Baseball Toaster was unplugged on February 4, 2009.
No word yet on the fate of tonight's game, but the rain has been much lighter in the city today and things appear to be drying up a tad on the streets. Having postponed yesterday's contest and with double headers scheduled in both of their remaining series with the Sox (five games in four days in Fenway in August and four games in three days in the Bronx in September), you know the Yankees want to get this one in. If so, we'll see the matchup we were supposed to get last night with Jaret Wright taking on Curt Schilling.
A mismatch on paper given that the Yanks are throwing their fifth starter against Boston's ace, I have an odd feeling that the Yankees have a decen shot tonight. Part of that is that Jaret Wright has impressed of late, at least by fifth starter standards. His aggregate line over his last six starts is now:
33 2/3 IP, 36 H, 13 R (12 ER), 2 HR, 8 BB, 17 K, 1.31 WHIP, 3.21 ERA, 3-1
That's plenty solid given the Yankees major league best offense. Jaret's remaining bugaboo is length. He's finished the sixth inning in just half of those starts and hasn't answered the bell for the seventh in any of them. That seems unlikely to change against the Red Sox. Then again, Wright's shortest outing in those six turns was five full and he left that game due not to poor performance (he had kept the Red Sox scoreless on 73 pitches), but because of a tweaked groin.
That was the only time Wright has faced the Sox thus far this year. Schilling, meanwhile, has faced the Yankees in two of his last five turns with markedly different results. Most significant about Schilling is that he hasn't walked a single batter in his last four starts, which is a mighty powerful way to counter the Yankees historic on-base pace. That said, save for his last outing against the Yankees in Fenway, he hasn't been particularly efficient in any of those outings, so while they might not get to ball four, there's little reason for the Yankees not to continue to work the count tonight.
Let's go Yank-ees!
"Yankees GM Brian Cashman said Gary Sheffield will have surgery on his left wrist on Tuesday. He's not expected back until September.
Sheffield was trying to rehab the torn ligament and dislocated tendon in his left wrist, but the injury figured to be too severe for him to play through. It now seems guaranteed that Melky Cabrera will be a regular, at least until the final month of the season. The Yankees also likely will trade for some outfield help at some point."
I guess the Bobby Abreu trade rumors will now commence in earnest.
I'd go for someone like Craig Wilson. Though I wouldn't trade Melky for him, as some wanted to do during spring training. ;-)
also, steve goldman vaguely advocated for trading duncan. given his track record to date, it might be worth our while to let him go while there's still some interest.
OTOH, I think trading Eric Duncan is a fine idea. And if the package can include Long and Erickson, all the better. ;)
Anyone else wonder if the Pirates would be willing to part with Craig Wilson AND Ryan Doumit? Doumit is a catcher, young (25), and currently 3rd on the Pirates depth chart behind Paulino and Cota. Plus, Doumit is hurt right now, so his cost might be low. He could be a worthwhile replacement for Posada down the road, or at least a viable stop gap for a couple years. Thoughts?
A multi year deal on an older player who's a head case AND about to have surgery on his wrist? You're living in a dream world.
He has zero trade potential.
(snap)
(snap)
(snap)
EASY, ACTION!
Meanwhile, he (Wilson) put up an otherwise darn good line: .264/.354/.499, OPS+ of 122. That was his age-27 likely peak season, but still, at 29 its not like he's washed up.
PECOTA projected him to hit .269/.366/.485 in 427 PAs this year. I'd take that in a second right now.
BTW murphy - if there's a rumble, I hope you trounce our resident Sox lurker.
Meanwhile, he (Wilson) put up an otherwise darn good line: .264/.354/.499, OPS+ of 122. That was his age-27 likely peak season, but still, at 29 its not like he's washed up.
PECOTA projected him to hit .269/.366/.485 in 427 PAs this year. I'd take that in a second right now.
BTW murphy - if there's a rumble, I hope you trounce our resident Sox lurker.
