New York Yankees

[hbktonyb]

Yeah, I hope it is just a cyst, but you never know until you get it examined by a specialist...

I'm glad Hughes changed his curve. He could actually throw both in is arsenal

[crashintonickdm]

a-rod is out 10 weeks. gonna have hip surgery.

[scrock25]

And so it begins.....

[ajgdrums7814]

fuck

[Trippin4136]

A-Rod has a cyst in his hip.

Bonds had a cyst in his hip.

Clemens had a cyst in his hip.


Hm.....

Teixeira is really going to have to carry the load until mid-May.

[HoldemHart]

Dumb question....who's gonna play 3rd now?

[Trippin4136]

Dumb question....who's gonna play 3rd now?

Probably Cody Ransom.

[ProudestAnt]

:lol Sorry, I had to...

[chr35919]

A-Rod has a cyst in his hip.

Bonds had a cyst in his hip.

Clemens had a cyst in his hip.


Hm.....

Teixeira is really going to have to carry the load until mid-May.
we'll see if he's up to playing in NYC

[ajgdrums7814]

A-Rod has a cyst in his hip.

Bonds had a cyst in his hip.

Clemens had a cyst in his hip.


Hm.....

Teixeira is really going to have to carry the load until mid-May.

You don't inject roids into your hip. Clemens had a cyst on his ass, not his hip, from what I remember.

[jmudmbphan]

god fucking damnit.

[chr35919]

:lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol

:)

[jmudmbphan]

karmas gonna get you one way or another.

[devilandthelord]

Karma is real.

10 weeks, damn.

[jmudmbphan]

does the timing of all this not seem a bit suspicious???

[scrock25]

How so?

[milo420dmb]

i think Arod needs to get away from baseball for a while anyway.. maybe then he can come back rejuvenated.

If he is out, it will likely only be the month of April.. World Series are not won in April

[jmudmbphan]

How so?


he's had this pain since last year....yet theyw ait until a month before the season to get it looked at??? and now hes out 10 weeks...which puts him to be back after roughly 50 games....

perhaps those 50 games are actually a suspension he received..for testing positive at a later date, which mlb is now trying to keep under wraps to avoid bad publicity..

It just makes absolutely no sense for the yankees to have him examined by a specialist right NOW, if they knew about this dating back to last year...which they did.....

[scrock25]

I think you may be thinking waaaaaaaaaay too much into things. Perhaps he simply has a cyst that needs medical attention and the recovery period is 10 weeks. I dunno.

[Trippin4136]

You don't inject roids into your hip. Clemens had a cyst on his ass, not his hip, from what I remember.

He did have a cyst or a boil or something on his ass.

However, hip problems are an indicator of steroid use.

Albert Belle?

I'm not saying 1+1=2 with A-Rod, but it's not beyond reality.

[ProudestAnt]

he's had this pain since last year....yet theyw ait until a month before the season to get it looked at??? and now hes out 10 weeks...which puts him to be back after roughly 50 games....

perhaps those 50 games are actually a suspension he received..for testing positive at a later date, which mlb is now trying to keep under wraps to avoid bad publicity..

It just makes absolutely no sense for the yankees to have him examined by a specialist right NOW, if they knew about this dating back to last year...which they did.....
Unless it didn't become an issue to his game until recently?

[Ascf33]

and so it begins...

[Ascf33]

And so it begins.....

:lol

[scrock25]

Unfuckingbelievable, right? Not only is it an injury during spring training, but it's an injury during spring training that's going to make the player miss substantial time, and this player is widely regarded as the cornerstone of the offense. I mean c'mon....seriously?? After all the shit last year, this is how this year is going to start???

[scrock25]

And so it begins.....

and so it begins...

:lol

:lol :lol :lol noice!!!

[ProudestAnt]

Meanwhile, the Sox announced that Lowell was "about a week" away from seeing game action at DH, then getting time at 3rd...

[Ascf33]

yeah I can't believe this is how we're going to start the season.

[thebestauntie]

I'm trying very hard not to be gleefully happy.










I'm failing miserably at it.

[ProudestAnt]

i think Arod needs to get away from baseball for a while anyway.. maybe then he can come back rejuvenated.

If he is out, it will likely only be the month of April.. World Series are not won in April
But division races are. He's going to miss 50ish games. That's a third of the season...

[Ascf33]

Angel Berroa might be our starting 3B. How is this possible?

[ProudestAnt]

Angel Berroa might be our starting 3B. How is this possible?
God is great...

[Ascf33]

Cashman will have Chipper Jones in pinstripes by morning.

[Trippin4136]

Angel Berroa might be our starting 3B. How is this possible?

You expect the Yankees to have 30 HR sitting on the bench??

[Trippin4136]

As Joel Sherman eluded to in the Post, this hip surgery should not be taken lightly.

If he can't fully come back from this and his hip weakens and deteriorates over time, the Yankees, and A-Rod, are screwed because he will not be the same player.

[thehoss]

in other news, joba looked god-awful today in the first, did not record an out. control issues. fuck.

[hbktonyb]

Joba should be moved to the bullpen instantly.

Arod will be back in 6-8 weeks...look for a May 1 return, which will only have him missing about 30 games.

And Cashman will sign somebody to play 3B for a month or two. We'll be fine. Im' pissed though.

[ProudestAnt]

Joba should be moved to the bullpen instantly.

Arod will be back in 6-8 weeks...look for a May 1 return, which will only have him missing about 30 games.

And Cashman will sign somebody to play 3B for a month or two. We'll be fine. Im' pissed though.
What makes you say 6-8 weeks? He won't even be able to step outside for 2 weeks...

[milo420dmb]

yeah i am really not fretting over it right now... if the Yanks can shut people down with their pitching they should be able to make up for Arod's absence, short term...

I would be happy as hell to with a bunch of 1 run games.. Yanks don't need to score 10 runs a game this year to win (hopefully)

[Trippin4136]

in other news, joba looked god-awful today in the first, did not record an out. control issues. fuck.

Joba should be moved to the bullpen instantly.

Arod will be back in 6-8 weeks...look for a May 1 return, which will only have him missing about 30 games.

And Cashman will sign somebody to play 3B for a month or two. We'll be fine. Im' pissed though.

Can't freak out about a spring appearance on March 5.

[crashintome202]

i think grudz is still a free agent. i'd take him over anyone else available because he's cheap, a decent hitter and would make for a great utility guy after arod comes back.

[hbktonyb]

What makes you say 6-8 weeks? He won't even be able to step outside for 2 weeks...

www.si.com (http://www.si.com)

They say 6-8 weeks. I'm in for the more optimistic news.

Was kidding about Joba :p

[jmudmbphan]

is anyone really worried this injury may have some serious career implications for arod...or do you expect him to return to form?

[Trippin4136]

is anyone really worried this injury may have some serious career implications for arod...or do you expect him to return to form?

Personally, I'm not anticipating anything until he returns and shows he's healthy and back to full capacity.

[thestand]

BREAKING: CASHMAN-NO SURGERY FOR A-ROD

Yankees GM Brian Cashman just said Alex Rodriguez has a torn hip labrum and cyst.

They’re trying rest and rehab. The cyst was drained. The hope is he’ll keep playing.

More to come.

From Peter Abraham.

[jmudmbphan]

wowww....that would be fucking huge

where did u hear this?

[Trippin4136]

torn hip labrum???

yikes.

that is going to require surgery at some point.

[Sou1 So1di3r]

yankees are gonna flop once again

a-rod is out

CC's arm will fall off in the first week

[thestand]

Hey, remember when we tried rest/rehab with Jorge?

Good times.

[jmudmbphan]

yeah, ons econd thought...just get the surgery now and be done with it....this thing will linger and hell end up missing the last half of the season..

[crashintome202]

Hey, remember when we tried rest/rehab with Jorge?

Good times.
:lol arod will probably (hopefully) take it better than jorge since he's younger and not as worn down.

[Ascf33]

yeah i'd just get the surgery done now. Its not like TJ surgery or anything.

[hbktonyb]

Get the freakin surgery now...or else we'll hit June and he'll be out for the dog days. Dumb decision.

