Results tagged ‘ David Wells ’
You had me at MRI…
A foot apart…
Yes, I admit it. I was genuinely concerned. Yesterday, news broke that David Robertson had hurt his foot in a mishap at his home. The Yankees sounded very concerned and of course they ordered a MRI and were making comments about the severity of the injury. The immediate thought was the Lisfranc injury suffered by former Yankees starter Chien-Ming Wang. While Wang is pitching again, it took years and he is still not the same guy who won 19 games in successive seasons a few years back.
Today, it was announced that Robertson had a deep bone bruise after missing a step on the stairs at his home. The foot is a boot and he’s on crutches until Sunday, but it now sounds as though Robertson will be back sooner than initially thought. So, the best case scenario played out, but it’s another example of how conservative the Yankees are when it comes to injuries. That’s a good thing, I suppose, from the perspective of the players’ health, but it does cause a little angst among the fan base. The thought that we’d have to go to the guy who is being paid over $30 million for 3 years to set up (Rafael Soriano) to actually be the set up guy is terrifying!
I know, we’re spoiled but when you live in the midst of a ‘World Series or bust’ environment, it goes with the territory.
Heading into spring training, my concerns for injury resided with players like Alex Rodriguez, Eric Chavez and Joba Chamberlain. Robertson has been so clutch and reliable that you just don’t expect HIM to get hurt…and particularly not in such a freak accident. But of course, pitchers are fragile creatures. You don’t have to look much further than the Mets’ Johan Santana. Even Pittsburgh’s A.J. Burnett is down after suffering an at-bat injury in a bunt attempt. The Yankees have been very lucky that CC Sabathia has stayed healthy given the other injuries they’ve dealt with. Why can’t every pitcher be gifted with the elasticity of David Wells’ arm…
AL East or bust…
Hearing reports of the Baltimore Orioles’ hot and cold interest in Johnny Damon truly shows that Johnny has an interest in playing for every team in the AL East. I suppose that his agent has been calling the Toronto Blue Jays even if there haven’t been any sightings. Damon probably should have accepted that trade from the Detroit Tigers to the Boston Red Sox at the trading deadline a couple of years ago. I hate to see him bouncing from team to team. That’s probably a good indication that it’s time to go home. He can still hit, but there’s too many younger, cheaper options.
Have bat, will travel…
The Yankees’ desire to get salaries below the $190 million threshold by 2014, I have to wonder if we are seeing the final two years of Derek Jeter’s Yankee career. With so much invested in Alex Rodriguez, Mark Teixeira, and CC Sabathia, the Yankees will no longer have the luxury of a huge investment in an aging shortstop. It’s also disheartening to think that the day will come when the Yankees have to make the decision to keep Curtis Granderson or Robinson Cano. If they manage to find a way to keep both, then there’s not much left for other key positions. Who would have ever thought that $190 million would be such a small amount of money…
Teams like the Minnesota Twins probably laugh at the Yankees being placed into a situation where they have to re-tool with less expensive options and make hard decisions on popular players given that’s been their business model for years.
I know, doom and gloom…it will work out. The Yankees will do what they need to do. I can’t see them allowing the team to become a modern version of the CBS ownership era of the late 60’s and early 70’s.
Can Minneapolis keep the Vikings where they belong?…
After years, it feels like there finally may be movement in the plans for a new stadium for the Minnesota Vikings. The proposal has been finalized and now needs city and state approval. The new stadium would be located next to the Metrodome, and the team would only be displaced for one season before moving into the new digs. I believe the target date is in 2016. This has been a very long road, and hopefully, the city and state will approve the plans so that the construction can begin and Minnesota can be assured of keeping the Vikings. The Los Angeles Vikings never really had a good flow to it anyway…
Whether it’s in the standings or not, losing still stinks…
If spring training games mean nothing, why do I feel excitement when the Yankees win and angst when they lose…
–Scott
Red Sox?…We Don’t Need No Stinkin’ Red Sox!…
Ugh, not another Red Sox player!
