The Official 2015 Yankees Thread

[Dogdeacon]

Well, that was depressing; but, not expected. Looks like the Yanks hit a wall after the All-Star break between injuries and age. Considering they were picked to finish 3rd or 4th in the AL East a miss the playoffs all together, this season was still somewhat of an accomplishment. Better than the Red Sox, LOL.

The Yankees threw out a donut in their postseason, got boo-ed lustily by their own fans and had their most proven playoff performer bow out on the eve of the playoffs. Yanks were 2 games below .500 after July. Only 2 more years of ARod at $21M per but 5 more years of Ellsbury at that number. Luckily only 12/30 teams qualify for the postseason so you've retained your wonderful sense of humor.

 

[DarthGrumpy]

The Yankees threw out a donut in their postseason, got boo-ed lustily by their own fans and had their most proven playoff performer bow out on the eve of the playoffs. Yanks were 2 games below .500 after July. Only 2 more years of ARod at $21M per but 5 more years of Ellsbury at that number. Luckily only 12/30 teams qualify for the postseason so you've retained your wonderful sense of humor.

Can I safely assume a Red Sox fan here? I can see how one can loose a sense of humor after back-to-back last place finishes. That said, the Red Sox share many of the same challenges that the Yankees face - the lack of a true #1 starter, some bloated contracts for over-paid and under-performing stars under contract (Ramirez $22 million, Ortiz $16 million, Sandoval $17 million, Pedrioa's mounting injuries $12 million [whom I actually like]), and some promising prospects coming-up; but, limited opportunities due to the baggage of these old contracts.

http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/...blo_sandoval_hanley_ramirez_are_the_gold_bust

 

[David 76]

We need a new 3rd baseman, right fielder, an ace. If they don't feel Ref can handle it, a new second baseman. ( I think he can) I think between Bird & Tex we are good at first. I like how Didi has played and I don't think McCann is a problem.
I can't believe the mistake they made with Els. He just is injured too much and it will only get worse. All to take our minds off of letting Cano go.

Amazing how little talent $200 million + can buy. I can't blame the Yankees for Tanaka. It wasn't like Els where you could see him falling apart. But our big ticket salaries, A-Rod, Tex, CC. Els, Tanaka; will all operate below expectations

 

[Dogdeacon]

Can I safely assume a Red Sox fan here? I can see how one can loose a sense of humor after back-to-back last place finishes. That said, the Red Sox share many of the same challenges that the Yankees face - the lack of a true #1 starter, some bloated contracts for over-paid and under-performing stars under contract (Ramirez $22 million, Ortiz $16 million, Sandoval $17 million, Pedrioa's mounting injuries $12 million [whom I actually like]), and some promising prospects coming-up; but, limited opportunities due to the baggage of these old contracts.

http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/...blo_sandoval_hanley_ramirez_are_the_gold_bust

Obviously logging onto a Yankee thread today is trolling, but nonetheless the fact that the Yankees have albatross salaries doesn't help me or Red Sox fans get over the Hanley Ramirez and Sandoval debacles. Ortiz is still hitting and he deserves a Derek Jeter/Kobe Bryant payday into the sunset regardless, so no worries there. You'd think having him around would prevent them from signing fat guys that could end up as DHs, but alas. Ramirez I think they seriously are considering paying 50-75% of his salary and shipping him elsewhere. Sandoval everyone hopes was a fluke and is salvageable (50-50 I guess). No one can explain Rick Porcello except the GM that lost his job over those 3 signings.
On the plus side the young outfield was fantastic the 2nd half and the pitching is showing some promise. Sox fans are generally ok with a 2-3 year build towards a contender.

 

[Waquoit]

some bloated contracts for over-paid and under-performing stars under contract (... Ortiz $16 million, ,,,

Explain how Ortiz was overpaid and underperforming?

 

[DarthGrumpy]

Explain how Ortiz was overpaid and underperforming?

