A trip down memory lane

Thanks, Bryan. That was a good read.

I also can't believe he had Pavano pitch opening day...don't think he'll ever get to do that again. I wonder who will take Pavano when he hits free agency next year? Given all the interest Mark Prior has gotten, I'm sure someone will take a chance and sign Pavano to a one year deal.

Hey, I forgot that Pavano existed! Whats the deal with him and his contract?

free agency next year?!! whats he gonna do till then?

OB:
Pavano is still mulling over a minor league contract from the Yankees. I think they're booting him from the 40-man roster, releasing him to free agency, and attempting to re-sign him for peanuts.

For some reason or another, Pavano's agent isn't about to do this, and neither is Pavano, so we can go ahead and forget about this guy.

Would have thought the boot was past tense by now. If he keeps his spot and we need a bullpen arm in September, do we get a little more for our money?

Happy Holidays!!!

Does anybody know which ticket plan you have to buy (as a minimum) to get All Star tickets?

Hey guys. Happy Holidays for LI, NY!!

The latest is that The Twins aren't requiring Kennedy in the package. Hm.. seems to me that Minny never liked the Sox's offers and want Yankees to bite at Hughes/Melky/Marquez.

Still don't like this trade (NO DEAL) but i love that slap in the face to Red Sox fans. I love how Ortiz said he doesn't see Santana comin to Boston. Let Santana hit free agency and throw bills at him.

I was bored, so I did this search to find out which famous celebrities are yankee fans. Did you guys know that...

1) Lebron James is a yankee fan. You guys probably all saw him wear his yankee hat to the CLEVELEND VS YANKEES ALDS game. He said that he was a yankee fan all his life.

2) NFL QB Tom Brady is a yankee fan since college at Michigan. He was even spotted in the streets of boston wearing a yankee hat. Also, he and Arod are close friends.

3) Philip Hughs (our top prospect) is a die hard Red sox fan.

4) Hiliary Clinton is a cubs and yankee fan. "I am a Cubs fan," Clinton said. "But I needed an American League team . . . so as a young girl, I became very interested and enamored of the Yankees."

5) Actors Billy Crystal, Robin Williams, Adam Sandler, Jack Nicholson, Denzel Washington, Bruce willis, George Clooney, and Chris Rock have all been spotted at yankee stadium and are yankee fans.

6) Actresses Nicole Kidman, Penny Marshall, and Sarah Jessica Parker have also been spotted at yankee stadium and are yankee fans. Nicole Kidman, however, just cheers for the most popular teams. So she may become a redsox fan any time soon. When interviewed, she said “I really love incredibly popular sports teams. The more popular they are, the more I like them. By the way, which one is Latrell Sprewell?”

6) Tiger Woods is a yankee fan

7) Donald Trump is a yankee fan

8) Director Spike Lee, comedian Artie Lange, rock singer Meat Loaf are yankee fans.

9) Chris Drury of the New York Rangers is a yankee fan. He wears number 23 to honor his childhood hero Don Mattingly.

9) Nas, Fat Joe, 50 Cent, Lloyd Banks, Busta Rhymes, Jay-Z, P-Diddy, Daddy Yankee, Héctor El Father, Ja Rule, and Jadakiss all wear yankee hats and are probably yankee fans.

10) Gary Mathews is not a yankee fan but he thinks that Yankee fans are the norm in the MLB, i beg to differ...

"It's different from New York," said Matthews. "Yankee fans are passionate about their teams, but they're a little more couth. They have a little more class than Boston fans."

There are probably more celebrities out there. So try to name some more if you guys know any others. It's amazing, though, that Tom Brady (the most well known Boston athlete) is a yankee fan. That's so cool. I also heard from a friend, who is a patriots fan, that Tom Brady was pissed when Red sox players (Shilling, Ortiz, youkilis) celebrated their world series tropy before the patriots/Dolphins game.

And why the heck is the blog down this past week.

Corshep, I heard that as well, and I also, still say NO DEAL. I want to keep Hughes (die hard red sox fan or not haha). And we don't have a replacement for Melky! Given that we actually have an excess of starters, and we got Pettite back, we don't need Santana.

