Yardbarker: Melky Cabrera

Crazy trade ideas

Tue, 07 Oct 2008 10:48:00 -0500

I've been getting into some armchair GM discussions with people, and I've heard some of the craziest trade ideas of my life. There were numerous ideas thrown around--some decent, some horrendous, but one really tickled my funny bone. This is the hilarious aforementioned trade: Yankees get: Albert Pujols Cardinals receive: Ian Kennedy, Shelly Duncan, Melky Cabrera and "a low-level prospect" Laughed so hard I almost lost my breakfast. This type of thing never ceases to amaze me, it really doesn't. You do not have to be a Sabermetrics wizard to figure this out. While talking trades, all you have to do is apply logical scenarios; just be reasonable. Would you trade a $100 bill for a $1 bill? No, I didn't think so. So why in God's name would the Cardinals want to trade Pujols away for 3 unsuccessful former big-league players and one unknown, non-projected prospect? Makes about as much sense as Karate chopping yourself in the neck for 11 hours straight.

What happened to Melky Cabrera?

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 13:42:46 -0500

Melky Cabrera's triple slash numbers: 2006: .280/.360/.391 2007: .273/.327/.391 2008: .249/.301/.341 Instead of progressing or hitting a plateau, Melky's skill set progressively worsened season-by-season. In 2006, he showed an above average eye at the plate and the ability to slash balls into all fields. When he would get a pitch he could pull for power, that's exactly what he did, he pulled it for power. Melky Cabrera seemingly had a bright future. 2007, he regressed, but this is expected from a Sophomore--especially when he starts the season as a 4th outfielder with inconsistent at-bats. The league knows a player better and makes adjustments to him. 2007, I figured Melky was adjusting. 2008, Melky Cabrera get's bigger and stronger and is guaranteed a the starting CF position for the first time in his young life. He has a new chip on his shoulder, and a perpetual smile on that baby face of his. Baseball analysts are calling for him to have a break-out season, saying that he's going to slam 80+ extra base hits and be a very productive player. This was exactly what I was thinking also. I thought Melky Cabrera would have an all-star caliber season. I, and the analysts were wrong. Melky shot out the gate and posted a triple slash line of .299/.370/.494. Everything was looking good in Melky land, all the analysts and talent evaluators seemed to be correct. The Melk man was on pace to smash 30 home runs and drive in around 80RBI from the 9 hole in a batting order. That is fantastic production. Alas, it was not meant to be. After April, Melky's season took a turn for the horrendous: May: .234/.270/.319 June: 206/.289/.255 July: 272/.295/.359 August: .115/.148/.115 And that is when his welcome in the Bronx has become worn out. He was optioned off to AAA Scranton, perhaps the end of his full-time Yankee days. So what happened to Melky Cabrera? This might seem a bit too simplistic for some of you, and perhaps it is, but from what I watched, he got pull happy. No longer was Melky using his decent eye at the plate, or slashing balls up the middle or into the opposite field. Instead, after his hot April, he fell in love with the long ball. Melky failed to realize that he's never going to be Manny Ramiriez or Alex Rodriguez, he's simply not big and strong enough--but he's not exactly a slouch either. At 5'1" and 205LBS, Melky's a pretty stocky kid. He has more than enough power to slam 35+ doubles and run into 20 homers per season, while maintaining a 280+ batting average and an OBP of 35% or higher if he would keep his original approach. Melky will never be a superstar, and his days in the Bronx are perhaps over. But, if Melky would get back to fundamentals, he could turn in a couple of all-star seasons and a solid MLB career.

Are injuries a valid excuse for the '08 Yankees?

