Before we jump into the rest of the post, I would like to apologize for the lack of posts since the start of this month. My time has been limited and other sources of media have done great jobs covering the Yanks off season.
River Ave Blues a must read for any Yankees fan, had a great article about how the trade for Hideki Irabu landed the Yankees Nick Swisher. Aside from just that they included the photo that I have included below.
(Courtesy of RiverAveBlues) Click to enlarge.
The Scott Proctor trade still annoys me, I loved Proctor almost as much as Joe Torre, I just wish Torre hadn't used him in every other game.
With family coming over tomorrow, and Christmas the next day I doubt I will have any new posts, but expect some in the following weeks.
Have a Merry Christmas, even if Cliff Lee isn't under the tree.
(This is a look into the future, of what may happen with Cliff Lee)
:: Screen fades black::
Next thing you know Peter Gammons is sitting with Cliff Lee in his home in Arkansas. A Deer's head is mounted on the wall behind Lee, who is sitting in an office chair next to a table with the hats of the Yankees and Rangers. Gammons asks a few questions that Lee answers gives bland answers to. Gammons finally asks who will Cliff Lee play for in the 2011 MLB season. Lee answers " It was a tough choice, but after milking both teams for as much money as possible, I plan to bring pitching talents back to Arlington." Gasps can be heard throughout the baseball universe, wondering why in the world Lee would want to play for a team that has only just made its first World Series appearance instead of for the team that has won 27 titles.
R.I.P Freddy, but you are correct if the Yankees don't get Lee,
expect a state of emergecy in the Bronx.
While the Rangers celebrate yet another victory over the Yankees, the bombers try and figure what option number two is. While many Yankee fans are angry at Cliff Lee and will once again spit and verbally abuse his wife, fault can also be blamed on Brian Cashman. Cashman had let all the other free agents pass him by while he put on the full court press for Lee. The fall back options are gone, and the other 29 teams realize that the Yankees are in complete panic mode. The Yankees look around the market and choose to take on the risk of Zach Grienke, trading away the future in Jesus Montero, Dellin Betances and other blue chip prospects. Grienke, mental disorder and all comes to New York and makes Kevin Brown look like a normal guy and has the fans begging for Javier Vazquez back. Meanwhile in Kansas City, Montero is playing like the second coming of a young Jorge Posada in his rookie season.
::Flash forward to the Texas Rangers side:: Cliff Lee comes back to Nolan Ryan in open arms, it may have cost the Rangers over $155 million but they have Lee back for the next seven years, until he is 39 years old. While making Cliff Lee one of the richest if not the richest pitcher of all time the Rangers made a huge mistake and repeat there own history. Just like in the winter of 2000 when the Rangers signed Alex Rodriguez, the Rangers will have locked up one player at such a large salary that over the next few years they won't be able to re-sign key free agent of there own. The Rangers will have to sit back and watch as Josh Hamilton, Ian Kinsker, CJ Wilson and Michael Young bolt for other teams, because they could not offer them enough years and money with killing their own payroll. As for the fans, that once cheered on the Rangers during the 2010 World Series run, well they have all left just like the free agents, going back to following the Dallas Cowboys and college football 365 days a year.
Of course this could all be false if Cliff Lee signs with the Yankees. If that's the case then the Yankees will have the best team in the American League and will once again be World Series favorites in 2011 and likely add a few championships over the next few years. The Rangers on the other hand won't turn out as poorly as everyone thinks they will. They will have lost prospects once they traded for Lee, but with the money that comes off the payroll and the draft pick that they will receive from the Yankees the Rangers will be able to continue to be a competitive team in the AL West for years to come.
