OFFICIAL New York Yankees 2007 Season Thread

[Bulldogcakes]

This is fucking sweet. Angel usually kill us. We caught them at a good time, and got some good pitching match ups as well. Their middle relief is shit. They need to do Starter/Shields/K-Rod to win games. We saw how bad they were Friday and now again today.

[BeltOfScotch]

Kay actually said something smart before. They've got a ridiculously easy 20-25 game stretch after the All Star break. They probably have to get to 10 games over .500 in the course of those 25 games to have any chance at the Wild Card. Assuming a win today, 18-7 gets the job done. That's pretty much the absolute minimum unless all the other potential wild card teams fall apart.

[Doctor Z]

And again, the Yankees hit in sudden bursts. They can put up 10 runs in 4 innings today, but couldn't scrape across ONE run over the course of 11 innings yesterday, if their lives depended on it.

Fixed it for myself...

Granted we did face elite pitching yesterday, but that doesn't mean we didn't have our share of chances:

ie -
Abreu not running home on Cairo's 2-out single.
Not scoring Posada when he led off with a double.
Not scoring Matsui when he was on 2nd with 1 out.
Not scoring Cairo when he was on 3rd with 1 out in the 13th.

On a different note, A-Rod gets to 30 at the halfway mark. If he can double that +1, he's got a shot at Maris (aka - the legit HR record).
And according to the Aflac trivia question, with 86 RBIs at the All-Star break, he surpasses Joe D for 2nd place all time on the Yankees. Only Lou Gehrig had 90.

[Bulldogcakes]

Kay actually said something smart before. They've got a ridiculously easy 20-25 game stretch after the All Star break. They probably have to get to 10 games over .500 in the course of those 25 games to have any chance at the Wild Card. Assuming a win today, 18-7 gets the job done. That's pretty much the absolute minimum unless all the other potential wild card teams fall apart.

We've heard that before. The stretch they just had in late June after the Met series was supposed to be easy, and they wet the bed and went 1-7. The Twins/Angel series were supposed to be tough, and now they're going to take both of them. So who knows.

[Doctor Z]

Y'know, Flaherty raises a very good point:
It's a 10-0 game in the 6th, Posada's in the All-Star game. Pull him after this inning and put in Nieves.

But instead, it'll just be another good call by the announcers that doesn't even cross the mind of the Sleeping Manager.

[lleeder]

Y'know, Flaherty raises a very good point:
It's a 10-0 game in the 6th, Posada's in the All-Star game. Pull him after this inning and put in Nieves.

But instead, it'll just be another good call by the announcers that doesn't even cross the mind of the Sleeping Manager.

I couldn't wait to click on this thread to see what you would be complaining about. We're beating our arch rivals 10-0 and you still find a way to throw cold water on it. I'm sure Posada will be ok without the 3 innings of rest. He'll be having a threesome with his wife and another hot latina tonight before he hops a flight to San Francisco.

[Doctor Z]

When we're 11 games out of the division and 9.5 out of the wild card, it's hard to revel in a 10-0 lead.

And the point isn't 3 innings of rest. It's needlessly risking injury.

[lleeder]

When we're 11 games out of the division and 9.5 out of the wild card, it's hard to revel in a 10-0 lead.

And the point isn't 3 innings of rest. It's needlessly risking injury.

There plenty of days left to complain. I'll enjoy today and wait til a bad loss to Tampa to be all angry.

[Doctor Z]

This is the only situation Mike Myers should ever pitch in.

[HBox]

Proctor is pitching. I'm so passed being pissed I am literally laughing right now.

[lleeder]

Proctor is pitching. I'm so passed being pissed I am literally laughing right now.

He need the work. :dry:

[Doctor Z]

He hasn't pitched in almost 36 hours, and it's only 12-0. We can't let this game slip away.

[Bulldogcakes]

Proctor is pitching. I'm so passed being pissed I am literally laughing right now.

I understand that they're going to send him to AAA during the All Star break so he can get some innings under his belt.

[cougarjake13]

I understand that they're going to send him to AAA during the All Star break so he can get some innings under his belt.

is it true he'll be playing winter ball in the domenican league ???

