METS: JJ PUTZ INJURY

Last night at 7pm Omar Minaya had a press conference where he announced the signing of K-Rod...Minaya finished the press conference and immediately his phone rang..he grabbed a pen and paper and started writing names down..as he was doing that Mets executives pushed him into their suite and the negotiations for JJ Putz got serious...

A few hours later at around 1045 pm I went to my computer and refreshed the Metsblog.com page..it said Mets acquire JJ Putz, Sean Green, and Jeremy Reed for Aaron Heilman, Joe Smith Endy Chavez and a bunch of minor leaguers...Quickly i reached for my phone and texted my phonebook about the news...I then ran and told my father the news..then while going back into my room out of excitement i jumped and landed sideways on my right foot...crack..crack...crack....ten minutes later the swelling could be seen from miles away..


I rushed to the hospital via ambulance and took some x-rays...the doctor came in to tell me the news but before she did she asked how it happened so i told her about JJ Putz and the whole thing..she then laughed and told me that she is getting married to a Putz in April and her last name will be Putz...Freaky!..and i know i am a putz too lol....so i fractured a bone in my foot that goes to my pinky toe (Seinfeld!)..and i'll be sidelined for 4 to 6 weeks..

Anyways if there is an award for die hard Mets fan or crazed Mets fan i think i win!

Here are some fun facts on Putz:
a) he had less walks in 06 and 07 combined then K-rod had in any one year of his career
b) while in Michigan University he shared a dorm with Quarterback Tom Brady

Acc to ESPN's Keith Law: “If the Mets get the healthy J.J. Putz - he missed time with rib and elbow injuries in 2008 - they might actually have acquired the best closer of their offseason, one even better than their new closer Francisco Rodriguez.”

Word is also that Johan Santana is pushing the Mets to sign Bobby Abreu...

NOW IM OFF TO THE DOCTOR TO GET MY CAST! (i think the doc's name is LaPorta so he's the guy that got traded for CC last year)

DO YOU CC WHAT I SEE?!?!?!?!

We all have been waiting for CC to make up his mind .

He did what any sane person should do.To tell you the truth i would do the same!

He waited to see if any team would come close to the Yankee bid , and if they did he knew the Yanx would up the anti. He had no intention of Pitching anywhere but NY. He just wanted the most he could possibly get.

After these long and torturous past few weeks.

Mr Sabathia realized the market is not what he and his agent expected.

So he pounced on the Yankees offer which was never going anywhere to begin with.

I actually am thankful the Mets got K-Rod for so cheap. This definitely sent a message to CC that this Yankee offer would not be trumped.

If such a high profile Free Agent got just half of what he sought after there is no way any other offer would come close!

CC's thought process must have been "this was the best He's going to get".

I also love how all of those sports columnists that said CC had no intention of pitching in NY are Nowhere to be found today.

-----------------------------------------------------------

Whats Next?

STARTING PITCHING:

Word has is the Yankees are closing in on Lowe. You know what ? The Yankees sure can be stupid sometimes.... I want Zero part of this guy.

On the other hand, I would LOVE if the Yanx signed Sheets to a two year deal. But no more than 2 years.

I'm Praying Burnette signs with Atlanta. He simply is not worth the risk. Not for that many years with those dollar figures.

Pettitte and Cashman will probably meet in the middle and settle on a $12 Million dollar deal which is still not worth it but what the hell.

Projected rotation

1 CC (only bec the Money)

2 Wang

3 Sheets/Lowe/Burnette

4 Joba

5 Pettitte

OFFENSE:

Its no secret the Yankees are in need of some offense .

They just lost a ton of production in Giambi and Abreu.

Plus , how Confident can you be that Matsui and Posada will be healthy and that Cano will bounce back.

Why is everybody and there mother counting the Yankees out of the Texiera sweepstakes? Just because Hal/Hank Just broke the bank on the Lard Lefty , it doesn't mean diddly squat.

Hal wants to make a mark and follow in daddy's footsteps his first year behind the wheel. If you remember his remarks last month , he said , and i paraphrase "Everybody is a target".

If the Red Sox Sign Tex I will gag. It just can not happen. PERIOD.

There are several fallback options however.

For example Adam Dunn would be a great fit.

And then there always is that fellow named Manny...

Whispers of Rick Ankielle are being floated around and being linked to the Yankees. I am lukewarm on Ankielle. Not so sure he could maintain his offense.

Once again we have no way of knowing whats going to happen until it happens. We are reduced to the waiting game.

I personally enjoy reading completely false rumors . throughout the day. Its fun to see people make complete fools out of themselves by just trying get any story possible.

Until Next time my friends....

METS: K-ROD

Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports, Ted Berg of SNY and Joel Sherman of the NY Post report that the Mets and Fransisco Rodriguez have agreed to a 3 yr 37 million dollar deal with a vesting option for a 4th year at 14 mil (pending on IP in final yr or final 2 years of contract)..Sherman also writes that K-Rod will be in NYC tomorrow for a physical and possibly a press conference..

The Angels will get the Mets first round pick the year (25th overall). but that should be made up if Oly Perez signs elsewhere..

Great pickup by Omar..and i don't think he is even close to finishing..he still has teams interested in Aaron Heilman for a reliever like Houston Street and said after getting his closer he will look to improve the starting rotation...and Sherman says that the Mets will now move on to Derek Lowe..

THE HOT DOGS JUST WENT UP ANOTHER DOLLAR AT CITIFIELD.. lol...

For Joel Sherman's complete column on the signing click here...

UPDATE: Mets sources say deal is awaiting a physica...
Omar Minaya has a press conference at 6pm today..prob on SNY or ESPNEWS...

KEEP IT UP OMAR!

JETS: PLAYOFF SCENARIOS

With the Jets recent disappointing play in the past 2 games..the following are their playoff scenarios:


Out of the 3 teams noted above the Jets have the easiest schedule since SF is better than BUF and KC may be a bit better than SEA but the west coast trip prob makes up any difference..

For the Jets its simple win out and you win the division..
It may all come down to the last game at the Meadowlands (if both the Jets and Phins win both of their games)..since first division tie-breaker is head-to-head..if Jets win they will have won both games vs the Phins and they would hold the tie-breaker against the Pats if they won out since they split the season series 1-1, it would go to the second division tie-breaker which is division record in which the Jets are 3-1 and the Pats are 3-2...

The longest road to the division title is the Pats who down't hold any tiebreakers amongst the three teams as of now...

The other option is the wildcard:

As of right now this seems unlikely since the Jets are a game behind both of these teams and don't hold any tie breakers against them:
a) Conference record - Jets 4 losses, Ravens 3 losses, Colts 2 losses
So if the Ravens lose a conference game and the Jets win out the will be tied in record and conference record..
b)So, the second wild card tie-breaker is record in common games (min. four) in which they both beat 2 common teams and both lost 1 game in which the other team won...
So, it then goes to margin of victory in which the Jets are currently +62 and the Ravens are +116...so there goes the wild card..

For a complete run down of all the NFL playoff tie-breakers click here..

There are other scenarios but as of now these are the clear ones if you can even call them clear!

PS In 1993 the Jets were 8-5 going into their last 3 games and they lost all three to the Cowboys, Bills and Oilers (Bills went on to play the Cowboys in Superbowl)(Oilers started season 1-4 and finished 12-4, got a bye and then lost to KC in playoffs)

J-E-T-S JETS JETS JETS!!!

DAY 1: MLB GM MEETINGS

Today was day one of the MLB GM meetings in Las Vegas...YAY!...here is the summary:

Mets GM Omar Minaya met with K-Rod and according to reports over a steak dinner offered him a 3yr deal.. one report has a 4th yr option...One story out of Vegas has K-Rod willing to accept a 2 yr deal as the Yankees would be interested as Rivera's contract will be up by then..
Also teams are waiting for the Mets to sign K-rod quickly so that the asking price for Fuentes, Wood, Hoffman etc..drops...
So, if the Mets sign a closer not named K-Rod..then K-Rod will probably only get a 2 maybe 3 yr deal at at most 8 mil per year...so maybe its best for him to agree to a deal sooner than later

Minaya also met with Brian Fuentes at 12:30pm and then Trevor Hoffman shortly after..
Also in Las Vaegs is Jeff Wilpon which might mean that the Mets are looking to get things done instead of waiting 6 weeks after the meetings like they did last yr when they landed Johan Santana..

Another developling story is the Brewers offering CC a 6th yr and acc to one report putting an opt out clause after the 2nd or 3rd year....as he will be 30 at that point and if he really misses the west coast he can opt out..