From the NY Daily News : "According to a source familiar with the negotiations between the Yankees and future Hall of Fame closer Mariano Rivera, the 41-year-old will sign a two-year deal believed to be worth $30 million by Friday night"
Well it was just a matter of time, unlike with the Jeter negotiations, Mariano had the upper hand in the deal. If the Yankees didn't want to give him what he wanted they would have been the ones who were screwed, after all who was going to close? Joba or David Robertson? Yesh neither are great options and the only closer on the market was Rafael Soriano, who had a great season in 2010 but has had an otherwise shaky history.
All in all it is great to know that Mariano will retire as a Yankee, it is rare now that a player stays on one team his entire career, but when someone has been as effective as Mariano then it is well deserved. I expect this to be Mo's last contract, but until the lights finally go out for good, cue up some Enter Sandman.
The fans may be fat from the Thanksgiving feast, but there wallets will soon be empty. The Yankees have begun to send out invoices for the 2011 season, but in all fairness are giving fans an affordable option to pay. The Yankees are giving fans payment options, of course they want to get the money up front but are breaking down the payments into four simple installments. The four payment will be made in 25% increments over the course of mid-December till the middle of March. At that time you will be forced to pay in full or you will no longer keep your tickets. On a side note that means that ticket upgrades wont be made until mid-March, cutting it close to the opening day date on March 31st.
That said not all fans have received the invoice in their Yankee account or in the mail. But should expect them this upcoming week.
After a rather quiet start to the off season today the Yankees managed to grab a few headlines today. Lets run through a few of the latest updates.
At first reports surfaced that the Yankees were going to offer Kerry Wood and Javier Vazquez arbitration. But after further reports, it looks as if the Yanks are going to just offer it to Javy, with the understanding that Vazquez would deny it, that way the Yanks could get a draft pick.
Reports surfaced a few weeks ago that Andy Pettitte was leaning towards retirement, but it now looks as if he is leaning towards coming back for one final season with the bombers. This would be great news for the Yanks if they could lock up Andy, then they would just need one more pitcher Cliff Lee to finish off the rotation.
It looked as if the pursuit for Cliff Lee had finally got under way with rumors that the Yanks had offered 6 years $140 million. But after reports from the NY Daily News, no such offer has been made yet. That would have been alot of money for the first known offer, for a guy that is going to be 32 and has only been an elite pitcher since 2008. For the whole scoop check out MLB Trade Rumors.
The discussions between Derek Jeter and the Yanks have gotten off to a rocky start, and even has Brian Cashman questioning if Jeter wants to remain in the Bronx. I know I had never expected the negotiations to go like this, but both sides are wrong. The Yankees shouldn't be playing such hardball with a player that has helped elevate the franchise over the last 15 years. They should look at all the ways hes helped bolster the franchise name, and how much more he will in the future as an ambassador of the Yankees and of the game of baseball. Jeter is the face of the franchise and will be for the rest of his life. On the other hand Jeter also should do the right thing and put his ego aside and just sign a reduced deal. It would look better on him, and he would still have the chance to make millions on endorsements.
Robbie Cano finished third in the AL MVP voting. I understand that he may not have been first but Miguel Cabrera even finished before him. Its called Most Valuable Player for a reason, how much value does Miguel Cabrera have for a team that wasn't close to making the playoffs? Cano carried the Yanks at times during the season, but I've said it all along the real MVP for the Yankees should be CC Sabathia.
On Saturday November 20th Notre Dame took on Army, in what was the first football game ever at the new Yankee Stadium. Notre Dame beat Army 27-3 in front of a sold out crowd of 54,251. Here are some photos that I found from assorted websites, to make you feel as if you were apart of the action.
Yesterday the Yankees traded away Juan Miranda for A-ball pitcher Scott Allen. This is not loss as at all for the Yankees considering they have both Tex and Swisher who could play first base and if they ever needed an emergency first basemen they could always look to Jorge Posada. The Yankees get back a very young arm, that has a decent curve ball, for the whole scouting report check out River Ave Blues.
I will always remember Miranda for his two walk offs, one a hit in 2009 the other a walk in 2010. But I always felt he looked like Ruben Sierra, thus earning him the nick name Sierra Mist from the guys at WCWPSports and myself. Check it out for yourself..
