2008 Yankee News & Notes Thread

[26 to 6]

I figured I would make this thread for us to talk about happenings around the Yankees throughout the year rather than starting threads for insignificant topics or discussing them in game threads, which as we all know get FLOOOOOOODDDDDEEEEEDDD anyway (10 pages in less than an hour is not unusual )

I wanted to throw out that FINALLY, after being relentlessly booed throughout the first homestand, being serenaded with "Paul O'Neill chants, and having a chat with Jeter and Mo; LaTroy Hawkins has decided to relinquish number 21 and switch back to 22, which he woe in the spring while 21 was occupied by Morgan Ensberg. A small step down in my eyes, going from Paulie to Roger, but I don't think Roger has much clout anymore, so I can't complain. I think this should be a clue to Hank, Hal, and Daddy-o that O'Neill is deserving of having his number retired. As suggested by Greg Cohen on his Sliding Into Home Yankee blog (a very good one, I might add), how about June 21 st, when the Reds come into town.

http://www.newsday.com/topic/ny-spyn...,2848930.story

Also, interestingly, the idea of putting Piazza in pinstripes to help deal with the current lack of catching depth due to injuries has been thrown around by some online. I know a few years ago I wouldn't have minded seeing Piazza in pinstripes backing up Jorgie and being a lethal bat off the bench, but at this point with his inability to catch I initially just dismissed it as a dumb idea. I still feel that way, but I wouldn't be completely 100% opposed to it if the Yankees could make it work with three catchers. Appearantly, neither would Cashman. According to a team insider, Ca$h-money and his advisers are meeting (this was yesterday, so I dont know if they plan on meeting or have met already) to discuss whether o not signing Piazza would be beneficial and help deal with the current catching problem. I, for one, am more than content with Molina backing up a healthy Jorgie. But Piazza's bat off the bench could prove helpful. He would have to be willing to play some first once in a while, as having three exclusive catchers does NOTHING for our benches depth and versatility. I should point out though that Molina has played some first base throughout his pro career both in the Majors and in the Minors (I thought he had played some third too, but upon further research found nothing to validate that) and that Posada came up as a second baseman and could be a candidate to move to first sometime in the next few years.

Now I certainly don't think this is a move that is ultimately going to happen, as it just doesnt make enough sense, but an AL scout who followed Piazza closely last year says that "any team that adds Piazza will be getting a player who is obsessed with winning a World Series." I think it's an intriguing possibility and topic of conversation. And I must admit, that going back to his Mets days I've always had small desire to see Piazza in pinstripes.

http://gothambaseballmagazine.com/ya...the-bronx.html


Apparently, this is a rendering of what the alter will look like this Sunday at the Stadium when Pope Benedict does mass at the Stadium.

I guess the Yankees have instructed the vatican to make sure the pope-mobile, or anything/anyone for that matter doesn't touch the grass. Being raised catholic (not the most devout or religious person anymore) and actually visiting the Vatican (during John Paul's papacy) I've really wanted to go see this since hearing of it last year. But considering tickets are only available through the church, and the fact that I haven't been to mass in FOREVER I wouldn't feel right. Besides, Sunday is sort of a holiday for me and I'm probably going to be busy most of the day.



...ok, so got all of that out of my system
Back to bed..

[26 to 6]

Posada will be starting at first tonight against Baltimore (there is no game thread to post this in, and rather than start one after the series has begun I'm just gonna put it here. If someone else wants to start a game thread for this weekend's set, be my guest) while Molina starts behind the plate. Joba will also be rejoining the team tonight, so I assume Edwar is going back to Scranton, and Kyle Farnsworth has been suspended 3 games for throwing behind Manny the other night, but will appeal.

I also heard that before he came down with pink eye, the Yankees were talking trade with the Pirates regarding Wilson Betemit, who they wanted to take over for Jose Bautista as the everyday third baseman. Any speculation as to what the Yankees may have gotten/may get for him?

[jacksonianmarch]

betemit actually didnt have pink eye. He had a corneal ulcer which is painful and causes you to see poorly. It also predisposes you to bad eye infections. So him being out is not BS, its a true disease

That being said, we gave up our most reliable middle inning pitcher for Betemit, so we'd better get a reliable middle inning pitcher in return. How bout Marte? Otherwise, I say we keep him, let him get a few games in AAA then try to find him some ABs between benching Giambi and giving Jeter some time off.

[Jayhawk Bill]

Originally Posted by jacksonianmarch

betemit actually didnt have pink eye. He had a corneal ulcer which is painful and causes you to see poorly. It also predisposes you to bad eye infections. So him being out is not BS, its a true disease

That being said, we gave up our most reliable middle inning pitcher for Betemit, so we'd better get a reliable middle inning pitcher in return. How bout Marte? Otherwise, I say we keep him, let him get a few games in AAA then try to find him some ABs between benching Giambi and giving Jeter some time off.