Amongst all this specualtion there has been one deal that has been confirmed and that is a Gerard Laird to Detroit trade that has a couple of minor leaguers going to Texas..

The Jermaine Dye deal is being knocked down and as of now is a false story....

Also the Phillies are looking into trading for Delmon Young..you know the guy that was traded for Matt Garza, Jason Bartlett and a reliever...so who will this "talent" be traded for next..rumor is it is Phillies top SS prospect Jason Donald....

Also one guy that is getting lost in the mix is John Smoltz..he played through injuries last year before shutting it down..I am very skeptical to see where he goes and for how much...

UPDATE: SI WFAN SNY Jon Heyman is reporting that the Mets have offered K-Rod a 2 yr deal with a 3rd yr option at roughly 12 million per yr

METS : FA 101

With the obvious need for a closer the Mets might be using an interesting method in approaching a few big ticket closers...


Acc. to ESPN's Buster Olney he says "It is not known exactly what the Mets intend to offer to the top-flight closers, but let’s say they proposed a three-year, $36 million deal to Francisco Rodriguez; a three-year, $30 million offer to Brian Fuentes; and a two-year, $18 million offer to Kerry Wood. And then they could tell all three that the first to bite gets the contract. The Cardinals, Brewers, Indians and other teams are looking for closers, but probably won’t spend at the same level as the Mets."

Is this a good method?

Should teams use this method??

CITIFIELD??????

With the season less than 5 months away and the Mets eager to open up their new stadium.
Only one question remains.
NO, not who will the closer be.
But, what will the name be???
With the government's recent bailout of CitiGroup .There are sources that say that they will back out of their record setting 20 year 400 million dollar deal. For the naming rights of the stadium as well as a few extra marketing perks.

So the big question is What will the new name of the stadium be? TaxPayerField???
Lets get creative.

Mickey Beyda - TARP (Troubled Assets Recovery Program), Field at Bailout Yards or Hank Paulson Stadium.

Post some of yours in the comments section!

JETS = Jets End Titans Streak!!

After defeating the previously undefeated Tennessee Titans the Jets are among the top teams in the NFL..BUT this Jets fan is not ready to use the "S" word just yet..

Here is Ed Werder with Leon Washington...

46 REASONS TO TRADE PHILLIP HUGHES

TRIVIA QUESTION :

What Do All These Players Have in Common?

Edwin Jackson, Greg Miller (both with the Dodgers)

Adam Lowen, Zack Greinke, Gavin Floyd, Jose Contreras,

Adam Wainwright, Jeremy Bonderman (up and Down) Dennis Tankersley,

Jerome Williams (Giants) Jon Rauch (minor league player of the year with the White sox),

Boof Bonser, Chin Hui Tsao with the Rockies was HUGE.

Bobby Bradley with the Pirates, Kurt Ainsworth with the Giants, Bud Smith with the Cardinals.

Brett Myers, (Not nearly as good as advertised.)

Mark Mulder and Bary Zito (only had a couple of good seasons but also not as good as advertised.)

Matt Riley with the Orioles was a Huge prospect , Kip Wells, Wilfredo Rodriguez with Houston.

Tony Armas Jr, Carl Pavano (both were HUGE) prospects Montreal got for Pedro.

Jon Garland, Danys Baez, Jesus Colome. Bruce Chen was the next Tom Glavine.

AJ Burnette Didn't turn out as good as expected, JOHN PATTERSON.

Ryan Bradley with the Yanks, Jeff Weaver , Matt White with the (Devil) Rays.

Kris Benson was hailed as the next Messiah, Matt Clement.

Jaret Wright ("the next Clemens") Braden Looper threw 100 MPH

Prior, Wood, Jesse Foppert, Juan Cruz, Ryan Anderson, Rick Ankiel,
Brad Penny.
And Finally Paul Wilson and Bill Pulsipher.


ANSWER:
The answer to this question is, they were all HUGE pitching prospects over the last decade and NONE of them turned out to be what they were supposed to be.

Sure, some of these guys had moderate success in the majors. But by and large, they all are disappointments.
Every single one of these guys was predicted in Baseball America to be Extremely productive pitchers if not Aces for many years to come.
But, we all know that "Prospects are Suspects".

(These 46 names were compiled by Avi D,

There are more . These are just the poster boys of the list of baseball busts)

After seeing that list of let downs. How can you justify Not Trading Phillip "the Phranchise" Hughes, Ian Patric Kennedy etc...
For relatively young established Major league aces when they are available?(ie, Johan last year, and Peavy this year )

It just doesn't make sense. Even if Hughes lives up to his potential , he never will come close to the hall Of Famer in the making (Johan).
I know that Peavy is an extreme drop off from Santana. But we cant miss out on the same kind of opportunity just because of last years "NON" trade.

There are always prospects who actually do live up to there potential.
Yes every now and then we encounter guys like Lincecum , Cain and Joba. Beckett and Shields Garza and Kershaw, Billingsley ,Volquez ,Danks and Hamels.
(some of these guys are still yet to prove it for more than a few years, but you get my drift)
But to every ten busts there is only one success story.
What I'm trying to say is, Get the ace when you have a chance . Because when it comes to prospects , pitching in particular. Its like NY Lotto's slogan. "Hey Ya Never Know..."

DUSTIN PEDROIA? YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME

I know automatically before reading this rant all you people are saying to yourselves "hes just a bitter Yankee fan".

But COME ON!!!!!

Dustin Pedroia?!?!?!?

I heard whispers about this late in the regular season but immediately dismissed them. Why would a player who doesn't lead the league in any major categories win the highest honor that MLB has to offer?

Just look at his stats.

AB 653 R 118 H 213 2B 54 3B 2 HR 17 RBI 83 TB322 BB50 SO52 SB20 OBP.376 SLG. 493 AVG.326

Joe Mauer won the batting title edging out the Red Sox's bald little elf by a few points.

Ichiro was tied with Pedroia for most hits .

His amount of doubles are Very misleading and were a product of the monster (I think, I didn't look at the splits)

This one is great. Get this Pedroia was tied with 5 other players ranking 43rd in the AL in Home runs. That means there were 42 other players (or more) that hit more HRs than him. (this is a joke)

Wait, there's more... He was 27th in the league in RBI's.

(He didn't even lead his team in those last two major stats.)

He was tenth in the league in OBP and once again didn't even lead his own team. (Youkilis was 6th in the league.)

Ill finish off with this one. He was 15th in the league in Stolen Bases.

I seriously don't understand why the current system is still in place. These baseball writers are flat out dumb.

For example, (courtesy of RAB) A Milwaukee writer had 3 or 4 1st baseman ahead of Pujols on the ballot. He had a few Brewers ahead of him. Why isn't there a uproar that this popularity contest is still in place is beyond me.

My choice for the AL MVP is Justin Mornoe. His Stats are far and beyond better than This Little mans were. If your of the school of thought that you must be on a winning team. (which in my mind is another incoherent thought, if one of you peers are better , don't punish him because the team around him sucks...but whatever I'll save that for another post.) Mornoe actually led his team to a one game playoff with the Chi Sox.

Also, Mornoe edged out Jeter a few years back with the same kind of stats he put up THIS season. Although I was extremely pissed off that Jeter was robbed of highest honor (which would of put a cherry on top of his already HOF career). I couldn't do anything about it. The opposing argument was, that Mornoe's power numbers were far and beyond Jeter's (which is true). So if that's the case, How in the Hell is it possible that this year Mornoe didn't win again? The scenario is was eerily similar. Except Jeter was better that season than Pedroia was this season. I just don't get it.

(This reminds me of when Ichiro won the ROY then when Matsui was up for the award he loses to Angel Berrowa. WHY may you ask? well, the reason they gave was "Matsui isn't considered a rookie, hes a Japanese vet". WTF, so where was that theory when it came to Ichiro...just pathetic)

Just because he plays in Boston and hes short and scrappy, Doesn't Justify him getting this award.

Does he get more out of his talent than say Cano? The answer to that is HELL YES. But that doesn't warrant this pathetic choice.

This Red Sox Bias has gotten to a point of ignorance and patheticness . End of Story

Cashman for Three........ SWISH

In a shocking turn of events, Brian Cashman makes a GREAT move!

Not only did cash net Swisher, who is an on base MONSTER who is a 30 HR threat (short porch BABY!) He got him for adequate prospects at best. The fact that he conned the Chi Sox to throw in another minor league prospect in this deal (Not the Teixera I was counting on) Is a joke.

If the Yanx slot Swish into RF and Still sign Big Tex. This will be a dream come true. I don't like the move, I LOVE IT...

Here are another few reasons why I love this guy.