I've read in so many places that Boston is only in it to drive up our price, and that Santana wants to pitch in New York, which had a stadium that is very friendly to lefty aces. If what I have read repeatedly is true, then lets wait until free agency and write Santana a fat check a year from now.

Can you imagine a 2009 rotation of Santana/Wang/Hughes/Chamberlain/Kennedy?

Especially keeping in mind our big 3 would have another full year of MLB experience underneath them. That, is easily, the best rotation in baseball. And the oldest pitcher is Santana, and he'll only be 30! My mouth is starting to water at the thought...

money in the bank baby!!!!

I'm fascinated by baseball simulations in general (I can remember putting historical players into Earl Weaver Baseball by hand back in the late 1980s), so I found this gem -- spotted in the comments section on Peter Abraham's fine blog -- particularly interesting.

If you're curious how computer program views Johan Santana's impact on the AL East, this is for you:

http://www.replacementlevel.com/index.php/RLYW/direct/johan_and_the_al_east

Bonus points for anyone who remembers Earl Weaver Baseball. I suppose the current equivalent would be Out of the Park Baseball (good for eating up hundreds of hours of your time).

I saw Field of Dreams last night... BRING ON THE '08 SEASON. I am so pumped to get it on!!!!! That movie is so amazing.. brings back the mystique and pride that used to be in baseball. Unfortunately.. this is not the Golden Era of baseball, its the Steroid Era, but f it. Let's forget about the bs controversy and play some ball!!! Heeeey batta hey batta batta. Bring it on lol!

Interesting stuff on Santana, Bryan.

I still feel like Santana will stay in Minny for the year though...call me crazy, but the Boston deal hasn't changed in a long time. If the Twins wanted it, I kind of feel like the deal would have been made already.

Wouldn't Santana prefer to pitch in our stadium anyway? Its the perfect park for a lefty ace. Wait it out a year in Minny Johan, then you can join us to create the best rotation ever!

Anyway, enough Johan. I'm so tired of talking about him....come on Yanks, lets hear some chatter about a reliever...

Oh, and corshep, I love that movie too! When I was in middle school/high school, I would watch it every day that I stayed home sick from school. Such a classic.

agreed. Why is no one posting? Are all the old folk on a holiday? Im at work bored as heck doing Yankee trivia on facebook haha. COME BACKKK

That simulation factors in 2008 only. I can see that if Johan goes to Boston that they would get decidedly better (DUH). I would be curious to see how we look in 2009, after our youngsters get their 1st full season in the big leagues. Funny thing is, baseball is a weird game. These simulations don't decide what happens on the field. It only takes a key injury, someone having a bad year, or some other wrench in the works to completely F up a team's season. The Yankees have been the best team "on paper" for years. What does it get us?

As far as Field of Dreams goes. No other scene in a movie tears me up as much as, "Dad, would you like to have a catch?", and I always laugh when Shoeless Joe says, "Ty Cobb wanted to come. But none of us liked the SOB when we were alive, so we told him to stick it!" FOD rules! My favorite baseball movie is still Major League though.

Bryan, what is your take on Sabermetrics? Do you buy into these statistics? I find these to be someone hard to understand, but very intriguing nonetheless. What do you think?

"somone hard to understand?"....LOL. I meant somewhat hard to understand....My bad, I was educated in a small town.

Some of the sabermetrics stuff is very intriguing, I agree, and some of it I think we're all struggling to catch up with. It's pretty remarkable how, over the span of 10 years or so, the new stats have really started to make their presence felt. The 'old guard' numbers like batting average, for example, are really gaining a lot of opinion that they're not the most reliable indicators of performance. Who knows what we'll be looking at on TV broadcasts in 2018?

I'd like to see an analysis on Minny's season in each of those scenarios. Would they fare better with Lester and Crisp or with Hughes and Melky?

LOL. It will be a strange day when someone looks at a players VORP over what his batting average is. Have you seen some of the formulas for these sabermetric stats? Dudes at MIT think they are tough.