Tons of April games for the 12 and 11 game plans may cause for alot of people to drop those plans. Plus many of those games can be had for $5 right from the Yankees and even cheaper on Stubhub. With so many April and May games in my 12 game package it makes me hope that I can get a weekend plan even more.
The cheapest non obstructed seat at Yankee Stadium will now be $15. With the poor economy, many teams are cutting ticket prices but the Yankees are not. Today it was announced that the Yankees will increase six categories, including the bleachers, main level and field level. It was first reported on the LoHud blog here , but then Lonn Trost confirmed it on Mike'D up. Trost claimed that the reason the Yankees increased the prices is because they studied the secondary market and realized many of the seats were being sold for an increase. The entire Trost interview can be heard here. The Yankees have already changed the prices on the its website seating chart.
I will say that I still plan to renew my seats, and will actually attempt to upgrade my seats to a weekend plan. But it stinks that the Yanks have upped the bleacher seats, although the price is still fair and a great deal. I am befuddled as to why the Yanks would ever increase the seats on the lower level, as it is already the seats are empty and I don't care that Trost attempts to tell me that the seats have been sold, I don't believe that. I do believe that many fans do walk around and get out of their seats.
I will continue to follow the situation throughout the off season, and update my site as soon as any other ticket news it out.
From the NY Daily News : Right now their future is up in the air. The Yankees contract with WCBS-AM, worth about $12 million per year, expires at the end of the 2011 season, so do Sterling and Waldman's pacts. Sterling has been the radio voice of the Yankees since 1989. Waldman joined him in 2005.
There has yet to be any serious negotiations between the Yankees and WCBS. The job status of Ma and Pa cannot be resolved until a new radio-rights deal is cut. Industry moles say other outlets have chatted informally with Bombers brass. These potential suitors are looking to get a sense of which direction the club wants to go with its radio rights.
Outside of WCBS, which probably wants to keep the Yankees, it's highly likely ESPN will - if it hasn't already - stick its beak into the mix. For ESPN-1050, the process of trying to chip away at WFAN, longtime Mets rights holder, has not been easy.
Adding Yankees radiocasts to the mix of Jets, Knicks and Rangers would help change the equation - drastically. But how much would ESPN be willing to pay for the radio rights to Yankees baseball? And would pinstripe honchos be satisfied having their games go out over ESPN-1050's weak signal? That situation could be corrected if ESPN ever purchases another station with stronger reach.
There also has been talk about the Yankees buying a radio station. With the radio biz in the toilet, and in the current lousy economic climate, that is not likely to happen. "
Let me start of by saying that I don't hate Sterling or Waldman as much as some Yankees fan, although I liked Waldman better when she was the on field reporter for YES. But if the Yankees wanted to switch commentators and stuff I don't have a huge issue, although I would hope they keep Sterling since his calls are classic and he is the voice of the Yankees for the past twenty plus years.
I don't not want the Yankees to even think about switching to ESPN radio. The signal is so bad, that there are times just driving around on Long Island it has an issue coming in. I know that the Yankees may get offered more money by them, but at least with WCBS they know what they are going to get. WCBS has such a strong signal it can be heard as far as Kentucky and North Carolina on a clear night.
As for the Yanks owning their own radio station, that would be very interesting since I have not a clue what other type of programing they could have on. They could make it another sports talk radio, but they area already has WFAN and ESPN radio, so it would be tough to compete.
Seems safe to say that Posada still thinks he can catch, but stats show otherwise. Earlier this week Jorge's wife Laura tweeted that Posada will be the DH all next season, other news outlets had reported similar things. It makes the most sense that at this time the Yankees use Jesus Montero and add a defense minded catcher as a free agent.