[jmudmbphan]

Yankees GM Brian Cashman just said Alex Rodriguez has a torn hip labrum and cyst.
They’re trying rest and rehab. The cyst was drained. The hope is he’ll keep playing.
More to come.
He’s out of the WBC.
UPDATE, 3:51 p.m.: Surgery, if needed, would knock him out four months.
The cyst was large and the hope was having it drained will lessen the stiffness Rodriguez felt.
They’re going to cut down on his time in spring training in the hopes he can get through the season.
This is a similar injury to what Mike Lowell had. Cashman refused to say what degree the tear was.
UPDATE, 4:07 p.m.: Cashman just said A-Rod will need the surgery at some point. The tear won’t just heal.
They’re hoping he can get through the season then have it. So this could be an issue all year.



ughhh....

[thebestauntie]

Yankees GM Brian Cashman just said Alex Rodriguez has a torn hip labrum and cyst.
They’re trying rest and rehab. The cyst was drained. The hope is he’ll keep playing.
More to come.
He’s out of the WBC.
UPDATE, 3:51 p.m.: Surgery, if needed, would knock him out four months.
The cyst was large and the hope was having it drained will lessen the stiffness Rodriguez felt.
They’re going to cut down on his time in spring training in the hopes he can get through the season.
This is a similar injury to what Mike Lowell had. Cashman refused to say what degree the tear was.
UPDATE, 4:07 p.m.: Cashman just said A-Rod will need the surgery at some point. The tear won’t just heal.
They’re hoping he can get through the season then have it. So this could be an issue all year.



ughhh....
That strategy worked out real well for Lowell at the end of the season last year. :rolleyes

[hbktonyb]

four month rehab if they opt to have it! :lorraine

[Ascf33]

goddammit

[DMBfan41]

Sure, don't have the surgery now. Then he could be hurting the entire year, get the surgery after the year, but by then, it could be even worse and affect the rest of his career.

Get the surgery now, stay out til May-June. And play strong when you come back. Guaranteed, the Yankees can win without A-Rod

[Trippin4136]

Sure, don't have the surgery now. Then he could be hurting the entire year, get the surgery after the year, but by then, it could be even worse and affect the rest of his career.

Get the surgery now, stay out til May-June. And play strong when you come back. Guaranteed, the Yankees can win without A-Rod

Not the World Series.

If he's out 3-4 months...their chances are DRAMATICALLY cut short

Ugh...a lost season for Derek Jeter down the stretch.

[hbktonyb]

I heard cashman on the FAN, sounds like they are going to do everything possible to hold the surgery until after 09, especially since he has no pain.

[jmudmbphan]

lets hope he can play through the nonpain/pain.

[chr35919]

bahaha

[jmudmbphan]

we still have the best pitching in the american league...and our offense is now probably on par with the red sox..especially if gardner plays the way he has been..i wouldnt laugh too hard.

[crashintonickdm]

so whats gonna happen when like may or june rolls around and he realizes he definately needs the surgery?

[thestand]

so whats gonna happen when like may or june rolls around and he realizes he definately needs the surgery?We trade for someone who can hit for league average and still have +offense and ++pitching

EDIT: To further this, one of the stats blogs this morning did statistical analysis when it still looked like Alex would be out for 10 weeks, and they found using PECOTA and CHONE that if we played Cody Ransom at 3rd for all of those games, it would cost the Yankees all of 1 win off of the projections.

[hbktonyb]

so whats gonna happen when like may or june rolls around and he realizes he definately needs the surgery?

He'll get the surgery and return for the ALDS

[crashintonickdm]

We trade for someone who can hit for league average and still have +offense and ++pitching

EDIT: To further this, one of the stats blogs this morning did statistical analysis when it still looked like Alex would be out for 10 weeks, and they found using PECOTA and CHONE that if we played Cody Ransom at 3rd for all of those games, it would cost the Yankees all of 1 win off of the projections.

oh im sure the yankees will be okay.

what im saying is, you put all this money into this clown and all he does is create issues. why didnt he get this taken care of back in say, september when they werent in the playoffs?

[thestand]

oh im sure the yankees will be okay.

what im saying is, you put all this money into this clown and all he does is create issues. why didnt he get this taken care of back in say, september when they werent in the playoffs?

Not only September: both the strength & conditioning coach and the hitting coach knew of tightness in his hip as early as July of last year. I put a lot of blame on Cashman/the rest of the front office for not doing anything before now. By the sound of it, it's not like A-Rod kept the tightness hidden.

[crashintonickdm]

Not only September: both the strength & conditioning coach and the hitting coach knew of tightness in his hip as early as July of last year. I put a lot of blame on Cashman/the rest of the front office for not doing anything before now. By the sound of it, it's not like A-Rod kept the tightness hidden.

he just needs to get this fixed ASAP IMO. like you said, the team probably wont hurt that much from it. but if it turns out that he needs to get this done midseason, he possibly will not be there for the playoffs, and you're definately going to need everything you have for that time because the red sox arent going away.

it just seems really irresponsible on his behalf, and you can say its cashmans fault too, but this ultimately falls on a-rod because it is his body and he knows he should be in perfect condition for the start of the season, especially since he knows the organizations has tons of money invested in him.

[Hanlon421]

he's had this pain since last year....yet theyw ait until a month before the season to get it looked at??? and now hes out 10 weeks...which puts him to be back after roughly 50 games....

perhaps those 50 games are actually a suspension he received..for testing positive at a later date, which mlb is now trying to keep under wraps to avoid bad publicity..

It just makes absolutely no sense for the yankees to have him examined by a specialist right NOW, if they knew about this dating back to last year...which they did.....

Mel Gibson, is that you? Conspiracy Theory II?

[Hanlon421]

we still have the best pitching in the american league...and our offense is now probably on par with the red sox..especially if gardner plays the way he has been..i wouldnt laugh too hard.

Some bold statements right there.

Top to bottom, the Sox have a better rotation, and deeper bullpen.

And offense, well I think I'd have to respectfully disagree there.

[thestand]

Top to bottom, the Sox have a better rotation, and deeper bullpen.

:lol Oh man. Awesome.

[DMBfan41]

Not the World Series.

If he's out 3-4 months...their chances are DRAMATICALLY cut short

Ugh...a lost season for Derek Jeter down the stretch.

If they can make the playoffs, they can make the world series. I expect Texeira to pick up the pace for missing A-Rod. Yankees will be fine. But, apparently, A-Rod is choosing to play, which, i'm no doctor, but i think its a stupid decision. He's gonna hurt himself even more

[thestand]

If A-Rod does need to go out, my #1 is Figgins. The idea is, if you're going to lose power, than having 3 guys like Figgins, Damon, and Gardner out there creates different ways to score runs.

[thestand]

The evidence just keeps piling on that this is almost 100% Cashman's fault for not protecting his "asset", as he called A-Rod.

Jack Curry and Tyler Kepner turned up some very alarming statements from the Yankee brass concerning the timing of A-Rod’s injury and the team’s knowledge about it.

Cashman said the Yankees discovered an irregularity in Rodriguez’s hip last May when he underwent a magnetic resonance imaging exam for a right quadriceps injury. By June or July, the hitting coach Kevin Long said he could notice subtle changes in Rodriguez’s hitting, notably in his right foot — the back one in his stance.

The foot was not pivoting fully, Long said, and as a result, Rodriguez could not completely turn his waist and clear his hips. This caused his bat to drag and prevented him from driving through the ball and generating maximum power.

“Speed-wise, to catch up to 95, 96 mile-an-hour pitches, you’ve basically got to get your hips through,” Long said. “It affects bat speed, power, balance. From a technical standpoint, it affects quite a few things. But he’s so gifted and so talented that he made due with what he had.”

Cashman goes on to defend the move not to give A-Rod an MRI last spring. Cashman claims that if you sent the entire team for MRIs, most of them would come back with problems due to wear and tear. That A-Rod felt no pain — but did adjust his approach at the plate — meant that the Yanks would not force their $300-million man into the MRI tube. “You don’t treat the M.R.I., you treat the patient,” Cashman said. “There was no pain and he was never having a problem with it. You talk with him about it, make him aware of it and off you go.”

----


Those among us who do not like Cashman are right to express outrage and incredulity at this latest revelation. The Yankees showed here an unwillingness to treat potential injuries with any sort of aggression or urgency. By letting A-Rod dictate the terms of his visits to the doctors, the Yankees are risking their investment and the team’s on-field success.