[Doctor Z]

I also hear Proctor has been selected to pitch to every batter in this year's Home Run Derby.

[HBox]

http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/7403/workeu6.jpg

[cougarjake13]

is it true that the yanks made a deal with hideki matsui's old team that'll let proctor fly in to japan after yankees games and pitch for them ???

[HBox]

http://assets.espn.go.com/i/mlb/profiles/players/65x90/7497.jpg: I feel much good today. I hit the home run.

[HBox]

is it true that the yanks made a deal with hideki matsui's old team that'll let proctor fly in to japan after yankees games and pitch for them ???

After Proctor burned his equipment Torre made him blow the smoke away by doing nothing but throwing fastballs.

[cougarjake13]

After Proctor burned his equipment Torre made him blow the smoke away by doing nothing but throwing fastballs.

torre has now demanded that proctor throw batting practice every day for the rest of the season

[Tenbatsuzen]

Torre has also requested that Proctor throw the ceremonial first pitch for every game not just at Yankee Stadium, but the rest of the AL East teams.

[cougarjake13]

i heard that he'll be pitching for the yanks minor league teams on yankee off days

[Tenbatsuzen]

http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/1236/motivator1817628jt3.jpg

[Tenbatsuzen]

http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/6058/torrehome1ir9.jpg

[Tenbatsuzen]

http://img118.imageshack.us/img118/6195/motivator1559811jz8.jpg

[Tenbatsuzen]

http://img358.imageshack.us/img358/7272/motivator7487946uy9.jpg

[cougarjake13]

http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/1236/motivator1817628jt3.jpg

you shoukld make it say any day

[Bulldogcakes]

i heard that he'll be pitching for the yanks minor league teams on yankee off days

Torre said on the post game press conference that he's going to stop beating around the bush and just have all of his hitters grab their bats and beat Proctors right arm till it falls off.

[cougarjake13]

well i heard in the offseason they going to teach him how to throw lefty so they can throw that arm out also

[Bulldogcakes]

well i heard in the offseason they going to teach him how to throw lefty so they can throw that arm out also

http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Video/051011/s_yankees_post_051011.300w.jpg

"Well. . . .then we'll just have to beat the left arm till it falls off as well"

[HBox]

Meanwhile Bruney hasn't pitched since Wednesday and now won't pitch until Thursday at the earliest. Not only that he been struggling lately so pitching in a 10-0 game was a perfect opportunity for him to stay loose and work out some of his problems.

That's all for the latest edition of "Thoughts that never entered Joe Torre's head"

[JPMNICK]

Torre said on the post game press conference that he's going to stop beating around the bush and just have all of his hitters grab their bats and beat Proctors right arm till it falls off.

that would have been hysterical if I did not have a little doubt that the thought might have crossed Torre's mind. he fucking chucks him out there with no regard for the next series coming up, or his future with the Yankees

[Doctor Z]

-
"IF ANYONE CAN DO IT, IT'S NISSAN OF QUEENS! SAVE MORE GREEN AT NISSAN OF QUEENS!"

[Doctor Z]

http://img358.imageshack.us/img358/7272/motivator7487946uy9.jpg

http://gothamist.com/attachments/arts_cinecultist/evil-dead-bloody.jpg

[Tenbatsuzen]

Kay actually said something smart before. They've got a ridiculously easy 20-25 game stretch after the All Star break. They probably have to get to 10 games over .500 in the course of those 25 games to have any chance at the Wild Card. Assuming a win today, 18-7 gets the job done. That's pretty much the absolute minimum unless all the other potential wild card teams fall apart.

I wonder if Kay reads Abraham, because that's the same thing he said.



Three weeks ago.

[BeltOfScotch]

Well, I should say that Kay only said the part about the next 20-25 games deciding the season and that they were against really easy teams. As for the fact that someone else said it, if all he did was say smart things that other people said weeks earlier, a lot of the problems I have with him would be gone.

[HBox]

Phil Hughes made his first rehab start tonight for Tampa. 2 IP, 0 H 2BB, 3K. 20 strikes on 36 pitches. Allowed one unearned run. Got through it with no pain. Hit 94 on the radar gun. His next rehab start will be for Trenton.