Fri, 26 Sep 2008 17:08:23 -0500

I know many say that injuries aren't an excuse for a team, because other teams get injuries as well. I have a different view on this though. Yes…many team have injuries, but not all have the same type of players get injured. Some have superstars get injured, while others don't. Let's first go over what Yankees were on the DL this season. Chien-Ming Wang, Phil Hughes, Alex Rodriguez, Jorge Posada, Jonathan Albaladejo, Joba Chamberlain, Brian Bruney, Hideki Matsui, Johnny Damon, Andy Pettitte, Humberto Sanchez, Dan Giese, Ian Kennedy, Chris Britton, Wilson Betemit, Jeff Karstens, Sean Henn, Andrew Brackman. That's right. About 7 All-Star caliber players were injured at some point this season. Some of them were even injured for extended periods of time. That list includes: the best player in the game today, a 19 game winner in '06 & '07, best offensive catcher in the game today, and two all-star outfielders. It also includes many rookies, such as Phil Hughes who were set back in dvelopment because of these freak injuries. We all understand that injuries are part of the game, but when your team is hit with such injuries..especially to your best players, it definitely takes away from your postseason chances. Chien-Ming Wang only made 15 starts this season. He pitched a little less than half a season. When you lose a CY Young type pitcher like that…your team won't be winning as much. It's as simple as that. A-Rod, who is arguably the best player in the game today has only played in 136 games this season. He was out of action from April 28th up until May 20th. He missed 19 games. It's just crazy to think about all of these injuries. Check out the downgrades..it really shows what kind of effect it had on the team. Posada- Molina A-Rod- Betemit Damon- Christian Hughes, Chamberlain, Kennedy- Ponson, Pavano, Rasner.. The 2008 Yankees didn't miss the postseason only because of injuries, but it was definitely a major factor. They lost many of their best players for extended periods of time. They lost their ace (Wang)……and Joba, who was pitching like an ace in the few starts he made. The best player in the game was out a month..and they had Betemit take his place who hits .260, and strikes out every 4 at-bats. Posada was replaced by Jose Molina who can't hit a lick. Posada is a 5 time silver slugger, and they replace him with Molina who hits .219 and had 3HR's on the season. It was a frustrating season. I think next year can only get better. These were freak injuries, and it would be hard to believe that it will happen again.

Yankee Free Agents

Wed, 24 Sep 2008 10:49:08 -0500

At the end of the season, $89 million is coming off the $207 million Yankee payroll. Bobby Abreu, Jason Giambi, Andy Pettitte, Mike Mussina, Carl Pavano and Ivan Rodriguez will become free agents after the playoffs. Most of them will be gone, except for Pettitte and Mussina, but the Yankees will only let them come back for a discount. The Yankees have to be done overpaying for free agents. The Yankees will be likely spending this winter on free agents, because they have to compete in a tougher AL East in 2009. The Yankees need to sign C.C. Sabathia and Mark Teixeira. Sabathia can be the ace of the rotation to counter with the Red Sox's Josh Beckett. Mark Teixeira is a gold-glove fielding 1st baseman with a swtich-hitting bat. His switch-hitting bat is also a plus because the Yankees are too left-handed in their lineup. In the bullpen, the Yankees need to add 2 more right-handed relievers and a setup-man for Rivera. Joba Chamberlain should stay in the rotation, because if the Yankees get Sabathia, they will be stacked with great arms. The Yankees must also address the issues with Robinson Cano and Melky Cabrera. One idea could be for the Yankees to trade Robinson Cano for a centerfielder and sign gold-glove fielding 2nd baseman Orlando Hudson. But in the long run, the Yankees have to focus on drafting position players, the Yankees haven't produced many of them. Derek Jeter and Robinson Cano only come to mind. If Brian Cashman comes back, he will have less power because of the bad moves he has made in past years.