Johnny Damon CF
Melky Cabrera LF
Jason Giambi 1B
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Jorge Posada DH
Robinson Cano 2B
Bernie Williams RF
Miguel Cairo SS
Kelly Stinnett C
I kind of like the platoon of Bubba and Bernie in RF. That gets Bernie in games against LHPs, but limits his overall time in the field. I think it would be optimal to have them both platooning in LF (with Bernie's arm), but it looks like Melky's going to be in LF for the duration. Bubba's arm isn't too bad though, so he'll be alright in RF.
http://tinyurl.com/l2hou
They think it's Sosa, Tejada and Pujols.
Plus I think Posada becomes a 10-5 veteran (10 years in the majors, 5 with the same team) after this season, so he'll have veto powers over any trades after that.
the ones u listed are all not yet out of the arbitration years...
all minor leaguers are tradeable
Me scared, mommy!
Buckle down, Jaret!
Hey, Wright is throwing an all-hitter!
UGH!
Michael Kay just made the over-obvious statement that Wright struggles in the 1st inning normally. Just don't struggle so much that Boston puts up another 3 runs!
Wright wasn't killed by that comebacker. I'm taking it as a good sign.
Ah, yes - that was GREAT!!!
Schill seems to be doing an awful lot of 1-0, 1-1, 1-2, 2-2.
DAMN...strike out! POOEEY!
CONTROL!!!
i just hope we pick his 3rd yr ... if he stays healthy, hes a good 4-5 guy
Bernie goes boom!
maybe he will have Brian Roberts like transformation when doubles turn HRs.. and he is only 23, and he doesnt have the same trainer as Albert Pujols 26
93 Cano's seeing 3.17 pitches per PA this year as opposed to 3.05 last year. That 3.05 was just horrendous. The 3.17 ain't much better. His walk rate is almost identical to last year (about 1 BB per 32 PA, which is dreadful).
Maybe have the sample frozen against the day the union decides to go along with a tough regime.
It's become such a vociferous witch hunt that I would do anything to exonerate myself (in Pujols' position)
At the same time, I can see how you wouldn't give in to those who are pro-testing, even if you are clean. I was just wondering how it all works.
107 I don't think they can stop him legally, but the pressure would be tremendous. Maybe someone can elaborate on the legalities or union bylaws...
1) Do we get another OF'er? Yes or No.
2) And if Yes, who's your choice?
3) And if you THINK the Yanks will get one, who do you think the YANKS will get?
I think it's coming soon.
Soriano will be the Yanks first choice.
(We are losing over 50 HRs a year)
Please voice your opinions.
1. I'm going to answer a little more than yes or no. I would want to get another outfielder but only if we don't give up too much. I wouldn't want to trade certain players, but if the Nats wanted Eric Duncan, right now, they can have him.
2 and 3. I answer the same. I would be very unsurprised if Alfonso Soriano ends up back in the Bronx. But Trader Jim will drive a hard bargain for that...especially with Stan Kasten backing him.
1. I'm going to answer a little more than yes or no. I would want to get another outfielder but only if we don't give up too much. I wouldn't want to trade certain players, but if the Nats wanted Eric Duncan, right now, they can have him.
2 and 3. I answer the same. I would be very unsurprised if Alfonso Soriano ends up back in the Bronx. But Trader Jim will drive a hard bargain for that...especially with Stan Kasten backing him.
I do agree with the people who say that the doubles turn to homers eventually...
Solo shots all around tonight, let's get some guys on base.
Think he'll throw that pitch again?
They were talking about Jeter being a terror in the dugout when he's injured, and then you see him hucking sunflower seeds at Bernie in the on-deck circle.
Hilarious.
1. I'd be fine with not trading for an OFer. In fact, I'd love for Bubba to get the same chance Melky has gotten. As for what the Yanks will actually do...they'll probably get an OFer, but later rather than sooner. I think they'll wait until the trade deadline is closer.
