Pinstripe Alley

The Bloomberg administration was so intent on obtaining a free luxury suite for its own use at the...

2008-12-01T02:37:34Z

The Bloomberg administration was so intent on obtaining a free luxury suite for its own use at the new Yankee Stadium, newly released e-mail messages show, that the mayor’s aides pushed for a larger suite and free food, and eventually gave the Yankees 250 additional parking spaces in exchange.

NYTimes

Corruption and graft in New York? Say it ain't so!

Will Tazawa signing affect future relations?

2008-11-29T17:56:27Z

There was an unwritten rule before now that Japanese and American professional clubs would not sign amateurs from the other country. That rule has now been broken as 22-year-old Junichi Tazawa has accepted a 3-year, $6-million offer from the Red Sox.

Does this open the door for NPB (Nippon Professional Baseball) to the American amateur market?

What if David Price said he didn't want to be drafted by a MLB team, preferring instead to play for an Independent League, in order to get more money from an NPB team? Could you really blame him for doing so? Why settle for a measly $8.5 million over six years (that he got from Tampa) when he could've easily got more than that from a Japanese team (or the Yankees for that matter) as a free agent?

In a perfect world, there wouldn't be a draft. We don't have drafts in our careers. Imagine going to college and majoring in journalism, then you have to enter a draft where any media outlet in the country could pick you and you basically have no choice but to work for them. Not fair at all from a player's perspective. It's obviously intended for the good of the league/sport as a whole, but is that worth taking away the freedom of choice from amateurs? Should a player be forced to live somewhere he doesn't want for years when, if he had any other job, he could choose where he worked?

Anyway, that's really beside the point. The main idea question here is: are we willing to watch our best amateurs bypass the draft to play in other countries? Will it actually happen? How will we and MLB respond if it does?

We know if the Yankees did this and broke a decades old rule, fans (especially those up north) would be breaking out the old 'Evil Empire' routine as just another example of Yankee hegemony and carelessness toward the whole of MLB.

Joe Poz Reflects on the Boss

2008-11-29T15:26:35Z

Joe Poz Reflects on the Boss

There's a reason Joe Posnanski is recognized as the best in the business. He takes all the stories we've heard about the Boss, mixes in a little of his own theories about city/communal identity, and synthesizes a short 4,000 word character analysis.
Brilliant reading, as always.

An ocean of difference

2008-11-28T17:38:59Z

Attending a European sporting event (specifically the UK) is vastly different than an American event in most ways. My wife and I, along with two friends from London, attended a soccer (football) match in Edinburgh, Scotland, between the hometown Hearts of Midlothian and the Falkirk Bairns.

The first thing that jumps out is the location of the stadium.

It's in the heart of a working class neighborhood. In the U.S., nearly every arena/stadium in the is in the middle of nowhere (at least those that were built after 1960). Very few actually sit in residential areas - Wrigley, Fenway and the Stadium come to mind, but the vast majority are more similar to the Meadowlands. And the Hearts aren't the only team like that - we also toured Chelsea FC stadium, which stands in the midst of a residential area.

The second thing that jumped out was the absence of parking lots. There wasn't even one in the nearby vicinity. Everyone either parked on the street, walked from their homes, or took public transportation.

During the frigid game, I went up to the bathroom and concessions. [Quick aside: the bathrooms in Britain are, for the most part, great, because every lock and every toilet actually work. And they're surprisingly clean.] I asked for a beer and the girl laughed and told me they don't serve beer in the stadium. I was flabbergasted. A sporting event without beer, and in Europe no less?! Anyway, because of the temperature, I ordered something from the 'Hot Drinks' list called a 'Bovril' (I wanted to try something new), which I pondered how to pronounce before ordering. It turned out to be a simple cup of broth (could've been chicken, could've been beef), and it really hit the spot.

But the absolute strangest part was the technology (or lack thereof) inside the stadium. There was no clock/timer anywhere - on top of that, there wasn't even a scoreboard. Never mind one of those new-fangled electronic ones, but not even an old-fashioned, hang-the-wooden-board-with-a-number-on-it kind. It's somewhat understandable, because most soccer games don't have more than a few goals, but it's still just so strange to not see the score anywhere.

