Results tagged ‘ Ubaldo Jimenez ’
Time for a change…
The dawn of a new day…
This is tough for me. I started my blogging on MLBlogs and consistently ranked in the Top 20 during my two year association with the site (for fan blogs). I’ve decided it is time to go to a stand-alone site, and just enjoy doing what I like to do…talk about the Yankees and whatever other sports topic that might cross my mind. This is not about trying to seduce other bloggers to visit your site to boost the popularity numbers. Hopefully, there will be key words or tags that lead people to my new site (http://scofid23.blogspot.com/).
I have truly enjoyed the blogging community regardless of what service you subscribe to. People who like to write are a very passionate crew, and there is definitely a strong camaraderie that exists among the “family”. Maybe nobody ever reads this blog, but is that really the point? Everyone has an opinion. I am no different than anyone else. I like to write, and this is my release.
Well, this is a sports-related blog so let’s get it going…
A huge week ahead…
This is a very crucial week for the Yankees as the trading deadline approaches. Of course, I always feel like there needs to be a caveat attached to the July trading deadline as teams still have to the end of August to make trades albeit subject to the waivers process. Yeah, like Evan Longoria is going to clear waivers. Granted, there’s no way the Rays would be foolish enough to trade Longoria but you get the picture.
I still think if the Yankees make a move for a frontline pitcher, it will be a potential trade that we’ve heard nothing about. There is no way that Ubaldo Jimenez is going to find his way to the Bronx. I really don’t think the Colorado Rockies are motivated to make the move, plus I don’t think the Yankees would be willing to part with the talent that would be necessary to swing the deal. At this point, I am not expected a frontline pitcher although I realize that is probably the only hope for the Yankees chances to compete for their 28th World Championship. They have a good team, but not good enough to advance past the Boston Red Sox or the Texas Rangers in a short series.
You could say that this week will determine the fate of GM Brian Cashman, who’s contract expires at the end of the season. He is in a tough spot as no team is going to hand him an ace, and if he fails to advance in October, there will be a press conference to announce him as some other team’s new GM in the off-season.
I am glad to hear that 3B Eric Chavez is about to come off the DL. With Alex Rodriguez still a few weeks away, it will be nice to have Chavez in the lineup…even on a part time basis with Eduardo Nunez. I like Brandon Laird but his day will come. For now, it’s time for him to go back down to Scranton/Wilkes Barre.
Down, set, 244, 244, hut, hut…
I am glad the NFL has finally settled their differences with the Players Association. Granted, there was no way that either side was going to pass up huge pay days, but it sucks for us fans that they put us through the lockout for the past few months. As a Vikings fan, it is the end of July and I don’t know if WR Sidney Rice will be wearing purple or catching TD passes from some other team’s QB this fall. The most experienced QB on the roster is a one year veteran (Joe Webb) who was originally drafted as a WR after playing QB in college. I am a Christian Ponder fan but I don’t want Ponder to start until he is ready. I would definitely prefer a stopgap at QB until Ponder is ready to take over, so I am okay with a signing of Matt Hasselbeck or a trade for Donovan McNabb. But, as Brett Favre rumors re-surface, I really don’t want to see #4 back on the sidelines for a third season.
I am excited about this football season. I’ve been a Vikings fan all my life, but I’ve never attended a home game. I’ve seen the Vikings play on the road over the years, but I wasn’t raised in Minnesota and hadn’t lived in the state until last week. Work brought me to Minneapolis, so I am now within walking distance of the Metrodome. Rest assured that I’ll be attending my first Vikings home game this fall. Skol Vikings!
Have a great week, everyone!
–Scott
Land of 2 Seasons: Winter is coming, Winter is here…
I don’t have a beret to throw in the air…
I am finally living in an American League city once again. Today is my first day as a resident of the city of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Somehow, recent years have found me in National League cities, which is tough as an American League fan. Nevertheless, I persevered and now reside in a city that houses good baseball tradition. In fact, from my living room window, I can see the lights of Target Field. Sweet! Of course, I will never be able to admit that I am a Yankees fan in public given the bad blood between the Yankees and Twins. I’d probably have better luck wearing a Sox cap…
I am looking forward to learning about my new city, and I am excited about the opportunity and potential the area provides. Yes, I’ll have to get used to winters again, but after living in areas where winter meant a 20 or 30 degree dip in average temps, I am looking forward to true changes of seasons. Growing up in the Midwest, I never complained about snowfall and it was always one of my favorite enjoyments. The only issue I have with winter is ice. Outside of that, I can deal with the cold temps and the white, frosty surroundings.
