http://www.americanlegends.blogspot.com/

Also, Kat is reporting that Damon is ticked he's not in the lineup and may want to be traded.

How much would it really cost the organization, a few thousand dollars a year?

It will be interesting to see if Henn sticks around as the third lefty and supposed long man, or if Joba will replace him. If Bruney is demoted, then another spot opens up for Edwar.

I probably haven't explained it well, but the powers that be are a bit more gung-ho about security on planes than they are about buses or trains.

I still wish that rookie pitcher he dressed down in the dugout in the middle of the game had broken Ozzie's jaw.

25 I wouldn't mind. I really liked when ESPN tried to use a direct CF camera, set higher up. In both cases you get a better view of the zone.

I wouldn't mind if they pulled the LCF camera angle back, instead of zooming in so tight. I don't need to see the catcher's facial expression, and it might be nice to see a wider perspective of teh field.

Jorge!

Wow, this is another fun game, good job, Rob.

Okay, the team is seriously jeopardizing "Weeping's Hypothesis".

sarcasm...

Its just more evidence that Joe is the anti-manager. Its the square peg/round hole approach. He has a plan for each player and come hell or high water he is going to stick with it. And usually by the time he changes the appraoch, he has cost us a few games. Abreu is clearly not all that comfortable in the three hole, well, at least not most of the season. It's very frustrating. Abreu, Farnsworth, Myers, never attempting to get a leadoff guy so that Jeter could move up and not lose hundreds of RBI over his career, not using any kids in the bullpen, and on and on and on.

61 i think flaherty is funnier with kay because he's always correcting him and disagreeing, not just joshing.

Andy Phillips is awfully gritty to day. Bunt and reached-on-error, very gritty.

Duncan! Duncan!

I almost wish Giambi was out for the season.

(since weeping's not here, i've got fill in for him)

;)

Trade Damon, send Giambi out for coffee, and keep this team!

I was at the stadium for his first HR a few weeks ago. I remember thinking "enjoy it kid, I saw Andy Phillips do the same thing. It'll be awhile before the next one". Dude hits two in a game the next day.

Man, have I been proved wrong so far.

Oh, come on, this is ridiculous. The White Sox can't hit. Somebody tell Andy to cut it out.

http://tinyurl.com/29sy4q

The answer is Harmon Killebrew (26 games) but in the ESPN era (of special baseballs, live look-ins, and Michael Kay), it's Junior Griffey (7 games). So if A-Rod doesn't hit one today, is he officially "pressing"?

(ducks to avoid incoming cans of worms)

Oh, come on, this is ridiculous. The White Sox can't hit. Somebody tell Andy to cut it out.

109 All you need to do is play the Wang card to avoid all those worms.

However, I will say that he has definitely been trying to hit fly balls, completely different approach than when he hit 499, which was a double to the gap in right that happened to go over the fence. I just hope when 500 comes, A-Rod can go back to that sweet all-around hitting he's had this year.

If Proctor is flying from NY to LA and Teixeira is flying from Dallas to Atlanta, and Proctor throws a fastball that hits Tex in the head, how many houses could they paint, together?

If FrSh is the real deal, he will see plenty of playing time in 2009.

Oh. That's where Jim Dean is. He's kidnapped Cashman's dog.

In other news, "Ehren" is not a name.

Wait, you weren't serious, were you?

OMGZ, get the Eighth Inning Guy up!

Yea, of course. Wouldnt this be the perfect place to use Farnsworth and save Vizcaino? Proctor should be thankful he was dealt, it could have extended his career sugnificantly.

Which is why he should be put on waivers.

Jetes: What's that empty seat over there?

Robbie: Oh, that's, uh. We were hoping Alex would come.

Jetes: Yeah, he's a busy guy, Canoe, he can't come to all the parties he's invited to.

Melky: Well, we're gonna keep the chair there, just in case.

=(

Baseball. You guys are playing baseball.

And the clubhouse let out a big "OHHHHHHHHH!" and then everything was fine.

Ironically, its Abreu who sends us into those streaks. Wait.....where are the use of ironic police? They here today?

We are sitting in the catbird seat.

Boston with a big rally, no outs, 2nd and 3rd, Manny up, 3-2 Birds.

Why not warm Karstens, instead?

who's offensive facial growth will reign supreme?!?!?!?

Game, set, and match.

But I guess we shouldnt look at them until they are in shouting distance, right?

1B
UIF
corner OF
pitcher

Why, we can just let the rest of the pen go, 'cept for Viz, and Mo. And we don't even need a bench.