And the fans. They were certainly hardy, I'll give them that. They spontaneously burst into song at various points throughout, either following a Hearts goal or countering a song of Falkirk fans sitting in their own section. We got seats two rows from the field for 23 GBP each (about $35), and were so close we could see sweat on the players. Near the end of the game, when the Hearts had a lead and they kicked the ball out of bounds (meaning Falkirk would throw in), the fan that caught it tossed it up to his friend about 20 rows behind him, who proceeded to hide the ball under his seat for several seconds (they use the same ball virtually all game). He finally threw it back to his friend near the field. The Falkirk player was asking for the ball, so the fan threw it way over his head, causing further delay as the Falkirk player chased it down. Then the fan looked back at his friend, put his hand near his mouth in the shape of a gun, blew across the muzzle, and holstered it. Just normal homefield advantage.

They verbally assaulted the line man after a borderline call, normally beginning with 'bloody', and often followed by either 'wanker', 'bastard' or 'c*nt', along with the occasional 'fuck off' for variety. Good times.

Refreshingly, there were no songs from the PA system to get us 'fired up', no ridiculous stunts (I'm thinking of the Yanks 'YMCA' bullshit) - it was just all about the game.

We could definitely learn some things from them (with the obvious exception of the beer part).

Ken Rosenthal of Fox reported that Andy Pettitte had talked with Joe Torre about playing for the...

2008-11-27T15:20:04Z

Ken Rosenthal of Fox reported that Andy Pettitte had talked with Joe Torre about playing for the Dodgers. This could well be the Hendricks brothers reminding the Yankees that Andy is still waiting for his contract.
Once a player gets in the open market, all bets are off. But Pettitte owes the Yankees one for all the support they threw his way last spring after he admitted his PED use.

The Blogfather

Fans' Scouting Report - Results

2008-11-26T20:21:48Z

Fans' Scouting Report - Results

If Baseball Always Had 2 Divisions

2008-11-25T22:32:52Z

If Baseball Always Had 2 Divisions

THT recalculates the standings to imagine what the playoff picture would have looked like if MLB had always followed the 2 tier playoff format adopted in 1969.

From 1926-1952, the Yanks go to the dance 21 out of 27 times. They only missed the playoffs in consecutive years from '29-'31 during the Philly A's dynasty, and they win the division 12 consecutive times from 1934-1935.

Thinking About Robbie Cano

2008-11-25T11:58:41Z

An article by Tyler Kepner in the Times got me thinking about Robinson Cano.

Canó also made an important mechanical adjustment, scrapping the open stance he had lapsed into and reducing the movement before his swing. Long said he knew the swing would be in order when he visited Canó for six days during the week of Nov. 9, but he had no idea Canó would be in such good shape.

“He’s got a personal trainer, and he’s probably down to 10 or 11 percent body fat,” Long said. “This kid is focused, he’s determined. I’ve never seen him like this."

How important is Cano to the Yankees' lineup and to their position in the standings?

Last season, Cano batted .271/.305/.410. If he had matched his best season instead, what would the Yanks' season have really looked like?

While Cano hit an eye-popping .342/.365/.525 in 2006, I don't think of that as his best season because those stellar numbers depended on him swinging at everything and being lucky enough to have every liner find a gap. I think 2007 was Cano's more impressive season because in hitting .306/.353/.488 he doubles his number of walks and he put nearly 50 points of separation between his batting average and his OBP. OBP+ thinks the two seasons were comparable, too; 2006 registered 126, while 2007 clocked in at 120.

So, if Cano had managed to keep his OBP in the .350s rather than the .300s, could it have saved the Yankees' season?

Perhaps. In a 600 AB season, a hitter with a .300 OBP reaches base 180 times while a .350 OBP reaches base 210 times. So, if Cano's success had brought a more talented hitter to the plate I'd think sure it could matter. But Cano spent most of the season batting in front of the likes of Wilson Betemit and Melky Cabrera. Not a lot of fear there. It doesn't seem to me that moving the lineup an extra batter 30 times (even if for the whole game) could produce a drastic change in the outcome of the season.

