2009 MLB Thread, part 2

[Spidey-Bat]

Might as well let Lee blow his arm out after this year after he wins you a championship since they probably won't re-sign him in a couple of years. Once less FA for the Yankees.

Lot of tough decisions for the Phillies to make. They should try to extend Lee midseason next year but they have a lot of other players that need commitments if they want to keep everyone. They're probably going to let Rollins go unless he takes a big paycut.

They made some bad decisions extending Lidge when a lot of closers were on the market and signing Ibanez for 3 years.

 

[Kurosawa]

I hope AJ Burnett will justify his $87 million contract in Game 2.

He won't. Burnett is a loser. Yanks go down 2-0 tonight.

And I don't think they added world class players. Burnett isn't anything special, Tex has become a playoff choke, and CC is overrated. Signing FA hasn't broken the Curse of 2004, so I think a complete teardown and rebuild is in order. Actually I wish the Steinbrenners would sell the team. I'd love to see the Yankees have intelligent ownership like Boston has.

Looking at it without bias...the Yankees are pretty pathetic next to the Phillies. Only ARod could make their starting lineup, maybe Jeter if he was moved to another position. Lee DESTROYS CC as an ace...Rivera is better than Lidge, although his most famous postseason moments have been throwing the ball into CF in 2001 and choking against Boston in 2004, which was the series that killed the Yankee franchise, probably for all time.

 

[Dark Donnie]

Lot of tough decisions for the Phillies to make. They should try to extend Lee midseason next year but they have a lot of other players that need commitments if they want to keep everyone. They're probably going to let Rollins go unless he takes a big paycut.

They made some bad decisions extending Lidge when a lot of closers were on the market and signing Ibanez for 3 years.

I hate the years for both players, but I think most fans will tell you with Lidge that they are ok with it. Granted he sucked this year...he was horrible. However he was a huge part to them winning the WS last year so an extension was deserved. I know a lot of people thought he would come back down to earth but this past season was his worst to date. Ibanez for 3 years at his age was bad but I think it worked out fine the first year. Will he contribute like that for 2 more? I'm not so sure about that.

They have a ton of issues regarding players with contracts. I think 2012 is the year where guys like Blanton, Werth, Victorino, Hamels, Ibanez, Rollins, Utley(I think), and Howard all are up for contract. I read an article last year that the revenue they generated from the WS allowed them to increase their payroll by 15 million or so. So they might have a little more to spend this offseason again. That money however will probably go straight to player's raises.

My personal opinion is that they will try and move Victorino and plug in one of their top OF prospects. They'll probably try and lock up Werth long term...Utley and Rollins will probably re-up at a reasonable number a both seem to really like the organization. I think with Rollins that will be a club decision though. This year was dreadful so an extension is not a given with him. With the pitching; The Phillies don't offer longer then three year contracts for pitchers so I'm not sure Lee will go for that..same thing with Blanton.

Howard is the big question mark. I wouldn't move him for anything, but at his age and the money he'll want, I expect they may try and shop him next offseason.

 

[Poeman]

He won't. Burnett is a loser. Yanks go down 2-0 tonight.

And I don't think they added world class players. Burnett isn't anything special, Tex has become a playoff choke, and CC is overrated. Signing FA hasn't broken the Curse of 2004, so I think a complete teardown and rebuild is in order. Actually I wish the Steinbrenners would sell the team. I'd love to see the Yankees have intelligent ownership like Boston has.

Looking at it without bias...the Yankees are pretty pathetic next to the Phillies. Only ARod could make their starting lineup, maybe Jeter if he was moved to another position. Lee DESTROYS CC as an ace...Rivera is better than Lidge, although his most famous postseason moments have been throwing the ball into CF in 2001 and choking against Boston in 2004,which was the series that killed the Yankee franchise, probably for all time.

...If the Yankees win the World Series...I ask you to stop rooting for the Yankees from then on.

 

[Poeman]

I hate the years for both players, but I think most fans will tell you with Lidge that they are ok with it. Granted he sucked this year...he was horrible. However he was a huge part to them winning the WS last year so an extension was deserved. I know a lot of people thought he would come back down to earth but this past season was his worst to date. Ibanez for 3 years at his age was bad but I think it worked out fine the first year. Will he contribute like that for 2 more? I'm not so sure about that.

They have a ton of issues regarding players with contracts. I think 2012 is the year where guys like Blanton, Werth, Victorino, Hamels, Ibanez, Rollins, Utley(I think), and Howard all are up for contract. I read an article last year that the revenue they generated from the WS allowed them to increase their payroll by 15 million or so. So they might have a little more to spend this offseason again. That money however will probably go straight to player's raises.