[Doctor Z]

The Wild Card team is realistically gonna need to win 95 games.

For the Yankees to win 95 games, their second half needs to look like this:
53-24





Is anyone else amazed that Wang started the first month of the season on the DL, and still ended the first half with 9 wins? (Not to mention he was a tough-luck loser a couple of times, when the Yanks failed to give him decent run support.)

[tupper65]

53 & 24 does not sound all that unreasonable. Also, this may sound stupid, but don't count out catching Boston yet. Shilling is coming off an injury, Dice-K has been good but certainly not unbeatable and does anybody really think that Beckett can keep this pace going the rest of the year. In about 2 weeks the Yankee rotation will look like this: Wang, Pettite, Clemans, Musina & Hughes. Lately the bullpen has not looked bad. Visciano & Farnsworth have been a better bridge to Mo, who also looks really good. As far as offense goes, it looks like Cano, Cabrera and Abreu have kicked in and hopefully Damon will keep getting better. I know that a lot has to go right, but it's not like we don't have the talent.

[cougarjake13]

The Wild Card team is realistically gonna need to win 95 games.

For the Yankees to win 95 games, their second half needs to look like this:
53-24





Is anyone else amazed that Wang started the first month of the season on the DL, and still ended the first half with 9 wins? (Not to mention he was a tough-luck loser a couple of times, when the Yanks failed to give him decent run support.)

53 & 24 does not sound all that unreasonable. Also, this may sound stupid, but don't count out catching Boston yet. Shilling is coming off an injury, Dice-K has been good but certainly not unbeatable and does anybody really think that Beckett can keep this pace going the rest of the year. In about 2 weeks the Yankee rotation will look like this: Wang, Pettite, Clemans, Musina & Hughes. Lately the bullpen has not looked bad. Visciano & Farnsworth have been a better bridge to Mo, who also looks really good. As far as offense goes, it looks like Cano, Cabrera and Abreu have kicked in and hopefully Damon will keep getting better. I know that a lot has to go right, but it's not like we don't have the talent.

man can i get some of that kool-aid ???


what have the yankees shown you this year that makes you think that they are capable of going 53-24 ???

[Bulldogcakes]

Phil Hughes made his first rehab start tonight for Tampa. 2 IP, 0 H 2BB, 3K. 20 strikes on 36 pitches. Allowed one unearned run. Got through it with no pain. Hit 94 on the radar gun. His next rehab start will be for Trenton.


Sweeney said on the FAN today that there will probably be another "3 or so" starts, next one at Trenton. Expect him back "Late July". Sounds good to me. I guess he's already in pretty good shape, so its just a matter of getting game work in.

With Hughes in the rotation in August and September, its possible they could still make a run at it. That assumes, of course, that Hughes doesn't have any major growing pains. I don't think he will, but he is 21 years old. They'll still need a big July to get back in striking distance. If its down to 5 by August 1, then I'll start thinking playoffs again. But not before 5 in the loss.

[Bulldogcakes]

man can i get some of that kool-aid ???


what have the yankees shown you this year that makes you think that they are capable of going 53-24 ???

You're right, they have yet to show that. But don't let those numbers throw you. They're snapshots that happen all the time where teams play great for a while and then tread water at other times. I wouldn't be shocked if the Yanks have a big month.

For example, your beloved Mets played great baseball early last year. Something like 20-25 over .500 in April and May after the bad first week of the season. Then they played roughly .500 ball the rest of the way. Which team were they? The .500 team or the 25 over team?

Answer-It's a long season.

[cougarjake13]

You're right, they have yet to show that. But don't let those numbers throw you. They're snapshots that happen all the time where teams play great for a while and then tread water at other times. I wouldn't be shocked if the Yanks have a big month.

For example, your beloved Mets played great baseball early last year. Something like 20-25 over .500 in April and May after the bad first week of the season. Then they played roughly .500 ball the rest of the way. Which team were they? The .500 team or the 25 over team?

