2013 Official Major League Baseball Thread.

[rumpleforeskiin]

"Under the bus, Alex." How much do the light hitting Yankees want Alex Rodriguez to disappear? This much, as Brian Cashman tells him to "shut the fuck up."

From MLB.com:

NEW YORK -- Alex Rodriguez delivered a message to the world via Twitter on Tuesday evening, announcing that his hip surgeon has cleared the slugger to begin playing in Minor League rehabilitation games.

The Yankees bounced A-Rod's message back to sender, and general manager Brian Cashman left little question that he would prefer it if his rehabbing star could just stay under the radar.

Responding to Rodriguez's tweet, Cashman said to ESPN New York, "You know what, when the Yankees want to announce something, [we will]," adding, "Alex should just shut the fuck up. That's it. I'm going to call Alex now."

Rodriguez tweeted that he had been visited over the weekend in Tampa, Fla., by Dr. Bryan Kelly, who performed his January left hip procedure. Rodriguez said that Kelly "gave me the best news - the green light to play games again!"

Alex Rodriguez ✔ @AROD

Visit from Dr. Kelly over the weekend, who gave me the best news - the green light to play games again! http://instagram.com/p/bAAhgcmxM3/

But the Yankees have made no such announcement, and the team's medical staff -- not Kelly -- would have the final say as to when and where Rodriguez begins playing in Minor League games.

Rodriguez's tweet was accompanied by an Instagram photo of Rodriguez and Kelly sitting on a dugout bench at the Yankees' Himes Avenue Minor League complex. It is expected that Rodriguez will begin playing for Class A Tampa in the Florida State League sometime in July.

Cashman departed Yankee Stadium without speaking to other reporters. His comments to ESPN came after the GM was also irked by a newspaper report that cited a source close to Rodriguez saying he would begin to play in Minor League games on July 1. Cashman told MLB.com on Monday that was inaccurate.

"The tail is not wagging the dog, at least in this case," Cashman said.

The Yankees have provided only a vague timeline for Rodriguez's return, with the club sticking to its original expectation that he could be back in the lineup after the All-Star break.

Yankees manager Joe Girardi said that Rodriguez is making progress but will continue playing in simulated games until further notice.

"I don't tweet and I don't really follow Twitter, so I probably don't really know much of what's going on," Girardi said after the Yankees' 4-3 win. "As far as I know, he's not cleared [to play].

"There's always a chain of command with injuries and there has to be. That's the process. It goes to our training staff, our doctors, our GM and then it probably gets to me, so I'm kind of down on the totem pole."

 

[EagerBeaver]

I am totally with Cashman on this one but in fairness to A-Rod, he was likely just excited to get good news from his Doctor and not thinking before posting.

This incident highlights the issues many sports teams have with their players posting on Twitter accounts. In the past few years the UConn basketball team has had a few issues with players posting various silly statements on Twitter and Facebook, and UCon has had to issue team rules and regulations on Facebook and Twitter postings. On the one hand their is a 1st Amendment right of free speech, but on the other hand the media is closely watching what gets posted whether it is the Hartford Courant watching what the UConn players post or the NY Post watching what the Yankees post. The UConn players have been told not to post anything that is construed as critical of the team or the coaching staff. This after one player who was sucking on the court started taking to Twitter to bitch about the minutes he was being played and the manner in which he was being used.

Yesterday both Curtis Granderson and Mark Teixeira posted updates on their rehab on their respective Twitter accounts. Granderson posted a photo of his hand out of the cast and Teixeira posted an update on his swing progression and how difficult it was to try and stay patient. I can understand this when you have some big bats and a 97 mph flamethrowing monster, who threw a dominant 2 hitter last night, poised to join a team that lurks 2.5 games out of first place despite continual posts about how much they allegedly suck.

 

[rumpleforeskiin]

I can understand this when you have some big bats and a 97 mph flamethrowing monster, who threw a dominant 2 hitter last night, poised to join a team that lurks 2.5 games out of first place despite continual posts about how much they allegedly suck.