Notre Dame and Army will play at Yankee Stadium on the 20th of this month. Aside from the fact that the teams stink, it will be the first football game in the new stadiums history. It looks really strange to see field goal posts up in center field and near the pitchers mound, but even stranger not to see the infield dirt!
Now I was not signed away from this blog because I was a free agent, just everyday life taking me away. Since my last post MLB free agency has started up. Its obvious that the Yanks will go after Cliff Lee and will most likely get him, but here are a few other free agents the Yanks should take a look at..
Juan Uribe: For the last three months I have been telling anyone who will listen to me the Yanks should sign Uribe. After the last two seasons of watching Ramiro Pena attempt to bat, I think its time to cut ties. Sure Pena could field at all infield spots, but so can Uribe. In fact Uribe will bring enough offense that the Yanks can rest Jeter or A-Rod and not have to worry about a huge drop of in production. Uribe also has had clutch hits in the 2005 and 2010 World Series so if your thinking postseason 2011 already he would be a great fit. The issue could be that he would be getting contract offers to start elsewhere so the Yanks would have to throw a few extra dollars at him.
Chris Young: Not the D-Backs centerfielder, but the Padres pitcher. The 6'10 righty is coming off a season filled with injuries but had a nice run from 2006-2008. If Young could remain healthy he could make for a great back of the end starter or even long reliever. The issue could be that he has expressed interest in returning to San Diego and has had injury issues the last few seasons.
Jake Westbrook: Another possible end of the rotation guy, but would want too much money and has been an injury concern in the past. The upside is he has pitched the American League before.
Miguel Olivo : Sure he does not take pitches but that's not the point, hes a catcher that can actually throw runners out. With Posada likely taking a larger role as DH and Jesus Montero still just 21 and not the best defensively, the move makes sense.
J.C. Romero: Brian Cashman has already said that he wants to add another lefty reliever, and Romero held lefties to a .217 batting average last season, and .215 over his career. The issue is that he walks way too many batters.
Randy Winn: The Yanks are going to have to replace Damon somehow..oh wait this is 2010? Never mind...
So their you have it some potential free agents that can help the Yanks. All have flaws as its been noted, but that's because of a weak free agent class. The pitching is laughable after Cliff Lee, and the Yanks don't really need to add another big bat. So the main goal should be, sign Lee.
From today's NY Daily News : "The consensus among the Yankees' high command is that Montero who turns 21 on Nov. 28 - is ready to assume the starting catcher's job, according to a source with knowledge of the team's thinking."
Its about time, I could no longer watch Jorge Posada constantly running to the back stop to retrieve the ball or not even attempting a throw to second. Scouts have claimed that Jesus Montero is not the best defensive catcher, but is one of the best offensive players in the minors. I'll admit that while I am unsure if Montero is ready it cant hurt to give him a shot, in the mean time, they should go out and sign a catcher who may not produce much with the bat, but is great defensively. Think Jose Molina. If they could do that, they would be able to trade away Francisco Cervelli, and not be forced to call up Montero till after Memorial day and save a year before his is arbitration eligible.
"I thought Yankee fans, frankly, were awful. They were either violent or apathetic, neither of which is good. So I thought Yankee fans were by far the worst of any I've seen in the postseason. I thought they were an embarrassment."
Yes those were the words said by Texas Rangers owner Chuck Greenberg, while his team was facing the Giants in the World Series. I find it interesting that while his team was in the World Series that he was more concerned with bashing the Yankees and their fans then to worry about how his team was performing on the field. As it turned out his team did not play so well losing to the Giants Monday night.
Greenberg wants to take a shot at Yankees fans? I understand that it did look bad when Yankees fans were leaving early from blowout games, or the story about Cliff Lee's wife being spit on but what about the Rangers fans? Chuck praised the Rangers fans for being such good fans but they were also the same ones who were chanting "Yankees Suck" at each game. I think that at sometimes I can be tough on Yankees fans for being quiet during the regular season, but they sell out each game. The Rangers on the other hand cant nearly draw as many fans, even against major teams like the Yanks or Red Sox. So while there stadium may have been sold out during postseason games, its because of all the bandwagon fans and maybe Cowboy fans who needed something to cheer about. That's another thing, the Cowboys and Mavericks get alot more respect then the Rangers in Texas. Do they deserve it? No not really, but that's the way things work, because fans are more interested in those teams then they are the Rangers.
