Off Topic · Yankees Talk thread (page 77)

Kennedy was pitching a no-no through 6.2 innings his last start... he's never had a problem dominating at the AAA level, but for some reason it hasn't translated to the majors this season... i'm still high on the kid tho... i like the way he works both sides of the plate & he's got some nice movement on his fastball... this season he's not had his location down like he had last year in his brief stint... plus there's those pesky scouts that ML hitters get on ya & then they start to figure out patterns... i think all he needs to do is work on mixing up his pitches a little better to keep guys guessing & he'll be fine... i dunno if i'd factor him into the equation this season but who knows what kind of injuries could pop up down the stretch.

as for Hughes, he's slated to make a start w/the Gulf Coast League affiliate on Monday, but that's still tentative.

Carla Pavano's slated for a rehab start on Tuesday for the same affiliate too btw... OUR SAVIOR!!!

getting back to the Jorge situation, instead of Bengie Molina, another nice option to use as a stopgap filler this year might be a guy like Gerald Laird... he's signed to $1.6 mil this season & will be a FA... he's got a nice BA & OBP this season while sharing catching duties w/Salty for TEX & they could be willing to part w/him for a decent prospect... a Laird/Molina catching tandem should be just what the doctor ordered if Jorge is done for the remainder of the year... then u can reassess Jorge's situation during the offseason & determine ur options then instead of having 3 catchers under contract for '09, 2 of them at big dollars (which would happen if u traded for Bengie)

[Edited by - TMS on 07-26-2008 7:24 PM]

Posted by TMS:

i agree, i'd start Joba in game 1... that would make him available for the all important game 5 & game 7 in a relief role if necessary... i'd start Moose in games 2 & 6, Andy P in games 3 & 7, & Wang in game 4 (if he's back healthy by then).

This is a long season. There's no need to discuss playoffs from now. Nobody knows what will happen from now till then.

Posted by TMS:

getting back to the Jorge situation, instead of Bengie Molina, another nice option to use as a stopgap filler this year might be a guy like Gerald Laird... he's signed to $1.6 mil this season & will be a FA... he's got a nice BA & OBP this season while sharing catching duties w/Salty for TEX & they could be willing to part w/him for a decent prospect... a Laird/Molina catching tandem should be just what the doctor ordered if Jorge is done for the remainder of the year... then u can reassess Jorge's situation during the offseason & determine ur options then instead of having 3 catchers under contract for '09, 2 of them at big dollars (which would happen if u traded for Bengie)

[Edited by - TMS on 07-26-2008 7:24 PM]

For a catcher, Laird has very good hitting #s. I like your idea a lot.

Posted by GKFv2:

Posted by TMS:

i agree, i'd start Joba in game 1... that would make him available for the all important game 5 & game 7 in a relief role if necessary... i'd start Moose in games 2 & 6, Andy P in games 3 & 7, & Wang in game 4 (if he's back healthy by then).

This is a long season. There's no need to discuss playoffs from now. Nobody knows what will happen from now till then.

nothing wrong w/discussing hypotheticals... it's not exactly a stretch to think they'll make the playoffs this year w/the way they're playing & how great the starting pitching has been... the Yanks also eaily have 1 of the best bullpens in baseball & have as stacked a lineup as u'll find... they're gelling very nicely & playing the best of any team in the majors right now.

anyways like i predicted from the beginning of the season we're taking this division... so let it be written...

[Edited by - TMS on 07-26-2008 10:09 PM]

i just want to take this opportunity to thank LaTroy Hawkins for all the awesome memories over the months he had those pinstripes on... I think I speak for all Yankee fans when I say he will be sorely missed... it's really a shame the team didn't get the chance to hold 'LaTroy Hawkins Day' in the new stadium so the fans could give him the proper farewell he so justly deserved... i'm gonna miss him.

Posted by TMS:

i just want to take this opportunity to thank LaTroy Hawkins for all the awesome memories over the months he had those pinstripes on... I think I speak for all Yankee fans when I say he will be sorely missed... it's really a shame the team didn't get the chance to hold 'LaTroy Hawkins Day' in the new stadium so the fans could give him the proper farewell he so justly deserved... i'm gonna miss him.