Umm, what big bats are you talking about. And the flamethrowing monster? I don't know if you're aware of this, Beav, but it's a long, long journey from AA to the big leagues. I would hope he can get minor leaguers out.

Speaking of minor leaguers, Keith Law had this to day about Red Sox former first round draft pick, Anthony Ranaudo, who after struggling in 2012, is back en route the bigs. Given the Sox' pitching depth, I'm not as anxious as the Beav to see my boy rushed to the bigs:

I'm stretching a little here to discuss Ranaudo, as it's not clear that he'd be the next pitcher recalled if the Red Sox need another starter. I loved Ranaudo at LSU, even though he did not have a huge fastball, because hitters didn't see the ball out of his hand at all and he could miss bats with the curveball.

An elbow issue messed with his junior year, dropping him out of the top 10 on my 2010 draft rankings and into the second round in the real world, and his career seemed to stall out after a shoulder injury and a groin strain wrecked his 2012 season. This year, his stuff is more than back -- he's been 92-95 consistently with a plus-plus curveball, hard in the low to mid-80s, and he's back to his old aggressive dare-you-to-hit-this mentality on the mound, as well.

The stretching Law refers to is the inclusion of Ranaudo in an article on recent call-ups. For some reason, he doesn't discuss David Adams, about whom our friend, the Beav, was not long ago waxing eloquent.

 

[hungry101]

There are a lot of stats that should go. While the Save stat is a somewhat recent development, we're still using a whole bunch of stats that harken back to the 19th century. RBI, for example, is not reflective of a guy's ability to hit, so much as the ability of guys in front of him to get on base. Wins does not reflect a pitcher's ability as much as the ability of his team's ability to give him run support.

Wins and Losses, batting average, RBI's etc can be a little missleading but at the end of the day the top 10 in these catagories are pretty darn good. For example, Cabrara dominated in RBI's and Batting Ave catagories. Would anyone argue that Cabrera is not the best RH hitter in the American League? The Save stat on the other hand does not compare. It is a crock! The guy has to get 3-out. Since I am a Tigers fan I have spent years watching Todd Jones and Jose Valverde. If I have to hear about how Todd Jones or Vaverde got the job done....Bull shit! If those guys were starters neither would of made it past the third inning....No, I take that back. Neither would have made it into the third inning. In fact, the one time Jones pitched two innings he gave up 11 runs. I do not want to hear about how a closer was put in a non-save situation and he gave up 3-4 runs because it was not a save situation and he could not get himself "up" to pitch in this situation. These two guys threw batting practice fast balls and everything was hit back hard at them. When they had a good year they were lucky.

The year Jose Valverde was perfect he challenged Justin Verlander for Cy Young and MVP. Any Tiger fans who watched the game would tell you about how he want through every 9th inning 1-2-3-4-5 at best. When the 9th inning came you had to go in your bedroom and hide under the bed or go for a walk around the block. If the score was 3 - 0 in the bottom of the 9th Valverde was inserted and we won 3 - 2 with bases loaded and the last out was made by the centerfielder while climbing the flag pole to make the catch....and that was a save!

I knw what it is to face a good pitcher. When I go to the park and I watch the starter mow down hitters, saw bats off, make batters swing late, hit weak opposite field flys, freeze a hitter with a sharp breaking ball....none of these things you will see with Valverde on his best day. They sent him down to AAA to work things out? How about a new rabbits foot or he should spend his time looking for a four leaf clover.

I wish we sould not have let Rodney go.

Good riddence!

 

[EagerBeaver]

Cashman, A-Rod Regret Statements

http://www.nypost.com/p/blogs/yanke..._yankees_jBXsm7gKFhHSFpn84cpscO#axzz2XMp7MqzY

 

[Doc Holliday]

Texeira out for rest of season due to wrist surgery

As i predicted all season long.....

 

[Doc Holliday]

Still feeling discomfort, Clay Bucholz calls off bullpen session; MRI exam next

Could the ace of the Red Sox pitching staff be out until the all-star break?