Answer-It's a long season.

they were a team that took advantage of the early success and lack of competition from the rest of the division,

they were by no means the world beaters they seemed to be early on, they just got great pitching and lots of lucky bounces going their way and ultimately got the bad luck at the wrong part of the season... the end going into the playoffs


now as for the yanks they can have a huge month and lets say they do go 18-5 thats 13 games over

under dr z prediction they need to be 53-24 which would be 29 games over, so they have to be that hot again for a second month, with only 2 1/2 months left in the season they have to be basically that hot for the rest of the year

now they have the talent to do it , they just havent shown the ability to do it in 2007

[Bulldogcakes]

now as for the yanks they can have a huge month and lets say they do go 18-5 thats 13 games over

under dr z prediction they need to be 53-24 which would be 29 games over, so they have to be that hot again for a second month, with only 2 1/2 months left in the season they have to be basically that hot for the rest of the year

now they have the talent to do it , they just havent shown the ability to do it in 2007

Lets break that down, using your numbers

53-24 needed
-18-5 July

That leaves 35-19 for August and September. That means play 8 games over each month. Something like 17-9 and 18-10. Not easy, but not impossible either. The people that run computer models on this shit put the Yankee chances at around 11-18% to make the playoffs. I'd say thats about right.

I'm not wrapped up in the 95 win stuff anyway. They're 9 games behind the Indians, thats all I care about. Get it down to 5 (which could happen with one good week) and then the race is back on.

[BeltOfScotch]

Yankees might be considering an extension for ARod

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2933023

The key sticking point for the Yankees in the prospective negotiations is that Rodriguez agree not to opt out of his current contract after this season and agree to add any extension to the current contract, which expires after the 2010 season.

[Bulldogcakes]

Yankees might be considering an extension for ARod

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2933023

The key sticking point for the Yankees in the prospective negotiations is that Rodriguez agree not to opt out of his current contract after this season and agree to add any extension to the current contract, which expires after the 2010 season.

Smart move. If he really wants to stay (as he has said many times) then make him put it in writing.

If not then make it public that he turned down their offer, which will tell Yankee fans he has no intention of staying. Then explore making a blockbuster deadline deal. Yankee fans will accept it if they understand that he's gone anyway, and I suspect some pennant contender will pay a fortune in prospects for him figuring he's the difference maker in winning a World Series. Could be a Herschel Walker type deal for the Yanks which sets them up for years to come.

For the Yanks to be doing this, they've already talked to GM's as to what they would get back for him and must think its too rich to pass up. They wouldn't break their policy of not negotiating during the season unless it was worth doing so. Especially after telling so many current Yanks (Posada, Mo, Pettite) that they would not talk contract with them when they were up.

My guess as to where he goes? The Dodgers.

[Kevin]

Great news.. They have to be agressive with this man and Lock him up..

[JPMNICK]

I think they have to lock this down, you have to be crazy to let someone with this much talent go.

[lleeder]

I knew that Ichiro deal would get them thinking. I wonder how Mariano and Posada feel about all of this?

[JPMNICK]

I knew that Ichiro deal would get them thinking. I wonder how Mariano and Posada feel about all of this?

i am sure pissed off, esp. Mo who is not having a great season, and his value is quickly dropping.

[BeltOfScotch]

I think this is more about desperation than either signing him to a deal now or trading him (thank god there are only 20 more days of this trade ARod nonsense). The brass have realized that ARod leaving would be devastating to this team. If he goes, where is the feared power hitter in the middle of the lineup? Giambi is broken down and only here for one more year. Plus, they'd have to address third base next offseason, in addition to right field, first base, the outfield, the rotation (one spot) and the bullpen that they'll already have to deal with. I can't believe I'm saying this, but they pretty much have to give ARod a blank check at this point.

If what he says about loving playing here are true, they should just offer him a 5yr/150 million extension to the current deal and see what happens. If he takes it, great. But if he doesn't, I don't assume that means he'll never stay, it just means him and Boras want to go to the free agent market and see if they can get more.

In reality, he's making $27 million under the current deal the next three years anyway, and I just can't imagine him getting a lot more than $30 million per season (but then again I never though Barry Zito would get $126 million). So, he should take the extension, but I'm not ready to trade the best player in the game for potentially good players when there's a chance he might stay.