Playoff Elimination of Yankees

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 21:29:47 -0500

On the night of Tuesday, September 23rd at 9:54 p.m. EST, the Yankees were eliminated from the playoffs after the Red Sox beat the Indians, 5-4. Thanks a lot, Indians, you've killed us again. For the first time since 1993, there won't be a postseason with the Yankees. A season full of devastating injuries and inconsitencies led the Yankees away from the playoffs. Devastating injuries to Chien-Ming Wang, Jorge Posada and Joba Chamberlain killed the Yankees. Taking a 19-game winner and a .290 hitter will hurt any team. Inconsistencies from Phil Hughes, Ian Kennedy, Andy Pettitte, Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, Robinson Cano and Melky Cabrera killed the Yankees. The Yankees will now watch October from their couches. Expect a lot of changes in the off-season. I will not blame Joe Girardi, he did everything he could. I salute Mike Mussina (who is at 19 wins), he's one of the few Yankees that has produced the whole season. The Rays and Angels also killed the Yankees. The Angels acutally put the Yankees to bed during that long road-trip in August.

The Last Game At Yankee Stadium

Mon, 22 Sep 2008 21:37:36 -0500

The final game at Yankee Stadium happened last night and not much to manys surprise they prevailed and took the game 7-3. Before the game they had old timers come out such as Yogi Berra, Whitey Ford, Willie Randolph, Paul O'Neil, and even Bernie Williams, making his first appearance at the House That Ruth Built in 2 years since be un re-signed. The fans gave him a thunderous ovation and to his credit he deserves every bit of it. As I watch each inning I can not help but think of this place going. From Babe Ruth hitting 60 to fans shouting Reg-gie Reg-gie as he rounds the bases for the third time in one world series game. From Chris Chambliss' walk off and fans pooring the field to President Bush throwing a perfect strike in the wake of 9/11. You can not help but be saddened by thinking of all the great things that happened there and that there will be no more to come. Many legends have played there including Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Joe Dimmagio, Yogi Berra, Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris, Whitey Ford, Don Larsen, Reggie Jackson, Phil Rizzuto, and even the late Bobby Murcer, who was honored this year by the club in what I thought was a great way for such a great guy. The way people look up to these people, the closest things we have to Heroes. Kids and even adults look up to them and watch as there favorite players and team plays there. I got chills thinking of the closing, watching everything I have watched that took place in that stadium and all those great Yankees Classics. There is no more The House The Ruth Built. Although this figures to be the greatest looking stadium ever it will never add up to the rich history and happening that occured daily at the stadium that so many players have called home. You wont be able to watch TV next year and say this is where Ruth became a legend, this is where Don Larsen threw his perfect game in the world series, this is where Lou Gehrig made his luckiest man in the world speach, or even this is where Bobby Murcer made the fans cheer in the name of Thurman Munson directly after his death. We well never hear anymore holy cows or cyyyaaas, it will all change, as Yankees fans we smile at the site of all the new stadium has to offer but we do that with a frown knowing we lost the heart of our franchise. Yogi Berra said