Just Win: Yanks-Rays Gamer XII

No pregame speeches.  No big pep talk.  Just take the field today and continue this win streak.  Sidney Ponson toes the rubber today for the Yankees.  He comes into the game with a record of 5-1 and an ERA of 4.19.  On the other side the Rays are going to send Edwin Jackson out to the mound.  He's sporting a record of 5-6 and an ERA of 4.08.  Call me Captain Obvious, but I don't see these game being a 1-0 battle.

Once again Hip Hip is penciled in as the DH and Jose Molina gets the call behind the dish.  Giambi is back in the lineup after a day off.  Huge day for Giambi considering the first 20,000 fans will be getting Jason Giambi commemorative mustaches.   Have at it fellas.

YANKEES (48-42)
Gardner LF
Jeter SS
Abreu RF
Rodriguez 3B
Giambi 1B
Posada DH
Cano 2B
Cabrera CF
Molina C
Ponson RHP

Comments

[Mark (YF)]

Scratch that last comment...Floyd .250 career v. Mo...good career numbers were for vs. NYY as a team...

[Lar]

And he walks on 4 pitches, all of which were very close. Could easily gone the other way..

[Mark (YF)]

And the jinx is in...Floyd walks.

[Lar]

Jonny Gomes comes in to pinch run, with 1 out.

[Mark (YF)]

Gomes pinch running...would LOVE to see Molina gun him down.

[Lar]

Navarro trying to drop a bunt..

[Mark (YF)]

Navarro flies out to Melky...down to Hinske

[Lar]

Navarro flies out, so now there are two outs.

[Mark (YF)]

Gameday says Mo is getting squeezed on the inside (left) corner...true?

[Lar]

Hinske K's and up to the Yanks to win it or play more for free.

[Mark (YF)]

Moot for now, as Floyd K's looking...now let's end this thing!

[Lar]

Mark - a little bit, but you can go both ways.

[Lar]

Posada, Cano, Melky coming up.

[Lar]

The Twins trying for the best impression of the Yanks by loading them up with 1 out but failed to score a run.

[Lar]

Posada walks with nobody out.. do you pinchrun him? Too bad Gardner is already in the game..

[Lar]

Joe answers my question by putting Christian up there. So, man on first, nobody out, let's see if the Yanks can scratch one out.

[Devine]

Go...Yankees?

[Mark (YF)]

Jorge walks...have to pich run for him. Can't bunt with Cano, as the batless wonder boy trio is behind him in the order. Seriously, if Cano tries to bunt, I will scream. I will scream right here at work.

[Lar]

Howell at 30+ pitches. Maybe that'll factor in, or maybe they'll take him out if someone else gets on..

[Devine]

I am right there with you, Mark. I think the bunt was silly with a much better hitter doing the bunting than the guys behind him.

[Lar]

Mark, I hope your workmates won't mind, because Cano just dropped one down, and Christian will go to second.

So man on second, 1 out, we have Melky, Molina, and Gardner up.

[Mark (YF)]

*stifles agonizing scream as Cano sacrifices to 3B*

[Lar]

Dubious move. Dubious move.

[Lar]

Howell comes out and Balfour comes in.

[Mark (YF)]

WEll...we can't let Molina and Gardner hit here right. I say let Molina take his hacks and pinch hit Betemit for Gardner...

[Mark (YF)]

Oh, Melky's up first. Melky and Molina, and we HAVE to let them take their hacks, as Posada is out of the game. Man that bunt aggravates me.

[Lar]

Ya, I figured the pinch running means the bunt is off, but I guess not.

[krueg]

COME ON MELKY!!!!

[Lar]

Wow! Christian proves me an idiot and wrong! I actually have no idea about Christian's speed, but apparently enough to steal 3rd.

So the Yanks don't need a base hit, but will probably get it as the infield comes in on Melky with 1 out.

[Mark (YF)]

Jeezus...where did this Balfour character come from? 0.96 ERA? I know it's only 18 IP, but still...

[Lar]

Melky fought off a few pitches, but not that one, as it foul tips for a strike out. 2 away, and it'll take a single (or error) from Molina to win the game.

[krueg]

Sister Christian steals??? Damn slow gametracker...

Melky is about as clutch as something that absolutely isn't clutch. All Buffalo sports teams come to mind...

[Mark (YF)]

Well Christian awesomely steals third but Melky proves it moot by K'ing...as I knew he would. Man that bunt aggravates me. he couldn't steal second anmd take your chances with Cano, your best hitter due up in the inning? Nonsense.

[krueg]

gay.

[Devine]

Gol dern it.

[Lar]

Molina pops out. Grrr. Grrr. Grrr.

Free baseball it is. And now even Posada is out of the game..

[Lar]

Mo at 15 pitches, fyi.

