New York Yankees 2008 Season Official Thread

[Tony M]

Originally Posted by myasu

Why the

The Angels would love to play the Yankees in the ALDS - it's as dead a cert a place in the ALCS as any...

[f.montoya]

Originally Posted by Tony M

Why the

The Angels would love to play the Yankees in the ALDS - it's as dead a cert a place in the ALCS as any...

Exactly. I had actually been hoping for the Yankees to pull it off until things went south for them these past couple of days. Yankees simply don't beat the Angels, during the season, post season, doesn't matter. The Red Sox own us and are starting to get healthy and it has me worried that the current WC leader is the Red Sox and we will end up playing them in the ALDS if things hold as they are.

[CommishJoe]

Originally Posted by f.montoya

If it means anything, I hate the Red Sox about as much as I hate the Yankees. I'm an Angel fan and we don't have any problems with the Yankees, really. The Red Sox, we do.

However, Yankee ownership is one of the, if not the, most likely to go the extra mile to appease it's fans by attacking free agency with a will to win second to none. As a non-fan of the Yankees, it just heightens my interest in all of the subplots created by this and, although I'm sure Yankee fans are good people, they're deserving of a little Karma every once in a while just like the rest of us.

Karma? Try being a Yankee fan during the 80s *shudder*. I'm hoping that the new ownership avoids being like their Dad and they actually make SMART off-season moves to support their core of young players instead of replace them.

[f.montoya]

Originally Posted by CommishJoe

Karma? Try being a Yankee fan during the 80s *shudder*...

Nothing like the Karma of being a Cubs fan during the ____'s .

Fill in the blank.

EDIT: The meaning of Karma is you having to pay for your Yankee fan father's and grandfather's quarter century of Yankee success.

[CommishJoe]

Originally Posted by f.montoya

Nothing like the Karma of being a Cubs fan during the ____'s .

Fill in the blank.

EDIT: The meaning of Karma is you having to pay for your Yankee fan father's and grandfather's quarter century of Yankee success.

The "karma" payment of my dealing with the 80s was the late 90s teams.

[f.montoya]

Originally Posted by CommishJoe

The "karma" payment of my dealing with the 80s was the late 90s teams.

As I thought, Yankee fans are good people...they deal with Karma too.

Will Cubs fans see Karma in their favor for the next 10+ seasons? Wow, I hope not. I'm an Angels fan!

[CommishJoe]

Originally Posted by f.montoya

As I thought, Yankee fans are good people...they deal with Karma too.

Will Cubs fans see Karma in their favor for the next 10+ seasons? Wow, I hope not. I'm an Angels fan!

Then I think you'll get your due this year. They have to be the odds-on favorite to be the AL Champs this year.

[1998 Yankees]

How would you like to be in Brian Cashman's shoes at this time? First, he's man enough to take the blame for the Yankees' poor performance this season, taking heat, if any, off Joe Girardi. Quite admirable, but adds to the second-guessing going on about his recent strategy, particularly the Santana non-trade.

Next, guys who were no-brainers-gone after this year have become brainers again: Abreu, Giambi, Mussina, Pettitte. All of them are having decent years and/or recent success that will put the pressure on Cashman to consider picking up options / offering extensions. What if he does and those guys tank next year? Like Cano and Posada?

Add to that, possibly: Carl Pavano. Hold your brickbats! I'm just saying. What happens if Pavano finishes up the season 6-0 or 5-1 with and ERA under 4.00? Do you do the unthinkable and offer him a new Yankees contract? If so, do you pay for 24-hour aides to prevent him from slipping in the bathtub?

Cashman has the job only because I turned it down. I got news for them - when the Yankees fire Cashman and offer it to me again, my response will be the same!

[f.montoya]

Originally Posted by 1998 Yankees

How would you like to be in Brian Cashman's shoes at this time? First, he's man enough to take the blame for the Yankees' poor performance this season, taking heat, if any, off Joe Girardi. Quite admirable, but adds to the second-guessing going on about his recent strategy, particularly the Santana non-trade.

