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Brian Cashman’s Off-Season Checklist

Posted by on 23 December 2009, 5:42 pm

Well, the Yankees have definitely made some changes to their roaster. The team that less than two months ago won the World Series. For Yankee fans the emotions are running high in all directions. Do you change something that works? More importantly wins? What trades do you think were smart? Is Cashman a genius or lost his mind? The questions of what’s been done can and will demand the answers. The only place that will be is on the field when the 2010 season kicks off. As fans, we wear are hearts on our selves. For whatever reason each of us finds a special player who’s jerseys we wear, who we cheer extra hard for and whom we go through the ups and downs right by their side. This makes it so bitter-sweet when the next time you meet-up with them, no longer are they wearing the same teams jersey with you. It also makes it letting go of the blame and anger when there has been no real goodbye. Brain Cashman, like any General Manager of a sports team gets the weight of the fans on their shoulders, because it was a decision made without any impute from us. That’s what makes pro-sports so hard to swallow sometimes, forgetting it is a business.

From a fan’s view here are my thoughts thus far……

A Grand Man For The Yankee Fan

At first I was skeptical of this immediate move. All the talk the past few seasons has been about one home-grown kid, the pride of the Yankee farm system. It gets exciting, like a kid on Christmas trying with as much patient as possible not to open this gift to early. That young talent was Austin Jackson. What could possibly occur to have him traded before his debut in the Majors is beyond confusing. The immediate blame-game on Cashman was inevitable but boring. So the digging of Curtis Granderson began. Instead of the proof of how big a mistake Cashman made, the complete opposite happened. Curtis Granderson is a great player and even more-so a great person. Cashman did good here and liking Granderson is getting pretty east. The more I find, the more I like him. Every article, blog or YouTube video on our new CF is nothing short of excellent. Austin Jackson is the only person who can take this deals positives and make the Yankees regret it. Completely excited to have Granderson’s not only as a player but looking forward to getting to know Curtis the person.

Last Name: Johnson, Again?

Sounding familiar, yet? Remember the last player who had the last name Johnson that came to the Yankees? Randy Johnson‘s time in New York was disastrous and for some reason the new Johnson is giving me the same bad taste in my mouth again. Replacing Matsui is an impossible feat as both a player and a person. Yankees seem to think Matsui’s knees are to far gone to only decline from here on. Did Cashman get the wrong report on Johnson? Johnson is more injury prone than a porcelain doll. Other than his OBP, the rest of his stats are not that great. And if he can’t play, he is useless anyway. So how is this an upgrade? It’s not even a solid replacement at $5.5 million dollars. Just to think that Matsui is making just $1 million more makes no sense and Cashman can kick his own &s% for this one. When the thrilla hit by Godzilla is not in pinstripes next season, it will hurt trust that fact.

Melk Me Dry?

GOT MELK? was becoming a household term in New York. This picture made famous because of a play by Melky Cabrera. Melky is the young center fielder, on the left. The past three seasons Melky has been the Yankees center fielder. When Brett Garner took his job last season, Melky made sure that tenure was short by producing game winning hits and sensational catches in the outfield. Was Melky dynamic, sometimes but more importantly those sometimes were clutch times. His throwing arm was outstanding in comparison to the men on either side of him. Melky was young, worked hard and it felt like he had found a home in the Bronx. Now the Atlanta Braves got Melk and the Yankees acquire a familiar face, starting pitcher Javier Vazquez. Vazquez is 33 years old, can pitch lights out but he can pitch as if the lights were off as well. Didn’t Cashman emphasis the idea of the Yankees getting younger? Along with Melky, the Braves also got two good young, Yankee prospects in the deal. Hope are farm system is as deep as we think because Cashman is parting with the youngsters like he parts with money in seasons past. Deep pockets, deep farm system seems to good to be true but keep in mind these are the New York Yankees.

When Winning MVP In The Word Series Still Isn’t Enough?