The Herschel Walker comparison is very flawed. First off, the Cowboys knew Walker was getting old (28 for an NFL RB is getting up there), and got lucky the Vikings were dumb enough to give up so much for him. Plus, they made the decision that to get better they needed lots of draft picks. If the Cowboys hadn't been so brilliant in the players they selected with the draft picks they got from Minnesota, the trade is barely remembered.

ARod, on the other hand, is the best player in the game and at 30 years old should still have 2-3 prime seasons left and another 3-4 good to great seasons after that. Plus, I still say if he won't sign an extension with the Yankees, I doubt he will with anyone, so I doubt this treasure trove of prospects is coming.

I hate indulging the trade thing, but I'm bored. What can they reasonably get for him? Unless they can get a young borderline all-star position player (preferably with power) and a young starting pitcher, plus maybe a prospect or two, what's the point?

[Bulldogcakes]

Let me be clear about it, I think its the right move to try to retain him. The big money (30 mil) you'd be giving him will kick in AFTER the current contract expires in 2010. By that time alot of the inexpensive young guys they're looking to bring up will already be here, Giambi is long off the books, and so is Mussina and Clemens. Plus, you only have to make up for the increase over what you're paying him now, which is around 18 per. So you need to come up with an extra 12 per, Moose alone does that. Its very do able financially.

But if he turns down a big money extension, you have to look into dealing him. I assume that the Yanks don't go breaking a long standing policy like this unless they have a plan B to fall back on. That would just be bad business on their part, and stupid.

If A-Rod says no, what else would plan B be if not looking to deal him? Just let him walk in a season where your chances of making the playoffs are slim? Thats not in the long term interest of the franchise.

I think we all expect the Yanks to be run like they used to be under George. Never sell a big player, always do everything possible to win now. But if this season has shown us anything, clearly thats not the case anymore. If George was in charge Torre would have been fired a month ago. Cashman has tried to make deals for years to "get younger" and repair the bullpen and rotation, and most of them have failed. I think a new approach is in order, and if you've heard Cashman interviewed he has said that many times.

BTW-The Herschel Walker analogy may be a bad one, but I think they'd prefer to keep A-Rod, so if they do consider dealing him he would have to have GM's already telling him they'd give them alot.

[cougarjake13]

Smart move. If he really wants to stay (as he has said many times) then make him put it in writing.

If not then make it public that he turned down their offer, which will tell Yankee fans he has no intention of staying. Then explore making a blockbuster deadline deal. Yankee fans will accept it if they understand that he's gone anyway, and I suspect some pennant contender will pay a fortune in prospects for him figuring he's the difference maker in winning a World Series. Could be a Herschel Walker type deal for the Yanks which sets them up for years to come.

For the Yanks to be doing this, they've already talked to GM's as to what they would get back for him and must think its too rich to pass up. They wouldn't break their policy of not negotiating during the season unless it was worth doing so. Especially after telling so many current Yanks (Posada, Mo, Pettite) that they would not talk contract with them when they were up.

My guess as to where he goes? The Dodgers.


well he still play third for the dodgers ???

cause they invested a ton of money in rafeal furcal

[cougarjake13]

I knew that Ichiro deal would get them thinking. I wonder how Mariano and Posada feel about all of this?

exactly

might this piss them off to where they won't resign b/c of it ???

[lleeder]

exactly

might this piss them off to where they won't resign b/c of it ???

No cause they both have class.

[Bulldogcakes]

well he still play third for the dodgers ???

cause they invested a ton of money in rafeal furcal

I was thinking he goes back to SS.

For all those who think Mo and Posada would have every right to be pissed, I think you're right. Thats why there must be more going on here to explain it, like a plan B that is good for the franchise.

[HBox]

All this whole thing proves is how stupid and self-defeating this policy is in the first place.

[Kevin]

Arod we have to sign.. But with Mo and Jorge.. You cant give the 2 a long term deal.. 2 at the most.. We can't make the Boston Celtics mistake of holding on to our guys too long.. It sucks and they have been great for us, but.. You can't keep spending big money and years on guys that are in the downside.. Sometimes you have to move on..