Next, guys who were no-brainers-gone after this year have become brainers again: Abreu, Giambi, Mussina, Pettitte. All of them are having decent years and/or recent success that will put the pressure on Cashman to consider picking up options / offering extensions. What if he does and those guys tank next year? Like Cano and Posada?

Add to that, possibly: Carl Pavano. Hold your brickbats! I'm just saying. What happens if Pavano finishes up the season 6-0 or 5-1 with and ERA under 4.00? Do you do the unthinkable and offer him a new Yankees contract? If so, do you pay for 24-hour aides to prevent him from slipping in the bathtub?

Cashman has the job only because I turned it down. I got news for them - when the Yankees fire Cashman and offer it to me again, my response will be the same!

Well put. These are exactly the kinds of subplots I was referring to in my post earlier. LOVE to watch Yankee drama.

[CMH]

Originally Posted by 1998 Yankees

Add to that, possibly: Carl Pavano. Hold your brickbats! I'm just saying. What happens if Pavano finishes up the season 6-0 or 5-1 with and ERA under 4.00? Do you do the unthinkable and offer him a new Yankees contract? If so, do you pay for 24-hour aides to prevent him from slipping in the bathtub?

I thought about this and I think there is no way the Yankees go after him immediately after the season.

But, I do not think it's out of the question that they will remain interested in Pavano.

Cashman will probably make his decision on Pavano depending on what he sees on the open market. But, with pitching so thin, I think Pavano could still get himself a good contract for a guy that played half a season in four years.

[thomamon]

Originally Posted by 1998 Yankees

How would you like to be in Brian Cashman's shoes at this time? First, he's man enough to take the blame for the Yankees' poor performance this season, taking heat, if any, off Joe Girardi. Quite admirable, but adds to the second-guessing going on about his recent strategy, particularly the Santana non-trade.

Next, guys who were no-brainers-gone after this year have become brainers again: Abreu, Giambi, Mussina, Pettitte. All of them are having decent years and/or recent success that will put the pressure on Cashman to consider picking up options / offering extensions. What if he does and those guys tank next year? Like Cano and Posada?

Add to that, possibly: Carl Pavano. Hold your brickbats! I'm just saying. What happens if Pavano finishes up the season 6-0 or 5-1 with and ERA under 4.00? Do you do the unthinkable and offer him a new Yankees contract? If so, do you pay for 24-hour aides to prevent him from slipping in the bathtub?

Cashman has the job only because I turned it down. I got news for them - when the Yankees fire Cashman and offer it to me again, my response will be the same!

Very nice post! I'll give my opinion on what I think about all 4 players!

Abreu: Needs to take a pay cut if he wants to return. If he does, I can see them bringing him back. Chances of his return probably are about 40%.

Giambi: He is gone, there is no way they bring him back. For years they have been looking to cut ties with him and looking for a way to do so.

Mussina: Coming off of a very successful year and the fear that they won't have much pitching coming year I can see the Yankees making a move to bring Moose back. Probably a one year deal with an option and incentive based. I would say there is a 60% Chance of Moose returning.

Pettitte: The only reason Pettitte pitched this year is because he wants to pitch in the new stadium, he's made no secret about that. My guess is Pettitte would take less to come back next year because he has his eyes set on the new stadium. Chances he returns are 80%. And he really is not bad as a #4/5 starters.

Pavano: I was at the game last night and he was impressive. I don't see anyone giving Pavano a big deal going in to next season, however with some success down the stretch I can definitely see him getting a nice incentive based deal, perhaps for 1 year to see if he can make it through the year. Does he fit in to the Yankee plans? Or are they to bitter to take one more shot? At one point I would say no chance they bring Pavano back.

A quick look at the SP Situation for next year:

Wang - The only definite player coming back(and off of injury to boot)

Chamberlin - After injuring his shoulder this year, I think he'll get one more crack at being a starter. Hopefully what happened this year is a fluke and he'll be fine.