Ortiz like any other player is being paid to play a full season, not a half. Wasn't Ortiz' batting average hovering around .220 before the All-Star break? Yankees have the same problem with Teixeria and Ellsbury (injuried) and A-Roid, except they all had a good first half and horrid second half.

 

[mauconnfan]

Explain how Ortiz was overpaid and underperforming?

His numbers ended up great didn't they? But tell me how he wasn't part of the reason they fell behind so badly in the 1st half floating around the Mendoza line with little or no "Pap" in his bat. Maybe the testing stopped who knows and it started for ARod, but the reality is when the boat was sinking first half Papi wasn't there either. And when asked to play 1st base to help the line up he cried. Great teammate.

He did make a run though to help them try to get out of the basement - impressive!

 

[mauconnfan]

Obviously logging onto a Yankee thread today is trolling, but nonetheless the fact that the Yankees have albatross salaries doesn't help me or Red Sox fans get over the Hanley Ramirez and Sandoval debacles. Ortiz is still hitting and he deserves a Derek Jeter/Kobe Bryant payday into the sunset regardless, so no worries there. You'd think having him around would prevent them from signing fat guys that could end up as DHs, but alas. Ramirez I think they seriously are considering paying 50-75% of his salary and shipping him elsewhere. Sandoval everyone hopes was a fluke and is salvageable (50-50 I guess). No one can explain Rick Porcello except the GM that lost his job over those 3 signings.
On the plus side the young outfield was fantastic the 2nd half and the pitching is showing some promise. Sox fans are generally ok with a 2-3 year build towards a contender.

Papi - Derek Jeter/Kobe Bryant? Why? You guys are whacked he deserves nothing of the sort he's a Dan Hurley they are full time players, no comparison sorry Deac. Maybe compare him to Harold Baines, Vlady Guerrero or Bill Walton near the end of his Celts contracts but not Derek or even an inured Kobe.

 

[60'sfan]

Well, that was depressing; but, not expected. Looks like the Yanks hit a wall after the All-Star break between injuries and age. Considering they were picked to finish 3rd or 4th in the AL East a miss the playoffs all together, this season was still somewhat of an accomplishment. Better than the Red Sox, LOL.

Not a Houston fan; but congrats to UConn's own George Spring on advancing into the playoffs.

As for the Yankees, they need to get younger fast and to get players who can get on base and not just hit a HR of strike-out. Behind the plate, I think the McCann experiment, while it looked good on paper, is over. Prefer trade him if possible and go with the younger Murphy behind the plate next year. Use the extra cash to get some pitching. At 1st, almost the same for Teixeria’s whose durability is now a huge liability. At least Bird looks viable there. In the middle, Refsnyder has hope at 2nd; but, I would like to add infield depth that can also hit (see Ryan and Drew). Gregorius improved a lot in the field at SS and at the plate as the season progressed and I hope he can develop further next season (Mateo is a likely two years away). With apologies to Headley and his solid defense, the Yanks need more offensive production and power out of 3rd base. Thus, need some new blood there. Ditto one of the outfield spots as Beltran should be used more as a super-sub and pinch hitter at his age and Judge is likely a year away, though should get some at bats in 2016. Fingers crossed that Ellsbury and Garner can fix their hitting issues next season. A-Rod’s production and quiet mouth was a welcome surprise the first half of the season; but, he faded badly at the end and simply can’t play a full season, even at Dan Hurley, anymore.

The back-end of the bullpen is what saved the Yanks this year and they were lucky they did not break-down from all of the heavy use. First, the Yanks need a true #1 pitcher. Tanaka should be a #2 and his durability is a major concern. Eovaldi looks to be a workable #3 and Severino has earned a shot at #4 even if the Yanks never hit for him. Let CC, assuming he can overcome his problem, fight with Nova and Pineda for the #5. Warren should be kept as a long-reliever and spot starter as that seems to work for him. Try and keep the Betances and Miller duo working while adding some younger arms to gain experience and slots down the road.

Any other hands in the farm system who may be of help in 2016 beyond those already on the 40 man roster?