[Bossanova]

Arod we have to sign.. But with Mo and Jorge.. You cant give the 2 a long term deal.. 2 at the most.. We can't make the Boston Celtics mistake of holding on to our guys too long.. It sucks and they have been great for us, but.. You can't keep spending big money and years on guys that are in the downside.. Sometimes you have to move on..

I agree. Jorge is having an amazing year, but he is getting older. Catchers do slide as they get older, you can not take that risk. See if he takes a two at most a three year deal. Mo is different, he is the greatest closer ever. Give him a an insentive laden deal for maybe three or four years. A-Rod has got to be the main priority.

[Kevin]

I agree. Jorge is having an amazing year, but he is getting older. Catchers do slide as they get older, you can not take that risk. See if he takes a two at most a three year deal. Mo is different, he is the greatest closer ever. Give him a an insentive laden deal for maybe three or four years. A-Rod has got to be the main priority.

If i had to pick between the 2.. id go Mo.. He still throws 94.. His prob has been underuse.. So he is not sharp.. Jorge.. I just see it as a disaster if you give him more then 2 yrs.. 3 at the most.. And that is stretching it..

[Bossanova]

If i had to pick between the 2.. id go Mo.. He still throws 94.. His prob has been underuse.. So he is not sharp.. Jorge.. I just see it as a disaster if you give him more then 2 yrs.. 3 at the most.. And that is stretching it..

I couldn't agree more. Piazza had a huge year and then the next year his body broke down. Jorge doesn't get as many days off due to the Yanks terrible offensive backup. It can't last much longer. Mo is still a top 5 closer. They are hard to come by now, def resign him

[Bulldogcakes]

All this whole thing proves is how stupid and self-defeating this policy is in the first place.

It also shows that George isn't running the team anymore, because that was HIS policy.
He took it as a personal affront if a player didn't fully honor the contract they had before asking for another one.

[Bulldogcakes]

Arod we have to sign.. But with Mo and Jorge.. You cant give the 2 a long term deal.. 2 at the most.. We can't make the Boston Celtics mistake of holding on to our guys too long.. It sucks and they have been great for us, but.. You can't keep spending big money and years on guys that are in the downside.. Sometimes you have to move on..

I agree, but who do you replace Jorge with? Sign Paul LoDuca? I don't think that'll happen. There just isn't a decent replacement out there who's going to be available anytime soon that I'm aware of.

As far as Mo goes, if you watch him carefully his ball just doesn't move like it used to. The stuff about location is just Torre covering for one his players, as usual. Guys who used to saw their bats in half against him are now getting around on him. He's much more hittable than he used to be. Two years, thats it. And I suspect the 2nd year will be a sentimental one so he sees the new ballpark in uniform. If he gets more years than that he better reinvent himself with that change up we've heard about.

[Bulldogcakes]

Fun article, Daily News envisions the 2009 Roster for the new stadium (http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/yankees/2007/07/11/2007-07-11_building_case_for_09_yanks.html)

Projected starting rotation

BILL MADDEN
Johan Santana
Chien-Ming Wang
Phil Hughes
Andy Pettitte
Joba Chamberlain

JOHN HARPER
Johan Santana
Chien-Ming Wang
Phil Hughes
Joba Chamberlain
Tyler Clippard

MARK FEINSAND
Ben Sheets
Chien-Ming Wang
Phil Hughes
Joba Chamberlain
Humberto Sanchez

ANTHONY McCARRON
C.C. Sabathia
Chien-Ming Wang
Eric Bedard
Joba Chamberlain
Roger Clemens

PETER BOTTE
Roy Oswalt
Chien-Ming Wang
Phil Hughes
Andy Pettitte
Roger Clemens

ROGER RUBIN
C.C. Sabathia
Chien-Ming Wang
Eric Bedard
Phil Hughes
Joba Chamberlain

Closer

Madden: Rivera
Harper: Rivera
Feinsand: Rivera
McCarron: Phil Hughes
Botte: Rivera
Rubin: Rivera

Catcher

Madden: Posada
Harper: Posada
Feinsand: Posada
McCarron: Posada
Botte: Posada
Rubin: Posada

