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Butthurt? I'm fine with the backup catcher we have, and idk why it's been discussed so much. You guys are the one giving this discussion so much life. And no it isn't alright for you to "troll" Yankee threads, just like it's not alright to troll Sox threads. Didn't we have a discussion about this like last week where we all vowed to check our behavior and cut back on the trolling. It appears the only one not doing that is you. And you can doubt Long's reputation with your mockery quotations, but open your eyes. The results speak for themselves. Ask anyone around baseball, and most importantly ask the players he's worked with who have had only the highest praise in the world for the guy. What's your hitting coach doing right now? Probably sitting at home enjoying the rest of his offseason. Kevin Long however is out traveling to his players home's throughout the DR and Florida getting an early start on the season. Say what you want, I don't care. I don't even know why I waste any time responding to your posts. You're just a clown dude. All you're good for is making me laugh.

SICK. That's not exactly how I would do it, but no matter what order you put them out there in they're still gonna be nasty! This is what I would do.... Jeter Damon Tex A-Rod Posada Johnson Cano Swisher Granderson in the double leadoff role

I think it's a good fit for Chapman. He won't have the pressure he would in Boston or New York, and they can take their time with his development. All in all good deal on both ends, IMO.

It's not about proving anything to anyone, it's about revenue and further promoting the game internationally. I see and agree with everyone's points here, but I still think it would be a good idea. If the whole 40 man roster is eligible to play, we don't need to use our best players and pitchers, and can treat it as more of an exhibition series. While a loss would be embarrassing, it still doesn't take away from the fact that we're still better and more talented. It also shouldn't take anything away from the World Series. But again, there's still a long way for this to go before it happens.

According to reports out of Japan and on SI.com Bud Selig met with NPB commissioner Ryozo Kato in Milwaukee recently. The topic of discussion was possibly organizing a postseason series where the NPB champion would take on the MLB champion. Selig also hopes to make this a reality before his tenure as commissioner ends in 2012. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/baseball/mlb/01/07/roundup.ap/index.html#ixzz0bwvgkQQU A lot of you will probably disagree, but as a fan of the international game and somebody who follows NPB as well I think this would be a great idea! Pitting the champions of the two best leagues in the world would be a great thing towards further developing the internationalization of the game. I know this would make the Japanese fans very happy, and I'm sure Bobby Valentine is ecstatic about this news , as he has long been a proponent of organizing such a series. Of course questions exist as to how it would work; such as the length of the series, where it would be played, when it would be played, etc. Having the two teams alternate home stadiums would be problematic due to travel time and jet-lag, but I think playing a best of 5 series in one country, alternating each year, in November would be the best way to work it. I would be very against playing a series prior to or during Spring Training, not only for the same reasons that people oppose the WBC, but also because the rosters are so different by then that it won't be the two championship teams playing each other. I also think that the games should be played at a neutral stadium in the host country for a few reasons. One, there would be a huge home-field advantage for the host country's team when the visiting team plays as the "home" team in the host's Stadium. Also, in the month of November it is very cold in some parts parts of the US, especially Northeast cities and in the midwest. So a warmer climate such as Southern California, Florida, Texas, or Arizona, or even a domed/retractable roof Stadium would be essential. It won't take away from the home field advantage, as playing in a different city shouldn't necessarily deter that cities fan base from rooting against their country's champion. Well you guys obviously know my feelings on this possibility, I'm curious what you guys would think.......

hey I don't blame you, the dude is sick with the glove

Definitely a plus. Versatility is always good.

I agree Alomar got snubbed, but I'm not too upset about him not getting in on the first ballot. He'll get in next year which is fine. Blyleven needs to be elected already though. He's running out of time and is very deserving, IMO.

On the second point, you're right, I misread what you were saying. As for him improving offensively due to his surrounding presence of guys like Posada, you can't really substantiate that, but I think it could help. If not Posada, definitely Kevin Long, who is arguably one of the best hitting coaches in the league. For a guy as young as he is I would expect some offensive improvement, nothing significant though. Truthfully I wouldn't care if he hit .150 as long as he played flawless defense.