With this injury and the behind-the-scenes glimpse Kepner and Curry provided, the Yankees should use this experience as one from which they must learn. Injuries do not heal themselves, and Major League Baseball players never like to sit out. Someone has to protect the investment, and Brian Cashman and the Yankee coaches dropped the ball.

[rickyh24]

:lol :lol

[jmudmbphan]

Some bold statements right there.

Top to bottom, the Sox have a better rotation, and deeper bullpen.

And offense, well I think I'd have to respectfully disagree there.

well if you are looking at past stats, and 2009 projections, you most certainly do not have a better rotation..although time will tell.....we have a healthy bruney and still have the best closer in the game..

you have a bruised and battered ortiz, drew, and lowell...a shitty julio lugo...a mediocre ellsbury (compared to the hype surrounding him)...and jason bay... :lol okay.

[coyne]

I was listening to Michael Kay on the drive home last night. He was saying how the yanks are shit without him and will go .500 through the first 80 games. Therefore they should roll the dice and see if he can make it through the season a la utley this past year. If you make all these big off season signings, and are predicted to win the world series, how can losing arod significantly change from being sayyy 50-30 to 40-40. Granted now you have to pitch to Teixiera but if the Yanks cant pull out 2-1, 3-2 ball games this year with their rotation and bullpen, Yankee stadium will burn down.

[jmudmbphan]

as usual, everything in NY is overblown..imagine, if this lineup didnt have arod...never had arod...but still had the same pitching.

now imagine, this lineup didnt play for the yankees, but for the twins, or the orioles, or the astros.....

everyone would be saying they are a serious World series threat....but no, in ny, people say, they wont even go .500....

its ridiculous..

[Ascf33]

Top to bottom, the Sox have a better rotation, and deeper bullpen.

And offense, well I think I'd have to respectfully disagree there.

:ugh :ugh :lol :lol

UglyNakedGuy FTL

[ProudestAnt]

:ugh :ugh :lol :lol

UglyNakedGuy FTL
We have a better bullpen, but no way do we have a better rotation...

[Ascf33]

I think this year could be very different for the Yankees pen.

Pending our starters can make it through the 6th inning, Veras/Ramirez/Bruney -> Marte -> Rivera can be very effective.


EDIT: I was just thinking back... is there anything better then Nelson -> Rivera -> Wetteland?

[ProudestAnt]

I think year could be very different for the Yankees pen.

Pending our starters can make it through the 6th inning, Veras/Ramirez/Bruney -> Marte -> Rivera can be very effective.
Right, but when compared to Masterson/Delcarmen/Smoltz/Buccholz/Okie -> Saito -> Paps?

[Ascf33]

Looking at it now, before the season has begun... you gotta give it to the Sox. But i think once we get going, they will prove to be equally effective.

[jmudmbphan]

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3957971


Looks like the hip specialist who saw Arod says there is a 75-80% chance that he can get through the season without the condition worsening...Thats good news.

[thestand]

From what I've pieced together from different articles, it sounds like the tear, while serious and something that needs to be taken care of, is in a state that is not going to fall apart from a season, like some other similar injuries have. So I'm cautiously optimistic.

[coyne]

I just got my draft pick for fantasy...4th!!!! What if arod falls to me!?!?

[mr. testaverde]

EDIT: I was just thinking back... is there anything better then Nelson -> Rivera -> Wetteland?

no, no theres not. games were 6 innings long back in those days. sigh...

[ProudestAnt]

I just got my draft pick for fantasy...4th!!!! What if arod falls to me!?!?
He's falling rather far in most drafts from what I've seen. To take him in the 1st round would be foolish...

[hbktonyb]

One thing I think the Yankees will do, IF he could make it through the season, is rest him more than he usually rests.

[Crush086]

Right, but when compared to Masterson/Delcarmen/Smoltz/Buccholz/Okie -> Saito -> Paps?
I'd take the Yanks over the Sox, even if I wasn't a fan.

[ProudestAnt]

I'd take the Yanks over the Sox, even if I wasn't a fan.
I refuse to believe you're serious...

[pathetic]

I'd take the Yanks over the Sox, even if I wasn't a fan.

hmmm....sox might have the best bullpen depth in baseball, i find this hard to believe

[Crush086]

I refuse to believe you're serious...
Wait, are we talking just relief, or are we talking pitching as a whole?

[ProudestAnt]

Wait, are we talking just relief, or are we talking pitching as a whole?
Bullpen...

[crashintonickdm]

hes gonna regret not getting this surgery right now.

i guarentee by midseason, he's gonna have no choice and then he'll be out for the playoffs, if they even get there.

[hbktonyb]

hes gonna regret not getting this surgery right now.

i guarentee by midseason, he's gonna have no choice and then he'll be out for the playoffs, if they even get there.

How can you guarantee that when the doc said there is an 80% chance he WILL make it through the season without it?

[s0628711]

hes gonna regret not getting this surgery right now.

i guarentee by midseason, he's gonna have no choice and then he'll be out for the playoffs, if they even get there.
As a Phillies fan, you should know that what you're saying probably isn't true.

If I were the Yankees, I'd opt to avoid surgery til after the season. Play A-Rod ~100 games at 3B, try and find him about thirty DH days, then rest him for the other 30 or so. If you can imagine it this way, it'd be like when Shaq wouldn't play ALL the time because his team knew they would be in the playoffs, thus saving him for the stretch run.

[ajgdrums7814]

hes gonna regret not getting this surgery right now.

i guarentee by midseason, he's gonna have no choice and then he'll be out for the playoffs, if they even get there.

Are you a doctor?

I'm not saying that won't happen, but the doctors say 80% likelihood he won't worsen. So what are you basing this on?

[crashintome202]

so if arod plays through it, is he going to miss any time or be ready for the start of the season?

[malarks26]

Tex looks good today so far, both offensively and defensively.

[thestand]

A-Rod looking at the "hybrid option".

NYT:

Under what is being called the hybrid option, Rodriguez would have a modest surgery that would repair the labrum and would keep him off the field for only about a month, the person said. The repair would allow him to play from one to three years. Eventually he would need a more invasive surgery.

[hbktonyb]

6-9 weeks is not that bad...hopefully he only misses April.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3961898

[malarks26]

6-9 weeks is not that bad...hopefully he only misses April.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3961898

I think he made the right decision. At least this way, he gets the injury taken care of and can be back by at the latest the All-Star break and will be ready to go for the playoff push.

[hbktonyb]

I think so too, but all star break? He'll be back at the latest mid-may. And knowing him with his superhuman (drug induced?) body, even earlier.

[thestand]

Yeah, this will have him back in the 30-40 game range.

[malarks26]

Yeah, this will have him back in the 30-40 game range.

I think so too, but all star break? He'll be back at the latest mid-may. And knowing him with his superhuman (drug induced?) body, even earlier.


They say he'll be back in 6-9 weeks, but it all depends on how the surgery goes and how his rehab/recovery goes as well. Hopefully he's back by mid May, but you never know.

[thestand]

The other surgery would have him back around the all-star break. The reason they're not doing that is to have him back ASAP. That's why I'm saying 30-40 games. If they were to expect him back around the all-star break, they would just do the whole surgery.

[malarks26]

Lets just hope they dont find anything else wrong once they go in.

[thestand]

Right, trust me, you/we have every right to be cautious and pessimistic about this. But the thing is, they already know and are purposely leaving things undone, to take care of next offseason. A-Rod is going to have bone rubbing against bone all year, and they know that. Unless they find like, a bullet in there, everything but the labrum itself is going to wait until the offseason. The only variable is how his body reacts to it, and how long it takes him to heal. He's always been durable, so I personally think he'll be back by May 5th.

[chr35919]

Right, trust me, you/we have every right to be cautious and pessimistic about this. But the thing is, they already know and are purposely leaving things undone, to take care of next offseason. A-Rod is going to have bone rubbing against bone all year, and they know that. Unless they find like, a bullet in there, everything but the labrum itself is going to wait until the offseason. The only variable is how his body reacts to it, and how long it takes him to heal. He's always been durable, so I personally think he'll be back by May 5th.time for HGH?

[Ascf33]

time for HGH?

Time to write better jokes?

[thestand]

A-Rod surgery successful, on course for 6-9 weeks. He will actually be on an exercise bike tonight, and will start swinging later this week, before getting into muscle memory drills.