Hughes - The often injured pitcher will be back as well. But confidences in both he and Kennedy are fading fast.

Ian Kennedy - In the same boat as Hughes as well, his chances are dwindling. Would not be surprised to see him traded in the off season and go on to have a solid season else where.

CC Sabathia - Of course its not done yet, but somehow I think the Yankees will do what it takes to get CC in the Bronx.

Rasner and Ponson - They helped fill out the rotation this year, but the Yankees are hoping neither one of them have to do the same next year.

Pavano/Pettitte/Mussina - Read above

I would also say the Yankees need a new 1B for next year, but the odds are they already have their first basemen for next season.. Jorge Posada.

[darkenigma510]

Originally Posted by thomamon

Pavano: I was at the game last night and he was impressive. I don't see anyone giving Pavano a big deal going in to next season, however with some success down the stretch I can definitely see him getting a nice incentive based deal, perhaps for 1 year to see if he can make it through the year. Does he fit in to the Yankee plans? Or are they to bitter to take one more shot? At one point I would say no chance they bring Pavano back.

.

Yeah but remember, it was against the Punch & Judy Jays....

[1998 Yankees]

My responses:

Originally Posted by thomamon

Very nice post! I'll give my opinion on what I think about all 4 players!

Abreu: Needs to take a pay cut if he wants to return. If he does, I can see them bringing him back. Chances of his return probably are about 40%.
Agree. Good hitter, but overpaid now and will be even more so at 35+ at this salary level.

Giambi: He is gone, there is no way they bring him back. For years they have been looking to cut ties with him and looking for a way to do so.
LOL, at me, not you. I want to agree with you but every time I come around to that, the b*****d hits a dramatic home run (or single).

Mussina: Coming off of a very successful year and the fear that they won't have much pitching coming year I can see the Yankees making a move to bring Moose back. Probably a one year deal with an option and incentive based. I would say there is a 60% Chance of Moose returning.
You gotta do something; you can't let him walk away after this season. I can think of three games that he could easily have won with a bit of run or bullpen support. Let's say he goes 2-1 in those games. That would make him 18-8 and it's not even September yet! In a situation like this, you want to go year-to-year but watch Mussina hold out for two.

Pettitte: The only reason Pettitte pitched this year is because he wants to pitch in the new stadium, he's made no secret about that. My guess is Pettitte would take less to come back next year because he has his eyes set on the new stadium. Chances he returns are 80%. And he really is not bad as a #4/5 starters.
He's not the ace, though, not by a long shot. #4 or 5, yes, but I'm afraid he's going to end up being looked at as #2 or 3 and that's not good, I would say.

Pavano: I was at the game last night and he was impressive. I don't see anyone giving Pavano a big deal going in to next season, however with some success down the stretch I can definitely see him getting a nice incentive based deal, perhaps for 1 year to see if he can make it through the year. Does he fit in to the Yankee plans? Or are they to bitter to take one more shot? At one point I would say no chance they bring Pavano back.
Isn't that some hell of a situation for Cashman? Let's say, like I did above, Pavano pitches lights out in September. What does Cashman do? I'll give him credit for one thing: If he thinks it's a good idea to offer Pavano a contract, he'll do it regardless of what you and I and the rest of Yankee fans, and the Steinbrenners for that matter, think.

A quick look at the SP Situation for next year:

Wang - The only definite player coming back(and off of injury to boot)
I still don't think he's an ace, but I sure do miss him.

Chamberlin - After injuring his shoulder this year, I think he'll get one more crack at being a starter. Hopefully what happened this year is a fluke and he'll be fine.
Girardi oughtta tell this big baby to get off his fat ass and pitch! What's his nickname now, "Carl"? I want 200 innings plus or it's a ticket to Scranton! How's that for a rule, Joba? ()

Hughes - The often injured pitcher will be back as well. But confidences in both he and Kennedy are fading fast.
Gosh, when you remember that this was the Second Coming of Cy Young a couple of years ago, it makes you shake your head. The jury is still out, but another season of injury and failure in the minors, and . . .

