Comments on: And That Happened: Wednesday’s scores and highlights

By: uyf1950

uyf1950 — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 19:39:03 +0000

That’s true. But if the Angels come to the realization that they won’t be able to resign him probably their best bet is to trade him at the end of this year. If they wait until the trade deadline in 2012 they won’t receive the same value for him. First, the 2013 FA class is pretty deep their won’t be a lot of reasons for clubs in need to part with a lot to get Weaver versus signing one of the other FA. Like I said earlier with the 2012 FA class very, very weak the Angels could probably hold out for a pretty substantial return in exchange for trading him.

By: uyf1950

uyf1950 — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 19:07:59 +0000

yankeesfanlen – I’d love it. But the realist in me says it’s probably an unrealistic expectation. Being a fan I have no problem with the money (payroll) because the Yankees would more then make it up at the gate, promotional events and with the Yes Network. It also would allow them to fill out the last two spots with some combination of Hughes, Nova, Noesi, Brackman, Stoneburner or Phelps. I’m assuming that both pitchers Benuelos. Betances and Montero, plus would have been given up as 3 of the pieces to package for a trade.
But I think a starting rotation of CC, King Felix, Jered Weaver and 2 of the 6 above would be lights out for at least the next 5 years. Five starters like these five would probably cost the Yankees about $75 to $80MM per. Versus their 2010 starting rotation payroll of about $65MM. Is the extra $10 to $15MM per worth it? ABSOLUTELY. Allowing for increases in arbitration of the next couple of years your probably right the Yankee payroll would probably only increase by about $20 to $25MM over it’s present or 2010 level. The Yankees cost for players are fixed at 1st, SS, 3rd, the outfield. Cano is really the only full time player contract wise the Yankees have to worry about.
Well time to wake up from the dream because it’s probably not ever going to happen, but it’s nice to speculate my friend.

By: Ari Collins

Ari Collins — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 18:54:57 +0000

Yeah, the only thing I can think of is that your (now four!) thumbs-downers can’t read (like the MSNBC linker) and thought you were saying that Jered Weaver was never insanely good.

By: saltwatertrout

saltwatertrout — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 18:01:26 +0000

Weaver has an arbitration year left and will be a free agent after the 2012 season.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/weaveje02.shtml

By: yankeesfanlen

yankeesfanlen — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 17:32:46 +0000

uyf- Having even lived through Jeff’s tenure (saw him win one at OYS circa ’03), I’m sure I would LOVE the other J. Weaver in ’12. Know you like to keep the Universe actuarily sound,however getting Jared and King Felix, deleting Grumpy, and we’d only be at +-230MM to start the run for 29.

By: APBA Guy

APBA Guy — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 16:53:08 +0000

Braden must not have been in the dugout to whisper to Gio yesterday, because Gio’s curve ball was finishing center cut, which isn’t a good spot when the Sox are swinging it. After Tuesday’s schooling at the hands of Mr. Anderson, the Sox must have had a good night’s sleep to get over their jet lag, because Lowrie and the Youker, who couldn’t even make contact Tuesday, were seeing Gio very well. That bodes well for the Sox for the rest of their road trip which continues today in Anaheim, Beckett v. Chatwood.

As for the beloved A’s, they take the shuttle to Seattle to play in an even more pitcher-friendly park for the next 4. The get the King today and Crown Prince Pineda tomorrow, which has all the makings of a series split, which would leave the A’s at .500.

Geren may want to separate Mr. Anderson and Gio in the rotation if Mr. Anderson continues throwing such a high percentage of curve balls and low-90′s fastballs. That’s exactly Gio’s repertoire, and in essence it allowed the Sox to see the same pitches 6 times. with predictable results. Either Mr. Anderson goes back to the mid 90′s FB plus slider he had in the past, or Gio and McCarthy should trade rotation spots. Otherwise, Gio could have a very long year.

By: APBA Guy

APBA Guy — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 16:51:13 +0000

Geren may want to separate Mr. Anderson and Gio in the rotation of Mr. Anderson continues throwing such a high percentage of curve balls and low-90′s fastballs. That’s exactly Gio’s repertoire, and in essence it allowed the Sox to see the same pitches 6 times. with predictable results. Either Mr. Anderson goes back to the mid 90′s FB plus slider he had in the past, or Gio and McCarthy should trade rotation spots. Otherwise, Gio could have a very long year.