I really don't care if Hal or Hank Steinbrenner want to get into a war of words with Greenberg, but they should take the high road and not say anything since Greenberg has since issued an apology. The Yankees can get their revenge in a different way and that's by signing Cliff Lee away from the Rangers.
The picture is dated from 2006. So in five years the price will have
been increased by $22.
The story was first reported by the NY Daily News , but it looks like the parking around Yankee Stadium is about to become a premium. To prevent from defaulting on bonds, the price for parking in 2011 will go from $23 to $35 for self park and from $36 to $45 for valet parking.
In the article it says that the reason behind this is so that the city can get money back, but how are they really going to get money? Its basic economics to know that once you pass a certain price, you will no longer make money. Does the city forget that three subway lines, along with the metro north all arrive at the stadium? If the lots were only filled to 60% on average during the regular season, what will it be like next year? Also who would ever pay $45 for valet parking? Last year when I would pass those lots, when they were priced at $36 their may have been like 20 cars in it.
Of course many will now be taking mass transit to the game, but if you insist on driving, the shopping mall right off exit four of the major deegan was charging $19 for parking this past year. If that price stays the same then you may want to try that out.
It is sad that parking is now about to become more expensive then Grandstand and Bleacher seats, but this is something that the Yankees cant be blamed for. The whole mess is up to the Bronx and NYC, eventually they will have to lower the prices if nobody is parking in the expensive lots.
NYY Stars and Pinstripes presents : The 2010 Yankees awards
Best Hitter: Robinson Cano
Following his 2008 season, some fans and media called for Cano to be traded. After all they had all labeled him as lazy, and had been benched that season for not hustling. Cano improved in 2009, but still struggled with RISP and had a poor Postseason. 2010 would be his breakout season, starting off in April and May hitting .400 and .336 respectfully. While A-Rod was hurt, and Derek Jeter and Mark Tiexeira slumped, Cano carried the team. Cano struggled at times but was the most consistent hitter over the years.
Best Pitcher: CC Sabathia:
Its always a tough choice when Mariano Rivera has another Mariano type season, but nothing can compare to what the big man did for the Yankees. That big man I'm talking about of course is CC Sabathia. CC in his two seasons has been everything the Yankees could ask for. Sure at times Sabathia may not always look dominant on the mound, but he always finds a way to keep the Yankees in the game. CC may not win the CY Young award, but at least he can take home this award.
Most Improved: Robinson Cano:
It was a tough choice between Robby and Brett Gardner, but since Cano did turn himself into an MVP caliber player, his 2008 season seems miles away.
Best Trade: Kerry Wood for a player to be named later:
At the time Wood had an era close to seven, and had been remembered as the injury prone player. But once the season ended and Wood had an ERA below one, during his time in pinstripes, this could be remembered as one of Brian Cashman's best trades. The Indians were trying to just dump salary, and the Yankees desperate for another arm in the bullpen took a chance. Wood will likely get a closers job elsewhere, and the Yankees wont get a chance to resign him unless they are willing to pay close to closer money.
Best off season pick up: Marcus Thames:
I had mentioned this earlier in the season. But when you think back to the off season Brian Cashman had signed Nick Johnson and Randy Winn, suddenly the best pick up was Thames. Thames did have the knack for the big knock, getting a few big hits during the season. Editors note: Trades were not considered in off season pick ups. They also will not get their own award since the Curtis Granderson trade involved prospects and you wont be able to declare a winner till you see how they pan out. The Javier Vazquez trade could be considered a draw, although Boone Logan was a big gain for the Yanks.
