility role. Perhaps with Keppinger around, Nunez could have been traded for a similarly skilled and inexpensive RF who won't be filling out an AARP form in the near future.
There just doesn't seem to be any priority to address the clubs needs beyond the upcoming season. I'm all for a team with a leaner payroll. It makes their deep pockets that much more of an asset. But to be successful they have to act more like a small market club and I don't see a single transaction in their recent history that shows they are thinking that way.
And if that failure to think ahead means they're gonna toss away two offseasons worth of sacrifices next year then I think I'd much rather have seen them lock up a legit DH last year and extend Russel Martin. It's all half-assed.
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| 72 | Perm Dude
ID: 201027169 Fri, Jan 11, 2013, 19:13
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Nunez is a fine hitter who did well plugging in. He's probably better at a single position as an everyday player somewhere in order to develop (and I'm guessing he'll end up in the OF more or less all the time soon). Didn't the Yanks pull him from a game once for defensive purposes and leave themselves without a DH? That's not a good sign!
Yanks are in a tough spot with both rebuilding and a fat payroll.
But if ARod comes back after the ASB, he could provide a nice boost. I know he's been in decline, but I suspect his bad hip really sapped a lot out of him last year (and, likely, for some time before). If the Yanks can stay within striking distance, I can really see them taking the division in the end.
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| 73 | Seattle Zen
ID: 3603123 Mon, Feb 25, 2013, 01:15
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Holy crap, consider the Yankees' line up without Granderson? Are they going to put Juan Rivera out in left? See what's on the market?
As of today, I can't see the Yanks as contenders. I don't see any depth and I see a lot of injuries.
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| 74 | Da Bomb Donor
ID: 487112814 Mon, Feb 25, 2013, 10:30
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What team would you classify as having good depth?
They can do Rivera/Diaz, maybe Nunez. The Yankees will be fine without Granderson for a month+, and Arod.
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| 75 | Mith
ID: 4310402110 Mon, Feb 25, 2013, 10:46
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Losing Granderson until early or mid May changes them from contenders to non-contenders?
I doubt Nunez sees any time in the OF. But it might open a door for 23 year old Zoilo Almonte, who isn't regarded as much of a prospect but turned a few heads last year going .277/21hr/70rbi in AA.
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| 76 | Mith
ID: 4310402110 Mon, Feb 25, 2013, 10:58
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Grandy is a tough loss but Cano/Teixeria/Hafner/Youkilis isn't a bad middle-order while they wait for him to return.
With a healthy Brett Gardner trying to prove he is the Yankees' best option to lead off, I wonder if Girardi is considering moving Jeter or Ichiro up to 3rd.
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| 77 | Da Bomb Donor
ID: 487112814 Mon, Feb 25, 2013, 12:01
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Nunez played 4 games in the OF last season. Didn't look so good there though (not like he is great in the IF). I do like his bat and speed in the lineup.
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| 78 | Mith
ID: 4310402110 Mon, Feb 25, 2013, 12:22
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He's putting in a lot of work on infield defense this year, including a change to his throwing mechanics. He's had so much trouble coming around defensively that it would be crazy to throw a wrench (like a 10 week stint in LF) into his development now.
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| 79 | Mith
ID: 4310402110 Mon, Feb 25, 2013, 12:52
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I have to believe Ronnier Mustelier will be getting a hard look in the coming weeks.
Too bad he bats righty.
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| 80 | Seattle Zen
ID: 131262514 Mon, Feb 25, 2013, 15:26
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Broken wrists heal slow and sap power. Don't think he will be back 100% in May, he may not get his full power back until 2014.
Hafner and Youk are on the wrong side of thirty to expect them to improve upon their last two years' performances and even if they don't regress, those two would not contribute to a middle of the order I would call good.
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| 81 | Seattle Zen
ID: 131262514 Mon, Feb 25, 2013, 15:53
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Granderson is forecasted to be a four wins over replacement player this year. Even is he is back 100% when he is back, he still misses about a quarter of the season, so that is one less "win". Since Vegas odds on the over/under has Toronto?Yanks/TB all within one half of a win of each other, and below the second place finisher in the AL West, I'd say that losing Grandy for a quarter of a season could, in and of itself, cause them to go from contender to non-contender... if you buy those numbers.
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| 82 | Mith
ID: 4310402110 Mon, Feb 25, 2013, 16:14
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Youk's a bit of a wildcard but I agree that shouldn't be expected to improve on 2012. Though wouldn't surprise me of course.