Oddly, as a lifelong Minnesota Vikings fan, this will be the first time that I’ve been surrounded by Vikings fans. Admittedly, that’s going to be very strange. Growing up in southeast Iowa, Vikings fans were mixed among fans of the Bears, Packers, Chiefs, and the then St. Louis football Cardinals with the Bears as perhaps the predominate favorite. I’ve seen the Vikings play in person over the years, but they’ve always been road games. I never made it to the old Metropolitan Stadium in Bloomington nor have I been to the Metrodome in downtown Minneapolis. That’s obviously going to change, but admittedly, it will be strange seeing everyone around me wearing purple and gold.
I am glad to be in Minnesota, and I am looking forward to a very long stay. And, no, I am not suddenly going to become a fan of Carl Pavano…
Fundamentals, is it really that hard?…
I was very disappointed to see the Yankees lose a close game to the Tampa Bay Rays last night due to errors. When you are playing one of your key rivals, anything less than your best is unacceptable. The Yankees had a chance to bury the Rays and couldn’t do it. While the Boston Red Sox are running away with the AL East, the Yankees need to make sure that they put distance between themselves and the other wild card challengers like the Rays. Losing a game because you are outplayed is one thing, but to lose a game because of your own incompetence is wrong. The Rays had encountered a tough stretch of games with the 16 inning loss to the Red Sox, followed by the baseloaded walk loss to the Yankees. Another loss last night could have started driving a stake in the heart of the Rays. But the Yankees allowed the Rays to resume their Wild Card drive, and last year those types of games allowed the Rays to best the Yanks in the East.
Mike Carlson/AP
The Rays clearly have the superior pitching rotation, but the Yankees are the offensive club…even with Alex Rodriguez on the DL. With the series tied after two games with two to play, the Yankees have to ensure that they leave St. Petersburg with no less than a split.
The price of an ace…
The trade rumors involving the Colorado Rockies ace Ubaldo Jimenez are great, but I am hesitant given the high cost that would be involved. I get that Jimenez is young (27) and has a very affordable contract for the next few years, but giving up Manny Banuelos and Jesus Montero (and others) seems like such a high price to pay. I like Jimenez and his road splits away from Coors Field are ridiculous, but I simply cannot condone giving away the farm to bring him to the Bronx. That’s tough because who really knows if Banuelos and Montero will be genuine stars. The cool demeanor of Banuelos seems like a perfect play in Yankee Stadium, and I do really believe that he is destined for greatness. I also recognize that if CC Sabathia opts out of his contract and signs elsewhere this off-season, the Yankees will be lacking an ace. Nevertheless, I do not think the Yankees should make the Jimenez trade unless the price is right. Given the completion for the pitcher, I just don’t think that will happen. The best deal for the Yankees would be one that no one is talking about. Once the talk goes public, there is too much potential for other teams, like the Red Sox, to muck things up for no other reason than to drive up the price it would cost the Yankees.
When the Red Sox acquired Josh Beckett from the Florida Marlins, there was not much speculation ahead of the trade. The Yankees need that same stealth like approach to their next major acquisition.
And the young respond…
I am glad to see some of the guys from the Yankees farm system get their opportunity. Guys like Brandon Laird, who was called up when Ramiro Pena went on the DL, and pitcher Steve Garrison. I’ve really wanted to see what Laird could do in a platoon situation with Eduardo Nunez at third so now is his chance.
Yes, I thank my lucky stars every night for David Robertson…
Charles Wenzelberg/NY Daily News
Mutual respect…
I was listening to MLB Radio this week and I heard a Red Sox fan give kudos to Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera. I was glad to hear those types of comments because I hold a similar high respect for certain Red Sox players like Dustin Pedroia and Jon Lester. It seems so un-Yankee like to respect a Sox player, but Pedey and Lester play the game the way it is supposed to be played. There’s no way that I could ever root against those guys. If I was a team owner, they would be among the first players that I would want to acquire for my team.
You have to go back to the 1920’s? Really?
The Cleveland Indians and Pittsburgh Pirates in first place? I can’t believe how much media attention that has gotten. I do not expect either team to be a factor come October, but it’s nice to see their fans having reason to cheer this late in the season. I enjoyed the early 1990’s when the Pirates were a factor in the play-offs every year. After years of trading stars for prospects, it is nice to see the team thriving on those prospects. But much of the credit has to go to first year manager Clint Hurdle. Similarly, the Tribe’s success has to be attributed to Manny Acta. Both men know how to get the most out of their guys. It is very refreshing to see. Nevertheless, I still do not see anything that’s going to derail a Boston Red Sox-Philadelphia Phillies World Series.
Matt Freed/Post-Gazette
Yes, I am finally home…
“…You can have a town, why don’t you take it. You’re gonna make it after all.” I finally get what Mary Tyler Moore was saying after all these years…
–Scott
Help Wanted: 8th Inning Set Up Guy…
Forget about 3 out of 4…
The Yankees may have won the weekend series against the Cleveland Indians, 3 games to 1, but they should have swept the series. What happened on Saturday? Four games and all I want to know is what happened to Joba Chamberlain?