First base

Madden: Teixeira
Harper: Teixeira
Feinsand: Teixeira
McCarron: Derrek Lee
Botte: Teixeira
Rubin: Johnny Damon

Second base

Madden: Cano
Harper: Cano
Feinsand: Cano
McCarron: Cano
Botte: Cano
Rubin: Cano

Third base

Madden: Mike Lowell
Harper: Alex Rodriguez
Feinsand: Miguel Cabrera
McCarron: Rodriguez
Botte: Cabrera
Rubin: Lowell

Shortstop

Madden: Jeter
Harper: Jeter
Feinsand: Jeter
McCarron: Jeter
Botte: Jeter
Rubin: Jeter

Left field

Madden: Matsui
Harper: Matsui
Feinsand: Matsui
McCarron: Johnny Damon
Botte: Matsui
Rubin: Matsui

Center field

Madden: Hunter
Harper: Melky Cabrera
Feinsand: Eric Byrnes
McCarron: Hunter
Botte: Hunter
Rubin: Hunter

Right field

Madden: Matt Holiday
Harper: Cabrera
Feinsand: Jose Tabata
McCarron: Cabrera
Botte: Cabrera
Rubin: Nick Swisher

Designated hitter

Madden: Shelley Duncan
Harper: Damon
Feinsand: Damon
McCarron: Hideki Matsui
Botte: Damon
Rubin: Troy Glaus

General manager

Madden: Cashman
Harper: Cashman
Feinsand: Buck Showalter
McCarron: Theo Epstein
Botte: Cashman
Rubin: Jed Hoyer

Manager

Madden: Don Mattingly
Harper: Girardi
Feinsand: Girardi
McCarron: Lou Piniella
Botte: Girardi
Rubin: Girardi


I like the probable rotation, and the consensus on the Manager. Also interesting that 4 out of 6 Yankee beat reporters think A-Rod will be gone. I also agree that Cashman isn't in the trouble some make him out to be.

[cougarjake13]

Fun article, Daily News envisions the 2009 Roster for the new stadium (http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/yankees/2007/07/11/2007-07-11_building_case_for_09_yanks.html)




I like the probable rotation, and the consensus on the Manager. Also interesting that 4 out of 6 Yankee beat reporters think A-Rod will be gone. I also agree that Cashman isn't in the trouble some make him out to be.


i love how a few of the writers still think clemens will be pitching in 2 years

[BeltOfScotch]

i love how a few of the writers still think clemens will be pitching in 2 years

That was good, but I don't know what they're thinking saying that he'll be on the opening day roster. By 2009, Clemens will probably be asking for 3 million per inning and will only pitch Tuesday-Thursday (Hall of Famers need their 4 day weekends off).

[Dan 'Hampton]

From Joel Sherman
"The language in Rodriguez's record-breaking contract says that for the 2009 and 2010 seasons, A-Rod will receive $27 million plus the higher of $5 million or $1 million greater than the annual average value of the non-pitcher with the largest annual average value package. Thus, Boras explained, even if Rodriguez does the minimum and agrees to give up his free-agent rights to stay with the Yankees for the next three seasons, he would be guaranteed $32 million in each of the final two of those years. So Boras had the ultimate insider information when he recently told Los Angeles Magazine he anticipates the first-ever $30 million player coming soon,"

"We are not going to be negotiating during the season," Boras said. Boras insisted he could see no way that strategy will change, saying "This is Alex's decision. This has been his policy, and I fully expect this to continue to be his policy."

He could very well go back to the Yanks but it doesn't make sense for him to deal exclusively with the Yanks, unless they're offering him like 35 a year. GM's will be falling over themselves to land him. Think about it. If it weren't for Bonds the giants wouldn't even be a blip on the radar. Now imagine how big it will be when he breaks the record. I'm guessing either Angels, Cubs or Giants.

[Tenbatsuzen]

Scrolling down on that news article, I saw a picture of Cashman and I was like, "Wow, dude grew his hair out, and long!"

And then I realized it was a picture of David Berkowitz.