 

[EagerBeaver]

Texeira out for rest of season due to wrist surgery

As i predicted all season long.....

Yes, and MLB picks up his salary, so the Yankees can use the money saved to pick up a contract in a trade. Trades are coming, and it will be pitchers for bats. The Yankees may not need to give up much if they use the Teixeira money saved to absorb a contract someone else does not want because the team is out of contention.

 

[Merlot]

Hey BOYZ,

Yes, and MLB picks up his salary, so the Yankees can use the money saved to pick up a contract in a trade.

How the hell do the Yankees get compensation for a player that they made a contractual commitment to when the only circumstance is an injury?

http://www.nypost.com/p/blogs/yanke..._yankees_jBXsm7gKFhHSFpn84cpscO#axzz2XMp7MqzY

Cashman is making up with A-Rod. Was there tongue involved?

OH WAIT!!! It seems the Yankees may be playing a dirty double-dealing game with the player they fell over themselves to sign to a huge white elephant contract...TWICE!

Source: A-Rod wary of Yankees

http://espn.go.com/new-york/mlb/sto...ankees-slowing-return-injury-according-source

NEW YORK -- Alex Rodriguez believes the New York Yankees do not want him to return this season, and perhaps ever again, a source told ESPNNewYork.com.

According to the source, Rodriguez thinks the Yankees are deliberately slowing his return to their active roster in the hope they can have him declared medically unfit to play this season, enabling them to recoup 80 percent of his $28 million salary through insurance.

"Alex thinks there's something really off about this situation," the source said. "Here we have a doctor declaring him fit to play. You think they would be happy about that."

Instead, Rodriguez's tweet Tuesday night -- "Visit from Dr. [Bryan] Kelly over the weekend, who gave me the best news -- the green light to play games again!" -- was met with an angry response from Yankees general manager Brian Cashman, who told ESPNNewYork.com's Andrew Marchand, "You know what, when the Yankees want to announce something, [we will]. Alex should just shut the f--- up."
According to the source, Rodriguez felt the GM's response was "over the top," and cemented his belief that the Yankees have been looking for ways to rid themselves of the 10-year, $275 million contract they gave him after the 2007 season.


"Alex thinks it's all about the insurance," the source said. "How could it not be?"

According to the source, Rodriguez believes the Yankees are delaying his return hoping time will run out for him to come back this season, or that Major League Baseball will hand down a lengthy suspension for his alleged involvement with Miami-area anti-aging clinic Biogenesis and its founder, Anthony Bosch, who is suspected of supplying numerous major leaguers with illegal performance-enhancing drugs.

Both Cashman and team president Randy Levine strongly denied that the Yankees would prefer A-Rod not return to play this season.

"False and false," Cashman said to both theories. "He's not being slowed down or anything. Make no mistake; if Alex Rodriguez is healthy, we want him, and I want him, playing third base for us yesterday. We're clearly a better team with him. We're taking every step in the process, but we can't have him unless he's ready. Period."

Added Levine: "Nobody wants to delay him. The sooner he comes back, the better. If he comes back healthy, he'll really help us to be a better team, and that's what this is all about."

Yankees spokesman Jason Zillo said in a statement that Rodriguez, Cashman and Levine spoke Wednesday evening.

"Alex called Cashman around 5:30 [p.m.], Cashman got Randy Levine on the phone, and they spoke for close to 30 minutes," the statement said. "It was a constructive, healthy conversation. Everybody is on the same page. And we're all going to communicate and work together to get Alex back as quickly as possible. Everyone fully understands the protocol and processes in place. We're all back on track."

As to the allegation that the team is delaying in hopes that MLB will sideline A-Rod before the Yankees determine he is ready to return, Cashman said, "We have no knowledge of where the Biogenesis stuff is except for what I read in the papers. Baseball's in charge of this stuff. We're not a part of that process. They're not keeping us in the loop or making us aware of anything. For us, it's business as usual until they tell us otherwise."

There is little doubt that Rodriguez's relationship with the team has deteriorated since he signed the new contract following his 2007 MVP season, beginning with his admission that he used steroids while a member of the Texas Rangers.

