Yanks vs. Pirates 1pm on MLB channel.....get your MLB.tv plan and for Apple folks the At Bat 2010 app is avail....woot....never miss a minute.......Baseball is back....the road to #28 starts today. ....picking right up where they left off last year.......9th inning 3 run HR walk-off victory to start the spring (6-3 over Bucs).....Colin Curtis with heroics....LOL!
Posted two clever ones in Red Sox thread...but this one is nice as its independent from AVIS point of view of the rivalry.....I enjoy these - the shake of the head at the end is priceless: [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hD4eGDmrb4w&feature=player_embedded"]YouTube- Avis - Yankees/Red Sox spot[/ame]
Phil Hughes out front in fifth starter's race Still see lots of value in Gaudin, Aceves, Mitre (trade bait included)....Joba needs to be very aggressive or he will easily slide back to bullpen and no one to blame or point a finger at, except himself.
Scout: Joe Mauer will be the next Yankees catcher Yanks clearly have an over abundance of top-notch Catching prospects in their organization. Will be interesting to see if Twins really believe the Yanks have better fit for prospects than the Sox for working a trade if they cant sign Mauer themselves.
If the Yankees want to include Montero in a potential deal then they would probably have the edge. If not then I don't see how it's possible unless they include Hughes along with a big package of 3 or 4 other guys depending on how the Twins value the Yankees system. Personally I think Mauer stays with Minnesota which would be great for baseball. I think if the Twins trade him there will be a riot with the fans.
I agree Ray, it comes down to not only who Twins may covet...but more importantly who the Yanks, or who the Sox are willing to part with to make the move. This 5th man battle could influence an arm being willing to be moved perhaps.... Do you get a sense who from the Sox would be un-tradeable if Mauer was the prize???
I had been told in February that both Casey Kelly and Ryan Westmoreland were pretty much untouchable. And right now Kelly has really impressed the Sox a lot this ST and obviously now Westmoreland is untradeable. Other than those 2 guys I think the Sox would be willing to trade anyone if they feel they can get a good return back and for the right price, plus Theo has been known to part with prospects to fill a need.
Well that nips that speculation for good....personally, glad for the Twins. Joe Christensen of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports that Joe Mauer and the Twins have agreed to an eight-year, $184 million contract extension. An official announcement is expected tonight, but the deal includes a full no-trade clause for the reigning AL MVP and pays $23 million per season through 2018. The extension took longer than expected to complete, with Twins fans starting to get nervous as Opening Day approached, but ultimately there was never much doubt that the two sides would work something out and Minnesota did well to avoid a 10-year commitment. Mauer's deal is very similar to the eight-year, $180 million contract Mark Teixeira signed with the Yankees last offseason.
Quick question to my Yankee pals here, I'm probably going to be purchasing some Yankee tickets this year soon and just had a few questions about the new park since I didn't go to a game their last season. -How's the parking by the new stadium? Is it the same or a little harder to get into a good/close lot if I show up 2 hours before a game or so. I never had a problem at the old stadium, even when the new park was being built, just want to know if they got rid of any lots or if parking was harder to come by. -Also what's the deal about the train that goes right into YS. I heard that it doesn't leave the park until after the game ends, meaning if I took the train and wanted to leave in the 7th inning I just couldn't leave whenever I wanted, I'd have to wait until the game was over for the trains to leave the YS station. Is that true? If so does it leave every half hour/hour? I appreciate any help.
I was there last year (but actually stayed near Central Park and used Subway) but from I saw, no lots have changed, still very easy and convenient to find public optiions right near the stadium. Just like the old stadium as you know its next door. No, the Subway runs round the clock....no issues there. I know cause we had several in our group, and as it was cold, each left the stadium at various parts to make it back to Hotel, etc. So the subway is always running during the game (regular normal schedule depending on day, etc), they do not stop it for game time. http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/nyy/ballpark/directions_parking.jsp http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/nyy/ballpark/mass_transit.jsp
Thanks BD. I figured the parking would be about the same, which I never had any issues with unlike a certain ballpark in Boston. The train right into YS would be perfect/easy for me since I could just pick it up in CT unfortunately I did some research and I'm right that it leaves only after the game ends which leaves you at the mercy of the game itself. Looks like I'll be driving to YS this summer which isn't a bad ride (only an hour and 15 minutes from my house) but if I could be lazy I'm all for it. Thanks again though.