Rookie of the Year: Ivan Nova?
Alright so I was just being silly adding this category, but I had not realized that the Yankees only had four players that could be considered rookies play for them this season. That list would include Colin Curtis, Kevin Russo, Eduardo Nunez and Ivan Nova. All four had contributed something to the team, but Ivan Nova made a few starts down the stretch of the season that helped the Yanks. Nova did walk a few too many, but I liked what I saw from the 23 year old Dominican righty.
MVP: CC Sabathia:
This could come as the shock out of all the awards handed out, but who was the Yankees MVP. It really came down to CC or Cano, and you could make great arguments for both. But when it came down to it, although Cano carried the team at times with his hitting, Tex and A-Rod still had 30/100 when the season was over. CC was the rock of the pitching staff, while Burnett was imploding all over, Pettitte was injured, Hughes struggled. Sabathia was always the Yankees most reliable starter, giving the team innings and always keeping the Yankees in the game.
According too Daily News Yankees beat writer Mark Fiensand, the Yankees have brought back manager Joe Girardi for three more seasons. Nine million over three years is a fair amount, the guy has won the Yankees a World Series and brought them to the playoffs for a second straight year.
I understand that many fans have had enough of Girardi, but who else could they Yanks have turned too ? They didn't have many options if they wanted to dump Joe. In fact the only guys I can think of that would have made since would be Tony Pena or Lou Pinella. Pinella is a bit of a reach, but the Yankees have always reached for the biggest name, so why stop now ? Plus Girardi has a great relationship with Cashman and the Steinbrenner family.
Girardi is not the best manager in the game, but is respectable. Until he is finally outed one day as Yankees manager, we will have to deal with his over managing at times, and his binder of match ups.
In a story that has been blown out of proportion, and can be found here or just by typing in a few key words to google, many have wondered will this effect Lee's decision during free agency? Not a chance.
Of course what went on to Cliff Lee's wife is terrible, but his latest quotes on that situation he realizes that it was only a few stupid fans who did that and you cant categorize 52,000 fans for what a few have done. Some believe that this incident may change Lee's opinion when it comes to making a choice during the winter as to what team he wants to sign for. But this incident is going to change things, if the Yankees offer him more money then any other team, then I think Cliff and his wife will be staying in New York. It sounds sad, but is this really going to change his feelings on New York? Look at CC Sabathia, prior to him coming to play for the Yankees, reports were that his wife Amber did not want to come here. But once the Yankees offered more money, no body has heard any more stories about that.
If Lee is not going to sign with the Yankees that will be because he wants to stay with the Rangers. He is from that area (Arkansas) and is use to that life style. Especially if the Rangers are to win the World Series then it will make it much more difficult for the Yanks to sign him away.
10. Curtis Granderson beats Papelbon and the Red Sox.
It was just the third game of the season, but Curtis Granderson lead off the top of the 10th inning against Jonathan Papelbon, with the score tied. Granderson launched a home run into the right field seats, his second home run of the series. The Yankees would win the game 3-1
9. CC Sabathia win 20
In his second season in pinstripes, and 10th in the majors CC Sabathia finally won 20 games in a season. It is still debatable if he should win the Cy Young award, but their is no question that he was the most important piece to the Yankees this season.
8. Derek Jeter passes Babe Ruth on the all time hits list.
It wont belong before Jeter hits 3,000 but on a Sunday night at home against Boston Jeter got a base hit to pass Babe Ruth. Possibly appropriate since the old stadium was called the house that Ruth built, the current stadium could be called the house that Jeter built.
7. The walk off wins
Marcus Thames started the pie trend with a walk off homer against Papelbon in May. Thames would get another big hit, this time on July 4th vs the Blue Jays. Swisher would also get a pair of walk offs against the Rays in the first game after Bob Sheppard and the Boss passed, and a walk off homer against the Baltimore Orioles in September. The last walk off was against the Red Sox, this time it was literally a walk off. Juan Miranda walked to bring home the game winning run, oddly he did not get a pie.