Hafner on the other hand probably should revert to his more typical SLG of around .450. In fact in Yankee stadium I think it reasonable to project his best season since 2007.
Fortunately Granderson's fracture is to his ulna at least an inch or more above the wrist. So hopefully there won't be a terrible impact in that regard. Still, he'll miss all of ST so full productivity might not come until June.
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| 83 | Mith
ID: 4310402110 Mon, Feb 25, 2013, 16:15
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And citing Vegas odds as a measure of production is not very strong analysis.
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| 84 | Perm Dude
ID: 201027169 Mon, Feb 25, 2013, 16:17
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Hafner might be the Jason Giambi of the Yanks this year--the occassional fill-in player who knocks big home runs every other day he plays.
The Yanks are desperate to keep Nunez' bat in the lineup, but are worried about his obvious defensive liabilities. If he gets regular playing time at one place this year I would be very surprised.
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| 85 | Mith
ID: 4310402110 Mon, Feb 25, 2013, 16:24
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Hafner will be the left-handed DH, not a fill-in player.
Much has been made of the fact that (unlike Ibanez last year - even before Gardner got hurt) Hafner is not taking part in any defensive drills this spring.
When the rest of the team is working on defense, he heads for the cage.
He hasn't played defense in a game since 2007.
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| 86 | Perm Dude
ID: 201027169 Mon, Feb 25, 2013, 16:27
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He doesn't have the stamina for a full season at DH anymore, IMO. But that left field porch will be very tasty whenever he does bat!
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| 87 | Perm Dude
ID: 201027169 Mon, Feb 25, 2013, 16:27
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oops, meant "right field porch."
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| 88 | Mith
ID: 4310402110 Mon, Feb 25, 2013, 16:34
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Nunez is a really interesting question.
He'd be a starter on most teams and I've long said they should just trade him for a similar talent who fits better with the current roster.
It almost seems like they just keep him around as Jeter insurance. WHatever their thinking, they're wasting a good young talent with really terrific upside.
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| 89 | Seattle Zen
ID: 3603123 Mon, Feb 25, 2013, 20:18
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And citing Vegas odds as a measure of production is not very strong analysis.
Not quite sure which "measure of production" you are referring to. Certainly did not seek Vegas' opinion on Curtis Granderson. If, however, you mock the notion of Vegas odds used in the pre season to determine who is/are the favorite(s) to win, you would be foolish. Who do you site, Jason Stark?
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| 90 | Mith
ID: 1311443016 Mon, Feb 25, 2013, 20:37
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Bookmakers set odds based on how they think gamblers will bet, not on the actual chances that an event will occur.
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| 91 | Seattle Zen
ID: 3310162612 Thu, Mar 07, 2013, 18:31
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Tex hurts his wrist just swinging the bat, wow, that's bad news. The Yankees lineups in April are going to be meager.
The End of the Yankees' Evil Empire
The Steinbrenners' unwillingness to raise payroll has made it more difficult for the Yankees to bring in fresh veterans to replace the worn-out ones. As a result, the team has stuck with its old guys even as they turned into really old guys — last year, the offense averaged 32.7 years old, the oldest in franchise history and the third-oldest in baseball history.
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| 92 | Mith
ID: 29182720 Thu, Mar 07, 2013, 19:37
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The Tex injury even has my glass looking more than half empty. Hopefully the pitching is good enough to keep them in contention. It would still be foolish to rule them out for the playoffs but they've gone from being a pretty good bet to a team with a shot.
And I wouldn't rule out a blessing in disguise. With no room in the budget to plug a hole or two by relieving another team of their payroll headache, they're finally going to be forced to depend on some of their young talent.
Maybe Nunez finally hits himself into a regular role or at least gets enough at bats to prompt a trade for a similar talent that fits better.
And what other franchise could have a player storm through 4 levels of minor league ball in the past 2 years to the tune of .324/.378/.497 that no one ever talks about? Ronnier Mustelier has 5 hits in his first 12 at bats this spring as he tries to win the open OF job.
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| 93 | Mith
ID: 4310402110 Tue, Mar 26, 2013, 12:47
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I was furious yesterday about the Vernon Wells trade but it turns out to be a much smarter move than I think most people realized:Wells’ seven-year, $126 million contract carries an average annual value of $18 million, which is the figure used by MLB for luxury tax purposes. That figure decreases based on the money being paid by another team, so if the Yankees were to split the $29 million evenly, it would leave them with a $3.5 million tax figure on Wells’ deal in each of the two seasons.