Ian Kennedy - In the same boat as Hughes as well, his chances are dwindling. Would not be surprised to see him traded in the off season and go on to have a solid season else where.
Not exactly in the same boat as Hughes in terms of expectation, so somehow he gets a "bye" from me for now. Both are still very young, so they should be kept around for another year or two, but it's easier to say that about Kennedy than Hughes.

CC Sabathia - Of course its not done yet, but somehow I think the Yankees will do what it takes to get CC in the Bronx.
I'm also hearing buzz about A.J. Burnett. Signing one or both of these guys need not be the end of the "youth movement" however.

Rasner and Ponson - They helped fill out the rotation this year, but the Yankees are hoping neither one of them have to do the same next year.
I hate to say it, but any pitching staff that needed to bring in Sidney Ponson to bolster it was in big trouble. In a different way, it's the same judgment for a pitching staff relying on guys like Rasner and Giese who at 27 and 31 respectively are still struggling to stay out of the minor leagues.

Pavano/Pettitte/Mussina - Read above

I would also say the Yankees need a new 1B for next year, but the odds are they already have their first basemen for next season.. Jorge Posada.
Ah, I knew our string of agreements would run out, and on the very last comment. You had to throw this in here, didn't you? No, no, no! I never believe in 1B as a dumping ground for aging players. You need a good fielding 1B. You want Posada in the lineup? DH him - that's why the DH was invented!

[thomamon]

Originally Posted by 1998 Yankees

Ah, I knew our string of agreements would run out, and on the very last comment. You had to throw this in here, didn't you? No, no, no! I never believe in 1B as a dumping ground for aging players. You need a good fielding 1B. You want Posada in the lineup? DH him - that's why the DH was invented!

You can only have 1 DH and that will be Hideki next year. I think Posada can be a much better fielding 1B then Giambi ever was, hell, so can i

[1998 Yankees]

Originally Posted by thomamon

You can only have 1 DH and that will be Hideki next year. I think Posada can be a much better fielding 1B then Giambi ever was, hell, so can i

I could see Posada and Matsui platooning at DH. Posada is better batting right-handed vs. lefties and Matsui is a lefty and of course is better facing righties. Posada could still get into quite a few games as well by catching occasionally. Of course, all of this is moot as Posada would never settle for this arrangement.

[thomamon]

Originally Posted by 1998 Yankees

I could see Posada and Matsui platooning at DH. Posada is better batting right-handed vs. lefties and Matsui is a lefty and of course is better facing righties. Posada could still get into quite a few games as well by catching occasionally. Of course, all of this is moot as Posada would never settle for this arrangement.

Posada has no choice, his career as catcher is over. Its 1B from now on No way the Yanks would do that platoon either, it would be way too expensive of a platoon.

[Tony M]

I'm quite liking the Yankees at the moment - they're whooping the Rays and we're dragging out the wins...

[thomamon]

Originally Posted by Tony M

I'm quite liking the Yankees at the moment - they're whooping the Rays and we're dragging out the wins...

This is how they should have been playing for quite some ride. Is it going to be a fun September or is it too late? Are the ghosts ready to make one last appearance?

[CommishJoe]

This has to be one of the dumbest articles I've ever read...

Yankees must return to days of spending sprees -- Newsday.com

[1998 Yankees]

Originally Posted by CommishJoe

This has to be one of the dumbest articles I've ever read...

Yankees must return to days of spending sprees -- Newsday.com

Agreed. I mean, can we go one season without the ultimate in success to see if a different philosophy of running the team will work? I'm as frustrated as . . . well, no, I'm not as frustrated as some spoiled Yankees fans. But I am frustrated. Still, I am willing to go through a season or two or three if that is what it takes to build a solid contender rather than a team full of Pavanos and Ponsons.