6. Yankees turn first triple play since 1968
It had been over 40 years, but the Yankees finally turned a triple play. On an April day game in Oakland, Kurt Suzuki hit a hard ground ball right to A-Rod who threw on to Cano for the second out, and threw on to Nick Johnson for the third out. Sadly what I remember best is Ken Singleton botching the call big time.
5. The Yankees clinch a playoff birth
It had been a September from hell for Joe Girardi and the Yankees, but on this night in Toronto it was reason to celebrate. The Yankees still had their eye on winning the AL East but would fall short and win the Wild Card.
4. A-Rod and Thames blast past the BoSox.
It was a sloppy game for both teams, but the Red Sox would take the lead late in the game. They would turn to closer Jonathan Papelbon to close out the win, but Alex Rodriguez hit a monster home run to tie the game, and a few batters later Marcus Thames hit one into the seats to win the Yankees the game.
3. Yankees beat Texas with comeback win in game one
The Yankees were down 5-1 in the eighth but that didn't stop them from hustling. Brett Gardner started it off with a hustle base hit, that he just beat out. After that the Yankees began to take pitches and got a few hits. Next thing you knew they were leading the Rangers 6-5. After the game Michael Kay went so far as to claim that because of this win the series was over (Way to jinx it, big head!) cause of this rally.
2.Yanks steam roll the Twins
The Yankees came out struggling in game one, but after a few innings went back to the same old Yankees, getting the clutch hits. After game two when Andy Pettitte shut down the Twins, Phil Hughes would start game three at home. The crowd was loud and ready to go, just like the bombers who beat the Twins easily.
1. The ring ceremony
Who could deny that although this was early in the season, it was still the best part of the season. The excitement of seeing the rings, and another opening day at Yankee Stadium. It wasn't anyone on the 2010 Yankees that stole the show, it was 2009 World Series MVP Hideki Matsui who was announced and embraced by his 2010 teammates. The Yankees would beat the Angels 7-5 behind solid pitching from Andy Pettitte and Mo shutting the door.
Honorable Mention: Tex and A-Rod's three home run games, Jorge Posada collects 1000 RBI, Hope Week, Jeter's inside the park home run.
**Editors note : These were on the field moments, that is why the passing of George Steinbrenner and Bob Sheppard are not on the list.
From River Ave Blues : "Via Erik Boland, lefty reliever Damaso Marte underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum in his throwing shoulder last Friday, and won’t begin to throw again until after the 2011 All Star break. Marte was afraid he’d never be able to pitch again, so he took this as good news. For all intents and purposes, consider him out next season. He won’t start throwing until after the break, nevermind facing batters and stuff.
Damaso is under contract for under $4M next season, then the Yanks will buy out his 2012 option (another $4M) for $250,000. Since signing his regrettable three-year, $12M contract after the 2008 season, Marte has thrown just 31 innings with a 6.39 ERA. The ERA’s skewed by the ass kickin’ he took before going on the disabled list in 2009, though. He did hold lefties to a .136/.205/.242 batting line over the last two seasons (73 plate appearances), which is what he’s supposed to do. We’ll always have the 2009 playoffs, Damaso."
::Sigh:: As many may know I am a huge Marte fan. Was it the fact he was excellent vs lefties? Was it his funky delivery? Was it his 2009 Postseason, when he was in beast mode? Yes those are of of the many reasons, I loved the Dominican lefty. It should be known that I blame this on the World Baseball Classic, since that is where Marte supposedly got hurt.
Doesn't look as if we will have the chance to see Marte in a Yankees uniform again if he is out until mid 2011. The Yankees would be insane to pick up his option, only way I see him back is if they sign him to a minor league deal.