The Loss of A Baseball Prophet

For all of you who do not know. There is a man who prides himself on being " The Baseball Prophet".
He claims that anything baseball that is uttered from his lips is "straight from G-D's mouth".
The Person I am referring to is an avid reader of this blog and contributes sparingly. You can see his picture in the right hand side with the likes of A-Rod (his former hero) and Cano. As well as Sterling and Sheppard.
His name is Avi Dwek.

The truth is, He "WAS" a heck of a talent.
Although I never wanted to admit it. He always "WAS" correct.
Whether he was predicting which prospect out of high was the real deal or which prospect would be a bust, he always was dead on.

If I were a baseball owner I would hand over the General Manager job of my franchise to him in a heartbeat.
He simply "knew" how to evaluate talent as good if not better than Theo himself .
I know for a fact he would field a championship caliber team with a Billy Bean like budget .
I don't know anybody who is a better at Fantasy Baseball than him.

There comes a point in every man's career where you start to see a drop in his productivity.
Its only natural to slip in performance as you get up there in age.
Just look at the ladder stages of Bernie Williams tenure in pinstripes for example.
He was a shell of his former self and nobody gripped about it simply because it happens to just about everybody
(with the exception of Barry Bonds but we know the truth behind that story )

The drastic fall of Avi however came upon us in the blink of an eye.
Some say it was his Devotion to his job (anybody need a car?),
some say the key to his downfall was his obsession with fantasy baseball. However you slice it, the facts are inevitable. Avi Dwek no longer is "The Baseball Prophet".

Here are a few telltale signs of my reason why.

#1, A few years ago our former "Prophet" lost a monetary bet with another one of our readers Max N.
The wager was that Bobby Abreau will not reach the 100 RBI Plato after his first half of the season slump.
Avi made it a point to publicize this wager to prove his point.
As we all know, El Come Duce reached the century mark on the Yankees final series of the year to cap his blistering second half.

A few minor false predictions were made that I don't feel is important to mention. I skip all the way to this past season and give a few more examples.

#2, Before the season, along with everybody else that knows baseball , Avi was screaming that Yankees should somehow rid themselves (one way or another) of the services of Mike Mussina.
He even was willing to bite the bullet and cut him.
By no stretch of the imagination could anybody not entertain that notion. Especially after his atrocious 2007 campaign.
As it turns out. The Moose turned in one of his best years of his career and established himself as the Yankee stopper and ace. In a year when they least counted on him and needed him most.
Mussina ended up throwing over 200 innings to an E.R.A in the mid 3's and won the elusive 20 games. Something he failed to do through out his entire illustrious career.

Anybody else gets a pass on this one.
But, if your calling yourself "The Baseball Prophet" , you must take the hit.

#3, The final example I will be giving is,
This past season Avi Predicted at the half way point that
"Grady Sizemore WILL NOT hit 30 HRS this season".
Once again, he was wrong. He ended up with 33.

In no way shape or form am I saying Avi no longer knows his stuff. I still would let him be my GM of my franchise.
But I think its time to announce that He no longer is
"The baseball Prophet".

Its a shame we lost such a talent in Avi. It was a once in a lifetime gift which we may never see again and I am happy to have been a part of something special.

AWARDS: CY YOUNG

As the 2008 season comes to a close we will now go through the awards given out at the end of each year, starting with The Cy Young Award.

American League:
In the AL the top contenders are Cleveland's Cliff Lee, LA's Fransisco Rodriguez and Toronto's Roy Hallady. In my eyes there is no debate here, Cliff Lee gets this hands down... he went 22-3 with a 2.54 era on a .500 team (81-81)...and set a record with over 27% of his teams wins...

National League:
Now this one is open to debate..
There is San Fransisco's Tim Lincecum who went 18-5 with a 2.62 era, his best stat is his 265 K (Led NL) in 227 IP..
Next is Arizona's Brandon Webb who went 22-7 (most wins in NL) with a 3.30 era while striking out 183 in 226 IP..
The final candidate is New York's Johan Santana who went 16-7 with a 2.53 era (led MLB) and 206 K in 234 IP....
Another candidate that may get consideration is Milwaukee's CC Sabathia, who combined went 17-10 with a 2.70 era..

ESPN has what they call the "CY Young Calculator" which you can go to by clicking here.

Who's your guy??

STADIUM AUCTION

As both Yankee and Shea Stadiums come to a fall, there is still a way to keep a piece of history:


The Mets have an auction on their website which you can go to by clicking here. It includes items from the "S" from the Shea Stadium main sign to a brick for $50 to wall panels to the most random items that have been a part of Shea Stadium.

Once the Yankees start to auction off their parts I will set up their link.

TAKE YOUR PICK!

The following is a free agent list for this offseason, as the title says "Take your pick" and prove/show how your team will improve this offseason:

Catchers
Brad Ausmus (40)
Paul Bako (37)
Rod Barajas (33) - $2.5MM club option for '09
Josh Bard (31)
Michael Barrett (32)
Henry Blanco (37) - $3MM mutual option for '09
Johnny Estrada (33)
Toby Hall (33) - $2.25MM club option for '09
Jason LaRue (35)
Paul Lo Duca (37)
Miguel Olivo (30) - $2.7MM mutual option for '09
Mike Redmond (38) - $0.95MM club option for '09
Ivan Rodriguez (37)
David Ross (32)
Javier Valentin (33)
Jason Varitek (37)
Gregg Zaun (38)

First basemen
Rich Aurilia (37)
Hank Blalock (28) - $6.2MM club option for '09
Sean Casey (34)
Tony Clark (37)
Carlos Delgado (37) - $12MM club option for '09
Nomar Garciaparra (35)
Jason Giambi (38) - $22MM club option for '09
Eric Hinske (31)
Doug Mientkiewicz (35)
Kevin Millar (37)
Richie Sexson (34)
Mark Teixeira (29)
Daryle Ward (34)

Second basemen
Willie Bloomquist (31)
Jamey Carroll (35) - $2.5MM club option for '09
Craig Counsell (38)
Ray Durham (37)
Damion Easley (39)
David Eckstein (34)
Mark Ellis (32)
Mark Grudzielanek (39)
Jerry Hairston Jr. (33)
Orlando Hudson (31)
Tadahito Iguchi (34)
Jeff Kent (41)
Felipe Lopez (29)
Mark Loretta (37)
Nick Punto (31)

Shortstops
Willie Bloomquist (31)
Orlando Cabrera (34)
Alex Cintron (30)
Alex Cora (33)
Craig Counsell (38)
David Eckstein (34)
Adam Everett (32)
Rafael Furcal (31)
Nomar Garciaparra (35)
Jerry Hairston Jr. (33)
Cesar Izturis (29)
Felipe Lopez (29)
Edgar Renteria (33)
Juan Uribe (30)
Ramon Vazquez (32)
Omar Vizquel (42) - $5.2MM club option for '09

Third basemen
Rich Aurilia (37)
Casey Blake (35)
Hank Blalock (28) - $6.2MM club option for '09
Willie Bloomquist (31)
Aaron Boone (36)
Russell Branyan (33)
Craig Counsell (38)
Joe Crede (31)
Nomar Garciaparra (35)
Mark Loretta (37)
Fernando Tatis (34)
Ramon Vazquez (32)

Left fielders
Moises Alou (42)
Garret Anderson (37) - $14MM club option for '09
Milton Bradley (31)
Emil Brown (34)
Pat Burrell (32)
Carl Crawford (27) - $8.25MM club option for '09
Adam Dunn (29)
Cliff Floyd (36) - $2.75MM club option for '09
Luis Gonzalez (41)
Jerry Hairston Jr. (33)
Raul Ibanez (37)
Gabe Kapler (33)
Kevin Mench (31)
Jason Michaels (33) - $2.6MM club option for '09
Craig Monroe (32)
Greg Norton (36)
Jay Payton (36)
Wily Mo Pena (27) - $5MM club option or $2MM
Manny Ramirez (37)
Juan Rivera (30)
Fernando Tatis (34)

Center fielders
Rocco Baldelli (27)
Willie Bloomquist (31)
Mike Cameron (36) - $10MM club option for '09
Jim Edmonds (39)
Jerry Hairston Jr. (33)
Gabe Kapler (33)
Mark Kotsay (33)
Corey Patterson (29)
Scott Podsednik (33)

Right fielders
Bobby Abreu (35)
Casey Blake (35)
Cliff Floyd (36) - $2.75MM club option for '09
Brian Giles (38) - $9MM club option for '09
Ken Griffey Jr. (39) - $16.5MM club option for '09
Vladimir Guerrero (33) - $15MM club option for '09
Gabe Kapler (33)
Jason Michaels (33) - $2.6MM club option for '09
Fernando Tatis (34)
Brad Wilkerson (32)