But according to a league source, the Yankees are expected to pay Wells between $10 million and $12 million in 2013, leaving the Angels to pick up the other $9 million-$11 million.
That means that the Angels would pay somewhere between $18 million and $20 million of Wells’ $21 million salary next year, not only erasing the entire $18 million luxury tax figure for the Yankees, but adding a credit of as much as $2 million.
It’s still unclear what the exact breakdown will be, the source said, but the end result will likely be either the Yankees getting a small luxury tax credit or breaking even on Wells’ contract next season.
This year’s finances won’t be an issue for the Yankees, either, especially now that the World Baseball Classic will be paying Teixeira’s salary as long as he’s on the DL with a wrist injury he suffered while working out in Arizona with Team USA earlier this month.
Now the question becomes how much Wells can contribute. On that front, I guess the minimum hope is that he can carry his hot spring into May, at least long enough to cover most of Granderson's absence. After that, I guess he doesn't really have to be much more than Andruw Jones was.
For whatever its worth, his line against lefties in 2011 was .284/.320/.531. Although last year was a complete disaster.
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| 95 | Perm Dude
ID: 201027169 Tue, Apr 02, 2013, 13:30
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Man, every game for the Yankees is looking like Old Timers Day.
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| 96 | Tree
ID: 22343212 Tue, Apr 02, 2013, 13:43
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also, a Tampa game.
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| 99 | Seattle Zen
ID: 3310162612 Mon, Apr 29, 2013, 12:56
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Yeah, and I'm certain that Kansas City's and Pittsburgh's starts also mean they are legit. Hope springs in April!
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| 100 | Mith
ID: 4310402110 Mon, Apr 29, 2013, 13:44
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Springing up just fine in the Bronx. Bring on the Astros!
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| 102 | Mith
ID: 29182720 Mon, Apr 29, 2013, 22:22
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Doesn't that just figure?
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| 103 | Mith
ID: 4310402110 Wed, May 15, 2013, 12:43
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Hope still springing like a mofo in mid-May...
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| 104 | Seattle Zen
ID: 3603123 Fri, May 24, 2013, 01:11
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Hey, can the M's get Pineda back?
The Montero gets a AAA rating.
There is concern within the organization that Montero's offensive struggles are directly linked to the added work as a catcher. The fear is that Montero is now too distracted by his catching responsibilities — and overall struggles on defense — that it has carried over to his hitting and threatens to ruin a player once considered one of the better offensive prospects in the game.
So, the team has decided to allow Montero to spend most of his AAA time as a designated hitter and a part-time first baseman. With minor-league catching prospects Mike Zunino and John Hicks on the rise, the feeling is that there soon won't be a need for Montero behind the plate in any event. But with Justin Smoak at first, he is TOTALLY blocked from any hope of getting back to the bigs.
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| 105 | Mith
ID: 4310402110 Fri, May 24, 2013, 09:52
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I don't think Smoak and his 3% Yahoo ownership are a particular impediment for another 1B/DH to emerge. He's got 1600 at bats now and has spent very little lot of that time north of .240 BA or .700 OPS.
Montero's chances at panning out as an all star are probably still about the same as Pineda's, even if it looks like its time to give up on him at C.
Pineda was damaged goods when he arrived in NY. And shoulder surgery ain't like Tommy John. He's currently throwing and they say he's hitting 93, which is 2mph down from what he averaged in 2011.
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| 106 | Slizz
ID: 36111511 Fri, May 24, 2013, 12:37
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Smoak...lol
Montero was overhyped just like Hughes. I still think the Yankees can make out better than Seattle on this one.
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| 107 | Seattle Zen
ID: 3310162612 Fri, May 24, 2013, 14:38
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The Yankees already have made out better, some guy never pitching is better than wasting big league at bats on a shrimp posting a sub-.600 OPS, no matter what position. Oh, his defense is a net negative, too.
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| 108 | Mith
ID: 4310402110 Fri, May 24, 2013, 14:47
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If 2012's pre-Memorial Day stats are the only sample you care to view in judging Montero's prospects thats your call.
But I think most people would note that his rookie 2012 year was more productive than any season Justin Smoak has produced except possibly for 2011. And that one is by no means a slam dunk.
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| 109 | Mith
ID: 4310402110 Fri, May 24, 2013, 14:47
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Err... If 2013 pre-Memorial Day stats
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| 110 | Seattle Zen
ID: 3310162612 Fri, May 24, 2013, 15:04
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MITH- you should know we well enough that it was obvious that I am being facetious with the Justin Smoak reference. OF COURSE Justin is garbage.