You know, I'm thinking someone should start a site for Cairo like the Chuck Norris site. I'll go first:

Miguel Cairo is so good, when he bunts, angels get their wings.

I guess almost all of you are watching, huh?

frigin Os

If only I knew how to accent the e.

Then Francona is a moron for not using him here.

He's cut, he's cut Rock! So much for the invincible Boston bullpen.

Dude! Get the fuck over here and clean off my monitor! I just spit water all over it when you said "carry one fewer pitcher." Do you know who manages this club?

But we can't send down Phillips. He's playing really well. I'd keep Duncan and DFA Cairo, except that -- as you allude to -- I've read that Betemit doesn't play SS anymore.

My enhanced Gameday shows that Okajima didn't thrown a single pitch in the zone to Ramon, yet there's somehow a "called strike" on Ramon. And the pinch Ramon grounded out on was more outside than any of the others! I'm starting to doubt the accuracy of enhanced Gameday.

They're crowing that an adjustment that their genius coaches made to Okajima's delivery accounts for an ok J-league pitcher becoming unhittable, yet iirc blaming Scott Boras' coaches for screwing up some of their other players who haven't lived up to expectations.

I think that I'm sad now.

BTW, Igawa was crap again

seems unlikely... most likely just that motion jacks with the MLB hitters, but Japanese hitters are used to crazy motions. or something. sure would love to see an in depth study by a real expert on why this caddy has become so good.

PECOTA could be gloating right now in Kenny Williams's ear - if PECOTA could talk, that is.

Send down:
Basak
one of Henn or Villone

Release:
Cairo

Add:
Giambi
Hughes
Joba

That leaves a bench of Duncan, Damon and Betemit and Molina. All of whom can play, PH, and Damon could PR. You have all IF positions covered, the catcher and the OF. In a pinch Duncan can play 1B or a corner OF spot.

Still, they have like 10 channels and there were two day games today, why should that ever be an issue?

It just is. The Angels game came on at 7:00 and they blacked out Game 4, the channel the Yankee game was on.

Fine, I am just not willing to admit how good Papelbon is. Fuck me, I just don't care for him.

If we're taking the Wild Card, I definitely want to see the boys play Detroit in the ALDS. Stay away from LA as long as possible.

"I'm a huge Torre fan. I look forward to his going into the Hall of Fame. He brought dignity and class to an organization that sorely needed it. But he's not what he was. It's time for a change, even now. Right now. If Torre won't give Chamberlain a chance, if losing Proctor just means more Kyle Farnsworth futility, then what's the use of even trying?"

Goldman is a genius, the best baseball writer out there. He's spot on, though I disagree that the change should come now.

But it is still Duncan v. Cairo, to some degree. It all depends on whether Torre and Co. figure that A] having an extra bat on the bench is preferrable, or B] having an extra utility IF/PR is more valuable.

If the answer is A, then Cairo becomes more expendable. If the answer is B, then you are correct it will come don to Phillips v. Duncan.

In either case, neither Cairo nor Duncan will get many ABs if Giambi comes back healthy.

This scenario rests on three assumptions, all of hich are admittedly shaky:

1. Torre et al recognize Phillip's reverse platoon splits.
2. Torre et al recognize that whatever OF is resting can serve as a PR.
3. Torre et al recognizes that Betemit can back up SS.

Releasing Cairo could kill two birds with one stone--freeing up an active roster spot and a slot on the 40-man. Assuming that doesn't happen, then I assume Basak will be dropped, and one MiL pitcher (Bean? Beam?).

Phillips everyday 1B (5-6 days a week)
Giambi everyday DH (5-6 days a week)
Damon 4th OF, with some spot starts in the field. Rotated OF (preferably a corner spot) either sits for a day, or DHs

Then you have Duncan. He can play a day at first, a day at DH, and then come off the bench. He's so far shown that limited playing time doesn't totally disrupt his swing and if we're down by 2 runs in the 9th, I'd rather see him up than Cairo.

I doubt Joe will ever do this, it makes way too much sense. What makes even more sense is the reverse split platoon on Phillips with Duncan. But come on, that will never, ever happen. Phillips is a righty, he must hit lefties better.

My fear of what will happen is:

Giambi: Everyday DH
Damon: Re-installed as CF
Melky: rots
Cairo: backup backup IF/PR for the everyday DH
Duncan: Continues to build on his AAA HR record.
Yankees: lose, lose a lot.

I can't wait.

11 positions players (9 starters+Molina+Cairo, since he does it all)
5 starters
3 relievers (Viz, Mo and Myers for LOOGY situations)

think of the money we could save!

Posada is also ridiculous. Does he know he's 35 and a catcher?

