2008 Yankee News & Notes Thread

[26 to 6]

Here's a link, from The Times and Democrat in Orangeburg, SC; his hometown newspaper.

 

http://www.thetandd.com/articles/2008/06/29/sports/doc486838a519540498394678.txt

[Jayhawk Bill]

Here's a link, from The Times and Democrat in Orangeburg, SC; his hometown newspaper.

 

http://www.thetandd.com/articles/2008/06/29/sports/doc486838a519540498394678.txt

 

Nice article by Brian Linder of The TandD. Everybody click on the link so that they get their ad revenue...but here's most of the article, which is worth reading:

 

Don’t believe dreams can come true?

 

Just talk to Brett Gardner. Because, Sunday afternoon, Gardner’s big-league dream came true when Scranton/Wilkes-Barre manager Dave Miley called him into his office and informed him that he had been called up to the team’s parent club, the New York Yankees.

 

“It really hasn’t set in yet,” Gardner said as his team traveled back from it’s game against Buffalo. “Absolutely, it’s a dream come true. Growing up as a little kid, you get older, and you realize how far away it is. It really hasn’t set in yet, but I think (Monday) when I get there it will definitely happen.”

 

Gardner is scheduled to drive from Scranton to New York Monday and be in uniform for the Yankees 7:05 p.m. series opener against the Texas Rangers. The former Holly Hill Academy, St. George Post 105 and College of Charleston standout has been on the radar for a promotion to the big leagues for some time. In 80 games with Triple-A Scranton this season, Gardner was batting .287 with three home runs, 29 RBIs, 34 stolen bases and had a .412 on-base percentage. His play and injuries to New York outfielders Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui opened a door in the Bronx Bombers’ outfield.

 

“Before the season started I told myself, ‘If it happens it happens,’” Gardner said. “I just worry about what I can control and try to prove to them that I am ready. And, with this happening in the last year of Yankee Stadium…it’s very special to get to play there.”

 

Gardner said he called his parents, Jerry and Faye Gardner, in Holly Hill shortly after learning of his call-up.

 

“They are really excited,” he said laughing. “I think they are more excited than I am.”

 

“It was emotional for me,” Jerry Gardner said. “Just from the standpoint that…I know what kind of work he has put himself through, and to see him get rewarded with the ultimate promotion…is special.”

 

With the door opened and his dream fulfilled, Gardner said he is ready to focus on doing what it takes to make his mark in the major leagues.

 

“I’ve always been told, ‘The hard part is not to get to the big leagues, it’s to stay in the big leagues,’” he said. “I don’t know what my role will be. It could be to come in as a defensive replacement once a week or come in and run bases. I have no idea what to expect, but I am sure I will find out in the next few days.

 

“I will be working hard,” he added. “And, I am going to try my best to help the team win some ball games.”

 

The guy says the right things. Too many prospects don't these days. Let's hope that he has a few good moments that he can look back on in the next few weeks, almost good enough that the Yankees win a game or two.

[jacksonianmarch]

He will struggle off the bat. Look at his history, he has always had a 30-40 game adjustment period. But once he adjusts, he is just plain solid. High OBP with tons of steals and a lot of range in the OF. He is a potential leadoff guy.

[Jayhawk Bill]

He will struggle off the bat. Look at his history' date=' he has always had a 30-40 game adjustment period. But once he adjusts, he is just plain solid. High OBP with tons of steals and a lot of range in the OF. He is a potential leadoff guy.[/quote']

 

I plugged Gardner's total MiLB stats from all levels--a respectable .289/.388/.386 batting line--into the MLE calculator at minorleaguesplits.com as a SWB to NYY conversion. It came out as a .246/.332/.322 batting line. BP PECOTA projected Gardner as a .236/.313/.327 hitter in MLB entering the season. When I look at the unusual stats vs. LHP in 2008, the ultra-high BABIP, and the tendency of many high-OBP/low-SLG batters to decline severely in IsoD upon promotion to MLB, I think that expecting too much from Gardner may be overoptimistic.

[jacksonianmarch]

when I read first hand accounts about this kid, it seems interesting to hear that he isnt actually bad at making contact. From the sounds of it, he goes down looking a lot, a la JD Drew. I dont have the stats on his K's looking, maybe JHB can help

[Jayhawk Bill]

when I read first hand accounts about this kid' date=' it seems interesting to hear that he isnt actually bad at making contact. From the sounds of it, he goes down looking a lot, a la JD Drew. I dont have the stats on his K's looking, maybe JHB can help[/quote']

 

Use MiLB Gameday to quickly review his entire season. Here's his last game in AAA:

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/gameday/y2007/gd.html?2008_06_29_swbaaa_bufaaa_1

 

Glad to help!

[das11209]

Matsui and Damon both had set-backs in their rehabs.