My personal opinion is that they will try and move Victorino and plug in one of their top OF prospects. They'll probably try and lock up Werth long term...Utley and Rollins will probably re-up at a reasonable number a both seem to really like the organization. I think with Rollins that will be a club decision though. This year was dreadful so an extension is not a given with him. With the pitching; The Phillies don't offer longer then three year contracts for pitchers so I'm not sure Lee will go for that..same thing with Blanton.

Howard is the big question mark. I wouldn't move him for anything, but at his age and the money he'll want, I expect they may try and shop him next offseason.

You sign Utley for whatever he wants ( Utley is one of those gritty players from the 20's and 50's)
Lee will get a massive contract...Philly will probably not end up signing him. (oddly enough, I could see him with CC one day - Not saying I want this as a Yankee fan but they are best friends in baseball apparently)
Ibanez is good now, next 2 years...bad
Rollins must go, so you can sign Werth
Howard is Howard...you try everything to keep him, but he will command more money then any player in the league not named ARod

 

[The Chris]

I wouldn't mind having Lee. Three lefties in the rotation would be a good deal, mixed in with Burnett and maybe Wang (If he can stay freakin healthy).

 

[Kingfish]

He won't. Burnett is a loser. Yanks go down 2-0 tonight.

And I don't think they added world class players. Burnett isn't anything special, Tex has become a playoff choke, and CC is overrated. Signing FA hasn't broken the Curse of 2004, so I think a complete teardown and rebuild is in order. Actually I wish the Steinbrenners would sell the team. I'd love to see the Yankees have intelligent ownership like Boston has.

Looking at it without bias...the Yankees are pretty pathetic next to the Phillies. Only ARod could make their starting lineup, maybe Jeter if he was moved to another position. Lee DESTROYS CC as an ace...Rivera is better than Lidge, although his most famous postseason moments have been throwing the ball into CF in 2001 and choking against Boston in 2004, which was the series that killed the Yankee franchise, probably for all time.

Again, curses don't exist, especially after 5 freakin' years. Tex is having a miserable postseason, but it's only his second one, and last year he hit like .400 against the Red Sox. I don't understand how you can think CC is overrated when he almost single handedly got them past the Angels. Burnett...everybody warned them about Burnett.

Also, that's a pretty dumb way to look at it, but if you insist, Posada would easily start over Ruiz, and Damon would probably beat out Victorino.

 

[Dark Donnie]

There is no question Utley will be back.

Well Lee loves it here so I don't think it's out of the question that he gets a 3 year deal from us. I know The Yanks have an unlimited payroll, but I don't see how they could sign Lee with Burnett and CC. I don't think Blanton will be back probably one of Victorino, Werth, or Rollins either.


While Rollins was bad at the plate, he was arguably the best defensive SS in the league. This lineup can make up for him. He probably won't be at leadoff though.

Also, that's a pretty dumb way to look at it, but if you insist, Posada would easily start over Ruiz, and Damon would probably beat out Victorino.

I don't think that's the case anymore. Defensively Ruiz is a better catcher. Posada has him offensively for sure but Ruiz is improving.

In terms of Damon vs Victorino:

WAR:
Victorino - 3.4
Damon - 2.8

UZR:
Victorino - -4.2
Damon - -11.2


Victorino is usually a much better CF. Damon beats Vic on OPS.

 

[Kurosawa]

...If the Yankees win the World Series...I ask you to stop rooting for the Yankees from then on.

I plan to stop watching baseball after they lose this WS. I'm not going to be like a Cub fan watching my team lose in futility for decades.

 

[Kurosawa]

Again, curses don't exist, especially after 5 freakin' years. Tex is having a miserable postseason, but it's only his second one, and last year he hit like .400 against the Red Sox. I don't understand how you can think CC is overrated when he almost single handedly got them past the Angels. Burnett...everybody warned them about Burnett.

Also, that's a pretty dumb way to look at it, but if you insist, Posada would easily start over Ruiz, and Damon would probably beat out Victorino.

Posada is a defensive joke. Damon should be a DH.

 

[cyborg ninja 14]

Cubs and Red Sox spent plenty of money too...it takes more than that to win a WS.

The Yankees have 2 players who could even start for Philly-ARod and maybe Jeter. The Phillies are just vastly superior overall.

The difference is the Red Sox spent money, made good personal decisions, and won two WS this decade. The Cubs spend and spend and fall flat on their face.

And Tex couldn't start for Philly? Interesting

i dont have much faith in burnett..

He'll get his Ks, but he'll also get his walks, his wildness. The Wheels can easily come off for him.