Still hasn't set in yet that they are out of the playoffs, but it was still a great season. After watching the video you forget that although 2010 may not have had as many pie's it still had plenty of great memories.
Congratulation to the Texas Rangers. They out hit, out pitched and out played the Yankees. At this time the reality of not watching the Yankees for another four months has not set in. In the coming days expect a few new posts, but until then look on the bright side...just 114 days till pitchers and catchers.
Phil Hughes will be making the biggest start of his career with the Yankees still in a 3-2 hole. Hughes was knocked around in game one and is in desperate need to regain his form this time out. The Rangers will send Colby Lewis to the mound, hoping to crush the Yankees hope of becoming a part of history.
Since game two was last Saturday, both starters have had plenty of time to rest up. Hughes this year is 6-1 3.75 ERA when he gets five days rest, the Yankees would like to see this Hughes not the one who was beat up in game two. But it isn't all about rest, in game two Hughes was not locating his fastball, and threw way to many cutters. After watching the Rangers for the past few games, it is obvious that most of their hitters can handle a fastball, even ones as effective as Hughes. Hughes is going to need to throw his breaking pitches tonight to be effective, especially to Josh Hamilton who has killed the Yankees this series by hitting fastballs. But on top of what pitches to throw Hughes needs to have better command of his pitches. He may have walked just three batters in his first start in the series, but too many of his pitches were left in the middle of the plate. You cant do that against a team like Texas. I also would not be against Hughes throwing a bit up and in to Hamilton or any of the Rangers hitters, it just seems like they have become so comfortable up at the plate.
Colby Lewis dominated the Yankees the first time around, but it always seemed like the Yankees would get a few guys on and then not get the big hit. Well that could be the story of their entire season, they haven't hit with RISP. But prior to game two, only a handful of bombers had ever seen Lewis, and that was back when he was with the Rangers years ago. Now Lewis is a better pitcher then back in early 2000's, that with a combination that the Yankees always struggle against pitchers they have not seen before. But this time around the Yankees have seen Lewis once, his stuff didn't impress me and as long as the Yankee hitters take a few pitches a wait for a mistake they could force a game seven.
If the Yankees fall behind tonight in a close game tonight expect any of the pitchers to be available, because if they lose, their wont be a tomorrow until spring training 2011.
When Mariano got Elvis Andrus to pop up to Lance Berkman, it signaled that the Yankees were not done just yet. Game six would be set for Friday evening in Arlington,Texas, Phil Hughes would be on the mound for the Yanks while Colby Lewis would be going for the home team. But looking at the forecast from Weather.com , they are expecting scattered thunder storms on both Friday and Saturday.
So what does this mean for the ALCS ? Well the Saturday forecast looks much worse then Friday, but if the game is rained out of Friday and game six is going to take place Saturday, who will be starting? Of course the Yankees and Rangers could go with Hughes and Lewis who were scheduled to go, but they would both have the option of then bringing back Cliff Lee and Andy Pettitte, both on normal rest. If they were to elected to go with Lee and Pettitte, then Sabathia would be available for the Yankees on three days rest. The Rangers could go with CJ Wilson on three days rest, or go with Lewis, who by then would not have pitched for eight days.
The rain outs would benefit the Yankees, only if the games were to be rained out before hand oppose to the game being called in the middle of a game. Even though Hughes has pitched well against the Rangers in his career, the no brainier is to go with Pettitte and Sabathia. For the Rangers, its a tougher choice, do they want to send Lee out in game six and hope that they end the ALCS that night? Because if that is the case, its a risky choice, if the Yankees were to win against Lee then suddenly the Rangers are up against the wall. The series would be tied at three a piece but the Rangers would be relying on Wilson on three days rest, coming off a shaky start or Colby Lewis who would be pitching the biggest game of his career.
Of course this is all hypothetical, the worst case for either team would be if the game was to start and then a long rain delay was to effect the game, especially if it is in the mid point of the game (3-5 innings).