LOL. When I found out he got DFA I got up and gave the news a standing ovation.

maybe we can combine LaTroy Hawkins Day with Morgan Ensberg Day? that should be an event no diehard Yankee fan will want to miss.

looks like the M's are demanding Brett Gardner in a trade if they're forced to take back Igawa in the Washburn trade (Yanks offered Melky & Igawa & M's passed on it according to 1 news story i read)... i say fugget it... just stick w/Ponson & Ras for now & see what players get put on waivers after the trade deadline unless they can work out a different trade before then... don't give up Brett Gardner for #5 starting pitcher cuz he's gonna prove to be really valuable if we reach the postseason, whereas a #5 starter will never likely see any action anyway... if the M's can get a good prospect in exchange for Washburn, all power to them... we should pass on this deal.

Sidney musta been out a little late last night at the Boston Pubs.

Hopefully Kennedy can come up soon and take Fat Tub Sidney's spot.

Ponson's done a good job other than today's game... i'll cut him some slack... i dunno that IK woulda done that much better than Ponson tonite.

btw, Nady's a big O-fer since he got here... any day now X-man.

Posted by TMS:

Ponson's done a good job other than today's game... i'll cut him some slack... i dunno that IK woulda done that much better than Ponson tonite.

btw, Nady's a big O-fer since he got here... any day now X-man.

Yeah seriously. Nady hasn't hit the ball solid yet. He's got to relax and realize we didn't bring him here to be some kind of difference maker. Just relax and fit in. Great hitters in front of you, Robinson Cano behind you waiting to pick you up... I sense he's feeling a little un-do pressure when he really shouldn't feel any at all. He'll be fine. Nice throw home tonight, should've cut down that idiot Youk at the plate.... Speaking of tonight's game, how bad an announcer is Orel Hershiser?????????? WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Makes Michael Kay or Tim McCarver look like the Scooter. Keith Hernandez might even be a better announcer and he's GOD-AWFUL!!!! This was this Yankee's fault, that was that Yankee's fault.... Shut the fuck up you asshole!!! Thank God it was a rout and I lost interest a little, 'cause I tell ya, if I had to keep listening to that jerkoff I would've thrown myself off a cliff....

I'm totally in agreement with you on Washburn TMS. He doesn't throw as hard as he used to. Not nearly the pitcher he once was back with the Angels. Really nothing special at all. I'd say he's on par with Darrell Rasner, maybe not even as good as Ponson. Even if we managed to get him for nothing or just Igawa, is it really an upgrade? I'm not so sure. If we make a move for a starter it should be a clear-cut upgrade. If I were Cash, out of the guys that are supposedly available, the two guys I'd consider are Bronson Arroyo or AJ Burnett. Arroyo's got the nice curveball/slider package and shouldn't cost too much. Burnett, on the other hand, will cost more, probably a lot more, but he's a frontline starter in his prime. 95 MPH fastball, awesome curveball. Lights out stuff when he's on. I put his stuff right up there with the best pitchers in the game to be honest with you. Always liked him. I can't understand why he hasn't been more successful. Highly doubtful JP Richardi would want to trade him to a team within the division but who knows... I wonder what he'd want from us for Burnett? Probably a package of 4 prospects, 2 top tier. That would be my guess. Would you do that??? It doesn't hurt to ask. We get Burnett, we're in the playoffs, probably win the division, maybe even the pennant. He's that good. Clearly the best guy available. So, yeah, if no Arroyo (possible, a little bit of a step up from Washburn, Rasner, Ponson) or Burnett (highly doubtful but the best arm available by far), I'd sit tight and let Ponson & Ranser hold it down until Kennedy comes back. Then hopefully, Hughes follows after that. Hope that with the cracked ribs now healed, Hughes can begin to show the type of stuff that we've been reading about for a few years now, mainly a fastball closer to 95, not 88, 'cause I tell you that'll make a big difference. We'll see.... Gotta keep an eye on this kid Alfredo Aceves too. Been hearing his name mentioned lately as a potential call-up. Putting up some nice numbers for the Barons. Supposedly throws 3 types of fastballs, tops out at 92 MPH and has pinpoint control. Sounds better than Washburn to me....