DHs
Milton Bradley (31)
Pat Burrell (32)
Adam Dunn (29)
Cliff Floyd (36) - $2.75MM club option for '09
Jason Giambi (38) - $22MM club option for '09
Vladimir Guerrero (33) - $15MM club option for '09
Raul Ibanez (37)
Manny Ramirez (37)
Juan Rivera (30)
Mike Sweeney (35)
Frank Thomas (41)
Jose Vidro (34)

Starting pitchers
Kris Benson (33)
A.J. Burnett (32) - can opt out after '08 season
Paul Byrd (38)
Roger Clemens (46)
Matt Clement (33)
Bartolo Colon (36)
Ryan Dempster (32)
Shawn Estes (36)
Josh Fogg (32)
Freddy Garcia (33)
Jon Garland (29)
Tom Glavine (43)
Mike Hampton (36)
Mark Hendrickson (35)
Livan Hernandez (34)
Orlando Hernandez (43)
Jason Jennings (30)
Randy Johnson (45)
John Lackey (30) - $9MM club option for '09
Jon Lieber (39)
Braden Looper (34)
Rodrigo Lopez (33) - club option for '09
Derek Lowe (36)
Greg Maddux (43)
Pedro Martinez (37)
Sergio Mitre (28)
Jamie Moyer (46)
Mark Mulder (31) - $11MM club option for '09
Mike Mussina (40)
Carl Pavano (33) - $13MM club option for '09
Brad Penny (31) - $8.75MM club option for '09
Odalis Perez (32)
Oliver Perez (27)
Andy Pettitte (37)
Sidney Ponson (32)
Mark Prior (27)
Kenny Rogers (44)
Glendon Rusch (34)
C.C. Sabathia (28)
Curt Schilling (42)
Ben Sheets (30)
John Smoltz (42)
Tim Wakefield (42) - perpetual $4MM club option
Kip Wells (32)
Randy Wolf (32)

Closers
Brian Fuentes (33)
Eric Gagne (33)
Eddie Guardado (38)
Trevor Hoffman (41)
Jason Isringhausen (36)
Brandon Lyon (29)
Francisco Rodriguez (27)
Salomon Torres (37) - $3.75MM club option for '09
Kerry Wood (32)

Middle relievers
Jeremy Affeldt (30)
Luis Ayala (31)
Joe Beimel (32)
Joe Borowski (38)
Doug Brocail (42)
Shawn Chacon (31)
Juan Cruz (30)
Alan Embree (39) - $3MM club option for '09
Scott Eyre (37)
Kyle Farnsworth (33)
Casey Fossum (31)
Keith Foulke (35)
Tom Gordon (41) - $4.5MM club option for '09
LaTroy Hawkins (36)
Mark Hendrickson (35)
Matt Herges (39) - club option for '09
Bob Howry (35)
Jon Lieber (39)
Jason Johnson (35)
Damaso Marte (34) - $6MM club option for '09
Trever Miller (36) - $2MM club option for '09
Guillermo Mota (35)
Will Ohman (31)
Darren Oliver (38)
Chan Ho Park (36)
Horacio Ramirez (29)
Al Reyes (38)
Dennys Reyes (32)
Arthur Rhodes (39)
Juan Rincon (30)
Glendon Rusch (34)
Rudy Seanez (40)
Brian Shouse (40)
Russ Springer (40)
Mike Timlin (43)
Ron Villone (39)
David Weathers (39)
Kip Wells (32)
Matt Wise (33)
Jamey Wright (34)

IS THERE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL?

After collapsing two years in a row the Mets thought they had the manager they wanted in Jerry Manuel. Omar Minaya in his conference call said that Jerry Manuel will be the manager for the Mets in 2009 and that they are "in talks" with his agent. However, as many people are reporting talks have hit a stall as the 2 yr near 2 mil (a mil per yr) with an option for a third yr is not enough for this "gangsta". With the Mets already owing Willie Randolph 2.5 mil in 2009 it doesnt seem like Jerry will get any more money.

So, what is the Mets next move. Do they have any other options? Well according to an email sent to ESPN's Andrew Marchand from Bobby Valentine, it says, "I am working for a team that needs me and wants me as their man," Valentine replied. "I love it here, but I am an American and love great challenges. I was in a Met uniform in the '70s, '80s, '90s, 2000, and would love to be there in the next decade."

As for Valentine, he could be too expensive for the Mets. He reportedly is making $4 million annually managing in Japan, a salary that makes him the second highest-paid manager in professional baseball, behind the Dodgers' Joe Torre.

A poll done today on Metsblog.com asked fans who they would rather have as their manager. Over 3,600 votes came in and the answer...Bobby V with 57% (2,067 votes) and Jerry Manuel with 41% (1,475 votes) with 3% saying neither...

So, the ball is in Fred Wilpon's and Omar's court. We all know what Bobby V did with the Mets team from 96'-02'. They vastly overachieved, making it to the World Series in 2000, in a yr when they only had one guy with over 100 rbis (Piazza), one guy with over 100 runs (Alfonzo), noone with double-digits in stolen bases and lets not forget Armando Benitez..Do you believe he can do the same with a team that has 3 guys over 110 rbis, 4 guys over 95 runs and few speedsters...I do!

It would do me a great pleasure to tell one radio host...Mike Francesca..to shut his mouth about how the Mets should trade their "core" and how Ryan Church hates NY acc. to his "source"..when 3 articles said that he loved it in NY..someone is looking for ratings after losing his co-star/STAR!..it's amazing to me how even the biggest Yankee fans are now sounding like Mets fans did in the 90's...

Maybe I'm getting ahead of myself and this is all just a news page article...but if Omar can get this done imagine the scene at Citifield next yr..wow...This just might be the change the Mets need. Now, let's see if Omar can deliver and earn that new contract he just signed while the ink is still wet..

10/03/08 4:42PM - ACCORDING TO KEN ROSENTHAL AT FOXSPORTS & JON HEYMAN AT SI - THE METS AND JERRY MANUEL HAVE AGREED TO A 2 YEAR CONTRACT WITH A CLUB OPTION FOR A THIRD YEAR...

THE METS COLLAPSE...AGAIN

After last years collapse of 7 up with 17 to go the Mets manage to almost top it with a collapse of 3 1/2 up with 17 to go..

After going through both of them the only thing I can say is that i would never wish this on anyone else(except maybe the Phillies)...

This was a waste of a year in my books and coupled with last year is wasting all of the talent that both 07 and 08 brought us..

You can rip them all you want but i don't think i need Elias to tell me that it's the first time a team that have 4 guys with at least 160 hits and 32 doubles and 3 guys with at least 25 hr 110 rbi to fail to make the postseason..its unbelievable to me..and just magnifies the bullpen woes that this team had..even back in the 90's i don't think that they could have predicted how vital a bullpen is to a team..maybe it was one fifth of a team now it is prob greater than a third of a team..

This team had the hitting even had the starting pitching and comparing this team to any of the past Mets teams arguably you could say this was one of the best right next to the 86' team(bullpens werent a big thing then)..


As much as my father kept telling me before hand that they would blow it..and even when they went down 4-2 he said "they'll get the tie run on base or to the plate and hit it to the wall just to tease you and get your hopes up"...him being a Mets fan from their creation..and then afterwards saying i told you so..I still know that i will be back at the new ballpark Citifield on Opening Day sitting and looking forward to a new year..as Tug Mcgraw said "Ya Gotta Believe"...call me a sucker or maybe just a Mets fan..

Ranking the past few years in disappointment i would have to go in succession of year..i.e. #1 2006 #2 2007 and #3 2008...

Looking to the future there is hope..hope that once Shea is demolished and the new Citifield is opened..October baseball will be restored in Flushing..

It's going to be a difficult offseason in Queens, and with some tough questions:
Do you rip apart this team..trade a Carlos Beltran or Jose Reyes?
Is David Wright the face of the franchise/leader of the club?
How can you sure up the Bullpen?
Who will play 2nd base and Left field next year?
Etc...

I don't know how Omar got a 4 year extension based on the past 4 years i guess it was put togther by the same guy who offered Castillo 4 years..and we'll see if Omar can earn his money this offseason...

There are many questions that need to be answered..my answer to all of this..is not to create more questions by solving one of them..Meaning don't trade a Carlos Beltran just to change the team if it means wondering who will play centerfield and who's gonna give us 25+ homers and 100+ rbi..