So, for 2016

Batting Order

1) Garnder , LF

2) Ellsbury, CF

3) TBD, 3B

4) TBD, RF

5) Teixeria/Rodriguez, Dan Hurley

6) Bird, 1B

7) Gregorius, SS

8) Ryan, C

9) Refsnyder, 2B

Pitching

1) TBD

2) Tanaka

3) Eovaldi

4) Severino

5) Sabathia/Nova/Pineda

LR) Warren

R) Betances

C) Miller

Here is the perfect solution. Hanley Ramirez and Pablo Sandoval for Chase Headley and Jacoby Ellsbury. At least it would be a new look. Pablo could "anchor" the infield and Hanley could Dan Hurley. Between them they could hit 50 hrs.

 

[mauconnfan]

Here is the perfect solution. Hanley Ramirez and Pablo Sandoval for Chase Headley and Jacoby Ellsbury. At least it would be a new look. Pablo could "anchor" the infield and Hanley could Dan Hurley. Between them they could hit 50 hrs.

Great solution, each could have new anchors to deal with rather than rusty ones. And you get a guy who will play about 110 games and we get the same and also each receive 3rd baseman who make errors and go on prolonged slumps - perfect. And around and around we go

 

[Dogdeacon]

Papi - Derek Jeter/Kobe Bryant? Why? You guys are whacked he deserves nothing of the sort he's a Dan Hurley they are full time players, no comparison sorry Deac. Maybe compare him to Harold Baines, Vlady Guerrero or Bill Walton near the end of his Celts contracts but not Derek or even an inured Kobe.

This semi-hysterical line of criticism is a tad more reality based than your attack on Ortiz for not being clutch.

 

[Scoe]

This semi-hysterical line of criticism is a tad more reality based than your attack on Ortiz for not being clutch.

PAPI is fat

 

[mauconnfan]

This semi-hysterical line of criticism is a tad more reality based than your attack on Ortiz for not being clutch.

Geez deac not sure I said he wasn't clutch please point that out to me? I said he sucked the 1st half of the year which he did, or tell me he didn't in case he was much better than I thought?

I guess I should have said he was great the 2nd half of the year and without Sir Clutches they would have finished 25 games out of 1st rather than 15 - my bad Deac!

 

[Dogdeacon]

Geez deac not sure I said he wasn't clutch please point that out to me? I said he sucked the 1st half of the year which he did, or tell me he didn't in case he was much better than I thought?

I guess I should have said he was great the 2nd half of the year and without Sir Clutches they would have finished 25 games out of 1st rather than 15 - my bad Deac!

I was making an inference* based on you assertion that Ortiz performed poorly when the Sox needed help and better only once the team was better. There may be some causal relation that you are denying in the latter, but equally I'd argue the former was mostly out of his control anyway. Regardless, my point is he's got some built up goodwill for performing in key spots and for being the franchise's star.

I didn't say Ortiz was the equivalent player or talent of a Kobe or Jeter, just that his pay in his declining years was similarly based more on past performance than current. Let's use Dirk Nowitzki as the comp (not as many titles, but similar one-way player

*Inference - the reasoning involved in drawing a conclusion or making a logical judgment on the basis of evidence and prior conclusions rather than on the basis of direct observation

 

[mauconnfan]

I was making an inference* based on you assertion that Ortiz performed poorly when the Sox needed help and better only once the team was better. There may be some causal relation that you are denying in the latter, but equally I'd argue the former was mostly out of his control anyway. Regardless, my point is he's got some built up goodwill for performing in key spots and for being the franchise's star.

I didn't say Ortiz was the equivalent player or talent of a Kobe or Jeter, just that his pay in his declining years was similarly based more on past performance than current. Let's use Dirk Nowitzki as the comp (not as many titles, but similar one-way player

*Inference - the reasoning involved in drawing a conclusion or making a logical judgment on the basis of evidence and prior conclusions rather than on the basis of direct observation

It's a Yankees thread who cares about Papi?

And it's college basketball time, who cares about baseball?