It's pretty obvious that all A-Rod is thinking about is hitting a home run when he's up there. And I'm ok with that for now.

All that said, the Yankees are hitting way too many home runs, a sure sign that they are a terrible baseball team.

I want Cairo DFAed now. he's pointless, Betemit can play SS and if we really want to, we could always shift Cano or that A-rod guy over to short .. i heard he use to be a SS .

I'm not sure Phillips can keep hitting... i'm a little baffled by his line really, he's not showing the power he's suppose to have (he doesn't have a ton of power, but it should still be better than it is now.. which is worse than Melky right now.) and he's not walking like he could in the minors. (he's walk rate and ISOD are both halved in the majros so far compare to his line in the minor this year) if those two things don't change in a hurry (espcially the power part) he's due for a steep slump . I still see him as a decent organizational player /bench right now.

Unless Phillips' bat start turning around soon, the Yankees are probably better off trying a platoon of Shelley Duncan and Wilson Betemit at first. this is probably Cashman's line of thinking when he got Betemit. Betemit as the main starter (he crushs righties.. as if we need any more of that :P) and Duncan pinch for him or Damon / Abreu in some cases and start against lefty. with Phillips being the primary defensive backup .

Duncan is a guy you probably don't want to overexpose. he's got very legitimate monster power but probably not going to make enough contact in the long run to be a everyday player. but if you don't show him too often he's going to be a very scary PH / role player.

So i would hope the end lineup being.

1. Mekly CF
2. Jeter SS
3. Matsui LF (plz take Abreu out of the 3rd hole.. i know he's doing well right now but Matsui clearly been much more consistent this year. )
4. A-rod 3B
5. Giambi Dh (plz never let him appear on the field unless it's a major emergency)
6. Posada C
7. Abreu (less pressure = good Abreu )
8. Betemit / Duncan platoon 1B
9. Cano (swap with Abreu maybe depending on how which one of them being more streaky.. but i like the idea of Cano and Melky hitting close to each other.)

Rotation

Wang
Clemens
Andy
Moose
Hughes ...awsome.

Pen

Mo
Joba
Viz
Myers
random collection of whoever does well, i hope it's Edwar and Britton though.. that and Bruney getting himself straiten out.

This heel injury is not your typical quad/shoulder/groin pull, that some players are prone to. Condiering both the lack of power and productivity from our DH, I don't know how people can brush off Giambi.

Hell, even half crippled, he has posted a better OPS then half our team.

Will Jetes see better pitches if Giambi bats 3rd?
Will ARod see better pitches if Giambi bats 3rd?
Want a .400 OBP guy in front of ARod?
Will ARod see better pitches if Giambi bats 5th?

Bobby is a good hitter, but he's not scaring anyone. Having ARod and Giambi back-2-back is daunting for a pitcher.

Giambi is tough and a competitor. He has come back from a lot worse then this. Personally I think if Giambi is healthy, the PS is ours....no doubt.

"I'm not sure Phillips can keep hitting... i'm a little baffled by his line really, he's not showing the power he's suppose to have (he doesn't have a ton of power, but it should still be better than it is now.. which is worse than Melky right now.) and he's not walking like he could in the minors. (he's walk rate and ISOD are both halved in the majros so far compare to his line in the minor this year) if those two things don't change in a hurry (espcially the power part) he's due for a steep slump . I still see him as a decent organizational player /bench right now."

That's a great observation. I also have been somewhat surprised. I figured that Phillips would be bigger contributor than Cairo (which he has, according to RC), but by hitting with a lower average, drawing more walks, and having some occasional pop. But he seems to have morphed into a sort of singles hitter at the ML level. Maybe he has the (not unreasonable) fear that a few too many Ks will earn him a ticket on the Torre express to the end of the bench, or Scranton.

The way Torre handles people... the NY media, George, the players, etc. is something you can't teach. As Steve says, Torre was a big part of turning around the entire dynamic of the organization.

But bringing in Proctor/Viz with a 6 runs lead? Torre can't learn NOT to do this?
Managing the BP better... with Guidry and all the help he has? Torre can't learn to do this?
I mean, if every blogger can see Torre's onvious mistakes, the Yankees can't help him to 'improve a bit' in these areas?
If Cashman et al wants to play the kids and have the BP managed differently, they can't get this across to Torre in a way that he responds?

If I'm in charge, I would let Torre know how valuable he is, but that certain moves he makes are not in sync with the team goals.

I think Torre wants to win. I think he wants to be a good manager. Is he that egomaniacal that he won't take feedback from his BOSSES... or order to keep his job and help the Yankees win.