Shut up already would you. It's clear your just looking to cause a problem. based on his 45 ML games I think it's fair to say he will be better than Molina. On that same basis I can't say how good he will be, but I speculate based on the reviews he's gotten from coaches and scouts, and what I've seen from him last year in the majors, spring training, and the WBC that he has the tools to maybe be a decent hitter compared to the standard backup catcher. Why do you care so much? Based on what if you don't mind me asking? Now don't get me wrong, I'm not saying he's going to turn into a top-tier everyday catcher, but I think he's got all the tools to be a consistently reliable backup catcher for several years. Every Yankee pitcher who worked with him raved about him this year, the coaching staff all said great things, and his minor league managers all have raved about his abilities behind the plate. It's hard to predict his offensive production at the major league level, but that doesn't even matter, anything he adds on offense is a bonus. The Yankees are just relying on him to be a quality defensive backup. I think he's already better defensively than Josh Bard, and I can't see bard being much better with the bat, if even at all. Exactly, that's all I've been trying to say. These clowns just look to argue about anything it seems. Because we have guys named Montero, Romine, and Sanchez, among others in the minors who give us tremendous catching depth and who have higher ceilings than Cervelli. Cervelli doesn't project to ever be anything more than a backup catcher, so what's the problem? You sound almost bipolar dude. How old are you? Not many people disagree. Posada might not be the best defensive catcher, but he sure is a smart one. Always thinking and always has his head in the game. Torre and Girardi, as well as most of the pitchers he's caught throughout the years have praised him. Clemens even called him the best catcher he's ever worked with. I don't get what your so bitter about, why do you care so much about this? Shouldn't you be out celebrating your teams acquisition of Bill Hall or something? I don't think anyone's hyping him. All I said, and all I saw anyone else say is that he is 1) an average to above average defender, and 2) an offensive upgrade to Jose Molina, which you agreed to. The only reason this discussion has been going on so long is because imperial is a troll who needs to crawl back under his bridge. Not necessarily. He doesn't project to be a staretr, and I don't think the Yanks want to trade him. Despite his lack of offense, everyone in the organization likes what he brings to the table behind the plate. That's all it is. Can we move onto something else now?

I would be an offensive improvement over Jose Molina. I'm not saying Cervelli is a great hitter, he's obviously no Joe Mauer or anything, but given a few opportunities he'll prove to be able to provide adequate offense for a backup catcher. Besides, anything he contributes with the bat is gravy.

I don't disagree with you. But with guys like A-Rod and Posada, when they feel the need to rest Tex and shift Johnson to first they'll have plenty of DH options. Like you said though the concern is who fills in for those guys. I doubt the Yankees are done though, I can't see them going into the season with this roster.

I went once years ago, the game where Bryce Florie took the liner off Ryan Thompson's bat. Fenway is baseball history at it's best, but I imagine it's not very comfortable to watch a game there. While I admire what Henry has been doing with the park since he bought the team eventually they're gonna need a new place. I just hope that with it's status as a historical landmark it can stand forever as sort of a museum and tribute to Red Sox and baseball history, and maybe even host some college and high school games. But it doesn't seem to be up to the standards of other major league parks. I think when 2012 comes and goes we'll start hearing a lot more talk of a new ballpark for the Sox.

When he's not DHing Nick Johnson will serve as the backup 1B, can't complain with that. As for Pena, he definitely sucks with the bat, but he's pretty damn good with the glove. I have absolutely no concerns with Cervelli, and we still have to see what this Hoffman kid has. We definitely need some more pop though.

Defensively he's an upgrade, but offensively it's not even close.

Yeah. I think he's worth $17 mil NOW, but I don't think he will be at the end of the deal.

Hinske signs with the Braves. Not a huge loss but I thought the Yanks should have brought him back with the versatility and pop he provides off the bench. The way it's looking right now our bench is a joke.

I don't think he's worth that, but the Cards didn't really have a choice, they needed protection for Albert. I just wonder what type of deal Pujols gets next year.

Good move for the Sox. Clears up some of the logjam and adds a quality guy to the bench who has tons of versatility. Hall can pretty much play anywhere besides first, catcher, and pitcher. I've long wanted to see the Yanks get him. Too bad he ends up in Boston. At the same time, good move for the M's as well. I wonder if this means Russell Branyan definitely won't be back in Seattle.

Not to mention Cervelli is an offense upgrade over Molina.

I hope so because I don't like Gardner in left. As unlikely as it looks, stranger things have happened so I wouldn't be shocked if an agreement is made with Damon before spring training. s***, at least sign Nady to an incentive-laden deal.

Absolutely. But the Yankees drafty position has nothing to do with them getting Montero, as he was an international FA. Chalk that one up to the dollar department.