With a 10-4 lead in the fifth inning, the Yankees should have been able to skate to the victory. Unfortunately, it was not meant to be. CC Sabathia was less than sharp, so he does hold some responsibility for the Tribe’s momentum that ultimately led to the erasure of the six run lead against Sabathia and the New York bullpen.
But it’s getting torturous to watch Joba come into the game at times.
The last two games, although close early on, were both heavily tilted toward the Yankees by the end of the games. There was a sense that the Yankees would score the necessary runs in both games, which they won 7-3 and 11-2 on Sunday and Monday. However, there was a common denominator in both games. Neither featured an appearance by Joba Chamberlain. At this point, we don’t know if he has a short memory or if this two week stretch is a sign of things to come. Hopefully, he’ll right the ship and catch up with his teammates who appear to have moved past the struggles of late.
Speaking of today’s win, hats off to Andy Pettitte. It was a terrific outing by the left hander and in winning his 7th game of the season, he tied the Chairman of the Board, Whitey Ford, for 60th place on the all-time wins list at 236. Of course, you have to wonder what could have been in terms of those three years in Houston. When Andy left via free agency, I was surprised at the time given where he was on the Yankees career list for wins by a lefty. So, instead of tying Ford for the most wins in franchise history, he is 37 wins behind at 199 Yankees victories. This has been a fantastic year for Pettitte (7-1, 2.48 ERA), however, I feel this may be his last given how much more he has been talking about his family this year. Regardless of what happens, Andy is doing it his way…
It is a startling statistic when Mark Teixeira is intentionally walked. The grand slam by Alex Rodriguez in the seventh inning broke open what had been a tight pitching duel between Pettitte and Indians rookie Mitch Talbot. When Teixeira is given a free pass, A-Rod is 5-for-5 with 3 home runs and 18 RBI’s. So, please AL Managers, please continue to walk Mark Teixeira at your leisure! J
Derek Jeter was hit by a Talbot pitch in the second inning and left the game after hitting a single in the 7th inning when the hamstring tightened. Hopefully, DJ will be fine after a night’s rest.
A special shout out to two brilliant pitching performances over the weekend. Roy Halladay went a long way toward making Philly fans forget his recent rocky performances and Cliff Lee along the way in throwing a perfect game on Saturday night. It was the 20th perfect game in Major League history and the second game this season (Dallas Braden of the Oakland A’s threw the other perfect game this season). Also, Ubaldo Jimenez (10-1) of the Colorado Rockies became the majors’ first 10 game winner with a 4-0 victory over Tim Lincecum and the San Francisco Giants.
The Tampa Bay Rays lost to the Toronto Blue Jays today so the Yankees are just 2.5 games out of first place. But of course, the Jays and the Boston Red Sox are nipping at their heels. The Jays are just a game behind the Yankees, and the Red Sox are just 2.5 games back. So, the AL East lead could be taken by any one of the four teams depending upon who gets hot. Let’s hope it gets hot for the Yankees…very hot!
–Scott
Not Tonight, I Want to Watch the WBC…
The WBC is quite interesting after all…
I have to admit that I am starting to get caught up with the World Baseball Classic. At first, I dismissed it as a ploy by the Commissioner and viewed it as something that would prevent certain players from getting quality spring training time with their respective teams. Granted, a Derek Jeter doesn’t have to worry that someone’s going to steal his job while he is away, but how about someone like Carlos Marmol? Carlos should be the Cubs’ closer this year since Kerry Wood signed with Cleveland in the off-season. However, the Cubs did acquire the Florida Marlins closer Kevin Gregg in the off-season. I have not been following the Cubs that closely, so I don’t know if Marmol has already been given the closer’s role by Manager Lou Piniella or if he is in competition with Gregg. But regardless, time away from Cubs camp can’t be beneficial.
Jerry Lai/AP
On the same token, Kevin Cash is fighting for a Yankees roster spot as the third catcher. Meanwhile, Francisco Cervelli has been with the WBC’s Team Italy. Granted, Italy has been eliminated and Cervelli is on his way to Tampa to join up with the Yanks. But still, the time away most likely was more beneficial for Cash than it was Cervelli.
Sorry, I digressed…
I am very surprised to see the Netherlands’ victory over the Dominican Republic. On the bright side, it means that Robinson Cano and Damaso Marte will be on their way back to camp. But I still have to believe that the DR was the better team. Well, I guess on “any given Tuesday”, everyone has a chance. That’s why the play the games, right?
Two things did stand out to me about the Netherlands-DR game.
First, Ubaldo Jimenez is a freak. Ten strikeouts in four innings. Two hits, no runs, no walks, and 43 of 65 pitches were for strikes. It’s a tremendous line score, and is obviously a tournament record. I’ve known that Jimenez was good, I just didn’t realize that he was this good. The Rockies are very fortunate to have him.