Anyways this is my immediate reaction to all of this...
Maybe in a few days when my emotions clear a bit..and Shea is put to rest..we can all get over this collapse..


I just hope that the final collapse the Mets and their fans have to witness is the collapse of Shea Stadium.

ITS THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN

Being a Yankee fan now really sucks. for the first time in more than a decade I don't get to see my team battle for a world title. While St Joe Torre will try and continue to rub it in to the Steinbrenners over in L.A.

But The New York Mets are doing a good job cushioning the blow by attempting to somehow squander away a playoff berth for the second consecutive year.
To tell you the truth, I couldn't be happier.
With the Marlins playing with a vengeance,this series spells a recipe for disaster for the Metropolitan's.

We only can wait and see at this point...

ONLY THE CAPTAIN CAN MAKE IT HAPPEN

In a season that there pretty much was nothing to cheer about. Where the high and mighty Yankees suddenly hit rock bottom.

A Packed house at the stadium, day in and day out was trying to find something to root for in a positive manner.
In a way it would only seem befitting to send off this history packed cathedral in the Bronx.

In the past, whenever the Yankees needed a big hit , Derek was always there to save the day.
On those nights all the Jeter basher's who don't understand the clutch factor and who just didn't think his stats were up to par .On those nights were flat out lost for words.
(In my opinion the rise of fantasy sports lessened the value of the intangible type players.)

A few weeks ago when Yankee Stadiums final home stand was looming closer and closer. All was lost. The players quit and in effect the fans quit. It took all the luster out of what was supposed to be a momentous and grandeur time.

New York was searching for even a tidbit of positivity. With the Mets in the midst of pulling off an almost identical performance of last years team really wasn't helping this city to say the least.

This is where the Captain comes up clutch . Not only to save his organization from being the laughing stock of the AL East . But to save the face of Yankee Stadium.
At a time when an entire fan base didn't know where to turn, Jeter provided guidance.

Call it timing, call it luck.
But Jeter Breaking The Iron Horses hit mark at the stadium at the time he did is just flat out clutch in more reasons you could imagine.

Hell, Isnt that what Jeter has been doing his whole career? Why should we expect differently.

2008 PLAYOFF SCHEDULE AND 2009 TENTATIVE SCHEDULE ANNOUNCED!

The following is the 2008 MLB PLAYOFF SCHEDULE:

NLDS

SERIES A & B

GAME 1: WED OCT 1ST

GAME 2: THURS OCT 2ND

GAME 3: SATURDAY OCT 4TH

GAME 4: SUNDAY OCT 5TH

GAME 5: TUESDAY OCT 7TH

ALDS

SERIES A & B

GAME 1: THURSDAY OCT 2ND/WEDNESDAY OCT 1ST

GAME 2: FRIDAY OCT 3RD

GAME 3: SUNDAY OCT 5TH

GAME 4: MONDAY OCT 6TH

GAME 5: WEDNESDAY OCT 8TH

Looking at the 2009 schedules you see a few interesting things:

1) The Mets will open Citifield on April 13th vs the Padres, the Yankees will open the new Yankee Stadium on April 16th vs the Indians

2) The Mets will not play the Yankees in May instead they will play the Red Sox.However they will play the Yankees 2 out of 3 weekends in June on June 12-14 and June 26-28.

3)The Yankees will play a total of 6 Inter-league series 2 vs Mets and 1 for each of PHI, ATL,FLA,WSH. Interleague is getting out of hand..Most or the rest of teams play at most 5 series.

4) THE SEASON ENDS ON OCTOBER 4TH!! A new record..

WHO EVER SAID IT AINT EASY BEING GREEN?

As the Yankee season is all but done in a what turned out to be a very embarrassing farewell tour of the house that Ruth built and now the Steinbrenners are tearing down. I cant help myself but turning my attention solely to the only sports franchise right now that is giving me something to be positive about. For all of you who don't know who I'm talking about , I'll be more than happy to tell you. J-E-T-S JETS JETS JETS !!!!!!!.

The new look NY Jets have suddenly catapulted their way as Superbowl contenders and NO I'm not getting ahead of myself here. Being a Jets fan my entire life, I have been used to failure, have been used to bad signings bad draft picks and have always been frustrated at the "Non Moves" that should be made.

But for whatever reason being. All that has changed this past off season and I couldn't have been more thrilled. But being the Passionate fan that I am, I was skeptical and I seriously, can you blame me?!?!?! Ive never seen this team win in my entire life time.

Even going into week one going up against the lowly 1-15 Dolphins. I was expecting the worst (praying for the best). As the game started and we lost the coin toss I said to a friend of mine "seasons over" but to my dismay the defense looked solid. granted we were facing Miami , but I liked what I saw.
Brett Favres 56 yard TD throw to Cotch was simply a thing of beauty. That's when suddenly it all hit me, Holy crap we got Brett Effen Favre on our team we really have a chance to be a contender.
The most important acquisitions of the off season The newly revamped O-line was better than advertised. Not only did Faneca look every penny worth his contract, He transformed The "Brick" physically and mentally into a legitimate looking 4th overall pick instead of the bust in which i thought he was.

As we all know, a good O-line = a good running game which in effect makes Thomas Jones into an elite back.

So lets simplify things, we have a great QB a solid running game, suddenly the Jets have a Damn good offense.

This leaves us to the million dollar question, Is the Jets Defense good enough to make them a factor in the AFC this year? well, aside for those 2 minutes of Chad looking like Montana, I would say yes. When was the last time you could remember a Jets defense holding the opposition to less than 60 yards rushing? In my recent memory, NEVER.
The corners were solid all game , highlighted by Revis's game saving INT and the D-line was applying heavy pressure which was sparked by the performances Bryan Thomas Calvin Pace and Shaun Ellis.

If this is all that happened in week one , I truly would have been satisfied.

But the Highlight of my weekend (call me sick) was the game break that CBS showed when Brady went down.
I
don't want to hear all you politically correct people yelling at me that I'm a monster for being happy somebody got hurt. To all those people I say " Screw You ". If your a true fan of sports and a certain somebody especially the face of the enemy themselves go's down, your thrilled .

When I heard Beckett or Schilling got hurt, I had the same feeling.
Why? Well because when people that make you upset can no longer do that , there is nothing else but jubilant feelings to be felt. Its only natural, If you don't, your lying to yourself.

Its nothing personal, For all I know Brady is a great guy. He's probably a sweet heart. But on the field, I hate the man with a passion.

For the past 7 years all I see is this guy beating us and making me frustrated. Its time for My team to shine.
I agree that its nicer to beat the Pats with the Reigning MVP, but when your a Jets fan, you simply take whats given to you and be happy. Even if its not the same, I'm at he point where I say to myself "who gives a damn".

For all I know Cassel is a pretty good QB, Even though he hasn't started a game since High school. But I know one thing, Cassel is no Tom Brady.
With the Pats losing Brady and every big AFC threat losing, This division is wide open and the possibilities are endless.

SIGNS OF LIFE? OR FALSE HOPE?

Just 5 days after I officially threw in the towel, the Yankees go on a mini hot streak and find themselves just 5 games out from the wild card with only Boston and Minnesota ahead of them.

I would like to reiterate the point that I still feel the same way about this team. There is no reason should believe in a team that cant muster up any sort of consistency. Although this team is doing a great job hanging around in the playoff hunt, they haven't shown the drive and motivation for an extended period of time to make me think otherwise .
Although I agree that my tune could change drastically after taking 2 out of three (or dare I say sweep) from the arch rival Red Sox which very well could be a possibility especially with Drew and Lowell sidelined and Manny no longer a headache Mussina and the rest of the Yankee pitching staff has to deal with. And trust me , I hope it does. I hope I will be singing the the tune of victory instead of the songs of sorrow.

This series is a classic in the making. It already has set itself up to be a historic series in baseball lure. This will be the last time the Yankees host the Sawx at Yankee stadium. It would only be befitting if the Yanx would Tear them another one.... Amen to that

THROWING IN THE TOWEL

We are approaching the end of August. Usually this time of year , you basically have an idea of what your ball club is all about.
After watching this disgraceful offense day in and day out, I no longer believe The Yanx have what it takes to even contend For the title.
Throughout the season up until last week. I kept on saying to myself, " don't worry, the Yankees will start to hit". How could you blame me or anybody that said that. There is an all star at just about every position. But that's not the case. The Yankees as the Ghost has previously said "flat out suck" .
The comical part about it is that what has been a weakness in recent years is actually one of their strengths. The pitching staff, which has been decimated with injuries has actually been quite good. If only we could score some runs Damn it.