[Tenbatsuzen]

http://www.nydailynews.com/img/2007/07/04/spcl_berkowitz.jpg

[BeltOfScotch]

From Joel Sherman
"The language in Rodriguez's record-breaking contract says that for the 2009 and 2010 seasons, A-Rod will receive $27 million plus the higher of $5 million or $1 million greater than the annual average value of the non-pitcher with the largest annual average value package. Thus, Boras explained, even if Rodriguez does the minimum and agrees to give up his free-agent rights to stay with the Yankees for the next three seasons, he would be guaranteed $32 million in each of the final two of those years. So Boras had the ultimate insider information when he recently told Los Angeles Magazine he anticipates the first-ever $30 million player coming soon,"

"We are not going to be negotiating during the season," Boras said. Boras insisted he could see no way that strategy will change, saying "This is Alex's decision. This has been his policy, and I fully expect this to continue to be his policy."

He could very well go back to the Yanks but it doesn't make sense for him to deal exclusively with the Yanks, unless they're offering him like 35 a year. GM's will be falling over themselves to land him. Think about it. If it weren't for Bonds the giants wouldn't even be a blip on the radar. Now imagine how big it will be when he breaks the record. I'm guessing either Angels, Cubs or Giants.

So his deal said he would get $5 million more per year in 2009 or 2010 even if nobody signed a contract for more than what he was making at that time? Tom Hicks is a fucking moron. I just got a lot happier that he owns Liverpool now (the 3 other soccer fans may know what I'm talking about).

Well there you go, no in-season negotiations. They can't trade him if there's a chance he stays, and he'll never say he definitely won't stay.

In terms of competition for who signs him, I'd say definitely Yankees, Giants, Dodgers and Angels. Cubs might be in if the owner decides to spend more cash, but they spent so much last offseason it's hard to imagine they'll spend another 210-240 million for ARod.

[Bulldogcakes]

Well there you go, no in-season negotiations. They can't trade him if there's a chance he stays, and he'll never say he definitely won't stay.

In terms of competition for who signs him, I'd say definitely Yankees, Giants, Dodgers and Angels. Cubs might be in if the owner decides to spend more cash, but they spent so much last offseason it's hard to imagine they'll spend another 210-240 million for ARod.


That doesn't change anything in my mind, I think that was to be expected. Boras clients rarely (if ever) negotiate in season. Now the Yanks can move to plan B, which is make public a Yankee extension offer and then have the press get Alex on the record declining it. Then the Yankee media lackeys (like Kay) will try to run him out of town unless or until he indicates he'll accept a trade.

The trick is getting him to waive his blanket no-trade. If they do that, then I'll bet Cashman has already talked to other GM's about a framework of a deal where he can go to a pennant contender. Its really not bad for A-Rod at all, in fact its in his interest to agree to a deal to a pennant contender. He could up his value even further with a big playoff series, erasing the only doubt left about his ability and he could get that elusive ring that he came here for.

Plus, the Yanks can pursue him in the off season like everyone else, and have the best of both worlds. A nice package for him now and his services later. But I don't think that will be the case. (http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/yankees/2007/07/12/2007-07-12_yanks_scramble_to_pocket_arod-3.html)

if Rodriguez opts out of his contract, he could cost the Yanks as much as twice the price as a free agent. That's why, the source said, "If he opts out, he's out (of pinstripes). If he opts out, the message is he doesn't want to be a Yankee."

[Bulldogcakes]

I know that if you don't think the Yanks are looking to deal him, then none of the rest will make sense. Consider this. Why do this extension offer now? when doing so is breaking a long standing company policy? A-Rod's opt out doesn't come up until November (10th I think) Thats the deadline to do this, so why make this offer now as opposed to in September/October?

I think the only explanation that makes any sense is the July 31st trade deadline. By doing this now it gives the Yankee front office time to try to cajole him and/or apply pressure and see if they can get him to waive his no-trade clause. If you've been reading any of the local beat writers/reporters, the Yankee front office has been convinced since last year that he will exercise his opt out and most also believe he wants to leave New York and have been saying so consistently.

[TheGameHHH]

he's the furtherest thing from a power hitter but i love watching Jeter hit home runs. theyre always hit so solid, he smashed that ball over the center field wall.

[TheGameHHH]

please stay Alex, as much as i love watching Jeter hit bombs yours are better.