Pretty spot on recap to kick off the season really....... Wed Mar 24,2010 9:00 AM ET By Craig Calcaterra The big question: Will age catch up to the Yankees? People have been asking this for years, but for 2010 at least I'm going to say no. Sure, it's possible that Derek Jeter is going to suddenly remember that he's a 36 year-old shortstop, Jorge Posada will act like we expect 38 year-old catchers to act and opposing batters may actually be able to hit the one pitch that Mariano Rivera throws, but we've been waiting for that for years and it it still hasn't happened. All three of those guys can be expected to decline a bit from unexpectedly good 2009 seasons, but it seems like the core of that team is entitled to the benefit of the doubt against cratering until they actually, you know, crater. And you know what? Age is something of a red herring with this team. Mark Teixeira isn't going to turn 30 until after the season starts. Robinson Cano, Curtis Granderson, Nick Swisher, CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, Phil Hughes, and Joba Chamberlain aren't old. I worry about Nick Johnson's health, but Jesus Montero could probably be plugged in at DH if things got dicey, and of course the Yankees are always able to make a deal for a hitter another team doesn't feel like paying come July. People have questioned the Yankees depth, but on a team full of All-Stars the loss of any one player for a good chunk of time is less devastating than it might be elsewhere. No team could survive a 2009 Mets-style plague of injuries, but I think the 2010 Yankees are no more susceptible to age and injury than any other 100-win juggernaut. So what else is going on? A lot of ink has been spilled over the fifth starter's race, but given how strong the 1-4 guys are (Sabathia, Burnett, Pettitte, Vazquez) Yankees fans should be embarrassed that they've worried about it at all. Your fifth starter is going to be better than many team's third starters and would be bona fide aces in a couple of cities. Zip it with the Phil and Joba anxiety, OK? People have voiced concern about the outfield, but I think that the combination of Granderson, Brett Gardner and Randy Winn will be better than last year's combination of Johnny Damon, Gardner and Melky Cabrera. Nick Swisher is the constant in right and he could fall back a bit, but this is not a team whose fortunes will rise and fall on the strength of Nick Swisher's OPS; The bullpen looks amazingly strong right now. Rivera anchors of course, the loser of the Chamberlain-Hughes battle sets up, and a crowd of solid guys in Chan Ho Park, Dave Robertson, Sergio Mitre, Damaso Marte and Alfredo Aceves round things out. Yankees opponents may find games to be very, very short this year; The Yankees are always subject to some in-season drama, but the biggest thing on the horizon at the moment is Joe Girardi's lame duck status. But really, whether Girardi is given a new contract will be determined by whether the Yankees win or lose, not the other way around. Even with the A-Rod-Dr. Galea stuff, it's hard to remember a less strife-filled beginning of the season for the Yankees. So how are they gonna do? Predictions are for suckers, so the Springtime Storylines feature is going to tread lightly in that department, but right now it's hard to say that the Yankees aren't strong favorites to repeat. Yes, injuries and age could be a factor, but there are too many guys on the roster who could, if they were the best player on their team, lead that team to a championship. If things are going to go sideways for the Yankees, it's going to take the simultaneous burnout or breakdown of multiple players for it to happen, and no one has ever gotten rich betting on coincidences like that to occur. Prediction: First place in the AL East and a better shot at a champagne shower come November than anyone else.
I love it..... Nick Swisher slams the door on "Sweet Caroline" and Clay Buchholz (who I wouldnt have known was in in the video if it weren't for the description). I have no idea who the other dude is. (Anyone???) Anyhow, here's the video: [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZ5a09TWFpE&feature=player_embedded"]YouTube- Clay Buchholz & Nick Swisher ESPN Sunday Night Baseball Ad[/ame]
Good articles here: CF and LF doesnt really matter....but the combo of Curtis, Gardner, and Winn is far better defensively, and offensively, then Melky, Damon, Gardner....so.....have no problem with any of it.