I know its foolish to throw in the towel with over a month of baseball to play, but I just don't feel we have what it takes.

Now that I officially wrote them off, watch them go on a ten game winning streak. Ill be glad to eat my words and admit I was wrong. But I honestly don't see that happening.

All I have to say is J-E-T-S - JETS JETS JETS

Were just a few weeks away from the Football season. I already could envision Favre hoisting the Lambardy.......(I can dream cant I ?)

Yankees Suck

Flat out suck. I am disgraced to be a Yankee fan every single time Joe Girardi decides to use his stupid 1st base platoon. I am befuddled time and again when Girardi keeps his relievers in the game for too long, well after any rational manager (including Torre!) would have pulled them out. His inability to pull relievers from a game after they dig themselves into suicidal holes cost us at least 2-3 games over the past few weeks.

Question: How much does an 8 game winning streak help a team if right after that 8-0 clip they drop 12 of 18? NONE. The problem facing this team is (something hardly anyone predicted in the offseason:) THEIR INCONSISTENT OFFENSE. Yes, anyone could make excuses that injuries plaugued our team this season and blah blah blah... But the truth of the matter? The Yankees cut the AL East leading Rays' stranglehold on the division to a mere 3 games at one point; and while Rasner, Ponson, and Giese are not exactly Wang, Joba, and Hughes the aforementioned 3some of replacements have not been the root of the Yankees' woes nor the source of their loosing streak.

Molina= sucks, Cano= sucks, Melky= sucks, Jeter= sucks (compared to what he should be doing), Giambi & Abreue= inconsistantly suck, A-rod= sucks when it counts, Damon= sick but sucks at staying healthy....

I can vent forever on the sad state of the yankees, but my doctor says it isn't healthy. I will close with one last note.
Dear Mr. Hank a.k.a. "Mini Boss", You were quoted making the following quotes yesterday:
"I think it's very simple, we've been devastated by injuries. No team I've ever seen in baseball has been decimated like this. It would kill any team"
"Imagine the Red Sox without [Josh] Beckett and [Jon] Lester. Pitching is 70 percent of the game. Wang won 19 games two straight years. Chamberlain became the most dominating pitcher in baseball. You can't lose two guys like that."
"It's not making excuses. It's reality. That's part of the game. That's clearly our problem,"
"We're going to win it next year" "If we need to add a top veteran pitcher, we'll do that. We'll do whatever we need to do. Next year we'll be extremely dangerous."
"They're trying hard to win. There's only so much you can do. They're not supermen."

Yes, your team was beset by more injuries than you can count on my 11 fingers (just kidding I have 10). Yes, pitching is the most important aspect of the game. Yes, injuries are a part of the game that no one can control. Yes, we will win it next year; and no, they are not supermen.

HOWEVER despite all the very valid points you made, you have a few flaws in your thinking that are a byproduct of trying to rationalize the disappointment that is 2008.
1) The lineup has been COMPLETLY ANEMIC for most of the season.
2) The replacements for the pitchers who went down would have a shitload of wins if they could simply get some run support.
3) The injuries to position players (Posada and Matsui) that you might want use as excuses for the lack of offensive production from the lineup have been offset by the MAJOR AQUISITIONS that your GM made at the deadline, and one can even argue that he replaced the fallen soldiers with better hitters that were penciled into the lineup at the start of the season. So do me a favor and stop crying about injuries cause freakin Nady is a direct child of god with his play for the yankees.
4)Winning next year is not good enough, I want 27/08!!!
5)No team is made of freakin supermen BUT WHEN YOU'RE PAYING YOUR LINEUP ALONE $137 MILLION DOLLARS YOU BETTER EXPECT MORE OUT OF THEM THEN 11TH IN THE LEAGUE IN RUNS SCORED/GAME!!!!
How about picking up a veteran BAT in the off-season before worrying about a rotation that will have Wang, Joba, Hughes and possibly pettite and moose back next year.

Due to concerns for my health I must conclude here, but let me say that this 6-12 slump they are in SUCKS, their 14-12 record after the break SUCKS, the fact they lost a series to the Oriels SUCKS, the pitching SUCKS, but the hitting SUCKS EVEN MORE.

-The pissed off, stressed out, balding, fed up "Ghost" of SAMIAM

MAKE IT OR BRAKE IT FOR JOBA AND THE YANX

I hate to use one of the most overused cliche of the century as the title of the post but its true.
The New York Yankees 2008 campaign is hanging in the balance this week. while they are only two and a half games back from a playoff spot with 50 some odd games left remaining you could rationally say their in great shape. Every year the Yankees stage some sort of major push and why should this year be any different?
The answer to that is simple. This season an already shallow rotation is in Limbo of losing by far its greatest weapon. Joba Chamberlain currently is getting a "second opinion" by none other than Dr James Andrews. If the Doc gives any sort of negative opinion you could call it a season for young Mr Chamberlain.
The Yankees will never recover from losing two aces in one season (Wang and Joba) unless Carl Pavano and Phil Hughes come riding in on their White horses to save the day. We all know Carl will probably hurt himself getting on the horse.( so we could count that theory out.)
In addition to all this going on the Yankees just started a crucial 10 game road trip out on the wrong foot going o and 2 in heart breaking fashion. We can ill afford to lose any more ground and the starters better start going deeper than 5 cause our over taxed bullpen is starting to get exposed.
Lets right this ship and pray all goes well for Joba. If all doesn't go well and Joba is hurt you could kiss this season goodbye.

Bye Bye Birdie

In another stunning move, Brian "the dealer" Cashman raped another team in a late night trade yesterday. Somehow he convinced the Houston Astros to take Latroy "The Hawk whose really more like a pigeon" Hawkins off our back s and even got a minor leaguer in return!

Even if Matt Cusik never reaches High-A ball this trade will be considered a fleecing. The fact that the Cashmoney was able to to get a living, breathing, moving person should put him in the running for some sort of Nobel Prize. Hell I woulda traded him for 10 bats if someone offered them...

There are about 5 more hours until the trade deadline, I'm looking forward to seeing what else we could put together.

-The Ghost of SAMIAM

Another Great Trade

The reason there was no post from the ghost over the recent trade of tabata+throw-ins for damaso marté and xavier nady was 2 fold. 1: I was busy haunting the dreams of Met fans for not being able to get Manny. 2: the biggest idiot of all time (Steve Phillips) who singly handed crushed the mets franchise proclaimed "the yankees need bulpen help and can not be contenders without added arms". The fact that the Yankees then got Marté really upset me because any normal person with common sense knew the bullpen was fine, and because nothing good will ever come from listening to a belligerent fool such as Phillips.

I was hoping deep inside of my ghost body that Ca$hman added to a point of strength (the bullpen) in order to help spin off a relief arm while their stocks were high for another piece (catcher or SP) to fill out our club. TODAY IS THE DAY CA$HMAN MADE THAT KEY ADDITIONAL MOVE. Cashman has just taken advantage of 2 hot months of Kyle Freakin Farnsworth and traded him back to the Tigers for Ivan Pudge Rodriguez.

While obviously he is not the same pudge from 10 yrs ago, this acquisition takes Molina's bat (which is worse than McLovin's ;) ;) ) out of the lineup and gives us another legit righthanded hitter to balance out the lineup. While only 2 weeks ago the bottom half of the order read Cano, Melky, Molina, Gardner/Christian (all basically automatic outs at the time), it now looks like Cano, Nady, Pudge, Melky (only 1 automatic out).

Is this tade a direct result of being held to practically 4 runs over almost 3 full games (the past 3 losses with exception to last night loss to the O's where we finally scored a few runs late in the game)? I would assume so... Am I happy? Hell yes! This organization is looking to do everything in its power to make a serious and deep run into and through the playoffs. The only place of concern left on this team is the 4th & 5th starters positions, and if cash doesn't make a move to shore it up, that only means he has faith in IPK/Aceves/Hughes/Wang to come back and take over their roster spots. Lemme tell ya, after the past week of trades, I trust this guy.

Everyone, please feel free to post your opinions. One more thought: is cash making these moves to save his job???-The Ghost of samiam

TIME TO MAKE UP SOME GROUND

Today we approach game one of yet another epic Yankee Red Sox series in a match-up for the ages. Josh Beckett vs the "Phenom" Joba Chamberlain.
This three game set could do wonders for the hobbled Bronx Bombers. Coming of a six game win streak, is just the perfect way to enter this three game set of such high magnitude.
The Bosox got lucky by the timing of Poppy's return. Especially now that Manny was just bit by the injury bug himself. (or was he ?!?!?!)
This series to me is a litmus test for the Yankee bullpen. A bullpen which is firing on all cylinders (including Farnsworth). If they impress against this lineup on such a high stage, then bullpen help via the trade market is just not necessary. If they falter, then bring on Fuentes and co...
I'm very curious to see how this team responds on a whole. In my opinion, this series is really a good way to see if we are October bound. Cm-on boys, lets tear them another one!