2. Craig Wilson. Or someone like him. Someone that won't cost too much.
3. Craig Wilson. Or someone like him.
>>I think it's coming soon.<<
Umm...weren't you the one who predicted the Yankees would trade for Soriano by the end of May? ;-)
Then again, whatever move has to consider 2007 as well. Will they want to pick Sheff back up to DH and play Melky in right? Will they want the new guy to DH and play Melky in right? Do they like Phillips enough to stick with Melky in RF, Giambi at DH and Phillips at 1B (doubt it). Do they see Melky as more of a fourth OF (he has tweaner skills, doesn't quite hit like a corner man, doesn't quite field like a CF) and want to populate RF with the new guy? Do they just want a rental they can toss aside this winter? Any trade could have significant impact on Melky, Phillips and next year's team structure.
1. Yes
2. Someone with some pop, who can PH, even if he is a poorer defender. ideally LH so he can take away LH Bernie ABs (despite the HR tonight). Then Crosby can slot into the defensive OF/pinch runner role.
3. knowing the Yankees, Griffey, Rob Deer, or Craig Counsell.
I will not bash A-Rod. I will not bash A-Rod.
What a break!
Hell, only Trot, Manny, Tek and Wakefield were on the Red Sox in both 2002 and 2006. Gimme a break.
What a break!
OK. Now they're back from commercial and Joe Morgan is screwing up his original comments but saying maybe A-Rod has second thoughts about playing in NY and saying he feels sorry for A-Rod. So A-Rod's not beloved. Neither was Ted Williams. He'll get over it.
That is of course unless he's unavailable. Which I'm wondering now that ERICKSON is up in the pen.
I agree, 199
I agree, 199
Nice catch, Johnny D.
This inning feels like it's gone on about two hours already. :-P
Last 10 appearances, Proctor has thrown 12 innings and has given up 11 hits and 12 earned runs. What will it take for Joe Torre to notice that his favorite pitcher has a 9.00 ERA over an extended stretch now?
I think the Mavs are going to win though I have to admit I'm rooting for the Heat. Most Knick fans hate Pat Riley but I still like the son of a bitch. Never stopped liking him really. But it will be pretty cool if the Mavs win too, so it's all good to me. I'm just rooting for 6 or 7 games, baby.
Too much to hope for.
Does anyone else get the feeling that even if we had Dotel instead of Erickson tonight, he'd have brought Small in? Or if we had Beam up and dealing later this summer, he'd bring in a cooked Scott Proctor?
Does anyone know where Ron Villone and his sub 2.00 era were tonight?
This game ain't over!
Proctor got out of the Wright mess at 4-3, should NEVER have come out for a 2nd inning.
He's got what, 83? Not likely to get there at thirty-nine especially when you've spoken about retiring after next year. The Yanks will do their best, though.
That should be on a t-shirt, Alex. Seriously.
Oh now Matt Smith comes in. That's good Joe. Real Good. If you were going to give up by bringing Erickson in in the first place, might as well let him get battered and save the rest of the pen.
Foul Balls
After throwing six pitches, he has a look on his face that says, "Man, I need surgery."
I love that commercial.
How's Beam (Beam not Bean) doing in Columbus so far?
Now, all we have to do is get six hits off Papelbon.
(Hey, I can dream, can't I?)
a letdown considering the first 2 games of the series...
but i would have taken it if u said 2/3 before the series..
now lets forget these chowdhas and build up a lead in the div..
oh there comes our wipping boy Zito.. LOL
He needs to spend the next few days in a Torre-proof plexi-glass box. Either that, or he should get surgery to swap his face with Ron Villone a la the movie Face/Off.
Karma baby, karma.
It just shows how close these two teams are. Two easy games and one in the middle that could go either way. Schilling, 4 hits over 8 innings, impressive. And papelbon looked unhittable.
"I really really like Damon. He smacks a homer, just pulls another and then bunts on the next pitch, then starts fouling off pitches. He's an absolute pest and a heckuva hitter. -Cliff Corcoran"
He's a good hitter, not 13 mill good, however. Not even close, and the stats prove it.
275 Cliff's post doesn't imply that Cliff thinks the contract was justified (I don't know where he stands on that issue).
275 Cliff's post doesn't imply that Cliff thinks the contract was justified (I don't know where he stands on that issue).
271,274 Pandora.com is awesome.
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