Last season Jesus had a -0.4 WAR. It only took him a month and a half to get a -0.4 WAR this year. I don't like that trend. Pineda's 0 WAR is far superior.
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| 111 | GO
ID: 120252515 Fri, May 24, 2013, 15:14
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Montero first year in Seattle = 500+ ABs .260 AVG, .298 OBP, 15 HR's, 62 RBI, 20 doubles, .685 OPS
Smoak first year in Seattle = 400+ ABs .233 AVG, .323 OBP, 15 HR's, 55 RBI, 24 doubles, .719 OPS
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| 112 | GO
ID: 120252515 Fri, May 24, 2013, 15:17
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Their career stats are actually remarkably similar - except Smoak has lower AVG + higher OBP combo like a (very) poor mans Dunn. Montero doesn't walk much at all.
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| 113 | Mith
ID: 4310402110 Fri, May 24, 2013, 15:23
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He may well turn out to be a AAAA player but his bat has been highly regarded for a pretty long time. Maybe that's the Yankee prospect hype machine at work again but I don't see any reason to think they know something that the Mariners' scouts wouldn't.
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| 114 | Tosh Leader
ID: 057721710 Fri, May 24, 2013, 16:10
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I've watched 45 of the 47 Mariners games to date this season, so I am looking at more than just numbers. The Montero move is long overdue as he looks completely lost at the plate, and is useless on defense.
He's batting a crispy .167 on the good side of his platoon split(vs. Lefties), and is .119 vs. lefty starters. And it's more than not getting any walks. He has only gotten to a three-ball count in 19 (of 110) plate appearances this season.
He runs like he wearing a suit of armor. You are lucky I can't find the video of his only career triple from earlier this month, because you might pull a hammy just watching it.
He has only thrown out 1 of 24 base stealers this season. And that one stolen base?? The guy stumbled on his way to 2nd base and turned around. Montero threw the ball to 1st base, and the runner caught caught in a pickle. For Montero, that is a textbook CS.
The Mariners have now turned three touted prospects (Smoak, Ackley, Montero) into AAA hitters. They've got a new hitting coach this season, but they continue to deteriorate. I expect the Mariners will be looking for a GM and coaching staff in 2014.
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| 115 | Species
ID: 271152305 Fri, May 24, 2013, 16:41
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114: ouch!!
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| 116 | Seattle Zen
ID: 3310162612 Fri, May 24, 2013, 17:18
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I've watched 45 of the 47 Mariners games to date this season
It's a damn good thing marijuana is legal here. Glutton for punishment.
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| 117 | Tosh Leader
ID: 057721710 Fri, May 24, 2013, 18:22
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Well ... when some people get laid off, their goal is to find a new job. My goal was to watch as many Mariner games as possible.
I started looking for a new job by game 30. :(
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| 118 | Slizz
ID: 36111511 Fri, May 24, 2013, 19:24
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I'm just laughing at Tosh's rant.
I looked up Montero and Smoaks write ups in Baseball Prospectus and it wasn't too kind.
In short, Montero is a total abortion on defense with moderate potential, at best, at offense.
Smoak: 2nd worst WARP in all of MLB until that last month of 2012 and the 11th worst BABIP in baseball history (min 1,000 ab).
Ackley - it baffles me that he can be this bad!
As Bill Simmons would say, "Ladies and Gentlemen, your 2013 Seattle Mariners!"
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| 119 | Perm Dude
ID: 201027169 Sat, May 25, 2013, 11:15
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Having seen Montero here in Scranton, I can also add that Montero seems to have an attitude problem, and is a bit lazy in his work habits.
I'm guessing, until he got to the ML level, he never really had to work very hard and it is showing.
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| 120 | PuNk42AE Donor
ID: 036635522 Sun, May 26, 2013, 11:58
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Sounds like Ike is about to go down too
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| 121 | PuNk42AE Donor
ID: 036635522 Mon, May 27, 2013, 14:16
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Ackley just got send down for the M's today, their top hitting prospect Nick Franklin is now up.
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| 122 | Seattle Zen
ID: 3310162612 Thu, Jul 11, 2013, 17:16
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Congratulations to Derek Jeter, today he made it 19 consecutive seasons in which he has had a base hit. Unfortunately, we don't know if he will make it 19 consecutive seasons with 2 or more base hits because he left the game injured.
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