he was sad to see the place go as all the Yankees greats who once played there are, but he said that he will never forget it or the memories that came with it. Yogi is the most winningest baseball player ever and is one of the most notable people you think about when you are thinking about Yankee Stadium. The Ghosts that live there, will they follow? The winning, will it continue? Is there anyway that the new stadium has any chance of matching the old one? We will never know I guess. Yankees fans sure hope the ghosts of the babe and lou and even billy will follow and that they continue to be winners and that the new Yankee Stadium can at least partly mirror the old one. Now on to the game that was the last ever at Yankee Stadium. Alex Rogriguez continues to slump and dissapoints in the final game. Jeter also never reached base, battling through a hand injury suffered in the final inning of Saturday Night's game. The Big Hero Jose Molina. Thats right name that Molina. I was looking for something real meaningful and something that would make the crowd be pleased in the final game other than a win. When Babe Ruth said, "I am only the first to hit it out of Yankee Stadium, God only knows who will hit the last." He probably was not thinking Jose Molina a terrible hitter would be the last. He represents everything Ruth was not and that really did make me angry. Last Stats For The Final Game At Yankee Stadium: Last RBI: Robinson Cano Last Hit: Jason Giambi Last Run Scored: Brett Gardner Last Strikeout: Joba Chamberlain Last Out: Brian Roberts Last Win: Andy Pettite Last Home Run: Jose Molina The New Stadium promises to be the greatest and the state of the art and even though we know it can never have the rich history and the great memories the Old Stadium had there is room for new ones. We hope to have our own new versions of Babe Ruth being Alex Rodriguez and Joe Dimmagio being Derek Jeter or Robinson Cano and Whitey Fords being Joba Chamberlain. We have new versions of the greats. With such young talents as Phil Hughes, Robinson Cano, Phil Hughes, Melky Cabrera, Ian Kennedy, Dave Robertson, Brett Gardner, and those that are coming through the minor league system promises to give us rich new history and legends to come. It has everything we need to build a succesful future and many great things to come. A Final Note On Yankee Stadium Going We will never forget those who have passed through and dazzled the fans with there great talents. We will never forget Reggie Jacksons 3 Home Runs to help secure the world series. We won't forget Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris competing to beat Babe Ruth's long time record side by side. We won't forget Tino's grand slam or A-Rods walk off last year against the O's. We will always remember those that we've lost those we have just come up short and those we have won. We will not forget the 26 times we won the World Series or Lou Gehrig's speech when he was dying of ALS. We won't forget the pope visiting or the greatest football game ever played. We will always remember no matter what stadium we are in or how many generations we live on. We will pass down the legacy that is Yankee Stadium and that is The House That Ruth Built. Here is to you Babe Ruth for being the main reason for the creation of the greatest stadium ever built. You and all of the other legends will always be in our hearts as we as New York Yankees and Yankee Fans will live on fighting and remembering everything that is the real Field Of Dreams, Yankee Stadium, The House That Ruth Built. YANKEE STADIUM 1923-2008

