Matsui tomorrow?

by Travis G on Aug 18, 2008 5:09 PM EDT

Yep, Hideki Matsui, the Yankees second best hitter with runners in scoring position, could make his long awaited return tomorrow in Toronto (and not a moment too soon). He won't play any position but DH, so Justin Christian or Brett Gardner will likely be demoted.

Regarding Saturday's game, it will be either Hughes or Pavano. My vote goes to Carl(a) for several reasons: he has more major league experience, he was better in his last minor league game, he's getting paid more, and there's no need to protect him (via pitch counts).

If you're interested in the negotiating process, you'll love this interview with Nationals' GM Jim Bowden. He talks at length about the draft and the difficulties in (not) signing ninth overall pick Aaron Crow.

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I don't get

the “let’s start Pavano” crowd, and it’s not just Travis.

Major League experience is great, but he hasn’t seen a major league hitter, or any hitter above AA since last April. In the last 18 months, Hughes is the one with all the major league experience. If anyone needs more time in the minors, it’s Pavano more than Hughes.

Pavano is coming off major surgery, Hughes had a cracked rib.

If Hughes can’t get the ball over Pavano, who can he get the ball over????

"Well, that kind of puts a damper on even a Yankees win."
-- Phil Rizzuto after hearing about the Pope's death

by matthaggs on Aug 18, 2008 8:33 PM EDT 0 recs

Tell me if I'm crazy

But in the scenario that Moose or Pettitte retires, should the Yanks pick up Pavano’s 13 million dollar option? What if they both retire?

"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."

by jscape2000 on Aug 18, 2008 8:36 PM EDT up 0 recs

You are definitely crazy

I don’t care if Pavano went 6-0, 2.00 ERA the rest of the season, I don’t think there’s a snow ball’s chance in hell that they pick up his option.

Besides, it is extremely doubtful that both Pettitte would retire. Pettitte has said he wants to pitch in the new yard and Moose probably thinks he has an outside shot at 300 now given how he’s pitched this season.

by anaconda on Aug 18, 2008 8:53 PM EDT up 0 recs

Yeah you're crazy...

Not only the injuries but there’s still the issue of the lying about the injuries- how and when they happened— i don’t think there’s a whole lot of trust there..

’conda and jscape: your opinion… do you give Moose a two year deal?

The Jayfiss Report ...one fan's rants

by NumberSeven on Aug 18, 2008 10:44 PM EDT up 0 recs

I don't think

Moose would bother with a two year deal.
He’s watched Tom Glavine very closely this season.
NYTimes

"Look at Glavine, he’s won two games this year — you think he’s having fun?" Mussina said. "If you could have told him at the end of last year — he’s at 303 — he could play again next year, win two games and be out four months out of six, you think he would do it?"

No, I said.

"I don’t think he would either," Mussina continued. "That’s the question you’ve got to ask yourself. Are you prepared to deal with struggles again? It happens a lot."

"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."

by jscape2000 on Aug 18, 2008 11:06 PM EDT up 0 recs

No...

I’d let him walk if I was calling the shots.

But I think the Yanks could bring back both Pettitte and Moose given the uncertainty and innings limits to Hughes and maybe Joba too depending if he comes back this season.

I’d give Moose no more than a one-year deal and an option year. The guy is going to be 40 yrs old and I truly believe we’ll see a different pitcher next season – probably much closer to the 2007 Moose than the 2008 Moose.

by anaconda on Aug 18, 2008 11:11 PM EDT up 0 recs

I don't think ...

Moose will retire. The Hall talk is increasing in volume, and I think it’s pricked his ears. Pettitte may go, though. Even so, I’ve heard the Pavano talk and given our murky pitching situation it wouldn’t surprise me if he did really well over the next 1.5 months the Yankees brought him back at a lesser amount.

Maybe we are fools, but when healthy, he can pitch. The question is can he stay healthy, and does he have the heart to pitch in NY?

As crazy as it sounds, I wouldn’t rule it out.

"Baseball is the background music of my life." -George Will

by Ronster22 on Aug 19, 2008 9:59 AM EDT up 0 recs

Hughes

was under the weather yesterday apparently, according to Cashman (who says some other interesting things):

FROM LISA KENNELLY, Star Ledger:

“He [Hughes] had a rough outing for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Sunday night, allowing five runs on eight hits in 3 2/3 innings. But it might not have hurt his stock, as Cashman said Hughes had "a bug.”

“He was feeling under the weather,” Cashman said, adding, “it explains a lot of things.”

Meanwhile the perpetually injured Pavano, coming back from Tommy John surgery, allowed one run in six innings for Double-A Trenton on Sunday. He is in the final year of a four-year, $39.95 million contract that has resulted in only 19 starts. But Cashman said Pavano, “as long as he’s healthy,” will start for the Yankees this season.

“He’s going to come back and join us, without a doubt,” Cashman said, “whether it’s Saturday or after.”

http://www.nj.com/yankees/index.ssf/2008/08/new_york_yankees_expect_boost.html

"Well, that kind of puts a damper on even a Yankees win."
-- Phil Rizzuto after hearing about the Pope's death

by matthaggs on Aug 18, 2008 9:34 PM EDT 0 recs

I'd go with Pavano

There’s always an excuse made when Hughes gets lit up. It’s starting to “bug” me.

by runbrettrun on Aug 18, 2008 10:10 PM EDT 0 recs

Roger Clemens

is also repped by the Hendricks brothers. Maybe they think all teams will just throw ridonkulous money at their clients like the Yankees did with Steroid Bob last year.

by runbrettrun on Aug 18, 2008 10:16 PM EDT 0 recs

Bring 'em both up?

Start with Pavano and mop up the mess with Hughes.

by costa on Aug 18, 2008 11:15 PM EDT 0 recs

Go with Pavano to make sure Phil is really ready.

DO NOT sign him to another year.

Andy wants to come back and Moose may be willing. They’re both big ifs for 2009 but the Yankees tend to keep winning pitchers around. While Andy was less reliable this year than most years, he’s a championship Yankee and good for younger pitchers to be around and Moose is having an HoF year.

"The secret of managing is to keep the guys who hate you away from the guys who are undecided." -Casey Stengel

by bxgrl1 on Aug 19, 2008 12:17 PM EDT 0 recs