The rift between the Yankees and A-Rod clearly widened last October, when, while mired in a 2-for-25 slump during the playoffs, manager Joe Girardi pinch hit for him three times and benched him for three games, including two potential elimination games.

In addition, a story emerged that A-Rod had flirted with some women seated behind the Yankees' dugout while the team was in the process of losing Game 1 of the AL Championship Series to the Detroit Tigers. The Yankees never have officially refuted the story, and in fact, several team officials have privately confirmed it.

According to the source in A-Rod's camp, neither Cashman nor Levine have spoken to the player "in months," further fueling Rodriguez's suspicion that the Yankees are looking to rid themselves of him.

"Nobody ever talks to him," the source said. "Isn't it odd that the GM isn't keeping in touch with his highest paid player?"

Cashman acknowledged that he and A-Rod have not spoken in more than a month, but said that was not unusual with a player rehabbing an injury.

continued...

Oh boy, it looks like two of those big bats the Yankees fans here were gloating about coming back are done, and one in a dishonest way...hmmm.

Dirty dealing Yankees, I'm shocked.



Merlot

 

[EagerBeaver]

How the hell do the Yankees get compensation for a player they they made a contractual commitment to when the only circumstance is an injury?

It was an injury suffered not while with the Yankees but rather while training for the WBC, and an injury against which MLB insures. The problem is that the Yankees took him off the DL otherwise MLB would have (and still might) pay the entire salary. If they don't the Yankees have insurance that will. I believe the Yankees will argue that the recent MRI showed the tendon sheath injury sustained while training for the WBC never healed and was not reinjured, forcing MLB to reach a settlement with the Yankees.

You should really pay attention to what is going on before posting. Your posts have the appearance of shooting from the hip.

 

[Merlot]

You should really pay attention to what is going on before posting. Your posts have the appearance of shooting from the hip.

There's no mention of a link to compensation and the WBC injury, hence the question. You should really pay attention to your own link. Your posts have the impression you enjoy being a ****.

In any case I don't trust your word without confirmation. I was waiting for Rumps to explain, not you.

BTW: maybe if you did a little research instead of running off with your constantly rose-colored Yankee keyboard you would know what you were talking about.

Mark Teixeira injury: Yankees, not WBC, now responsible for paying salary

http://www.pinstripedbible.com/2013/6/25/4464276/mark-teixeira-injury-yankees-money-wbc

When Mark Teixeira was originally hurt taking batting practice for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, the Yankees got some relief from having to pay the first baseman's salary while he was on the disabled list because the WBC was picking up the tab. Unfortunately, once Teixeira came off the DL, the WBC's obligation to pay his salary ended, according to Bryan Hoch and Randy Levine. Now that he is looking at possibly needing to undergo season-ending surgery, the Yankees are once again on the hook for paying any money owed on Teixeira's salary.


***According to Yankees President Randy Levine:

http://www.nj.com/yankees/index.ssf/2013/06/randy_levine_discusses_yanks.html

With Teixeira back on the disabled list, does the WBC pay for his contract?

“No. The salary reverts to us from the time he came back. And obviously, we have our own insurance for Tex.”

Talk about shooting from the hip, sorry Beav...according to the above compensation OVER!

I believe the Yankees will argue that the recent MRI showed the tendon sheath injury sustained while training for the WBC never healed and was not reinjured, forcing MLB to reach a settlement with the Yankees.

The flaw in that is I believe the Yankees own medical people also have to approve Teixeira to play. If so then that approval puts the Yankees on the hook whatever insurance they have

It's only logical. Come back from an injury and go on a mini-tear with 3 home runs, you are deemed healthy. Get injured again while with the Yankees and the Yankees are responsible.