The Last Game At Yankee Stadium

Mon, 22 Sep 2008 21:37:22 -0500

The final game at Yankee Stadium happened last night and not much to manys surprise they prevailed and took the game 7-3. Before the game they had old timers come out such as Yogi Berra, Whitey Ford, Willie Randolph, Paul O'Neil, and even Bernie Williams, making his first appearance at the House That Ruth Built in 2 years since be un re-signed. The fans gave him a thunderous ovation and to his credit he deserves every bit of it. As I watch each inning I can not help but think of this place going. From Babe Ruth hitting 60 to fans shouting Reg-gie Reg-gie as he rounds the bases for the third time in one world series game. From Chris Chambliss' walk off and fans pooring the field to President Bush throwing a perfect strike in the wake of 9/11. You can not help but be saddened by thinking of all the great things that happened there and that there will be no more to come. Many legends have played there including Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Joe Dimmagio, Yogi Berra, Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris, Whitey Ford, Don Larsen, Reggie Jackson, Phil Rizzuto, and even the late Bobby Murcer, who was honored this year by the club in what I thought was a great way for such a great guy. The way people look up to these people. They are the closest things we have to Heroes. Kids and even adults look up to them and watch as there favorite players and team plays there. I got chills thinking of the closing, watching everything I have watched that took place in that stadium and all those great Yankees Classics. There is no more The House The Ruth Built. Although this figures to be the greatest looking stadium ever it will never add up to the rich history and happening that occured daily at the stadium that so many players have called home. You wont be able to watch TV next year and say this is where Ruth became a legend, this is where Don Larsen threw his perfect game in the world series, this is where Lou Gehrig made his luckiest man in the world speach, or even this is where Bobby Murcer made the fans cheer in the name of Thurman Munson directly after his death. We well never hear anymore holy cows or cyyyaaas, it will all change, as Yankees fans we smile at the site of all the new stadium has to offer but we do that with a frown knowing we lost the heart of our franchise. Yogi Berra said he was sad to see the place go as all the Yankees greats who once played there are, but he said that he will never forget it or the memories that came with it. Yogi is the most winningest baseball player ever and is one of the most notable people you think about when you are thinking about Yankee Stadium. The Ghosts that live there, will they follow? The winning, will it continue? Is there anyway that the new stadium has any chance of matching the old one? We will never know I guess. Yankees fans sure hope the ghosts of the babe and lou and even billy will follow and that they continue to be winners and that the new Yankee Stadium can at least partly mirror the old one. Now on to the game that was the last ever at Yankee Stadium. Alex Rogriguez continues to slump and dissapoints in the final game. Jeter also never reached base, battling through a hand injury suffered in the final inning of Saturday Night's game. The Big Hero Jose Molina. Thats right name that Molina. I was looking for something real meaningful and something that would make the crowd be pleased in the final game other than a win. When Babe Ruth said, "I am only the first to hit it out of Yankee Stadium, Go only knows who will hit the last." He probably was not thinking Jose Molina a terrible hitter would be the last. He represents everything Ruth was not and that really did make me angry. Last Stats For The Final Game At Yankee Stadium: Last RBI: Robinson Cano Last Hit: Jason Giambi Last Run Scored: Brett Gardner Last Strikeout: Joba Chamberlain Last Out: Brian Roberts Last Win: Andy Pettite Last Home Run: Jose Molina The New Stadium promises to be the greatest and the state of the art and even though we know it can never have the rich history and the great memories the Old Stadium had there is room for new ones. We hope to have our own new versions of Babe Ruth being Alex Rodriguez and Joe Dimmagio being Derek Jeter or Robinson Cano and Whitey Fords being Joba Chamberlain. We have new versions of the greats. With such young talents as Phil Hughes, Robinson Cano, Phil Hughes, Melky Cabrera, Ian Kennedy, Dave Robertson, Brett Gardner, and those that are coming through the minor league system promises to give us rich new history and legends to come. It has everything we need to build a succesful future and many great things to come. A Final Note On Yankee Stadium Going We will never forget those who have passed through and dazzled the fans with there great talents. We will never forget Reggie Jacksons 3 Home Runs to help secure the world series. We won't forget Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris competing to beat Babe Ruth's long time record side by side. We won't forget Tino's grand slam or A-Rods walk off last year against the O's. We will always remember those that we've lost those we have just come up short and those we have won. We will not forget the 26 times we won the World Series or Lou Gehrig's speech when he was dying of ALS. We won't forget the pope visiting or the greatest football game ever played. We will always remember no matter what stadium we are in or how many generations we live on. We will pass down the legacy that is Yankee Stadium and that is The House That Ruth Built. Here is to you Babe Ruth for being the main reason for the creation of the greatest stadium ever built. You and all of the other legends will always be in our hearts as we as New York Yankees and Yankee Fans will live on fighting and remembering everything that is the real Field Of Dreams, Yankee Stadium, The House That Ruth Built. YANKEE STADIUM 1923-2008

