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| No More Melk Deliveries (Clever!) |
| Tuesday, March 31, 2009 |
I guess after a year of seeing more of THIS from Melky:
than THIS:
Girardi has determined that enough is enough.
After a solid 2006 and serviceable 2007 season, Melky really fell apart in 2008. In 129 games he amassed an average of just .249, his OBP was a frightening .301, and he only managed to knock in 37 runs (although the rest of the idiots hitting ahead of him didn't help much, to be fair) and was weaker in the field too - just 7 assists last year compared to 16 in 2007. This spring Girardi made it clear that the centerfield job was not guaranteed to Melky, and despite a decent showing during the ST games (.340 [18-for-53], with one home run, nine RBI and two stolen bases) it was announced on Sunday that the starting gig is going to Brett Gardner instead.
For his part, Gardner certainly did his best to earn the spot: in 22 games he hit .385 (20-for-52) with three home runs, six RBI and five stolen bases. Girardi explained the decision thusly:
"Both of them played great [in Spring Training]. Melky had a tough year last year, but he came into camp and was ready to go and played very well. Gardy finished up strong and had a great camp. We're just going to go with Gardy." Melky won't be totally usurped, however, as he'll be on the bench ready to pinch hit or give Gardner a day off. And not all hope is lost for the kid - we tend to forget how young he is since he's been around for so long already, but he is just 24 and could certainly improve his game.
Unless "Gardy" (that's the best you could do in the nickname department, Joe?) fails to impress in the first month or so, I have a feeling Melky won't be wearing pinstripes for long. He's out of options on his contract, meaning the Yanks can't send him to the minors to hone his skills and free up a roster spot, and the Yanks have plenty of competent outfielders to serve as reserves. Thanks to his strong spring performance, I am sure that at least one team would be happy to have him on their roster (Padres?), and if the Yanks can get a decent reliever in return I guarantee Melky will be on the first plane outta the Bronx.
Let's hope Gardner likes dancing with Cano...Labels: melk-man, spring training |
posted by Yankees Chick @ Tuesday, March 31, 2009   |
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| A Good Omen from A-Rod and a Strong Message for the Melk Man |
| Wednesday, February 25, 2009 |
Ladies and gentledudes, baseball is finally here!!!
The Yanks kicked off the 2009 pre-season with a game against the Jays today, and they started things off with style with a 6-1 win. 18 guys combined for 11 hits, and both Brett Gardner and A-Rod hit homers in their respective first at-bats. The Ro(i)dster really soothed my worried soul today by proving he can set aside all the dramz and focus in on the game despite the awkward cloud of tsk-tsking that follows him everywhere he goes (although I must offer a pro-tip to my dear A-Rod: once you point your finger at someone as your drug-smuggling juice provider, you might want to avoid being seen in public with him for at least a couple weeks). Let's hope that emotional strength stays with him once he has to face the real world in New York.
As for Gardner, his home run made it perfectly clear that he has every intention of earning himself that centerfield gig. Pack your bags, Melky...
Up next? Hughsie is starting tomorrow. I'm giddy with nerves. Can you believe I'm still holding out a smidgen of hope for the kid?Labels: a-rod support, happy time, melk-man, spring training |
| posted by Yankees Chick @ Wednesday, February 25, 2009 |
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| Actual Baseball Discussion! |
| Thursday, February 19, 2009 |
After the initial SI article, sit-down with Gammons, tear-filled press conference, and the media's apparent need to solicit the opinion of every human who has ever touched a baseball or seen a game, I've reached my limit on the A-Rod Juicing Spectacular. Enough is enough. Everyone can make their own decision whether they love and support him or want to put a little syringe next to his name in the record books or think every statistic compiled since approximately 1972 should be ignored. All I want is to see the dude in a freakin World Series.
Luckily for me (and A-Rod), there ARE other things to discuss! The whole crew has arrived in Tampa and they've been working out together for a couple days now, and the first Spring Training game is just 5 days away. The lineups can fluctuate like crazy during ST games as Girardi tries to give all the guys play time - remember, the ST rosters are much larger than they'll be in the regular season - so we'll be seeing a lot of different combinations of lineups over the next few weeks. For the "everyday dudes" who have their spots secured (Jeter, Matsui, Posada, A-Rod, et al) ST is for working out and getting back into the groove, but there are a lot of guys who will be using these games as an audition of sorts.