[Mark (YF)]

And Molina pops out to second. That's some good strategery.

[krueg]

Anyone else nervous???

[Lar]

Brignac strikes out. One away.

[Lar]

Mo finishes his last inning at 30 pitches. Now the top of the offense up, and let's hope Gardner can get on.

[Mark (YF)]

Awesome 1-2-3 inning by Mo...Gardner-Jeter-Abreu due up. Really want to score here and end it...

[krueg]

Boston bloodbath...

[krueg]

According to gamecast both the second and third strike were OUTSIDE!!!!

[Lar]

Gardner did not set the table, and Jeter will have to do something.

[krueg]

Jeter has to do something...worthless Abreu is up next.

[John - YF]

I couldn't have been more wrong, what a game.

How does Melky not even make contact? Crazy. Off to a game, enjoy the rest of the game fellas.

[krueg]

Captain Clutch gets on!!! Come on Bobby you fat, worthless donkey!!!

[Lar]

Jeter works out an 8 pitch walk, with the meat of the lineup coming up. They really got to win this.

[krueg]

Just don't hit into a DP dick!!!!

[Lar]

Down 0-2 quickly.

[Lar]

Abreu fouling off a lot of pitches.. but still..

[Lar]

Abreu wins the game. Good game, game over, Yanks win!

[Devine]

Yeah, boy!

[krueg]

BOBBY COMES THRU????? WHAT NEXT, PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST???

Yankees win....theeeeeeeeeee Yankees win!!!!

[Mark (YF)]

Woo-hoo! Abreu for the win...I am still over him, but I'll take it!

[Lar]

Balfour keeps challenging Abreu with the fastball and lost on a changeup hit off the wall. Go Abreu!

[A YF]

Abreu says "How you like me now!?"

6.5 back of the division. And the Sox (and their spawn) are happy we won. And Ponson pitched a better game than Beckett and against a better team. Why I love baseball (but still hate the fat shit!)!!!1111!!!

[krueg]

I still don't like you Bobby but keep it up so you can still get paid by some other stupid team next year that wants a fat, slow RF'er that occasionally hits the ball!!!

[A YF]

Hanley Ramirez just hit his 22nd homer. Projects to 38 HR and 39 SB. He's 24 years old. And he plays shortstop.

[sf rod]

great game. and an excellent series.

can i take this silly stache off now?

[krueg]

NO ROD!!! Love the 'stache...go vote for thong stache for the all-star game too since you are closet Yankee fan!!! ;)

[sf rod]

heck, not only will i vote for him, i'm starting the official "resign jason to a multi year deal" committee.

thanks for having me the last couple o' days guys.

[LocklandSF]

Thanks for getting us those two games back guys, much appreciated.

You can go back to losing now.

[krueg]

They probably will...GO VOTE FOR THONG 'STACHE YOU CHOWDAHEADS!!! :)

[A YF]

"You can go back to losing now."

Somebody's got to beat the Rays if we're going to win this thing. And it ain't you guys.

[Lar]

Ponson gave up 100% of the runs this series.

[LocklandSF]

"Somebody's got to beat the Rays if we're going to win this thing. And it ain't you guys."

You really don't even bother to check the facts before you post, do you?

[John - YF]

I really wish I had more time to do the gamers. The Yankees have lost just one game when I write the gamers this season. I am starting to think this is a conspiracy. Maybe a Sox fan made my Summer Baseball schedule.

Side note, Mad Dog was making a big to do about Cano (actually pointed out his .240 something avg) dumping water on Abreu after the game winning hit. Brought up to Girardi and Girardi just said you never know, this could be the turning point so he can't fault Cano for being excited. (Of course that's not a direct quote, I was driving after all.)

[sf rod]

turning point #5 so far this year. that's still significantly down from last years all time record of 36 turning points.

[A YF]

"You really don't even bother to check the facts before you post, do you?"

SFs around here don't seem to care about these things you call "facts", so why should I? :)

Besides, who just got swept and who did the sweeping with these them here Rays?

Meanwhile, what is the Sox starting rotation these days?

[Dirty Water]

Looks to be Beckett, Dice, Lester, Wake and Buchholz, with that 5th spot interchangeable with Colon and Masterson. How bout dem Yanks, are they still relying on drunks booted out of Texas to win games?

You still glad Cashman did not have the smarts to pick up Colon instead of said drunk?

Fool

[Dirty Water]

Looks to be Beckett, Dice, Lester, Wake and Buchholz, with that 5th spot interchangeable with Colon and Masterson. How bout dem Yanks, are they still relying on drunks booted out of Texas to win games?

You still glad Cashman did not have the smarts to pick up Colon instead of said drunk?

Fool

[A YF]

"How bout dem Yanks, are they still relying on drunks booted out of Texas to win games?"