But when I look at the advanced metrics like WARP3 (Wins Above Replacement Player), that is just what it suggests. Robbie's offense and defense were worth 6.5 wins last, when they had been 10.9 wins in 2007. 4 wins would have moved the Yankees to 93 wins, 2 behind Boston. Since the Yanks pretty much packed it in after they were eliminated, it's not a stretch to imagine picking up an extra win along the way.

Cano figures to be even more important in 2009. I think any talk of Cano batting 3rd is just posturing, and while I could see him hitting 5th or 6th, I expect Robinson to bat 7th or 8th until he proves himself again.

Damon- Jeter- Matsui- Arod- Posada- Swisher- Nady- Cano- Gardner

Damon- Jeter- Matsui- Arod- Posada- Swisher- Cano- Nady- Melky

Worst Case Scenario

2008-11-22T21:42:17Z

Via MLBTR, Phil Rogers speculates that failing to sign any of CC, AJ, or Lowe could bring chaos to the Bronx. It's a panicky sentiment I've seen brought up on several different blog.

While that's easy way to view things, I don't think this "worst case scenario" is really the worst thing that could happen.

The Yankees received just under 900IP from the starters this season.

We lock Joba and Wang into the rotation. They contributed 200 innings in 2008, and ideally Wang will be back to 200 IP in 2009, while Joba pushes toward 150IP.

Bringing Pettitte back becomes a priority. He topped 200 innings for the 4 straight season while dealing with a sore elbow. So pencil him in for 30 starts and 180 IP.

So our horses have us to 530 of 900 IP.

Then there are the second (or third?) tier of pitchers in this free agent class.

Jon Garland had a terrible year and posted a 1.51 WHIP. But he pitched 196.2 innings with only 59 walks.

Braden Looper had his best season yet, using his sinker to record 199 innings, 45 walks and a 1.31 WHIP.

Ben Sheets is the big gamble- ace stuff, but this is the first time in the last four seasons he's made more than 25 starts.

And the money the Yanks save on CC should go toward bringing Tex to the Bronx. He'll be overpaid, but I'd rather have Teixeira on the team for 9 years than have Manny here for four.

Obviously, the Canyon of Heroes moves farther away if this happens, but it doesn't make a playoff run or a title impossible.

Offer to CC: "Not going to be there forever"

2008-11-21T05:38:47Z

According to foxsports, Hal says the offer not going to be there forever. I assume they know what they are doing, but is it really a good idea to "threaten" probably the most sought after free agent? I guess they, the yankees, along with every other team, would like to get the ball rolling and that probably is not going to happen until CC signs somewhere. Well hopefully he ends up in pinstripes and I hope to see him sooner than later.

link: MSN

Orlando Hudson Makes Some Sense

2008-11-20T22:12:07Z

Jon Heyman says that the Yankees are considering free agent 2B Orlando Hudson.

The Yankees might have to consider some rejiggering as well, since they currently have the talented Robinson Cano at second base. While they could consider moving Cano to first base, the more likely scenario would be to trade Cano, either for a centerfielder (how about David DeJesus, who may be expendable now that the Royals have Coco Crisp) or a pitcher.

With Hudson likely to command upward of $50 million over 5 years despite a dislocated bone in his left wrist. In addition to the concerns about his bat, it gives me concerns about his ability to hang in the pivot on the double play. Just like when a catcher misses time after a collision, or when a pitcher gets hit by a batted ball, I want to see Hudson make the plays before I really trust him.

David DeJesus is what he is, a decent centerfielder who will turn 29 in a month, though he is economically signed for the next three seasons (3.6, 4.7, and an option for 6). But Cano is 3 years younger and scheduled to make, 6, 9, 10 with options at 14 and 15.

I think Brian Cashman has to kick the tires on Hudson, with a price ceiling in mind. If Hudson wants to play for the Yankees, then flipping Cano for pitching or moving him to first or right field makes sense.