This is what I don't get. If the Yankees want Torre to behave different, and people are BOTH his friend(s) and Boss(es), I don't understand why they can't bring Torre to carry out their instructions.

If Torre won't listen and won't cooperate, then he DOES have to go. But I can't help but wonder if the FO disagrees with his style that much, why they can't do anything productive to bring him around.

"This heel injury is not your typical quad/shoulder/groin pull, that some players are prone to."

But it is precisely the same injury that ended McGuire's career abruptly, after seven straight 1.000+ OPS seasons. Also, didn't Di Maggio suffer from heel problems that drove him from the game at a relatively young age?

I agree with your main sentiment, though. If Giambi can play, he represents a major upgrade.

For shits and giggles, I would like your lineup, but with Cano and Melky swapped. They currently have the same OBP, but Cano is 60 pts higher in OPS... and I think a greater upside. The difference over a year of ABs between leadoff and #9 is fairly significant.

His overall performance so far this year also falls right in between the numbers for 2005 and 2006. Asking him to repeat last year may be too much, but it's not unreasonable to think that this year will be typical of career (rather than 2005).

Reason to smile.

Giambi has an advantage in that McGuire and Di Maggio both played the field, which had to significant increase the stress on their heel.

But I agree that he's either healthy and mashes or he is cooked, and used as a PH (ala Kirk Gibson in the WS. Crippled, but still capable of the occasional miracle).

I might move Giambi further back in the lineup off the start though to let him get comfortable first.

365 that could be, except that he's striking out at exactly the same clip as he was in the minors this year (and when ur striking out 17% of the time with very few walk and low power, your not going to be a .300 hitter for long)... the sample size is still small enough for him to turn it around with a few big games where he either jacks a few extra base hits and/or walk a couple of times. but time is running out for him. I'm afraid. still though, he is clearly the best defensive 1B we have and does bring more to the table than Cairo, and isn't as annoying to watch and Mink.

Tonight it will be back to Farnsworth and Henn and Myers. Unless the game is really tight, when it automatically goes to Myers (v. LH), Viz and Mo.

Karstens will have to wait a long time for the moon and stars to align for him to have an opportunity to pitch in a blowout--and only then if Mo doesn't need to get some work to stay sharp.

Of course, in Torre's defense--sort of--this is one of the offshoots of the silly 13 man piching staff. There just aren't enough specialized opportunities to get all of the specialists enough work to stay sharp.

Here's what I do. I tell him about Rod Carew and how people think this is who he parallels. Then I show him films of Carew... 100 ABS... where Carew works a BB in every one. I explain that THIS is why he was a .328 career hitter over 19 years.

Last night, looking for #755, Bonds was up with a 3-0 count. The next pitch was a decent, middle low strike. Bonds took it. This is great, mature thinking. 'Not hitting' is a very important part of hitting. If someone can get that across to Cano, the kid will be an outstanding player for years to come.

BTW, over the last two year he jacked 19 HR in the month of August and Septemeber.. want to bet that they jacks 10+ this year and go past 20 HR?

Maybe it really is as everyone says--he's a nice AAAA player who really can't handle the jump to the bigs despite MiL translations/predictions. So to not be overmatched he's changing his approach, but in so doing eliminating one of the qualities that made the Phillips experiment intriguing (a little power). It also doesn't help that he seems to be the primary bunter on the team now.

1) Cano NOW is batting 60 OPS points higher then Melky with the same OBP. If he does NOT walk more ('experiment' fails), it's not like we are giving away anything
2) Cano obviously does not like hitting in an RBI position. His OPS is .140 pts lower with RISP. So this situation is hurting the team. (although Melky is slightly worse with RISP)
3) Since Jetes is RH and always bats 2nd, having a SW leadoff is little advantage. No reason a LH can't lead off in our lineup.

So, if it doesn't 'work out', I don't believe it sacrifices much. If it DOES work out, our lineup is significantly better.

I think Melky understands that a big part of his contribution is his glove and his arm. I think he and we expect Cano to be more productive with the bat.

It is NOT a huge difference, but every bit helps when you are in our position. After all, Damon is a better runner then both and has the same/slightly higher OBP... but we all feel we need more from the leadoff spot.

This is not an enviable position to be in, but it may never change. A bad week, a trade, Duncan at 1st, Betemit at 1st... these are all 'threats' to Andy's playing time. It is very difficult to be 'all you can be' in this position.

If Cairo goes (extremely doubtful) and Andy is told he's here for the year as both a 1Bman and BUIF, it would help. But I'm not sure given his history (up down up down up down) if he can perform at his highest level.