By: uyf1950

uyf1950 — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 16:34:13 +0000

spudchukar, my friend. I have no illusions about the time of the year it is in the schedule or anything else for that matter. But what applies to one applies to all. If your record relationship is accurate it also applies to the Rays and Red Sox. It would seem to me if you equate the Yankees 10-6 record to an 8-8 record because of their home schedule so far. Then I would have to assume the Rays 9-9 record should probable equate to 6-12. The Red Sox would even be worse since their 6-11 record should probably equate to 4-13 since 5 of their 6 wins were at home. It’s all relative my friend. You can’t apply one standard to the Yankees without applying that same standard to the other teams. That’s just my opinion.

By: pauleee

pauleee — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 16:28:40 +0000

His brother Jeff pitched for the Angels as well, and not doing terribly well, they just dropped him mid-season. I don’t remember how much animosity there was, but blood being thicker than water, that might be another reason for Jered to leave.

By: fearlessleader

fearlessleader — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 16:24:56 +0000

Two thumbs down on my comment? There are two people in this world who think that Jeff Weaver is or was “insanely good”? Okay.

By: spudchukar

spudchukar — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 16:14:32 +0000

Thanks for the home games correction, I hadn’t checked it in a couple of days and the Rays now have played 12 games at home. And yes the schedule is what the schedule is, but that does not mean one should not temper one’s enthusiasm when smiled on by the schedule gods. When you have played 69% of your games at home, a 10-6 record is more like 8-8, and vice versa.

By: uyf1950

uyf1950 — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 16:09:33 +0000

It will be interesting to see how the Weaver/Angels thing shakes out as they get closer to to the trade deadline and end of the season. Weaver will definitely be in high demand especially with the lack of “quality” pitchers for 2012. Also, their are other factors that may come into play. Weaver will only be 29 at the end of the 2011 season. Scott Boras is his agent and based on past history their isn’t a lot of love lost between Boras and Moreno. You would have to think that Boras is going to be looking for at least $20MM per probably more for a minimum of 6 years for his client. Is that something Moreno would entertain to resign Weaver?

By: pauleee

pauleee — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 16:07:39 +0000

Thanks, Buzzkill. I had forgotten that he lost in arbitration. Word is, no one has ever resigned after losing arbitration the year before he becomes a FA. Oh well, it’ll be fun while it lasts.

By: yankeesfanlen

yankeesfanlen — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 15:31:34 +0000

Spud- I guess you’re right. Poor Sox and Rays not winning the Wild Card.

By: uyf1950

uyf1950 — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 15:21:43 +0000

spudchukar, my friend the schedule is what it is. The Yankees have played 11 home games. Just for reference the Rays have played 12 home games, don’t see much of an advantage there for the Yankees. I agree with you about the Red Sox they will rebound but again as far as a favorable schedule the Red Sox have played 9 home games a 2 game difference versus the Yankees so far. That doesn’t seem like much of an advantage to me either.
As for your thoughts on how the race in the east will shake out you may be right personally I don’t share your view. We’ll just have to wait and see, it’s a very long season a lot can happen between now and Oct. 3rd..

By: fearlessleader

fearlessleader — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 15:18:43 +0000

Pssst…..the MSNBC home-page link to this article says “Jeff Weaver still insanely good.” It’s funny ’cause he never was.

By: spudchukar

spudchukar — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 14:56:55 +0000

All valid points my friend, except perhaps noting the Rays have played more games. My comment was to highlight the favorable schedule, and not get too far ahead of ourselves. The Red Sox struggles are pleasant, but they will rebound. I predicted this would be a 4 horse race, with no wild card coming from the East, and nothing I have seen so far would alter that prognostication.

By: uyf1950

uyf1950 — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 14:21:09 +0000

spudchukar – we may be whistling in the wind but it’s a happy whistle. Not many fans on this site or the others for that matter gave the Yankees much of a shot when Pettitte retired, they lost out on Lee and they saw who Cashmen signed during the winter. I think even you my friend would have to admit to being surprised that the “re-threads and the Yankees have played this well. So at this stage my friend all I can tell you is as a fan of the Yankees I’ll take 2 games ahead of the 2nd place Rays which by the way have played 2 more games then the Yankees and 4.5 games ahead of the “best team on paper” the one by the way all the so called experts and most fans expected to walk away with both the division and the AL title. That’s just my opinion.