[malarks26]

A-Rod surgery successful, on course for 6-9 weeks. He will actually be on an exercise bike tonight, and will start swinging later this week, before getting into muscle memory drills.

Just read this as well, good to hear. Hopefully the rehab goes well and he doesn't have any setbacks over the next 6-9 weeks.

[hbktonyb]

Andy - Special year

http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090309&content_id=3953792&vkey=news_nyy&fext=.jsp&c_id=nyy

[thestand]

I was just thinking about it, but if we do well this year, we have one person to thank: Johnny Damon. We already knew how him and Jeter talked to CC before he signed, and we know he really, really lobbied Cashman for Burnett. And now it turns out that Burnett lobbied for Pettitte to come back, so all 3 free agent pitchers are due in part to Damon. :lol

[hbktonyb]

I think Damon was a very good pickup...he is great for that clubhouse. I also love how he deals w/ the media every day...if you watch the postgame, damon speaks about the game every day.

[hbktonyb]

Arod gets hurt and the Yankee thread gets quiet....

[chr35919]

won't be back in 9 weeks, imo.

even if he is, how effective will he be?

[thestand]

won't be back in 9 weeks, imo.

:lol You know that doctors have actually moved up their expectations, given the information on the surgery, right? The low end of the range is expected at this point. But I'm glad you have your own educated opinion on it.

[jmudmbphan]

won't be back in 9 weeks, imo.

even if he is, how effective will he be?


your opinion is wishful thinking, imo.

[ShotGunBlast]

Very impressed with Burnett's start yesterday against the Astros. 4 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, 0 BB. I know it's only spring training and if we're not concerned with CC's start we shouldn't be excited about AJ's, but i just thought he did a great job of locating his fastball and getting his curve over for a strike. If he stay's healthy I can see him winning 18 very easily.

[hbktonyb]

Very impressed with Burnett's start yesterday against the Astros. 4 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, 0 BB. I know it's only spring training and if we're not concerned with CC's start we shouldn't be excited about AJ's, but i just thought he did a great job of locating his fastball and getting his curve over for a strike. If he stay's healthy I can see him winning 18 very easily.

Hope so :thumbsup

[milo420dmb]

Cano (inflammation) and Marte (tendinitis) are scheduled for MRI's on their shoulders. hopefully it's just precautionary and nothin serious.

[thestand]

Anyone else feel really, really good about the prospects of Marte/Bruney/Mo this year? If those guys continue to pitch how they have this spring/last year, it could really be the first shutdown 7/8/9 in awhile.

[hbktonyb]

Anyone else feel really, really good about the prospects of Marte/Bruney/Mo this year? If those guys continue to pitch how they have this spring/last year, it could really be the first shutdown 7/8/9 in awhile.

Yes, I really like that three-headed monster. I would like it even better if it was Marte/Joba/Mo, but that's a different story.

[Crush086]

Anyone else feel really, really good about the prospects of Marte/Bruney/Mo this year? If those guys continue to pitch how they have this spring/last year, it could really be the first shutdown 7/8/9 in awhile.
:thumbsup

Can't wait for opening day...

[Ascf33]

Anyone else feel really, really good about the prospects of Marte/Bruney/Mo this year? If those guys continue to pitch how they have this spring/last year, it could really be the first shutdown 7/8/9 in awhile.

:thumbsup
It's got the Nelson/Rivera/Wetteland feel to it.

[hbktonyb]

Cano and Marte news came back positive.

[stayorleave83]

The Post is basically writing Matsui off into the sunset today. Does anyone else think the signings this year are going to be it for a while and the team will attempt to address other concerns through the farm system and minor trades? I don't think they can go out and acquire anyone else in the next couple of years that would push them over the top. That's why they went crazy spending this year (aside from having the money to work with).

[Crush086]

The Post is basically writing Matsui off into the sunset today. Does anyone else think the signings this year are going to be it for a while and the team will attempt to address other concerns through the farm system and minor trades? I don't think they can go out and acquire anyone else in the next couple of years that would push them over the top. That's why they went crazy spending this year (aside from having the money to work with).
I would hope so. I think outside of maybe an OF and perhaps C (if Jorge doesn't have it anymore after the surgery), that'd be the only need to replace. But if we can keep a good defensive Catcher (Jose Molina ain't no spring chicken himself), I think we can put defense over offense on that position.

I'm not sure though, I haven't kept up with much recently, so I don't even know if Molina is still a Yankee, and how the OF really looks...

[dmbmuskie]

http://men.style.com/details/features/landing?id=content_8397

[Trippin4136]

The Post is basically writing Matsui off into the sunset today. Does anyone else think the signings this year are going to be it for a while and the team will attempt to address other concerns through the farm system and minor trades? I don't think they can go out and acquire anyone else in the next couple of years that would push them over the top. That's why they went crazy spending this year (aside from having the money to work with).

The Yankees will absolutely try to address shortcomings in-house over the next few years. The roadmap has always pointed to 2009-2012 given the talent that's on its way up.

Now, they may have to go shopping in the outfield, but I think they'll try to hold on to Nady for a few years (if he produces) while Austin Jackson will take over an every day spot (possibly left field if Gardner shows he can really hit at this level) or they will pursue one big outfield bat.

The infield is locked up anyway, but what they do with Jeter will obviously be the bug in the ointment during that time period.

Posada's replacement is 100% coming from the farm. Between Montero and Austin Romine, one of them will be the next Yankee catcher come the end of Jorge's contract if not before.

[thestand]

I still say, with Matsui/Damon/Nady going away after this year, we'll probably be looking at Holliday, depending on how he does outside of the friendly confines of Colorado.

[crashintome202]

I still say, with Matsui/Damon/Nady going away after this year, we'll probably be looking at Holliday, depending on how he does outside of the friendly confines of Colorado.
if oakland tanks they'll move him at the deadline to a team who will lock him up. i think the A's will contend in the west but ya never know. if nady plays well, you have to lock him up and bringing in him or bay (praying boston doesnt get a deal done) are good moves.

[ajgdrums7814]

Jeter is the issue. His bat is only valuable at 3 positions. He can't play shortstop anymore (well, he never really could) and Cano has 2B blocked. The only option for him is CF. So assuming the Yankees are able to move him there, that leaves Jackson in a corner outfield spot and Nady/Swisher/etc. or whoever they retain in the other spot or DH.

Then again, they said they won't deal with Jeter until after his contract, which expires after 2010 if I'm not mistaken. So we're still 2 years off.

[hbktonyb]

I think Jeter gets a lot of unnecessary criticism of his defense. He is not the best SS I've ever seen, but I think he is pretty solid...just lacks on his range a little. I could see him playing SS for 2 more years, then moving when his contract his up. By that time, who knows what will happen w/ Cano, the OF, etc...Maybe Jeter can even move to 1B

[Trippin4136]

I think Jeter gets a lot of unnecessary criticism of his defense. He is not the best SS I've ever seen, but I think he is pretty solid...just lacks on his range a little. I could see him playing SS for 2 more years, then moving when his contract his up. By that time, who knows what will happen w/ Cano, the OF, etc...Maybe Jeter can even move to 1B

Jeter move to first as the Yankees move a Gold Glove first baseman...where??

I agree that his defense gets a little too much unnecessary criticism, but come on, if you're watching the WBC game, that was a groundball he's got to AT LEAST knock down.

[thestand]

CC's line: 4.0 1 1 1 1 7 0
Mo's: 1.0 0 0 0 0 2 0
Edwar's: 1.0 0 0 0 0 1 0

Promising game, from that standpoint.

[crashintome202]

how's jeter going to move to first when we have tex locked up?

cc struck out 7. nice!

[thestand]

Right, that's the problem with Jeter, is that the reason he doesn't make errors is he doesn't have the range to even get there. However, our whole team has been an issue. Here's the 2008 team. The first number is the number of runs saved, the second is the player's rank in the majors.

Jason Giambi 1B -13 34
Robinson Cano 2B -13 35
Derek Jeter SS -8 31
Alex Rodriguez 3B 1 17
Johnny Damon LF 4 9
Melky Cabrera CF 2 14
Brett Gardner CF 4 NA
Bobby Abreu RF -12 34
Xavier Nady (2 tms) RF -2 22
Jorge Posada C -18 NA
Jose Molina C 31 2

Tex is +17, so that's a 30 run swing right there. Damon will hopefully have a full and healthy season in left, Gardner hopefully a full season in center, and Nady averages +10 in right, replacing -12 Abreu. So we've helped ourselves a lot. The middle infield, on the other hand, is still a problem.