UPI
Don’t we already have one of those? I think one is more than enough…
Reuters
Unless your name is Jason Bay or Jon Lester, I am not interested in seeing you wear pinstripes. It was no fun watching David Wells and David Cone in Boston; conversely I do not need any repeat appearances of Mark Bellhorn or Mike Myers in New York.
Jim McIsaac/Getty Images
AP
AP
Much to my chagrin, the Yankees acquired third baseman Eric Hinske from the Pittsburgh Pirates. Hinske was batting .255 in 106 at-bats and had 1 HR and 11 RBI’s (hardly earth-shattering numbers). To Hinske’s defense, he did hit 20 home runs (with 60 RBI’s) for the 2008 American League Champion Tampa Bay Rays but he isn’t exactly the “supersub” I was hoping for. He was also a member of the 2007 World Champion Boston Red Sox.
Reuters
Well, I guess sometimes having an ex-Red Sox player is not so bad…
Hinske can play both corner spots, providing relief for both Alex Rodriguez and Mark Teixeira. I recognize the need for backup support at first since Nick Swisher is locked in at right field now that Xavier Nady is out for the season. Hinske can also play right and left field. The Yankees do not have the roster space to call up Shelley Duncan, who would have been limited to 1B/DH duty. With Hinske on board, the Yanks should be able to rest A-Rod more often.
Elsa/Getty Images
To acquire Hinske, the Yankees gave up two minor leaguers, right-hander Casey Erickson and outfielder Eric Fryer. They had acquired Fryer in last year’s trade of pitcher Chase Wright to the Milwaukee Brewers.
Due to a flight delay from Pittsburgh, a roster decision might not be made until Wednesday, but Ramiro Pena will be optioned to AAA-Scranton/Wilkes Barre to make room for Hinske. At this point, the move makes sense. Pena needs more playing time, and the Yankees needed some pop off the bench with the loss of Nady.
Hinske must be on one of those AL East circuits like Kevin Millar…don’t stop until you’ve played with every team in the division. He only needs to play for Baltimore to complete the circuit, whereas Millar just has to spend some time in pinstripes. Egads! Please, Brian Cashman, do not let that happen! We do not need any ‘Cowboy Up’ in the Bronx!
Somewhere in Boston, Julia is probably in hysterics. We acquire a Red Sox “has been” and Boston will most likely pursue a former beloved Yankee like Nick Johnson. It’s not fair. One of the days, the tide has to turn. The season has been way too easy on the illustrious Ranter from Boston…
In a move that should signal the Yanks to be cautious with Alex Rodriguez, the Red Sox placed third baseman Mike Lowell on the Disabled List. Lowell had fluid drained from his right hip on Monday, and had received an injection designed to relieve inflammation in the area previously operated on. The Red Sox decided not to take any chances and to give Lowell some added rest so that he’ll be ready for the second half of the season. Perhaps Lowell’s struggles are another reason that led to Hinske’s acquisition. I do wish Mike the best, and hope to see him back in the field shortly after the All-Star Break.
The Yankees also signed another third baseman from the independent leagues. Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks 3B Yurendell DeCaster’s contract was purchased by the Yankees, and he was assigned to AAA-Scranton/Wilkes Barre. DeCaster is 29 and was leading the Northern League with 13 HR’s and 43 RBI’s, while batting .344. Sounds like Cash is still looking to catch lightening in a bottle…
Is there anything more temporary than being a good outfielder in Pittsburgh? The Pirates traded yet another quality outfielder in Nyjer Morgan to the Washington Nationals for OF Lastings Milledge and reliever Joel Hanrahan. The Nats also picked up left hander Sean Burnett. Will Milledge finally realize his potential in Pittsburgh? If so, how long before he is traded? At this rate, he is a future Yankee…
AP
Go Yankees!