Joba to pen, Hughes gets 1st crack @ #5. http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/yankees/phil_inning_formula_n31u1bj1spTUe6BXkHNo2I Since Yanks dont need a 5th Starter till around April 17th......and Hughes will be controlled from innings standpoint, the plan can easily be Hughes taking the first few innings of his starts (say to the 5th at most) and then having either Alfredo Aceves and/or Sergio Mitre as scheduled relievers to take it deeper to get to some combonation of Robertson, Marte, Joba, and Mo. Who knows if Joba takes a turn or two at Starting this year (would have to wager yes he will)....not sure what to make of Joba to the Pen and if he continues to be on this Teeter/Totter that his Setup/Starting career is on. In the end, it just shows the bullpen depth we have going into 2010 for #28!!!!!
The guy on the left is Adam Scott, I believe. He's been on Boy Meets World as a bully and recently played Will Ferrall's real brother in Step Brothers. And it was a pretty funny ESPN commerical, however I still like the one with Ortiz, a Yankee hat and Wally the Green Monster the best.
Regarding the Joba/pen/Hughes/5th starter thing I think it was the right move here. While obviously it's better to be a starter than an 8th inning guy or even a closer, Joba never showed that he could pitch deep into games while being able to keep repeating his delivery while working on his 3rd and 4th pitches outside of a handful of starts. Clearly Joba was a different pitcher coming out of the pen than starting. I do think the Yankees handled it the Joba situation completely wrong by babying the kid and possibly screwed with him too much. If they showed him some tough love could he have become a good starter? It's possible but Joba has to be to blame there as well (especially since I've heard stories that he's not really easy to work with). I'm not sure you'll ever see Joba starting again especially if both he and Hughes take off at their 'new' roles. But you're right BD the Yankees have a very good bullpen if everyone is on.
The Yankees release Chad Gaudin 1)) Not surprised he was placed on waivers 2) Not surprised no other team claimed him 3) Do think a team will sign him to ML deal at worst
http://www.usatoday.com/marketing/m...releases/030910_yankees_yearbook_edition.html Just picked this up...its loaded with good info and facts. Well worth the $5 27 Championships in 87 years (1923-2009).
Does the Schedule pose any big problems? The pre-All-Star break schedule doesnt do the Yankees any favors - 15 of their first 21 are on the road, three West Coast trips and six of eight Boston games at Fenway Park. We play Sox 18 times, but a lengthy break between May 19 and August 6. A favorable part of the schedule is second half with 9 straight home games after AS break. Stretch of 14 out of 20 at home after trade deadline.
Fingers are crossed in the Bronx right now. Mark Teixeira was forced to exit tonight's game against the Orioles after being hit in the right elbow by Jeremy Guthrie. I happened to be watching the at-bat and Teixeira was in some obvious and considerable pain. He took some careful strides towards the Yankees' dugout before slamming his helmet to the ground out of frustration. He was immediately removed from the game for further examination. I would have to wager Xrays are in his near future....my fingers are crossed. Stupid Guthrie! Best case scenario is only a bruise, he wears elblow protection, has full range of motion and can be ready for OD. will see.
Wow, looks like it is best case scenario......Right Elbow Contusion....no X-rays taken (or necessary????). phewwwwwwww!
Yankees to unveil 'switch-pitcher' on Tuesday Tue Mar 30,2010 2:57 AM ET By Bob Harkins The New York Yankees are going to pitch Pat Venditte in Tuesday's split-squad game against the Atlanta Braves at the specific request of manager Joe Girardi. Venditte is a 24-year-old reliever who was 4-2 with 22 saves last season in 49 appearances split between Class A Charleston and Tampa. So why all the fuss over the 45th-round draft pick out of Creighton University? Put simply, Venditte is one-of-a-kind, a "switch-pitcher" who is equally adept at throwing with his left or right hand. He is the only such talent in professional baseball, and Girardi is intrigued. Frankly, who wouldn't be? Venditte wears a specially made six-fingered glove that includes two thumbs, and his minor league teammates have been known, according to one report, to call him "octopus." Not only that, Venditte appears to be a lot more than some circus act. He compiled a 1.87 ERA and a 1.069 WHIP last summer, striking out 87 while walking only 11 in 67.1 innings. His talent also caused an unintended comedy routine of sorts to break out in 2008 when he was matched up against a switch-hitter (see video below), which led to new rules being put into play by the Professional Baseball Umpire Corporation. [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDyCRTlKllk&feature=player_embedded"]YouTube- Switch Hitter VS Switch Pitcher Pat Venditte[/ame] Hard to argue with that.