[thestand]

And this copied directly from Pinstriped Bible, about DEF.

Not making errors is part of having a good defense, but a bigger part is simply how many balls in play a team turns into outs. If the pitcher doesn't strike out the batter or give up a home run, and the batter puts the ball between the lines, what happens next? For most of this century, the Yankees have not been very good at collecting those pesky grounders and flies. Commonly referred to as defensive efficiency (DEF), this is the most basic aspect of defense and also the one that, if improved, can yield the most dramatic results: in 2007, the Rays ranked dead last in the majors in turning balls in play into outs. They shuffled some players around and jumped to first in the majors--you know what happened next. In 2008, the Yankees were 25th in the majors; in 2007 they ranked 13th; in 2006 it was 8th; in 2005 it was 22nd; in 2004 it was 20th; in 2003 they ranked 28th; in 2002, 23rd; in 2001, 25th; in 2000 they ranked 13th.

And that leaves me with these questions: if the Yankees defense has been so good, why are so many balls finding holes? If Derek Jeter is such a great shortstop, why don't the balls he gets to show up in the numbers? It can't be all balls over Bobby Abreu's head--the responsibility has to be shared out, to varying extents, around the diamond.

[ajgdrums7814]

I think Jeter gets a lot of unnecessary criticism of his defense. He is not the best SS I've ever seen, but I think he is pretty solid...just lacks on his range a little. I could see him playing SS for 2 more years, then moving when his contract his up. By that time, who knows what will happen w/ Cano, the OF, etc...Maybe Jeter can even move to 1B

Jeter sucks and has sucked pretty much his whole career. At his very best, he's been a league average defensive SS. He should have moved when A-Rod came over, but he didn't want to.

Not only is Teixeira at 1B, but Jeter's bat takes a massive hit at 1B. He doesn't have positive value there. You can find some mediocre 1B who will put up offensive numbers equal or better than Jeter. The value of Jeter's bat is that it comes at a historically weak offensive position. Jeter only has good offensive value in a position like this. Those positions are C, 2B, SS and CF. As long as Cano is around, 3 of those positions are not viable. CF is the only real solution if you want to keep him in pinstripes.

[yankees26mlb]

btw guys....our stadiums just about finished.

[Trippin4136]

Jeter sucks and has sucked pretty much his whole career. At his very best, he's been a league average defensive SS. He should have moved when A-Rod came over, but he didn't want to.

Not only is Teixeira at 1B, but Jeter's bat takes a massive hit at 1B. He doesn't have positive value there. You can find some mediocre 1B who will put up offensive numbers equal or better than Jeter. The value of Jeter's bat is that it comes at a historically weak offensive position. Jeter only has good offensive value in a position like this. Those positions are C, 2B, SS and CF. As long as Cano is around, 3 of those positions are not viable. CF is the only real solution if you want to keep him in pinstripes.

That may be, but switching to CF at age 36 or 37 is easier said than done.

[Trippin4136]

btw guys....our stadiums just about finished.

And they haven't take one brick down of the old stadium and it doesn't appear to be happening any time soon.

My father's engineering firm has a big role with taking down the stadium and he told me that the city simply lacks funds to take it down. The original plan was for it to be a memory by Opening Day (like Shea), but such is not the case.

[thestand]

Ugh, Jeter now stays away from camp longer.

[ajgdrums7814]

That may be, but switching to CF at age 36 or 37 is easier said than done.

The smart money is to let him walk. But we know that isn't happening. He can't be much worse in CF than he is on SS. He still has speed, and his bad range will probably be less noticeable in the OF where he can use speed to make up for it.

[spoot388]

btw guys....our stadiums just about finished.


i just had to go to La Guardia last night to pick up a friend and we drove right by the stadiums. it was really cool to see them lit up next to each other. the new stadium needs some more external lights around the top like the old one has. you can barely see it at night.

[hbktonyb]

The Yanks are fucking me w/ these tickets. They told me there are no weekend games yet, and there is only a small possibility that weekday games will be left. How the fuck is that possible?? I find it hard to believe that all of those tickets sold out. They are still selling seats btwn the bases for christ sakes!

[hbktonyb]

Told you guys:

If Mariano Rivera's health falters and he is unable to close, the likelihood is Joba Chamberlain would be switched into the role, multiple Yankees officials told The Post. Rivera took a convincing step toward demonstrating full health - and keeping Joba where he is - last night when he made his first outing since Oct. 7 shoulder surgery a 1-2-3 surgery session. His fastball was in the low 90s, the cut was not midseason spectacular, but his precision was unreal, especially considering the layoff.

www.si.com (http://www.si.com)

[pathetic]

The Yanks are fucking me w/ these tickets. They told me there are no weekend games yet, and there is only a small possibility that weekday games will be left. How the fuck is that possible?? I find it hard to believe that all of those tickets sold out. They are still selling seats btwn the bases for christ sakes!

they hold some for b4 game sales

[hbktonyb]

they hold some for b4 game sales

I know but they should service existing season ticket holders first.

[pathetic]

I know but they should service existing season ticket holders first.

oh, didnt know u were a season ticket holder. u try calling?

new seas tix holder or longtime?

[hbktonyb]

Yeah i did, since i only have 2 years seniority, I'm on the bottom of the list. So I ask them "but you just posted something that tickets are going on sale to the public. why wouldn't I be first as a 2 year season ticket holder". Their response: "This is how we decided to do it, but we will call you in a week to let you know if there are any games left".

fuck YOU President Randy Levine.

[hbktonyb]

Jeter sucks and has sucked pretty much his whole career. At his very best, he's been a league average defensive SS. He should have moved when A-Rod came over, but he didn't want to.

Not only is Teixeira at 1B, but Jeter's bat takes a massive hit at 1B. He doesn't have positive value there. You can find some mediocre 1B who will put up offensive numbers equal or better than Jeter. The value of Jeter's bat is that it comes at a historically weak offensive position. Jeter only has good offensive value in a position like this. Those positions are C, 2B, SS and CF. As long as Cano is around, 3 of those positions are not viable. CF is the only real solution if you want to keep him in pinstripes.

He hasn't sucked at all. he's a solid SS that makes the routine plays, is great in the hold, but lacks range. Tex is locked up, I guess there is nowhere really to move him. The outfield will probably be where he ends up, maybe left.

[ajgdrums7814]

He hasn't sucked at all. he's a solid SS that makes the routine plays, is great in the hold, but lacks range. Tex is locked up, I guess there is nowhere really to move him. The outfield will probably be where he ends up, maybe left.

The numbers clearly show that Jeter is a sub-par defender and pretty much always has been. At his best he's middle of the pack and at worst he's among the worst in the league.

His range is garbage compared to his peers. The Yankees should have put A-Rod on short when he came over. I blame Jeter for that. I love the guy, but sometimes I really have to call people into question when they say he's a great leader.

[Trippin4136]

The numbers clearly show that Jeter is a sub-par defender and pretty much always has been. At his best he's middle of the pack and at worst he's among the worst in the league.

His range is garbage compared to his peers. The Yankees should have put A-Rod on short when he came over. I blame Jeter for that. I love the guy, but sometimes I really have to call people into question when they say he's a great leader.

Athletes and organizations have pride. Jeter was there long before A-Rod. Are you really that surprised he wanted to stay at shortstop? Or that the organization wanted to keep him there? The Yankees were due a huge PR hit if they bumped Jeter off shortstop when A-Rod arrived.

And from a physical standpoint, A-Rod's size, arm strength and production are more valuable at the corner right now than SS anyways.

Sure, you had guys like Wade Boggs in the 80s and even Brosius during the dynasty (save 1998), but how many contenders nowadays have corner infielders than slug as low as Jeter does? Not many.

[pathetic]

The numbers clearly show that Jeter is a sub-par defender and pretty much always has been. At his best he's middle of the pack and at worst he's among the worst in the league.

His range is garbage compared to his peers. The Yankees should have put A-Rod on short when he came over. I blame Jeter for that. I love the guy, but sometimes I really have to call people into question when they say he's a great leader.

agree with everything except for the bolded...Jeter has been and always will be a GREAT leader

[Trippin4136]

agree with everything except for the bolded...Jeter has been and always will be a GREAT leader

I really don't get what Yankee fans want from him as far as this knock of him not being a "good" or even "great" leader.