 

[Danzz]

His numbers ended up great didn't they? But tell me how he wasn't part of the reason they fell behind so badly in the 1st half floating around the Mendoza line with little or no "Pap" in his bat. Maybe the testing stopped who knows and it started for ARod, but the reality is when the boat was sinking first half Papi wasn't there either. And when asked to play 1st base to help the line up he cried. Great teammate.

He did make a run though to help them try to get out of the basement - impressive!

Everyone was part of the reason they tanked in the first half. One day the pitching was bad, the next hitting was bad or they would blow games with bad D. Ortiz had an excellent year. Hanley and Sandoval stunk up Fenway. It all ended up being for the best as the Sox played their kids. The Sox still need bullpen help, a starter, and probably RH power hitter.
The Yankees had an excellent season especially your buddy Arod. They just got old by the end of the season and with age came the injuries. The Yankees have to get a lot younger.

 

[David 76]

The Yankees have a lot of good, young starters and relievers. They have youth on first & short and 2nd (if you count Ref) They will get a third baseman and they have good outfielders in the system. They stuck themselves in center and will have to live with that. All their other bloated contracts are nearing their end.
Yankees are in fine shape and, surprisingly, have a lot of youth. Tex, CC and A-Rod will still be there but will not be central.

 

[Scoe]

It's a Yankees thread who cares about Papi?

And it's college basketball time, who cares about baseball?

And he's a fat c k

 

[mauconnfan]

Everyone was part of the reason they tanked in the first half. One day the pitching was bad, the next hitting was bad or they would blow games with bad D. Ortiz had an excellent year. Hanley and Sandoval stunk up Fenway. It all ended up being for the best as the Sox played their kids. The Sox still need bullpen help, a starter, and probably RH power hitter.
The Yankees had an excellent season especially your buddy Arod. They just got old by the end of the season and with age came the injuries. The Yankees have to get a lot younger.

Ortiz BLEW the 1st half of the year it's hysterical you tools are okay with that, seriously. But they that's Sox fans. The guy doesn't run out ground balls EVER, he didn't want to help the team by playing 1st base because "he's old" (from what eating hot dogs while Dan Hurley'ing?) yet you guys all love the piece of crap ? Amazing

 

[The Viking]

Ortiz's first-half OPS was 762. Is that great or really good or even good? Well its above the average OPS. But I wouldn't say he "blew". That's ridiculous.

I don't care if an old, overweight guy who has achilles injuries in the past doesn't run out grounders.

A-Rod didn't want to play 1B this year either when the Yankees tried him out there. Dump some vitriol on him while you're at it.

 

[The Viking]

The Yankees have a lot of good, young starters and relievers. They have youth on first & short and 2nd (if you count Ref) They will get a third baseman and they have good outfielders in the system. They stuck themselves in center and will have to live with that. All their other bloated contracts are nearing their end.
Yankees are in fine shape and, surprisingly, have a lot of youth. Tex, CC and A-Rod will still be there but will not be central.

They can't go after a 3B, they have Headley for 3 more years.

Their young pitching is very good. Bird should be very good - although you may not see much of him in 2016 depending on the old guys.....Refsnyder should be a good hitter but his defense is lacking and that's important up the middle. I'd say maybe his future is at 3B but Headley is there..so who knows with him.

So youth at 1B in 2017, while in 2016 you have youth at SS, maybe at 2B. Guys in their 30's are McCann, Teix, Headley, Gardner, ELlsbury, Beltran, A-Rod with CC as the #4 or 5 guy.

 

[David 76]

Gardner and Els are only 32. I worry about Els' injuries but not his age yet . CC has 1 more year , right? Beltran & Tex 2 more? It can shape up pretty well.
But we can't leave Bird waiting for 2 years. He has to get at bats. And I think we have to get a new 3rd baseman. Trade Headley if you can, platoon him if you must. But we need more out of our infield

 

[mauconnfan]

Ortiz's first-half OPS was 762. Is that great or really good or even good? Well its above the average OPS. But I wouldn't say he "blew". That's ridiculous.