 

Heard on ESPN 1040 - Matsui is rumored to be out for season ( no links).

[26 Reasons to Hate Us]

Heard on ESPN 1040 - Matsui is rumored to be out for season ( no links).

 

here you go

 

http://lohud.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080716/SPORTS01/807160364/-1/SPORTS

[rician blast]

Matsui and Damon both had set-backs in their rehabs.

 

Heard on ESPN 1040 - Matsui is rumored to be out for season ( no links).

 

Wow. That's a shame.

[Mr Crunchy]

shemp matsui out

judas damon....""my shoulder hurts and i wont be coming back sunday""

damon,the walking poster boy for HGH and have we noticed how he never missed time till the roid testing began?

hes done as a full time outfielder and his last contract will be his ...last contract

nobody is paying this guy 5 figures anymore

[BudLight]

Losing Matsui for the remainder of the year would hurt. Would like to see the Yanks make an inquiry for a long term solution at first base, Adrian Gonzalez, IMO would fit the bill nicely. Using Betemit and a prospect may get the job done with San Diego. That would allow the Yanks to use Giambi as the DH the rest of the season and give them another good LH bat (would prefer a RH bat, but you have to look at what you can get now) and a very good defensive 1B without having to break the bank.

[TheKilo]

Losing Matsui for the remainder of the year would hurt. Would like to see the Yanks make an inquiry for a long term solution at first base' date=' Adrian Gonzalez, IMO would fit the bill nicely. [b']Using Betemit and a prospect may get the job done with San Diego.[/b] That would allow the Yanks to use Giambi as the DH the rest of the season and give them another good LH bat (would prefer a RH bat, but you have to look at what you can get now) and a very good defensive 1B without having to break the bank.

 

Really?

[BoSox21]

Losing Matsui for the remainder of the year would hurt. Would like to see the Yanks make an inquiry for a long term solution at first base' date=' Adrian Gonzalez, IMO would fit the bill nicely. Using Betemit and a prospect may get the job done with San Diego. That would allow the Yanks to use Giambi as the DH the rest of the season and give them another good LH bat (would prefer a RH bat, but you have to look at what you can get now) and a very good defensive 1B without having to break the bank.[/quote']

 

he's signed with the Padres through 2010 with the team holding a $5.5 million option for 2011 so forget about that. plus, the guy is pretty comparable with Mark Teixeira over the last two seasons and you're gonna say all it would take is Betemit and a prospect?

[BudLight]

The Pads need a lot of help and will not contend in the NL West with their current roster. They have Tony Clark who could backfill a departure of Gonzalez. Okay, granted it would take more than Betemit and a prospect, but doesn't hurt to dream a little. Seeing as how Gonzalez is making less than $1M this season, the Pads probably would not want to take on a great deal of salary.

[BoSox21]

The Pads need a lot of help and will not contend in the NL West with their current roster. They have Tony Clark who could backfill a departure of Gonzalez. Okay' date=' granted it would take more than Betemit and a prospect, but doesn't hurt to dream a little. Seeing as how Gonzalez is making less than $1M this season, the Pads probably would not want to take on a great deal of salary.[/quote']

 

I agree they need help but you're not gonna do that by getting rid of your best hitter, especially if you're gonna replace him with Tony Clark.

 

And yea, he's making something like $850,000 this year but it's not as if he's owed $15 mil next year. He's gonna make $3 mil next year and $4.75 mil in 2010. Even the Marlins wouldn't mind paying that

[Mr Crunchy]

Bonds is available bb

[BudLight]

Bonds is available bb

 

Who

[BoSox21]

BudLight, the DBacks just traded for Tony Clark. Looks like Adrian Gonzalez wont be in pinstripes anytime soon since the Padres just lost their outstanding depth at first

[jacksonianmarch]

they wont deal Gonzalez. They have him under lock and key for awhile and with him and Kouz, they can at least feign the goods to put a formidable offense together for next yr.

[Cocos Disciples]

http://www.nj.com/yankees/index.ssf/2008/07/yankees_talks_on_seattle_lefty.html

 

Yanks interested in Washburn, Melky could be discussed. Correct me if I'm wrong, but wouldn't you not deal Melky for Johan Santana?

[Jayhawk Bill]

Yanks interested in Washburn' date=' Melky could be discussed. Correct me if I'm wrong, but wouldn't you not deal Melky for Johan Santana?[/quote']

 

I wouldn't've dealt Melky + Hughes + extra salary liability of actually signing Santana for Santana last winter. I'm not so sure either way right now.

 

I would not trade Melky straight up for Washburn. YMMV.

[Cocos Disciples]

Oh, don't get me wrong, neither would I. Washburn sucks. I wasn't making fun of the Yankees not trading Melky for Santana, more so mocking his value going from Santana to Washburn (although not that accurate).