By: dreadpirate82

dreadpirate82 — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 14:20:54 +0000

The Hochevar balks were no-brainer calls. The strangest part about that 6th inning is that he had been perfect for the 5 innings that preceded it, in addition to retiring the last 16 batters he faced in his previous start. He was dealing until Brantley hit that single and all hell broke loose. The entire start was a perfect capsule of his career.

By: nyetjones

nyetjones — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 14:18:11 +0000

Or you coud go with the rough “de la” translation and call it “The War of the of the Roses.”

By: spudchukar

spudchukar — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 14:10:32 +0000

The world is in order again. The Cards are in first, albeit thrice tied, and the Rays are soaring. Where are all those Berkman raggers? I am beginning to like Lance a Lot.

By: spudchukar

spudchukar — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 14:07:17 +0000

You guys are whistling in the dark. Only the Royals have played more home games, and the Longorialess Rays are nipping at your heels. When the home/road numbers even up and the Yanks still have a comfortable lead then I will echo your optimism.

By: ginnitti

ginnitti — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 14:02:50 +0000

Weaver is in a contract year coming off an offseason where he lost arbitration to the Angels…clearly he’s showing them up. Time to think long term on this kid finally? http://www.spotrac.com/mlb/los-angeles-angels/jered-weaver/

By: Ari Collins

Ari Collins — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 14:01:00 +0000

The correct term is “The War of the Rosas”.

By: uyf1950

uyf1950 — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 13:58:36 +0000

yankeesfanlen – all kidding aside and like I said I know it’s early (there are those dreaded words again) I think at this point AJ, Colon and Garcia are pretty much all the same. I’d give a slight edge very slight to Garcia, AJ, then Colon. But I don’t know if at this point there is that much of a difference.

About the Mets “Fire Sale”, I hope it doesn’t start for a while actually. I don’t think the Yankees are ready just yet to make a decision on Jeter and where he’s going to play if/when they want him to move. Although right now I would have no problem with them moving Jeter to LF and making the Mets an offer for Reyes. Then they could use Gardner as the 4th outfielder/pinch runner. That’s just my opinion, but since the Yankees haven’t ask for my opinion yet you probably won’t see this happen for a while.

By: Old Gator

Old Gator — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 13:53:31 +0000

Damn, I could have sworn that was Roy Halliday the Feesh teed off on last night. Ah well, I guess I can stop dancing around the living room now. My wife will appreciate that, since she has a fractured toe and won’t have to bend over to pick up the lamps again.

Last night Hanley made two sparkling plays, one a from-his-knees peg to first that didn’t sail into the field boxes for a change. Is he actually paying attention, loosening up at last, or did statistical probabilities finally just catch up with him? Only time will tell. It would help if his bat would begin to follow his fielding around too. Also on the brighter side, the Iron Giant seems to be finding his range. He still doesn’t have a home run this season but his double last night was about as close as you can get to one and still not have it. Technically he was one for three and continues his agonized climb away from the Mendoza Line.

One more game against the Bucs and then the Rockies arrive, and reality begins to set in. The Feesh and their temporarily, slightly fabled boolpen get to test themselves against a first-division team at home. They’re hovering a lofty four games above the strange attractor. Let’s see if they can do better than split.

By: umrguy42

umrguy42 — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 13:53:28 +0000

Alas for my Cards in the first game, when Pujols flied out to end the nice rally they had in the middle… runners on the corners w/ 2 outs in a 7-5 game. *sighs* It could’ve really cleared up your existential angst there, Craig. Oh well. On to the next *whistles a jaunty tune*

By: yankeesfanlen

yankeesfanlen — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 13:46:46 +0000

I’d put Colon at #3, AJ is still getting the benefit of the doubt. We seem to have solved the rotation problem to some degree and earlier in this season than most times when the problem presents itself.
Notice how we win without the Gardner-Jeter black hole in the lineup. And we’ve rid ourselves of the GIDP curse of the Rangers, except for a certain shortstop who was allowed one last night. When does the Metropolitans Fire Sale begin?

By: kmgannon

kmgannon — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 13:43:13 +0000

Hochevar’s balks were indeed legit calls; they were clear as day. Weirdest inning I’ve seen in a while.

By: wonkypenguin

wonkypenguin — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 13:15:10 +0000

Loved the Twins calculation joke. They needed a run in the ninth, and I wasn’t even a little bit hopeful because that would require…a run.

Also: Carlos Marmol. Glad he’s the second coming of Mitch Williams when he was with the Cubs, which is one of my earliest childhood memories of being frightened and elated within 2 seconds of each other.