I don't care if an old, overweight guy who has achilles injuries in the past doesn't run out grounders.

A-Rod didn't want to play 1B this year either when the Yankees tried him out there. Dump some vitriol on him while you're at it.

Because he's not a first baseman and he played int he field all of his life please let's not compare an athlete at 40 years old to a Dan Hurley - it's ridiculous. And Papi did BLOW, he was awful batting near or under the mendoza line while his team was falling out of the race. To deny that is ridiculous. Instead let's say he was really good but not great and he had little or nothing to do with their fall. LOL......he didn't run out grounders when is achilles was fine - the denial from you guys go's way back I am wasting cyber space. And I'm sure the bat began to explode again just because he's great!

 

[mauconnfan]

Gardner and Els are only 32. I worry about Els' injuries but not his age yet . CC has 1 more year , right? Beltran & Tex 2 more? It can shape up pretty well.
But we can't leave Bird waiting for 2 years. He has to get at bats. And I think we have to get a new 3rd baseman. Trade Headley if you can, platoon him if you must. But we need more out of our infield

Huge trouble as everyone knows they need to get younger. Didn't like the Headley deal although for a while it looked great he went back to who he is, a.240 hitter with little pop and a crappy arm. Gardner, well you know my deal, overrated but not as bad a contract as Ellsbury. It now looks like that "speedy" top of the order duo is their undoing as neither are consistent and they don't run anyway (thanks Joe). ARod will have trouble getting to those numbers again as will Tex and Beltran. They are all staying as who wants them? Cashman is on the hot seat and needs to do something immediately, magic or whatever he put himself her now figure a way out. I don't care if they win for 2-3 years change the face of this team. Bird, Refsnyder and others need to be the beginning. Besides a 2 month stretch this team was never fun to watch their offense was painful for the last 2 years, but everyone is still there?

 

[David 76]

I'm on the top of the get rid of Cash group. The Els and Headley contracts were huge mistakes. But I admit he has done smaller deals well. Colon, Eovaldi, Pineda and Didi were all good deals. It is the big ones, A-Rod, Els, Beltran. McCann. that go from horrible to questionable, He should have kept Russel Martin.

Going forward, they can't move A-rod, Tex, CC, Beltran Els (and they are stuck with Els for a long time). I think they need to:

1)Get a true #1 pitcher

2)Get a new 3rd baseman (trade-pay part of his salary or demote) Headley

Decide if Ref and Ackley are capable, but I would really like to get Zobris either way. Zobrist can back everyone up, including the outfield.
If Drew isn't gone, he needs to be.

We can't worry about at bats for the old, overpaid guys. If they play great, fine. But we move forward with Bird, Ref, Judge, Severino, Gregorious, Betances, Eovaldi

Our infield was one of the greatest of all time, a few short years ago. This year our infield was so weak. We went from Tex, Cano, Jeter and A-Rod to broken Tex, Drew, Didi and Headley. That is why our run production disappeared.

 

[David 76]

I'm on the top of the get rid of Cash group. The Els and Headley contracts were huge mistakes. But I admit he has done smaller deals well. Colon, Eovaldi, Pineda and Didi were all good deals. It is the big ones, A-Rod, Els, Beltran. McCann. that go from horrible to questionable, He should have kept Russel Martin.

Going forward, they can't move A-rod, Tex, CC, Beltran Els (and they are stuck with Els for a long time). I think they need to:

1)Get a true #1 pitcher

2)Get a new 3rd baseman (trade-pay part of his salary or demote) Headley

Decide if Ref and Ackley are capable, but I would really like to get Zobris either way. Zobrist can back everyone up, including the outfield.
If Drew isn't gone, he needs to be.

We can't worry about at bats for the old, overpaid guys. If they play great, fine. But we move forward with Bird, Ref, Judge, Severino, Gregorious, Betances, Eovaldi

Our infield was one of the greatest of all time, a few short years ago. This year our infield was so weak. We went from Tex, Cano, Jeter and A-Rod to broken Tex, Drew, Didi and Headley. That is why our run production disappeared.