Results tagged ‘ Kelly Clarkson ’
First Departure from 2009 Championship Team…
Let the trading and signings begin!…
The Yankees embarked on their 2010 off-season journey by dealing reliever Brian Bruney to the Washington Nationals for a player to be named (most likely the Nats’ first round pick in Thursday’s Rule 5 Draft). Bruney has been a vital cog in the Yankees bullpen for the past few years, although there have been a few interruptions caused by injury. I am not sure what I think about this one. I have to believe that Brian Cashman has a motive for making the move. It’s been said that Cash feels that Bruney’s role can be replaced by lower cost options, however, I liked the thought of having Bruney as a safety net for the bridge to Mariano Rivera should Phil Hughes make a successful transition to the starting rotation next season. Or perhaps Cash has more grandiose plans that would keep Hughes as the Yanks’ primary setup man. Regardless, Bruney will be missed, and I wish him the best of luck in the Nation’s Capitol.
Michael Strobel/US Presswire
Okay, you could say that Bruney is not the first player to depart given the number of players who are free agents. However, none have signed with other clubs yet so Bruney is the first major departure from the 2009 Champions.
It was also announced that pitcher Andy Pettitte has decided to return in 2010. Unlike last season, Andy was very quick to make the decision to return. Of course, the team and Pettitte now have to agree on compensation so this could still be dragged out over the course of the next few weeks. I am glad to see Andy’s return as that would be preferable over a gamble that someone like Randy Wolf could have a successful transition to the Bronx. When he’s done, Andy will stand tall among the franchise’s best left-handed pitchers. He may not reach the club’s win record for a southpaw, but he’ll be in the neighborhood. If only he hadn’t left for the Houston Astros for three years…
So, the Los Angeles Angels are kicking the tires of Boston Red Sox outfielder Jason Bay. If they allow Vladimir Guerrero to depart, it would make sense that the Angels pursue someone of Bay’s caliber. If that happens, I’d have to believe that the Red Sox will become the odds-on favorite to land Matt Holliday as Bay’s replacement.
I just completed a very busy week, and it’s great to be home. Last Sunday, I attended a Kelly Clarkson concert in San Jose.
I departed the next day for business meetings in New Jersey. After the meetings, a number of my co-workers and I traveled to New York to see Rock of Ages on Broadway. It was a terrific show, and the star, former American Idol finalist Constanine Maroulis, was phenomenal.
Getty Images
From New York, I headed to Phoenix where I spent the weekend. I went to Sunday night’s game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The game was a disaster, as the Vikings fell to the Cardinals, 30-17. However, the stadium was impressive. Hopefully, Favre and Company will rebound for a strong finish to the season. Everyone’s allowed a clunker or two, right?
Rob Schumacher/Arizona Republic
Arriving back in San Jose, all the nearby mountains were snow-capped, which is a very rare sight in Silicon Valley. It was a beautiful sight, and it was so good to be home!
Life Is About Choices…
Doc or Josh…
Joel Auerbach/US Presswire
To repeat as World Champions, the Yankees clearly have to upgrade the middle of their pitching staff. No offense to Andy Pettitte, but going into the play-offs with a three man rotation is not the recipe for continued success…especially if Bud Selig is successful in shortening the off-days during play-off series. At this point in his career, Andy is better served by bringing up the rear of the rotation. So, if the Yankees decide to pursue a frontline starter to go with CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett, should they go after Roy Halladay of the Toronto Blue Jays or Josh Johnson of the Florida Marlins?
Pitcher to pitcher, it’s easy to say that the choice should be Roy Halladay. He is arguably the best pitcher in the American League, and he knows how to win in Boston, New York, Baltimore, Tampa and Toronto. He is not intimidated by the Los Angeles Angels, and at 32, he is primed for a few more years of dominance.
But if it were my decision, I’d have to go with Josh Johnson. I know that he doesn’t have Doc’s resume, and there is the age old argument that National League pitchers struggle in the American League. However, it goes beyond just Johnson’s age (he will be 26 next season). After undergoing Tommy John surgery in mid-2008, he is 22-6 since his return and according to FanGraphs, he ranked third in average fastball velocity this past season with 95.1 mph (behind Ubaldo Jimenez and Justin Verlander). He enjoyed a very fine 2009 season, going 15-5, with 3.23 ERA. He struck out 191 batters in 2009 innings. He will continue to get better, and will soon be an elite ace if he’s not already there.