Could the Yanks put Cano (rather than Hughes) at the center of a Peavy deal? I doubt it. What other teams have young pitching and are in the market for a 2B?

Matsui and Posada are doing very well (rehabbing). We believe that will improve our lineup...

2008-11-20T11:41:56Z

Matsui and Posada are doing very well (rehabbing). We believe that will improve our lineup drastically. You take a switch hitter out of the lineup last year. You take a left-hander who hits left-handers and right-handers very well and is very tough in RBI situations out of the lineup most of the year … We believe there are enough parts. That doesn’t mean we won’t add some But we believe our lineup will be better from a health standpoint.

Joe Girardi at his charity dinner via Pete Abe.
How much extra health can the Yankees really expect next season?

Moose to Retire

2008-11-20T00:19:16Z

Ken Rosenthal reports that Mike Mussina is expected to announce his retirement shortly.

via www.thesunblog.com

This was expected but certainly saddens Yankee fans throughout the nation. Moose had possibly the best season of his career this year (only 20 win season), and was a short way away from 300. This however does give Andy Pettitte a little bit of hope. Right now I see our rotation as follows:

C.C. Sabathia

Chin Ming Wang

A.J. Burnett

Joba Chamberlain

Andy Pettitte

Of course there is a possibility of signing Lowe but given other teams interest (Baltimore, Detroit, Boston, White Sox, Cubs) I find it doubtful.

Certainly Moose will be missed in the Bronx.

Poll

Should Moose's Number (35) be Retired from the Yankees?

Finished?

2008-11-18T11:45:01Z

via graphics8.nytimes.com

Poll

If Mike Mussina retires as expected, do you think he makes the Hall of Fame?

Yanks to Open New Yankee Stadium Against the Cubs

2008-11-18T00:53:49Z

Yanks to Open New Yankee Stadium Against the Cubs

You had to figure they would squeeze an extra 100,000 tickets out of the new digs.

The Red Sox opened the Old Stadium (Yanks won 4-1). I'm a fan of symmetry, but at least it's a quality team with a strong history.

Mariano the Magnificent

2008-11-17T13:00:07Z

Joe Posnanski of the Kansas City Star takes some interesting date from the Bill James Handbook and concludes that Mariano Rivera was the best closer in baseball in 2008.

We've all known that Mariano had an incredible season (a career best 0.67 WHIP, a 1.40 ERA that missed his career best by 0.02 points, 77K against a career low 6BB(!!!) in 70.2IP, not to mention pitching 70+ innings for the 6th straight season and 8th out of 9). Mo finished 5th in Cy Young voting; it's the fifth time he's received votes (fun fact: Mo has appeared on the Cy ballot 5 times and the MVP ballot 8 times).

Bill James divides saves into three categories: easy saves, a regular save (1 run lead in a clean 9th), and tough saves. Only Mo had as many as 5 tough saves last season, and he recorded each of them.

Never content to let statistical brilliance suffice when analytic observations can be added, Poz goes on to argue that Rivera has been even more valuable than his numbers because a the negative impact of an ineffective closer:

definitely seems to have an effect on the general atmosphere, the energy level, the manager’s enthusiasm, the talk radio tenor and so on. These things are multiplied in New York. And basically, in the case of Mariano, one guy has more or less eliminated that negativity from the equation.

An interesting theory to say the least, and an angle I think that Brian Cashman was forced to consider when he gave Mariano that $45M/3Y deal. You can claim Yankee fans are different than other fans in a dozen ways like expectations, energy, expertise (sorry, I'm a sucker for alliteration). But like every other fan base, we love our home grown players best. And that makes it all the sweeter when the world sees that player is the best in the game.

Always Too Soon to Say Goodbye

2008-11-17T06:31:21Z

Always Too Soon to Say Goodbye

A fond farewell to FireJoeMorgan.com.

I got caught up in the FJM love early on- their mix of humor and logical statistics made me regular reader.

Who will lampoon the ridiculous things that managers and sports writers say now?