Because he didn't back up Giambi's steroid use? Because he generally keeps away from commenting on steroids except with A-Rod when it was SO monumental he had no choice? That's his sin?

What does he do wrong? He:

1) Has kept his nose clean for 13-14 years in New York.
2) Has never been in legal trouble
3) Never been linked to steroids
4) Does charitable things up the wazoo
5) Is willing to play hurt all the time and is only forced out of the lineup by managers
6) Makes no excuses for poor play
7) Works with minor leaguers
8) Doesn't avoid the media

What exactly does he not fulfill?

[ajgdrums7814]

Athletes and organizations have pride. Jeter was there long before A-Rod. Are you really that surprised he wanted to stay at shortstop? Or that the organization wanted to keep him there? The Yankees were due a huge PR hit if they bumped Jeter off shortstop when A-Rod arrived.

And from a physical standpoint, A-Rod's size, arm strength and production are more valuable at the corner right now than SS anyways.

Sure, you had guys like Wade Boggs in the 80s and even Brosius during the dynasty (save 1998), but how many contenders nowadays have corner infielders than slug as low as Jeter does? Not many.

Am I surprised that Jeter wanted to stay? No.

And I don't really have a problem with him wanting to stay, because I don't think many people in his position would have voluntarily moved. It was his position and he had bad blood with A-Rod.

BUT, you can't then call Jeter a great leader. A great leader puts the team before his personal pride. The team would have been much better off with A-Rod at SS than Jeter. This was no secret. Alex was one of, if not the, best defensive SS in the game when he came over.

In terms of offensive production...first of all, you're incorrect that 3B is a offensive position. Sure, it has gotten more offensive in recent years, but it is no 1B or corner outfield. Jeter would be fine there. The Yankees also could have moved Jeter to 2B instead of 3B if they really wanted to.

Secondly, you still have Jeter and Rodriguez in your lineup, so what the hell is the difference? The potential offensive "loss" you have at 3B with Jeter is more than made up for by having A-Rod's production coming from SS. How many shortstops in baseball put up the numbers A-Rod did? Answer: zero.

Offense is not the issue. You're not gaining or losing any offense. This is about defensive alignment. You have Jeter batting 2 and A-Rod batting 4 no matter what. The best defensive alignment is with A-Rod on SS and Jeter not.

[ProudestAnt]

If they would have moved Jeter to 2nd, I have no doubt in my mind the Yanks would have an infield of Miggy, A-Rod, Jeter and Tex going into this season...

[ajgdrums7814]

I really don't get what Yankee fans want from him as far as this knock of him not being a "good" or even "great" leader.

Because he didn't back up Giambi's steroid use? Because he generally keeps away from commenting on steroids except with A-Rod when it was SO monumental he had no choice? That's his sin?

What does he do wrong? He:

1) Has kept his nose clean for 13-14 years in New York.
2) Has never been in legal trouble
3) Never been linked to steroids
4) Does charitable things up the wazoo
5) Is willing to play hurt all the time and is only forced out of the lineup by managers
6) Makes no excuses for poor play
7) Works with minor leaguers
8) Doesn't avoid the media

What exactly does he not fulfill?

He did go to bat for Giambi. He didn't go to bat for A-Rod, that's something he's been criticized for. And as I said, he didn't move when A-Rod came over. He could have put his pride and relationship with A-Rod aside and gave up his position for the good of the team. He didn't do that.

Again, I'm not mad at him. But I'm going to wax poetic about how he's such a great Captain either. He's been great. All those things you listed are great. I'm not complaining about him. I'm just not going to offer him praise that IMO, he doesn't necessarily deserve.

[Trippin4136]

I understand your side of the argument, but third base is a HUGE production position nowadays. Corner infield and corner outfield are synonymous within player development now, especially in the American League.

While A-Rod's production at shortstop would be one of a kind, from a production standpoint (the Yankees notwithstanding/in general), a team is still far better off with a 3B producing more than a SS.

As for Jeter's "lacking leadership" resulting from not moving positions for A-Rod, it seems you have little sense of athletic pride these guys carry and the historical value placed upon being "the shortstop of the Yankees" or "the centerfielder for the Yankees" and Jeter's desire to hold onto that, IMO, being classified as some mortal sin of captaincy or leadership is pretty laughable.

[Trippin4136]

If they would have moved Jeter to 2nd, I have no doubt in my mind the Yanks would have an infield of Miggy, A-Rod, Jeter and Tex going into this season...

And they would have done what with Cano?

[ProudestAnt]

And they would have done what with Cano?
Traded him for Miggy...

[pathetic]

And they would have done what with Cano?

if they had miggy, arod, jeter and tex then they prob wouldnt have the pitching they have (cc and aj) so they'd prob trade cano for some pitching

[Trippin4136]

Traded him for Miggy...

Tejada?? :lol

[pathetic]

Tejada?? :lol

:lol :lol

[ajgdrums7814]

I understand your side of the argument, but third base is a HUGE production position nowadays. Corner infield and corner outfield are synonymous within player development now, especially in the American League.

While A-Rod's production at shortstop would be one of a kind, from a production standpoint (the Yankees notwithstanding/in general), a team is still far better off with a 3B producing more than a SS.

As for Jeter's "lacking leadership" resulting from not moving positions for A-Rod, it seems you have little sense of athletic pride these guys carry and the historical value placed upon being "the shortstop of the Yankees" or "the centerfielder for the Yankees"/

Jeter has an .845 career OPS. That's fine production from a 3B. Better than at least half the league.

And again, what does it matter? Once you have A-Rod and Jeter in your lineup, it doesn't matter where they play in the field. It's not as if their offensive production changes with where their defensive position is. Their numbers are the same whether they are playing 3B or SS.


Pride and historical value are well and good. But my definition of a great leader is one who puts the team's success ahead of his own. And justifying the weakening of the team with pride just doesn't do it for me. Sorry. Again, I'm not angry with him. I just won't be referring to him as a spectacular leader.

[Lcsulla]

A while back people had asked whether the photos from the last game at the Stadium were available for purchase. Just an FYI they are for sale at Steiner, both stock photos and signed versions. The signed ones are a bit pricey at the steiner site but if you check e-bay you can get them for less. For example I got the Jeter one for $249 but had i purchased it from Steiner it would have been $599. Anyhow, if anyone is still looking you can get them all now.

PS.... dealing with Steiner customer service is awful. I would not recommend them if it can be avoided. They are morons.

[Trippin4136]

Thanks Jamie.

I was specifically looking for the shot of Jeter/Mo/Andy/Posada that they took after the last game. I haven't found it on Steiner yet.


Side note: Who on earth is spending $150 for Ruben Sierra's road uni pants?? :lol

[thehoss]

I really don't get what Yankee fans want from him as far as this knock of him not being a "good" or even "great" leader.

Because he didn't back up Giambi's steroid use? Because he generally keeps away from commenting on steroids except with A-Rod when it was SO monumental he had no choice? That's his sin?

What does he do wrong? He:

1) Has kept his nose clean for 13-14 years in New York.
2) Has never been in legal trouble
3) Never been linked to steroids
4) Does charitable things up the wazoo
5) Is willing to play hurt all the time and is only forced out of the lineup by managers
6) Makes no excuses for poor play
7) Works with minor leaguers
8) Doesn't avoid the media
9)EDIT: That fucking play during game 4 of the 01 division series in oakland.
What exactly does he not fulfill?


fixed

[crashintome202]

The Yanks are fucking me w/ these tickets. They told me there are no weekend games yet, and there is only a small possibility that weekday games will be left. How the fuck is that possible?? I find it hard to believe that all of those tickets sold out. They are still selling seats btwn the bases for christ sakes!
i was lucky to get my saturday game pack back. we were rejected for it at first but made it through the pool. the whole system is fucked beyond believe and so many people have been screwed.

[jmudmbphan]

when are single game tix going on sale?

[hbktonyb]

i was lucky to get my saturday game pack back. we were rejected for it at first but made it through the pool. the whole system is fucked beyond believe and so many people have been screwed.

Wow thats pretty sweet.