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?...=.jsp&c_id=mlb

Wow...if those corneal ulcers aren't the very least-worrisome type, Betemit may be in big trouble.

Were I a GM, I'd only trade a player with negative value for Betemit until we see if he can recover. This could literally be the end of Betemit's career if the ulcers don't heal properly.

[26 to 6]

Originally Posted by jacksonianmarch

betemit actually didnt have pink eye. He had a corneal ulcer which is painful and causes you to see poorly. It also predisposes you to bad eye infections. So him being out is not BS, its a true disease

That being said, we gave up our most reliable middle inning pitcher for Betemit, so we'd better get a reliable middle inning pitcher in return. How bout Marte? Otherwise, I say we keep him, let him get a few games in AAA then try to find him some ABs between benching Giambi and giving Jeter some time off.

I was never insinuating that it was a BS injury, I just stated it was pink eye because that's what I had heard and read until now. I heard both corneal ulcers and pink eye, but not being med savvy I don't know the difference. I'm with you, and I liked the acquisition of Betemit as I've liked his bat since he came up with Atlanta, and I loved his infield versatility, but Proctor had to go. I would LOVE to get Marte back in return for Betemit. But if that's not feasible for Pittsburgh, I wouldn't mind some decent prospects. You never know who might be a diamond in the rough.

[26 to 6]

With A-Rod going to the DL now we're without two fo our biggest players. Combine that with the fact that the pitching is just a complete headache and I'd say Im a little uncomfortable right now, especially considering we CANNOT HIT WITH RUNNERS IN SCORING POSITION!!!!

So what's the move gonna be; are Betemit's eyes well enough to activate him or are we gonna carry another pitcher? If neither of those then we would have to purchase a contract and add someone to the 40-man.

Idk why I'm asking this because by the time anyone answers the move will have been made

[Optimist]

...wouldn't be April unless everything that could go wrong did go wrong with the Yankees.

[The Dustball]

Wilson Betemit has been activated from the disabled list and Alberto Gonzalez has been sent down to make room on the roster.

[a700hitter]

Originally Posted by Optimist

...wouldn't be April unless everything that could go wrong did go wrong with the Yankees.

It wouldn't be October if the yankees were not choking away some post season series.

[a700hitter]

Oh my! Joba the Magnificent just gave up a three-run pinch hit home run to David Delucci. Too bad.

[26 to 6]

Originally Posted by a700hitter

It wouldn't be October if the yankees were not choking away some post season series.

I think that statement would apply more-so to you guys than it would us.

But anyway...

"just give me the ball and let me do my thing. I'm not afraid to fail." -David Wells
http://www.nypost.com/seven/05092008...042.htm?page=2

Appearantly an idea that I've had in the back of my mind all season to help address our bullpen problems with a left handed, rubber arm may be coming to fruition. Except they would bring him on as a starter at first due to the struggling rotation. But I think that the low-risk, high-reward scenario of bringing David Wells back to the Bronx for a third time is something worth looking into. Joe Torre is no longer here, and that's where most of Boomer's problems within the Yankee organization lie. Read the article and Hank's quotes and you'll see he is riding the wood like Tarzan; swingin' from that branch. I say go for it..

Plus Boomer loves the Yankee and what it means to wear that uniform, would give another added spark of enthusiasm to that clubhouse, and is close friends with Girardi. Bruney's gone for the year so slap that number 33 jersey right onto Boomer's back and lets see what happens. If this did indeed happen, I would forget about his little stint in Beantown probably immediately

[jacksonianmarch]

26, I'd like that idea if Wells wasnt totally done. Last season, he lost nearly all his velocity and he got shitstomped. He used to throw 88-92 and was still doing so in Boston and SD. When he went to LA, he was done. 84-86 and his change was equal to his heat. He just didnt have it anymore.

[26 to 6]

No way to disagree with how he's pitched as of late. But he's had time off, has a rubber arm, big game experience, is left-handed, and would come cheap. I think it's worth a shot. I wouldn't pin any hopes on him or anything; I wouldn't even rely on him to be a solid starter, but he's better than the lefty we have in the pen now, and in those blowout games can give you those innings, plu a spot-start here or there. If he doesn't perform, Designate his ass for assignment. But I think it's something worth looking into. The situation in Yankeeland might just be enough to influence his performance and give him one last go-round in pinstripes to finish his career out. At this point, honestly, what do we have to lose? If he's terrible in his firt outing, he' gone the next day. No biggie. We'll see what happens though.

[Jayhawk Bill]

Cool! I never would've thought that David Wells would've had a PECOTA Card for 2008.

50th Percentile: 5-8, 5.71 ERA. I would've guessed worse.

[TheKilo]

LOL david wells