Thanks to Leviathan for the heads up.
Apparently, Joe Girardi has had just about enough of all the ARod controversey and is putting his foot down. Warning to Xavier Nady: watch your ass:
“It’s something that I have to balance and juggle, and possibly make some tough decisions when spring training ends – or the decisions might be made for us,” Girardi said. “To me, when you come to spring training, you’re all competing. You have to prove yourself in this game over and over and over. We expect all our players to do that…they want to play, and that’s how you want it…X had a great year for us and showed us a lot. For us to know what’s going to happen April 6 right now, you’d like to be able to predict but we can’t…we’ll make the decisions…It’s important that, as players, you understand that you’re doing what’s best for the team…When I played here, that’s the way the team was. You had veteran guys that didn’t necessarily play every day, but we thrived as a team. That’s why the team concept is so important. Sometimes you have to make sacrifices for the good of the team and it’s important that players buy into that.”
I make it rule not to look to far into what the uncomfortable Joe Girardi says in interviews [primarily because I can't listen passed the first 6 words]. We all want Xavier Nady in RF over Nick “the Hick” Swisher, who doesn’t really have a position and is $21M of “utility” for the next three years.
The great championship teams had a low-key blue-collar right fielder who just wanted to do his job in peace. Pardon us Yankee fans for wanting just the barest hint of the same. A little island of normalcy was nice to hope for.
As a note, the spotlight-avoiding Nady has earned fans on the other side of Hell’s Gate, where he played well with the Mets, and has built quite the underground following in the metro area.
Give us a break, Joe.
Well if Joe is looking for a team concept like that of the championship years it stops at his 3rd baseman. It always has and always will. Having said that Joe will lose his job before the 3rd baseman buys into a low-key blue-collar team first concept. It’s just my opinion of course and you know I have never been an A-Rod fan but this guys ego is bigger than the teams and that is not a good thing. I hope I am wrong but this is going to be a tough year on him and its going to impact the team and Girardi’s future
I said the same thing earlier today cdn. You’re absolutely right; Girardi is barking up the wrong tree discussing Nady. Somebody should have have gotten him GPS for Christmas because he’s not even close to where he wants to be.
I like his idea that he wants to go back to the championship years way of team concept but if he is serious then Nady is about as close as you are going to get to a player who thinks that way. I like him. Quiet, unassuming does his job. I wish he showed a little more emotion sometimes ala O’Neil but he is acceptible. Gerardi’s problem is 2 fold I think. First you got Swisher and his 21M contract and then you go Nady in his walk year with Boras wringing his hands. I dont know too much about Swisher to comment. I know he strikes out alot but thats about it.
They were getting more interest in Swisher earlier in the off season but that was before you had guys like Abreu signing for nothing.I think they both become trade bait at some point this year, unless Swisher is .280/12/55 at the break, then he stays.
With C.C. and Wang you might be able to get the bullpen some rest. If Joba can stretch it out you can carry 11 pitchers. Melky starts in Scranton. Damon, Swisher, Nady and Matsui get most of the outfield time with Gardner off the bench. Posada’s the ? so you most likely carry three catchers. I would be reluctant to trade Swisher because Matsui and Damon aren’t 150 game players anymore. If Gardner produces then maybe u can but their bench isn’t that deep and it would be nice to have switch hitter late because it gives you more options.
MLB network 30 in 30 focusing on Yankees right now
LIBERTY: I’m sorry about what happened before. I just don’t like being treated like an idiot. It was obvious that Kev 86 was signed is as MARGE DE SARGE when he coincidentally came on board less than a day later as himself (Kev 86). He did the same thing on The NY DAILY NEWS late year to a number of posters, including MacPhisto. And yes, it was obvious then that it was KEV 86, because he was signing in as ShoelessJoe408, and making statements like THAAAAAAAAAAA YANKEEEEEEEES LOOOOOOSE.” Now come on, Lib. I’m not going to ask you to admit it, but you know as well as I do that that was a trademark of KEV 86 last year.