It hurts. I cannot deny that my emotions have taken over any rational explanation for letting Hideki Matsui elsewhere. Matsui now joins former Yankee, Bobby Abreau in Los Angels as an Angel. The Yankees lost one of the utmost professional, talented, humble man, who just happens to have super-star athletic talent. Not only has Matsui’s life on the Yankees been an absolute honor, but Matsui is a role model for baseball, for sports, for players; but most importantly for our future. Kids worldwide gain by watching athletes like Matsui’s, not for how they win but for how they lose. I have now learned why his departure from home was so celebrated by his fans. Matsui is an icon in Japan, and now in the United States as well. In our hearts we owe the people of Japan an immense thank you because it was an absolute honor to have Hideki Matsui on the New York Yankees. The Angels did not just get a DH, they got a Godzilla.

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The Yankees Could Be Moving On Up….A Ton

Posted by on 8 December 2009, 2:52 am

The Yankees are about as tight lipped as Tiger Woods, regarding who the team’s biggest crush is on right now.

For the Yankees, it is more of a guessing game involving just a few names, a love contract and a new outfit.

“Tiger-Land” is the small country forming by the list of the Woods-Women is growing. This is at such a pace Woods could have his own 40-roaster before Cashman ever says a word.

Over in Yankee-Universe, the rides are getting older and the team needs to get some youth for next season.

This is not saying ability is based on age. Mariano Rivera is living proof at 40, along with 34-year-old Jeter who had a career year, and Arod who is the same age, has not even reached his ultimate potential.

Lately, as I read rumors everyday I started to go over stats, age, ability and attitude. A fact is that the team’s ability is undeniable heading into 2010 season but with some fresh stock it could be even greater.The Yankees need a player who….

1. Is a young, under the age of 26 would be nice.
2. Has played more then one season in the Majors.
3. Already displays obvious talent.
4. Has the potential to exceed expectations with some direction.
5. Needs to be an Outfielder.
6. *Fast On The Bases

*big factor

Tampa Bay Ray’s BJ Upton could solve this problem, with a close second going to St. Louis Cardinal’s Matt Holliday. BJ Upton is just 24 years old and had a good season considering he is coming off major shoulder surgery.

Upton’s 2009 season stats finished with a batting averageof.241, OBP .313, 55 RBI, 79 runs scores and an astonishing 42 stolen bases. His 2007 season was his best, hitting 24 home runs in addition to 82 RBI.

No one will deny the potential for this youngster and with the right direction the results could be enormous.Upton is Rays starting center fielder.

His range defensively is excellent but he has seemed sluggish and lazy more then just on one occasion. It would seem that a move to another ball club is just the spark this kid needs.

Upton ended 2009 season by dazzling the Bombers, as he hit for a cycle on a night when CC Sabathia was starting at the Trop. This was a first in regards to HUGE achievements for the youngster, and the first for the Rays organization as well.

What a nice confidence booster going into the off-season and gives BJ a lot to think about. Upton has the potential to be a big star. His attitude just needs some guidance and no better place to get it than in the Bronx. Continue reading ‘The Yankees Could Be Moving On Up….A Ton’ »

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MLB: The Final Four

Posted by on 14 October 2009, 4:36 am

Unlike past October’s, for the first time in years the final four teams that remain are the top four in baseball. It will something not to miss as any one of the teams has a shot to win. There is no currently hot team making a run of it; all four are hot and loaded with talent.

Each will be fighting to win the American or the National League Championship Series, beginning later this week. The winner of each advances on to play in the World Series, getting the opportunity to possibly be the world champions.

The match-ups go as follows:

ALCS
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim @New York Yankees

NLCS
Philadelphia Phillies @Los Angels Dodgers

Here are some things to keep in about each team:
(no specific order)

1.Los Angles Angels of Anaheim

The Angels play tough baseball. How?
In games, opponents tend to make errors against the Angels because the game pace is set to fast from the start. Angel players only committed 85 errors in the regular season, the least in the majors might give you an idea of the raw talent defensively.