The Last Game At Yankee Stadium

Mon, 22 Sep 2008 21:37:10 -0500

The final game at Yankee Stadium happened last night and not much to manys surprise they prevailed and took the game 7-3. Before the game they had old timers come out such as Yogi Berra, Whitey Ford, Willie Randolph, Paul O'Neil, and even Bernie Williams, making his first appearance at the House That Ruth Built in 2 years since be un re-signed. The fans gave him a thunderous ovation and to his credit he deserves every bit of it. As I watch each inning I can not help but think of this place going. From Babe Ruth hitting 60 to fans shouting Reg-gie Reg-gie as he rounds the bases for the third time in one world series game. From Chris Chambliss' walk off and fans pooring the field to President Bush throwing a perfect strike in the wake of 9/11. You can not help but be saddened by thinking of all the great things that happened there and that there will be no more to come. Many legends have played there including Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Joe Dimmagio, Yogi Berra, Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris, Whitey Ford, Don Larsen, Reggie Jackson, Phil Rizzuto, and even the late Bobby Murcer, who was honored this year by the club in what I thought was a great way for such a great guy. The way people look up to these people. They are the closest things we have to Heroes. Kids and even adults look up to them and watch as there favorite players and team plays there. I got chills thinking of the closing, watching everything I have watched that took place in that stadium and all those great Yankees Classics. There is no more The House The Ruth Built. Although this figures to be the greatest looking stadium ever it will never add up to the rich history and happening that occured daily at the stadium that so many players have called home. You wont be able to watch TV next year and say this is where Ruth became a legend, this is where Don Larsen threw his perfect game in the world series, this is where Lou Gehrig made his luckiest man in the world speach, or even this is where Bobby Murcer made the fans cheer in the name of Thurman Munson directly after his death. We well never hear anymore holy cows or cyyyaaas, it will all change, as Yankees fans we smile at the site of all the new stadium has to offer but we do that with a frown knowing we lost the heart of our franchise. Yogi Berra said he was sad to see the place go as all the Yankees greats who once played there are, but he said that he will never forget it or the memories that came with it. Yogi is the most winningest baseball player ever and is one of the most notable people you think about when you are thinking about Yankee Stadium. The Ghosts that live there, will they follow? The winning, will it continue? Is there anyway that the new stadium has any chance of matching the old one? We will never know I guess. Yankees fans sure hope the ghosts of the babe and lou and even billy will follow and that they continue to be winners and that the new Yankee Stadium can at least partly mirror the old one. Now on to the game that was the last ever at Yankee Stadium. Alex Rogriguez continues to slump and dissapoints in the final game. Jeter also never reached base, battling through a hand injury suffered in the final inning of Saturday Night's game. The Big Hero Jose Molina. Thats right name that Molina. I was looking for something real meaningful and something that would make the crowd be pleased in the final game other than a win. When Babe Ruth said, "I am only the first to hit it out of Yankee Stadium, Go only knows who will hit the last." He probably was not thinking Jose Molina a terrible hitter would be the last. He represents everything Ruth was not and that really did make me angry. Last Stats For The Final Game At Yankee Stadium: Last RBI: Robinson Cano Last Hit: Jason Giambi Last Run Scored: Brett Gardner Last Strikeout: Joba Chamberlain Last Out: Brian Roberts Last Win: Andy Pettite Last Home Run: Jose Molina The New Stadium promises to be the greatest and the state of the art and even though we know it can never have the rich history and the great memories the Old Stadium had there is room for new ones. We hope to have our own new versions of Babe Ruth being Alex Rodriguez and Joe Dimmagio being Derek Jeter or Robinson Cano and Whitey Fords being Joba Chamberlain. We have new versions of the greats. With such young talents as Phil Hughes, Robinson Cano, Phil Hughes, Melky Cabrera, Ian Kennedy, Dave Robertson, Brett Gardner, and those that are coming through the minor league system promises to give us rich new history and legends to come. It has everything we need to build a succesful future and many great things to come. A Final Note On Yankee Stadium Going We will never forget those who have passed through and dazzled the fans with there great talents. We will never forget Reggie Jacksons 3 Home Runs to help secure the world series. We won't forget Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris competing to beat Babe Ruth's long time record side by side. We won't forget Tino's grand slam or A-Rods walk off last year against the O's. We will always remember those that we've lost those we have just come up short and those we have won. We will not forget the 26 times we won the World Series or Lou Gehrig's speech when he was dying of ALS. We won't forget the pope visiting or the greatest football game ever played. We will always remember no matter what stadium we are in or how many generations we live on. We will pass down the legacy that is Yankee Stadium and that is The House That Ruth Built. Here is to you Babe Ruth for being the main reason for the creation of the greatest stadium ever built. You and all of the other legends will always be in our hearts as we as New York Yankees and Yankee Fans will live on fighting and remembering everything that is the real Field Of Dreams, Yankee Stadium, The House That Ruth Built. YANKEE STADIUM 1923-2008

Yanks Win But Struggle With Yet Another Rookie Pitcher

Wed, 17 Sep 2008 22:33:04 -0500

In what's becoming typical Yankee fashion, the New York Yankees again struggled mightily against a pitcher they've never faced before. I've discussed that here several times in the past, seemingly after every game where the Yankees face someone for the 1st time. It happens way too often. A lineup