Cheers son,

Merlot

 

[EagerBeaver]

Merlot,

Go and re-read my last post. Everything you posted, I already posted. What is missing from the analysis you posted and what you forgot to read in my last post is the MRI exam which showed the injury did not heal and was not an aggravation that occurred after Teixeira came off the DL. That is what smart people who make money for teams argue. The Yankees should not have taken Teixeira off the DL but what MLB does not pay, insurance covers at 80%. The insurance carrier will argue MLB should pay because the WBC injury never healed. We are going in circles here, because you are not paying attention to what is going on or reading posts. Ultimately insurance companies or MLB pays, and the Yankees don't, and the money gets used on another player. Period and end of story.

 

[rumpleforeskiin]

The Yankees should not have taken Teixeira off the DL but what MLB does not pay, insurance covers at 80%.

I'd like to know where you get your information, Beav. I'll bet $ to donuts that your 80% figure is utter bullshit. Oh, and by the way, even if insurance does pick up a bit of his salary, every nickel of it will still count toward the luxury tax.

And as for MLB picking up Teixeira's salary, who do you think we should believe? You or Randy Levine?

Trades are coming, and it will be pitchers for bats.

The only problem with this equation, Beav, is that the Yanks are short pitchers. You got Kuroda, Phelps, Sabathia. You can't really count Pettitte since he's going to go back on the DL any time now and, aside from that, he's had one good start in his last five, unlike John Lackey who has had seven quality starts in his last eight. Hughes sucks; they'd love to trade him, except he has no value. So you have three, plus Pettitte. You need five. And you're going to deal pitching???

The Yankees may not need to give up much if they use the Teixeira money saved to absorb a contract someone else does not want because the team is out of contention.

Except that you can't give up money that doesn't exist.

 

[rumpleforeskiin]

OK, here's tonight's quickie quiz: Who was the last major league pitcher to record 12 strikeouts in a game without issuing a walk?

 

[Special K]

The only problem with this equation, Beav, is that the Yanks are short pitchers. You got Kuroda, Phelps, Sabathia. You can't really count Pettitte since he's going to go back on the DL any time now and, aside from that, he's had one good start in his last five, unlike John Lackey who has had seven quality starts in his last eight. Hughes sucks; they'd love to trade him, except he has no value. So you have three, plus Pettitte. You need five. And you're going to deal pitching???

Don't forget Rumps...that flamethrowing savior who's pitched a total of what, half a season in his career, is just about on the horizon. Every other team in the East is shaking in their cleats right now. Lol.

 

[Merlot]

Merlot,...what you forgot to read in my last post is the MRI exam which showed the injury did not heal and was not an aggravation that occurred after Teixeira came off the DL.

I read everything previously, but I wanted an opinion from someone who actually doesn't have a habit a gross pinstriped idolization and also doesn't have a bias against the Yankees. You covered all the points without giving a definitive answer, but you started again with the opinion that the WBC probably remained responsible, before you went on to deal with all the other possibilities. According to Yankee President Randy Levine responsibility now starts with the Yankees since Teixeira came back, which was my point to find an accurate definitive answer, regardless of insurance and the MLB. If you disagree with Levine, call him.

LACKEY - looking great:

It may only have been the so-so Rockies tonight, but John Lackey has looked extremely good since coming back, except for one start. With Lester still looking shaky, Lackey has been a very welcome surprise after a disastrous 2012...and the Red Sox still have the best record in the AL as the Yanks fall to 3.5 back. Lackey now has a 2.99 ERA, while Pettitte continues to struggle in June with a 4.91 ERA for the month. Is Lackey back to his California level?

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseba...ast-rockies/wIHAUxI225RuzFF7PmHCaM/story.html

When John Lackey walked off the mound in the seventh inning at Fenway Park Wednesday afternoon, the crowd of 34,632 erupted in cheers.

Lackey matched his career best with 12 strikeouts as the Red Sox beat the Colorado Rockies, 5-3, to sweep a two-game series.

Lackey (5-5) allowed two runs over seven strong and efficient innings. He threw first-pitch strikes to 22 of the 29 batters he faced and became the first Red Sox pitcher since Pedro Martinez in 2003 to strike out at least 12 without issuing a walk.