It's a heck of a lot easier to calculate the "old guard" stats.

Earl Weaver baseball! Nice!
Bryan, I dabbled with that Out Of the Park Trial, pretty neat I'd say, but my trial ran out so I'd have to purchase...

My father and I used to play an old version of 'Tony LaRussa Baseball' from the early 90's - it had current rosters, but also Historical Rosters - naturally I was always the Yanks and destroyed everyone - I had to have Maris ride the pine - only 4 spots to play Mantle, Ruth, Dimaggio, Jackson, etc.. :>)

Elston Howard and Bill Dickey had to ride the pine as well behind Yogi...it was some tough managerial decisions back in my young days...

Can someone clear this up for me?
I remember when Roger Clemens first joined the Yankees he said that it was in part due to something that Steinbrenner told him. He would reveal these comments at the end of the season. Does anybody know if he ever did say what Steinbrenner told him to convince him?

Bryan, do you think Clemens is desperate to pitch in 2008 because of the steroids accusations?

And if so, do you think Clemens would greatly lower his fee (to like $10 mil)?

Would the Yankees go for Clemens if the price is right (i mean like really cheap)?

10 million is cheap!!! stop this talk already!

lol! it's "Clemens cheap"

agreed, Clemens was the greatest pitcher of our time, just like Barry is the home run king both shrouded by accusations but regardless they performed far above a great many. But the key to Clemens is he WAS a great pitcher, it's time for him to hang up his spikes and disappear from the Yankee roster never to return. Thanks Rodge but when we needed you last year where were you? Off the playoff roster, thanks buddy you did your best but we have better now, thanks but no thanks. Maybe if he signed a minor league contract that would be cheap, otherwise let the kids play.

Considering what Clemens has left to offer, $10 million is not cheap. He has nothing left in the tank, and the Yanks don't need him. Plus he won't last an entire season, it's bad enough the Yanks still have Messina, the Yanks don't need two over-the-hill pitchers.

my main point in asking Bryan about Clemens is if Clemens is desperate enough to pitch in 2008 (because of the steroid accusations) that he would play for way cheap

(if it was $4 mil only, would you hire Clemens?)

Honestly no, we have 6 starters already, even if Kennedy goes into the pen, or to AAA adding Clemend gives us 6 starters again. Moose will probably end up out of the rotation, and some die hards that I talk to even think he will be fighting for a starting job in spring. Just because we're the Yankees doesn't mean we need to throw money at old pitchers anymore. Matt you really don't like Moose huh? Between Moose and Clemens I'd rather Moose, but honestly I won't be upset to see him go next year. The new Yankee mentality is get young and stay young, Clemens just doesn't fit into that equation.

wholohan,

It's not that I don't like Mussina. It's just that I don't have any confidence in him at all anymore. I feel that his skills have deteriorated as a pitcher, and he really isn't better than Kennedy if you compare the two. Kennedy doesn't have anything left to prove in the minors. He put very good numbers while he was there, sending him back down while keeping Mussina would be pointless. Plus I just can't see him lasting an entire season. Why would anyone want to see a player who can't last an entire season with deteriorating skills in the starting rotation? If he showed the same talent he had 6 seasons ago, I would say keep him in the rotation, but he doesn't have those skills anymore. But I think that fifth spot will come down to Spring Training between Mussina and Kennedy. IF Kennedy outperforms Mussina he will win that fifth spot. I'm with you, I would rather have Mussina than Clemens, this team needs to start getting younger.

Moose still has stuff, but i'd move him to the #5 starter
(with Hughes as #3 and Kennedy as #4 [and yes, Joba as the setup man again])

I know Roger claimed he was retiring in 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006. But something tells me this might be the real one.

His agent said that he's proceeding with his personal services contract with the Astros, the Mitchell report has soiled his image quite a bit, and with six wins, it's not like the Yankees exactly got their investment's worth on him this year, especially with the luxury tax added on.

Brian Cashman said recently that the Yankees don't have any interest and honestly, to me, it's difficult to make the case that they *should*.