You’ve known me long enough to know that I am about as easy-going of a Yankee/Red Sox Rival that there is, as evidenced by the fact that you’d be hard-pressed to find any Yankee fans on The NY Daily News that hates me. I’m the anti-Timzer, so to speak. I’ve called myself a loser Orioles fan, and I have no problem with others calling me the same. Hell, I have no problem with 55,000 Yankee fans calling me the biggest cocksucker on the east coast, as evidenced by the infamous youtube video. My fangs RARELY come out, but when they do, they are long. One of the FEW things that brings them out is impersonators like KEV 86, and the other morons on NY Daily News like BUDIOO (with the extra “O”), and JRZY (with the extra “Y”). My long teeth also come out when Red Sox fans with amnesia taunt Yankee fans, and act as though the baseball history started in 2004. You and BUDDIO both know that that pisses me off to no end. Peace, take care.
Hey JRZ – I see Montero has surpassed Jackson as the highest ranked Yankee 5 star prospect…what’s he look like??
I see all the rest (3 stars) are pitchers. I was surprised to see Melancon as a 3 star after all I have heard about him… whats he look like??
Hey Joe … I like you bro… I downloaded Murray Head’s hit Say it Ain’t so Joe. Man it didnt connect in the 70′s what that song meant until I got the story from you
Thanks, C-HAB.
Canada, There is a brand new video of Melancon on my link from today, its the one that ends in 009.Ther is video of Montero earlier, last week.If you are asking my opinion, Melancon looks strong.Right over the top like you will hear me say on the video.Montero is a big kid and I saw him hitting the ball all over last week.I will try and get some more video of them soon for you.
To be honest with you the one that is just crushing the ball, at least in BP is Cano.Looks real strong.
*LOL* you got to stop calling me that tho…see I am a Maple Leaf fan and the HABS are like the Boston Red Sox to the Maple Leafs…..btw dont feel bad about your Orioles not winning…Leafs havent won since 1967
Yeah you know what that is going to bring from the haters after he admitted that he would train with Angel again
Thanks JRZ havent checked the videos today but will be shortly
For real Canada, he is just crushing the ball.I hope he can get off to a fast start.I know what you mean, as soon as I read that my first thought was shut up and play.
They arent posted on an article but you can get to them through either LB or Sals page on the right hand side.
Here is some of the young catchers in the cage.Montero is sporting #83.
Yeah what is it with these guys that like yapping and create fodder for the journalists and haters…just STFU and play…thats why I love Jeter. He has never left anything for a journalist to expand on
Couldnt say it better myself.
I will grab ya the Melancon link now too.
Here is the Melancon link…
CANADA: OK. I’ll think of a new name. By the way, they way our AAA and AA and Advanced-A pitchers are coming, I see us winning 76 games this year, 86 in 2010, and The AL Title in 2011. Everyone talks about Matt Weiters, but we have six major prospects at AAA and AA, like Brian Matusz, Jake Arietta, and Chris Tillman. Matt Weiters is a nice prospect, but three or four solid starting pitchers would go A LOT FURTHER than 35 Home Runs and 110 RBI’s that Weiters will contribute.
hey J, sorry I didn’t get the videos, I was out all day. I’ll post them up in the morn.
shoe, water under the bridge. no need to be defensive, I keep trying to tell you that you’re protected here and if using the admin tools on YOU is the only way to prove it to YOU…I gotta do it. I knew you would understand, which is why I took the block off.
It’s all about a fresh start. see yas.
A-Rod will have his own personal battles the entire season, but that won’t be nearly the factor that pitching will be. If Wang, Sabathia, and Burnett hold up without injury, The Yankees’ AL East rivals are in for a long season.
A. Brian Bruney in the bullpen
B. Wang, Sabathia, and Burnett as the big three
C. Whether or not Phil Hughes finally realizes his potential.
Those three questions are a lot more important to The Yankees’ chance at a post-season birth than whether or not A-Rod has a good year.
Thanks JRZ …I seen the one of Montero …Melancon was new…ahhhh to be young with the potential these two have.
Hey LB you gotta take time out sometime…great job guys…keep it coming
How about C-YANK Shoe…that would be something that would make me smile
P.S. Tell BUDDIO that I want to order a “BRUNEY SLEEPER” T-shirt as soon as he makes them up.
CAN-YANK. That’s even better, no? Like when they used to call Bob McAdoo “Can-Do McAdoo.” Or like when Cincinnati Bengals fans used to call their legendary Quarterback Ken Anderson “Ken-Do.”
Joe, what do you think of the Melancon kid?