Yup! And they're winning! Hahahahahahahaha!

"You still glad Cashman did not have the smarts to pick up Colon instead of said drunk?"

Absolutely - 110% plus another 30% for good luck! You guys are putting a starter with a 117 ERA+ in the bullpen because that fat hairy Colon is on his way back. That's funny! What next - Buchholz to the pen or more meaningless innings in the minors? Hahahahahahahahaha!

"Fool"

You really wanna call names? Cause "Dirty Water" is the stuff that comes out of my a$$ when I eat a Fenway Frank.

To the Vaunted Moderators -

Who's trolling who's game threads, now?

[sf rod]

boys. do we really live in a world where the merits of sidney ponson and bartolo colon cannot be discussed civilly?

i could understand if this conversation was happening in 1999 (between an indians fan and an orioles fan). but to hear it today especially after an absolutely delightful sweep by the yanks, really saddens me. for shame.

[A YF]

Hal in the Times this morning reaffirming the Yankee plan:

1) Develop the farm
2) Pay top dollar for free agents
3) No big trades

I can't say I disagree. They won't be getting a Sabathia (or Unit) - now. But they also won't be giving up a LaPorta (or Dioner). Then they'll sign from among the free agents.

Sure, the free agent path is risky. But they've already shown they can sustain bad contracts (Pavano, Igawa). And it's not as risky as also giving up prospects.

I gotta say I love the new leadership. And this whole 'stache thing shows they have a great sense of humor that their father never had. The future looks very bright.

[krueg]

I agree with you A YF...this offseason is going to be very interesting. Is it even possible that the Yankees won't have the highest payroll in the league after next year? With all the money coming off the books, it's possible right?

[A YF]

"Is it even possible that the Yankees won't have the highest payroll in the league after next year? With all the money coming off the books, it's possible right?"

I dunno. It's possible, but likely? They have a new stadium to fill (even as the first year is a given). Looking at the free agent list, I could see them going hard at CC and Sheets and with Santana-type deals cause that's what it will take.

Then I could see them trying three-year deals with RF and 1B. If Abreu shows so life by the end of the season, they could keep him on that type of contract. And Giambi would likely do something similar. With recent deals (Damon, Sheffield, Matsui - Arod is in a different stratosphere) they've shown a the tendency to go shorter with more cash. I think they'll follow something similar and stay out of the Teixeira hunt (cause someone will overpay). But that could also mean some other folks on the market (Dunn, Bradley, Burrell.

Still, add all that up:
- 1 or 2 Santana-type deals = 6/120 million
- RF and 1B at Damon money = 3/39 million
- Total = 320 million
- Consider the 80 million cut from the payroll
- Add back 70 million (2 pitchers/2 hitters)
- Increases to some younger players

2009 Payroll = 190 - 200 million

Actually, that's pretty darn good. I wouldn't be surprised if that's what it adds up to. They might not sign two of the top-flight pitchers, maybe CC and Burnett, but swap in Manny for a Burrell, or the other direction - Sexson for Giambi, and it's the same money.

The big news will be the total package of signings (Press: Yankees - OMG!!!1111!!!) but the payroll will probably be right around the same level. And surely the new stadium gives them more room to spend. I think they will.

[krueg]

Solid analysis bro...very interesting offseason indeed.

[A YF]

Indeed - great time for the "Cash and Youth" strategy!

How about these options:
1B: Giambi, Teixiera, Sexson (32 yo may just need to get out of SafeCo - perfect righty for a short contract and still has a good glove)
RF: Vlad!, Crawford, Manny, Dunn, Burrell, Bradley, Baldelli, Abreu
RHP: Sheets, Burnett, John Lackey!, Derek Lowe, Bartolo Colon!
LHP: CC, Mulder (injury comeback candidate)
Relief: Scott Downs, Damaso Marte, Fuentes, Kerry Wood

It's a great time to go shopping, especially with 80 million lying around!

[A YF]

Not that I'm giving up on this season - but I can still cheer them on and be realistic about our chances. It would be 2005-esque if they made a run but even better. What is it I heard - 12 rookies have played for them this year?

[dw (sf)]

hey sexson just got released according to reports, you can get him right now!

[sf rod]

not trying to take anything away here. i just need to vent for a second....

And this whole 'stache thing shows they have a great sense of humor that their father never had.

isn't this whole stache thing getting annoying? it was semi funny last year went it went by another name..."sal's palls". this year it just feels like a silly retread while giambi acts like he's the first man to grow a "south beach tickler" in interviews. plus, to a man, jason should come clean and just admit it's the only way to cover up that tragic herpes gash he sports on his upper lip.

believe me, i actually like giambi, and facial hair (the "ass kicker" would be so much sweeter). this whole thing just feels incredibly forced and it seems weird seeing actual fans reveling in it.

