2007 Yankee Game Thread

[yankees228]

Since you're talking about the now and beyond, I'd take Cabrera. Hunter looks like he's losing a step in the outfield, and I'm wary of Rowand's flukey performance with the bat. Rowand's going to cost $10 million, and Hunter might get $15 million or more. Cabrera is going to come close to replicating what they do offensively*, and he'll probably better them defensively. Plus, he's about $14,000,000 cheaper. The Yankees can use that coin on Zambrano, or another pitcher.

 

*Within .050 OPS points

 

The point you bring up about the money is a very good one, and, if they decided to retain Abreu (either by picking up his option or resigning him), they're going to want to save money.

 

I just feel that the other guys fit better. The one guy that I really wanted was Ichiro, but that's no longer possible. The Yankees really don't have a ton of right handed hitters that play every day, which makes them slightly weaker against lefties.

 

Torii Hunter vs. LHP: 118 ABs, 10 HRs, .363 OBP, .644 SLG

Aaron Rowand vs. LHP: 133 ABs, 5 HRs, .395 OBP, .564 SLG

Melky Cabrera vs. LHP: 112 ABs, 1 HR, .344 OBP, .375 SLG

 

I understand that it's a small sample size, but it's pretty telling. Clearly Yankees Stadium is a lefties park, so it's important to have some really good left handed hitters, but there needs to be some balance.

 

In terms of Zambrano, I'm not saying he's not a great pitcher, and I'm not saying that he's not better than anyone the Yankees will have, but where are you going to put.

2007 Yankees Rotation (barring injuries):

 

Chien Mien Wang - a definite

 

Phil Hughes - a definite

 

Andy Pettitte - assuming his option will be picked up

 

Mike Mussina - no other place to put him, unless you can trade him, which is unlikely

 

Joba Chamberlain - not a lot of choices here...unless you keep him as a reliever next year, but I don't want the Yankees to have the mindset with him that the Red Sox do with Papelbon

 

I would love Zambrano, but the year to sign a starting pitcher might be next offseason, when Pettitte and Mussina come off the books. On top of that, I think there's a good chance that Zambrano resigns.

[jacksonianmarch]

you are still talking about a guy who reaches base at a 35% clip vs lefties.

[yankees228]

Hunter is slugging .269 points higher against lefties.

 

Rowand is slugging .189 points higher against lefties.

 

They also both have better OBPs.

 

They both are, far and away, better hitters against LHP.

[jacksonianmarch]

Hunter is slugging .269 points higher against lefties.

 

Rowand is slugging .189 points higher against lefties.

 

They also both have better OBPs.

 

They both are, far and away, better hitters against LHP.

 

but you are taking 2 right handers and comparing them vs lefties to a switch hitter. And you are comparing 2 seasoned vets to a kid who has been in the league for 2 yrs and hasnt even sniffed his potential.

[yankees228]

but you are taking 2 right handers and comparing them vs lefties to a switch hitter. And you are comparing 2 seasoned vets to a kid who has been in the league for 2 yrs and hasnt even sniffed his potential.

 

To answer your first part...exactly. But that's why I would rather have one of the other two.

 

As for your second part, when you say he hasn't sniffed his potential, what are you basing that on? What do you think Melky is going to become?

[Gom]

Every Yankee fan is in love with Melky. I really fail to see why. He isn't as good as Yankee fans think. I think a healthy Johnny Damon blows Melky out of the water at the plate.

[Youk Of The Nation]

I think a healthy Johnny Damon blows Melky out of the water at the plate.

 

 

I don't think anyone will deny that, but is Johnny Damon ever going to be healthy again?

[CrespoBlows]

Every Yankee fan is in love with Melky. I really fail to see why. He isn't as good as Yankee fans think. I think a healthy Johnny Damon blows Melky out of the water at the plate.

 

22 year old players who can OPS .800, and play good defense don't grow on trees.

 

A healthy Johnny Damon is still a major liability in the field.

[Gom]

22 year old players who can OPS .800, and play good defense don't grow on trees.

 

A healthy Johnny Damon is still a major liability in the field.

 

Damon is not a liability when healthy in the field. Now, its true, he may have a better arm than my grandfather [who happens to be dead], but he does cover a decent amount of range. Look, I hope Melky turns out to be something special. We shall see.

[See Red]

Not a good start for Wang... bases loaded and no outs for the O's.

 

Wild pitch... in comes a run.

[Gom]

Orioles score 3 in the top of the first.....

 

Now we get to see what the Yankees are made of. The Orioles ace has been spotted a 3 run lead. Lets go Yanks.....show the Orioles that no lead is safe.

[See Red]

3-2.

[See Red]

What a grab in center by Melky. Impressive.

 

edit: Betemit makes it 4-3

[ORS]

Guthrie is their ace?

[Optimist]

I'm pretty sure that title goes to Bedard.

[ORS]

Arlo is in the middle of the statistical correction that was bound to come. His 1st half BABIP was .230, but it's been around .350 the last two weeks, and .320 in the second half. He'll finish in the mid-4's, which is about where he should be with what he brings to the mound.

[Youk Of The Nation]

Arlo is in the middle of the statistical correction that was bound to come. His 1st half BABIP was .230' date=' but it's been around .350 the last two weeks, and .320 in the second half. He'll finish in the mid-4's, which is about where he should be with what he brings to the mound.[/quote']

 

Arlo? Nice.

[See Red]

Arlo is in the middle of the statistical correction that was bound to come. His 1st half BABIP was .230' date=' but it's been around .350 the last two weeks, and .320 in the second half. He'll finish in the mid-4's, which is about where he should be with what he brings to the mound.[/quote']

 

That's true and all but god damn "City Of New Orleans" is a great song.

[TheKilo]

Joba is pure filth. Goddamn.

[ORS]

His slider is pretty awesome. His FB command, hell even control, is nonexistant.

[TheKilo]

His slider is pretty awesome. His FB command' date=' hell even control, is nonexistant.[/quote']

 

If he throws the slider like he did it won't really matter.

[TheKilo]

Yanks shoulda stuck with Joba.

[TheKilo]

That was absolutely atrocious.

[TheKilo]

YES!!!!!!

[Youk Of The Nation]

f*** you Mora. Stop at third and you tie the game on a f***ing out.

[Rdsxmbnt]

yes!

[Youk Of The Nation]

Thank you Roberts. You just saved me the trip to New York to kneecap Melvin Mora.

[riverside sluggers]

The Orioles 3rd base coach is dense, mora shouldve stopped at 3rd

 

EDIT: Tied game afterall!!

[TheKilo]

Bobby Abreu is an awful defensive player. Where did that notion that he's even remotely competent come from?

[Youk Of The Nation]

Still pissed because without that out at the plate Patterson wouldve sac flyed in the go ahead run.