Secondly, Pedro Martinez pitched very well and certainly deserves another opportunity. The Mets are on record saying they have no interest in re-signing Pedro, but you’d think someone would take the chance. I mean, c’mon, if you have the chance to go with Carl “The American Idle” Pavano or Pedro Martinez (albeit the antique version), you tell me you’re going to go with the guy most likely to hit the DL first? I’d think a team that is capable of contending, like the Indians, would take a chance on Pedro as their fifth starter. In the Netherlands-DR game, Pedro pitched very well (three innings, no hits, no runs, no walks, and two strikeouts).
The WBC games have been very entertaining, and I am looking forward to the second round. Plus, Jimmy Curran has my interest piqued about Japanese pitcher Yu Darvish…
Steroids, the topic that won’t go away
Alex Rodriguez should be thankful for the torn labrum. The injury and the subsequent surgery have caused people to focus on things other than his admitted steroids use. So, the surgery definitely has had some positive impact despite the negative of keeping A-Rod out of action for 6-9 weeks.
Meanwhile, the negative reports for Roger Clemens keep coming in. Now, Brian McNamee is saying that he injected Clemens with drugs in the Jacuzzi at Yankee Stadium. At this point, I fully believe that McNamee is telling the truth. From my perspective, what Clemens has done is far worse than anything A-Rod did.
Okay, maybe that’s not Clemens, but it could be! 
I used to feel that Clemens would be a shoo-in for first ballot Hall of Fame. Now, I don’t believe he should ever get in (not even posthumously).
Aside from Barry Bonds, Yankees who have taken steroids seem to get triple the press magnification than players from other teams. I realize that New York City is THE major market, but I’d have to believe that steroids found their way into other locker rooms and no team was immune.
Examples should be made of the so-called liars like Clemens and Bonds. I will always have more respect for those who step forward and admit their indiscretions and crimes than I will for those who continue to deny their guilt.
Yankees Happenings
CC Sabathia didn’t last long today as he gave up 5 runs on 6 hits, and didn’t make it out of the second inning in the Yankees 7-4 loss to the Detroit Tigers. One of the hits was a home run by former Yankee Gary Sheffield. Ouch!
Meanwhile, Joba Chamberlain pitched much more effectively than he did his previous outing in Tuesday night’s 7-1 win over the Cincinnati Reds. He allowed one run on three hits, striking out three and walking none, in two innings of work.
Sounds like GM Brian Cashman is content to start the season with Cody Ransom as the starting third baseman. “I’m not optimistic about doing anything,” Cashman said. “I’m not going to be proactive in trying to do something. If something presents itself that makes sense, which is not realistic, then maybe it will be somebody different. I think our answer is here in camp.” Of course, you never know if that is talk to downplay any sense of desperation on the Yankees’ part or if Cashman is truly intending to stand pat. My guess is that there isn’t anything that makes sense and it’s not worth parting with a blue-chip prospect at this point. Now, if Ransom gets off to a very slow start…
Alex Rodriguez left a voice mail message for Manager Joe Girardi on Tuesday night that said, “I’m doing well.” I am hopeful that it means the recovery will be closer to six weeks than nine weeks!
It’s not Yankees news, but for everything negative about Manny Ramirez, there is no question that he is in a league of his own when it comes to hitting. I noticed these comments by Donnie Baseball, the Dodgers hitting coach. “By 8 [a.m.], he’s in the cage. He’ll only take 30 to 35 balls, but he’s almost perfect with them. He does it slow. He doesn’t rush. He’s not firing ball after ball. He takes his time with each swing. It’s like each swing is a whole at-bat. He thinks about what he wants to do and then he thinks about what he just did. Every swing he takes with a purpose. And he doesn’t talk much when he’s hitting. But if he doesn’t like one, he’ll ask what you think he did.” I don’t condone how Manny treated the Boston fans or the organization, or how he quit on his teammates, but I respect his ability to hit. That was the only reason that I wanted the Yankees to sign him.
The Sharks Win, The Sharks Win, TTTHHEEE SHHHAARRRKKKS WIN!
Okay, they blew a three-goal lead but the San Jose Sharks finally won last night, beating the Minnesota Wild, 5-4, in overtime. Wins have been hard to come by for the Sharks in recent weeks, so I’ll take any victory that I can.
“We won finally and that’s a real good thing,” said Sharks coach Todd McLellan. “But I’m disappointed in the way we carry ourselves. I’d like to see some guys step up and swing the bat. I want to see guys take the challenge on a little bit more.”
It was the Sharks first victory in five games.
I am hopeful that the victory will reignite some momentum for the Sharks as they continue the drive for the post-season.
Fid
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