Matt, you know you hate Mussina just admit it, come on, be honest, just kidding! But I do agree with you about the team needing to get younger, thats a given. God I'm so bored with just basketball to watch, I miss baseball.....Help me.

I'd rather go back to Santana trade talk then talking about Clemens coming back to the Yanks...thats absurd. Like Matt said, Moose is enough of a question mark as it is, we don't need to add another old, injury prone, past-his-prime starter, especially for the millions Clemens will want.

I still think Moose has enough left in his tank for 1 more season, before he hits free agency next year. In 2006 Moose was 15-7 with a 3.51 ERA...2007 was pretty disappointing for sure, but I feel like Moose can give us somewhere between 10-15 wins with an ERA in the mid 4s in 2008. That is my prediction...I agree that Moose should be moved to the #5 slot, where a 12-9 record and a 4.6 (just guesses on Moose's possible numbers) ERA would be acceptable.

He's not going to be the pitcher he used to be obviously, and he still makes me nervous out there, but I think he'll do enough for us to get by in the #5 hole in the rotation.

Question for you guys about first base. Who should the Yanks be going after next season to man first? It doesn't appear that they are going to make any moves in that department during the off season, but maybe Cashman will look into it around the trade deadline and/or next off season.

I know Texeira is a free agent in 2009, and he would be awesome. Anyone else out there that would be a good fit to end this pathetic platoon situation?

The Yankees first base situation is lame, GOD,I would love Mark Texieira on the Yankees, wow that would blow my mind, I wonder what Justin Morneau's contract situation is? I'm a big fan of Justin's and Mark's. But I have a feeling Cashman isn't going to do a **** thing at first, so I guess I'd give the job to Andy Philips and maybe give some time to Duncan. And I also heard on ESPN that Goose Gosage will probably get in the hall of fame this year, or should I say next year, it's about freakin time.

Phillips got released. We need to take the hit defensively and put Giambi at 1st. That opens up the DH spot for Matsui.

Duncan plays first against LHP. Giambi at 1st vs. RHP. I think that Giambi's offensive capability is still to great to relegate him to the bench. Sorry Giambi haters, but he will still hit 30-40 homeruns if he can stay healthy. No doubt about it.

Philips got released? Oops, where have I been these past couple of weeks....Jeez. Is Duncan still on this team? I guess Giambi gets the job then.

Frankly, I saw Giambi play 1st several times last year, and he did fine. In 121 innings at 1st in 2007, Giambi only committed 1 error anyway. Why are we freaking out about 1st base?

That's a .991 fp, btw.

Besides, in 2009 we will get Mark Tex. Then, we won't need another 1 bagger for another decade or so. Swith hitter, power, average, gold glove defense. Tex is a badass!

i'd rather see Doug M. platoon with Giambi.. Giambino starts and Doug M. comes in for defense towards the end of the game

Duncan is cool (he swings like a right-handed Giambi where he almost falls over), but at this point late inning d would have to go to Doug

Chaz, I'm concerned with Giambi's health a a starting first basemen. He's fine once in awhile, but he can't start every game, or even most games. If he does that, chances are he'll break down by August.

The reason I was asking, is because Giambi will (most likely) not be on this team in 2009, creating a gap at first and a lot of potential pop out of our lineup.

I don't like having so many players for 1 position. I want to have a legitimate first basemen that can field, has some pop, and won't break down from starting at first every day. I just don't think Giambi has the endurance to start at first base for more than 80 games or so. And I like Duncan, but who knows how he does over the course of a season?

The problem there is the same problem we ran into with Phillips: we didn't give the kid steady at bats to find a grove. We need to be sending the same first basemen out every day without worrying about weakening defense or offense. Honestly, I wish he didn't release Phillips. He's a pretty good hitter out of the #9 hole, and has a great glove.

But I thought Doug M was released at the end of the season, is he still on the team? I can't keep up with this stuff. I do like Doug's defense.

Doug is a free agent I believe.

Teixera is the obvious choice at first, but what if he signs somewhere else? I was just curious if there are other serious options to look into at the trade deadline or next off season.