[Edited by - finestrg on 07-28-2008 02:13 AM]

i would love to get Burnett but like u mentioned trades w/in the division are few & far between... JP would definitely be asking for Ian Kennedy & another good prospect for him would be my guess, at which point i'd pass... we can simply target CC Sabathia or Ben Sheets in the offseason if we wanna add another hard throwing starter to the rotation & just give up draft picks & money instead of 2 of our top prospects & money.

i think if we can get Washburn at a pure salary dump type deal then it's a no brainer but definitely not if we have to give up Melky or Gardner... SEA has some nerve to be making trade demands when they're in last place trying to dump salaries & the guy they're shopping hasn't even put up great #'s this season & making big dollars through next season... Cash should just hold a hard line on this & wait it out til SEA gets desperate, cuz there isn't a team out there that's gonna give up any worthwhile prospects for Washburn's services IMHO unless SEA picks up most of his remaining salary... even if we can't land another starter at the waiver trade deadline in August, we still have our kids in the farm system that can be called up if either Ponson or Rasner start to struggle down the stretch.

i'd pass on Arroyo bro... he's putting up a 5.60 in the weaker hitting NL... i'd rather have Rasner pitching than him to be honest.

Posted by TMS:

i would love to get Burnett but like u mentioned trades w/in the division are few & far between... JP would definitely be asking for Ian Kennedy & another good prospect for him would be my guess, at which point i'd pass... we can simply target CC Sabathia or Ben Sheets in the offseason if we wanna add another hard throwing starter to the rotation & just give up draft picks & money instead of 2 of our top prospects & money.

i think if we can get Washburn at a pure salary dump type deal then it's a no brainer but definitely not if we have to give up Melky or Gardner... SEA has some nerve to be making trade demands when they're in last place trying to dump salaries & the guy they're shopping hasn't even put up great #'s this season & making big dollars through next season... Cash should just hold a hard line on this & wait it out til SEA gets desperate, cuz there isn't a team out there that's gonna give up any worthwhile prospects for Washburn's services IMHO unless SEA picks up most of his remaining salary... even if we can't land another starter at the waiver trade deadline in August, we still have our kids in the farm system that can be called up if either Ponson or Rasner start to struggle down the stretch.

i'd pass on Arroyo bro... he's putting up a 5.60 in the weaker hitting NL... i'd rather have Rasner pitching than him to be honest.

I do agree Burnett's a longshot, but remember we got David Cone from Toronto back in the summer of '95 for a package of minor leaguers so anything's possible. And if he's available and all they'd be asking for is Ian Kennedy and another good prospect for him I think I'd have to do it. Would be similar to the Cubs adding Rich Harden. Burnett not only puts us in the playoffs this season but I say he's got another 5 yrs. of top-form, power pitching left in him. And that would be big - Pettitte and Mussina aren't gonna be around forever. He'd be a perfect guy to bridge the gap until guys like Christian Garcia, Andrew Brackman, Dellin Betances, Humberto Sanchez and Gerrit Cole are ready. Think what he could do with the Yankees with that lineup & in a pitchers park.... You're probably right though, getting Burnett is probably wishful thinking.

Yeah, I hear ya on Arroyo. Numbers don't look too good this year, even in the weaker league - you're right, but he had an awesome year in '06 when he was an all-star. And I still say he's got one of the better curveballs in baseball. In a short series, he could make a difference. Not many guys around like him. He's a change-of-pace type of pitcher. Sort of a poor man's Bert Blyleven. Would be funny getting him though - wasn't he the pitcher who hit A-Rod in Fenway a few years ago that sparked the fight between Varitek and Rodriguez where Varitek smushed his glove in A-Rod's face while still wearing his mask. Remember that shit? What a pussy, Varitek..... HAHA!!!