Single game tix go on sale for me tomorrow, I guess I'll just try and get a bunch of games if possible.

[Trippin4136]

when are single game tix going on sale?

This Tuesday at 10 AM - announcement went out this morning

[Ascf33]

I'm trying to have my bachelor party there this year. I just got off teh phone with the lady. The cheapest luxury box with 15 people max.... $10,167 PLUS the cost of food and beer.

My entire wedding budget is $13,000.

FML

[Trippin4136]

:lol Just go to AC like the rest of us

As far as tickets, I'm just looking on stubhub for cheaper good seats (relatively, anything under $90 per seat). Ticketmaster is going to put you in the boonies and I realize with the new Stadium, since I'm not a ticket plan holder, I might as well just spend a little more if I'm only going to 2 or 3 games a season.

[HoldemHart]

I'm trying to have my bachelor party there this year. I just got off teh phone with the lady. The cheapest luxury box with 15 people max.... $10,167 PLUS the cost of food and beer.

My entire wedding budget is $13,000.

FML

:eek Do you guys get to DH for that price?

[Trippin4136]

:eek Do you guys get to DH for that price?

Or at least bukkake Suzyn Waldman??

[Ascf33]

:lol

For $11,000+.... i better get more AB then Cody Ransom.

[hbktonyb]

So the pre-sale happened today for me. I picked up tickets for 5 games in the grandstand and terrace level....and I got them for $5 bucks for 3 of the 5 games!! is that even possible?

[crashintome202]

tried getting opening day tickets this morning and all that were available were a pair in the 3rd base field box priced at over $1000 each.

[chr35919]

http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/29823664/

[mja271]

lol Jesus Christ. Things keep getting better for A-Rod.

[DavefaninNZ]

Why the hell would Arod need to pay for sex? I don't understand this one.

[crashintome202]

Why the hell would Arod need to pay for sex? I don't understand this one.
to do things only a hooker would do :lol

[mr. testaverde]

anyone get tix today? i've been in the ticketmaster waiting room for a bit, waiting on yanks/tigers tickets.

[Ascf33]

22 min wait when i tried.

[hbktonyb]

They were completely sold out during the pre-sale on Friday. I doubt anything is left (besides those "seats btwn the bases").

[Crush086]

They were completely sold out during the pre-sale on Friday. I doubt anything is left (besides those "seats btwn the bases").
Did your "e" key suddenly stop working?

[hbktonyb]

Did your "e" key suddenly stop working?

Ys unfortunatly it did stop working. can't wait for th first yank gam

[crashintome202]

i should have some games for sale throughout the course of the season. i doubt i'll go to some if any of the night games that come in our plan and usually theres a couple i can't make on the weekend

[thestand]

So after Jackson's huge grand slam tonight, what do we think Sterling is going to go with when this guy finally comes up? My money is on either "Austin jacks one!", though maybe Sterling is super internet savvy and thinks saying "JacksOWNED!" will win him points.

[Ascf33]

Jorge JUICED ONE!

[milo420dmb]

How come every time I read something about Melky reports say he is 'out of options'. One report says if he isn't on the opening day roster, he could be come a free agent.
they can't send him down to the minors?

"Cabrera is out of options and could become a free agent if not on the Opening Day roster." - NY Post (taken from prosportsdaily)

[thestand]

Yes, he is out of options, because the number of times he's been moved up and down. Sending him down to AAA would open him up to the waivers market, I'm pretty sure.

[hbktonyb]

Good, ship him off. worthless

[milo420dmb]

Yes, he is out of options, because the number of times he's been moved up and down. Sending him down to AAA would open him up to the waivers market, I'm pretty sure.

ahh, no kidding.. I guess I didn't realize there was a limit as to how many times you can be called up and sent down...

[Ascf33]

ahh, no kidding.. I guess I didn't realize there was a limit as to how many times you can be called up and sent down...

Yeah he's signed to a major league contract so there are limits.

[milo420dmb]

^ gotcha, makes sense

[Crush086]

Isn't this gold. John Cena, the wrestler and actor who has the same plot lines in his movies, is saying A-Rod needs to go to jail for steroid use.

http://www.nydailynews.com/gossip/2009/03/25/2009-03-25_smack_steroid_user_alex_rodriguez_in_jai.html

Funny thing is, one of the most popular wrestlers out there now, Randy Orton, has been accused of steroid use (it was in some article a couple of years back). He was accused of taking around 5 or 6 steroids (WWE's excuse for not punishing him was that it was before they implemented their Wellness Policy; sound familiar??). If you look at pictures of him now and when he started in the WWE, you can see a huge difference. Now, I'm not saying that should be proof enough (see how far it gets in baseball?), but the hypocrisy is ridiculous.

[hbktonyb]

Whatever...Cena is a sox fan.

[ajgdrums7814]

Whatever...Cena is a sox fan.

Also a douchebag.

[thestand]

Please let this Jeter hitting leadoff stick. One of the better moves they could make.

[crashintome202]

Please let this Jeter hitting leadoff stick. One of the better moves they could make.
New York Newsday reports that Derek Jeter will bat leadoff for the Yankees this season, with Johnny Damon hitting second.

Jeter has hit atop the order plenty during his career, but has been primarily a No. 2 hitter, including hitting there in 134 of his 149 starts last season. Manager Joe Girardi explained the switch by saying that he's been impressed with how Damon has looked in the No. 2 hole this spring. Newsday speculates that the changes signal that Brett Gardner will beat out Melky Cabrera for the center field job, because by moving Jeter to leadoff the Yankees would avoid having back-to-back lefties in Gardner and Damon.

per rotoworld

good move imo. no more back to back lefties, jeter hit into too many DP's last year and damon hits into less, jeter is better leading off an inning than damon too.

[hbktonyb]

New York Newsday reports that Derek Jeter will bat leadoff for the Yankees this season, with Johnny Damon hitting second.

Jeter has hit atop the order plenty during his career, but has been primarily a No. 2 hitter, including hitting there in 134 of his 149 starts last season. Manager Joe Girardi explained the switch by saying that he's been impressed with how Damon has looked in the No. 2 hole this spring. Newsday speculates that the changes signal that Brett Gardner will beat out Melky Cabrera for the center field job, because by moving Jeter to leadoff the Yankees would avoid having back-to-back lefties in Gardner and Damon.

per rotoworld

good move imo. no more back to back lefties, jeter hit into too many DP's last year and damon hits into less, jeter is better leading off an inning than damon too.

Jeter and Damon switching doesn't change back to back lefties at the top of the order...Tex 3rd and Arod 4th, same thing...Tex is a switch hitter...unless you are talking about 9 and 1.

I would much rather have Damon bat leadoff. I think Jeter is an excellent situational hitter with a runner on base. I'd rather him hit when Damon is on base.

[thestand]

Yes, we're talking about Gardner/Damon. And here's why this move matters: Jeter has grounded into 54 double plays over the last two years. Damon? 9. Damon is also is in a contract year and clearly has a bit more power than Jeter. Hell, Jeter only hit 39 XBH last season. He's not a base stealer, but he's still a skilled base runner. But he has turned into a singles hitter.

[hbktonyb]

Yes, we're talking about Gardner/Damon. And here's why this move matters: Jeter has grounded into 54 double plays over the last two years. Damon? 9. Damon is also is in a contract year and clearly has a bit more power than Jeter. Hell, Jeter only hit 39 XBH last season. He's not a base stealer, but he's still a skilled base runner. But he has turned into a singles hitter.

Ahhh, good point. Probably worth a shot.

[hbktonyb]

Interesting, from the daily news...how is Pena's bat though?

Whether Derek Jeter realizes it or not, Joe Girardi's proposed move to bat him leadoff may well be a prelude to a much more dramatic switch in the not-so-distant future. Jeter's decreased range at shortstop, especially to his left, has been an increasingly hot topic around baseball - which the Yankee high command has pointedly chosen to ignore, because there didn't appear to be any bona fide prospects in the system. That, however, all changed this spring with the emergence of 23-year-old Ramiro Pena, whose dazzling glovework has made him the frontrunner to win the utility infielder's job until Alex Rodriguez comes back in May. So assuming Pena is the real deal, it would seem that with another year of Triple-A apprenticeship, presumably mixed with stints at the big league level, he'll be ready for regular duty with the Yankees. Jeter will be 35 next season, the last year of his contract, and, his pride aside, he can't expect to extend his career as a shortstop. He doesn't hit for enough power to be a DH and, so, a move to center field seems inevitable

[crashintome202]

pena is a terrible hitter. career .635 ops in the minors. he's a backup guy at best and he couldnt start on any team

[Trippin4136]

Pena's value is higher than you're giving credit for, 202.