If Moose can stay healthy, I think he's got one more year left in him, Matt. I know you think he's finished, but I think he's earned the right to lose that 5th spot in the rotation. If Kennedy can whip his butt in Spring Training, so be it. Otherwise, Kennedy comes out of the bullpen next season.

And you fellas that want to waste Joba's talents by sticking him in the bullpen are NOT looking at the big picture. Yes, he was great as a setup for Mo, but HE IS A STARTING PITCHER. He came out of the bullpen last season because we did not want to overuse him. This season, he will make a much larger contribution pitching 5-7 innings every 5 days, than pitching 2 innings every 3 days. Great starting pitchers don't wind up in the bullpen until they are either old, or deemed NOT GOOD ENOUGH to start. Bullpen pitchers don't have 4 great pitches like Joba. They have 2, or sometimes just 1 (Mo, anyone?). Joba will start next season.

If I where the Yankees' I would be **** bent on signing Tex in 2009, I used to watch him play all the time in TX, before he went to Alanta, and I just think he's one of the best first basemen's out there, he's a great guy too. And he needs to win some rings, with the Yankees so my Tex signature I have will go up in value!

We will need a 1B in 2009, no doubt. I think that the attitude towards Giambi should should be this:

It's his spot to lose. If he can stay healthy, and put up numbers, NICE. Otherwise, we give the spot to Duncan or Betemit, whichever one plays the best off the bench. There is no denying Giambi's propensity for injury, but that shouldn't be a determining factor in his losing the starting spot. Just because he HAS been injured, doesn't mean that he WILL get injured. If he does, we have 2 other bench players that can play that position. It's his spot to lose, same as Moose.

Spring training will decide many of these issues for us, folks. Joba might fall on his butt during the spring games and get stuck in the bullpen. I don't see that happening, though. Kennedy may dominate all spring and rip that 5th spot in the rotie. ****, Igawa could come in and light it up. We won't know til March.

in a perfect world, tex would be our 1B for 2009 and on. But you gotta believe Atlanta is gonna extend him. He said he loves it there and its the best lockeroom atmosphere he's felt... ugh. In this cruddy world.. we're stuck with giambi and duncan splitting first base, betemit...hahahah yea ok.

BULLPEN HELP.... PLEAASE

Actually, in a perfect world, Igawa will come in and pitch well enough to make the starting rotation. It would be fantastic to have 2 lefties in the rotation.

Wang

Pettite

Hughes

Chamberlain

Igawa

Moose and Kennedy in Long Relief/ Spot Start.

Of course, Igawa will most likely get whiplash in spring training watching balls leave the yard, and become a lifer in the Minors. What a debacle.

I think Joe's attitude should be that no starting spots are guaranteed for anyone. He should let spring training performances decide the entire rotation. Wang and Pettite excluded, the remaining 3 spots go to the 3 starters that put up the best numbers. The remaining ones go to the pen for long relief, or back to da Minahs.

"Doug is a free agent I believe"

oops, my bad

While we're on the talk about FA my family from Cleveland visited and gave me interesting information about the Indians Organization, they're stingy. My uncle is a die hard Cleveland fan, was crushed this year and told me he wouldnt be surprised if CC Sebathia hits the market because he'll ask for a Santana-like contract and the Indians will not pay it. That could mean Santana, Sebathia, and Texeira (sp) all hit the FA next off season (if they dont get picked up by their club in an extention or shipped at the deadline). I could see the Yankees throwing a big contract at one of those three. But immagine the unreal rotation of Santana, Sebathia, Wang, Pettite, Joba/Hughes. That would never happen but it still is fun to dream about. Either way next off season could be very very crazy.

jeterstar-

Good to see you posting again. At least you have your Colts to cheer on in the playoffs that should take care of your boredom temporarily. Me, I'll be twiddling my thumbs wondering who Parcells will keep or fire, Cameron or Mueller or both. God, I'll be glad when this season is over, hang in there Spring Training is only a couple of months away.