I still say no to Washburn no matter the terms of the trade. Even if we got him for nothing in a salary dump, the fact that he's getting paid huge money would probably compel Cashman and Girardi to pitch him no matter what, sink or swim. That, along with the very average stuff he features now, is why I pass. And you're right, no way do I give up anything more than Kei Igawa for this guy. Brett Gardner? Keep dreaming Seattle....

Any word on Chien-Ming Wang? When's he due back? First heard he was done for the year, then I thought I heard back in Aug. or Sept. You hear anything?

the Cone trade is probably even more reason for TOR not to wanna make any more trades with us if u think about it.

as for Arroyo hitting Arod, i sorta think at the time ARod was looking for any reason to endear himself to his teammates & be accepted, so maybe Arroyo's pitch just gave him that opportunity... & Varitek's a p*ssy of infinite proportions to get into a fight w/ARod with his mask on... i can't believe he gets so much respect from Red Sux Nation & ESPN for that punk act... be a man for God's sakes.

if we miss out on Washburn i wouldn't be disappointed at all... the Yanks aren't the ones who should feel as compelled to make this deal as the M's should, so any silly demands from their end should be met with a quick "No Thanks" & they can enjoy paying the rest of his contract through 2009.

i haven't heard anything on CMW's status... Cashman must not really be factoring him into the equation either if he's looking to make a trade for another starting pitcher at this point... i don't think any of us should be counting on him to be back at any point this season... even if it happens he'll still need a couple rehab starts to get the rust off & even then who knows how he'll perform after such a long layoff?

Jarrod Washburn is ok. He had 2 really bad starts this season, lately he's been pitching alright. His best days might be behind him, but he's lefty and can give you innings. I don't have any confidence in Ponson so I wouldn't mind acquiring him. I think the Yanks will play hardball here. You know that Washburn would pass through waivers so the Yanks can wait Seattle out as long as they want if Seattle wants to dump that money.

no need to panic. just bring up kennedy. and then if hughes is pitching well, bring him back up also. if washburn can be had for nothing, then make the move otherwise forget it.

we do need to beat up the orioles tho.

btw, espn really should change it's name to the "red sox channel".

outside of the 60 seconds gammons talked about girardi, every thing that was said or shown was completely about the redsox. every single camera shot was of a red sock player on the field or in the dugout. it was kind of funny noticing it early in the game and just continued throughout. they spent 3 full innings talking about john lester. yanks basically got no air time and most of the time hershiser and phillips were digging into them.

it was one of the most biased broadcasted games i've seen in a long time. i mean seriously, every single dugout shot was of the redsox, not one of the yanks.

ESPN is based in Red Sox Nation country... every ESPN producer & film editor is probably a stark raving card carrying Red Sux Nation fan & Yankee hater... that's probably why they're so anti-Yankee & pro-Red Sox.

Yeah even that dopey kid they kept cutting to in the editing room had something negative to say about the Yanks early on.. I was like, who's this fruitcake?!?! I told my wife immediately, if that kid comes back on hit the mute button... We were laughing...

And I say forget Washburn. Yeah he can probably eat up some innings down the stretch here but ask yourself, is he gonna go to Tampa or Fenway (or our nemesis Anaheim - don't we have like 10 more games with those friggin' guys???) and throw a big game down the stretch run here in a big spot against one of those teams? Odds are those teams would have their way with him. If all we're concerned about here is a guy(s) to eat up innings, shit, Rasner and Ponson can do that. My thing is I want something better than that - an upgrade. Right now, with our offense clicking and our superior bullpen, I EXPECT to win games started by Joba, Moose and Pettitte. But right now after that....... And I agree with you DJ, first step, call up Kennedy. Hopefully he's ironed out the kinks. This kid's highly thought of both within the organization and around the league. Any trade discussion, this kid's name comes up. If he's right, he's better than Rasner/Ponson. And then if Hughes' rehab goes well and he picks up the few lost ticks on the heater, bring him up too. Alfredo Aceves also looks like an intriging option as well. If it came down to it, I'd be more inclined to bolster the back end of our rotation from within rather than with a Jarrod Washburn addition.