He plays excellent defense and that alone will be enough to keep him on a big league roster. But he is also a guy that never played below the High-A level. Surely his lack of big productivity to this point is a negative, but scouts love him and you don't get to play in the Futures Game, like he did, if there is a consensus of strong value.

I think Eduardo Nunez is a better long-term candidate for shortstop as he does have more power projection, more speed and strong defense (though not quite as good as Pena). However, those tools should eventually give him in the inside track.

[hbktonyb]

Its gonna be weird not seeing Jeter as our everyday ss

[thestand]

Your starting center fielder. (http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2008/07/03/sports/03yankees.600.jpg)

:multi

Girardi just confirmed it.

[Rockhound18]

So who's ready to win a world series? Opening day cant be here soon enough...

[Hanlon421]

How do you guys feel about Gardner winning the CF job?

[thestand]

How do you guys feel about Gardner winning the CF job?

Easily, easily the best option. To have a guy who can bunt single and steal bases in the bottom of the order, late in the game, is clutch. He also has a track record of needing a little time to get comfortable at his newest level, and I think you'll find, comparing his first callup and second callup last year, that kind of played out. He was, without a doubt, a better all around player at the MLB level than Melky Cabrera, during his second call up. Given what he's done this spring, I would definitely lean towards those second callup numbers.

[thestand]

To show what I'm talking about with this "rule" with him, about needing time to come up to the next level, here's his splits.

2006 AA: 55 games, .272/.352/.318
2007 AA: 54 games, .300/.392/.419

2007 AAA: 45 games, .260/.343/.331
2008 AAA: 94 games, .296/.414/.492

I can't find the split for his 2 different callups last year, but they were pretty similar.

[thestand]

And don't get me started on the defensive advantage he gives us over Melky.

[thestand]

He was with the team from June 30 to July 25th, for a line of .153/.227/.169 in 17 games.

Then, from August 15th to September 28th, he had a line of .294/.333/.412 in 24 games.

His second callup, as you can see, he was hitting at a major league level.

[hbktonyb]

Looking forward to watching brett play everyday. I think he's going to be a big time spark for the lineup. hopefully he has a good obp

[Ascf33]

BG for MVP.

[milo420dmb]

i am excited for Gardner as well.. really like to see him do well.

on another note tho, the Yanks probably have one of the worst outfields when it comes to arm strength... Nady can't throw anybody out from RF and Damon needs a cut off from his normal LF spot just to get the ball to 2nd base..

[crashintome202]

opening day is creeping up on me. one week :)

[hbktonyb]

FINALLY got my season ticket package :)

Ended up w/ a weekday package b/c weekends were sold out, but I'm in the infield btwn home and 3rd (in the grandstand), so i can't complain. Plus I got a red sox game.

[stayorleave83]

FINALLY got my season ticket package :)

Ended up w/ a weekday package b/c weekends were sold out, but I'm in the infield btwn home and 3rd (in the grandstand), so i can't complain. Plus I got a red sox game.

Are you unloading any of them? Better to buy them off a fellow ant than to throw money at stubhub.

[hbktonyb]

Are you unloading any of them? Better to buy them off a fellow ant than to throw money at stubhub.

I'm sure I will be. Once I figure out what games I'm going to, I'll let you guys know if I have any tix to sell (for face, of course :) )

[hbktonyb]

Girardi just confirmed Jeter at leadoff. Looking forward to seeing how this works

[HoldemHart]

Any of you guys bought the IPhone MLB app? It's 9.99 but it seems like an awesome application, have you guys heard anything about it?

[scrock25]

It's an MLB App for you iPhone that costs $9.99!!!!!

[thebestauntie]

It's an MLB App for you iPhone that costs $9.99!!!!!
You're so helpful AJ. :rolleyes :lol

[yankees26mlb]

so yeah.....we have a new stadium.

[Ascf33]

Either of these games going to be on TV? (other then YES)

[Trippin4136]

Friday's game is on the MLB Network.

[hbktonyb]

Five games into the 1998 season, Joe Torre's job was in jeopardy. The Yankees were 1-4, and despite winning the World Series just two years earlier and reaching the postseason the previous fall, the poor start was enough for the chair in the manager's office to start heating up. Joe Girardi remembers that time well. As a catcher on that team, he played a significant role in both the 1-4 start and the 113-44 record that followed, culminating in the second of Torre's four championships. Now, more than a decade later, Girardi is the one on the hot seat. And his team hasn't even played a game. "I watched Joe go through it in '98, and I was part of that team so I could do something about it in a sense," Girardi said. "Until you sit in that seat, you're not going to know what it's like. But I've been fired once, so I know what that's like." (New York Daily News)
Comment

[Ascf33]

Friday's game is on the MLB Network.

Fuck yes.

MLBHD = teh sex.

[Trippin4136]

Probably won't be in true HD because they'll like just patch in the YES feed unless MLBN has their own crew there.

[hbktonyb]

Plus YES HD is probably the best HD...comes in way better than espn for me

[scrock25]

For me it's ESPNNEWSHD...I love watching that channel, although YES is awesome too.

[hbktonyb]

Anyone go last night? was hoping to hear the stadium review.

[crashintome202]

looks like monday might get rained out. forecast has rain/storms in baltimore all day

[Trippin4136]

The camera shots through the net is completely bush league.

That better change. It is simply horrible.

[DMBfan41]

Just got my tickets for my first Yankee Stadium game! May 16th against the Twins, can't wait!

[Trippin4136]

Just got my tickets for my first Yankee Stadium game! May 16th against the Twins, can't wait!

I'll be at that game too.

Where you're seats?

I'm in 234 Row 2

[jackisback24]

Am I the only one who feels that the whole CC "I don't really want to play for the Yankees, but if they make me an offer that I can't refuse so I'll go" deal is just disheartening?

[Trippin4136]

I'm not worried about it.

He's shown himself to be a true competitor and he wants to win titles, so he's not going to short change himself or the team.

Though, he can opt out after 3 years...

[thestand]

Anyone else find it a bit weird that they retroactively put A-Rod on the DL, to March 27th? If they're still expecting him back in May, why not just start the DL the first day of the season? As it is, he now can come back April 11th, though that is obviously way too soon. Still strange, in my opinion.

Also, the final numbers are in, and the 2009 Yankees are 1.6 million dollars less expensive than the 2008 Yankees.

[ajgdrums7814]

Am I the only one who feels that the whole CC "I don't really want to play for the Yankees, but if they make me an offer that I can't refuse so I'll go" deal is just disheartening?

What's the difference between CC and any other major league baseball player?

[yankees26mlb]

I went to both games at the stadium against the Cubs. It's really amazing. When you walk into the gate and head down the Great Hall you will be in AWE. It's honestly shockingly beautiful. As for the field, it looks great too, though the view is a little further back this time when you're sitting in the upper deck. The facade is amazing to look at and gives an old time baseball feel to the place. I didn't go to the museum because the line to get in was way too long. That video board in center field is bigger than you can ever imagine, and you can literally see it from any spot in the ballpark. Also, The food options are amazing and I've already eaten at both the Hard Rock and the NYY Steak (which was very sophisticated). I loved the place...I really cant' wait to go there more.

[crashintome202]

I went to both games at the stadium against the Cubs. It's really amazing. When you walk into the gate and head down the Great Hall you will be in AWE. It's honestly shockingly beautiful. As for the field, it looks great too, though the view is a little further back this time when you're sitting in the upper deck. The facade is amazing to look at and gives an old time baseball feel to the place. I didn't go to the museum because the line to get in was way too long. That video board in center field is bigger than you can ever imagine, and you can literally see it from any spot in the ballpark. Also, The food options are amazing and I've already eaten at both the Hard Rock and the NYY Steak (which was very sophisticated). I loved the place...I really cant' wait to go there more.
thanks for the review. i heard the great hall is the highlight of the stadium as well... i was a little worried that i wouldnt be able to see the video board since my seats are in RF this year but after watching the games that thing is HUGE!