*rant over*

[John - YF]

Huge fan of Sheets, but don't like the risk associated. Really enjoy watching Burnett pitch, but again too much risk. Of the bunch, I would feel most comfortable signing CC long term.

I think the Yankees need to get there hands on Tex. He gives you a switch hitter, hits for power and avg, as well as solid D. He is also fairly young. I know we disagree on the importance of a good 1Bman.

Also, Crawford and Vlad are not true free agents. So I doubt you will see them even hit the market in 09 especially knowing how good both their teams are. If they do, I expect what you do, the Yankees to go hard.

Just looking over the list of OF's, true FA's only, it's not very impressive.

[John - YF]

Bobby Abreu NYY
Moises Alou NYM
Garret Anderson * LAA
Rocco Baldelli TB
Willie Bloomquist SEA
Emil Brown OAK
Pat Burrell PHI
Endy Chavez NYM
Carl Crawford * TB
Adam Dunn CIN
Jim Edmonds CHC
Juan Encarnacion STL
Cliff Floyd TB
Brian Giles * SD
Ken Griffey Jr. * CIN
Vladimir Guerrero * LAA
Raul Ibanez SEA
Jacque Jones DET
Mark Kotsay ATL
Rob Mackowiak WAS
Kevin Mench TEX
Jason Michaels * CLE
Craig Monroe MIN
Jay Payton BAL
Scott Podsednik COL
Manny Ramirez * BOS
Juan Rivera LAA
Rondell White MIN

We might very well see Abreu back next season.

[Atheose]

Glancing at that list Dunn looks to be the most impressive. I wouldn't want to see the Sox facing him.

[krueg]

Rod: Nope. I can see why it might annoy you...cough, cough, soxfan, cough cough...but from this YF's perspective it's nice to see some personality from the Yankees. They were so stuffy the last few years until Cano and Melky injected some youth.(now if they could only hit???) Add Joba into the mix and it's great to see guys like Jeter, Posada and ARod laughing their asses off in the dugout. Did you see Hip Hip and Jeter giving Joba a hard time in his first at bat in Pittsburgh? (doubt you did) Hilarious! Even the Gatorade bath of fat, douche Bobby yesterday was great!I think the whole "stache" thing just adds to it. I love it! The fans in the Stadium love it! Women and children love it! Even, dare I day, some chowdaheads like it??? (probably not)

Obviously you are entitled to your opininon...cough, cough, soxfan, cough cough...but it's not really for you. Now, the whole "Sox Nation" thing...that's another story. :)

(I had a little tickle in my throat man, sorry about that!)

[krueg]

A YF: I'll take C.C. and Burnett please???

[A YF]

"hey sexson just got released according to reports, you can get him right now!"

Great! That's an upgrade at 1B from Betemit and he's a been a bit better against LHP - small sample this year:

2008: .344 .423 .623 1.045 - 61 ABs

It can't hurt - he's a good glove too.

"isn't this whole stache thing getting annoying?"

No, not at all. But for me the best part is the team giving them out and the player's messing with them on the bench. That's relatively new for the Yankee organization - stupid fun.

"facial hair (the "ass kicker" would be so much sweeter)"

You do realize that this is as good as it gets for a Yankee, right?

John - Burrell and Bradley are both younger and better than Abreu. I also can't see how Manny gets his option picked up, especially if Papi is healthy. But yeah, if none of those (or Vlad) then Abreu hopefully wouldn't be awful for two or three years. Dunn is tough to watch.

[A YF]

krueg -

How about CC and Lackey?

[SF]

I started an open thread up top, I realize it's kind of a pain to click through to the end of 200+ comments in an old gamer. Feel free to move discussion there.

[A YF]

Shit, Angels have a $9 million option they'll surely pick up.

[dw (sf)]

Go for Sexson! his range stinks, yeah, he's 8 feet tall, but that's about it. Small sample size of lefties. his current year OPS: .696 he's hitting for a higher average right now, but has sacrificed power in his new open stance

[sf rod]

krueg- i hear ya. and yes i did see joba's AB. posada telling him to keep his shoulder back. i also remember last year when melky and cano thought a-rod not knowing he hit a homerun was the funniest thing in the world (and then we had to see them reenact it for weeks on end). you guy's got a wacky bunch. just hope jason is writing a check to mr. fasano if he gets an AS appearance bonus.

[A YF]

"his range stinks, yeah, he's 8 feet tall, but that's about it.

FRAA says he's a few runs above average. Rate is about average.

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/dt/sexsori01.php

Not so different from Youkilis, actually:
http://www.baseballprospectus.com/dt/youki________ke01.php

[krueg]

Bring it in guys...we're on the new thread now. It IS annoying getting to the end of this monster...

ROD: I knew you were a closet Yankee fan!!!