While a cool story for sure and someone that I'd probably root for if he wasn't playing for the Yankees, he's not much of a prospect even though the numbers might say otherwise. He's actually been somewhat babied by the Yankees, as he's been pretty old for the two A leagues he's played in for being a college drafted pitcher. Also his stuff is pretty average.
love this picture ....(new MLB rule is Pitcher must declare what Arm he is throwing with, then a Switch hitter can pick his side....think it should be the other way around (Also: A Pitcher or Batter can switch sides only once during an at bat)
I don't think that new rule matters who picks first, since the teams will just go by scouting reports and whichever side is the weaker side for the switch hitter that's what the pitcher will choose. That is a good/cool picture though.
Sure but that is only % based on hitters strengths or weakness....still think Arm should have the advantage of waiting to see what side the hitter wants...then being able to choose. Love that a Switch Hitter would have to face someone from the same side properly for the first time in AGES. Just like NFL OFFENSES...the MLB HITTERS have too many advantages already.
ESPN just launched ESPNNY today. I know the cool thing is to bash ESPN nowadays but I know with ESPNBoston they do a fantastic job, so much so that I barely go to the Boston Globe or Herald anymore to read Sox article. Not sure which writers ESPN plucked away from NY papers but seriously check it out, I especially love the chats the writers, players and coaches do every once and awhile.
Yanks Could Be Shopping For Outfielder Soon By Zach Links [April 3 at 2:58pm CST] Some in the industry are already wondering if the Yankees could be in the market for outfield help soon, writes Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. Both Randy Winn and Marcus Thames have struggled this spring, though Thames officially made the club's Opening Day roster today. The club may find themselves uneasy with the two veterans as starting left fielder Brett Gardner is not yet an established major league hitter. They would be especially thin in the outfield if Curtis Granderson or Nick Swisher are bitten by the injury bug. Rosenthal writes that the Yankees figure to be more patient with Winn as he is more than four years removed from playing in the AL. The Yankees investment in Winn and Thames amounts to just $2MM combined. Rosenthal writes that if one or both struggle, and Gardner also stumbles out of the gate, then the team could be seeking an outfielder quickly. ---------------------------------- Carl Crawford! sooner or later....Carl Crawford!
Finally its here......p.s. MLB Game Notes are back for another great season http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/presspass/gamenotes.jsp?c_id=mlb
some more nuggets.... [FONT=Myriad Pro,Myriad Pro][FONT=Myriad Pro,Myriad Pro] [/FONT][/FONT] [FONT=Myriad Pro,Myriad Pro][FONT=Myriad Pro,Myriad Pro] [/FONT][/FONT]
Taking 2 out of 3 is solid start......in BOS no less to start of the year with winning this first series of the year is extra nice. Yanks opening month is a beast...so if the Bullpen settles in things could continue to focus on the fundamentals and basics....just win the series you are engaged in.
Not sure where to put this since we had been talking about it in the Red Sox thread regarding Joe West's comments about Sox/Yankee games but here's another reason to love Mariano Rivera since he expressed his opinions on West's comments: "It's incredible," Rivera told the New York Post "If he has places to go, let him do something else. What does he want us to do, swing at balls? He has a job to do. He should do his job. We don’t want to play four-hour games but that’s what it takes. We respect and love the fans and do what we have to do and that’s play our game.” Just some great quotes, kudos to #42.
If's funny because the players kept their mouth shut on the ump's performance in the post-season. If anything, they were an embarrassment
Yeah, exactly. I'm still waiting to see whether West gets fined and/or suspended. If he doesn't it's only going to lead to big trouble. I'm just surprised that Rivera was the one that spoke up, he never says a word ever, West's comments must really ticked him off.