Sorry, I didn't mean to say Mussina is completely done, I think he has something left in the tank too, but is it enough to get him through the entire season? I have my doubts. I just can't forget how he struggled last season, and was dumped from the rotation then came back to put a few good starts together then struggled in his last regular season start, and struggled in his one post season appearance ,he kind of makes me nervous. But like chaz said the fifth spot will be decided during Spring Training. Also doesn't make sense for the Yanks to move Chamberlain to the pen. Besides, the Yanks have already said they have no plans of moving him to the pen.

As for first base ( yes, another area that I like to complain about!!! I've been complaining about it since early last season, and I'll keep complaining until it gets resolved. Yeah, I know Blah!! Blah!! Blah!! Take me to court!), but I think the Braves will lock Texeira up over the long haul, I just don't see them letting him walk for nothing, they've been who've been willing, and able to do that with the big names in the past,I don't see this as being the exception. Seeing that there are no real options on the market, the Yanks could always trade a pitching prospect (Marquez, White or Horne) for a first base prospect. What do you guys think?

I would rather see Giambi start at first rather than Duncan or Betemit, the only things that worry me about him is his history with injuries, and his defense.

Good to see SOME positive talk re Igawa. I dont believe they were blind when they signed him. He is a leftie of big potential and with the right coaching during the off season and Spring Training he could develop into Andy Pettitte type. As for 1B I still prefer Giambi to get first start there I did not believe his defence was too bad there last year yes he made blunders but yes he did produce there as well. If he can overcome the injuries from last year his offence will be invaluable.

Pettitte

Wang

Hughes

Kennedy

Igawa

This leaves Chamberlain and Mussina in long relief alongside Farnsworth. I still believe Farnsworth will blossum under Giaradi and away from Torre lets see.

Why don't we trade for a firstbaseman? Of course, we have Mark Teixeira on the market next year, BUT ( there's always a but... ) it's not a "given". He could end up signing and extension with the Braves ( my favorite NL team ) so that would be great, or he could get traded at the July 31 deadline ( so they get something out of him instead of losing him to free agency. ) I think the latter is more realisitic, but if the the GM is a dud-head, he'll probably let him go as a FA. As for who we could trade for:

I don't why, but here are the names that come to mind:

1. Nick Swisher ( 1B/ RF )

2. Darrin Erstad ( IDK who he plays for )

3. Mark Teixeira ( that guy again. but we'd have to give up alot .... whio does THAT remind you of ...? )

4. Kevin Youkilis

5. Sign Me

6. Joey Votto?

Suggestions for any others, can't really think of anybody else.

Nick Swisher is a pretty cool dude, but I've only seen him play in right field, I'm sure he is a good first basemen too.

Nick Swisher wouldn't be bad. He won't hit for a very high average, and e strikes out way too much, but he has good pop in his bat. Erstad signed with Houston, Joey Votto is part of a rumored deal that has him, and Homer Bailey and another prospect going to Baltimore for Erik Bedard.

Atlanta will most likely hold on to Teixeira.

bdsouth, if the Braves did let Teixeira go via free agency, they would get compensated with 2 draft picks, seeing as he's a Type-A Free Agent. Is that the same caliber return as say a trade? Not necessarily and most likely not, but they would be high draft picks. Teixeira will be the cream of the crop of first basemen for a solid 10yrs, so he'd obviously be the Yanks #1 choice (at least for all of us fans). I wouldn't try for Darin Erstad (the 1yr deal he signed with Houston wouldn't come into that much play, seeing as we're discussing 2009 primarily) or Kevin Youkilis, because the Sox will most likely try to keep him, and even over-pay if needed. I agree with matt about Nick Swisher, he would be an acceptable power option at 1B, but how would his defense be as an everyday first baseman? Joey Votto, although a rookie with little MLB experience, has the potential to be a very good overall first basemen. Do we take a shot on an unproven commodity like Votto, or go with an unproven commodity in our own system, like Juan Miranda?

On a side note, I hope everyone's holiday went well. :)

In a choice of unproven commodities, I'd go with our own unless Vatto is amazing (I don't know who he is so..) But when facing that choice I think most of us would rather see one of our kids do it over somebody elses, no?