Junichi Tazawa and Koji Uehara each pitched an inning in relief of Lackey. Uehara, the team’s new closer, recorded his second save of the season.

Lackey dropped his earned run average to 2.99.

The Red Sox are 47-33 with the season one game away from the midway point.

Making his second start of the season, Colorado righthander Roy Oswalt allowed five runs on nine hits over six innings.

The Sox scored three runs in the first inning. Jacoby Ellsbury led off with a double and scored on a single by Shane Victorino. With one out, David Ortiz doubled to left field to drive in Victorino.

Ortiz scored on a two-out single by Daniel Nava, who hit a ground ball up the middle that deflected off second base.

The lead grew to 5-1 in the third inning. Victorino and Dustin Pedroia singled before Ortiz walked to load the bases with no outs. Mike Napoli’s single to right field scored Victorino. Nava then delivered a sacrifice fly to center field.

The Sox finished with 10 hits, three by Victorino. Jose Iglesias was 0 for 4, only his sixth hitless game of the season in 35 games with a plate appearance.

Michael Cuddyer hit two long home runs for the Rockies, extending his hitting streak to 23 games, which ties a team record.

The Red Sox are now 25-15 at Fenway, with victories in 12 of their last 16 games. They open a four-game series against Toronto Thursday night.

I'd like to know where you get your information, Beav. I'll bet $ to donuts that your 80% figure is utter bullshit. Oh, and by the way, even if insurance does pick up a bit of his salary, every nickel of it will still count toward the luxury tax.

And as for MLB picking up Teixeira's salary, who do you think we should believe? You or Randy Levine?

Careful Rumps, you're going against the all-knowing EB who also said those big bats would be back soon.

Cheers,

Merlot

 

[lgna69xxx]

Looking at the last cpl weeks in here more so than anything else, i see a bunch of frustrated rEd sOx fans at best.... lol, guys, enjoy your team while in first place while you can. Are you gonna run away with the division? Not even if rumps aunt gertrude says you are, will that happen.

Will you make the playoffs? not even sure Gurty would proclaim that with 90 or so games to go, she may be senile but even she is not that dumb to predict those kind of red sox proclamations with over half a season to go.

Frustrations of a reD soX fan = Yanks are in the hunt despite the massive injuries they have endured... unlike how the red sox showed us all how they could overcome such injuries with all that depth they DID NOT have last year........... cheer up boys, you are in first place (for now) (but we do thank you for the entertainment) :thumb: :lol:

 

[lgna69xxx]

Half a season? Half a season??? Thats usually what Clay "Broke back" (now broke neck) Bucholz is used to pitcihng, a half season. I will take a healthy Pineda anyday, Merci Beaucoup!

Don't forget Rumps...that flamethrowing savior who's pitched a total of what, half a season in his career, is just about on the horizon.

 

[rumpleforeskiin]

Go and re-read my last post. Everything you posted, I already posted.

Bullshit, bullshit, bullshit. Everything he posted was a direct contradiction of what you posted. What are you, a fucking lawyer?

 

[rumpleforeskiin]

Half a season? Half a season???)

Your right, iggy. Pineda pitched a whole season. My guess is that K isn't counting the half that he sucked.

...that flamethrowing savior who's pitched a total of what, half a season in his career, is just about on the horizon.

Which flamethrower you referring to K? Banuelos? Betances? Brackman? Maybe Dontrelle Willis is finally on his way to the Bronx.

Looking at the last cpl weeks in here more so than anything else, i see a bunch of frustrated rEd sOx fans at best.... lol, guys, enjoy your team while in first place while you can. Are you gonna run away with the division? Not even if rumps aunt gertrude says you are, will that happen.

Iggy old boy, you might want to be careful with just how far down your throat you put your foot. With the Yankees fading faster than the September sun, you might not enjoy the taste of your words.

As the New York papers have pointed out, yes the New York papers, the Yankees got through the first six weeks of the season on smoke and mirrors. They've played like shit ever since. Even the starting pitching is going downhill.

Can you name the only team in the AL East who has scored fewer runs than they've allowed?