–Scott
As Fonz would say, I was “wr…wro…wr…”…
CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENTS, CONTINUED…
Upon second thought, I will acquiesce to the opinion that confidentiality agreements would not be a good thing. First and foremost, it would have to be cleared through a collective bargaining agreement between management and the player’s association, and that would never happen. If the Yankees were able to incorporate the language into their contracts for players, coaches and management without league consent, there would be potential negative implications in terms of trying to attract future free agents to New York. It doesn’t seem that long ago when it was difficult for the Yankees to attract top free agent talent without severely overpaying. The Yankees successfully changed the perception in recent years, and the Bronx became a very attractive place to play. But the presence of a confidentiality agreement or clause in a Yankees contract could cause player to accept less from other teams without the same verbiage (knowing that they potentially would have greater revenue opportunities after baseball).
In the end, I think the person most hurt by Joe Torre’s book, The Yankee Years, is Joe Torre. Regardless of whether the negative backlash was deserved or not, Torre will have to work hard to make amends.
I would not want to lose the opportunity to read future books that provide actual insight into the details of specific seasons and teams. So, I agree that a disparagement clause in Yankee contracts would be inappropriate.
NO MORE FREE AGENTS
As I read MLB.com’s report that the Yankees cannot sign more than three Type A or B Free Agents (excluding their own) under the terms of the collectively bargained rules established by management and the player’s association, I can’t help but wonder why this wasn’t brought to light sooner. I personally do not think that the rule plays any part in the Yankees desire to add no further free agents. I think economics played a greater part (the state of the US economy and the Steinbrenner family’s desire to stay under last year’s payroll). But it’s funny that this rule wasn’t mentioned by anyone sooner. Apparently, the Yankees could have requested an increase in the quota since the total number of Type A and B Free Agents exceeded 62, but they did not (which supports the argument that they’ve simply reached their appetite for player salaries).
So much for my gluttonous dream of Manny in pinstripes!
UPDATE: It is now being reported that this was revised to no more than 8 Type A or B free agent signings due to the expanded pool of free agent players. I thought it was weird that nothing was said about the limit before. Nevertheless, I think the Yankees are done. With the settlement of the arbitration case with Brian Bruney, the Yankees’ total salary is just under $200M with a few more contract issues to be resolved (however, no more arbitration cases remain). Unless salaries are going out, I just don’t see any further free agent signings…
OTHER THOUGHTS…
It’s almost humorous to hear David Wells’ comments about Joe Torre given how much time and energy Wells put into being a distraction himself. But, based on quotes over the years and the recent events, I find much truth in the following Wells’ quote:
“I’ve always said if you weren’t Joe’s boy, he could care less about you. … Don’t get me wrong, he is not a bad manager. I just thought he was a bad individual, because of the fact he didn’t treat everybody the same.”
And of course, to hear comments from Carl Pavano is even more humorous. For all the negative things that have been said about Pavano (and deservedly so), I also think he has displayed the right attitude in his response. I particularly liked the quote that ended with “…it does explain why I haven’t received any Christmas cards from Joe the last few years.”
In addition to reading the book, I will be anxious to hear what Torre has to say on David Letterman next week (Wednesday, February 3rd). Hopefully, Dave won’t pitch softballs to Torre…
Torre’s first interview is scheduled for tonight on “Larry King Live”.
Today is deadline day for Jason Varitek. On the surface, it doesn’t look like this is going to end well. Hopefully, Jason can set aside his pride, and accept the Red Sox offer. It’s not like it would be a struggle to get by on only $5 million (at least not from my perspective). I do feel that the Red Sox have handled the negotiations fairly, and to a degree, you could say they’ve been generous to a player who has meant so much to them. Hopefully, the two sides can come together later today. The Yankees-Red Sox battles just wouldn’t be the same without Varitek in the Boston dugout. Hopefully, there will be another scene like this later today…
(Courtesy Associated Press and the New York Times)
UPDATE: Varitek agreed to the contract later in the day. One year at $5 million, plus a second year club option for $5 million or player option for $3 million.
Fid
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