Holy Cano! It's 5 in a row!

Last night I came to SAMIAM in a dream and we had a lengthy discussion. Of the many topics we spoke about (the ghost being overrated in softball, met fan's ignorance, if their same ignorance led to bliss etc.), the hilight of the conversation was how pleasurable it is to watch a Yankee game when they score and win (which has been happening a lot more often as of the ASB).

I dare to say this a game or two too early but Yankees bats have awoken and the bronx bombers are back (even w/o posada and matsui). The starting pitching has been great with exception to the 4th and 5th starters who have somehow managed to get out of trouble, eat enough innings, and help the team pick up some wins (what more can you ask for?). The relief has been nothing short of stellar! When the Yanks have a lead, the game is essentially over after the 6th inning as Veras, FarnsWORTH (I never thought i would take out the worthless from his name), edwar, and mo rivera just don't give up runs anymore.

Life is good as a Yankee fan... For all the Mets fans that read the blog, all I can say is I really thought with Billy Wagner down you guys would be able to win some close, tough, in-division games yet the Mets still manage to blow a lead in the 9th last night and put a smile on my face.

-El Fantasma (ghost) de SAMIAM

SAM I AM SPORTS BLOG UPDATE

Let me take this opportunity to welcome myself back to the blog.......
OK, now that I got that out of the way, I would like to express my gratitude and appreciation to this character who calls himself -The Ghost.
I think your doing a fine job and I hope the fan base feels the same way. I will try ( if time permits me to do so) to periodically drop in a post every now and then. Its good to be back.

-SAM I AM

And the second half begins...

Tonight the yankees start the 2nd half of the 2008 missing 2 starting OF's and 3 SP's, including the ace of the team, from the projected opening day lineup. Practically every single starter went down for a period of time in the first half with the exception of Cano (who maybe needed the time off the most to find his old self), Pettite, Moose and Abreu. Miraculously the Yankees find themselves just 6 games out of 1st place in the division. If they turn it up the season can easily be ours, and with the way the pitching and bullpen performed in the first half all we need is to score a few runs every now and then to win. Lets be clear, an avg run of 5 in a row and then fall back to mediocrity isn't gonna cut it...We need to start scorching like the weather thats hitting us in NY now, we need to scorch like dare I say, give me a minute im having a hard time typing this as my finger are reluctant to hit the keys, the mets...gulp! I was going to throw myself off the blog for that, but I will make up for it by saying the mets are paying Johan $137 million for an 8-7 record at the break...Here's hoping the yankees can put something together against the second toughest remaining schedule for the second half of the season (although most of those tough teams we are fighting with in the Wild Card and division race so they are high impact games)

-The ghost

I can't help dreaming about next season in the new stadium

Although I was only able to catch the first 3 innings of last nights allstar game because I was catching a flight from DFW to EWR, I had a few epiphanies while sitting in the airport sportsbar that I feel must be shared:
1. Great pitching really does shut down great hitting

2. The Yankees must sign Sheets and/or Sabathia, whichever one the Brewers can not afford to sign.

3. Top priority number 2 of the off-season should be signing Texeira (behind signing the fallen Brewers).

Evident by last night's all-star game, there is no greater asset to a team then great pitching; after all great pitching wins championships right? In 30 total innings pitched, the all-star pitchers held the hitters to 6 earned runs, and 1 of those six runs were given up by billy wagner who is awful in situations that are actually important! By following point #2 in the off-season, the yankees would have a rotation that would sport: Wang and his strike-out badass self, Ben Sheets who made AL hitters look stupid last night, Joba the ace in training, Pettite the reliable vet and TRUE YANKEE, and Philip J. Hughes the prospect who inexplicably has lost favour in the eyes of many yankee fans dispite being just 21 and being ranked THE TOP PITCHING PROSPECT IN ALL OF BASEBALL (I didn't count matsuzaka as a prospect that year) when he was just 20 years of age and the last year he was eligible to be considered a prospect. To all of you downers on Phil Hughes I say go hump a tree this guy is the real deal just give him a little time! That rotation has the ability to win 85 games just between the starters!!! Having Phillip J. Hughes as your 5th starter??? not normal.

Second objective of the utmost priority in the off-season is to sign Mark Texeira. That gives the Yanks another masher from the right side, an all-star studded infield, and a class act that is a switch hitter. This platoon garbage @ 1B has gone on long enough (almost every year Giambi has been with the team) and must come to an end. This will let Matsui be the everyday DH and we can have some stability in the lineup for a welcomed change. I must add again how important it is to having him able to bat righty so its not just A-rod, Posada, and Jeter playing when opponents throw out a LHP.

After signing one or both of Milwaukee's aces, we won't really need most of the plethora of SP prospect that we have just dwelling in the minors. Take a bunch of decent-above avg arms (Listed in order of who I would like to jettison: Kennedy, Marquez, Horne, McCutchen, McAllister, Brackman, Betances) and trade it in for an above avg outfield prospect THAT CAN ACTUALLY HIT A BASEBALL. We already have 5 amazing starters in our hypothetical rotation so we can afford to give up a few arms for the cause to add QUALITY youth to the lineup. Who to trade for? Honestly, I don't know other teams prospects but I know its much harder to come by quality pitchers then hitters so it shouldn't be so hard to make a deal. To give a little more of a picture, I am thinking like a Garza for Delmon Young type of deal that went down last summer, except we would probably have to give up more then one pitcher.

THE BULLPEN IS AMAZING AND ONLY STANDS TO GET BETTER. Within the next year the yanks should be adding Melancon, Cox, Sanchez, and Bruney to an already stacked bullpen. Life is good when you have a lead after 6 innings again...

Stop the Melky mistake and let Abreu go. With damon in LF, our newly aquired OF talent through a trade, and Gardner/Christian holding down fort until Ajax is ready for a ML call up (which Keith Law believes could be as soon as the middle of '09) we now have an above avg. outfield!

The beauty of this plan is not only does it make the yanks younger and better, but they are feasable goals and don't require to much work to get done. If you disagree with any of the ideas above you can comment in the comment box or just throw your opinions in the garbage, whichever is easiest for you.

P.S. --> Yes I did say we should trade some prospects because the sign of a good organization is its ability to use their farm system to improve the big league club. Sometimes this means using the prospect to fill the holes in the majors and sometimes it means pawning off those prospects that are deemed "expendable" to fill a larger hole on the big league team.

-The Ghost of SAMIAM

SHOW UP or BLOW UP

As you get excited about the Yankees 2 game sweep of the Rays at THE stadium, I warn you sit back down and prepare for a long journey ahead of us. With 71 games left, the streaky Bronx Bombers have plenty of time left to play with your emotions, while twisting and turning your heart in all sorts of directions.

Is it possible that the Yankees use this series as a springboard to launch them into the race for the division crown (as they did last year right before the all-star break)? YES. Is it likely? I'm not so sure.
The Yankees currently have: Matsui, Damon, Hughes, Bruney, and Wang on the DL; IPK somewhere in the minors; Posada who can't catch on consecutive days (he has been the DH for the past 3 games forcing Molina's horrible bat into the lineup); Brett Gardner and Melky in their lineup that flat-out CAN'T HIT A LICK; an aging Jeter and Abreu posting wayyy below career stats; a 1B that believes his mustache and a thong bring him good luck; and the only $30 Million Man with a divorce hanging over his head . Now with all that stacked up against them, I believe its pretty remarkable that they are still this close to the ML leading RAYS.

Unless the Yankees find ponce de leon's fountain of youth, it will be extremely hard for them to overcome these injuries and the ineffectiveness of certain players.

Ladies and gentleman, boys and girls, there is still plenty of time for the Yankees to SHOW UP (i.e. the 2007 rockies) or BLOW UP (i.e. 2007 METS)

Here's to finishing on top and not on the bottom!

-The Ghost of SAMIAM

And with the 90th game there came a ghost

Hello to you and a good day unto all!
To redeem the yankees from this .500 hell SAMIAM in the flesh has resurrected me, The Ghost. I'm gonna keep this one short, but beware because the blog is back and so are the Yankees! Hank, have no fear, your $200 million team is about to reappear.