Aggressive base-running is the name of the game in Anaheim. In addition add one of the most powerful line-up, who ended the season with a combined .285 which includes nine guys hitting over .300 each. Bobby Abreau has fit like a glove since joining the club this year and he is notorious at running up the pitch counts and gets walked more than any other player.

Jared Weaver and John Lackey will start the first two games in New York and the two righties will be key in the team’s October success. Lackey has the experience and Weaver has the stats to go all the way but both need to start out throwing strikes from the get-go or it could be the fall of an Angel.

2.Philadelphia Phillies

The Phillies are champions and want it to stay that way. Ibanez, Howard and Utley are three of the best lefty hitters in the game. The team needs all three to hit because it makes the rest of the line-up thrive too.


The key for the champs is pitching. Cliff Lee is ace who was picked up mid-season. I do not think this club could have made it with out Lee’s additional, CY Young arm. That is because Cole Hamels has been up and down all season. Hamel’s needs to step it up in L.A. And get back to his MVP Championship form if the team’s reign shall continue.

Even more shaky than Hamels is closer Brad Lidge. Lidge was a perfect 48 of 48 last year but he has been far from that this season. He seemed to have that nasty slider back against the Red Sox but his scary season gives him no street credit. Lidge can easily erase his messy numbers by getting back to the old school in October.

3.Los Angles Dodgers

Joe Torre is the manager of the Dodgers and he seems to have a knack for getting to the post-season.

Now Torre and his Dodgers all reside in a place called MANNYWOOD.


As a manager in MANNYWOOD, your job entails keeping Manny from being Manny. Basically, don’t show a hint of any disagreement towards Ramirez or Manny will pout in the corner. L.A. Needs big production from Ramirez who got his swagger back playing against the Cardinals.

The Dodgers have quality left-handed arms which need to offset opposing lefty bats. The team has no certified ace but starters good enough for five or six innings which works due to the depth and talent in the bullpen.

4.New York Yankees

For the Yankees just refer to the above picture. Arod hits the team plays better. It is just a fact and I hope the pressure doesn’t get to the third baseman. Whatever Kate Hudson is doing is working.

The other key performance which the team needs is from starting pitcher A.J. Burnett. He is a star when he throws like a star but Burnett needs to be the biggest star this week against the Angels. Burnett pitched well against the Twins, his first post-season game ever so that is promising. Joba can be thrown in if needed but if Burnett is game on, throwing for strikes he is one of the best in the game.

Four Teams, Two League Championships, One World Series…..WELCOME TO OCTOBER!!!

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Rain, Rain Go Away: Yanks Finally Make Angels Pay

Posted by on 15 September 2009, 4:20 am

The Yankees and the Angels are likely to be seeing one another down the stretch in the post season. A place, over the years, that the Angels have surely been the dominant team.

The Yankees got swept out of LA back in late June. And that was by a Angel ball-club without Tori Hunter and Vladimir Guerrero on the roaster.

The make-up game gave the Bombers an opportunity to send a message that the big, bad Angels were not going to scare the Yankees anymore.

The game went down to the wire. In the eighth our hero, Phil Hughes, had to get three outs was his most unsettling performance to date. Hughes is vital to the team’s future success and he remained confident.

Posada seemed to want Hughes to only throw his fastball which overall is smarter then a curve ball. Made me think that maybe would have thrown the batters to swing and miss. With a younger arm in Phil, his curve would have to be perfect or it would result in a bomb giving the Angels a lead.

The defense did their job in helping Hughes with some beneficial plays. One run did score to tie the game but overall a good outing for young Phil. He faced the best of the Angel line-up in our friend Bobby Abreau, the fastball assaulting Vladimir Guerrero together with Tori Hunter who is one of the best.

Giradi made a smart move having Gardner pinch-run for Tex in the bottom of the eighth. On a double rob to third, Gardner scored on a throwing error to secure a W.

Joba pitched well throwing 41 of 67 for strikes. Swish smashed his 27th homer and Tex went 3-4 to send the Angels back home not as tough as when they arrived.

Before next week’s series back in Anaheim country, the Yankees know that the Angels pose the biggest threat if both end playing October baseball.

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