Hot Stove Q&A with Brett Gardner

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 13:58:19 -0500

For the past three seasons Melky Cabrera has been the up and coming Yankee center fielder. The team believed in him so much they called him up on the anniversary of the day that Bernie Williams was first called to the Bronx. But a season full of disappointments has found Melky in Scranton and in his place is the speedy 24-year-old Brett Gardner. In his first cup of coffee in the Bronx Gardner underwhelmed everyone with his .143 batting average and .373 OPS through his first 16 games. Now in his second stint with the team he has already gotten off to a hot start by going 5-for-14 and he even picked up a game winning hit. Hot Stove NY sat down with Gardner this week and discussed what it was like to struggle during his first shot with the Yanks and what he expects through the rest of the way. Enjoy. Hot Stove: What was your first major league experience like? Brett Gardner: It was a great experience. It was a lot of fun and obviously it's a dream of everyone's to play major league baseball and it was definitely a dream come true. HS: How did you handle getting sent back down to the minors after just 16 games? BG: Getting sent down can be a little frustrating, but at the same time you've just got to make the most of it. I've tried to use my time there as a learning experience and worked on the things that I needed to work on to improve my game. HS: What are some of the things that you've been looking to improve on? BG: I need to just keep hitting. I'm trying to have quality at bats and be consistent with my swing and be a little more aggressive early in the count and look to drive some balls. HS: You struggled for the 16 games you played in during your first trip to the majors, but Melky Cabrera also struggled during the same time period. Were you upset at all that you were the one sent down? BG: To be honest with you I try not to worry about stuff I can't control. I just come in here every day and try to improve my game and beyond that I can't really control everything. HS: After a good start to the season in Trenton last year you were promoted to Scranton and had a weak finish to the season. Now this year you've done very well there and opened some eyes, what has changed in the past year? BG: Your number one goal is to stay in the lineup every day to continue to give yourself opportunities to succeed. I think that I'm a better player now than I was a few months ago. I can't really pick out one particular thing that I've improved on. All around I feel like I'm more confident out there and I feel like when the opportunity comes up again to contribute at that level I'll be ready for it. HS: Where do you expect to be next year? Do you think you'll be in the Yankees starting lineup? BG: Next season is a long ways away. I don't really know, so much happens. There is still a long way to go in this season and so many things happen in the off-season. Who knows where I'll be or what the situation will be like next year. Obviously my goal is to play in the major leagues. Hopefully I'll be back at some point this season and next year have a good spring training and have a good camp and hopefully stay in the major leagues all year next year. HS: What did you think of your performance during your first call up? BG: I had some good at bats and I struggled at times. I was in a little slump while I was up there. I tried to continue to carry over from my season up to that point and I was seeing the ball really well. I just wasn't swinging the bat real well. That was the most frustrating thing about it because I had that opportunity and I really didn't take advantage of it. HS: Why do you think you struggled? BG: Obviously there are a lot of different variables that come into play when you struggle like that. I wasn't swinging the bat well to be honest. I wasn't swinging like I'm capable of and I probably was trying to be a little too patient at the plate and pretty much every at bat I just got behind and got into a hole. Once you get in a hole against guys pitching at that level it's tough because they have so many different ways to get you out. HS: After getting your first chance and missing it will you be playing with a chip on your shoulder the rest of the season? BG: I kind of always play with a chip on my shoulder because this game doesn't really owe me anything. I owe everything to this game for giving me an opportunity to play and I've been fortunate enough to have been blessed to play a game for a living. I'm just lucky to be here and I like playing baseball and if this is where I have to finish the season so be it. Everybody's goal is to play in the major leagues and not everybody can do that. Many thanks to Brett Gardner for taking the time to speak with us.