-The Ghost of SAMIAM

FORGIVE ME

I don't know how to say this, but I'm sorry. I know its simply inexcusable for not posting in what seems like forever. So I just hope all of you could just accept my apology.
For what its worth, I haven't really had a chance to be in front of a computer for some time now. Due to the fact that I do not own a laptop (donations are accepted).
One thing I'll tell you, I do have what to say on Wang , Willy and the rest of the sports world etc...
Just hang tight and hopefully for the sake of normality I'll keep posting on a regular basis.

JASON'S JOLT SHOULD PROPEL THE YANKEES

The Yankees do have their share of problems. If its not the inconsistent bullpen its the lack of speed on the bench . Oh, I forgot to mention that our ace is winless since the turn of the century and Pettitte is just plain old mediocre.

You can look at yesterdays game and look at all of the flaws . You could say Farnsworth is just not the answer (which is the truth) You could say this team just lacks fundamentals which Cano pointed out when he couldn't drop down a simple bunt .

You could say allot of things.

But I'm saying this:

After yesterdays epic pinch hit two out mammoth walk off blast that came on an 0-2 count off the bat of Jason Giambi, I think the Yanks are taking a turn for the better. It was one of those season changing things that every mediocre team hopes and waits for.

As Yankee fans we must relish in the fact that Moose is just , for a lack of a better term "Great". If not for Mussinas Renaissance who knows how deep in the cellar we would be. I'm not sure we could expect this kind of performance throughout the rest of the season but anything close I think will be enough.

Wang will get back into form ( I hope) and I expect some sort of contribution from the Hughes and Kennedy tandem but for now that spot in the rotation is looking mighty fine thanks to Rasner.

That leaves the rest of the work load on the shoulders of Andy Pettitte and Unfairly on Joba. I say the Yanks are in pretty good shape. Even with this aside for Mo , unstable pen.

Although the offense started to percolate the minute A-rod was inserted back into the lineup we really owe allot of the credit to Johnny Damon and His resurgence. Now that Posada's back, Forget about it.

As the weather warms. Ironically so do the Yanks. Lets just hope they don't follow that pattern once October rolls along.

JOBA DOBA "DO"N'T

In what felt like a world series atmosphere, where flash bulbs were blinding as Joba dealt his first pitch of his career as a starter. I myself for a moment lost sight of all the problems the Yankees are having.
I couldn't help but envision what Joba (hopefully) turns out to be.
Although the runs that were scored against him were some of the softest runs imaginable between the walks the balk the past ball and the error. Joba was as wild as we have ever seen him.
Truth is, could you blame him? This was supposed to be a part of the "plan" .
But it wasn't just any plain old start. This turned out to be one of the biggest events that Yankee stadium has hosted in the past few years. Which really isn't all that fair for young Joba. This wildness that Joba displayed was solely based on nerves and will surely not be the case in his next start which is slated to be against the lowly Royals.
I think its safe to say that the current bullpen the Yankees have will not exactly be in tact in say...two months from now. And unless Mark Melancon is ready sooner than expected, its imminent that a move must be done( Brian Fuentes anybody?)

LOOKING BACK AT JOBA THE RELIEVER

Now that we are turning the page on Joba the "reliever", I would like to take a quick look back at his brief career as the set up man.
We all know he was just flat out dominant, but I think we fail to realize how dominant he was.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/c/chambjo03.shtml

After taking a look at the numbers, It really gets you thinking... Should Joba still be in the pen and continue to be groomed to be the next closer? The answer to that is NO!!!!

I am getting very frustrated by the fact that these so called "Baseball" experts" say he should be kept in the pen. If I keep on hearing these ignoramus rants every time Farnsworth blows a lead in the eighth all I have to say is there was a reason Joba replaced Kyle in the first place. The reason was he flat out SUCKED. This isn't the first time Farns blew it, this has been happening since the day they signed him. I place most of the blame on a combination of Girardi and Cashman. Girardi should know that Farns is unreliable just by following this team last year as a broadcaster and should be mixing and matching with Edwar and company.

If your going to ask me why I blame Cash??? That's simple, if the plan was to start Joba from the get go, then why didn't he bring in a suitable replacement to start the season. Don't go off telling me that he had confidence in Hawkins , Farns And Bruney when the season started cause that's just a lie. A deal should have been made (and still should be) for a quality bullpen arm with the bevy of prospects that the yanx have.
One more point I would like to make is if we get quality starts from quality starters and the starters don't blow numerous leads in the same game we wouldn't even be having this discussion. Which is why we need Joba to be a quality STARTER.
I'm looking forward to a START of a new career.

Juiced Sports Blogs 100 most Valuable Sports Blogs

Recently , I came across a post on the Juiced Sports Blog which lists the 100 most valuable sports blogs (http://juicedsportsblog.com/2008/05/top-100-valuable-sportsblogs.html).
Since The Sam I Am sports blog is powered by Blogger it doesn't qualify.

Hopefully one of these days I will get around to actually getting MY site ( www.samiamsports.com ) up and running. When that day comes, look out Blogging world cause I'm gonna be on top. ( I wish ).

SAM I AM

LETS GET IT STARTED!!!

Joba Chamberlain is on the fast track to being the newest member of the Yankees rotation. To be quite frank, I couldnt be more thrilled.

Going into last nights game, the plan was to have Joba throw around the 50 or so pitch mark . With that being said, I dont know what took so long to put him in the game. I know Pettitte was coasting and looked like the Andy of old , but still a plan is a plan.
Then after Joba was just flat out dominant in striking out two in the eighth, there is no reason to bring in Mariano. Especially if he was supposed to throw a certain amount of pitches. Just because it was a save situation , it doesn't mean you must use the closer.?.?.?
Its not like the Yankees put in Mo in place of Farnsworth. In that case I would agree with you.

In the situation the Yankees were in last night where Joba is supposedly building up stamina and arm strength you not supposed to take him out. (Was Joe not confident that Joba could have finished the game?.) Joba did finish his pitches in the pen , but as we all know in game pitching is allot more effective than a bullpen session. I think Girardi lost sight of the greater good and succumbed to good 'oll managerial pressure.

You guys are probably thinking that I'm nitpicking at a solid Yankee win and your probably right , but this was on my head and I had to vent. Oh By the way Giambi is a monster. No matter how many times he gets written off he always bounces back .

SOME THOUGHTS ON NOT TRADING IPK THIS PAST OFF SEASON

I know there is nothing we could do about it now. But its very frustrating to see Kennedy go out their start after start and not get the job done. Its not like I didn't say this in the past, the Yankees had a golden opportunity to trade IPK this past off season. His trade value was through the roof and higher than it ever will be again. Hind sight vision is always 20/20 but its not like I'm changing my views on this topic, (you could go look through my previous posts.)
I'm not even going to delve into the Johan Possibilities but we could have definitely gotten something better than what we are getting now.
I pray that this kid over the course of time turns out to be at least half of what he was advertised but as of right now, my hair is turning gray.

ITS ABOUT TIME

Last night was a special night in Yankee universe.
Not only did the offense wake up from its season long slumber ( thanks to the greatest "regular season " player of all time.)
Darell Rasner put together his third consecutive stellar outing.
You got to love this guys attacking the strike zone approach. Ian Kennedy has allot to learn from Rasner. For whatever the reason being, Rasner gets no love whatsoever. I think its safe to say that he earned himself at least a few more starts and the respect from all that are a fan of the Yankees.
The Yankee offense was fueled by A-rod and his HR and two Doubles (should have been two HR'S) . Note that this was the third Blown HR call since Saturday. For all of you who think some sort of instant replay should be installed into base ball I highly recommend you read this -http://samiamsports.blogspot.com/2007/11/instant-replay.html.
I may not like the guy (due to his post season woes) but there is no way around the fact that he definitely helps out this lineup enormously. His presence alone changes the way the opposing pitcher pitches to everybody else.

The main storyline in this 8 - 0 drubbing took place in the 8th and 9th inning.
Joba Chamberlain , took his first steps in being transformed into a starter. Over the past few months , throughout baseball this topic was a wee bit controversial. Whomever thinks that your supposed to keep a dominant pitcher in the bullpen and only let him pitch 80 innings instead of 200 innings , I dont know how to put this but I think your a fool.
You don't see the Red Sox plucking Beckett out of the rotation and making him the eighth inning guy. You dont see the Padres making Peavy the most dominant reliever in the game etc....
It just doesn't make sense. I am really glad the Yankees are sticking to "the plan". I just dont like that he didn't start the season in this role. It risks too many injuries. Just ask the Phillies about Brett Myers.
Anyways, I'm back.... (Its allot easier to write about a Yankee's win than yet another listless performance.) Hopefully This win is a sign of things to come.