Joe when the ex used to get pissed off at me I would say “hon you can call me anything you want except LATE FOR SUPPER”…CAN-YANK is fine… although I can see a hater or two say can-yank what
JRZ: You’re kidding, right? You ALREADY have Sabathia, Wang, Burnett, Bruney, Mariano Rivera, Joba, and Phil Hughes. You looking to break the Mariners’ AL record of 116 wins?
116? I want 162…I been listening to these sox fans run their mouths for a few years and am sick of it.BUT I really just wanted to know what you thought of the Melancon kid.
Bad news for me, JRZ: I just saw Melancon’s stats for last season. He zipped through Advanced A, AA, and AAA last season in Dwight Gooden/Ron Guidry-like fashion. He had a A 4 to 1 Strikeout to walk ratio (89 K’s, and only 22 BB’s). At AA-Trenton, his ERA was 1.81 in 49 innings. Somethimes AA is just as competetive as AAA. Even Advanced-A is not as far from the majors as people think. I saw pitchers throwing 99 MPH in Advanced-A last season when I was following The Frederick Keys.
BUT, did you see the video that I shot of the young relief pitcher today?
JRZ I hope you are right. I hope the team does not sucumb to the pressures associated with A-Roid. Who knows maybe its time that the other 8 take charge and leave A-Rod and his ego behind. If they can withstand the pressure I am sure we can surpass both the Sux and TB. We had winning percentages against both. We lost it to teams outside our division like Anaheim and Minnesota. That shouldnt happen this year
JRZ: If Joe Girardi has any balls, he will pitch Melancon A LOT this season. He will make Melancon prove that he DOES NOT belong. In other words, give Melancon the same status as Joba Chamberlain, and make him pitch his way OUT OF the majors. Keep pitching him and using him. Only of Melancon is a complete bust would I severely cut back his innings and/or send him back to AAA.
Joe, he has been a reliever, completely different situation from Joba.Actually, I think this kids presence is the reason the Yankees dont feel the need to have Chamberlain in the pen.
JRZ: No, I mean treat him like Joba in the sense that they ought to treat him with start status, the same way they did with Joba when he came up. In other words, don’t be shy about putting him on the mound in tough situations, and give him A LOT of leeway to pitch good or bad.
Joe, We may see him sooner than anybody wants to.We dont know anything about Mo yet
I just saw the video. Good overhand form, ala Jim Palmer. But I can’t tell, because I couldn’t see the pitches go over the plate until the last one.
Everybodys a critic
JRZ from what I have read the Yankees see him as a possible replacement for Mo he is that good. I think I heard it on WFAN that he will be the 8th inning guy by the end of the year
JRZ: So, Mariano can’t be penciled in for at least 35 saves?
Unless the Yanks get A LOT of injuries to their pitchers, it appears that they are headed for one of the top two spots in the AL East. So, either Tampa Bay or Boston will probably be getting KO’d from the playoffs…….. UNLESS the Yanks get a lot of injuries to their pitchers. Never mind the offense. Pitching is everything.
Didnt say that.I know if he is 100% you can pencil him in for 45.
I was trying to concentrate on his delivery, it would be a better shot if I backed up and let you see the pitch? I am learning here Joe, and am open to any suggestions.Tell me what you wanna see bro.
Joe, who ya got in a 3 game set?
CC vs Lester( cuz I think Jon is their #1)
Burnett vs. beckett
Wang vs. dicey
JRZ: You can’t do everything. You only have one camera. I would just suggest to do one day from the side, like you did, and the next time Melancon pitches, do it either from behind home plate, or in straightaway centerfield.
I found out that I am allowed to bring the moving picture into games so I should be able to get some good stuff, with no batting cage.
Cant get to CF but behind the plate shoud be doable.
You don’t want to hear this, JRZ, but I see the Beaneaters in a best-of three, if those were the match-ups. Fortunatley for your Yanks, the season is not best of three, it’s 162, including 144 games against teams not named the Red Sox. In boxing, styles make fights. The same is true in baseball. The Devil Rays may do a lot of your dirty work for you against The BoSox this season. If that’s the case, then you Yanks need to take care of business in those other 144 games.
I appreciate your view Joe but honestly nobody but Lester scares me and I feel pretty good about sending CC out there against him.
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