New York Yankees 2008 Spring Training Thread

I think Girardi better watch how many rules he imposes. This can go well, or it can explode in his face.

Amazing the parallels between Herm/Mangini and Torre/Girardi though.

 

Mark Melancon, he'll be this years Joba in the pen

 

true. especially since he already has a reputation for feuding with ownership thats to that debacle in florida. i mean it is nice to see some changes after watching that slug sit on the bench and watch everything explode around him. (i still love you joe)

 

Humberto Sanchez, hell be this years Joba in the pen

 

What's embarrassing about it?

And the facial hair rules seem a little different... beards/goatees were never allowed before. Only mustaches.

I don't think the rules are going overboard. They seem rather common sensical to me. And if you know anything about Girardi's "reputation for feuding with management," you'd know that those problems had more to do with Loria than with Girardi.

 

I agree that the rules sound fair, especially considering the facial hair rule is more lax now. The thing is, how many things like curfew were enforced by Grampa Joe? I know the other day I saw Jorge say something about how Joe's style was more in tune with his players, and the new way of doing things was not being viewed very happily. (I don't remember the exact words, but that was the jist of it.)

I just worry that with so many of these vets being used to a certain way of doing things, team morale may fail. Of course, the old way of doing things wasn't working, so...

 

http://www.nypost.com/seven/02202008/sports/yankees/get_used_to_jase_at_first_base_98490.htm?page=2

This article is a little optimistic on two seperate fronts in my opinion. of course, Im a negative bastard as Ive been called......draw your own conclusions. could Girardi be a little delusional in thinking giambi can play say 135 games at first and damon is gonna run around the bases and outfield like hes 25?

 

Well, I did hear Jorge saying something about it like he wasn't very excited about it, but your point is good. And looking at the information below makes me even happier with Girardi, since it looks like even the "problem children" are making the effort.

I didn't realize Giambi was 37 years old. Wow.

If these guys are in the shape we're hearing they are, then I wouldn't be surprised to see Damon playing 5 years younger than he did last year. That's enough for me.

And if Giambi can play healthy, he's not a terrible option at first. Granted, he's never going to have the range of a Tino or Donnie, but he's a decent defensive player at first when he's at his maximum mobility. Add in the potential of having Damon, Giambi, and Matsui all in the same lineup, and it's a no-brainer if Giambi even plays an average first.

Damon LF
Jeter SS
Abreu RF
ARod 3B
Giambi 1B
Matsui DH
Posada C
Cano 2B
Cabrera CF

Holy shit, that's a lot of run support. If we get even decent pitching from the young guns, we stand to win a lot of games. And if Damon and Giambi are honestly in good physical shape, we can actually hit that 1,000 run mark this year.

 

giambi isnt a bad option at first? c'mon dude

 

I probably should have been more clear. Mark Teixeira is my wishlist guy for first (hell, let's be honest, if Pujols were in pinstripes, we'd be creaming our shorts).

In the absence of an All-Star caliber player, and compared to the other guys we have at this point, Giambi isn't a bad option defensively if he's healthy. When you add in his bat, and the fact that it would allow both Matsui's and Damon's bats into the lineup daily, while keeping the defensively superior Cabrera in CF, yes, it's not a bad option at all.

Obviously, if any part of the equation is changed, it totally changes the view of the situation. We take what we can get though.

 

Giambi's range = non-existent
Giambi's glove = pretty damn good
Giambi's arm = Knoblauchian


His bat can make up for some of those shortcomings, if he's hitting well.

 

Again, if you look at what I posted just above, it's a package thing with Giambi. Combine his bat, whatever defensive skills he does have, and the fact that it allows both Matsui and Damon in the lineup without a severe degradation in talent in center, and Giambi is not a bad option.

I didn't say he was a "good" option, I said he wasn't bad. Considering that his best competition for the spot this season is a guy who has never played the position, you take what you can get.

Like I said, if you can get me Tex, or better yet, Pujols, then I'm not arguing in Giambi's favor.


EDIT: I like the use of Knoblauch's name as an adjective. Good stuff. :up:

 

I understand your point about "the whole package"......but we're hoping the aging bat makes up for the horrendous defense......the bottom line is this team has like 4 DHs on it...not so good

 

If you only have the choice to upgrade (defensively) one of the following positions, which do you choose?

First base
Center Field

 

centerfield no doubt.....thats like askin me if I want my doctor to cure my dick cancer first or my V.D.. either way, im not much of a catch at the jewish singles dance this weekend

 

Fair enough. For the record, though, this is the quote I was responding to:

Defensively, he's a bad option. The "whole package" might make him the best option to play first base... but no matter how healthy he is, I think Giambi's a pretty bad option defensively compared to... well... just about anyone.

 

I hear you. While I wouldn't go as far as you (but then again, I guess I overvalue Jeter's defense as well), I was trying to be clear that the Giambi situation is a package, and he's not being inserted simply as a defensive replacement.

I still wish they'd have kept Phillips, but oh well, I'll take the bigger bat over the stronger glove anyway. It's only first base.

Damn, I really want baseball to start already.

 

There will never be another Joba in the pen.

But I am curious to see what Edwar will bring to the table this year.