One dude that's got a lot to prove over the coming weeks is our dear Melk Man. As I noted a couple weeks ago, the Yanks have a surplus of outfielders on the roster. With the addition of Nick Swisher this winter we're up to 6 (and I'm not counting dudes like Austin Jackson who are on the ST roster but realistically have zero chance of being on the list on opening day), and four of them are centerfielders:
- Johnny Damon
- Brett Gardner
- Nick Swisher
- Melky Cabrera
Damon will obviously be on the roster no matter how his spring goes, but he won't be in centerfield every day (we hope). Instead, the Yanks will be using either Gardner, Swisher, or Melky to play while Damon is DHing. Swisher is considered an option for centerfield - he's played 131 games there over five seasons - but it seems more likely that it will come down to Gardner vs Melky.
Melky has earned himself a lot of supporters over the past few years thanks to some flashy catches and admittedly fabulous dance moves, but after last year's underwhelming performance he's far from a lock for an everyday job. He has more major league experience and a better arm than Gardner, but the Cash Man and Girardi have taken a shine to the "gritty" Gardner and made it clear that he is being considered for the job. They will both be given plenty of opportunities to prove themselves worthy before opening day, but it's Melky who really has something to prove. He set himself up for great expectations after fitting in so well in 2006, but has really let his performance slide since then. If he doesn't impress during Spring Training, he may be out of chances (and Cano would have to find someone else to carpool with).
Who would you put out there?Labels: melk-man, spring training |
| posted by Yankees Chick @ Thursday, February 19, 2009 |
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| Seriously?! |
| Thursday, February 05, 2009 |
As a baseball-loving gal lucky enough to work from home and hence have access to the TV whilst I work, the advent of the MLB channel has been particularly beneficial to me. I no longer have to make sure I stock up on DVR'd crime shows to watch in the afternoons when there is NOTHING on - channel 330 always has me covered. There's something about Matty Vasgergian's voice that is apparently conducive to coherent writing and solid productivity, as I swear to you I have gotten more work accomplished since the channel launched than I was able to complete in the previous six months combined.
Or perhaps it's the Adderall.
Crack?
Anyway, my point is that I love the new channel (although if they had shown the fucking 2004 ALCS just ONE more time back in late December when they were promoting the channel, my opinion might be different) and often keep it on in the background while I'm working. Such was the case today when, during the middle of a conference call, I see the words "Andruw Jones", "New York Yankees", "offer", "non-roster invitation", and "declined" scroll across the faithful news ticker.
The fuck?! I thought to myself as my coworkers fought about whether we should advertise a promotion as "through the end of February" or "while supplies last". Why the hell are the Yankees looking at more outfielders? And of all people, Andruw Jones? And really, Andruw? A minor league deal with a Spring Training invite is the best you can get these days? Wait, and if so, you turned it down? What, you think you're better than that? Seriously?
 This guy?!
Unfortunately, as I mentioned, I was working and could not ponder the many things wrong with the scenario until now. I reminded myself to revisit it later and directed my focus back to work (I went with "As a special promotion from now through February 28..." for the article, in case you were wondering).
I'm finally done with work and able to sit down and contemplate this ridiculous story, and I am no closer to figuring out why any part of this happened than I was 5 hours ago. Let's review:
- The Yankees are really still looking for outfielders? There are currently SIX outfielders on the roster and last time I checked there are only three outfielding positions. You're telling me that between Matsui, Damon, Melky, Gardener, Swisher, and Nady, WE ARE STILL LOOKING?
- The Yankees are really still looking for outfielders and thought ANDRUW JONES might be superior to any one of those six?! Yes, Matsui will be mainly in the DH spot, and none of the other 5 are particularly stellar, but does anyone genuinely think that ANDRUW JONES is going to outperform Nady or Swisher? What's the plan here, are the Yankees just going to sign every able-bodied outfielder they can and then draw names on Opening Day?