MLB Punchlines: Women in Boston Rejoice

Sat, 16 Aug 2008 17:40:24 -0500

The Giants signed their first round draft pick, #5 overall, catcher Buster Posey to a $6.2 million contract. (San Fran Chronicle)

Angels SS Maicer Izturis will miss the rest of the season with an injured thumb. Erick Aybar will be his replacement. (OC Register)

Melky Cabrera -the guy who the Yanks would not give up for Santana - has been sent down to the minors. Robinson Cano is probably devastated. (NY Daily News)

Ryan Church played yesterday in A-ball and could be back towards the end of this month. (NY Post)

Is their a bigger roller coaster bullpen in MLB than the Mets? (Newsday)

Instead of baggies the new Twins' stadium will feature a huge rock! Catch Twins fever! (Star Tribune)

Brewers merchandise sales are up 30% from the same point last year. Does this mean CC could possibly re-sign with them? (Journal Sentinel)

Chris Carpenter is back on the DL joining fellow Cards pitchers Adam Wainwright and Mark Mulder. (Sun-Times)

Ladies in Boston will love this. Jason Varitek is splitting with is wife. (AJC)

The night the ‘08 Yankees died

Sat, 16 Aug 2008 08:24:18 -0500

After last night's 4-3 loss to Kansas City, Peter Abraham very succinctly said just about everything that needs to be said. Melky Cabrera is now a AAA center fielder (hooray!), but the Yankees are toast. Start looking ahead to a very tumultuous winter, Yankees fans.

Yankees Demote Melky | Release Sexson

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 19:54:18 -0500

From being protected from a blockbuster trade to being demoted in the middle of August Melky Cabrera has taken quite a step back this season. The Yankees demoted the struggling 24-year-old center fielder today and in his place called up Brett Gardner who will likely take his place as a starter. Cabrera made Yankee general manager Brian Cashman look smart early this season when he hit .299 and a .864 OPS this April. It's all been down hill since then for the Melk-man. In May Melky hit .234, in June he hit .206. Since the all-star break things haven't gotten better either. He's been batting .244 with a .566 OPS. His power numbers have disappeared since an April surge. In April he hit five homers and since has only three. He has also only picked up one triple this season after picking up 10 over the past two years. This move is a long time in coming really. Gardner didn't exactly light up the Bronx when he was here, hitting only .153 with a .397 OPS. However it was just his first cup of coffee at the big league level and deserves a better shot to prove he can stay. Meanwhile Melky showed no signs of improvement. During the month of July when Gardner was in the bigs Cabrera hit .272, but had mostly singles and only a pair of walks which translates into a measly .653 OPS. Melky was surprised by the demotion saying, "I never thought this was going to happen. That's the manager's decision." Really? What did he expect to happen to a center fielder hitting .115 this month when his team in desperately trying to make the playoffs. On the other hand Gardner has been playing his best baseball of the year since his demotion from the Bronx. He finished July with a decent .714 OPS before putting up strong numbers in August. This month he has been hitting .366 with a .864 OPS. Also getting the axe on the Yankees was Richie Sexson. Sexson was brought in to provide some right handed pop off the bench for the Yankees. It's a limited role that he is unaccustomed to and he hit .250 with one homer in 28 at bats. "We really appreciate (him)," said Cashman. "The guy came and accepted the opportunity to do something that's foreign to him, and that's a part-time role. He was working on his swing, and at the same time, sporadic play - I don't think - is conducive to him at his stage of his career." Releasing Sexson doesn't make a whole lot of sense, but they did pick him up before trading for Xavier Nady and Pudge Rodriguez who are both right handed hitters. So in a sense Sexson became a further spare part. Replacing Sexson is 32-year-old utility-man Cody Ransom. He has played at the major league level a few times between 2001 and 2007. During that time he has gotten 140 at bats with a .696 overall OPS. This season he has been one of the leading offensive players on the light hitting Scranton Yankees. In 116 games he was hitting .255 with 22 homers, 71 RBI's and a .820 OPS.

Yankees Demote Melky | Release Sexson

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 19:49:33 -0500

Yankees Demote Melky | Release Sexson

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 19:49:33 -0500