The Rumors That Will Not Die

2008-11-16T17:56:39Z

Ken Rosenthal brings back the Yankees-Peavy rumors.

A Peavy trade, however, would be more complicated for the Yankees than it would be for his preferred National League clubs, the Braves and Cubs. For starters, Peavy -- who holds a full no-trade clause -- might not want to play in New York.

And the Yankees, after trading five young pitchers in recent deals for Nick Swisher and Xavier Nady/Damaso Marte, might simply prefer to spend on free agents.

Rosenthal makes two very good observations here that show why if the Yankees get Peavy it will be regarded as the deal of the year.

First, the Yankees already moved Ross Ohlendorf, Jeff Karstens, Daniel McCutchen, and Jeff Marquez from the MLB bullpen and AAA rotation. Add in the loss of Jhonny Nunez and Jose Tabata and it's easy to feel like the Yanks have been jetisonning prospects like the '80s.

But, as Chad Jennings recently opined on his SWB Blog, there are about 8 different pitchers who could be fighting for starts in Scranton: Alfredo Aceves, Phil Coke, Alan Horne, Phil Hughes, Kei Igawa, Ian Kennedy, George Kontos, and Chase Wright. While I figure at least 2 of these guys will break camp in the MLB pen (Horne and Coke?), that still leaves 6 guys who could make at least an MLB spot-start, and a couple who have the potential to fill a hole.

So while the Yankees have been trading from their depth, it's still a significant depth.

Second, Brian Cashman has already proven that he's not willing to trade prospects just to dole out money. He resisted trading for Santana last off-season and for Sabathia at the deadline. So, for NY to become Peavy's destination, the Padres would have to accept a somewhat lesser deal.

Lesser is a relative term, though, so I would think Hughes, Melky/Gardner, and one of the guys listed as AAA possibles. The Padres once showed interest in Kei Igawa: they've got a big ball park to hold fly balls and somewhere there's a pitching coach who thinks he's good enough to make Igawa's swing and miss stuff overcome his high and far results.

I'm filing any Peavy-Yankee rumors under "unlikely" until I see the presser on YES.

Yankees sell Rasner to Japan

2008-11-16T02:12:54Z

According to ESPN.com, Rasner "has been sold to a team in Japan for $1 million." While he apparently requested the move, I do not see why he or the Yankees would want to do such a thing. I'm sure he could have been used in the bullpen or as trade bait to a National League team. This might just mean we are going to have enough depth in our rotation for once that we will not have a place for him no matter how many injuries we may incur. Well I personally wont miss him but I do wish him good luck.

frontpaged by jscape2000

The real advantage here is that it allows Cashman to clear a spot on the 40-man roster. Rasner has little trade value, but as a starter he almost surely wouldn't clear waivers.

I suspect it indicates that the Yankees are serious about bringing in 3 free agent starters to compliment Joba and Wang.

Economics of a Record Offer

2008-11-15T21:35:33Z

Dropkick Murphys - Which Side Are You On? (via ZMKproductions)

1) Sabathia will have to make his decision quickly, or else the MLB Player's Union is likely to come breathing down his neck. He has the chance to lift the salary of every free agent starting pitcher for the next several years, even as Bud Selig and the other owners talk of <a href="http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2008/nov/05/selig-warns-gms-about-economy/?feedback=1" target=_blank>fiscal responsibility</a>.

With the bosses threatening to pinch pennies, the union is going to want every player to grab the biggest paycheck available. A high tide lifts all ships, and a plump pitcher in the Bronx inflates all contracts.

2) Remember our outrage when Jared Wright cost $10 million dollars?

If the Yankees wind up giving Sabathia $150 M over 6 or 7 years it also makes Andy Pettitte, Derek Lowe, and AJ Burnett more expensive. I'm not saying the Steinbrenners' checkbook can't handle it; the fans will have to (once again) readjust our tolerance for what is an acceptable salary for an entertainer who works from March through October.

On the other hand, it makes Phil Hughes, Jake Peavy and prospects that much more valuable.