Probably the bigger reason I’d pursue Johnson is that either pitcher is going to require a hefty bounty in return. There is no doubt that the Yankees will lose the likes of Phil Hughes or Joba Chamberlain, and other high level talent to make a trade. Realistically, if we are going to lose those guys, I’d rather see them pitching in the National League instead of right here in the AL East. The counter-argument is that some team is going to pay the Blue Jays a very high price, so they’ll walk away with a much stronger team either way. But still, I am not prepared to see Joba Chamberlain pitching for the Jays. The AL East should be very competitive next year. Aside from the Yankees and Red Sox, you know that the Tampa Bay Rays will be a force to be reckoned with. The fine young talent in Baltimore is finally starting to gel and should result in a much improved Orioles squad. So, if the Jays are smart about the pieces they receive in a Halladay trade, there will be no pushovers in the division.
Greg Fiume/Getty Images
The Yankees have A.J. Burnett locked up for four more years so I am not concerned about him. However, CC Sabathia still has the right to opt out of his contract after two more years so I think it would be wise for the Yankees to go with the younger option so that they can build a cornerstone for future years. I don’t think CC will opt out, however, as long as it exists as a possibility, it has to be considered. Much can happen in two years.
So, I say go with Josh Johnson and send the premium Yankee talent to the National League…even if that means Doc Halladay calling Fenway Park “home”. Yankees manager Joe Girardi is familiar with Johnson from his year as the Marlins manager in 2007, so it would aid Johnson’s transition to the Bronx.
AP
There is a question of whether the Marlins organization will be willing to part with Johnson, but it should be interesting to see what develops in the coming weeks…
Jim McIsaac/Getty Images
But tonight, I choose to see Kelly Clarkson… 
Now, the Yankees win…
A week ago, the Yankees faced the Boston Red Sox and lost 8-4. Thanks to the loss, I was fortunate enough to spend the weekend immersed in the Red Sox Nation as I wrote three blogs about Red Sox players (the penalty for losing to Julia of Julia’s Rants). The Yankees have not lost since that game. What’s up with that? Guys, where were you when I needed you?
Next time I need you, please be ready! Hint: It involves Fenway Park!
So, when you see the Bat Signal, be ready to play!
You know the phrase ‘It’s not whether you win or lose, it’s how you play the game’? It DOES NOT apply here!
“Sure, winning isn’t everything. It’s the only thing.”
– UCLA Football Coach Red Sanders, 1955
April 24th through April 26th. I expect three victories..nothing more, but absolutely nothing less! Do you want me to lose to this woman again? C’mon, please help out a desperate Yankee fan!
Hey, Elizabeth and Bob, your votes don’t count! 
Today, the Yankees defeated the Minnesota Twins, 4-2. I will start by offering my apologies to Erin of Plunking Gomez. The outcome may have been different had Joe Mauer played or if Jose Mijares didn’t, as Erin suggested.
But it was great to see Mark Teixeria’s first spring homer and a solid pitching performance by Phil Hughes. Also, it was great to see Robinson Cano back in pinstripes.
For Erin’s benefit, I offer a photo of who she thinks would have been the star only if…
POTENTIAL VIKINGS QUARTERBACKS
There is actually a subject that Erin and I agree upon…the Vikings are the greatest (well, NFL-speaking of course)!
I am listening to Kelly Clarkson as I type this so forgive me if I am momentarily distracted. Uh-oh, Julia may have figured out my Achilles heel…
Now, about the Vikings and their QB quandary…
Naturally, I remain hopeful that the team will be frontrunners for the services of Jay Cutler should the Broncos decide to trade him. Listening to the continued comments regarding the rift between Cutler and Head Coach Josh McDaniels, I don’t see how this is going to end happily for Denver. Even owner Pat Bowlen said that unhappy players shouldn’t stay despite his stated preference to retain Cutler.
My Life Would Suck Without You is such a great song…
Sorry, I was distracted again…
I saw an article that indicated the Vikings should pursue Tennessee Titans QB Vince Young or Cardinals QB Matt Leinart. I absolutely do not want Vince Young. There is no scenario that I’d prefer him over Sage Rosenfels (or even Tavaris Jackson, for that matter). Matt Leinart, who thus far, has failed to fulfill expectations, might be a different story. I do think that one of these years, Matt is going to “get it”. I could see him having a Rich Gannon-like career. But don’t we already have one over-hyped USC quarterback on the roster (John David Booty)? My preference remains Cutler since I can’t have Matt Cassel…
Kelly Clarkson has 7 dogs? Wow.
Well, I would be willing to take Georgia QB Matthew Stafford, but of course, the Vikings do not have the Number 1 pick in the upcoming draft or anything remotely close. So, I guess the Vikings will be shopping at Nordy’s Rack for their QB hopes…
Have a great weekend, everyone! J
Fid
Recent Comments