- Did the Cash Man forget what year it was? Let me remind you: it's 2009, and Andruw not only STILL hasn't figured out how to spell his name but he is really, truly awful. I cannot think of one thing he would bring to the table that any one of the other idiots we have could not.
- A non-roster invitation is the best Boras could drum up for Jones? Holy smokes the economy is hitting MLB hard. Sure, he sucks, but players like him get signed all the time.
- ...and then he turned it down?! Seriously? Allow me to speak directly to Boras: what sort of deal do you think you're going to drum up for this client of yours if not a minor-league contract? You do realize that we're talking about a man who batted .158 with three home runs and 14 RBIs in 75 games last season, right?
- Remember when the Yankees valued Melky so much they were hesitant to include him in a trade package for Johan Santana? And now we think Andruw Jones might do a better job? The poor Melkster has fallen quite a ways in the eyes of the Cash Man over the past 18 months or so.
- Yikes, what if he had said YES to the invitation and then made the roster!?
There is nothing about this story that makes sense, and I'm disgusted by the whole thing. There was no point in the Yankees making the offer in the first place and Boras had no business turning it down. I'm alternately insulted by the Yankees for wasting my time and then by Boras and Jones for thinking they're worth more. And the worst part is, simply by offering this deal to Andruw Jones the Yanks are effectively telling the world that they're still on the hunt for more interchangable, horrible outfielders!
No offense to you personally, Damon/Melky/Gardener/Nady/Swisher/Jones.Labels: free agency/arbitration, melk-man, spring training |
| posted by Yankees Chick @ Thursday, February 05, 2009 |
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| ALDS Game 2: Gnats 1, Yankees 0 |
| Friday, October 05, 2007 |
Last night's game was a disgrace. Tonight's was just sad. I'm too bummed/sickened to even type.
Labels: a-rod trouble, jeter jeter pumpkin eater, jorgie porgie pudding and pie, melk-man, post-season, video, you make me sick |
| posted by Yankees Chick @ Friday, October 05, 2007 |
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| Never Boring! |
| Sunday, September 23, 2007 |
It's been a wild ride, these games this weekend! Friday's disappointing loss took 14 innings to culminate, the game Saturday afternoon lasted five hours and 10 innings - but ended much better than Friday's (i.e., they won) - and although they managed to win in just 9 innings today, the game still took almost 4 hours and there was plenty of drama to be had. When all was said and done the Yanks ended up exactly where they were on Thursday in terms of the division race (1 game out in the loss column!), but the magic number to clinch a playoff spot is down to just 2 and our presence has certainly been made apparent to the goons up in Boston. Some potent notables from this weekend:- Melky had 3 hits and 5 RBI yesterday (including the game winner on Saturday!), tying his career best for single-game RBI
- Joba is a god - 3 more strikeouts today. Bow down.
- Little Jose Molina has turned out to be quite the catch (no pun intended! Wait I'm lying, totally pun intended). For a backup catcher a team could do much worse.
- Moose looked pretty good out there today - he had one bad inning, but put up zeros in every other inning he pitched.
- Rocket will not pitch until Tuesday, but he is allegedly healing up fine.
- Red Sox fans are the most moronic fans in the country... after letting a 14.5 game lead dwindle to barely 1, they have suddenly become vocal about "not caring whether they win the division or the wildcard". Right... justify away, Red Sox Nation.
- A-Rod pretty much sealed the deal on his MVP win, I believe. He tacked on another 4 RBI and came through with master clutchosity (patent pending on that word) on Friday and Saturday.
- Abreu somehow managed to get caught stealing twice today.
- The Yanks went through 8 pitchers on Friday, 10 yesterday, and 3 today. No rest for the weary!
- If Posada plays 6 of the next 7 games, he will have played more games this season than he has since the 2000 season, and thank goodness - where would we be without him?
- Today's win was the Yanks' 90th of the season. On July 1st they had won just 38. Hows that for a second-half comeback? Can we get a Comeback Team Of The Year award?
Labels: a-rod support, jobamania, jorgie porgie pudding and pie, melk-man, post-season, red sox rivalry |
| posted by Yankees Chick @ Sunday, September 23, 2007 |
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