After reading some of the posts here, I almost believe that it's a one game WS. There is still much game left and the Yankees will figure out Lee. I'm honestly not worried. The rest of the Phillies pitching will be massacred.

Your new avatar suits you.

Damn, I was totally gonna say that.

Dont understand why Manuel left Lee out to throw 122 pitches...If he comes back on short rest, then this could favor the Yanks.

Bench Swisher for Gardner if he does not come to play today.

It seemed that Lee was needlessly pitching the 9th. I mean if you can't trust your pen to not post a 54.00 ERA in one inning...

 

[cyborg ninja 14]

In terms of Damon vs Victorino:

WAR:
Victorino - 3.4
Damon - 2.8

UZR:
Victorino - -4.2
Damon - -11.2


Victorino is usually a much better CF. Damon beats Vic on OPS.

It's not surprising Victorino is rated better between the two. Damon is just so awful.

I plan to stop watching baseball after they lose this WS. I'm not going to be like a Cub fan watching my team lose in futility for decades.

******ed.

 

[Spidey-Bat]

I plan to stop watching baseball after they lose this WS. I'm not going to be like a Cub fan watching my team lose in futility for decades.

That's pathetic. I'd have no respect for anyone if they did that.

 

[Bunker]

Who knew Yankee fans were so depressed. Don't they have 26 World Series trophies to wipe their tears with?

 

[Raiden]

Who knew Yankee fans were so depressed. Don't they have 26 World Series trophies to wipe their tears with?

Yeah, I don't get those Yankees fans who think gloom-and-doom just because they are down 1 game in the WS. Even if Yankees lose this WS (I do think they will have a comeback however), it's not the end of the world; Yankees have players like Arod, CC, AJ, and Tex locked up for next several years, and they will be back to the Series in the near future. I don't understand why some fans think that they must win WS or they failed utterly, which is rather unrealistic expectation if you ask me.

 

[Gamma Ray]

It's the end of the world! We lost game 1! Oh no!

Shut up. Spend your energy cheering instead of whining. This team did not win 103 games this season by accident.

 

[Poeman]

Yeah, I don't get those Yankees fans who think gloom-and-doom just because they are down 1 game in the WS. Even if Yankees lose this WS (I do think they will have a comeback however), it's not the end of the world; Yankees have players like Arod, CC, AJ, and Tex locked up for next several years, and they will be back to the Series in the near future. I don't understand why some fans think that they must win WS or they failed utterly, which is rather unrealistic expectation if you ask me.

Its strange, because I see that sort of response from my Jets fans (Same old Jets)

But Yankees? Seriously?

 

[Poeman]

Hairston IN... Swisher OUT
Molina IN...Posada OUT

That bottom three looks atrocious.
But Hairston is 10-27 against Pedro

 

[Kingfish]

That's pathetic. I'd have no respect for anyone if they did that.

You just have to wonder how many times Kurosawa has actually said this to himself and then continued to watch them anyway.

 

[Bunker]

Yeah, I don't get those Yankees fans who think gloom-and-doom just because they are down 1 game in the WS. Even if Yankees lose this WS (I do think they will have a comeback however), it's not the end of the world; Yankees have players like Arod, CC, AJ, and Tex locked up for next several years, and they will be back to the Series in the near future. I don't understand why some fans think that they must win WS or they failed utterly, which is rather unrealistic expectation if you ask me.

Srsly. At least they have a chance to get to the playoffs year in and year out. The Mariners haven't made the playoffs in like 9 years.

 

[Kurosawa]

Who knew Yankee fans were so depressed. Don't they have 26 World Series trophies to wipe their tears with?

2004 destroyed everything about this franchise.

And no serious team would start Tex over a stud like Howard.

 

[Poeman]

Srsly. At least they have a chance to get to the playoffs year in and year out. The Mariners haven't made the playoffs in like 9 years.

I remember those intense rivalries between the yanks and mariners back in the day...

 

[Bunker]

I remember those intense rivalries between the yanks and mariners back in the day...

Hell yeah. The first MLB game I ever went to was a Yankees/Mariners game in Seattle. Edgar Martinez hit a walkoff grand slam. Those two ALCS they played each other in in 2000 and 2001 were great, too.

 

[The Chris]

He's a Yankee fan? Dude what's a matter with you? No fan of a team should be so negative and give up on them like this, especially when they're in the world series! Give me a break man.

Oh and about Tex. He hits for higher average, puts up big power numbers and is a master with the glove. He's just off with the bat this postseason.

 

[Kurosawa]

Everything about being a Yankee fan changed for me after 2004. I'll never have faith in them again. No team has ever failed like that.